FCE (First Certificate in English) Speaking- Phrases to speculate and compare

Describe your partner B2 First speculating and comparing practice

Use the phrases on the cards below to speculate about your partner. You can use more than one card each time. Your partner will say if you were correct, then tell you if they are surprised by your level of certainty or uncertainty.

Possible Cambridge First Speaking topics to speculate on

English language exams, including FCE                           Studying English (including self-study)

Using English                                                           Work

Arts and media                                                         Daily routine

Food and drink                                                         Free time/ Hobbies

Friends and family                                                                 Health and fitness

Home                                                                                       Other languages

Other studies                                                            Technology

Transport and travel                                                 Personality

Appearance                                                                            Ages

 

Useful phrases for doing the activity “That’s correct/ That’s right.” “Good guess!” “Actually,…” “I’m surprised you think that.” “Not really/ Not exactly.” “I think you could be more certain/ confident about that.” “What makes you so sure about that?”

 

Cards to cut up

…seem(s)…	both
…look(s) (like)…	neither
I guess…	like
I imagine…	unlike
…obviously…	whereas
…probably…	too
…might/ may/ maybe/ perhaps…	(quite/ fairly/ very/ completely) different
…clearly…	(quite/ fairly/ very) similar
I’m not sure exactly but…	(slightly/ somewhat/ quite a lot/ a lot/ far far)… er
…appear(s)…	(a bit/ a great deal/ much much)  more…
I reckon…/ I suppose…	contrast
I’m fairly sure…	in common
I get the impression that…	compared to
My initial impression is…	(more or less/ exactly) the same
…almost certainly…	but
…must…	as well
…could (possibly)…	not (nearly/ quite) as… as
I’m pretty confident that…	differ(s)
I expect…	resemblance
I know for sure that…	and
I know for a fact that…	but

Brainstorm useful phrases for comparing and speculating, compare with the cards, then use similar language to compare and contrast Speaking Part Two photos.