B1 speaking review test

This test reviews all eleven lessons of the B1 speaking course. Do it in one sitting, in a quiet place, and record every answer.

• Don't pause the timer or start an answer again. In the real test you can't.
• Don't read the model answers until you have finished a whole section.
• After each section, listen to your recordings and tick the checklist. Then compare with the model answer.

The model answers show one good way to answer, not the only way. Your ideas can be different. What matters is that you answer the question, give a reason or an example, and keep speaking until the time ends.

The public IELTS band descriptors describe a band 6 speaker as “able to keep going and demonstrates a willingness to produce long turns”. Band 6 is above B1, but it is a good goal to work towards: keep talking, even if your English isn't perfect.

• IELTS Part 1: a direct answer first (Just a few close ones, really.), then one or two details or a reason, then stop.
• Listen and Repeat: listen for the meaning and the stressed words, then repeat the whole sentence with the same rhythm.
• TOEFL interview: start at once with your answer, give a reason and a short example, and finish with one sentence that sums up.
• TOEIC information questions: find the answer in the table, then say it in a full, polite sentence. Don't read the table aloud word for word.
• TOEIC picture: the place first, then the people and what they are doing, then a guess (It looks like…).

The examiner will ask you about friends. There is no preparation time. Answer each question in about 20–30 seconds: a direct answer, then a reason, an example or a detail.

You have just started a part-time job at the university sports centre. Your manager is showing you around. Listen to each sentence once, then repeat it exactly. In the real test you have about 8–12 seconds to repeat each sentence, and the sentences get longer.

Try to repeat each sentence without reading it: cover the text or look away from the screen.

An interviewer is asking students about their study habits. There is no preparation time. Start answering straight away and speak for 45 seconds: your answer, a reason, an example and a short conclusion.

Imagine that a local newspaper is doing research in your area. You have agreed to take part in a telephone interview about parks. You have about 3 seconds before each answer. You have 15 seconds for questions 5 and 6 and 30 seconds for question 7.

1. Read the timetable below for 45 seconds. Use a timer.
2. Before each task, play the question. In the real test you only hear it, so try not to read it first.
3. You have about 3 seconds before you speak, then 15 or 30 seconds to answer. You work at the community centre and the caller is a customer, so be polite and helpful.

You described this picture in the lesson Describing a picture. This time, do it as a progress check under test conditions: 45 seconds to prepare and 30 seconds to speak. Afterwards, compare this recording with your first one. Is it clearer, smoother and more complete?