How to answer BEC preliminary speaking test questions successfully:
1. Look carefully at the question and make sure you understand it before responding.
2. Speak clearly with smooth transitions between ideas and use a mix of vocabulary and grammar structures for your answer.
3. Take time to think about your response before giving an answer, as being able to quickly formulate an answer can be beneficial during the exam.
BEC Preliminary Speaking Questions Part Two
BEC Speaking Test Sample Questions with AnswersBEC Preliminary Speaking Part 2
Choosing a training course
- Size of group
- Cost
- Times of course
Sample Answer
When it comes to training, it's important to consider various factors such as the group size.
Normally, smaller groups are better for developing people skills or collaborative skills or dealing with a complex subject as there is more potential for individual attention and learning.
Larger groups are okay if the purpose of the training course is to impart information rather than develop skills.
Obviously, costs play a big part in whether or not training is feasible. A company wants to know that it's getting value for money, so it's critical that training should be directly relevant to adding value to the company, its products or services offered.
Depending on how critical the training is for employees, the timing may or may not be important. If it's only one or two of the staff and the training is vital then whether the training course is local, in another part of the country or even in another country, it may still be beneficial.
However, an employee could attend non-essential but desirable training in the evenings or weekends without it affecting the employee's work schedule and impacting the productivity of their department.
Booking a hotel for a business trip
- Location
- Facilities
- Charges
A lot will depend on the purpose of the business trip.
For example, if you're planning to attend a conference, the hotel will need to be close to the conference venue.
But on the other hand, if the purpose of the trip is to visit several clients in the area, then you should choose the location to minimise the amount of travelling required between clients to save time and further expense.
Depending on the length of the stay, the type of facilities available may be more or less important.
A longer stay away from the office might mean that a hotel which provides a fully equipped business centre, gym, swimming pool and other leisure facilities would probably be more desirable.
However, if the trip only involves an overnight stay, such services won't probably be a priority.
When it comes to charges, it's important to try and get the best value for money.
If business travellers travel frequently, then being a member of a loyalty scheme might be advantageous as hotel tariffs will probably be cheaper and the whole reservation and checking in procedure streamlined.
People who travel on business infrequently should still look for the best deal available but will probably not have access to any of the preferential packages designed for regular business users.
Major hotel chains usually offer some of the best deals for frequent business travellers. These are applicable in various locations, which can help reduce costs for the company over time.
Location, facilities and charges are all important, but depending on the type of trip and regularity of travel, a business traveller will probably prioritise them quite differently.
Attending a conference
- Meeting people
- Taking notes
- Contributing to discussions
When you attend a business conference, you represent your company, and it's important to maintain a professional image.
You should also take advantage of the opportunity to network, make contacts and learn as much as you can about things related to the theme of the event.
Meeting people is vital because they could be potential new clients, business partners, suppliers or collaborators, and they may well come in useful in the future.
It's also an excellent opportunity to listen to what other people think about trends or plans in your industry and maybe learn something interesting.
It's important to gather as much information as possible while you're at the event.
Taking notes is one method of recording your thoughts or comments as you walk around and mingle and see the various presentations or participate in workshops can also give you lots of useful information which you can organize after the event.
Participating is key to getting the most out of a conference and its associated events, such as side meetings, workshops and discussion groups.
These are all superb opportunities to interact on a more personal level with other delegates, learn and gather more business intelligence.
Deciding how to use your time at work
- Planning
- Dealing with problems
- Meeting deadlines
Time management is critical if you want to be efficient and effective while at work.
It's easy to get distracted by many things in a typical office or work environment, so it's critical to manage your time well if you want to be productive.
Nowadays, it's easier than ever with all the technology available. You can put your entire work schedule on your smartphone, tablet or other app and keep it with you at all times.
Planning your time means prioritizing events and activities that you know about and also allowing a certain amount of time for 'expected' problems or 'firefighting' if an emergency arises.
We've all had times when we needed to drop everything and sort out urgent problems. When we don't allow some extra time for these events, we will always be less efficient than including them in our planning.
you can plan events such as meetings, which are programmed, training courses and suchlike. But you also need to plan your daily work activities, manage tasks and projects and make sure your time is optimized.
There's no point in moaning about having to meet a deadline for a report or project if you could have had it finished in time if you had planned things better.
You should always try and have things finished as soon as possible and never leave things until the last moment.
Recruiting new employees
- Qualifications
- Personality
- Suitability
When recruiting new employees, you must consider the company culture and values and evaluate the specific skills and qualifications the position needs.
It is also vital to find candidates who are a good fit for the company, in other words, their suitability, and who will be motivated to do their best work.
The interview process is an excellent opportunity to get to know the candidates and their personalities and see if they would be a good fit for your company.
