Cambridge C1 Advanced — Self-Study

CAE Speaking Practice

Parts 1, 3 & 4  ·  Train independently between classes  ·  10 Topic Sets

⏱ Part 1 · 2 min 💬 Part 3 · 3 min 🗣 Part 4 · 5 min 📋 Checklist included
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How to use this practice sheet

Choose a topic set below. Work through Parts 1, 3 and 4 as if you are in a real exam. Use a timer. Record yourself if you can — then listen back and check against the checklist. Tap any question to mark it as done.

Choose a topic set
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Key Phrases for All Parts

Study and memorise these phrases. The best candidates use a variety of these naturally — not all at once. Your teacher has marked the most important ones.

1
Part 1 — Interview Personal questions 2 min
Buying time (use these — don't panic!)
That's a really interesting question — let me think for a moment.
I've never really thought about it that way, but I'd say…
Off the top of my head, I'd say…
It's a good question — I suppose it depends on…
Well, to be perfectly honest with you…
Giving extended answers
Personally speaking, I tend to…
As far as I'm concerned…
From my point of view…
What I find particularly interesting is…
I've always been of the opinion that…
Adding detail and examples
For instance, I recently…
A perfect example of this would be…
It reminds me of a time when…
In my experience, I've found that…
What springs to mind is…
Useful idioms & expressions
It's a double-edged sword. (= has pros and cons)
It really struck a chord with me. (= affected me deeply)
I go back and forth on this one. (= I'm not sure)
It's something I feel strongly about.
I'm in two minds about it.
Phrasal verbs for Part 1
grow up in/with end up doing look forward to take up a hobby come across as keep up with put up with get around to give up on bring about
3
Part 3 — Collaborative Task Work with your partner 3 min
⭐ Taught by Candice — use these to open and manage the conversation
"May I begin?" — politely take the lead at the start
"Shall we move on to [option]?" — link to the next talking point
"What's your take on [option]?" — ask partner for opinion
"Do you agree, or do you see it differently?" — invite partner to respond
Opening the discussion
May I begin? I think we should start with [option] because…
So, shall we look at each option in turn?
Where shall we start — perhaps with [option]?
Right, so we need to discuss [central question]. Let's dive in.
Commenting on partner's view
That's a really valid point — and I'd add that…
I see where you're coming from, but I'd argue that…
I completely agree — especially when you consider…
That's an interesting perspective. I hadn't thought of it that way.
I take your point, though I'm not entirely convinced because…
You make a fair point, but on the other hand…
Asking for partner's opinion
What's your take on this one?
Do you feel the same way, or…?
What do you think — is [option] more or less important than [option]?
Would you say [option] is more of a priority?
I'd be curious to know your thoughts on this.
Linking to next talking point
Shall we move on to [option] now?
OK — so we've covered [option]. What about [option]?
Let's turn our attention to [option] — what do you think?
That brings us to [option] — shall we discuss that next?
Reaching the decision (after 2 min)
So, shall we try to reach a decision now?
Right — if we had to choose just one, which would we go for?
I'd lean towards [option] — do you agree?
On balance, I think [option] is probably the most significant.
We seem to be broadly in agreement that [option] is most important.
Disagreeing politely
I'm not sure I'd go that far — I think…
That's one way of looking at it, though I'd say…
I can see why you'd think that, but in my view…
I'd have to respectfully disagree on that one because…
Useful linking words for Part 3
on the one hand / on the other hand whereas in contrast not only… but also what's more having said that all things considered by the same token to a certain extent it goes without saying that more often than not
4
Part 4 — Discussion Deeper opinions 5 min
Expressing strong opinions
I'm firmly of the view that…
There's little doubt in my mind that…
It seems to me that…
As far as I can tell…
The way I see it…
I'd argue quite strongly that…
Hedging and nuance
It depends to a large extent on…
That's a complex issue — I think it depends on…
To a certain degree, yes, but…
While I accept that… I still feel that…
It would be an oversimplification to say that…
Speculating & hypothesising
I would imagine that…
It's quite possible that…
If I had to speculate, I'd say…
I'd like to think that… though in reality…
Were that the case, it would likely mean that…
Building on partner's answer
I'd take that a step further and say…
That's exactly my point — and moreover…
Building on what [name] said, I think…
I'd echo that view, and I'd also add…
Useful idioms for Part 4
It's a can of worms. (= complex problem)
It cuts both ways. (= has two sides)
The jury's still out on that one. (= not yet decided)
It begs the question… (= raises the issue of)
That's a slippery slope. (= leads to worse things)
Concluding your point
In short, I believe that…
Ultimately, it comes down to…
When all is said and done…
At the end of the day…
All things considered, I'd have to say…
Phrasal verbs for Parts 3 & 4
bring about change give rise to deal with an issue build on draw on experience come down to stand up to scrutiny root out a problem look into rule out call for action
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High-Scoring Vocabulary

