Below you can see a list of task types and instructions that were used in the exams that have been recorded and added to FUSE (C = conversation).
Please note that this list represents just some of the tasks in the third part of the Spoken Examination of English for Finnish upper secondary school students. However, there are only two task types in part 3 of the current exam format: structured dialogue and mind map supporting the conversation. Every upper secondary school English teacher who teaches the vocational course 8 in English and arranges the final exam for the course, downloads a set of tasks from the Finnish National Agency for Education exam database and decides which exam package fits his/her students.
Task in C1, C2, C3
NEWSPAPERS
STUDENT A
You think that newspaper are old-fashioned and that eventually nobody will read them. Instead, people will read their news on the Internet, like you do. You do not read newspapers at all.
STUDENT B
You think that newspapers will survive the age of the Internet. You like to read your daily newspaper and believe in the future of newspapers as well.
COVER AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
– Starting the dialogue about newspapers
– Student A: expressing your opinion about the future of newspapers
– Student B: expressing your opinion about the future of newspapers
– Continuing the conversation and arguing for your own point of view
– Ending the conversation
Task in C4 (c = conversation)
EATING OUT
STUDENT A
You are a customer in a cafe. You have a big appetite. The waiter/waitress comes to serve you. Order your food and drink.
STUDENT B
You are a waiter/waitress in a cafe. You are serving a customer. Take his/her order and answer any questions.
COVER AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
– The soup of the day and the other types of starter available
– Recommended main courses and desserts
– The types of drinks available
– The loudness of the background music
– Whether the meal was satisfactory
– Payment by credit card
Task in C5, C7, C8, C9, C10 (c = conversation)
CALL TO A MAIL ORDER COMPANY
STUDENT A
You recently ordered a number of clothing items from a mail order company. When you open the package, you notice that you have been sent two pieces of clothing that do not match your order. You phone the company to find out what you need to do to correct the order.
STUDENT B
You work in the customer services department at a mail order company that sells clothes. A customer has ordered a number of clothing items and phones you with a problem with two items received. You help the customer.
COVER AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
– Student A: Description of the problem
– Student B: Checking the customer details and when the order was made
– Discussing the solution
– Conclusion
Task in C6, C11, C12, C13, C14, C15 (c = conversation)
Look at the mind map. Together with your partner, discuss what affects young people and their lives in various parts of the world today. Share your knowledge and opinions on as many aspects as you can in the time available. Make sure that during the discussion you both comment on what the other person says.
Task in C16 (c = conversation)
Look at the mind map. Together with your partner, discuss the topic. Share your knowledge and opinions on as many aspects as you can in the time available. Make sure that during the discussion you both comment on what the other person says.
Task in C17 (c = conversation)
Look at the mind map. Together with your partner, discuss the topic. Share your knowledge and opinions on as many aspects as you can in the time available. Make sure that during the discussion you both comment on what the other person says.
Task in C18 (c = conversation)
Look at the mind map. Together with your partner, discuss the topic. Share your knowledge and opinions on as many aspects as you can in the time available. Make sure that during the discussion you both comment on what the other person says.
Task in C19 (c = conversation)
Look at the mind map. Together with your partner, discuss the topic. Share your knowledge and opinions on as many aspects as you can in the time available. Make sure that during the discussion you both comment on what the other person says.
Task in C20 (c = conversation)
Look at the mind map. Together with your partner, discuss the topic. Share your knowledge and opinions on as many aspects as you can in the time available. Make sure that during the discussion you both comment on what the other person says.
Task in C21 (c = conversation)
Look at the mind map. Together with your partner, discuss the topic. Share your knowledge and opinions on as many aspects as you can in the time available. Make sure that during the discussion you both comment on what the other person says.
Task in C22, C23, C24, C25, C27 (c = conversation)
Read the situation, then act it out together with your partner.
AN UNSUITABLE PRESENT
STUDENT A
You give a friend/relative a birthday present. You have tried hard to choose a suitable present.
STUDENT B
A friend/relative gives you a birthday present. You were hoping for something different than what she/he gives you.
COVER AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
– Starting the dialogue
– Giving (Student A) and receiving (Student B) the present
– Politely expressing disappointment (Student B)
– Reacting to disappointment, offering alternative (Student A)
– Reacting to alternative idea (Student B)
– Organize alternative
– Ending the dialogue
Task in C26, C28 (c = conversation)
Read the situation, then act it out together with your partner.
AT A PARTY
STUDENT A
You are at a party on a Friday evening. You meet a friend you haven’t seen for a long time. You talk about the party and other things.
STUDENT B
It’s Friday evening and you are at a party. You come across a friend you haven’t seen for a while. You start talking.
COVER AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
– How you got invited to the party
– Opinions of the party
– Other people you’ve met at the party
– Complimenting each other on the clothes you are wearing
– Offering to buy a drink
– Plans for the weekend
– Other good parties to go to soon