APTIS SPEAKING TEST PART 1 & 2

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The Aptis by British Council is a relatively new exam but it is quickly gaining popularity among English language learners. This is due to it becoming more widely
accepted both here in Spain and around the world, it being cheaper than other exams like Cambridge, and being able to get the results more quickly.

Knowing exactly what an exam entails is half the battle when preparing for it. Today we’re going to look at the Speaking exam. The entire exam is done on a
computer, so for the speaking part, you have to record your answers within a given time limit. This means preparation is key. Knowing what to expect and being ready
to show off your language skills will help achieve your goal.

Part One

In the first part, you have to answer questions about yourself. There are three questions and you must talk for thirty seconds for each question. Possible topics you
could talk about include Family, Your Job, Hobbies and Interests, Future Plans, Films and Books, The Weather, Daily Routine etc. This means four or five
clear sentences. If for example you are asked, “What’s the weather like today?” You might think it impossible to have your answer last a full thirty seconds. This is
why it’s important to brainstorm things related to the weather. What do you like to do when it’s hot outside? What clothes are you wearing for the current season? Is it
typical weather for this time of year? Is it unusually hot or cold? So a typical answer to “What’s the weather like today?” doesn’t have to be difficult to elaborate on.
Instead of just replying “It’s cold but sunny” you can add “but this is normal for Madrid in winter. People usually wear hats, scarves, winter coats and boots to stay
warm. A typical winter snack is roasted chestnuts which you can buy from street vendors.” Instead of talking solely about the weather, we can incorporate other
related vocabulary like in this instance; clothes. But we could also talk about what people generally do in when the weather is hot/cold etc. The questions in part one
of the Aptis lend themselves to elaboration. You should keep talking, adding relevant sentences until your time is up.

Part Two

In the second part of the Aptis speaking exam, you are given a picture which you have forty-five seconds to describe. You then have to answer to related questions
with a limit of forty-five seconds for each.

A typical example of this could be the picture on the left.

1. Describe the picture.

2. Do you often have to work in a team in work or university?
3. Why is teamwork important?

Describing a photo is a question that comes up in many exams. With this type of question, you should take as much time as possible to gather your thoughts. Then use
all of the time given to talk about it. Below are some useful phrases to describe the position of things within a picture.
When talking about what people are doing or wearing in a photo we must use the
present continuous. Subject + is/are + verb in ING It is also important to speculate
about what the subjects of the picture might be doing using expressions like:

It seems as if…

They might/may/could be …

It makes me think of …

I think …

Let’s try to answer the questions above. Remember you have 45 seconds for each
answer which should be approximately 5 to 7 clear sentences.

1. In this photo, I can see a group of people sitting around a table. In the
background, there is a large window and the room is bright. There are
posters on the wall behind them. They seem to be working on something
together. In the middle of the table, there is a model of something which
they are pointing to and discussing. Maybe it’s a building. They might be
doing a project together for a university class. Maybe they are engineering
students and they are doing a project on town planning.
2. When I was at university, I often had to give presentations with other
students. We would be given a project to discuss and research and would
have to present it together in front of the rest of our class. I enjoyed working
with my classmates on these projects as it gave me a different perspective on
 the topic. However, I also got very nervous having to speak in front of so
many people. I used to practise as much as I could beforehand to feel more
relaxed about it.
3. Teamwork is very important, not only in university but also in the working
world. As I mentioned before, having more than one person working on a
project allows for more input and different points of view to be considered.
Being able to work in a team is beneficial as it reduces the workload for
everyone involved and means projects can be finished more efficiently.

As you can see, each answer has clear, concise sentences. I hope this helps you in
your preparation for Aptis or indeed any English exam in which you are asked to
describe a picture. In the next part of this series, we will look at parts 3 and 4 of the
Aptis speaking exam. Don’t forget to check back soon.

In our English academies in La Elipa and Garcia Noblejas, you can prepare for
Aptis as well as the Cambridge First Certificate and Advanced.

APTIS SPEAKING PARTS 3 & 4

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Today at The language corner we’re going to look at the second part of the Aptis
Speaking test, with tips and sample answers to give you an idea of what is needed
in this relatively new exam by The British Council. Of course, here in our English
academies, you can prepare for the Aptis as well as The Cambridge exams with our
native teachers.

