BEC Sample Speaking Questions - Business English Lesson

Part 1

How to answer Part 1 questions in the Business English speaking test?

To answer Part 1 questions in the Business English speaking test, it is important to be able to talk about a range of topics related to business.

This could include discussing your work, or talking about current affairs and business news. It is also important to be able to listen carefully to the question and give a concise answer.

Example Part 1 questions - Cambridge Business English exam

• Where do you work?
• What do you like most about your job?
• Do you prefer working in a team or alone?
• What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working or studying?
• Do you think it’s important for business people to relax in their free time? Why?/Why not?
• Should companies provide facilities such as sports clubs for their staff? Why?/Why not?
• Do you think there are advantages to meeting clients socially? Why?/Why not?
• What do you think are the benefits of networking?
• Have you ever attended a business networking event? What was it like?
• Do you think people in your country do enough to network? Why?/Why not?
• What do you think is the best way to meet potential new clients or business contacts?
• What do you think is the best way to keep in touch with existing clients or business contacts?

Part 2

To prepare yourself, practise preparing and giving short presentations on a topic of your choice, for example, talk about things and people you know from the workplace. It is important to practise doing this so you will feel more comfortable and relaxed in the test.

How to answer BEC speaking test questions in Part 2

Remember you will have about one minute to prepare your piece: Use the time well:

• focus on the information provided on the task sheet - make your main point and then add a few supporting details, examples or explanations, you can use your own experience for ideas.
• think about a way to introduce the topic - try to find something which will get your listener's attention
• think about how you will 'round it up' - some kind of conclusion or summary.

When we are speaking, we sometimes need a moment to decide how to say something, or to explain, or to make something clearer. In English we use 'fillers' like:

• erm ...
• well ...
• what I'd like to say is ...
• in other words ...

Look out for fillers when you listen to English - write them down, and practise using them. If you don't know or can't remember a word when you are speaking in English, try:

• using a synonym or a word / phrase with a similar meaning, for example, I'd like to get ... (a promotion) ... a higher position in my company.
• explaining the meaning of the word you want, for example, I need a new (briefcase) ... case to put my papers in.

At the end of your partner's presentation, the examiner will ask you to comment on it.

As you listen to your partner speaking, make brief notes of what you want to say - perhaps there is something he / she did not mention.

Did you agree with everything he / she said? Express your opinion. Have you maybe heard something on TV about the subject? Or read something about it?

Tell the examiner and your speaking partner.

BEC Sample Speaking Question Topics

Candidate A:
What do you need to think about when ... ?
Taking an order

• client's needs
• details of the product / service offered
• payment / credit arrangements

Candidate A:
What is important to remember when ... ?
Greeting an overseas visitor who has just arrived

• accommodation and travel
• making the person comfortable
• company information

Candidate A:
What is important when ... ?
Taking an overseas visitor for lunch or dinner

• getting to know the person
• talking about work matters
• cultural eating habits

Candidate A:
What do you need to remember when ... ?
Giving a sales presentation

• figures and rends
• visual aids
• body language and attitude

Candidate A:
What are the most important points when ... ?
Creating a new product

• market research
• trialling the product
• advertising

Candidate B:
What do you need to think about when ...?
Going for a job interview

• qualifications
• reasons for wanting the job
• salary

Candidate B:
What is important to remember when ...?
Deaking with customer complaints

• finding out what the problem is
• identifying the cause of the problem
• offering a solution

Candidate B:
What is important when ... ?
Commenting on a colleague's work

• being diplomatic
• strengths
• weaknesses

Candidate B:
What do you need to remember when ... ?
Representing your company in an exhibition

• appearance
• stand and information
• behaviour

Candidate B:
What are the most important points when ... ?
Taking part in a multicultural meeting

• different cultural behaviour
• language(s)
• stereotyping

Business English Practice Questions

Hypothetical conversation structure:

Example

If you were the president of a large company, what would you do to try and motivate the employees?

Answer

If I were the president of a large company, I would give my employees a raise because it would motivate them to work harder.

1. If you owned your own business, what would you do to try and increase sales?

2. If you were the president of a large company, what would you do to improve employee morale?

3. If you ran a non-profit organization, how would you go about getting more donations?

4. If you were in charge of marketing for a new product, how would you try to get people to buy it?

5. If you were the editor of a newspaper, what would you do to increase circulation?