EOI Cartagena · B1 English Oral Exam
Your Oral Exam
Workshop
Everything you need to pass the B1 oral exam. Topics, structures, phrases, grammar, timers — all in one place. You don't need perfect English. You need confident English.
3
Exam parts
PCTO + MEO
22'
Total time
approx.
14
Topics
to practise
Exam Structure
Part 1
Monologue
5' prepare
~3' speak
Individual
Part 2
Interaction
1' prepare
~3' speak
With partner
Part 3
Mediation
3' prepare
~2' speak
Individual
Critical rule: Do NOT read your notes literally. If you read word for word, the task is graded 0 (No Apto). Write keywords only — then speak naturally.
The "Zero rule": a 0 on any single task = No Apto for the whole section, even if your other scores are good. Complete every task!
Rules to remember
You CAN take notes during preparation for the Monologue (5') and Mediation (3').
You CANNOT take notes or talk to your partner during Interaction preparation (1').
Bring your DNI, NIE or passport — it will be checked before you start.
If you get stuck, the examiner may ask "rescue questions" to help you continue.
Leave all exam cards and notes with the teacher at the end of the exam.
The entire exam is audio-recorded as an official document.
Exam dates – Group B1 A
📅
Oral exam: Monday 11 May 2026 – Aula 8 (from 9:45h)✍️
Written exam: Friday 15 May 2026 – 16:30h – Aula 1📋
Exam review: Thursday 21 May – 11:00-12:00h – Aula 8🏆
Results published: Monday 25 May (afternoon – Mirador)14 Exam Topics
Speaking Survival Toolkit
Fillers & hesitation phrases
Buy yourself time
That's a good question...
Let me think about that...
Well, actually...
Hmm, how can I put it...
I'm not entirely sure, but...
Keep speaking
What I mean is...
The thing is...
As I was saying...
I'd like to add that...
Basically / In fact...
Give opinions
In my opinion...
Personally, I feel that...
As far as I know...
It seems to me that...
I strongly believe that...
Agree / Disagree
I completely agree...
That's a fair point, but...
I see what you mean, however...
I'm not sure about that...
You're right, although...
Emergency recovery phrases
Word not found
I don't know the exact word, but...
It's a kind of...
It's similar to...
It's the opposite of...
It's used for...
Clarify / Check
Could you repeat that, please?
Sorry, I didn't catch that.
Do you mean...?
What I meant to say was...
Let me rephrase that...
Universal speaking structure (works for ANY topic)
1
Introduce the topic— "This topic is about... / I'd like to talk about..."
2
Personal experience— "In my experience... / I used to... / Nowadays I..."
3
Advantages— "One benefit is... / The main advantage is..."
4
Disadvantages / contrast— "However... / On the other hand... / The problem is..."
5
Opinion + conclusion— "In my opinion... / To sum up... / All in all..."
Grammar for Speaking
Advice / Recommendation → should / ought to
You should try to exercise more often.
I think the government ought to do more about pollution.
I think the government ought to do more about pollution.
Possibility → might / could / may
I might go abroad to practise English.
It could be difficult to find a flat in the city centre.
It could be difficult to find a flat in the city centre.
Obligation → must / have to / need to
You must bring your ID to the exam.
We don't have to memorise answers — just speak naturally.
We don't have to memorise answers — just speak naturally.
Ability → can / be able to
I can communicate in English quite well now.
Since I started practising, I've been able to speak more fluently.
Since I started practising, I've been able to speak more fluently.
Zero conditional — general truths
If you eat too much sugar, you feel tired.
When you don't sleep enough, it affects your health.
When you don't sleep enough, it affects your health.
First conditional — real / likely future
If I pass the exam, I'll be really happy.
If the weather is good, we'll go to the beach.
If the weather is good, we'll go to the beach.
Second conditional — hypothetical / imaginary
If I lived in London, I would improve my English much faster.
If I had more free time, I would travel more.
If I had more free time, I would travel more.
Comparative — adjective + -er / more + adjective
Public transport is cheaper than driving a car.
It's more comfortable to travel by train than by bus.
