一、 口语测试题型(一)——考官口头提问(Interview)

必考话题

① Hometown

② Weather

③ Traffic

④ Travel

⑤ Leisure Time and Hobbies

⑥ Shopping

⑦ Sports Activities

⑧ Family

⑨ Food

⑩ Festivals and Occasions

二、口语测试题型(二)——小演讲(Mini-presentation)

(一) 考生怎样与考官进行简单的商务交流

自我介绍结束后，考官会与考生就商务交往中的某一具体的问题进行较为具体的交谈。这一阶段考生要通过描述(describe)、比较(compare)、解释(explain)等方式使谈话能够深入。考官可以以不同的方式问同样的内容，考生在考前应对这些提问方式做全方位的设想。对答案可能涉及的词汇做充分了解，如果时间充裕，最好提前准备好一份答案。

考官一般会问考生对商务活动的一些基本看法，或者给考生设定一个情景，然后让考生阐述自己的看法。回答这样的问题考生首先应该具备一些基本的商务知识，其次才是如何用英文表达。

例如：Suppose you are a sales representative. Your company has developed a new product with high price and good quality. How will you persuade you customer to buy your product?

分析：考生首先应当知道本产品的优势在什么地方，不同的客户有什么不同的需求，产品的目标客户群有什么样的要求。就本例而言，考官给定的信息不是很全面，具体是哪种产品没有讲清楚。考生自己可以将它更加细化，为了便于进一步展开谈话，最好选择自己熟悉的产品。

参考答案：Well, suppose I am a sales representative. Our company has developed a new office-software, It has more functions and is easier to use compared with other products.

The first step of selling our product is to determine our target customer. If I am supposed to sell the software to governments, corporations, or institutions, the high quality, multi-function and all-round after-sale service would be the first priority to these customers. They are less sensitive in price than the individual buyers. I’ll try my best to let them know our software’s distinct advantage over the others’. If individuals are my target customers, they will pay more attention to the price. Of course, it is not easy to talk them into buying. The best policy, I think is to assure them that they get the product with best quality-price ratio.

(二)口试第二部分的测试要求

测试要求：每位考生做一个简短的演讲，大约一分钟。在演讲前每位考生都会在一张纸上看到两个题目，考生可以从中选自一个并有一分钟的时间做准备。在演讲完毕后，另一位考生可以就这个演讲提一两个问题。

测试目的：看考生就一个给定的话题能否组织好一篇论点鲜明、逻辑清楚、选词得当、结构分明、长短合适的演讲。

考试要求：Thank you. That’s the end of the first part of the test. In the next part you are going to talk on your own. I’m going to give each of you a card with 2 topics. I’d like you to choose one topic and talk about it for about a minute. You have one minute to prepare for this. You are allowed to make notes. All right? Here are you topics.

Interlocutor hands each candidate a different topic card, and some paper and pencil for notes.

Choose one of the topics and prepare to talk about it. Remember you can make notes if you wish.

Allow 1 minute’s preparation time. All candidates prepare their talks at the same time, separately.

例一：What is important when looking for a new job?

Location

Salary

Good Colleagues

I think that when looking for a new job, the location of the organization is very important. The company or organization should be situated in a downtown area with very good communications facilities, for example, good bus and tube (underground or subway) networks. In this way, you can save a lot of time commuting on the way. Also, it is important to have a good salary, because if you are paid according to the going rate, you will be motivated to work harder. The final point to consider when looking for a new job is that you should have nice colleagues. They should be friendly towards you and help you get to know the structure of the organization and the house rules. The senior staff should also help the new staff to learn the office routines and the correct ways of working. You will feel much better working in a collaborative team.

例二：What is important when choosing a business language course?

