Trinity B2 test practice 2: GESE Grade 7

You bring your own topic and lead the discussion. There is no topic form at Grade 7, but Trinity encourages brief notes or a mind map, which you share with the examiner. The examiner will interrupt, ask you to explain, and give opinions of their own. Here is an example. Use it to see how much to say, then make notes for a topic of your own.

1. How I started

   You could say: A neighbour who works there told me they needed help on Saturdays. I used to think food banks were only for homeless people, but I was wrong: many of the visitors have jobs.

   The examiner might ask: Were you surprised by the people you met there?

2. What I do

   You could say: Food is donated by supermarkets and local people, and my job is to sort it and pack bags for families. Everything has to be checked, because anything that is out of date must be thrown away.

   The examiner might ask: How much food is wasted, would you say?

3. What I have learned

   You could say: My English has improved, because I talk to people all morning. I've also learned how much depends on volunteers. If we all stopped, the food bank would close within a week.

   The examiner might ask: Should this work really be done by volunteers?

4. The difficult side

   You could say: Sometimes we may not have enough for everybody, and it is hard to tell a mother that there is no baby milk. I'm not sure I will ever get used to that.

   The examiner might ask: What happens when the food runs out?

5. Why I would recommend it

   You could say: Anyone who is new to a town should try volunteering. The advantage is that you meet people quickly; the only disadvantage is giving up your free time. You could start with two hours a week.

   The examiner might ask: What kind of person makes a good volunteer?

Your question to the examiner. You are expected to bring the examiner into the discussion, for example: “Have you ever done any voluntary work? What was it like?”

The examiner says one short prompt and then waits. You must ask questions to find out more, comment on the answers, and keep the exchange going. The examiner's turns are short and yours are long. In the real exam there is one prompt; here are 2 to practise with. Hear the prompt, lead the conversation out loud for up to four minutes, then compare with the example.

1. Prompt 1

   “I've always wanted to learn another language, and I've finally got the time. The trouble is, I can't decide whether to join a class or to study on my own with an app.”

   Ask about the examiner's situation, compare the two options, and make a suggestion.

   ▶ Hear the examinerSee an example conversation

2. Prompt 2

   “The people who live above me have started playing loud music late at night. I haven't said anything yet, and I really don't know what to do about it.”

   Find out the details, give advice, and respond when the examiner disagrees.

   ▶ Hear the examinerSee an example conversation

The examiner chooses two of the six subject areas. This test uses village and city life and national customs.