Part 3

In this part of the exam, you will be shown two pictures and asked to compare
them. This is quite similar to the FCE or CAE and finding examples from those
exams will help immensely. Again, there are 3 questions which each have a 45
second limit for answering.
 1. Compare the two pictures. (45sec)
2. Why might people choose each type of holiday? (45sec)
3. Which of these types of holidays are better for you? (45sec)

As we saw in our previous post when describing photos we usually use modals of
deduction to say what we suppose is happening in the pictures. Let’s have a go at
answering these ones 🙂

1. In the first picture on the left, a couple can be seen relaxing in deck chairs at
the beach. I imagine they are a couple as they are holding hands and the
woman seems to be gazing at her partner. There is a bag hanging off one
deckchair and a hat hanging off the other. It looks idyllic if I’m honest. In
the second picture, we can see a group, with backpacks on hiking through
the mountains. They appear to be following a trail and are properly prepared
for the terrain. It reminds me of going trekking with my friends in the
mountains outside my city.
2. I reckon people choose beach holidays to get away from the hustle bustle of
the city and to completely switch off. Not only do they get to relax on what
seems like a paradise island but they also don’t have to worry about the
stresses of their daily life. On the other hand, this type of trip can seem
utterly boring to some people which is why they might prefer to do
something more active. They also want to escape the fast-paced way of
things in the city by getting fresh air in a pristine landscape but obviously
lying on the beach for days would just bore them to tears.
3. Both types of holiday have their benefits. Relaxing on a beautiful beach for a
week might do somebody who has a high-stress job or day to day life the
world of good as they can just switch off and forget about everything for the
time being. However, the hiking holiday is obviously more active and in that
way, it’s physically better for you. I suppose it all depends on whether you
want to do something active or would benefit just as much from simply
taking a break from your daily routine.
Part 4

The last part of the Speaking test for Aptis, you are once again given a photo with
three questions. This time, however, you’ll have one minute to prepare your ideas
and two minutes to cover all three questions.

1. Tell me about the first thing you bought online.

2. How did you feel about the purchasing?
3. Would you recommend online shopping?

For this question, since you have a minute to prepare it’s a good idea to jot down
the points you want to mention without writing full sentences. Be careful not to
describe the photo given as this is not the task in this question. The questions are
more abstract (e.g a feeling). Make sure you answer all three questions and stay on
topic. Doing otherwise will lose you valuable points. You are free to glance at your
notes while you speak so it’s really important to practise brainstorming and making
the most of this.
Here is an example of how you can brainstorm some ideas in one minute. Notice
that as well as answering the questions I’ve also included short structures to
include in my answer. This final part of the Aptis speaking exam is aimed at the
higher levels so it’s important to incorporate advanced structures into your answer.
Think about inversions (not only but also, only if/when), passives, conditionals etc.
It’s also good to use any related vocabulary you can think of. Having said that, we
also recommend you stick to what you know in the exam. Practise these structures
before the exam so you are confident using them. Don’t try to wing it in the exam
by throwing in structures you half know and are likely to get wrong. Accuracy is of
vital importance in any speaking exam and the Aptis is no different.

Let’s have a go at answering this one:

If I recall correctly, the first thing I bought online was a necklace from eBay. It
was being auctioned on the site and I thought it was really beautiful. I remember
feeling excited by the bidding process. I would place a bid and wait to see if
someone outbid me for the item. In the end, mine was the highest bid and I won the
auction. I also remember feeling quite nervous however because of the payment
method. Only by giving the website my credit card details could I proceed. I was
also worried it wouldn’t arrive even after paying for it. I decided I’d have to take
the chance and thankfully my necklace arrived shortly after.

I would definitely recommend shopping online nowadays. There are so many

shops and you can buy virtually anything delivered to your doorstep. It’s really
handy for people who work a lot or simply don’t enjoy going shopping on the high
street, especially around the holidays or sales when bricks and mortar shops are
packed. Not only is shopping online faster and more efficient but it’s also cheaper
than the high street stores a lot of the time.
As you can see, I used the notes from the spider diagram to shape my answer but
also added more information as I thought of it. I hope this helps. Don’t forget you
can prepare for the Aptis exam in Madrid in our English academies in Madrid in
both La Elipa and Garcia Noblejas. All of our native teachers at our language
academies are familiar with not only the Aptis but also all of the Cambridge
exams. So if you are looking to prepare for the FCE in Madrid or the CAE in
Madrid, make sure you stop by our English academies in Madrid in La Elipa and
La Almudena. Looking forward to meeting you!