Cost

Size of Group

Qualification

In choosing a business language course, there are a number of factors to consider. First, you have to think about the cost, which should be reasonable and be related to the content of the course and the quality of teaching. Secondly, the size of the group should be small, with no more than 20 students to a group, so that everyone could have more opportunities for oral practice. Preferably, the students should come from different countries so that they can only talk to each other in English. Also, the trainer should have both good knowledge of English and the business world. There should be a variety of classroom activities designed to motivate the students to speak as much as possible. Finally, at the end of the course, the students should have a certificate issued to them, so that they can prove their English proficiency to their future employers and use English in a real business context.

例三：A. What is important when arranging a business trip abroad?

Type of Transport

Accommodation

Contact Person

B. What is important when choosing offices to rent?

Location

Facilities

Cost

A sample speech on Topic A

Interlocutor: All right. Now, A, which topic have you chosen, A or B?

Would you like to talk about what you think is important when arranging a business trip abroad?

Candidate A:

Ok. I think when arranging a business trip abroad there are three things to consider. First, you must choose the type of transport. As overseas travels involve long distances, the plane is the best choice for reaching your destination rapidly. Secondly, you should also consider what accommodation best suits your purposes. Choosing a hotel with all modern conveniences and communication facilities will help you accomplish your tasks much better. Lastly, you should have a contact person who has important local connections and up-to-date local business information.

演讲完毕后，考官补充提问：

1. How important is the cost of the trip? (why/why not?)

Yes, the cost of the trip is very important because every company has guidelines on the travel budget and no department should exceed it.

2. Is it important to have colleagues with you on a business trip? (why/why not?)

Yes, I think having a colleague with you on a business trip is very useful. Firstly, because two people can help each other and secondly having another person’s contribution to your business negotiation is important.

3. Is it essential to speak the language? (why/why not?)

Yes. The ability to speak the local language helps you to communicate with your business partner better. But it is unrealistic expectation because an average person knows only one foreign language.

A sample speech on Topic B

Interlocutor: All right. Now, B, which topic have you chosen, A or B? Would you like to talk about what is important when choosing offices to rent?

Candidate B:

Certainly. When choosing offices to rent, it is important to think about the location, facilities and cost. Your offices should be located in a downtown business area with good transport, so that your customers can get to your company easily. Secondly, the offices should have all the modern facilities, such as comfortable furniture, telephones, internet connections and all the office machines. Last but not least, the rent of offices should not be too high; otherwise it would affect your profitability.

演讲完毕后，考官补充提问：

1. Why is it important to consider the size of the premises? (why/why not?)

Because it should be neither too large nor too small. If it is too large, then it will be a waste of space and the cost will be very high. But if it is too small, then it cannot accommodate all your staff.

2. How important is the condition of the building? (why/why not?)

It is very important. The building should be in good repair and well decorated. This will give your customers a very good impression.

3. Are parking spaces for staff essential? (why/why not?)

Yes, they are essential. Because more and more staff members drive their own cars to work. They should have some place to park their cars.

(三)如何要求考官重复提问?

1. 如果没听到

Sorry, could you …

Pardon

I’m sorry I didn’t hear what you said.

I didn’t quite catch what you said.

I missed that.

Could you repeat what you said, please?

Could you say that again, please?

Would you mind repeating that, please?

2. 如果没听懂

Sorry, I don’t quite follow you.

I don’t quite see what you mean.

I don’t quite catch your meaning.

I don’t understand what you’ve just said.

(四)口语中如何正确地表达同意或不同意?

表达同意：

That’s what I think.

I feel the same way.

I agree completely.

I quite agree with you in this way.

I can’t agree more.

I believe so.

I guess that’s true.

I’m for your proposal.

I’m on your side.

You’re right.

He has said what I wanted to say.

What I want to say is what he said just now

Mine is the same as yours.

That’s true.

That’s right.

表达不同意：

I disagree with most of his opinions.

I’m not sure I agree with you.

I want to agree with you, but I can’t.

What you said in incorrect.

It’s just the other way around.

It’s just opposite.

