Aptis Speaking Practice Test 2 with Ideas & Vocabulary
Most people would agree that it can be difficult to speak on a subject without any time to prepare. Last time we gave you a script to follow, but this time we’re doing something different. In this video we’re giving you ideas and useful vocabulary, functional language and phrases. You’ll find all the content on the video in written form below. There are also useful expressions for describing the pictures.
Remember to try on your own first with the mock-exam video Aptis Speaking Practice Test 2. Then watch this video to give you more ideas on how to improve your own answers. Give yourself enough time to focus on the pronunciation of the new vocabulary. Pause the video and repeat as often as you like. This will also help you to memorise new items. We also recommend that you keep a notebook for all the useful vocabulary.
If a word is new to you, why not also note down how it’s pronounced? You don’t have to use the recognised English phonemes, just write it phonetically – how it sounds to you. For example, in the word neighbour the gh is silent, and so is the r ending. In fact, hardly any of the spelling of this word really indicates how you should pronounce it. So you could make a note like this: neighbour (neiba). If you’re interested in practising your pronunciation and would also like to learn about phonemes, check out the OUP pronunciation chart.
So now let’s watch the new video:
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Next step: try again, this time with the sound on mute.
Finally, watch this video with ideas and useful vocabulary again, this time without any sound (on mute). You’ll still be able to see the timer, so you’ll know when the time’s up. Try to include some of the ideas and useful vocabulary, functional language and phrases that you can see on the screen. Don’t try to use it all – there won’t be enough time! Choose the ones you find easiest to remember.
We’re sure you’ll notice the difference!
Ideas and Useful Vocabulary from the video
Speaking Part One
- Please tell me about where you live
Location: a village / town / city, in the north / south /east / west / centre of Spain… / on the coast / in the countryside
In your neighbourhood: parks, schools, hospitals, churches, restaurants, bars, youth-clubs, shops, shopping centres …
Facilities: swimming pools, sports centres, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries …
- Please tell me about your last birthday
If you had a party: how many guests, a small do with family / relatives & close friends, or a big get-together with friends & acquaintances, birthday cake, birthday presents …
Different celebration: a trip to the theatre / cinema etc, a day out, an excursion, a weekend away, an experience …
- Please tell me about your favourite school subject
Subjects: Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Social Science, Geography, History, Art, Music, Languages, PE (Physical Education), IT (Information Technology), Technical Drawing, Home Economics …
Give a reason: I like(d) it because …
Speaking Part Two
- Describe this picture
It could be: in South-East Asia, village, jungle/rainforest. Poor housing / huts, cheap materials (tin, concrete, bricks), very small, close together, overcrowded. Bad sanitary conditions, no modern facilities, no running water, do the washing / laundry in the river, washing lines hanging everywhere…
- What kind of housing do most people in your country live in?
Housing / Accommodation: houses, flats/apartments, blocks of flats/apartment blocks, duplexes (maisonettes), gated communities. Shared facilities, gardens, swimming pools. Good / poor neighbourhoods, expensive / cheap accommodation …
- How do you think housing will change in the future?
Ideas: ecologically smart buildings, computer-controlled heating & kitchen appliances, solar power, electronic security, green spaces, roof gardens …
Speaking Part Three
- Tell me what you see in these two pictures
Vocabulary:
Runway, queue, boarding plane, rear door, no-frills flight, passengers boarding, runway, luggage, suitcases …
Crowded tube / underground train compartment, passengers standing / sitting, passing the time, tourists, commuters, workers …
- Why do people choose these two means of transport?
Comparatives: faster, safer, more comfortable, more expensive, cheaper, much less stressful, far more relaxing …
Give reasons: That’s why … / For these reasons, … / So because of those things, …
Vocabulary: delays, overcrowding, cancellations, time-consuming, eco-friendly, carbon footprint, fear of flying, views, landscape …
- Which way would you prefer to travel? Why?
Express preferences: I prefer (+ verb-ing / + infinitive) / I’d rather (+ infinitive)
Give opinions: In my opinion, … / As I see it, … / To my mind, … / Personally, I think …
Give reasons: That’s why … / For these reasons, … / So because of those things, …
Speaking Part Four
- Tell me about a time when you were late because of traffic.
Vocabulary: appointment, date, traffic jam, rush-hour, roadworks, delays, road-block, accident …
- How did you feel about it?
Adjectives: (very) worried, (really) anxious, (very) angry, (absolutely) furious, (totally) frustrated, (utterly) helpless …
- What do you think governments should do to solve the traffic problem?
Ideas: They should … provide better public transport, ban driving in city centres, provide city-bike rental, create bike lanes, build better car-parks outside city centres, provide free shuttle services to town centres …
When you’ve done both versions of Practice Test 2, go to Speaking Practice Test 3.
You can find all our practice tests and exercises in our Guide to the Posts.
We hope this was helpful! You can also practise vocabulary collocation (words that go together) and other types of exercises here: Vocabulary Practice Test 1.
If you want more vocabulary practice, we recommend the excellent ‘English in Use’ series.
Really helpful and clearly written. Thank you.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment – we’re so happy that you found the exercises useful. Remember to check back in soon as we upload new Aptis related content regularly!
You’re welcome – we’re so pleased that you found the posts helpful. Good luck with the Aptis exam.
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Hi Sanobar – we’re so happy you can find the information that you want. All the best John and Chris 😀
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We’re glad yu think so, Masud – thanks for your feedback! 😀👍🏻