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Writing y Speaking B1 Cambridge

7 tareas originales de Writing y Speaking en el formato de B1 Preliminary: un correo y, a elegir, un artículo o una historia de unas 100 palabras, y las cuatro partes del Speaking, con respuestas modelo y listas de comprobación.

Sobre estas preguntas

Todos los textos, nombres, lugares, fechas y precios son inventados para practicar. FreeExamPath es independiente y no está vinculado a Cambridge University Press & Assessment. B1 Preliminary, B2 First y Cambridge English son marcas de Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Estos ejercicios no son material oficial, y tu resultado es una estimación de práctica, no una puntuación de la Cambridge English Scale.

El Writing y el Speaking no se corrigen automáticamente: compara tu respuesta con la lista de comprobación y la respuesta modelo. Nada de lo que escribas se envía ni se guarda.

Expresión escrita, parte 1: Correo electrónico

Expresión escrita

Email to a friend who is visiting your city

Read the email and the notes. Write an email of about 100 words that answers all four notes.Lee el correo y las notas. Escribe un correo de unas 100 palabras que responda a las cuatro notas.

Read this email from your English-speaking friend Alex and the notes you have made. Write your email to Alex, using all the notes.

Lee el correo de tu amigo Alex y las notas que has escrito. Escribe tu respuesta (unas 100 palabras) y trata los cuatro puntos: alégrate de la visita, propón un plan para el sábado, recomienda un plato y explica qué tiempo hace en mayo y qué ropa traer.

From: Alex
Subject: My visit!

Hi!

Great news – my college is organising a study trip to your city in May, and I'll be there for a whole week! We'll have classes most days, but I'll be free all day on Saturday. Would you like to meet up? It would be brilliant to see you again.

I'd love to see a bit of your city while I'm there. What do you think we should do together?

Also, everyone says the food where you live is amazing. Is there a dish I really must try?

And one last thing – what's the weather usually like in May? I've got no idea what clothes to pack!

Write soon,
Alex
  • Great! (reply to the news about the visit)
  • Suggest … (what you could do together on Saturday)
  • Tell Alex (a dish to try)
  • Explain … (the weather in May and what to pack)

unas 100 palabras · 20 minutos (nuestra recomendación)

Revisa tu texto
  • I have answered all four notes, each in its own short paragraph.He respondido a las cuatro notas, cada una en un párrafo breve.
  • I start and finish like a friendly email: 'Hi Alex,' … 'See you soon,' and my name.Empiezo y termino como en un correo entre amigos: 'Hi Alex,' … 'See you soon,' y mi nombre.
  • I make a suggestion with 'Why don't we …?' or 'We could …' and give a reason with 'because'.Hago una propuesta con 'Why don't we …?' o 'We could …' y doy un motivo con 'because'.
  • I use linking words such as 'after that', 'so', 'but' and 'and'.Uso conectores como 'after that', 'so', 'but' y 'and'.
  • I use more than one tense, for example the present perfect ('the best one I've ever eaten').Uso más de un tiempo verbal, por ejemplo el present perfect ('the best one I've ever eaten').
  • My email has about 100 words (the official guide length).Mi correo tiene unas 100 palabras (la extensión orientativa oficial).
Expresiones útiles
  • That's fantastic news!¡Qué noticia tan buena!
  • Of course I'd love to …Claro que me encantaría …
  • Why don't we …?¿Por qué no …? (para proponer algo)
  • After that we could …Después podríamos …
  • You really must try …Tienes que probar …
  • It's usually … , but it can get …Normalmente hace … , pero puede ponerse …
  • Don't forget to bring …No te olvides de traer …
  • See you soon, / Write soon,¡Hasta pronto! / Escríbeme pronto.
Ver la respuesta modelo

Hi Alex,

That's fantastic news! Of course I'd love to meet up on Saturday. I can't wait to see you again.

Why don't we start with a walk around the old town? After that we could take the cable car up the hill, because the view of the whole city from the top is amazing.

You really must try our seafood rice. There's a small restaurant near the harbour that makes the best one I've ever eaten, so we could have lunch there.

May is usually warm and sunny, but it can get cool in the evenings. Bring light clothes and a jacket, and don't forget comfortable shoes!

See you soon,

Lucía

Respuesta modelo: 112 palabras

Expresión escrita, parte 2: Artículo o historia

Expresión escrita

Article: an object I couldn't live without

Choose one task: an article or a story. Write about 100 words.Elige una tarea: un artículo o una historia. Escribe unas 100 palabras.

You see this announcement on an English-language website for young people. Write your article.

