First (FCE) Speaking Part 2 Pictures

You need to describe pictures at almost every level of Cambridge exams, but not just any pictures. It’s important to practise with pictures that are similar to what you will find in the exam. In FCE Speaking Part 2, you’ll see pictures connected to a variety of topics which are considered standard at B2 level. For FCE, describing pictures will generally involve talking about a person of group of people participating in some type of activity. The people themselves may be the focus of the question, or it may be related to the experience or place.

Check here for 5 complete First (FCE) Speaking exams as part of Breakout English’s premium materials collection.

Contents

First (FCE) Speaking Part 2 Topics

At B2 level you start to see a wider variety of speaking part 2 topics. There can be questions related to everyday activities, but also about feelings, time, society or environment. These more abstract topics first appear in B2 exams like the First Certificate.

Here’s a list of topics that come up at B2 and are likely to be seen in FCE Speaking Part 2 pictures.

communication
competition
culture and customs
daily life
education
entertainment and media
environmental issues
family and friends
fashion
feelings and emotions
food and drink
free time activities
health, medicine and fitness
hobbies and leisure
house and home
money
obligations
places and buildings
relations with other people
science and technology
shopping
social interaction
society
sport
technology
the natural world
time
transport
travel and holidays
weather
work and jobs

As you prepare for First Speaking Part 2, find appropriate pictures to describe and a question to answer. We’ve got a selection below based on the topic list, but if you are looking for more pictures to describe, look for two pictures on the same topic and consider carefully what question could be asked about them.

First (FCE) Speaking Part 2 Example

In part 2 of the First (FCE) Speaking Exam you will be asked to compare two pictures and to answer a question about those pictures. You have one minute to complete the task. Your partner will then be asked a question about your pictures. This should be a short answer (approximately 30 seconds). The process is then repeated with the other candidate.

Here is an example of a First (FCE) Speaking Exam Part 2.

In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question about your partner’s photographs.

(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show people communicating in different ways.

I’d like you to compare the photographs, and say why the people are communicating in these ways.

All right?

……………………………………………………

Thank you.

(Candidate B), do you talk on the phone much? …… (Why? / Why not?)

……………………………………………………

Thank you. (Can I have the booklet, please?)

Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show people cooking.

I’d like you to compare the photographs, and say why you think the people are enjoying these experiences.

All right?

……………………………………………………

Thank you.

(Candidate A), do you enjoy cooking? …… (Why? / Why not?)

……………………………………………………

Thank you. (Can I have the booklet, please?)

The examiner won’t verbally interact with you while you are speaking, but they may encourage you to speak more using gesture if your minute has not finished. It’s important to continue speaking until the examiner stops you by saying “Thank you”. If you stop speaking before your time is up, you may find yourself waiting in an awkward silence.

The Materials

Practise with these First Speaking Part 2 pictures. Either use them from the website or download the pdf to practise, print or display.

If doing it with a class, don’t be strict about the time limit with the first set of pictures, but as your students get more practice, make them complete the task with the one minute limit. Write down things that they do well and errors. After each set of pictures, do a correction/praise feedback stage before trying again.

Check here if you are looking for some more materials about how to do First (FCE) Speaking Part 2 and some useful phrases.

EXAM PART: Speaking

EXAM SKILLS: Comparing and contrasting, discourse management, using a range of appropriate vocabulary

TIME: 5-10 minutes per set of pictures + feedback