C1 Advanced Speaking Test Part 1
The questions in C1 Advanced Speaking Part 1 are quite general, designed to help candidates feel more comfortable by asking personal questions related to their own experiences. On this page, we explore the types of questions you might encounter.
How CAE Part 1 Speaking Works
At the start of the speaking test you can expect an examiner to say the following and ask some of the subsequent questions.
Good morning/afternoon.
My name is …… and this is my colleague ….
And your names are?
First of all we’d like to know something about you.
- Where do you live Candidate A/B?
- What do you do here/there?
- How long have you been studying English?
- What do you enjoy about learning English?
C1 Advanced Speaking Part 1 Sample Questions
These are not necessarily actual exam questions but some typical examples of what you might get in the CAE Speaking Part 1.
- Do you like to spend time with friends or on your own?
- What would be an ideal holiday for you?
- What is the next celebration you plan to attend?
- Do you prefer an active or relaxing weekend?
- What do you think you will be doing five years from now?
- What do you like about your home town?
- Do you have enough time for leisure in your life?
- Do you study best on your own or with others?
- Are you planning to buy anything specific in the near future?
- What is the most interesting thing you have done this year?
What to do in Advanced C1 Speaking Part 1
The key to this section is answering the questions with a little detail, and not just producing simple Yes or No responses. Look at two sample answers here to the same question.
Do you like to spend time with friends or on your own?
Answer A
It depends. Sometimes I enjoy fun with my friends but sometimes it is better for me to be alone, you know, to relax.Answer B
I think it depends on my mood to be perfectly honest. I think it’s also the same for everybody. You know there are times when you are happy to enjoy your time with your friends and other times where you just don’t want to hang out at all.
While it’s normal to feel a bit nervous at the start of the C1 speaking test, the questions focus on familiar topics, offering candidates a chance to ease into the conversation. Although the time for responses in this part is limited, it’s important to still try to expand on your ideas. Short answers may prompt the examiner to ask follow-up questions like “Why?”.
Take some time to think about potential answers to the sample questions above. You can also find many other Part 1 sample questions online.
Learn more about other parts of the Advanced C1 Speaking Test
CAE Speaking Part 2
Compare two out of three pictures
CAE Speaking Part 3
In Part 3 discuss each topic together
CAE Speaking Part 4
Give opinions on a similar theme to Part 3
Advanced Speaking
See our guide to the speaking test
CAE Speaking Part 4
Give opinions on a similar theme to Part 3
Advanced Speaking
See our guide to the speaking test