En el examen eliges entre un artículo y una historia. Esta es la opción de artículo: escribe unas 100 palabras sobre un objeto sin el que no podrías vivir, respondiendo a las tres preguntas del anuncio, y ponle un título.

Articles wanted!

An object I couldn't live without

What is it, and how did you get it? Why is it so important to you? How would your life be different without it?

Write an article answering these questions. The best articles will appear on our website next month.
  • say what the object is and how you got it
  • explain why it is important to you
  • say how your life would be different without it
  • give your article a title

unas 100 palabras · 20 minutos (nuestra recomendación)

Revisa tu texto
  • My article has a short title that tells the reader the topic.Mi artículo tiene un título breve que anuncia el tema.
  • I answer all three questions in the announcement.Respondo a las tres preguntas del anuncio.
  • I give reasons and examples ('It's faster than the bus, it's free and it keeps me fit').Doy motivos y ejemplos ('It's faster than the bus, it's free and it keeps me fit').
  • I use the second conditional for an imagined situation ('Without my bike, I'd …').Uso el segundo condicional para una situación imaginaria ('Without my bike, I'd …').
  • I talk to the reader in a lively way and end with a strong final sentence.Me dirijo al lector de forma amena y termino con una frase final con fuerza.
  • My article has about 100 words (the official guide length).Mi artículo tiene unas 100 palabras (la extensión orientativa oficial).
Expresiones útiles
  • The object I couldn't live without is …El objeto sin el que no podría vivir es …
  • … which my … gave me when I was …… que me regaló mi … cuando tenía …
  • I use it to … / I take it everywhere.Lo uso para … / Lo llevo a todas partes.
  • But it's more than that.Pero es mucho más que eso.
  • Without it, I'd … / If I didn't have it, I'd …Sin él, yo … / Si no lo tuviera, yo …
  • It always … when I'm …Siempre … cuando estoy …
  • So if anyone …, they'll …Así que si alguien …, va a …
Ver la respuesta modelo

My old red bike

The object I couldn't live without isn't expensive or new. It's my old red bike, which my uncle gave me when I was fifteen.

I ride it everywhere: to university, to the market on Saturdays and to the beach in summer. It's faster than the bus, it's free and it keeps me fit. But it's more than that. When I'm stressed about exams, a long ride along the river always clears my head.

Without my bike, I'd spend hours waiting at bus stops, and I'd probably be much less healthy. So if anyone tries to steal it, they'll have a big problem!

Respuesta modelo: 106 palabras

Expresión escrita

Story: When Marta opened the front door …

Choose one task: an article or a story. Write about 100 words.Elige una tarea: un artículo o una historia. Escribe unas 100 palabras.

Your English teacher has asked you to write a story. Your story must begin with the sentence below. Write your story.

En el examen eliges entre un artículo y una historia. Esta es la opción de historia: escribe unas 100 palabras que empiecen con la frase dada, cuenta qué vio Marta y qué pasó después, y dale un final claro.

Your English teacher has asked you to write a story.

Your story must begin with this sentence:

When Marta opened the front door, she couldn't believe what she saw.
  • begin with the given sentence
  • say clearly what Marta saw and what happened next
  • give your story a clear ending

unas 100 palabras · 20 minutos (nuestra recomendación)

Revisa tu texto
  • My story begins with the exact sentence given.Mi historia empieza exactamente con la frase dada.
  • The reader quickly finds out what Marta saw.El lector descubre enseguida qué vio Marta.
  • I use the past simple for events and the past continuous for background ('Children were running …').Uso el past simple para las acciones y el past continuous para el fondo de la escena ('Children were running …').
  • I use time expressions to order events ('Soon', 'that day', 'By the evening').Uso expresiones de tiempo para ordenar los hechos ('Soon', 'that day', 'By the evening').
  • My story has a clear ending, not just 'and then I woke up'.Mi historia tiene un final claro, no solo 'y entonces me desperté'.
  • My story has about 100 words (the official guide length).Mi historia tiene unas 100 palabras (la extensión orientativa oficial).
Expresiones útiles
  • She couldn't believe her eyes.No podía creer lo que veía.
  • … was / were -ing … (background)… estaba(n) + gerundio … (para describir la escena)
  • Quickly, she … / Without thinking, she …Rápidamente, ella … / Sin pensarlo, ella …
  • Soon … / A few minutes later, …Pronto … / Unos minutos después, …
  • By the evening, … had already …Por la tarde, … ya había …
  • She would never forget …Nunca olvidaría …
Ver la respuesta modelo

When Marta opened the front door, she couldn't believe what she saw. The whole street was white with snow! It never snowed in her town, not even in January.

