SpeakingSpeakingSpeakingSpeaking

Understanding the cue Understanding the cue cardcard

Understanding the cue Understanding the cue cardcard

Talk about a work of art you have seen. You Talk about a work of art you have seen. You

should sayshould say

what the work of art waswhat the work of art was

where you saw itwhere you saw it

when you saw itwhen you saw it

And say whether you enjoyed that work of And say whether you enjoyed that work of

artart

Part 1- the topicPart 1- the topicPart 1- the topicPart 1- the topic

This part simply tells you what is the topic you This part simply tells you what is the topic you

need to talk about. Points to note include that:need to talk about. Points to note include that:

the topic will always be a general topic – the the topic will always be a general topic – the

sort of thing every should be expected to talk sort of thing every should be expected to talk

aboutabout

the topic is always personal – something YOU the topic is always personal – something YOU

have seenhave seen

Talk about a work of art you have seenTalk about a work of art you have seen

Part 2-the detailPart 2-the detailPart 2-the detailPart 2-the detail

This part is different. You are asked to add details about the main This part is different. You are asked to add details about the main

topic. These details are answers to what/where/when/who questions. topic. These details are answers to what/where/when/who questions.

Points to note include:Points to note include:

the details you are asked to add are descriptions, not explanations – the details you are asked to add are descriptions, not explanations –

it is possible to make the task harder than it really is by thinking whyit is possible to make the task harder than it really is by thinking why

you can details to the questions on the card: in fact it is good advice you can details to the questions on the card: in fact it is good advice

to do thisto do this

what the work of art waswhat the work of art was

where you saw itwhere you saw it

when you saw it when you saw it 

Part 3- the Part 3- the explanationexplanationPart 3- the Part 3- the explanationexplanation

This part is different again. Here you are asked to add an This part is different again. Here you are asked to add an

explanation and the question is almost always a how, if or why explanation and the question is almost always a how, if or why

question. Points to note includequestion. Points to note include

it is sometimes easier to say more about this part – it is sometimes easier to say more about this part –

explanations tend to be longer than simple descriptionsexplanations tend to be longer than simple descriptions

there may be more to say, but explanations are harder to give there may be more to say, but explanations are harder to give

normally than descriptions – your brain has to do more worknormally than descriptions – your brain has to do more work

Making notes- focusMaking notes- focusMaking notes- focusMaking notes- focus

When you make notes, I believe it helps to When you make notes, I believe it helps to

focus on what notes you make. If you just focus on what notes you make. If you just

try to make notes generally, you make no try to make notes generally, you make no

notes at all or get notes you can’t use. You notes at all or get notes you can’t use. You

should also remember that you only have should also remember that you only have

one minute. This means that the notes one minute. This means that the notes

you make are limited.you make are limited.

vocabulary notes- vocabulary notes- useful?useful?

vocabulary notes- vocabulary notes- useful?useful?

paintingpainting

masterpiecemasterpiece

artistartist

gallerygallery

exhibitionexhibition

Detailed notesDetailed notesDetailed notesDetailed notes

You are not thinking of words, you are thinking of ideas.You are not thinking of words, you are thinking of ideas.

Ask questionsAsk questions

When?“It was last year”. (almost no language)When?“It was last year”. (almost no language)

““I can’t quite remember when, but I think it was sometime in I can’t quite remember when, but I think it was sometime in

the middle of last year. I went there with a friend on a weekend the middle of last year. I went there with a friend on a weekend

because we had nothing else to do and felt like going out”. (lots because we had nothing else to do and felt like going out”. (lots

more language and some good spoken structures. This part of more language and some good spoken structures. This part of

the test is not all about topic language).the test is not all about topic language).

QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions

what the work of art was + artist + what what the work of art was + artist + what

typetype

where it was  + where exactly where it was  + where exactly 

when you saw it + when exactly + who when you saw it + when exactly + who

with + why gowith + why go

It is a test of communication, not It is a test of communication, not

knowledge. knowledge. 

Part 3Part 3Part 3Part 3

And say whether you enjoyed that work of And say whether you enjoyed that work of

artart

EducationalEducational

FunFun

PracticePracticePracticePractice

To understand how the questions work, it can make sense to write To understand how the questions work, it can make sense to write

out your own cue cards. This makes you think about the detail out your own cue cards. This makes you think about the detail

questions and the opinion questions. questions and the opinion questions.

Talk about _________________ you _____. You should sayTalk about _________________ you _____. You should say

whenwhen

wherewhere

whowho

whatwhat

And you should also explain whyAnd you should also explain why

Speaking Part 3Speaking Part 3Speaking Part 3Speaking Part 3

• Verbs of speculationVerbs of speculation

• Avoid parroting- paraphrase QAvoid parroting- paraphrase Q

• Using you/we/they- general observationUsing you/we/they- general observation

• Fillers to buy time- That’s an interesting Fillers to buy time- That’s an interesting

questionquestion

• Describe an artist or entertainer you Describe an artist or entertainer you

admireadmire

You should sayYou should say

• who they are and what they do+ how who they are and what they do+ how

long?long?

• how they became successful how they became successful

+why+when?+why+when?

• how you found out about them how you found out about them

+who+where?+who+where?

• and why you admire themand why you admire them