CANDIDATE’S CUE CARD Task 1UNIVERSITY CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONSYou have just arrived at a new university. It is orientation week and youwant to know about the different clubs and associations you can join.Your examiner is a Student Union representative.Ask the examiner about: types of clubsmeeting timesbenefitscostsIINTERVIEWER’S NOTESUNIVERSITY CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONSPrompts for interviewerOverseas Students Club• Meets once a week in StudentCentre, near Library All welcome• Helps you to meet other students• Financial contributions welcomeChess Club• Meets once a week in Library Not suitable for beginners• Plays other universities Serious players only• No subscriptionTable Tennis Club• Meets every day at lunch-time instudent area near canteen All welcome• Arranges tournaments• $5.00 subscription

CANDIDATE’S CUE CARD Task 2ASKING FOR AN EXTENSIONYou have to give in a piece of work to your lecturer next Wednesday.You need two more weeks to prepare the assignment because you havehad difficulty obtaining the reference books. Your examiner is yourlecturer. Find out if you can have an extension.Ask the examiner about: regulations regarding late workpossibility of having more timedifferent sources for books/informationassistance with writing for overseas studentsINTERVIEWER’S NOTESASKING FOR AN EXTENSIONThe student is seeking extra time for an assignment.• The student may need to write a letter.

• The student has had plenty of time to prepare the work and should notreally need two more weeks.• Provide some idea about where he/she may get hold of the books.• Offer advice about the “Learning Assistance Centre” on the campus whichhelps students with essay writing.After some resistance, agree to an extension of one week.

CANDIDATE`S CUE CARDTask 3THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYThere will soon be a public holiday in the country your examiner comesfrom. You want to find out about the holiday.Ask the examiner about: the name of the public holidaythe significance of the holidayavailability of services on the day(banks/shops/cinemas)things for visitors to dohow she/he plans to spend the dayINTERVIEWER`S NOTESTHE PUBLIC HOLIDAYChoose a lesser known public holiday from your country. Be prepared toprovide some accurate information on the history and significance of theday. If in-country, tell the candidate how you will spend the day.If you are in a non-English speaking country, tell the candidate how peoplenormally spend this day back home.Provide information about the availability of shops, services and banks onthe day.

CANDIDATE`S CUE CARD Task 4THE EXCURSIONThe Overseas Students` Club is organising an excursion to a local tourist spot.You are thinking of joining the exursion. Your examiner is one of theorganisers.Ask the examiner about: destinationmeans of transportlength of excursioncost

mealsclothing/equipmentINTERVIEWER`S NOTESTHE EXCURSIONSelect an authentic tourist destination about two hours` drive from your city.Provide the following information according to local facts:• Details about what can be seen/done there• Special bus provided• Departure and arrival times• Suggest appropriate local cost• Meals not provided — students can buy or bring food• Walking shoes recommended

The candidate is to find out as much information as possible about electronic mail.Candidate's cue card:ELECTRONIC MAILYou are studying at a language school and have heard that students may obtain anelectronic mail (e-mail) address so that they can send and receive messages bycomputer. The Examiner is the Student Services advisor.Ask the Examiner about: what e-mail iscosthow to obtain an e-mail addresslocation of e-mail at schoolequipment needed at homecourses on e-mail

Task:The candidate is to find out as much information as possible about a concert.CONCERTFind out as much as possible about a concert your examiner has been to recently.Ask the examiner about: the type of concertthe locationthe costtransport to and from the concert

the audiencethe length of the concerthis/her opinion of the concert

The candidate is to find out as much information as possible about an environmental group.Candidate's cue card:AN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPYou are interested in joining a group of students at the university who work to protectthe environment.Ask the Examiner about: the name of the groupaction that they takethe cost of membershipwhat members have to donumber of memberswhen the group was founded

The candidate is to find out as much information as possible about buying a book.Candidate's cue card:BUYING A BOOKYour teacher recommended a good English language writing book to assist studentswith their written work.Ask the examiner about: the level of the bookthe titlethe authorsthe costplace of purchaseextras - cassettes, answers

PART 1The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiartopics.

