CAE Speaking Test 1
Part 3: “How might these factors affect whether a community project is worth maintaining?”
Part 2 photos: concentrating on different activities, exchanging advice in different situations
Take CAE Speaking Test 1
CAE · Speaking
CAE Speaking practice: all four parts, with sample questions
CAE Speaking is the C1 Advanced Speaking test: 15 minutes, face to face with two examiners and usually one other candidate. It has four parts: an interview, a long turn on two of three pictures, a discussion task with your partner and a wider discussion. It is marked out of 75 and counts for 20% of your result.
- Free, no sign-up to start
- Solo practice with recorded examiner prompts
- Estimated Cambridge English Scale score
Time15 min
Parts4
Marks75
Of your score20%
Paper format
CAE Speaking, part by part
Each row links to a guide with the format, a worked example, strategy and common mistakes.
| Part | Task | Time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Interview | 2 min | Answering questions about yourself, from simple to more reflective. |
| 2 | Long turn | 4 min | Choosing two of three pictures and answering two printed questions for about a minute, with speculation; then a short answer about your partner’s pictures. |
| 3 | Collaborative task | 4 min | Discussing five written ideas with your partner for 2 minutes, then a 1-minute decision. |
| 4 | Discussion | 5 min | Discussing more abstract questions linked to Part 3 and justifying your views. |
Marking
How CAE Speaking is marked
Grammatical Resource, Lexical Resource, Discourse Management, Pronunciation, Interactive Communication and Global Achievement: 75 marks. Our expert evaluation gives an estimate from your recordings.
In the real test each candidate is marked individually, not against their partner. 66/75 is about 200 on Cambridge's practice-test guidance.
Tips
Six CAE Speaking tips
- Part 1: answer naturally and briefly. A reason or an example is enough; the later questions ask for more reflection.
- Part 2: choose two of the three pictures. Answer both printed questions and speculate (“they might be…”, “it could be that…”); never just describe.
- Part 2: listen to your partner’s turn. You answer one question about their pictures for about 30 seconds.
- Part 3: explore before you decide. Discuss two or three ideas in depth for 2 minutes, then use the minute to reach a decision together.
- Part 4: develop your answers. Give reasons, examples and a counter-argument; the questions are more abstract than in Part 3.
- Interact throughout. Respond to your partner’s ideas and invite their view; failing to agree is not penalised.
Sample questions
CAE Speaking questions from our tests
One example from each part. Every test page lists all of its questions and photos.
Part 2, Test 2 (3 photos)
What might the people be taking into account? How difficult might it be for them to reach a decision?
Part 3, Test 3
How might these approaches help a group use its members’ different strengths?
Part 4, Test 4
Why might people hesitate to use a facility that is open to everyone?
Useful phrases
Useful phrases for CAE Speaking
Short frames to start an answer in each part. Use them to begin, then say something specific about the question.
Part 1
- It’s hard to say exactly, but…
- These days I tend to…, whereas before…
- What matters most to me is…
Part 2
- I’ll talk about these two pictures.
- It could be that they’re…, which would explain…
- This situation is probably more demanding, since…
- Judging by their expressions, they seem…
Part 3
- Shall we begin with…?
- I see what you mean, but have you considered…?
- That would only work if…
- We seem to agree that… is the most…
Part 4
- It largely depends on…
- There’s a strong argument for…, although…
- To take an example from…
- I’d go further and say…
Speaking tests
All 6 CAE Speaking tests
Each test is the Speaking paper of the matching CAE mock test, and its page shows what is inside before you start.
CAE Speaking Test 2
Part 3: “How might these experiences help people move beyond their usual routines?”
Part 2 photos: considering different alternatives, sharing responsibility for practical tasks
Take CAE Speaking Test 2CAE Speaking Test 3
Part 3: “How might these approaches help a group use its members’ different strengths?”
Part 2 photos: communicating an idea in different ways, working patiently on detailed tasks
Take CAE Speaking Test 3CAE Speaking Test 4
Part 3: “How might these features make a shared facility accessible and welcoming?”
Part 2 photos: trying to communicate clearly in different situations, finding creative uses for limited space
Take CAE Speaking Test 4CAE Speaking Test 5
Part 3: “How might these experiences give people a sense of ownership of a shared place?”
Part 2 photos: trying to understand unfamiliar information, practising patience in different activities
Take CAE Speaking Test 5CAE Speaking Test 6
Part 3: “How might these factors make an experience memorable and useful afterwards?”
Part 2 photos: situations in which people may need to adapt their plans, developing trust while doing something together
Take CAE Speaking Test 6
FAQ
CAE Speaking questions
How long is the CAE Speaking test?
15 minutes for a pair of candidates, or 23 minutes in a group of three. It may be on a different day from the other papers.
Is the CAE Speaking test done on a computer?
No. It is face to face with two examiners in both the paper-based and the computer-based exam. Our practice version is solo: you answer recorded examiner prompts and your answers are recorded.
How is CAE Speaking marked?
Grammatical Resource, Lexical Resource, Discourse Management, Pronunciation and Interactive Communication, plus Global Achievement from the interlocutor: 75 marks in all.
Do we have to agree in CAE Speaking Part 3?
No. You are marked on how you discuss and negotiate, and failing to agree is not penalised.
Sources
- C1 Advanced Handbook for Teachers (Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
- Converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores (Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
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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Start with CAE Speaking Test 1
6 free CAE Speaking tests. No sign-up to start: you give an email address when you submit.