Children were running around outside in their pyjamas, and her neighbour, Mr Ruiz, was taking photos with his phone. Marta quickly put on her warmest coat and boots and went out to join them.

Soon everyone was building snowmen and throwing snowballs. Nobody went to work or school that day, because all the buses had stopped.

By the evening the snow had already started to melt, but Marta knew she would never forget that magical morning.

Respuesta modelo: 105 palabras

Expresión oral, parte 1: Entrevista

Expresión oral

Interview: talking about yourself

Answer the examiner's questions about yourself. Give full answers with a detail or a reason.Responde a las preguntas del examinador sobre ti. Da respuestas completas con un detalle o un motivo.

The examiner asks you and your partner some questions about yourselves, your daily life, your interests and your plans. Answer with full sentences and add a detail or a reason. These are example questions.

El examinador os hace a ti y a tu pareja preguntas sobre vosotros: dónde vivís, estudios o trabajo, aficiones y planes. Responde con frases completas y añade un detalle o un motivo. Las preguntas son ejemplos.

  • What's your name? Where do you live?
  • Do you work or are you a student?
  • What do you enjoy doing at the weekend?
  • Tell us about a place you visited recently.
  • Why are you learning English?
  • What would you like to do next year?

unos 2 minutos

Revisa tu respuesta oral
  • I answer every question with at least one full sentence, not just one word.Respondo a cada pregunta con al menos una frase completa, no con una sola palabra.
  • I add a detail or a reason ('Mainly for my job …', 'because …').Añado un detalle o un motivo ('Mainly for my job …', 'because …').
  • I use the right tense: present for routines, past for recent events, 'I'd like to' for wishes.Uso el tiempo correcto: presente para rutinas, pasado para hechos recientes, 'I'd like to' para deseos.
  • If I don't understand, I ask politely: 'Could you repeat that, please?'Si no entiendo, lo pido con educación: 'Could you repeat that, please?'
  • I speak naturally and don't recite a text I learned by heart.Hablo con naturalidad y no recito un texto aprendido de memoria.
Expresiones útiles
  • I live in … , about … from …Vivo en … , a unos … de …
  • I'm in my … year of …Estoy en … curso de …
  • I usually … / I often …Normalmente … / A menudo …
  • Last month I went to …El mes pasado fui a …
  • Mainly because … / The main reason is …Sobre todo porque … / El motivo principal es …
  • I'd love to … one day.Me encantaría … algún día.
  • Sorry, could you repeat that, please?Perdone, ¿puede repetirlo, por favor?
Ver la respuesta modelo

Examiner: What's your name?

Candidate: My name's Lucía García.

Examiner: Where do you live?

Candidate: I live in a small town on the coast, about twenty minutes from the city by train.

Examiner: Do you work or are you a student?

Candidate: I'm a student. I'm in my second year of nursing at university.

Examiner: What do you enjoy doing at the weekend?

Candidate: I usually go running on Saturday mornings with my sister. In the afternoon I like meeting friends for a coffee, and on Sundays I often have lunch with my grandparents.

Examiner: Tell us about a place you visited recently.

Candidate: Last month I went to a village in the mountains for a weekend. It was very quiet and green, and we walked to a lake. I'd like to go back in autumn, when the trees change colour.

Examiner: Why are you learning English?

Candidate: Mainly for my job. I'd love to work in a hospital abroad for a year or two, so I need to speak English well. And I also enjoy watching series in English.

Respuesta modelo: 168 palabras

Expresión oral, parte 2: Describir una escena

Expresión oral

Long turn: describing a scene

Talk on your own for about one minute. Describe the scene: the place, the people and what they are doing.Habla tú solo durante un minuto aproximadamente. Describe la escena: el lugar, las personas y lo que hacen.

In the exam the examiner gives you a colour photograph and asks you to talk about it on your own for about a minute. Here the photo is described in words: picture the scene, then describe it as if you could see it. Say who is in it, what they are doing, what the place is like and how the people might feel.

En el examen te dan una foto en color y tienes que describirla tú solo durante un minuto aproximadamente. Aquí la foto se describe con palabras: imagina la escena y descríbela como si la vieras. Di quién aparece, qué hace, cómo es el lugar y cómo se pueden sentir las personas.