It’s not the case.

It’s not true.

That isn’t so.

That’s wrong.

I take a negative view of it.

I don’t think so.

I don’t think that’s true.

I don’t think you’re right.

I think you’re wrong.

I don’t agree.

(五)如何询问和提供信息?Giving and getting information

1.当你要询问信息时If you ask for some information, you may say:

Could you tell me whether/ where/ when/ why …?

I’d like to know

Would you please tell me

I want to get some information about

Can you give me some information about

Please let me know if

2.当有人向你提供信息时When someone gives you some information, you may reply:

Oh, I understand/ see.

Oh, I catch it.

That sounds interesting.

That interests me very much.

Thanks for you giving us

3.如果有人向你询问信息时If someone asks you for information, you may reply:

Well, as far as I know

Ok, I can tell you that

Yes, I get some knowledge of what you asked

Sorry, I don’t know

I’m afraid I have no idea.

I am not quite sure about

4.如果你想向他人提供信息时If you want to give someone some information, you may say:

I would let you know that

I’d like you to know that

I guess you didn’t know

I think you should know

5.如果你没有得到足够信息时If you haven’t been given enough information, you may say:

Would you please tell me some more about

I’d also want to know

What and where exactly

There is something else I’d like to know

Could you give me some more details about

Shall I have more information about

May I be informed of more about

(六)拖延回答的技巧

1. 当你需要想一想或核对有关事实时

Well, let me see

Well, now

Oh, let me think for a minute

I’m not sure; I have to check. That’s a very interesting question.

2. 当你不知道答案或出于某原因不愿意回答时

I’m not really sure.

I can’t answer that one.

I’m sorry, I really don’t know.

I’ve got no idea.

I’d like to help you, but

That’s something I’d rather not talk about right now.

(七)作业

In this part of the test you are asked to give a short talk on a business topic. You have to choose one of the topic from the two below and then talk for about one minute. You have one minute to prepare you ideas.

A. What is important when selecting applicant for interviews?

Reference Checks

Ability of The Applicant

Letters of Recommendation

B. What is important when choosing a new device?

Convenience

Flexibility

Reliability

参考答案：

A：When selecting applicants for interviews, at least one reference check needs to be recorded in order to hire a potential employee, and past supervisors are the best source of information. Then the ability of the applicant is the most important, it may be shown in his resume and the letter of recommendation. Letters written for the applicant generally represent a more trustful information, it should be viewed highly.

B: When choosing a new device, there’re a lot of respects needed to be thought over. First is the device convenience, such as easiness to use, portability, and so on. Then the flexibility of the device should be considered, and look for a device that offer a variety of access options. And the last is to choose a durable, reliable device. Make sure that the device can withstand the stress of daily usage.

三、口语测试题型(三)——考生讨论(Collaborative Task and Discussion)

(一)考生在进行对话时，应注意哪几个问题?

1. 开始应有简要的寒暄，使谈话显得自然，符合生活实际。

2. 理解标题相当重要。标题往往是一个单词或一个短语，简要的表明了双方将要讨论的话题是什么。

3. 表达自己的问题或回答别人的问题时，要尽量简洁，以便让对方了解自己的意思。传达信息是交流的第一任务。展示自己的语言技巧、表现自己对语言的驾驭能力等都是让对方明白了自己的意思之后才应该考虑的。

4. 如果一方口语实力很强，而另一方相对来说弱一些的话，那么很强的一方应注意不要老是只顾着自己说，应该适当把说话机会留给对方。话多不一定能取得考官的好感。

(二)口试Part Three的测试要求是什么?

