p-21
FCE Speaking Part 3: Collaborative Task
Prompt: Talk to each other about how important these things are for our personal
happiness, and then decide which two are the most important.
🔹 Student A:
Let’s start with having good friends. I think that’s
really important for personal happiness, because
having someone to talk to and share experiences with
can make a huge difference to how we feel.
🔹 Student B:
I completely agree. Good friendships give us
emotional support, especially during difficult times.
I’d say it’s one of the key things for happiness.
🔹 Student A:
What about doing a job you like? I imagine that’s also
really important. If you spend most of your day doing
something you enjoy, it makes life more satisfying.
🔹 Student B:
Yes, but not everyone has the chance to do that. I think
it’s ideal, but maybe not essential. For some people,
having enough money might be more important,
because it gives them stability and freedom.
🔹 Student A:
That’s true, but I doubt that having a lot of money
automatically makes people happy. It can help, but I
think it depends on how you use it.
🔹 Student B:
Good point. And what do you think about being
physically fit?
🔹 Student A:
Well, it definitely helps us feel good. If you’re healthy
and active, it can improve your mood. I get the
impression that people who exercise regularly are
generally happier.
🔹 Student B:
That’s probably true. Finally, there’s listening to good
music. I think that’s more of a short-term mood
booster. It’s enjoyable, but maybe not as essential as
the others.
✅ Final Decision (Reaching a conclusion):
🔹 Student A: So, if we had to choose two, I’d say
having good friends and doing a job you like.
🔹 Student B: I agree. Friendships provide support, and
loving your job gives you a reason to look forward to
each day.
🔹 Together: So we’ve decided that having good
friends and doing a job you like are the most
important for our personal happiness.
✅ Useful Language Included:
I think that’s really important because...
I completely agree.
I imagine that’s also really important.
I doubt that...
That’s probably true.
Let’s decide...
So we’ve decided that...
FCE Speaking Part 4: Sample
Answers
🔹 What other things make you feel happy?
Well, apart from spending time with my friends and
doing things I enjoy, I would say that achieving my
goals, even small ones, really makes me feel happy.
For example, when I finish a project or improve in
something I've been working on, it gives me a great
sense of satisfaction.
🔹 Do you think having longer holidays would make people feel happier?
Yes, I think so, especially for people who work very
hard. Having time to relax and recharge is really
important for both physical and mental health. But I
also think it depends on how people use their holidays
—if you just stay at home and get bored, it might
not be that helpful.
🔹 Some people say that the best way to be happy is to make other people happy.
What do you think?
I think there's a lot of truth in that. When you do
something kind for someone else, it often makes you
feel good too. It creates a positive atmosphere. For
example, giving someone a compliment or helping a
friend can really improve your own mood as well.
🔹 If something is making you feel unhappy, is it better to talk about it with your
friends or your family?
That depends. Sometimes friends understand your
situation better, especially if they’re around your age.
But if it’s something more serious or emotional, I
usually prefer to talk to my family because they know
me best and give honest advice.
🔹 Some people like listening to happy music when they feel happy, and sad
music when they feel sad. Why do you think this is?
I think it’s because music helps us connect with our
emotions. When we’re sad, listening to sad music
might help us feel understood. And when we’re happy,
upbeat music keeps that energy going. It’s like music
reflects what’s going on inside us.
🔹 Do you think it is possible to be happy all of the time?
Honestly, I don’t think so. Everyone has ups and downs,
and that’s completely normal. But I do believe that we
can choose how we react to things. We might not
always feel happy, but we can try to stay positive and
find small moments of joy even in difficult times.
✅ Tips Used in These Answers:
Extended answers with examples
Clear opinions and personal reflections
Useful expressions:
o
I would say that...
o
o
There’s a lot of truth in that.
o
o
It depends...
o
o
Honestly, I don’t think so...
o
o
That’s completely normal...
Would you like to practice giving your own answers for me to give you feedback like
an examiner?
Certainly! Here's a confident, well-structured response for **Part 4 of the FCE Speaking Exam**,
aimed at achieving top marks for fluency, development, and interaction:
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**Candidate Response (Speaking Part 4 – Discussion Questions):**
When it comes to happiness, I think it's something that depends on many factors. Apart from listening
to music, there are other things that make me feel happy, like spending time with close friends or
enjoying nature. Being around people I care about really lifts my mood and helps me feel connected.
Regarding holidays, I believe longer holidays could definitely make people feel happier. It gives them
more time to relax, travel, or catch up on personal interests that they might not have time for during
a busy work schedule. A break from routine is often refreshing and beneficial for mental health.
As for the idea that the best way to be happy is to make others happy—I agree to a certain extent.
Making someone smile or helping a friend can be very fulfilling. It creates a sense of purpose and
strengthens relationships, which in turn contributes to your own happiness.
When I feel unhappy, I think it's better to talk to my family first. They know me well and usually give
sincere and supportive advice. However, sometimes talking to friends can feel easier, especially if the
problem is something I don't want to worry my family about.
About music, I think people choose songs based on their emotions to either reflect their mood or
change it. Happy music can boost positive feelings, while sad music might help someone process
emotions in a comforting way. It’s almost like music understands us.
Finally, I don’t think it’s possible to be happy all the time. Life has its ups and downs, and experiencing
different emotions is natural and healthy. The important thing is learning how to handle those
emotions and find balance.
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Would you like to practice interacting like in Part 3 with a partner-style dialogue next? I can help
simulate that too. 😊
