In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
Twenty more questions should help keep candidates on their toes before the exam. If you missed the first post with description questions, you can read it here.
This list can also be used by other learners of English to improve their speaking skills. Teachers could use it as a discussion or oral exam practice tool.
If you are an MSU-CELP candidate, feel free to go over the topics but make sure to extend your answers to cover two minutes instead of one.
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| Click on the image for IELTS Speaking tips |
How to use the list
Students should time themselves and be able to continue to speak for about one minute on the following topics. By practicing regularly, they should be able to know how long their answer should be to cover the time set aside for this task.
They should prepare a rough response for each question by thinking of key words to include in their answer, but should not memorize full-length texts.
For instance, if the question asks you to describe your favorite book, you should make a list of words related to the topic to review the day before the exam. In other words, you would include words like:
- author
- plot
- main character / protagonist
- antagonist
- setting
- theme of the story
- genre
- suspense / drama / comedy
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| Looking for ECPE Stage 2 speaking tips? Click on the image. |
MSU-CELC ORAL EXAM
Speaking Topics - Descriptions
1) Describe the ideal place to go out with your friends
on weekends.
2) Describe a pet you have / a pet you’d like to have.
3) Describe a building in your city you find beautiful.
4) Describe the music you enjoy listening to the most.
5) Describe your neighborhood.
6) Describe a sport you like to watch or do.
7) Describe something (a game, an object) you had as a
child that you have kept and will keep.
8) Describe something that you have bought recently.
9) Describe a charity you would like to donate money to
or volunteer for.
10) Describe a famous person you admire.
Looking for topics dealing with the Narration section of the test? Click the image below.
11) Describe your ideal job.
12) Describe your room.
13) Describe a fun party you went to.
14) Describe your favorite café, bar or fast food place.
15) Describe a wedding you went to.
16) Describe an assignment or project you have worked on
recently.
17) Describe your favorite car.
18) Describe a website you visit regularly.
19) Describe a household chore you hate having to do.
20) Describe an advertisement you have seen recently you either enjoyed or not.
FOR MORE BLOG POSTS RELATED TO SPEAKING EXAMS, CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW.