这部分主要目的就是在一个给定的场景下，让考生之间展开讨论。这一部分与商务英语有最密切的练习。

考试的具体步骤如下：

考官简要地介绍一个scenario(情景梗概)，然后发给学生一些黑白图片提示或文字提示以帮助他们思考。两名考生讨论大约两分钟。在恰当时候，考官会参与讨论，以帮助考生朝正确的方向讨论。随后考官还会就这一主题提出更进一步的问题。

这一部分所测试的就是考生运用恰当的功能语言和策略来进行沟通的能力。

Example One:

Scenario:

I’m going to describe a situation, as read to the candidate twice.

A large company is building a new reception area. Talk together for about 2 minutes about the different things you could put into the reception area and decide which 3 things would be most suitable.

Here are some ideas to help you.

Sofa, desk, visitor’s book, telephone, newspapers and magazines, brochures about the company’s products and services, etc.

A: What do you think are the important things that we should put into the reception area?

B: Well, as you know, the reception area is the first place of our company that the visitor sees, so it’s important to make a good impression on the visitors. I think the first things we should put into the area are some large sofas so that visitors can sit comfortably.

A: What about some desks for the receptionist? Also, we should place a computer and a telephone on the desk for her use.

B: That’s a good idea. I think we should also have a visitor’s book for the visitors to sign in. Then the receptionist can issue an identity badge to the visitor.

A: I agree. But what about some newspapers and magazines? While the visitor is waiting, he or she can have something to read.

B: That’s right. And I think it would be a good idea to place some brochures on our company’s products and services in the reception area. In this way, the visitor can learn more about our company.

A: Don’t you think we should prepare a coffee machine and a tea set? It’s very important offer some tea or coffee to the visitor when he or she arrives. In this way the visitors will feel at home.

B: Yes, I quite agree. What else should we put into the reception area?

A: What about some pictures to put on the walls? We can put up some landscape painting about our city in the room.

B: You are right. But what are the three most suitable things to be put into the reception area?

A: I think we should have sofas, desks and a telephone set as the three most suitable things because they are indispensable.

B: Absolutely.

第三部分主要是测试考生就某一给定话题展开对话与讨论的能力。所以一定要注意双方的合作，你来我往，不要一个人滔滔不绝，也不要沉默不语。考生要注意运用一些句型来邀请对方加入讨论，如：

What do you think of this problem?

Can you tell me how to make…?

I want to know how you are going to plan this event.

Could you say something more about this plan?

Can you be more specific about this?

EXAMPLE TWO

Interlocutor: Now, in this part of the test you are going to talk about something together. I’m going to describe a situation.

Your company has performed very well this year, and the managers want to thank all the staff. Talk together for about 2 minutes about ways of rewarding staff and decide which one is the best.

Here are some ideas to help you. (Interlocutor places the task sheet in front of the candidates so that they can both see it.)

(A Sample of Part 3 Task Sheet)

Rewards For Staff

Bonus payment

Party

Day trip

Gift

Shares in the company

Extra day’s holiday

A: Ok, as we know, this year our company has performed very well, so the managers are considering a variety of rewards for staff. In my opinion, it would be a good idea to make a bonus payment to staff to show the company appreciates their hard work.

B: Well, I’m not sure if that’s the best way. I think giving each employee some shares in the company would be a better idea. In this way, they can link their personal interest with the performance of the company.

A: I see your point. But it will be very difficult to decide the level of reward for each member. If not distributed in a fair way, this might have a negative impact on staff morale. Now on second thoughts, I think that organizing a day trip would be a good way to build team spirit and enable our employees to know each other better. We are so busy with our work usually that employees hardly have any time to socialize.

B: You’ve got a very good point. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of day trip. We are shut up in our office every day that we lose touch with nature. It would be a pleasant change to have an outing and take the worries of work off our mind.

A: Right. So now we see eye to eye on this issue. Shall we report the result of our discussion to the MD and let him decide.

在考生讨论完毕后，考官还会提一两个附加问题，以便更进一步地测试说得更少的考生的口语水平。常见话题如下：

Is there any other reward you would like?

Is it important for staff to receive the same type of reward?

What kind of place would be suitable for a company trip?

