UPSTREAM UPPER INTERMEDIATE UNIT 1 CAMBRIDGE SPEAKING EXAM PART 1

Read this conversation from Part 1 of the Cambridge Speaking test. Complete the conversation with
the correct form of the verbs. Use the following charts to help you :
PRESENT
GENERAL ACTION IN THE PRESENT TEMPORARY ACTION IN THE PRESENT
PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I usually go to school by bus. At present I am studying abroad.
Adverbs : often, frequently, sometimes, Adverbs : now, at present, for the time being,
rarely, seldom, ever, never, always, this ...(week / month / year etc.)
many times, generally, as a rule tonight / this evening

PAST AND FINISHED

PAST SIMPLE
VERB + ED (regular verbs)
2ND FORM (irregular verbs)
DID (NOT) + VERB 1
TIME IS CLEARLY MENTIONED
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
HAVE / HAS + VERB + ED (regular vbs)
HAVE / HAS + 3RD FORM (irregular vbs)
TIME IS NOT CLEARLY MENTIONED

I went to England last year / a year ago /
in June. (I say precisely when)
Adverbs : last…week / month / year etc…,
…(week / month / year etc.…ago,
yesterday
in…(year / month / season etc.)….
on the 2nd of April ( day)
I have often been to England.
(I don’t say exactly when)
Adverbs : often, frequently, sometimes,
rarely, seldom, ever, never,
always, many times
: just, yet, already, lately, recently, so far

UNFINISHED
(BEGUN IN THE PAST AND GOING ON UNTIL THE PRESENT)
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
HAVE / HAS + VERB + ED (regular verbs)
HAVE / HAS + 3RD FORM (irregular verbs) HAVE / HAS + BEEN + VERB + ING
NON-ACTIVITY VERBS ACTIVITY VERBS
How long have you known him ? How long have you been studying English ?
I have known him for ten years / since 2002 / I have been studying English for ten years / since
since I moved into this town. the 2nd grade / since I was a child.
Adverbs : how long Adverbs : how long
for + time adverbial for + time adverbial
since + time adverbial / past simple since + time adverbial / past simple
A: First of all I’d like to know something about you, Dorota. Where (you / be) ……………….from?
B: Poland. I (live)…………………………. in a small town called Nowy Targ.
A: And how long (you / live)………………………………. there?
B: I (live) ……………there all my life, though I (study)………… English in Torun at the moment.
A: (you / ever / study) ………………………….any other languages?
B: Yes. I (learn)……………………….. German for two years when I was at school.
A: OK. So what (you and your family / enjoy)………………………………. doing in your free
time?
B: We all (like) ……..skiing. My family always (go) ……………..skiing each winter in a place
called Zakopane which is near us.
A: And what’s the most exciting thing you (ever / do)……………………………….?
B: Oh, that’s a difficult question. Well, currently I (take) ……………….a course in paragliding.

CAMBRIDGE SPEAKING EXAM PART 1

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CAMBRIDGE SPEAKING EXAM PART 2

CAMBRIDGE SPEAKING EXAM PART 2

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 STUDENT A

STUDENT B - WOULD YOU PRACTICE ANY OF THESE SPORTS?

SAMPLE ANSWER 1
I am a very cautious person so I would never try an extreme sport. I can’t even swim although I’d
love to learn some day. As I am afraid of water, I might consider even swimming to be an extreme
sport.
SAMPLE ANSWER 2
I would definitely not practise any extreme sport. In my opinion, extreme sports should be banned as
they not only endanger the lives of those who practise them but they also jeopardize the lives of
people who might come to rescue. Moreover, the money spent on the expensive equipment could be
put to better use.

STUDENT B - BOTH PICTURES SHOW PEOPLE ENGAGED IN CONVERSATION.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE PICTURES SAYING :

WHAT MIGHT THE CHARACTERS IN THE PICTURES BE TALKING ABOUT ?

IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES MIGHT THE CONVERSATIONS TAKE PLACE ?

