Speaking Topics - Narration Questions in English-language Exams

In my last post, I talked about how to deal with oral exam questions that asked candidates of English-certification exams -- such as the the Michigan State University (MSU) exam -- to describe someone or something. The post and questions that accompanied it were meant to help C2-level candidates, but the same questions could easily be used to get B2-level exam takers to speak more.

This post now deals with narrations, that is, questions which require candidates to speak about a past experience, a situation they had to endure or they enjoyed.

As I said in my last post, the questions that follow can be used by students and teachers alike as discussion starters, so even if you are not planning to sit an exam, you might find this article useful in terms of improving your English. Prepare vocabulary associated with the topic, or think about using linking words to sequence your ideas. These are just two of the "activities" teachers can promote as they discuss these questions with their pupils.

Those taking the MSU-CELP exam, IELTS, CPE, ECPE, ESB, LRN, TOEFL, PTE, BULATS, TIE, and similar tests will also benefit.


How to answer narration questions


We saw that there was a clear order in the way descriptions need to be tackled in the previous post (for those who would like to take a look, just follow this link). The same applies for narrations, and I would say that sequencing ideas is even more imperative in this case, as stories should have a beginning, middle and end to them or else things become rather confusing and confusion is most certainly not what we want to have the examiner deal with at the exam. 


A reminder: in order for an examiner to grade you, there needs to be ample material available for them to assess. If you don't say much, they can't be generous in their marks, so be prepared to speak (obvious remark, I have to add since the point of a Speaking exam is for you to speak).

 

So what do you need to do?



Step 1: The Basics

Background information that includes time, place, and people involved should be mentioned first. This is the same strategy used for the description questions we spoke of last time. 

This helps you ease into your answer by putting your interlocutor into the picture of things. Remember, you are telling a story about a time when something happened to you, so telling it like a story makes it even more interesting. 

Imagine being an examiner who, after 2 hours of interviews, has heard the same basic things being said over and over again, with nothing mildly relating to an interesting story. Add some creative vocabulary to create the atmosphere, to set the scene.


Step 2: Provide Conflict

You've spoken about the general state of affairs, now move on to the details. Sequence your story and include issues that had to be overcome if possible. Stories are only possible if some kind of obstacle falls in the protagonist's path. The same goes for your situation. 

If you have been asked to describe a time when you had to lie to someone, mention the difficulties you faced that made you resort to this solution instead of cutting to the chase. Do you think your answer will be lengthy if, after mentioning when this event happened and where you were at the time, you said what the lie was? Build up momentum by mentioning the things that forced you to lie. 

Next, compound the first motive with a second one before finally saying what the lie was. Let's look at a sample answer:

"I hadn't done my assignment because I'd been out with friends three days straight. My teacher was expecting the work on time, so I was forced to come up with an excuse I knew was a blatant lie. The story I came up with had to be good enough or else I was going to fail the class -- at least that's what my teacher told me three days before the deadline. Twice before I hadn't handed in my other assignments so this was going to be the end of the line for me, he said. On top of that, my parents had been notified a few weeks earlier, so I had been given a warning from them as well. What I dreaded the most wasn't so much being grounded for a week or two as the fact that they would cut my allowance until God knows when. And with me saving up to go on summer vacation with my cousins that year, getting on their bad side was not an option. So, I told my teacher the following thing: ..."

This example shows that inserting problems, or conflicts as this section's heading mentions, creates a much more interesting answer since it provides opportunities for more varied vocabulary. 


Conflicts can be ones created by other people (a parent making life difficult for a child), by social norms or regulations (something that constitutes a criminal act spices up a story), by the natural elements (for instance a storm at sea, or the weight of something due to gravity) or by self (someone fighting with their conscience over a decision they have to make). Simply try to add some kind of obstacle to develop your answer and enrich it with more lexical items.

Step 3: Resolution

Finally, finish off your answer by saying what happened in the end -- was there a happy ending to the whole experience, any silver lining or did tragedy strike? Don't forget to add your feelings as well as those of others. 

If we go back to the example about the lie, say how things turned out. Did the teacher fall for it? What did your parents do? Did they find out or not? How did parents and teacher react? Were they angry, surprised, amused? Did you manage to go on vacation with your cousins? Did you feel relieved?

As you can see, this last section resolves all the conflicts that were mentioned earlier and winds the answer down.

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MSU- CELP Speaking Topics

Part 2:

Narrations

• Tell me about a time when you lost something that was important to you.

• Tell me about a time when you did something because you didn't want your friends to think badly of you.

• Tell me about a time when you felt ashamed about something you had said or done.

• Tell me about the plot of a thriller you saw recently and tell me why you liked it. 

• Tell me about a time when you were really embarrassed.

• Tell me about a time when you had to return a product you had bought back to a store.

• Tell me about a time when you helped someone in need.

• Tell me about a time when you went to a concert.

• Tell me about a time when someone you trusted let you down.

• Tell me about a time when you were wrongfully punished for something that wasn't your fault.

• Tell me about a time when you worked very hard to accomplish something that needed a lot of preparation.

• Tell me about a time when you had to convince someone else to do something for you.

• Tell me about a time when you did better than expected on a test or assignment.

• Tell me about a time that you did something that was quite dangerous.

• Tell me about a time when had to fill in an application for a job, service, activity or course.

• Tell me about the first time you realized what you wanted to do in life / what you wanted to be. What happened that made you realize this?

• Tell me about a time when you saw someone again after many years.

• Tell me about a time when you got into a serious argument with someone.

• Tell me about a time when you were in primary school and you got into trouble for something. What happened?

• Tell me about a time when you went on holiday with your parents.

• I’d like you to think about the first time you traveled by boat, train or airplane. How was the journey?

• Tell me about a time when all your efforts came to no use.

• Tell me about a time when something or someone took you by surprise.

• Tell me about a time when someone didn't keep their promise to you.

• Tell me about a time when you had to do something very difficult, but you knew it was the right thing to do. 

• Tell me about a time when you were really looking forward to something.

• Tell me about the best vacation you’ve ever had. What made it so special?

• Tell me about a time when someone or something really frightened you.

• Tell me about a time when you had to move to a new house, city or country.

• Tell me about a time when you organized an event.

• Tell me about a time when you had to tell a friend of yours that you disapproved of their behavior.

•  Tell me about a time when you were very worried about someone close to you.

• Tell me about a time when you phoned or almost phoned the police.

• Tell me about a time that you found yourself in a car accident.

• Tell me about something a friend or relative of yours did that made you feel proud of them.

• Tell me about a time when you had to break a promise you had made.

• Tell me about a time when you did something you were very proud of.

• Tell me about a time when you received the best or worst gift ever.

• Tell me about a time when had to replace or fix something that you broke.

• Tell me about a time when you won some kind of award.

• Tell me about the first time you met someone you consider important to you.

• Tell me about a time when you were furious with something a friend or relative of yours had said or done.

• Tell me about a time when you spent more money than you should have.

• Tell me about a time when you did something you knew would get you in trouble with your parents.

• Tell me about a time when your curiosity either got you into trouble or helped you.

 

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