How important is it to reward staff for good work?

(三)Part Three 部分应该注意什么问题?

在小组讨论部分，要根据当时情形，既要有合作、礼让，又要有插话、抢话，尽可能多地为表现自己寻求机会，在尽可能清楚地阐述自己的观点的同时，还要争取说服别人相信自己的观点和看法。

讨论中至关重要的一点是考生认真听取同组考生的谈话，只有如此，你才有机会插话，有机会附和，有机会表示你的赞成或反对，才不会出现彼此间你讲的、我说我的互不衔接的局面。

小组讨论可以反映出一个考生的听力水平，放映程度，应对能力以及口语技巧。

(四)讨论过程中如何开始自己的发言?

讨论并不是要按考生顺序一个个轮流发言。考官会根据考生前一个阶段的表现，指定某个考生首先发言，有时考生也可自发先行发言。讨论过程中会有打断、插话、附和等，作为考生不能一味表现自己，太“霸道”，也不能一味沉默，太“谦虚”。要把握分寸，掌握时机，恰当地运用口语表达技巧，自然地接续、打断、插入或附和别人的话茬，完整地展现自己。

(五)常用于开头的句型有哪些?

1. sb’s view on…

People’s views/ideas/opinions on… vary from person to person. Some people think that…

People’s ideas on educational reform vary from person to person. Some people think that the educational reform is of great importance and necessity.

People’s opinions on consumption vary from person to person. Some people think that they should spend money moderately and save money for a rainy day.

2. Different people have different views on…

It is held that…

Different people have different views on boxing.

It is held that boxing should be eliminated.

3. Is…? Answers to this vary greatly. I think that…

Is failure a bad thing? Answers to this vary greatly.

I think that it’s natural to meet failures in one’s career.

Can money buy happiness? Answers to this vary greatly.

Some people think that money is the source of happiness. But my opinion…

4. When asked about…, different people will offer different opinions. Some people say that…

When asked about whether smoking is good or not, different people will offer different opinions. Some people say that smoking…, others say that…

When asked about whether a test of spoken English is necessary, different people will offer different opinions. Some people say that it’s necessary to adopt such a test…

5. Advantages and disadvantages of…

Nowadays, … is popular around us.

Nowadays, … plays an important role in…

Like everything else, … has/have both favorable and unfavorable aspects. Generally, the advantages can be listed as follows.

Nowadays, computers are very popular around us.

Like everything else, computers have both favorable and unfavorable aspects. Generally, the advantages can be listed as follows.

Nowadays, television plays an important part in people’s daily life. Like everything else, television has both favorable and unfavorable aspects. Generally, the advantages can be listed as follows.

6. How to…

… Many ways/methods can contribute to solving this problem, but the following ones may be most effective.

With the booming of the motor industry, there are an increasing number of vehicles on the roads. As a result, traffic jams often occur. Many ways/methods can contribute to solving this problem, but the following ones may be most effective.

7. Why…

… There are many reasons/causes for…, but in general, they come down to three major ones.

… There are many factors that may account for…, but the following are the most typical ones.

For the past ten years, traffic jams in big cities have been more and more serious. There are many reasons for traffic jams, but in general, they come down to three major ones.

Chinese people are keen on saving. They lay aside a sum of money almost every month or every year. There are many factors that may account for this phenomenon, but the following are the most typical ones.