Imagine this photograph (in the exam you see a real colour photo):

An outdoor market in a town square on a sunny morning. In the front, an older man with a grey beard and a green apron is standing behind a stall full of fruit and vegetables. A young woman with a baby in a carrier on her chest is choosing tomatoes and putting them in a paper bag. There are colourful boxes of oranges, lemons and peppers. In the background, people are walking past with shopping bags, and there is an old church tower behind the market.
  • the place and the time of day
  • the people: what they look like and what they are doing
  • what you can see in the front and in the background
  • a guess about the situation or how people feel

unos 1 minutos

Revisa tu respuesta oral
  • I start with a general sentence about the place ('In this photo I can see …').Empiezo con una frase general sobre el lugar ('In this photo I can see …').
  • I use the present continuous for actions ('He's standing …', 'She's choosing …').Uso el present continuous para las acciones ('He's standing …', 'She's choosing …').
  • I use place phrases: 'in the front', 'behind', 'in the background'.Uso expresiones de lugar: 'in the front', 'behind', 'in the background'.
  • I guess and explain with 'I think', 'It looks like', 'probably', 'so'.Hago suposiciones y las explico con 'I think', 'It looks like', 'probably', 'so'.
  • If I don't know a word, I describe it ('the person who sells things at the stall').Si no conozco una palabra, la describo ('the person who sells things at the stall').
  • I keep talking for about one minute without long pauses.Hablo durante un minuto aproximadamente sin pausas largas.
Expresiones útiles
  • In this photo I can see …En esta foto veo …
  • In the front / In the background, there's …En primer plano / Al fondo hay …
  • On the left / On the right, …A la izquierda / A la derecha, …
  • He's / She's wearing …Lleva puesto/a …
  • It looks like … / It seems …Parece que … / Parece …
  • I think he's probably …, because …Creo que probablemente es …, porque …
  • It's a kind of … / It's something you use for …Es una especie de … / Es algo que se usa para …
Ver la respuesta modelo

In this photo I can see an outdoor market in a town square. It looks like a sunny morning, because the light is very bright and there are no clouds.

In the front of the picture there's an older man with a grey beard. He's wearing a green apron, so I think he's the stallholder. He's standing behind a stall full of fruit and vegetables: there are boxes of oranges, lemons and red and yellow peppers. A young woman is buying something from him. She's choosing some tomatoes and putting them in a paper bag. She's carrying a baby on her chest, and the baby looks quite sleepy.

In the background there are lots of people walking past with shopping bags, and behind the market there's an old church tower. It seems like a friendly, relaxed place. I think the woman probably comes here every week.

Respuesta modelo: 146 palabras

Expresión oral, parte 3: Tarea en pareja

Expresión oral

Collaborative task: helping a friend meet new people

Talk with your partner about the situation and the five ideas. Discuss each idea, then decide together which is best.Habla con tu pareja sobre la situación y las cinco ideas. Comentad cada idea y decidid juntos cuál es la mejor.

In the exam the examiner describes a situation and gives you and your partner a sheet with some ideas. Here the situation and the five ideas are described in words. Talk together about each idea, then agree on the best one.

En el examen el examinador describe una situación y os da a ti y a tu pareja una hoja con varias ideas. Aquí la situación y las cinco ideas se describen con palabras. Comentad cada idea juntos y después poneos de acuerdo en cuál es la mejor.

A friend of yours is moving to a new city to study, and they don't know anyone there. They want to meet new people.

Here are some things your friend could do:
• join a local sports team
• volunteer at an animal shelter
• take an evening language class
• get a part-time job in a café
• join a choir

Talk together about how each idea could help your friend meet people. Then decide which idea would be best.
  • make suggestions and react to your partner's ideas
  • give reasons for and against each idea
  • ask your partner's opinion
  • agree (or politely disagree) and reach a decision together

unos 4 minutos · con el otro candidato

Revisa tu respuesta oral
  • I talk about several ideas, not just one, and give a reason each time.Hablo de varias ideas, no solo de una, y doy un motivo cada vez.
  • I react to what my partner says ('Yes, but …', 'That's true', 'I agree').Reacciono a lo que dice mi pareja ('Yes, but …', 'That's true', 'I agree').
  • I ask my partner questions ('What about …?', 'What do you think about …?').Hago preguntas a mi pareja ('What about …?', 'What do you think about …?').
  • I disagree politely and explain why.Muestro desacuerdo con educación y explico por qué.
  • We reach a decision at the end ('Let's choose …').Al final llegamos a una decisión ('Let's choose …').
  • I share the time fairly with my partner and don't speak all the time.Reparto el tiempo con mi pareja y no hablo todo el rato.
Expresiones útiles
  • Shall we start with …?¿Empezamos por …?
  • What about …? / How about …?¿Y qué tal …?
  • That's a good idea, because …Es buena idea, porque …
  • Yes, but … / I'm not sure about that.Sí, pero … / No estoy seguro/a de eso.
  • What do you think about …?¿Qué te parece …?
  • For me, it's between … and …Para mí, la decisión está entre … y …
  • Let's choose … / OK, I'm happy with that.Elijamos … / Vale, me parece bien.
Ver la respuesta modelo

Candidate A: Shall we start with the sports team? I think that's a great way to meet people, because you train together every week and go for a drink after the match.

