Speaking Comprehension Test

For 9^th Form Students

 Directions:

         In this test you will select three task slips from those before you.  After selecting three, choose the one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down.  Then take about a minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to speak on the topic.  You may refer to the topic as needed.  Take a deep breath and begin. 

            Speaking Comprehension Test for 9^th Form Students

1. Your friend invited you to go on a skiing holiday.

§           Describe the place you were staying at and what  the weather  was like                                                            

             during your stay;

§           Is skiing your hobby? What do you like most of all about skiing?

§           What are your impressions from the holiday?

§           What other active hobbies do you have to stay in shape?

2. Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Industriousness is the mother of good luck.”

§           How do you interpret this statement? Do you agree with Benjamin Franklin?

§           Are you an industrious person? Among your responsibilities which do you like to take most?

§           How do you award yourself for having done some difficult and serious work?

§           Do   you remember an example from your life when you benefitted from your industriousness? 

3. Mobile phones are very popular with teenagers. Do you have a mobile phone?

§           What is a mobile phone used for?

§           Does this invention make your life easier?

§           Does the use of mobile phones have any disadvantages?

§           Do you know any rules how to use a mobile phone with the least possible harm to you and the environment? Mention some of them.

4. You study various subjects at school. Each one is important and knowledge of every subject is necessary.

§          What subject is your favourite one? Why are you keen on it?

§          What interesting methods and approaches does your teacher use to make you interested in this subject?

§          Do you think the knowledge you acquire at your favourite lessons will be useful in the future?

§          If you can choose 4 –5 main subjects to study in the 10th form what subjects will it  be? Why?

5. Studying at school is not easy, is it? However we can make the process of learning less difficult.

§          What is your learner’s style? Do you learn faster by watching, listening or moving?

§          What are your study habits? Do you like working in groups, pairs or individually? Why?

§          Do you use any technologies to make projects, reports or researches?

§          If we think about time management, what helps you to cope with your homework more quickly?

6. A new shopping centre has been opened in your town/city.

§          Where is the shopping centre situated? How can you get there?

§          What shops are there? What can you buy there? 

§          Are there any places for shoppers to relax in the shopping centre?

§          If you had to make an advertisement about the shopping centre, what slogan would you use to describe it?

7. The importance of speaking any foreign language can’t be overvalued.

§          What opportunities does the knowledge of English give you?

§          What other foreign language(s) are you currently studying? Would you like to learn a language spoken in eastern countries?

§          What  activities do you usually do at your English lessons? Which of them do you like most? Did activities that you had in a primary school differ from today’s ones?

§          In your opinion, which of communicative skills - auding, reading, speaking or writing are you not good at? How can you improve it?

8. Family is your blessed shelter. It holds the secret of your character.

§           What does your family   mean to you? What are your family values?

§           What makes a good family?  

§           Are your family members different or alike? Who do you take after?

§           Who in your family do you usually speak with  if you have a  problem? Does it help to solve it?

9. Every nation has its cuisine. Eating habits of the Englishmen are world- known.

§          What are they? Which of their traditional eating habits is the most outstanding?

§          Do you think English traditional cuisine is good for health?

§          How have traditional   English meals changed for centuries?

§          Which of  traditional Ukrainian meals would you advise to the Englishmen to try?

10. September 19-25 was a TV-Turnoff  Week  in the English-speaking countries.

§         In your opinion, why did they have it?

§         Do you like watching TV? What programme is your favourite? Why?

§         Are there any  channels your parents prefer watching? If your favourite  TV programme is on at the time as your parents’ favourite one how do you solve a problem?

§         If you can start a new reality show on TV what will it be about?

11. Many people like cinema immensely. Do you?

§         What is your favourite film? When and where did the events in the film take place?

§         Who is a  main hero of the film? Who starred in the film? Do you think his/her acting was brilliant?

§         Whose work – of a director, a camera man, etc. contributed greatly to the success of the film? Why do you think so?

§         Whom would you advise this film to watch to?

12. Your pen-friend is going to visit you on Christmas holidays.

§          What sightseeing places will you advise him/her to visit? Why are they worth visiting?

§          What means of  transport will you use to travel around L’viv region or Ukraine?

§          What interesting   traditions and customs can he/she observe on Christmas in our region?

§          What souvenirs or things will you present him/her with?

13. Music makes you feel sad or cheerful, it reveals your character.

§           Do you play any instruments, sing or dance?

§           What kind of music do you like or dislike? Have your tastes in music changed since early childhood?

§           Who is your favourite singer? Is he/she popular with  teenagers? What events or features of character helped  your favourite singer to become popular?

§           If you can make a music band what music will you play and what will be your songs about?

14. The wide variety of plants, animals and birds in forests, oceans and grasslands that make our planet habitable are under threat.

§          What is the cause of it?

§          Can we change the situation? What way?

§          Can you name any environmental disasters that were caused by climate changes or   by the results of the human activities?

§          What can you being a teenager do to help the environment?

15.  People enjoy decorating their room in a way that reflects their personality.

§          What is your favourite room? Why do you like it?

§          How does this room reflect your personality?

§          Is your  room a high –tech one with a TV-set with many channels, a laptop, a computer or any other gadgets?

§          Would you like to live in another flat or house? How would you decorate your room then?

16. Leisure is time for rest and for doing something useful for yourself. Do you think so?

§          Which activities do you take part in after school?

§          Which activities   are important to pupils? Why?

§          If you could start any afterschool club or programme what would it be?

§          What do you like doing at weekends?

17. Remember the last party you visited.

§          Who had the party? What did you celebrate?

§          Where did the party take place? What were you doing at the party?

§          What clothes did you and the invited people wear for the party? Did you make any costumes?

§          Did you enjoy the party? What excited you most of all there?

18. Have you chosen your future profession yet? Is it a question that makes you feel uneasy?

§           What professions are very popular nowadays? Why?

§           What are the professions of your parents? Do your parents’ jobs  influence your  family daily routine?

§           What profession are   traits of   your character suitable for?

§           Why would you like to work with  or for people in the future? Do you want to be in the public eye?

19. Computers, cell phones, microwave ovens, solar panels…The list of modern inventions and equipment is enormous.

§           In your opinion, do scientists invent more at present than they did in the past?

                 How can you explain this fact?

§           Which of the modern inventions has changed our lives completely?

§           Which of the modern inventions do you often use in your everyday life?

§           If you could travel back in time which invention would you prevent from making?

20. Books have a positive influence on many peoples’ lives.

§          What childhood books influenced you most?

§          What do you think are the most important elements of a good story?

§          Is it easier to write a book or a script of a film?

§          If you could be any character from literature, who would you be and why?