Speaking: All Tasks Including the 2025 Additions
Times are approximate; follow the timer on the screen in the real test.
| Task | What you do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Read Aloud | Read a short text aloud. | 30–40 s to prepare, then read |
| Repeat Sentence | Repeat a sentence exactly as you heard it. | 15 s to answer |
| Describe Image | Describe a graph, map, diagram or picture. | 25 s to prepare, 40 s to speak |
| Re-tell Lecture | Retell a short lecture in your own words. | 10 s to prepare, 40 s to speak |
| Answer Short Question | Answer a simple question with one or a few words. | 10 s |
| Summarize Group Discussion (2025) | Listen to several people discussing a topic and summarise the main points and opinions. | 10 s to prepare, 2 min to speak |
| Respond to a Situation (2025) | Read and hear an everyday situation and say what you would say in it. | 20 s to prepare, 40 s to speak |
- Read Aloud: use the preparation time to find pauses (commas, full stops) and difficult words. If you make a mistake, keep going — do not go back.
- Repeat Sentence: listen to the meaning and the rhythm, not word by word. If you cannot remember everything, repeat as much as you can fluently.
- Describe Image: say what the image shows, then the two or three key features (highest, lowest, main trend), then a short conclusion.
- Re-tell Lecture and Summarize Group Discussion: take notes of key words while you listen; for the discussion, note who said what and whether the speakers agreed.
- Respond to a Situation: speak naturally to the person in the situation, use a polite register, explain the problem and suggest a solution or ask for help.
Situation: You borrowed a book from your classmate, Sam, and accidentally spilled coffee on it. Sam needs the book for an exam next week. What would you say to Sam?
"Hi Sam, I'm really sorry, but I have some bad news about your book. I accidentally spilled coffee on it last night, and some of the pages in chapter four are stained. You can still read most of them, but I know you need it for your exam next week, so I'd like to buy you a new copy. I can order one today and it should arrive in two days. In the meantime, you're welcome to use my notes for that chapter. Again, I'm so sorry about this."
Three students discuss whether their university should replace printed textbooks with digital ones. "The speakers discussed whether the university should switch to digital textbooks. The first student supported the idea, mainly because digital books are cheaper and easier to carry. The second student disagreed, arguing that many people concentrate better on paper and that screens cause eye strain. The third student suggested a compromise: offering both formats so that students can choose. In the end, they generally agreed that cost was important, but that students should not be forced to use only one format."