Candidate B: Yes, but only if your friend likes sport. If they don't, they won't enjoy it at all. What about volunteering at the animal shelter?

Candidate A: That's a nice idea. You help animals and meet people who care about the same things. But maybe the other volunteers are much older.

Candidate B: Possibly. The evening language class could be good too. Everyone in the class is new to the language, so it's easy to start a conversation.

Candidate A: I agree. And a part-time job in a café? You'd meet lots of people.

Candidate B: Yes, but they're customers. You don't really make friends with them. And when you're studying, you might not have time for a job.

Candidate A: That's true. What do you think about the choir?

Candidate B: I like it. You don't need to be a great singer, and choirs often have concerts and parties, so there's a real group feeling.

Candidate A: So, which one should we choose? For me, it's between the sports team and the choir.

Candidate B: Let's choose the choir. More people can do it than a sport, and it's very social.

Candidate A: OK, I'm happy with that. The choir it is.

Respuesta modelo: 214 palabras

Expresión oral, parte 4: Conversación

Expresión oral

Discussion: friends and free time

Answer the examiner's questions and discuss them with your partner. Give your opinion and explain it.Responde a las preguntas del examinador y coméntalas con tu pareja. Da tu opinión y explícala.

The examiner asks you and your partner questions on the same topic as Part 3. Give your opinion, explain it with an example, and respond to what your partner says.

El examinador os hace preguntas sobre el mismo tema de la parte 3. Da tu opinión, explícala con un ejemplo y responde a lo que dice tu pareja.

  • Is it easy to make new friends where you live?
  • Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with other people? Why?
  • Is it better to have a few close friends or lots of friends?
  • Do you think people make more friends online now than in the past?
  • What can schools or universities do to help new students feel welcome?

unos 3 minutos · con el otro candidato

Revisa tu respuesta oral
  • I give my opinion clearly ('I think …', 'Definitely', 'Not really').Doy mi opinión con claridad ('I think …', 'Definitely', 'Not really').
  • I support my opinion with a reason or a personal example.Apoyo mi opinión con un motivo o un ejemplo personal.
  • I respond to my partner ('I agree with that', 'I'm the opposite').Respondo a mi pareja ('I agree with that', 'I'm the opposite').
  • I use 'could' or 'should' when I make suggestions.Uso 'could' o 'should' cuando hago sugerencias.
  • My answers are longer than one sentence, but I don't speak for too long.Mis respuestas tienen más de una frase, pero no hablo demasiado tiempo.
Expresiones útiles
  • I think so. / I don't think so.Creo que sí. / Creo que no.
  • Definitely. / Not really. / Partly.Sin duda. / En realidad no. / En parte.
  • For example, … / When I …, …Por ejemplo, … / Cuando yo …, …
  • I agree with that. / I see it differently.Estoy de acuerdo. / Yo lo veo de otra forma.
  • I'm the opposite.A mí me pasa lo contrario.
  • They could … / They should …Podrían … / Deberían …
Ver la respuesta modelo

Examiner: Is it easy to make new friends where you live?

Candidate A: Not really. It's a small town, so most people have known each other since they were children. It's quite hard for someone new.

Examiner: Do you agree?

Candidate B: Partly. In my city there are lots of clubs and activities, so I think it's easier. But you have to make the first move.

Examiner: Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with other people?

Candidate B: With other people, definitely. I get bored if I'm on my own for too long.

Candidate A: I'm the opposite. I like being with friends, but I also need some time alone to read or go for a walk.

Examiner: Do you think people make more friends online now than in the past?

Candidate A: Yes, I think so. My cousin met her best friend in an online game. But I think you need to meet in person to become really close.

Candidate B: I agree with that. Online you can chat, but it's not the same as having a coffee together.

Examiner: What can schools or universities do to help new students feel welcome?

Candidate B: They could organise a welcome week with activities, or give every new student a partner who's been there for a year.

Candidate A: That's a great idea. When I started university, an older student showed me around, and it really helped.

Respuesta modelo: 218 palabras

Información oficial de Cambridge

Consulta también el formato oficial de cada examen. En las páginas de preparación de Cambridge English hay exámenes de muestra gratuitos.