Part 1: In this part of the test, you are going to compare two pictures and I will ask you
two
questions about it. You will have 45 seconds for each response.
1.1. Tell me what you see in the photographs
1.2. Which of these homes is more common in your town/city? Why?
1.3. Which place would you rather live in? Why?.
Part 2: In this part of the test, you will answer abstract questions about a particular topic.
You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking. Then, you will speak for 2
minutes.
2.1 How important to you is health and fitness?
2.2 In what ways can people stay healthy?
2.3 What do you think governments can do to promote healthy lifestyles in your country?
Part 3: In this part of the test, you are going to give a presentation. You can see the topic and
some points for and against both sides. You will choose two points from each list and give a
balanced argument. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking and then
you will have 1.5 minutes to speak. After you finish speaking, you will be asked an additional
question about the topic.
Topic: Citizens should be allowed to carry personal guns.
FOR
· Guns can help people protect themselves
· They prevent people from becoming victims of crimes like burglary
· Necessary for hunting or target sports
AGAINST
· Guns are weapons that are used to commit a crime
· Fewer guns will reduce the homicide rate
· Handheld and/or military guns are not useful for activities like hunting
Part 4: Answer the question. You have 45 seconds to speak.
There is fewer crime today than there was in the past.
What is your response to this statement?
APTIS Advanced: Model Answer to Sample Speaking Question #1
(4 parts – 10 minutes)
Part 1: In this part of the test, you are going to compare two pictures and I will ask you two
questions about it. You will have 45 seconds for each response.
1.2. Tell me what you see in the photographs.
In the photographs, I can see two types of homes. The one on the left is an apartment complex.
It is a high-rise building and there are many floors. It doesn’t look so modern, but it isn’t old
either. I think it might be in a city because it can accommodate many families. I am also
inclined to believe that it’s in a warm place because each unit has a balcony. In contrast, the
home on the left is a single-family dwelling. It looks like it’s in the suburbs because those types
of homes aren’t really common in urban centres. There are two stories and a garage.
1.3. Which of these homes is more common in your town/city? Why?
It’s hard to say. I live in a fairly big city, so you definitely see a lot more apartment buildings in
the city centre. It takes less space to accommodate more people. It’s also easier for people that
live there because it is less outdoor work in the winter when they have to clear snow or in the
spring when they have to mow the lawn. However, I live in a small bungalow near the city
limits. My area is pretty residential and there are a few pockets like this in the city where the
population density is lower.
1.4. Which place would you rather live in? Why?
Growing up in a house all my life, I’d probably choose the house. I think it gives you enough
space to live with people without constantly being in each other’s ways. Flats can get too
cramped and I imagine you don’t have much personal space or privacy. While buying a large
house is a goal, I understand that it might not be financially possible in my future.
Part 2: In this part of the test, you will answer abstract questions about a particular topic.
You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking. Then, you will speak for 2
minutes.
How important to you is health and fitness?
In what ways can people stay healthy?
What do you think governments can do to promote healthy lifestyles in your country?
I was just thinking about this question the other day as I scrolled through Instagram. As a kid, I
used to always eat junk food. I took my fast metabolism for granted and didn’t bother to do
any sport or exercise. While I never prioritized healthy living when I was younger, I think it is
incredibly important nowadays. Without our health, we are nothing. That being said, it was
hard for me to understand how people can stay healthy. I started following many fitness
inspiration pages and influencers on social media to truly understand how I could adopt a
better lifestyle and soon enough I learned that it was more than just eating fewer calories and
going to the gym. I learned that people need to pay attention to eating clean, nutrient-dense
foods, and that even walking could count as exercise. It’s that fact that I wish governments
promoted more. I always would associate a healthy lifestyle with being skinny, and that’s not
the case. If the government educated us more on plant-based lifestyles, or small changes that
we can make in our daily lives, I think everyone would be healthier.
Part 3: In this part of the test, you are going to give a presentation. You can see the topic and
some points for and against both sides. You will choose two points from each list and give a
balanced argument. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking and then
you will have 1.5 minutes to speak. After you finish speaking, you will be asked an additional
question about the topic.
Topic: Citizens should be allowed to carry personal guns.
FOR
· Guns can help people protect themselves
· They prevent people from becoming victims of crimes like burglary
· Necessary for hunting or target sports
AGAINST
· Guns are weapons that are used to commit a crime
· Fewer guns will reduce the homicide rate
· Handheld and/or military guns are not useful for activities like hunting
There is a hotly-debated topic about whether or not people should be allowed to carry personal
guns. While I strongly believe that this should not be the case under any circumstance, I will
present both arguments.
In a time of uncertainty and danger, it is important to feel safe. Guns can help people feel
secure if they are walking alone at night or living in a bad neighbourhood. If someone attempts
to break in to my home or car, this crime could be circumvented with the presentation of a
firearm as a deterrent.
On the other hand, guns are killing machines. Even if it is unintended side effect of protection or
sport, they can be the reason for a crime in itself. By reducing guns, the homicide rate will go
down as well. This is because guns are very easy to use to kill someone versus other methods.
Notwithstanding guns used for hunting large animals, there is no excuse that a person who is
not trained should have access to a hand gun or military rifle. They would make the animal
inedible.
All in all, I think guns should be banned.
Part 4: Answer the question. You have 45 seconds to speak.
There is fewer crime today than there was in the past.
What is your response to this statement?
In general, I don’t think that there is fewer crime today than in the past, but the crime is
definitely different. While there may be less instances of armed robbery or burglary due to
home surveillance systems and safer neighbourhoods, I think that there is more identity theft
and cyber-crime. Nowadays, stealing someone’s credit card number or passport is more
valuable than just the cash in their wallet and I predict this will increase in the future.
