Cambridge B2 First: Speaking Part 1 – Your chance to impress the examiner
- Catherine Jones
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
Part 1 of the Cambridge B2 First speaking exam focuses on familiar, everyday topics such as work, studies, hobbies, daily routine or travel. Your aim is to answer personally and naturally, showing that you can have a real conversation in English. Think of it as a warm-up. This is your chance to demonstrate your skill.
You speak about yourself while your partner answers similar questions. You don’t need to respond to them in this part.
When I work with students preparing for this exam, here are the 3 most common mistakes I see:
1. Not knowing what to say
Many students freeze because they haven’t practised personal topics. Focus on YOUR daily life, your family, friends, hobbies, work, or studies. Practising these topics helps you answer naturally and confidently. Make sure you have the vocabulary YOU need to talk about YOU.
2. Using only simple language
Part 1 is your chance to show what you can do. Avoid only basic words and basic grammar structure. Try a few well-chosen phrases that make your English sound richer and more precise. This makes a strong impression on the examiner.
3. Not practising enough
Without real practice, it’s easy to feel nervous. If you can't find someone to practise with, how about recording yourself? There really is no substitute for practice - the more you do it, the easier it will become.
If you want more support for Part 1, my Cambridge B2 First Speaking support pack is designed to help you feel confident and prepared. You can download part 1 for FREE.
It includes:
a reminder of the exam format
tips on how to approach each question and what to prepare
more common mistakes to watch out for
top tips to impress the examiner
plenty of example questions to practise
a page of useful language that you can use and adapt for your own responses
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