Aptis Speaking: Examen de Práctica 6

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!