EXAMPLEFamily• Do you have a large family or a small family?• Can you tell me something about them?• How much time do you manage to spend with members of your family?• What sorts of things do you like to do together?• Did/Do you get on well with your family? [Why?]PART 2Describe a teacher who has influenced you in your education.You should say:where you met themwhat subject they taughtwhat was special about themand explain why this person influenced you so much.You will have to talk about thetopic for 1 to 2 minutes. Youhave one minute to thinkabout what you’re going tosay. You can make some notesto help you if you wish.PART 3Discussion topics:Developments in educationExample questions:How has education changed in your country in the last 10 years?What changes do you foresee in the next 50 years?A national education systemExample questions:How do the expectations of today’s school leavers compare with those of the previousgeneration?What role do you think extracurricular activities play in education?Different styles/methods of teaching and learningExample questions:What method of learning works best for you?How beneficial do you think it is to group students according to their level of ability?

PART 1The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.EXAMPLEFestivals

• Tell me about the most important festival in your country.• What special food and activities are connected with this festival? • What do you most enjoy about it?• Do you think festivals are important for a country? [Why?]PART 2Describe a film or a TV programme which has made a strongimpression on you.You should say:what kind of film or TV programme it was, e.g. comedywhen you saw the film or TV programmewhat the film or TV programme was aboutand explain why this film or TV programme made such animpression on you.You will have to talk about the topic for1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute tothink about what you’re going to say.You can make some notes to help you ifyou wish.PART 3Discussion topics:People’s cinema-going habits nowadaysExample questions:Do you think the cinema has increased or decreased in popularity in recent years?In your opinion, will this trend continue into the future?Making a film or TV drama of real/fictional eventsExample questions:What are the advantages and disadvantages of making films of real-life events?How important do you think it is for a film-maker to remain true to the original story?Censorship and the freedom of the film-maker/TV producerExample questions:Should films and television be censored or should we be free to choose what we see?How do you think censorship laws will change in the next 20 years?

PART 1The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiartopics.EXAMPLEVisitors• What would you suggest a visitor should see and do in your country?• Are there any traditional arts or music you would recommend?

• Tell me about the kind of foreign visitors or tourists who go to your country.• In what ways has tourism changed your country?PART 2Describe a memorable event in your life.You should say:when the event took placewhere the event took placewhat happened exactlyand explain why this event was memorable for you.You will have to talk about the topicfor 1 to 2 minutes You have oneminute to think about what you’regoing to say. You can make somenotes to help you if you wish.PART 3Discussion topics:The role of ceremony in our livesExample questions:How important are ceremonies in our lives?Do you see the role of private and public ceremonies changing in the future?Attitudes to marriage in your countryExample questions:Have attitudes to marriage changed in recent years?In what ways do men and women feel differently about marriage, in your opinion?Events of national/global significanceExample questions:What sort of national events make headlines in your country?Does the media in your country pay more attention to global or national events?

PART 1The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiartopics.EXAMPLEDaily Routine• What would you like to change in your daily routine?• Are all your days the same?• Tell me about your typical weekday and your typical weekend.• What is the balance of work/study and free time in your normal day?

PART 2Describe something you own which is very important to you.You should say:where you got it fromhow long you have had itwhat you use it forand explain why it is so important to you.You will have to talk about thetopic for 1 to 2 minutes. You haveone minute to think about whatyou’re going to say. You can makesome notes to help you if you wish.PART 3Discussion topics:How values can changeExample questions:What kind of possessions show status in your country?Do you think it was different for your grandparents?The consumer societyExample questions:Modern society is often called ‘materialistic’. Why do you think this is?Do you think consumerism is a positive or a negative development?The consumer marketExample questions:What is the role of advertising?How do you think the Internet will affect buying patterns in the future?

PART 1The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and otherfamiliar topics.EXAMPLEFriends• Are your friends mostly your age or different ages? [Why?]• Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends? [Why?]• The last time you saw your friends, what did you do together?• In what ways are your friends important to you?PART 2You will have to talk aboutthe topic for one to twominutes.

You have one minute tothink about what you’regoing to say.You can make some notesto help you if you wish.PART 3Discussion topics:Looking after historic placesExample questions:How do people in your country feel about protecting historic buildings?Do you think an area can benefit from having an interesting historic place locally? In whatway?What do you think will happen to historic places or buildings in the future? Why?The teaching of history at schoolExample questions:How were you taught history when you were at school?Are there other ways people can learn about history, apart from at school? How?Do you think history will still be a school subject in the future? Why?