STUDENT A

IN WHICH OF THE TWO SITUATIONS DOES ONE HAVE TO BE

MORE DIPLOMATIC ?
CAMBRIDGE SPEAKING EXAM PART 3
TALK TO EACH OTHER ABOUT HOW USEFUL THESE METHODS ARE FOR LEARNING ENGLISH. (3 min)
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the internet pen-friends travelling
WHICH IS MORE USEFUL FOR LEARNING
ENGLISH?
dictionaries attending lessons watching films reading
books

Let’s start with dictionaries, shall we ? Dictionaries do offer the best explanations for words and phrases, don’t they ?

Well, as far as I am concerned, I’d prefer a teacher to explain me everything. You can always ask a teacher in case
there is anything you don’t understand. So I find attending lessons more useful than looking up words in the dictionary
on my own.

I suppose you’re right, interacting with a teacher or other students in class is more interesting and stimulating. But
what about films ? Don’t you find watching films equally useful ?

Yes, I do, especially because watching films is a very efficient way to memorise words and phrases.

Yes, indeed. You can associate what the characters say with the subtitles, you can improve your pronunciation and enrich
your vocabulary. Unlike books, you hear less sophisticated words in films, in fact you hear everyday words which might
be of greater help than those you might encounter in books. What do you think ?

Not all books contain sophisticated words. It depends on the kind of book you’re reading. In my opinion it is advisable
to read in English to keep practicing the words and phrases you’ve learnt as well as to learn more.

As far as practicing is concerned, travelling to English speaking countries is a far more useful way to practice speaking
English. You have the opportunity to talk to native speakers in real, everyday situations, in fact you are forced to use just
English to make yourself understood.

However, not everyone can afford to travel abroad, maybe certain people have the opportunity to visit Great Britain or
another English speaking country once in lifetime, so this is definitely not at hand and therefore it cannot be the most
effective way.

But travelling is also relaxing and entertaining, it can broaden your horizons, you can learn English unawarely while
doing all kinds of other interesting things.

That’s only if you like travelling. I’m afraid that I’m not such an active person, so, instead of travelling, I just surf the
internet from the comfort of my armchair. I can find anything I want to know about explained or presented in English on
the internet. I have learned a lot of new words from the internet.

So have I, the only problem though is that you just practice your reading skills.

But you can use the internet for writing e-mails. Don’t you consider writing to a pen-friend helpful ?

I agree that writing e-mails to a pen-friend can help you practice, but, to my mind, there is always the danger to use just
the simple words you know and limit the conversation only to the things that are of interest to you or to your pen-friend.

Yes, I see your point. What’s more, you cannot improve your pronunciation or develop your abilities to understand
what other people say in English if you limit your practice to writing e-mails, can you ?

NOW YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO DECIDE UPON TWO MOST USEFUL WAYS OF LEARNING ENGLISH.

Well, I suppose we should choose something that offers complex practice, not just reading or writing.
So, I’d say that attending lessons can help you practice all your skills and there is also the advantage of having a teacher
who can guide you and be of assistance. Then I think travelling and interacting with native speakers is equally useful.
Do you agree ?

While I agree with you about attending lessons, where teachers can be not only helpful but also motivating and
supportive, I disagree with you about travelling as it takes a lot of time and money and it is sometimes quite
uncomfortable or inconvenient. That’s why I’d choose watching films instead.

CAMBRIDGE SPEAKING EXAM PART 3

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TALK TO EACH OTHER ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMMUNICATING IN
THESE WAYS. (3 min)

NOW YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO DECIDE UPON TWO MOST EFFICIENT WAYS OF COMMUNICATION.

UPSTREAM UPPER INTERMEDIATE UNIT 2 MOODS AND FEELINGS

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CAMBRIDGE SPEAKING EXAM PART 3

SPEAKING PART 3 AND PART 4

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Here are some situations that can be stressful. You have some time (=15 seconds) to look at the task.
Now talk to each other about how stressful these situations can be. You have about 3 minutes.

taking care of
children
commuting to
school or work
attending a job
interview
How stressful can these
situations be ?

having a busy taking an exam speaking in

schedule public

Now you have about one minute to decide which two situations are the most stressful.