Four FCE Speaking Exam Part 2 Photograph Examples

The second part of the Cambridge First Certificate Speaking exam is the most difficult and stressful part of the Speaking exam to do well in. But if you know what type of things you have to say and do, and you practise doing this part regularly, it actually isn't that difficult and you'll be more confident when doing it.

In this article, you'll find 4 examples (the photographs which you have to talk about for a minute) of this part of the Speaking exam which you use to practise by yourself.

The best way to practise

When you practise doing each, you need to time yourself doing it and also record what you say.

You should then listen to what you have said and analyse if you have done what you should have (e.g. spoke about the things in the correct order, expressed probability etc...) and think about what things you could have done better (e.g. use synonyms of 'because' or 'but' etc...).

When you have done this, record yourself doing the same example again. Doing this will help you to improve both your performance when doing this part in the exam and your confidence.

Before you see the 4 examples, I will very quickly explain what the format of this part of the Speaking exam is.

The format of part 2

In this part of the Speaking exam you have a minute to talk by yourself about two different photographs on the same topic (e.g. cooking, work etc...).

The examiner will tell you what this topic is when they give you the sheet which has the photographs on.

You have to both quickly describe what you can see on the photos and answer a question (and in this order) about them both. You have to compare the photos (saying what the main similarity and/or difference is) when both describing and answering the question.

You'll be told by the examiner what the question is and it is also written on the top of the sheet you are given.

After the minute ends the other candidate you are doing the Speaking exam with will be asked a question about the photos or about the topic they are on (the question which the other candidate is asked is written below each set of 2 photos).

Now here are the 4 examples for you to practise doing:

Example photos for Part 2 of the FCE Speaking exam

Example 1

Here are your photographs. They show different types of holidays.

I’d like you to compare the photographs and say what activities people can do on these type of holidays.

You have a minute to do this.

What activities can people do on these types of holidays?


The other candidate’s question:
Which one would you like to go to and why?



Example 2

Here are your photographs. They show people speaking to each other.

I’d like you to compare the photographs and say why the people haven chosen these methods to speak to people.

You have a minute to do this.

Why have the people chosen these methods to speak to people?


The other candidate’s question:
How do you usually speak with your friends?



Example 3

Here are your photographs. They show people studying in different places.

I’d like you to compare the photographs and say what the advantages are of studying in these places.

You have a minute to do this.

What are the advantages of studying in these places?


The other candidate’s question:
Where do you normally study?



Example 4

Here are your photographs. They show people eating food.

I’d like you to compare the photographs and say why the people have chosen to eat these types of food.

You have a minute to do this.

Why have the people chosen to eat these types of food?


The other candidate’s question:
Which of these would you prefer to eat?