SPEAKING TEST SAMPLE- LEVEL A1 (AV0-1)

(maximum 07 minutes/ pair of students)

OVERVIEW
PART 1 (1-2 minutes)

THE TASK

The interlocutor leads a general conversation with each of the candidates.

In Part 1, Phase 1, the interlocutor asks questions of a factual and personal nature to each candidate in turn.

Part 1, Phase 2 takes the form of a topic-based interview. The interlocutor asks some short-answer questions to each
candidate about their daily life, interests, likes, dislikes etc. followed by one longer 'Tell me something about …'
question.

Candidates respond directly to the interlocutor – they do not talk to each other in this task.

Part 1 lasts 1-2 minutes in total.

HOW TO APPROACH THE TASK

It is normal for candidates to feel nervous at the beginning of the Speaking test. This conversation uses every day, simple
language. It is designed to help settle candidates into the test.

Candidates should listen carefully to the questions and give relevant answers.

Candidates should avoid giving one-word answers, but try to extend their answers with reasons and examples wherever
possible. However, they are not expected to give very long answers at this stage.

If candidates have any difficulty in understanding a question, they should ask the interlocutor to repeat it.

ASSESSMENT

This part of the test assesses the candidates' ability to answer simple questions about themselves. The focus is on
interactional and social language.
PART 2 (4-5 minutes)

THE TASK

In Part 2, Phase 1, the candidates talk to each other. The interlocutor sets up the task and takes part in this phase.

Part 2, Phase 1 takes the form of a discussion based on five illustrations representing an appropriate topic, e.g. hobbies.
The candidates are asked to discuss the activities, things or places illustrated.

The interlocutor allows candidates to speak together for 1–2 minutes before intervening to extend the conversation by
asking questions related to the activities, things or places. A rounding-off short-answer question asked to both
candidates closes this phase.

In Part 2, Phase 2, the interlocutor leads a follow-up discussion on the same topic as that discussed in Phase 1. Each
candidate is asked two questions.

HOW TO APPROACH THE TASK

Candidates should look at the illustrations on the visual prompt carefully and identify the activity, place or thing each
one represents.

Candidates should aim to talk about all of the activities, things or places, saying which they like and dislike, and why.

Candidates are encouraged to extend as much as possible by elaborating on their answers and by responding to each
other's utterances, for example, giving their opinion on their partner's idea or asking a question to help keep the
conversation going.

Possible topics include activities and places relating to daily life, leisure activities, transport, towns and cities, and
holidays.

ASSESSMENT

Candidates are assessed on their use of appropriate language and interactive strategies, not on their ideas.
RUBRIC- Level A1
Total: 10 points

A1 Grammar and vocabulary Pronunciation Interactive Fluency

communication
(0-2.5) (0-2.5) (0-2.5)
(0-2.5)

2.5 Shows a good degree of Is intelligible. Maintains simple Is able to speak at

control of simple Intonation is exchanges. rather low speed and
grammatical forms. Uses a generally can respond with
range of appropriate appropriate. unnoticeable pauses.
vocabulary when talking Requires very little
about everyday situations. prompting and
Sentence and word support. Is able to deliver
stress is generally thoughts with almost
Is able to frequently give accurately placed. no simplified
simple sentences and some prompts.
short compound sentences
linked by simple linkers (and, Individual sounds
but, because, however, are generally
while, next,…). articulated clearly.

2 Performance shares features of Bands 1.5 and 2.5.

1.5 Shows sufficient control of Is mostly intelligible, Maintains simple Is able to speak at
simple grammatical forms. despite limited exchanges, despite rather low speed and
Uses appropriate vocabulary control of some difficulty. cannot respond
to talk about everyday phonological without noticeable
situations. features. pauses.
Requires prompting
and support.
Is able to occasionally give Occasionally needs
simple sentences and some simplified prompts in
short compound sentences order to produce
linked by simple linkers (and, responses.
but, because, however,
while, next,…).

1 Shows only limited control Has very limited Has considerable Is not able to deliver
of a few grammatical forms. control of difficulty intended thoughts
Uses a vocabulary of isolated phonological maintaining simple and needs a lot of
words and phrases. features and is often exchanges. pauses.
unintelligible.

Is not able to form simple Requires additional Frequently needs

sentences and prompting and simplified prompts in
rarely/inaccurately use support. order to produce
simple linkers (and, but, responses.
 because, however, while,
next,…).

0 Performance below Band 1.

QUESTIONS – SET 1
PART 1 (1-2 minutes)

Phase 1: Background information (examiner – candidates)

Actions Questions Prompts

Talk to Candidate A Good morning/afternoon/evening.
May I know your student ID?
Talk to Candidate A What’s your name?
Talk to Candidate B Good morning/afternoon/evening.
May I know your student ID?
Talk to Candidate B What’s your name?

Phase 2: Basic topics (examiner – candidates)

Actions Questions Prompts

Talk to both Now, let’s talk about music.

candidates

Talk to candidate A A, what kind of music do you like? Do you like classical music or pop music?
Do you like jazz?

Talk to candidate B B, where do you often listen to Do you listen to music at home or at the
music? coffee shop?
Do you listen to music at the concert?

Talk to candidate A A, describe your favorite song. What is your favorite song?
When do you usually listen to the song?
Why do you like that song?

Talk to candidate B And now, B, describe your favorite Who is your favorite singer?
singer. Where is he/ she from?
What is his/ her hit song?
PART 2 (4-5 minutes)

Phase 1 (2-3 minutes): A discussion based on five illustrations representing an appropriate topic
(examiner – candidate, candidate - candidate)

Actions Questions Prompts

Now, in this part of the test you are going to talk together.

● Display the pictures in front of candidates.

Here are some pictures that show different kinds of music.

What is in each picture? Do you like these kinds of music?

I’ll say that again.

What is in each picture? Do you like these kinds of music?

You have 30 seconds to prepare.

● Time students for 30 seconds.

All right? Now, talk together.

● Time students for 2 minutes at max.

What is in each picture? Do you like these kinds of music?
Phase 2 (up to 02 minutes): a follow-up discussion on the same topic as that discussed in Phase 1
(examiner – candidate)

Actions Questions Prompts

Talk to candidate B Now, B, in your opinion, is K-pop Do young Vietnamese people like K-pop?
popular with young people in
Vietnam? Why or why not?

Talk to candidate A And what about you, A? Do young Vietnamese people like K-pop?
(In your opinion, is K-pop popular
with young people in Vietnam? Why
or why not?)

Talk to candidate A A, what kind of music is popular in Do people often listen to folk music?
Vietnam? Why is it popular? Is it a traditional music in Vietnam?

Talk to candidate B What about you, B? what kind of Do people often listen to folk music?
music is popular in Vietnam? Is it a traditional music in Vietnam?
Why is it popular?

Talk to both Thank you. That is the end of the

candidates test.