B1 B1 Preliminary Speaking Skills 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the B1 Preliminary speaking test, what should you do if you don't understand the examiner's question?
- Politely ask them to repeat or clarify it (Correct answer)
- Stay silent and wait
- Guess the answer
- Say 'I don't know' and stop
Correct answer: Politely ask them to repeat or clarify it
It is perfectly acceptable to politely ask the examiner to repeat or clarify a question.
Question 2: Which phrase is most appropriate for expressing an opinion in the B1 Preliminary speaking test?
- 'In my opinion, …' (Correct answer)
- 'You must agree that …'
- 'Everyone knows that …'
- 'Obviously …'
Correct answer: 'In my opinion, …'
'In my opinion' is a clear, polite way to introduce a personal view.
Question 3: In Part 2 of the B1 Preliminary speaking test, candidates are given a photograph and asked to do what?
- Describe and talk about it for about one minute (Correct answer)
- Write a paragraph about it
- Act out a scene shown in the photo
- Memorize the photo and describe it from memory
Correct answer: Describe and talk about it for about one minute
Part 2 requires each candidate to speak alone about a photograph for approximately one minute.
Question 4: Which of the following is a useful discourse marker for adding information in a spoken response?
- Furthermore (Correct answer)
- Nevertheless
- Although
- Despite
Correct answer: Furthermore
'Furthermore' is an additive discourse marker that links extra information smoothly.
Question 5: What does 'interactive communication' mean in the B1 Preliminary speaking assessment criteria?
- Responding to your partner and keeping the conversation going (Correct answer)
- Talking without stopping for two minutes
- Using formal vocabulary throughout
- Asking the examiner questions
Correct answer: Responding to your partner and keeping the conversation going
Interactive communication means listening and responding appropriately to maintain a natural conversation.
Question 6: In Part 3 of the B1 Preliminary speaking test, candidates discuss a topic together. What skill is being assessed?
- Collaborative discussion and reaching a decision (Correct answer)
- Memorizing a prepared speech
- Translating between languages
- Correcting each other's grammar
Correct answer: Collaborative discussion and reaching a decision
Part 3 tests the ability to interact, negotiate, and work together to make a joint decision.
B1 B1 Preliminary Speaking Skills 1
In the B1 Preliminary speaking test, what should you do if you don't understand the examiner's question?