These words and phrases will help you score well on Lexical Resource. Aim to use 2–3 from each category naturally — never force them in!

C1 Opinion Verbs & Phrases
advocate for challenge the notion that undermine acknowledge reinforce shed light on contend that take issue with
Abstract Nouns (impress the examiner)
perception implication trajectory framework repercussion disparity phenomenon magnitude catalyst
C1 Adverbs (avoid "very" and "really")
profoundly overwhelmingly arguably inherently considerably ultimately remarkably inevitably
Strong Collocations
have a profound impact on play a pivotal role in pose a significant threat to raise serious concerns about reach a consensus bear the brunt of
Idioms & Fixed Expressions (C1 level)
to be at the forefront of = leading the way
to gain the upper hand = to get an advantage
to scratch the surface = to deal with only part of the problem
to be on the fence = to be undecided
to take something with a pinch of salt = to be sceptical
to go from strength to strength = to keep improving
to have a vested interest in = to benefit personally from
to open a can of worms = to create new problems
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Linking Words — Full Reference
Adding information
moreover furthermore in addition what's more not only… but also equally
Contrast
however nevertheless on the other hand that being said conversely in stark contrast
Cause & result
consequently as a result therefore this in turn leads to this gives rise to
Concession
admittedly granted while I accept that even so despite this
Emphasis
above all crucially in particular it is worth noting that significantly
Conclusion
in short ultimately all things considered on balance when all is said and done
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Self-Assessment Checklist

After each practice session, tick the boxes honestly. Record yourself and listen back — you'll hear things you didn't notice in the moment. Share this with your teacher!

Part 1 — Interview

I gave extended answers (not just one sentence)
Length
I used at least one "buying time" phrase
Fluency
I gave a personal example or anecdote
Content
I used linking words to connect my ideas
Cohesion
I avoided repeating the same vocabulary
Lexis
I answered within about 30 seconds per question
Timing

Part 3 — Collaborative Task

I opened with "May I begin?" or a similar phrase
Opening
I covered all five options (didn't spend too long on one)
Coverage
I asked my partner their opinion at least twice
Interaction
I responded to my partner's views (not just waited)
Interaction
I linked from one option to the next smoothly
Cohesion
We reached a decision in the final 1 minute
Timing
I used hedging language (not just strong opinions)
Lexis

Part 4 — Discussion

I gave genuinely extended, developed answers
Length
I used at least one idiom or C1 expression
Lexis
I speculated or hypothesised (not just stated facts)
Content
I built on my partner's answers where possible
Interaction
I showed awareness of complexity and nuance
Content
I maintained a formal but natural register throughout
Register

Overall — All Parts

I spoke clearly and at a reasonable pace
Pronunciation
I didn't use "very", "nice", "good" too much
Lexis
I paused meaningfully — not with "erm erm erm"
Fluency
I self-corrected confidently when I made a mistake
Accuracy
I maintained eye contact (or camera contact)
Presence
I kept to the time for each part
Timing
Rate today's practice
Fluency & coherence
1 = needed a lot of work  ·  5 = excellent
Vocabulary
1 = needed a lot of work  ·  5 = excellent
Interaction with partner
1 = needed a lot of work  ·  5 = excellent
Notes for your teacher