Possible answers …
Please tell me about yourself.
My name is Francisco and I live in a small village near Seville, in the south of
Spain. I’m twenty eight years old and I work as a teacher of History in a secondary
education school.
I am tall and slim and I have short brown hair and brown eyes. My ears are quite
big and my legs are very long.
I consider myself cheerful, polite and calm, but some people say that I am too
cautious and bossy.
What do you like doing in your free time?
In my free time I like doing a lot of activities. If the weather is good, I like going
for a walk around the park with my dog and play with it.
When it’s raining and cold I stay at home and I watch some series on the internet.
I also like cooking and If I have time, I love cooking new recipes and try new
dishes. Besides, I like reading mystery novels and history books.
What’s the weather like today?
Today the weather is quite changing. This morning it was cloudy and very cold,
with a slight drizzle.
However, this afternoon it is sunny and it is a good temperature.
I’m going to the park with my dog, but I will take an umbrella and a coat in case it
rains.
Possible answers …
Describe the picture.
In this picture I can see a group of young people in the street. They are boys and
girls and they are playing different music instruments such as a violin, a guitar or
banjo, a flute and an accordion. They seem to belong to a music band because they
are all wearing blue sweaters.
In the background there are a lot of people walking around and the street is
crowded, so it can be the city centre in a big city.
On the left of the picture I can see a woman who is throwing a coin into a blue
bag, so their performance must be good.
Do you play any music instrument?
Yes, I do. I play the saxophone since I was a child. When I was seven I started
attending to a music academy, where I learnt to play saxophone.
My parents bought me a very expensive saxophone and I was playing several years
in a music band in my town, but when I started university I gave it up.
I keep my saxophone and I like playing in my free time because it helps me to
relax. Besides. I sometimes play some songs when I meet my friends. They love it!
Tell me about your favourite kind of music.
I love listening to many different kinds of music but I prefer listening to flamenco
music. This is a traditional kind of music in the region where I live and I have been
listening to flamenco since I was a little child.
My favourite singer is Camarón and I enjoy listening his rumbas, which are very
popular. I like his hoarse voice and his lyrics.
I also listen to famous guitarists Paco de Lucía and Tomatito, especially when I’m
driving my car.

Possible answers …
Tell me what you see in the 2 pictures.
In both pictures there are some people going shopping. The first picture shows a flea market in a
street with lots of people walking around the items, such as clothes and shoes, to be sold. Items are
lying on the ground or on cardboard boxes.
In the second picture there is just a middle-aged woman in front of some stands with colourful
shirts hanged on it. She may be in a big shopping centre or department store. She is looking at one of
thoses shirts and she is carrying a white pair of trousers, maybe to try them on.
The shopping centre is a quieter place to shop than the flea market, since there is less people and
shopping centres are huge buildings to host many customers, much bigger than a flea market.
Which of these two places would you prefer going shopping?
Well, if I wanted to save money, I would go to a flea market, since items of clothing must be
cheaper. If I want to buy more expensive brand-new or trendy clothes, I will go to a shopping centre.
When you go to a shopping centre it is easier to get a refund if you have any problem and the quality
of clothes is higher.
If I were rich, I would prefer going to a shopping centre. However, I can only afford to buy in a flea
market. Last week was the last time a shopped in a flea market.
What kind of people shops in these two places?
People who shop in shopping centre are more concerned about fashion and styles and they don’t
worry about the money the must spend on it. Items of clothing in these places are chosen by fashion
trends, followed by celebrities and people all over the world.
On the other hand, people who buy in flea markets only are concerned about the money they want to
spend. They shop in these places in order to save some money. They can purchase cheaper clothes
which they can afford.

Possible answers …
Tell me about the last time you attended a celebration.
I attended my cousin María’s wedding two months ago. It was a great celebration, with around five
hundred guests, with a lavish meal and even a rock band which played all night.
The wedding ceremony was in the small church in our village, so it was crowded with people and
some of the guests were not able to get into the building.
Then, we went by bus to a huge restaurant in Seville, where we had a delicious meal and I drank
some red wine. I gave to the groom and the bride a beautiful watch and some money for the
expenses.
Finally, we went to a big hall where I was drinking and dancing classic rock songs till dawn. I was
sick for two or three days.
How did you feel?
At first I was embarrased when I got to the church and there were so many people I didn’t know.
After a while, I found my parents and I stayed with them to the end of the ceremony. After that, I
joined all my relatives who had attended the wedding. It was a bit awkward to greet and kiss all of
them one by one.
During the meal I sat with my cousins, whom I had not seen for ages. I was delighted to be with them
and we were talking about when we were kids.
The moment I enjoyed most was when all the members of my huge family were taken a picture and
we laughted a lot.
In the end it was a great day and I’m looking forward to going to another celebration like that.
Why do people enjoy celebrations?
In my view, people enjoy celebrations since it is an excellent opportunity to meet old friends and
relatives who live far away.
Also, in these kinds of celebrations people try to forget their problems and have fun, at least for a few
hours, surrounded by friends and relatives in a joyfull and confident environment.
Moreover, It is chance to give and receive presents from people we love and care. Children are the
ones who most enjoy celebrations since they get really excited when they are given some present.

