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LanguageCert B1 Speaking and Listening practice

The LanguageCert B1 Speaking and Listening test (Achiever B1) is an 11 to 13 minute conversation with one examiner, in four parts. You answer questions and give opinions on everyday topics, take part in two role plays, discuss some ideas with the examiner to reach a decision, then listen to a short talk and give a talk of a minute and a half.

Length
11 to 13 minutes
Level
CEFR B1 (Achiever)
Taken with
One examiner
Pass mark
60 out of 100

Used for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) and British citizenship.

Free practice tests

  • LanguageCert B1 practice test 1

    Questions about your town, technology, cooking and celebrations, role plays with a colleague and a neighbour, choosing a leaving present, a talk about Priya's volunteering, and an important day in your life.

    Start practice test 1

  • LanguageCert B1 practice test 2

    Questions about health, learning English, transport and work, role plays about a late friend and a broken laptop, planning a day out for a visitor, a talk about Tom's move to the countryside, and a person who has helped you.

    Start practice test 2

What happens in the B1 exam

  1. Part 1: Questions about you · 1½ to 2½ minutes

    The name check and spelling come first. Then the examiner names a topic and asks one question from each of four topics. Many questions ask for your opinion and why.

  2. Part 2: Role plays · 1½ to 2 minutes

    Two situations that need a polite tone, such as a complaint or a request to someone at work. One is started by the examiner and one by you. Language that fits the person you are speaking to counts at B1.

  3. Part 3: Discuss and decide · about 2½ minutes

    The examiner describes a situation, such as choosing a present or planning a day out, and shows you some ideas. You discuss them together and try to agree. How you discuss matters more than finishing the task.

  4. Part 4a: Listen and answer · about 3 minutes

    A longer talk, read twice, with more detail than at A2, often about someone's experience or plans. You can make notes, and the three questions may ask why something happened as well as what happened.

  5. Part 4b: Your talk · 2½ to 3 minutes, with questions

    The topic is often an experience, such as something exciting that happened to you. After 30 seconds of notes you talk for up to one and a half minutes, and then answer the examiner's follow-up questions about it.

How LanguageCert marks the test, with the five marking criteria.

How to prepare

  • Give your opinion and a reason. Many B1 questions end "Why?" Say what you think, then why: "I'd prefer the countryside, because it's quieter."
  • In Part 3, ask the examiner's opinion. It is a discussion, not a speech. Use "What do you think?", "How about...?" and "Why don't we...?", and try to agree at the end.
  • Use a range of tenses. Present perfect for experience ("I've lived here for six years"), past for stories, and "I'd like to" or "I'm going to" for plans.
  • Fill your minute and a half. Plan five notes: what, when, where, what happened, why it mattered. Practise with a timer until 90 seconds feels easy.
  • Role plays at B1 need a polite tone. "Sorry to bother you", "Could you...?", "Would you mind...?" The examiner listens for language that fits the situation.

For each part in detail, with useful phrases, common mistakes and a study plan, see our LanguageCert B1 tips.

Worked example: Part 3 discussion at B1

A Part 3 situation written for this page, with a short version of a good discussion and why each turn works.

  1. The situation

    "A colleague is leaving after ten years. Let's decide on a leaving present. Here are some ideas: a plant, a book, a meal together, or some vouchers."

  2. You open

    "Shall we start with the meal? I think it's a nice idea, because everyone can say goodbye properly. What do you think?" An idea, a reason, and a question back to the examiner.

  3. The examiner disagrees

    "It might be hard to find a day when everyone is free." This is a chance to respond, not a problem to fix quickly.

  4. You respond

    "That's true. In that case, how about vouchers? Then she can choose something she really wants." You accept the point and move to another option with a reason.

  5. You try to agree

    "So shall we go for vouchers, and maybe a card that everyone signs?" Summing up with shall we shows you are working towards a decision, which is the task.

Common mistakes at B1

At B1 the examiner listens for opinions with reasons, a range of tenses and language that suits the situation. These slips hold people back.

  • Not: "I have visited London last year."

    Better: "I visited London last year." or "I've visited London twice."

    With a finished time such as last year, use the past simple. Use have visited for experience without a time.

  • Not: Talking for two minutes in Part 3 without asking anything.

    Better: Giving one idea, then "What do you think?"

    Part 3 marks interaction. A speech, however good, misses the point of a discussion.

  • Not: "I think the city is better." (and nothing more)

    Better: "I think the city is better for young people, because there are more jobs."

    B1 questions about opinions expect a reason. Because, so and for example turn an opinion into an answer.

  • Not: "Give me a refund." in a role play.

    Better: "I'm afraid this doesn't work. Could I have a refund, please?"

    The examiner listens for language that fits the situation. I'm afraid and could I keep a complaint polite.

  • Not: "People is very friendly here."

    Better: "People are very friendly here."

    People is plural, so it takes are and have.

  • Not: A Part 4b talk learned by heart on a different topic.

    Better: A talk built from notes on the topic you are given.

    Examiners notice memorised speeches that do not answer the question. Practise many topics from notes instead.

Sample B1 talk, explained

Topic: a time you helped someone. You have 30 seconds to make notes and then talk for up to one and a half minutes. Notes: new neighbour, last winter, didn't speak English well, doctor, school forms, now friends.

I'd like to talk about a time I helped my neighbour. Last winter a family moved into the flat next to mine. The mother had just arrived in the UK and she didn't speak much English yet. One evening she knocked on my door because her son was ill and she didn't know how to see a doctor. I showed her how to register with our local surgery and went with her to the first appointment. After that, I helped her fill in the forms for her son's school. It took a few weekends, but I didn't mind, because I remember how hard my first year here was. Now her English is much better than before, and we've become good friends. Our children play together almost every day. I think helping her made me feel more at home as well.

Why it works

  • The first sentence names the topic, and the rest follows the notes in time order.
  • It mixes tenses naturally: past simple for the story, had just arrived for an earlier event, and we've become for a result that is true now.
  • Because appears twice, each time giving a real reason rather than filling space.
  • Phrases like after that and now guide the examiner through the story without sounding learned by heart.
  • The last sentence gives a reflection, I think..., which is the kind of opinion B1 asks for. At about 140 words, it fills a minute and a half at a natural speed.

Questions

How long is the LanguageCert B1 Speaking and Listening test?
11 to 13 minutes, the longest of the three levels. Part 3 changes completely at B1: instead of comparing pictures, you discuss ideas with the examiner and try to agree.
Who needs the LanguageCert B1 test?
LanguageCert lists B1 Speaking and Listening for indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship. For settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027, the Immigration Rules raise the level on most routes to B2, so check GOV.UK before you book.
Do I have to agree with the examiner in Part 3?
No. You can disagree politely and give a reason. The task asks you to try to reach a decision, but how you discuss matters more than whether you finish.
Can I use a B1 pass for citizenship after it has run out?
GOV.UK says you can use an expired B1 (or higher) qualification for citizenship if it was accepted when you settled in the UK. For settlement itself, an expired qualification can only be used if it is still on the current list of approved tests and was accepted for an earlier UK immigration application.

Other levels and tests

Official sources

TestWise Prep is independent and is not connected to LanguageCert or PeopleCert. Format checked against LanguageCert's SELT pages, practice papers and handbook on 14 October 2026; every practice question, situation, talk and example answer here is our own.