FCE Speaking Part 3: collaborative task
FCE Speaking Part 3 is a four-minute discussion with your partner based on a question and five written ideas. You talk together for two minutes, then have about a minute to try to agree on a decision; you are not penalised if you do not agree.
- Whole part
- 4 minutes
- Reading time
- 15 seconds
- Discussion
- ≈ 2 minutes
- Decision
- ≈ 1 minute
How FCE Speaking Part 3 works
Part 3 is the collaborative task, and the only part where you talk mainly to your partner rather than the examiner. The interlocutor gives you a question in the centre of a page with five written prompts around it, often called a mind map. You get about 15 seconds to look at it, then you discuss the question together for about two minutes, using the prompts. You do not have to talk about all five.
The interlocutor then stops you and asks a second question that asks for a decision, for example which idea would be the most effective, and you have about a minute to try to agree. You do not have to agree: failing to reach a decision is not penalised, and what matters is how you discuss it. In a group of three, the discussion lasts three minutes and the decision one minute.
This part tests whether you can sustain an interaction: exchange ideas, justify opinions, agree and disagree, suggest, speculate, evaluate and negotiate towards a decision. It is where examiners see most of your Interactive Communication, although, like every part, it is assessed as part of the whole test.
An FCE Speaking Part 3 practice task
Discuss this task with a partner for two minutes, then spend one minute on the decision question. Then open the sample discussion.
Examiner: Your town wants to encourage people to spend more time outdoors. Here are some ideas it is considering. Talk together for about two minutes about how effective each idea might be.
How effective would these ideas be in getting people to spend more time outdoors?
- building more cycle lanes
- organising free sports events
- planting more trees in the town centre
- opening cafés in the parks
- creating safe play areas for children
Decision question (about one minute): Which idea do you think would make the biggest difference?
Show the answer and explanation
Sample discussion (extract):
Marta: Shall we start with the cycle lanes? I think they'd make a real difference, because lots of people say they'd cycle more if the roads felt safer.
Ken: That's true, but they're expensive, and they only help people who already have a bike. What do you think about the free sports events?
Marta: They'd be popular, I'm sure, but they only happen once in a while. I'm not convinced they'd change people's habits.
Ken: Good point. What about planting trees? It doesn't sound very exciting, but if the centre were greener, people might want to sit outside more.
Marta: I hadn't thought of it like that. And it would make a big difference in summer, when it's really hot.
Decision minute:
Ken: So, which one would make the biggest difference?
Marta: For me it's between the cycle lanes and the trees.
Ken: I'd go for the trees, because they'd benefit everyone, not just cyclists.
Marta: I see what you mean, but I still think cycle lanes would get more people moving every day. Shall we agree to disagree?
Why it works: each speaker reacts to what the other has just said before adding a new idea; they ask each other questions; they disagree politely with reasons; they cover three prompts in depth rather than five superficially; and they do not make the decision until they are asked to. Not agreeing in the end is fine, because the way they negotiated is clear.
How to do B2 Speaking Part 3 with a partner
- 01
Use the 15 seconds to read the question and pick two or three prompts you have most to say about.
- 02
Start with one prompt, give your view with a reason, then hand over to your partner with a question: "What do you think?"
- 03
React to what your partner says before adding your own idea. Agree and build on it, or disagree politely and explain why.
- 04
Go into depth on a few prompts rather than racing through all five. Two minutes is not long, and quality of interaction matters more than coverage.
- 05
In the decision minute, compare the strongest options and try to agree. If you cannot, say so politely; that still counts as negotiating.
- 06
Share the time. If your partner is quiet, invite them in; if they are dominating, join in politely: "Can I just add something?"
FCE Speaking Part 3 mistakes
Two monologues instead of a discussion. If you each give a speech about every prompt without responding to each other, you are missing what this part tests.
Rushing through the prompts. One sentence per prompt sounds like a list. Discuss fewer ideas properly.
Deciding too early. The decision comes in the second question. Reaching it in the first two minutes leaves you with nothing to talk about.
Just saying "I agree". Agreement is fine, but add something: a reason, an example or a new angle on your partner's point.
Useful phrases for FCE Speaking Part 3
- Starting: "Shall we start with…?", "Why don't we begin with…?", "Let's talk about… first."
- Asking your partner: "What do you think about…?", "Would you agree that…?", "How do you feel about…?"
- Agreeing and adding: "That's a good point, and what's more…", "Exactly. I'd also say…", "I hadn't thought of it like that."
- Disagreeing politely: "I see what you mean, but…", "That's true to some extent, although…", "I'm not so sure about that, because…"
- Moving on: "What about…?", "Shall we move on to…?", "Let's look at… now."
- Deciding: "So, which one shall we choose?", "For me it's between… and…", "I think we both agree that…", "Shall we agree to disagree?"
FCE Speaking Part 3 and 4: how they fit together
Part 4 follows straight on from Part 3 and uses the same topic. If Part 3 asked how a town could get people outdoors, Part 4 might ask whether people spend less time outside than they used to, or whether cities should ban cars from the centre. That means the ideas and vocabulary you use in Part 3 are useful again a minute later. Do not use up every argument in Part 3, and listen to your partner's ideas: the examiner may ask you whether you agree with them in Part 4.
Practise Part 3 in full FCE Speaking tests
Each FCE Speaking test on this site has its own Part 3. You answer recorded examiner prompts on your own, so there is no partner, and your recording gets an expert evaluation.
- Test 1: ‘How could these activities help residents get to know one another?’
- Test 2: ‘How important are these things for keeping up a hobby?’
- Test 3: ‘How useful would these features be for people using the park?’
- Test 4: ‘How could these ideas help new students feel comfortable?’
- Test 5: ‘How could these ideas encourage people to use the library?’
- Test 6: ‘How could these ideas make everyday journeys more enjoyable?’
FCE Speaking Part 3 questions
How long is FCE Speaking Part 3?
About four minutes for a pair: around 15 seconds to read the task, a two-minute discussion and a one-minute decision. A group of three gets five minutes.
Do we have to agree in FCE Speaking Part 3?
No. Not reaching a decision is not penalised. The examiners assess how you discuss and negotiate, not whether you agree.
Do we need to talk about all five prompts in B2 Speaking Part 3?
No. It is better to discuss two or three prompts in depth, reacting to each other, than to mention all five briefly.
How are FCE Speaking Part 3 and 4 connected?
Part 4 continues the Part 3 topic. The examiner asks broader questions about it, to each of you or to both, so your Part 3 ideas are useful again.
Sources
- B2 First Handbook for Teachers (Cambridge University Press & Assessment), pages 70–71, 74, 79
- B2 First exam format (cambridgeenglish.org)
CambridgeMock is independent and not affiliated with Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Facts on this page are checked against the official documents above; the practice items and advice are our own.
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