Fast Track IELTS – Student Area



OET SPEAKING LESSON: REVIEWDURING THIS LESSONLearned how the OET speaking exam is structured and what to expect during the pleted activities to understand the task, question types and intonation.Practised using the ‘past/present/future’ format of answering speaking exam pleted practice speaking exam with teacher.0381000REVIEWThis lesson aimed to improve your understanding of the OET speaking exam.The test involves two 5-minute conversations with an examiner with a small 2-minute warm up at the beginning and a break in between the two conversations.You will need to use the past/present/future format of answering questions to ensure you cover all the points on the task card. This booklet will cover the topics you have discussed with your teacher in further detail. There are also five practice tests at the end of the booklet for you to use as rehearsal before your test. ACTIVITY 1Answer the following questions regarding the OET speaking exam.1. Approximately how long is the OET speaking exam in total?A 5 minutesB 10 minutesC 15 minutesD 20 minutesANSWER: The test is approximately 20 minutes long: 10 minutes of recording conversation, a 2-minute walk up and a short break.2. The examiner will lead the conversation. You should wait for the examiner to prompt you and to lead the conversation.A TrueB FalseANSWER: If the conversation drops, it is up to you to keep it going. You might find it useful to ask the patient questions to keep the conversation moving: “Can you describe the pain to me?” Remember, you are in control.3. You don’t really need to listen to the patient. If you answer the question and have good grammar you’ll get a high grade.A TrueB FalseANSWER: It is important to listen to the patient and not to memorise your answers. You may need to adjust your response depending on what the patient says next, therefore it is important that you not only speak well but also listen well.4. What is the method that is recommended when answering speaking exam questions?A FPP MethodB TP MethodC CP30 MethodANSWER: It is recommended that you answer questions using the ‘FPP method’. That means past, present and future. You should address what has happened to the patient, what is happening to the patient today and what will happen for the patient.ACTIVITY 2The examiner will grade and review your answers based on five criteria:1 Overall Communicative EffectivenessThis criterion assesses how well a candidate can maintain meaningful interaction during the role-play.2 IntelligibilityThis criterion assesses how well a candidate’s speech can be heard and understood. It concerns the impact of such features of speech as pronunciation, rhythm, intonation, pitch and accent.3 FluencyThis criterion asses how well a candidate’s speech is delivered in terms of rate and flow of speech.4 AppropriatenessThis criterion assesses how well a candidate uses language, register and tone that appropriate to the situation and the patient.5 Resources of Grammar and ExpressionThis criterion assesses the level and extent of the candidate’s grammar and vocabulary as well as their appropriate use.Below is a list of situations in which a candidate would score a high grade. Connect the above criteria to one of the five marking criteria above. Write the correct number (1-5) next to the letters below.A Use a smoother flow of speech and limited hesitation. ____B Shows sufficient language skills to effectively complete the task. _____C Show flexibility by using different phrases to communicate the same idea. _____D Communicate confidently in the situation provided. _____E Use a natural flow of speech, giving stress to words to emphasise meaning. ____F Show awareness of the patient’s problems and sensitivities. _____G Maintain a natural speed of speech to make it easy for the listener to follow. ____H Use suitable, professional, formal language. ____I Minimise grammatical inaccuracy to enhance communicative effectiveness. _______J Complete the task in the allocated time. _____K Avoid restarting sentences or repeating words to correct himself/himself. ____ANSWERSA 2 B 1 C 5 D 1 E 2 F 4 G 3 H 4 I 5 J 1 K 3 OVERALL COMMUNICATIVE EFFECTIVENESSNow look at the example below which demonstrate a high and low performance in this criteria. Some key points are in described in each example in relation to the criterion. First we are looking at Overall Communicative Effectiveness.EXAMPLE 1CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:PATIENT:Do you have any time to eat breakfast?Er… sometimes.Do you drink coffee or smoke instead of breakfast?Yes, that’s right.Well, considering your blood pressure being higher you have two options. The first option is, you’re going to have medication, which would be the last solution. The second option, the best option I think, is changing your lifestyle. You do not need to change everything in your life, but you need to make it better.Yeah, ok.What do you think it’s easier or better for you? Where do you want to start? Do you want to start with … your eating habit?Alright. Ok.And, do you think you can give up smoking?Oh, I really can’t. I really love smoking, so…What about reducing smoking? Maybe reduce from twenty cigarettes to