Aptis Speaking Practice 2: Possible answers

Important!!!: las respuestas de este Aptis Speaking Practice 2 son posibles respuestas para daros
posibles ideas y para que os fijéis sobre todo en su estructura. Podéis contestar cosas muy diferentes,
mientras que contestéis la pregunta.
Además, debéis tener en cuenta que cuando hablamos hacemos bastantes pausas, dudamos,
repetimos el principio o partes de las oraciones que estamos diciendo, volvemos al principio si
la frase que hemos empezado no es correcta o hay otra manera mejor de decir algo.
Todo esto es parte siempre del Speaking, cuando cualquier persona hace un monólogo o habla con
otra persona, por lo que no hay que preocuparse mucho si os sucede, es normal que esto pase. Lo
importante es que contestemos a las preguntas y demos la información correctamente.
Además, en algunas preguntas se ofrecen 2 posibles respuestas, para que veáis claramente que se
pueden responder cosas muy distintas. En algunas respuestas se usan estructuras y vocabulario un
poco más avanzado (B2), para que haya de distintos niveles (para aquell@s que tengan un nivel más
avanzado).
Aptis Speaking Part 1: Contestar 3 preguntas sencillas sobre información personal.

Aptis
Speaking Practice 2: Part 1 Aptis Online

Please tell me about your job.

Answer 1: Well, currently I’m uneployed. I finished a Degree in Nursing last year, and I’ve been
looking for a job since then. I studied nursing because I love taking care of other people, specially
those who need most. My work is not easy, and you have to be very well prepared to carry out its
duties. Sometimes it can be very stressing and you must be used to facing really awkward situations.
Answer 2: I work as a shop assisstant in a big shopping centre. It’s a part-time job, and I only works
4 to 6 hours a day. Some days I work in the morning and other days in the afternoon. I help
customers when they have some question and to decide on the different items. I am responsible for
the sport department and I need to know about a lot of sports, their clothes, equipment and so on. I
like my job, but I’d prefer to have a full-time job and earn a little more money.
What’s your favourite season?
Answer 1: My favourite season is spring, I love spring. It lasts from April to June, when the weather
is warmer than in autumm and not so hot as in summer. The fields are green, the flowers are
flourishing and the trees and plants are full with delicious fruits. Also, I like going out with my
friends in the evenings and have a good time with them. At the weekends I am keen on hiking and I
walk for some hours, enjoying nature, landscapes and fresh air. Yes, spring is the best season of the
year.
What did you do las weekend?
Answer 1: Last weekend I stayed at home. I din’t do anything special. I just went shopping on
Saturday morning and I didn’t go out. It was freezing outside, so I decided to set the fire in the
chimney and watch some films and series on the internet. Besides, my brother came to visit me on
Sunday and we made some vegetarian meals for lunch. They were yummy! It was a relaxing
weekend.
Answer 2: Last weekend I travelled to Madrid and visited Martin, an old friend. I stayed at his home
all the weekend. There, we were talking about the old times when we were studying at the university,
our jobs and our family. Besides, I met some of his friends and on Saturday we all went out to a
trendy disco, it was huge! When I came back home on Sunday night. I was exhausted, and I had to
work the next day! Anyway, I’m looking forward to visiting Martin again.

Aptis Speaking Part 2: Describir una foto y contestar 2 preguntas relacionadas con
su tema.

Describe the picture.

In this picture I can see two young girls who are playing football outdoor. It may be a football field
because the ground is full of grass. In the background there are some trees and two white columns
that can be the entrance to the field.
In the middle of the picture there are these two girls, who are wearing different football suits, so they
are players from different teams. In the picture they are trying to kick the ball at the same time.
The girl on the left is shorter and she is wearing a striped green and white suit, whereas the girl on
the left, who is taller, is wearing a red and blue one. They both have long blonde hair and a ponytail.
Maybe they are playing a school championship or a female league where they live.
Do you play any sport?
Answer 1: I don’t play any sport, since I’m very busy and I have no time to do it. When I was at
school I used to play basketball with my friends and we took part in the yearly championship in our
region, which we won several times. We were an excellent team, but when we grew up we splitted up
and we have never played together again. I love watching basketball matches on TV, that reminds me
of my old times when I was a really good basketball player.
Answer 2: Yes, I am keen on playing tennis and paddle in my free time. There are several tennnis
and paddle courts in my village and these two sports are becoming trendy. A lot of people go to the
sport centre to play paddle, but they have to make a reservation to get an available court.
Although these two sports are very easy to play, you need to be fit and you need the necessary
equipment: paddle and tennis rackets, tennis balls, which can be used in both sports, and a
comfortable pair of trainers to prevent injuries.
Tell me about a popular sport in your country.
The most popular sport in my country is football. It is played by eleven players on each team and
they play in different positions in the field: goalkeeper, defense, midfield, … . They must kick the
ball and try to score on the rival’s goal. It lasts 90 minutes and the most popular football teams in
Spain and all over the world are Real Madrid and Betis. Professional football players earn a lot of
money and they are like celebrities.