(六)有哪些常用于插入的表达方式

会话讨论时所使用的句子，有很多都是有一定的格式的，若能在适当的地方插入一些适当的称呼，或者一些能引起对方注意的惊叹语，将会使会话显得更自然，效果更佳。比如：

I beg your pardon, but…

I’m sorry to trouble you, but…

I’m sorry to interrupt you, but…

Pardon me, but…

Excuse me, but…

以上这些句子，都是用来表示“对不起…….”之后的惯用句型。如果话中再插入对方的称呼或名字，将更能达到沟通的效果，：

Excuse me, Mr. Liu, but…

Now, Xiao Li, I want to ask…

在讨论中，当别人讲话时，如果你想插上几句，你得注意寻找合适的机会。如果在一个不当的时候插话，人家会认为是一种冒犯。一般来说，一句话的结尾是插话的好时机。

除了上面介绍的一些插话技巧外，还可以使用如下的方法：

Um… Um… Um…(repeated until the speaker lets you speak)

By the way… (to change the subject)

That reminds me…

The way I see it…

(七)讨论中怎样防止别人插话?

也许你是一个好的听众，但在考试中，还是应尽可能充分表现自己，当你谈话时，尽量不被他人打断。这里介绍一些有用的方法，可以防止别人插话。

There are three points I’d like to make…

(You can’t be interrupted until you have made all three!)

Even though…

(You can’t be interrupted until you have spoken two clauses.)

And another thing…

(You can’t be interrupted until you have added a sentence.)

Pausing in the middle of a sentence, not between sentences.

(You can’t be interrupted until you have completed your sentence.)

(八)常用于结尾的句型有哪些?

无论是口语表述还是书面作文，结尾经常用来总结全文，提出自己的看法或希望，给出自己的观点或建议。因此，还是有一些固定的句型可以套用。

1. 对前面的表述进行归纳总结的句型：

From what has been discussed above, we may safely draw the conclusion that…

Taking all these factors into account, we may safely come to the conclusion that…

Judging from all evidence offered, we may safely arrive at/reach the conclusion that…

All the evidence supports a sound conclusion that…

From what is mentioned above, we may come to the conclusion that…

To draw a conclusion…

To sum up…

To summarize…

In general, …

In short, …

In brief, …

In conclusion, …

In a word, …

2. 表明自己的观点的句型：

I think that …

The point is …

As I see it…

I’d just like to say that …

I’d like to point out that …

As far as I am concerned …

In a word, I believe that …

In my opinion, we should …

As for me, I …

In my view…

From my point of view …

在表达观点时，一般可根据说话人表达观点的程度，采用不同的说法。

Weekly

I tend to think that…

I am inclined to think that …

I guess that…

Neutrally

From my point of view

In my opinion

To my mind

As I see it

I believe that

I am sure that

I am certain that

I think that

I consider that

I feel that

Strongly

I am absolutely convinced that

I am completely positive that

I am definitely sure that

I strongly believe that

I certainly think that

I really do think that

I really feel that

I have absolutely no doubt that

3. 表明建议，希望，解决方法的句型：

I think it’d be a great idea to

I’ve got a fantastic idea

I’ve got a really good idea

How about

Why don’t you

Why not

I hope

I suppose

I guess

I imagine

(九)作业

In this part of the test the examiner reads out a scenario and gives you some prompt material in the form of picture or word. You have 30 seconds to look at the prompt card, an example of which is below, and then about 2 minutes to discuss the scenario with your partner. After that the examiner will ask you more questions related to the topic.

Fro two (5 minutes) or three (7 minutes) candidates

Scenario

I’m going to describe a situation.

A company wants to go to an exhibition for her new products; there will some activities to be organized. Talk fro about 2 minutes about the activities and decide which 2 activities are the most important.

Here are some ideas to help you.

Function demo

Promotional video

Free sample

Introduction

Display

A: Will the company give a function demo of the new product on the exhibition?

B: Yes, they will also show you a promotional video.

A: That’s great. Then will they provide free sample of the new product?

B: I think they will, but I am not sure.

A: Then do you know they will give us some detailed introduction to the new product?

B: Yes, they will.

A: If I miss the exhibition, how can I do?

B: Don’t worry, they will display the new product in the hall after the exhibition.

A: Oh, how carefully do they think!

B: Yeah.

Examiner’s question: Which 2 activities of the company on the exhibition are the most important?

Key: function demo, introduction