ECPE Speaking Notes

Part 1: Personal questions and factual questions related to the theme of the speaking test
Part 2: Summarising and recommending
 2-3 min to read the 2 options silently and construct a summary with the notes
given
 Present the summary to partner (your own words as far as possible)
 Recommend the option they feel is the best of the 2 their partner has presented
 Choose the best of your 2 choices (silently)
Part 3: Consensus Reading
 Report the best of your 2 choices
 Work with partner to compare the two options you individually have chosen
Discuss adv & disadv and decide on a single option. Explain reasons for decision
and why they are important.
Part 4: Presenting and convincing (Examiner 2)
 2-3 min to prepare a presentation of final choice and which 2 reasons each will
present. Allowed to look at each other’s handout.
 Formally present final choice – 2 reasons each candidate and explain why they are
Important / justification
 Examiner asks some questions about their decision.
Part 5: Justifying and defending (Examiner 2)
 Examiner asks questions about the reasons they provided during part 4 in order to
get them to justify their decision.
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Part 2
Presenting the 2 choices
To begin with, my informative list is comprising of two options, which are ………. as well as ………. .
Regarding my first choice/option, ……………………………………
In comparison to my alternative selection, ………………………………….

Commenting on the other candidate’s options

Regarding the details that you described, which were very informative, my personal preference form your
list is the ………. option, due to the fact that it is my opinion that this choice is not only appropriate but
also interesting and inspiring with comparison to the alternative selection which I believe to be unsuitable
and unattractive / less attractive.

Taking into consideration the information you gave me, which is very helpful, I think the best selection is
………. . It is my point of view that this option is not only suitable but also exciting and interesting, in
contrast with the other one which I personally believe is less suitable / attractive.

Par 3
Candidate 1: After listening to each of our views and taking into consideration all the possible options and
aspects that were included, it is significant that we discuss our selective process in order to come to a final
decision. Would you like to commence?

Candidate 2: Certainly. / It would be my pleasure. I strongly believe that a good choice is that of ……….
For the reasons we previously discussed / we explained in the briefing, and as the advantages far
outweigh the disadvantages. Are you in agreement with me?

Candidate 1: I totally agree with you. I would also like to add that ………. compared to ………. which is less
appealing and expensive.

Candidate 2: I completely complement your choice and am willing to compromise. However, I would like
to add as well as express feelings of ………. regarding / concerning this issue.

Useful expressions
The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages
………. should be / is our first / top priority
………. is of the utmost importance
………. Is bound to / most likely to be widely accepted

Adjectives
(un)attractive inclusive innovative (im)practical
appealing costly (un)achievable (un)affordable
(in)effective (in)applicable preferable (ir)resistible
Giving Reasons Highlighting
This is why we have decided . . . In fact, …
The main reason is . . . As a matter of fact …
Another equally important reason … In particular / Particularly …
Our decision is …
Therefore, we strongly believe …

Introducing a point Introducing an opposite point

I’m sure/convinced that … I take / see your point but …
It seems quite clear/obvious that … Possible / True, Yes, but …
Wouldn’t you agree/admit/say that … On the other hand …
The first/basic problem seems to be/ is … Looking at it from another point of view …

Expressing Agreement Expressing disagreement

I couldn’t agree more.
I agree entirely.
That’s exactly what I think.
I’d go along with you on that.
I think you have an interesting point.
Expressing doubt
I take / see your point but …
I see what you mean but …
I agree with you on the whole but …
But don’t you think / see that …?
That’s true I suppose but …
That’s an interesting point of view/comment but …
Well, you have a point there but …
Might it not also be true that …?
I honestly don’t see why …
I don’t think there is any need to …
I’m not sure I quite agree/I’ll go along with you
there/on that.
I don’t think it would be advisable to …
Yes, but on the other hand …
Yes, but you’ve got to remember that …
Well, to be quite honest …
I am afraid that …
Isn’t it possible that …?
What will happen if …?

Buying time: fillers Asking for clarification

Well … Could you explain what you mean by…?
Um … / er … What do you mean?
Actually … I’m sorry but I’m not clear about …
You know/ see … I’m not sure I understand that / follow you
I see.
I/ you mean …
As a matter of fact …
Let’s see (now).
Now let me think/see.
I’ll have to think about it.
Frankly, …
To be (quite) honest/frank, …
In fact, …
I wonder …
The thing is …
It’s like this, you see …
What I’m trying to say is …
What I would say is …
Let’s put it this way …
I’ll tell you what …