It's more comfortable to travel by train than by bus.
Superlative — the + adjective + -est / most
The best way to reduce stress is to exercise regularly.
This is the most interesting topic in the exam for me.
This is the most interesting topic in the exam for me.
As...as — for similarity
Online shopping is not as personal as buying in a local store.
City life is not as peaceful as living in the countryside.
City life is not as peaceful as living in the countryside.
Verbs + -ing (enjoy, avoid, suggest, imagine, keep, finish...)
I enjoy going to the market on Saturdays.
I'd suggest visiting the old town first.
He avoids eating junk food.
I'd suggest visiting the old town first.
He avoids eating junk food.
Verbs + to-infinitive (decide, want, hope, plan, promise, refuse...)
I decided to join a gym to keep fit.
I hope to travel abroad next summer.
She refused to accept the situation.
I hope to travel abroad next summer.
She refused to accept the situation.
TRY — meaning changes!
I tried to be on time → made an effort
I tried doing yoga → tested it as an experiment
I tried doing yoga → tested it as an experiment
REMEMBER — meaning changes!
Remember to close the windows → don't forget (future action)
I remember eating here as a child → a memory (past)
I remember eating here as a child → a memory (past)
STOP — meaning changes!
We stopped to eat something → paused in order to eat
I need to stop smoking → finish the habit permanently
I need to stop smoking → finish the habit permanently
Say / Tell — reporting what someone said
She said that public transport was getting worse.
He told me that I should visit the market.
He told me that I should visit the market.
Ask — reporting questions
She asked me if I had ever lived abroad.
He asked me where I usually did my shopping.
He asked me where I usually did my shopping.
Tense changes in reported speech
"I live here" → He said he lived there.
"I will come" → She said she would come.
"I can help" → He said he could help.
"I will come" → She said she would come.
"I can help" → He said he could help.
Who — for people
The teacher who taught me English was very encouraging.
I have a friend who speaks four languages.
I have a friend who speaks four languages.
Which / That — for things
The street market that opens on Saturdays is excellent.
The app which I use most is for learning vocabulary.
The app which I use most is for learning vocabulary.
Where — for places
I grew up in a town where everyone knows each other.
I love places where you can walk everywhere.
I love places where you can walk everywhere.
Linkers Masterclass
Addition
FurthermoreIn additionMoreoverWhat's moreBesides
Contrast
HoweverOn the other handAlthoughEven thoughDespite thisNevertheless
Cause & result
Because of thisAs a resultThereforeThat's whyDue to
Sequence
First of allThen / After thatFinallyTo begin withSubsequently
Examples
For exampleFor instanceSuch asIn particular
Summary / Opinion
In my opinionTo sum upAll in allOverallIn conclusion
Oral Mediation Bootcamp
In the mediation task you explain information from a Spanish text to someone in English. Convey the key points naturally — do not translate word for word.
Practice Zone
Random topic generator
Monologue drill
Press Spin to get your topic!
Prepare 5 minutes → speak for 3 minutes.
Practice timer
All parts
5:00
Quick self-assessment
After speaking
Night-Before Kit
Quick-access revision. Keep it calm, keep it light. You've already done the work.
Timing
Part 1: 5' prep + 3' speak
Part 2: 1' prep + 3' dialogue
Part 3: 3' prep + 2' speak
Total: ~22 minutes
Bring: DNI / NIE / Passport
Critical rules
Do not read notes literally
Speak naturally from keywords
No notes during dialogue prep
0 on any task = No Apto
Hand back all cards & notes
Power phrases
That's a good question...
In my opinion / Personally...
On the other hand...
For example / For instance...
To sum up / All in all...
Mindset
You don't need perfect English
Use fillers — don't go silent
Paraphrase if you lose a word
Examiners want you to succeed
Smile. Breathe. Speak. Done. ✓
Monologue structure
1. Introduce the topic
2. Personal experience
3. Advantages
4. Disadvantages / contrast
5. Opinion + conclusion
Mediation structure
"According to this text..."
"The main idea is that..."
"It also mentions / recommends..."
"Another point is that..."
"Finally / In other words..."