CPE Speaking Paper- Videos

The Cambridge Proficiency in English exam has 4 components, none of which should be neglected. These are Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. In Cpesamplewritings we are experts in essays, articles and letters but we believe in the importance of preparing for the speaking part of the CPE exam as well. 

CPE Paper 4 Speaking / Info about the exam

The exam is divided into three parts, and it lasts approximately 15 minutes.

In Part 1 of the exam the interlocutor asks each student a question or a couple of questions about their life or background.

Part 2 of the exam is a two-way conversation between candidates. Candidates are given prompts in different topics such as the environment, economy, the media, etc to talk about. Their ability to evaluate, speculate and give opinions is tested.

Part 3 of the exam is know as the long turn or the solo part. Here each candidate takes turns to answer a written question and is asked to talk non-stop for about 3 minutes.

Videos of the Speaking Paper

There are a some videos available on Youtube for you to watch:

CPE/CAE Practice tests

A new year has started and you are probably thinking it is high time to take the Proficiency in English exam. In preparation for it you have been doing your local library Cambridge ESOL past papers but you still feel like you could do with a little bit more prep? Well, check out this selection of very useful (and free) Internet web pages which offer extra practice activities.

FLO-JOE
www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/tests/

EXAMENGLISH
www.examenglish.com/cpe/




ENGLISH-ONLINE
http://www.english-online.org.uk/cpefolder/cpehome.php?name=Practice%20for%20the%20Cambridge%20Proficiency%20English

ESL-LOUNGE
http://www.esl-lounge.com/student/proficiency.php

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
http://www.ihbristol.com/free-english-exercises/esol

POST A CPE SAMPLE WRITING

Are you taking CAE or CPE this year? Have you got a letter/ essay/ article/ or story you would like to share with us? Send your Word document to gustavo.albarracin.q@gmail.com

We will read it, edit it a little together if necessary and post it straight away. See it as an opportunity to help other fellow teachers or students become proficient.  THANKS a lot.

CPE Writing Paper 2013 / Part 1 Essay by guest blogger Javi Montoliu from Barcelona

Task: Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible, and include your own ideas in your answer. You should write 240-280 words. (Texts are about "Positive Psychology", see Proficiency Expert book)

Positive Psychology

Both texts discuss the way positive psychology affects people’s lives. The first one advocates that it has a beneficial effect on those who put it into practice. The second one, on the other hand, states that it might not be favourable for everyone.

The first passage argues that people who buy into positive psychology attain a more joyful life not only for themselves but also for the wider society, but claims that experts of the field compare it to the frivolous self-help books. I personally feel this last statement will resonate with many people because therapies of this kind tend to be fairly senseless and unrealistic, for they tell you what to do but not how to do it. As reported by the text, this particular psychology enhances the person’s well-being and quality of life, thereby giving rise to a much more cheerful and healthy population.

In contrast, the second text proposes that a specific group of people called defensive pessimists react negatively to positive psychology thus stating that it is not suitable for everyone. Whilst we might think these so-called defensive pessimists really expect the worse, they actually adopt a pattern of behaviour which helps them be successful in life, they trick themselves into thinking they’ve performed badly. I would agree that being pessimistic might help them reach their own targets in life; nevertheless, I feel it isn’t beneficial for them to get fully involved in this pessimism.

In conclusion, it could be argued that joy and optimism are not what make us succeed in life. In my opinion, everyone has their own quirks that help them overcome their problems; therefore, any forced beliefs or behaviour will result in an unfavourable response.

Javier Montoliu

Proficiency exam sample article

Task: You have been asked to write an article for an international environmental magazine on the topic: Crisis, what crisis? 300-350 words

The crisis we can stop

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the environment has been seriously damaged, whether or nor we are still in time to do something about it is yet to be discovered.

Denying things like Global Warming or a probable future lack of natural resources seems nowadays absurd. Nevertheless most people fail to realise the innumerable ways in which they can contribute to a future crisis by contaminating the world on a daily basis. I say it is high time we analyse our own lifestyles and embrace a new more environmentally-friendly style of living.

There are simple things we can start doing that would really make a difference. I myself have recently taken up cycling as a way to both save energy and avoid polluting the air with exhaust fumes. I have also begun to recycle plastic bottles and paper and to turn off the lights whenever I am not at home.

There are some other activities that require a bit more organisation but that can be done by universities, schools or members of any other communities. Some ideas on what to do include picking up rubbish from natural areas such as beaches or parks, reforesting or planting new trees and launching educational campaigns on how to save the planet.

Last week my sister and I took a group of children from our neighbourhood to a trip organised by our local school. We camped by a beautiful crystal-blue lake in the outskirts of town. Sadly, though, we discovered that other groups of campers had been there before and dropped their litter litterally everywhere but in the dustbins. Great was our surprise when two of the youngest kids voluntarily started cleaning a spot near our tent. Soon we followed in their footsteps inspired by them.

Is it too late to turn things round and make things better? Can we help prevent future wars for oil and water just by teaching our sons to take better care of the existing resources? I may be an optimist but I certainly hope so.

Gustavo Albarracín 

Are you ready for CAE/ CPE? Try this "Phrasal verbs with DO quiz" to find out !

What do these phrasal verbs mean?


1. Do sb in.
Example "The mugger threatened to do me in if I didn´t give him my wallet."

A. Rob
B. Kill
C. Hit

2. Do sth up.
Example "We are doing up an old house we bought in the outskirts of town".

A. Repair
B. Sell
C. Rent

3. Do with sth.
Example "Are you busy? I could do with some help here, if you are free".

A.Relate
B. Demand
C. Need

Answers


1. B

2. A

3. C

Writing Sample: A Review

Bewitch, also known by its French name "Ma sorciere bien-aimée", is a successful sitcom which was produced in the 1960s in the USA and aired in more than 30 countries. It stars actress Elizabeth Montgomery, who plays Samantha, a very attractive young witch who falls in love and marries a red-blooded very typical and at times dull mortal man.

This absolutely hilarious story begins with the couple´s wedding night when Samantha decides to come out of the broom closet and confess Darrin (Dick York), the mortal husband, that he has married a spell-casting cauldron-stirring one-hundred-percent American witch. This of course leaves Darrin baffled for a while but he ends up accepting Samantha´s "difference" with the condition that she promises to do her best to quit witchcraft and become a totally normal dinner-making, house-cleaning  ( very-1950s)  housewife.

Such promise, however, proves impossible to honour, as Samantha´s eccentric and extravagant relatives appear in her house chapter after chapter to mess up with her peaceful domestic life and force her to use her magic.

It is actually these secondary characters which have made the tv show immortal. Perhaps the most memorable one being Endora (Agnes Moorehead), Samantha´s mother, who is a kind of super witch with extraordinary powers, which she uses to torture and make fun of her son-in-low, Darrin. With a twitch of her nose and a tiny bit of magic Samantha saves her beloved husband´s life night after night to the delight of the show´s audience.

Even though this is an old tv programme, it is still available on the Internet via Youtube, and I thoroughly recommend watching it. I think everyone will enjoy the fantasy of this comedy.

Gustavo Albarracín


Writing sample: A film review, click here.