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“My teacher told me that during the CAE speaking exam I shouldn’t get too nervous and try to
relax. He also said it was imperative that I focused on comparing and contrasting the pictures in
part 2 of the exam rather than describing them. In part 3, I was told that I should be supporting of
my partner and not seek to dominate the conversation. When answering the questions on Part 1
and Part 4, I was also instructed to develop my answers but not speak for too long.”
Now complete the actual instructions given by the teacher using the word in brackets and one
word per gap.
Under no circumstances (should) ________ get too nervous during the exam. In Part 2, you should
also focus on the comparing and contrasting. Under no condition (describe) ________ what you
see in the pictures. Not only (is) ________ a good idea to support your partner in Part 3 but also
avoid dominating the conversation. Also make sure you develop your answers to the questions in
Part 1 and 4.
We often use structures like “under no circumstances” and “not only” to___ the point we are
making. Instead of the normal word order of ___ you need to sequence the sentence as if it were
___. This may mean inserting ___ like “do” as in normal question formation, e.g. Not only did I get
to class late but also I forgot my homework!
a question
an auxiliary word
Emphasise
3) Now complete the following Use of English tasks. Rephrase the second sentence using
between 3 and 6 words and the word given:
c) The receptionist made it clear that we had to both pay up front and in cash.
SAY
Not only __________ I had to pay up front but I also had to pay in cash.
KEYS
1) Under no circumstances should you get too nervous during the exam. In Part 2, you should also
focus on the comparing and contrasting. Under no condition do you describe what you see in the
pictures. Not only is it a good idea to support your partner in Part 3 but also avoid dominating the
conversation. Also make sure you develop your answers to the questions in Part 1 and 4.
2) We often use structures like “under no circumstances” and “not only” to emphasise the point
we are making. Instead of the normal word order of subject followed by verb you need to
sequence the sentence as if it were a question. This may mean inserting an auxiliary word like
“do” as in normal question formation, e.g. Not only did I get to class late but also I forgot my
homework!
3)
a) Not only have I lost my keys but my wallet seems to have been stolen too.
b) Under no circumstances was I allowed to use a dictionary in the exam.
c) Not only did she say that I had to pay up front but I also had to pay in cash.