Hiring managers must ask questions to assess candidates' skills and abilities, motivation, and suitability for the role.
It is also essential to have a robust onboarding process to help new employees settle into their new roles quickly and easily. The goal is to ensure that any new employee will be successful in their job.
Sample AnswerThere are a few key things to keep in mind when recruiting new employees.
First and foremost, you want to ensure that they are qualified for the position.
Secondly, you'll want to assess their personality to see if they're a good fit for your company culture.
Lastly, you'll need to consider their suitability for the role itself.
By taking all of these factors into account, you can ensure that you're hiring the best possible candidates for your open positions.
Asking for a rise in salary
- Performance / Productivity
- Amount
- Reason / Justification
When asking for a raise in salary, the person must demonstrate their value to the company. They should show how they have exceeded expectations in terms of performance and productivity.
Additionally, they need to provide evidence that supports their request, such as market data indicating that their current salary is below the average for someone with their skills and experience.
Finally, it's recommendable to have a clear justification for why they feel they deserve a raise. Expressing gratitude for the opportunities they've been given so far and explaining why they wish to stay with the company are good starting points.
Finding new suppliers of products
- Research
- Costs
- Service
When looking for new suppliers of products, it's vital to do your research and find the best option for your needs.
Some good ways to do research include:
- talking to other businesses in your industry
- reading online reviews
- getting recommendations from people you trust
Once you've narrowed down your options, compare costs and services to find the best fit for your business.
Finally, don't forget to ask for samples before making your final decision.
Costs are also an important consideration, as you want to make sure you're getting a good deal. How can you compare costs? There are a few different ways to compare costs:
- Get quotes from multiple suppliers
- Compare the prices of similar products
- Look at the total cost of ownership (including shipping, taxes, and any other fees)
When you're comparing costs, factor in the quality of the product or service.
And finally, service is always important, so be sure to find a supplier who will be responsive and helpful if any issues arise.
Things to prioritize when looking at service include:
- How quickly they respond to inquiries
- How knowledgeable their staff is
- The quality of their products or services
- How easy it is to work with them
Arranging a social function for employees
- Venue
- Entertainment
- Catering
Sample Answer
There are a few key things to remember when arranging a social function for employees. First, you'll need to find an appropriate venue. A good venue should be large enough to accommodate all of your guests and provide any necessary amenities.
Additionally, you'll need to arrange for entertainment and catering. Make sure to book entertainment that will appeal to a wide range of people, and be sure to order enough food to feed everyone attending the event. Good catering options for an employee social function include finger foods, buffet items, and drinks.
With careful planning, you can throw a great party that everyone will enjoy.
Providing customer service
- Advice / customer needs
- After-sales service
- Complaints
Sample Answer
There are a few key points to remember when providing customer service.
Always be polite and helpful, take the time to listen to what the customer is saying, and try to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.
Be prepared to advise customers on what they may need and be available to answer any questions they have. Finally, it's also important to offer after-sales service in case there are any problems with the product or service that you've provided.
Always follow up with customers after sales to ensure they are satisfied with their purchase. If there are any problems or complaints, make sure to address them immediately. A robust complaints procedure will also help to build customer confidence in your business.
It is also important to provide customers with a warranty or guarantee on products and services so that they know they can come back to you if there are any problems. This shows that you are confident in the quality of what you are providing and are committed to solving any issues that may arise.
Managing your time
- Examining current activities
- Organisation / Planning
- Monitoring your activities and time
Sample Answer
When it comes to time management, there are a few key points to keep in mind.
First, you need to take a look at your current activities and see what is taking up the most time.
From there, you can start to plan and organize your time so that you can be more efficient. Some helpful tips for organizing your tasks include creating to-do lists, setting deadlines, and breaking down large projects into smaller goals.
Additionally, it’s important to monitor your progress so that you can adjust your plan as needed. It's helpful to use tracking tools like calendars, timers, and productivity apps to stay on top of your progress.
Finally, remember to give yourself some flexibility in your schedule so that you can account for unexpected tasks or events.
By following these time management tips, you can make the most of your time and get more done in less time.
Examples of Business English speaking topics
- Describe a time when you had to give a presentation or talk in front of an audience.
- Tell us about a time when you had to lead a team or group of people.
- Talk about a time when you had to negotiate with someone.
- Describe a time when you had to give difficult feedback to someone.
- Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client.
- Describe the role of English in international business.
- Talk about a time when you had to use English for business purposes.
- Describe the challenges of doing business in another country where English is not the primary language.
- Talk about a time when you had to negotiate in English.
- Describe the importance of cross-cultural communication in business.
Learn more about Cambridge BEC Preliminary test.
