Aptis Speaking Practice Test 6
This is the sixth exam-style speaking practice test. These mock-exam videos are for you to try on your own.
Before we start, let’s remind ourselves of the tasks in each of the four parts:
- Give personal information
- Describe, express opinion and provide reasons and explanation
- Describe, compare and provide reasons and explanations
- Discuss personal experience and opinion on an abstract topic
Before you watch
Remember that Aptis General is for students from A1-level upwards. For this reason the test is graded; it gets more difficult as it progresses. So Part 1 is the simplest part of the test. The questions are straightforward so that lower-level students can answer them in a basic way. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give simple answers!
First read the questions we’re going to ask you in each part and make some notes on what you want to say.
Look at your notes and think about how you could raise the level of your responses. What do we mean by this? We mean that you need to think about how you’re using language. Make sure you:
- use B1 or B2-level structures where you can
- try to use a wider range of vocabulary and expressions.
In this post we’re going to give you some examples of how you can start to do this (they’re not complete responses). The first answer in each part is very basic, while the second (in bold) is a higher-level response.
We’ll give you more ideas on this in the supplementary version of Test 6, which we’ll upload soon.
Speaking Part One
What do you like doing in summer?
I like swimming. I go to the beach every day.
Well, I’m really keen on swimming, so I love spending time at the beach.
What did you do last weekend?
I went to Madrid and visited the big museums and parks.
I spent the weekend sightseeing in Madrid – I hadn’t been there since lockdown.
Please tell me about your best holiday.
My best holiday was when I visited my friends in London. I had a good time.
The most fantastic holiday I’ve ever had was when I was invited to stay with friends who live in London.
Speaking Part Two
Describe this picture. (It shows smoke coming out of factory chimneys in a big city.)
I can see a big city and a river. There are factories near the river.
The photo shows an industrial area on the riverbank of a major city. There are some factories in the foreground.
What is the major cause of pollution where you live?
I think the biggest problem is traffic in the city centre. Cars and buses cause a lot of pollution.
As I see it, exhaust fumes from vehicles are the major problem. The air quality is getting worse, especially in the city centre.
What has the government done to try to solve these problems?
There are more electric buses, and in many towns you can’t drive in the city centre now.
They’ve provided alternative forms of public transport such as electric buses. Driving in the city centre has been banned in many towns.
Speaking Part Three
Tell me what you see in these two pictures. (The first photo shows a group of people having a picnic in a park, and the second shows a couple having a romantic dinner in a restaurant.)
In the first picture I can see four people having a picnic in a park. In the second photo there’s a man and a woman eating in a restaurant.
Both photos are of people having a meal. The first shows a family – or it could be a group of friends – having a picnic outdoors, while the second shows a couple having a romantic meal in a restaurant.
What types of people enjoy eating out in these different situations?
Picnics are popular with families, because they’re less formal. Older people usually choose to eat in a restaurant, because it’s more comfortable.
Most people could probably enjoy both situations, although older people might not feel as comfortable sitting on the ground. Eating out in a restaurant is great for couples, as it’s more intimate.
Which eating experience would you prefer and why?
I’d usually prefer to go to a restaurant, because I don’t like cooking! And also because you don’t have to prepare all the food and carry it to the park.
Well, it depends. If I were celebrating a special occasion, I’d prefer to go to a posh restaurant. It’s more relaxing, and it can be a hassle preparing all the picnic food and carrying it to the park.
Speaking Part Four
Tell me about a time when you received a present.
I remember my tenth birthday. I really wanted a pet when I was a child, and one year my parents gave me a big box.
I’ll never forget my tenth birthday. I’d wanted a pet since I was really little, and at last my parents came home with a big box.
How did you feel about it?
I felt very excited because I could see pictures of animals on the box, so I knew it was from the pet-shop.
At first I was really excited because the box was covered with pictures of animals, so I could tell it was from the pet-shop.
Do you think that giving presents is an important part of our culture? Why? Why not?
I think that giving presents is important for most people. It’s nice to receive a present on your birthday, because it shows that your friends and family are thinking about you.
To my mind, giving presents really means a lot to most people. Nobody likes being forgotten on their birthdays or on other special occasions. Getting a present makes you feel loved – even if it’s not exactly what you wanted!
While you watch
As usual, if you have any problems thinking what to say, pause the video. Make some notes of what kind of vocabulary you think you’ll need. Again, try to raise the level of your answers by using less common words. For example, instead of saying ‘big’ or ‘large’, try ‘huge’ or ‘enormous’. Instead of saying something is good, say it’s amazing or wonderful.
If it’s a structure you need in order to answer more fully, go to the Grammar Reference section.
As we’ve said before, when you watch the practice videos you’ll begin to recognise typical themes. Make a note of them, together with the vocabulary and grammar areas you need to answer fully.
After you’ve watched this exam-style speaking practice test
Now go on to the supplementary version of this video, which contains lots more ways to improve your answers.
Meanwhile, make sure you do the other Aptis Speaking Practice Tests. The complete list is in our Guide to the posts, together with all the extra vocabulary and grammar exercises. For example, practise your use of Adjective Endings, or check your use of the 3rd Conditional.
And don’t forget to practise for the Aptis Core Test by doing the Vocabulary and Grammar practice tests too.