Aptis Speaking Part 3: Comparar 2 imágenes y responder a 2 preguntas

relacionadas con el tema de ambas fotos.

Tell me what you see in the 2 pictures.

Both pictures depicts different people who are watching a film. In the above picture I can see a young
couple, a man and a woman, who are sitting on a sofa on their living room. They are watching a film
on a TV hung on the wall in front of them,. Perhaps they are a young married couple who are trying
to take a break, watching a film at their home.
On the other hand, the other picture shows a boy and a girl. They have bought two huge packs of
popcorn and the boy has a refreshment next to him They are younger and they are sitting on the first
row in a cinema, so they must be watching a film. The boy on the right is covering his eyes with his
left hand and looking down, so they may be watching a horror film and he is really frightened.
The first couple is much more relaxed, they seem to be laughing and enjoying the film, but the boy at
the cinema is not having a good time.
Which of these two places would you prefer to watch a film?
Answer 1: Well, it depends… I prefer watching a good film at home, since I’ve got a 52 inches
smart TV. I usually watch films on the internet, and I only pay 4 or 5 € to access a new released one.
However, once a month I meet some friends and we go to the cinema to watch a blockbuster.
Watching a motion picture at home is cheaper that going to the cinema and sometimes it is not worth
paying 12 € to watch a boring or disappointing film.
Answer 2: I’d prefer to watch a film at the cinema. I live with my family, my parents and my sister,
and there is only one TV in the living room. It’s almost impossible to watch a film that I like, and
when I can do it, the house is too much noisy. Because of that, whenever I can I go to the cinema, I
often meet some friends but sometimes I go alone.
I believe that watching a film at a cinema is much more exciting than watching at home. Moreover,
audio is better, everyone is quiet and you can pay attention to every detail in the film.
What kind of people go to these two places?
In my view, people who want to relax and enjoy a good film would prefer to stay at home. I think
they may be middle-aged couples who live on their own homes. These are more reluctant to go out
very frequently. They might be exhausted after a long working day and prefer to spend some more
time with their couple.
On the other hand, people who go to a cinema to watch a film tend to be younger people, teenagers
who hang out with their girfriends or boyfriends. They prefer going out rather than spending their
free time at home.
Aptis Speaking Part 4: Discurso de 2 minutos. Contestar 3 preguntas sobre un tema
relacionado con la imagen.

Tell me about the last time you went on holiday.

Last time I went on holiday was awesome! I travelled to Paris with my girlfriend on a week trip.
There we stayed in a 4-star hotel, really luxurious with all the amenities: spa, thermal baths, splendid
views to the Eiffel Tower and delicious typical French meals.
I loved the city, it was huge and magnificent. We had already planned an schedule, so we had time to
visit the most outstanding places in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre musemm, the Sacre Croix,
… We moved by underground, which is quite cheap and fast.
How did you feel?
From the first time I was really thrilled. I had never seen such a beatiful city. One day we visited
Louvre Museum and there we saw some of the most significant works of arts in the world:
Giocconda, Venus of Nile, and a number of famous artists from all times. While we were walking
aroud the museum I felt as if I were living a dream. It was an unforgettable experience. Even weeks
later, I couldn’t help thinking on that holiday.
Why do people need holiday
It is commonly agreed that holidays are a good chance for hardworkers and students to take a break
from their hard and sometimes stressing occupations. During a short period of time they can forget
about duties, too demanding bosses and long working hours. I reckon it can even help mental health.
Moreover, people choose to have some more time with their families, a perfect time to have fun
together and reconnect; other people prefer going to the seaside, just soaking up some sun lying on
the beach. Also, there are some people who prefer travelling abroad, going sightseeing and learning a
new culture and language.
To sum up, holidays are essential in order to keep our health, since everyone needs time to enjoy
oneself. People must take some time for themselves, out of the demanding and some times full of
troubles jobs or careers.

And remember …