fifteen?Yeah, I just can’t give up altogether. But I could try to cut down I guess.The candidate is active in initiating the conversation.There are some minor errors (‘…your blood pressure being higher…’), however it goes not affect the examiner’s understanding. Advice is also given in an easy to understand manner. Language skills are appropriate for the task.Conversation is confidently maintainedInteraction is meaningful and it is clear what point is being made.EXAMPLE 2Now read through the example below and use the right hand column to explain how this candidate is less effective in Overall Task Achievement. Use the column on the right in the below table to complete notes on how the candidate can approve his/her score.CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:PATIENT:CANDIDATE:Umm, it’s very hard to… for… school kids to … er … stuck in the home and … nothing to do. So just … they need rest and not using arm very much and use a sling. And no operation right now. And also … they … he can take painkiller.Er… how much painkiller should I give him?Er… I’m not too sure now … because … doctor will .. er … prescript for that drug today. So I’ll check for you later.OK. Alright. So It should take a month for him to heal.At least about a month and … yeah … doctor will check him … in one month and also take x-ray for him. And he will decide and tell you how long he will rest for more and when he can play volleyball again.OK.Because he is enjoying to play volleyball. Maybe.Ah, he does. Will he ever be able to play again?Usually … er … most people recovery around … in three months to six depend on patient and the time, and depend on which place, they got injury. Because a lots of place, maybe stays much longer or less. But it depend on patient. I’m sorry I can’t say munication is restricted by frequent _____.The candidate manages to answer the patient’s questions but not in a _____ way.Some partsGrammar and vocabulary is _______.ACTIVITY 4Have a look at these two examples of making a request:1028700185420Can I borrow your jacket?00Can I borrow your jacket?Example 1Discuss with a friend - is the speaker talking to someone close or distant? Who might it be?3542665240665Would you mind if I gave your name as a referee?00Would you mind if I gave your name as a referee?What is the situation? Is it at all awkward or difficult? Is the language formal or informal?Example 2Discuss with a friend - is the speaker talking to someone close or distant? Who might it be?What is the situation? Is it at all awkward or difficult? Is the language formal or informal?Now think about the situations and relationships represented in the table below. Decide on the speaker and the situation, and think of a suitably formal or informal expression for the occasion. There are no right or wrong answers. Talk with a friend to see if they agree with your suggestions.SituationSpeakers - close or distant?Situation - easy or difficult?What could you say?Asking for information about GP surgery hours.CloseInviting a colleague to a meeting.Arranging a night out with a friend.Phoning to change an appointment with your child’s school.Checking what time your teenage daughter is coming home tonight. Situation difficultRelationshipRelationshipclosedistant Situation easyDecide where to place these examples of formal or informal language on the grid. Remember, we tend to use more informal language with people we are close to and in situations where we feel most comfortable. We are more formal with people we don’t know so well and in situations which are more difficult or uncomfortable.A. “Could you tell me how to get to the nearest post office please?”B. “More tea?”C. “You can’t go out in that!”D. “Thank you so much for all your assistance.”E. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you.”F. “Lend us a tenner ‘til tomorrow.”G. “Where’s my coat?”H. “Would you be interested in taking part in a competition? “I. “I would like to make a complaint about your service.”J. “You can’t be serious!”Think about how close or distant the relationship between the speaker and their audience might be, and how easy or difficult the situation might be. There are lots of possible answers. Compare your answers with a friend’s. ANSWERSBelow are the suggested answers to the above activity. Situation difficultC, F, JH, IRelationshipRelationshipclosedistantB, GA, D, E Situation easyPRACTICE QUESTIONSNow try completing the below OET practice questions. Scoring a high grade in the OET speaking exam is a little bit like public speaking. You will need to practice speaking (out loud) in the build up to your test to ensure that your answers meet the marking criteria that was set up earlier in this lesson.You may find it useful to:Record yourself (perhaps using your mobile phone).Listen back to the recording to critique your answers.Answer the question in the past/present/future format.Now turn over to the next page where you will find useful sample answers. Your card and the examiner’s response will both be provided for your reference. You may find it useful to ask a friend or relative to practice the conversations with you.PRACTICE QUESTIONS ................
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