In this article, we will provide you with speaking sample questions, model answers, and general tips to prepare for APTIS Advanced.
What is the APTIS Advanced?
APTIS Advanced is a language proficiency test designed by the British Council that follows a similar format to the APTIS General Test. Like the general version, it is a computer-based test that analyzes an individual’s Grammar and Vocabulary, as well as his/her Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. There are several tasks within each component and each section has a specified assigned time limit. In total, the test lasts about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
APTIS Advanced Speaking Test is separated into four parts. Each part becomes harder, so that part 1 is the easiest, while part 4 is the hardest. You are given 10 minutes in APTIS Advanced.
If you would like to access simulated APTIS advanced tests, please follow the link here.
You can also find useful information by visiting the British Council website here.
APTIS Advanced: Sample Speaking Question #1
(4 parts – 10 minutes)
Part 1: In this part of the test, you are going to compare two pictures and I will ask you two questions about it. You will have 45 seconds for each response.
1.1. Tell me what you see in the photographs
1.2. Which of these homes is more common in your town/city? Why?
1.3. Which place would you rather live in? Why?.
Part 2: In this part of the test, you will answer abstract questions about a particular topic. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking. Then, you will speak for 2 minutes.
2.1 How important to you is health and fitness?
2.2 In what ways can people stay healthy?
2.3 What do you think governments can do to promote healthy lifestyles in your country?
Part 3: In this part of the test, you are going to give a presentation. You can see the topic and some points for and against both sides. You will choose two points from each list and give a balanced argument. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking and then you will have 1.5 minutes to speak. After you finish speaking, you will be asked an additional question about the topic.
Topic: Citizens should be allowed to carry personal guns.
FOR
· Guns can help people protect themselves
· They prevent people from becoming victims of crimes like burglary
· Necessary for hunting or target sports
AGAINST
· Guns are weapons that are used to commit a crime
· Fewer guns will reduce the homicide rate
· Handheld and/or military guns are not useful for activities like hunting
Part 4: Answer the question. You have 45 seconds to speak.
There is fewer crime today than there was in the past.
What is your response to this statement?
APTIS Advanced: Model Answer to Sample Speaking Question #1
(4 parts – 10 minutes)
Part 1: In this part of the test, you are going to compare two pictures and I will ask you two questions about it. You will have 45 seconds for each response.
1.2. Tell me what you see in the photographs.
In the photographs, I can see two types of homes. The one on the left is an apartment complex. It is a high-rise building and there are many floors. It doesn’t look so modern, but it isn’t old either. I think it might be in a city because it can accommodate many families. I am also inclined to believe that it’s in a warm place because each unit has a balcony. In contrast, the home on the left is a single-family dwelling. It looks like it’s in the suburbs because those types of homes aren’t really common in urban centres. There are two stories and a garage.
1.3. Which of these homes is more common in your town/city? Why?
It’s hard to say. I live in a fairly big city, so you definitely see a lot more apartment buildings in the city centre. It takes less space to accommodate more people. It’s also easier for people that live there because it is less outdoor work in the winter when they have to clear snow or in the spring when they have to mow the lawn. However, I live in a small bungalow near the city limits. My area is pretty residential and there are a few pockets like this in the city where the population density is lower.
1.4. Which place would you rather live in? Why?
Growing up in a house all my life, I’d probably choose the house. I think it gives you enough space to live with people without constantly being in each other’s ways. Flats can get too cramped and I imagine you don’t have much personal space or privacy. While buying a large house is a goal, I understand that it might not be financially possible in my future.
Part 2: In this part of the test, you will answer abstract questions about a particular topic. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking. Then, you will speak for 2 minutes.
How important to you is health and fitness?
In what ways can people stay healthy?
What do you think governments can do to promote healthy lifestyles in your country?
I was just thinking about this question the other day as I scrolled through Instagram. As a kid, I used to always eat junk food. I took my fast metabolism for granted and didn’t bother to do any sport or exercise. While I never prioritized healthy living when I was younger, I think it is incredibly important nowadays. Without our health, we are nothing. That being said, it was hard for me to understand how people can stay healthy. I started following many fitness inspiration pages and influencers on social media to truly understand how I could adopt a better lifestyle and soon enough I learned that it was more than just eating fewer calories and going to the gym. I learned that people need to pay attention to eating clean, nutrient-dense foods, and that even walking could count as exercise. It’s that fact that I wish governments promoted more. I always would associate a healthy lifestyle with being skinny, and that’s not the case. If the government educated us more on plant-based lifestyles, or small changes that we can make in our daily lives, I think everyone would be healthier.
Part 3: In this part of the test, you are going to give a presentation. You can see the topic and some points for and against both sides. You will choose two points from each list and give a balanced argument. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking and then you will have 1.5 minutes to speak. After you finish speaking, you will be asked an additional question about the topic.
Topic: Citizens should be allowed to carry personal guns.
FOR
· Guns can help people protect themselves
· They prevent people from becoming victims of crimes like burglary
· Necessary for hunting or target sports
AGAINST
· Guns are weapons that are used to commit a crime
· Fewer guns will reduce the homicide rate
· Handheld and/or military guns are not useful for activities like hunting
There is a hotly-debated topic about whether or not people should be allowed to carry personal guns. While I strongly believe that this should not be the case under any circumstance, I will present both arguments.
In a time of uncertainty and danger, it is important to feel safe. Guns can help people feel secure if they are walking alone at night or living in a bad neighbourhood. If someone attempts to break in to my home or car, this crime could be circumvented with the presentation of a firearm as a deterrent.
On the other hand, guns are killing machines. Even if it is unintended side effect of protection or sport, they can be the reason for a crime in itself. By reducing guns, the homicide rate will go down as well. This is because guns are very easy to use to kill someone versus other methods. Notwithstanding guns used for hunting large animals, there is no excuse that a person who is not trained should have access to a hand gun or military rifle. They would make the animal inedible.
All in all, I think guns should be banned.
Part 4: Answer the question. You have 45 seconds to speak.
There is fewer crime today than there was in the past.
What is your response to this statement?
In general, I don’t think that there is fewer crime today than in the past, but the crime is definitely different. While there may be less instances of armed robbery or burglary due to home surveillance systems and safer neighbourhoods, I think that there is more identity theft and cyber-crime. Nowadays, stealing someone’s credit card number or passport is more valuable than just the cash in their wallet and I predict this will increase in the future.
Top 10 Tips For The APTIS Speaking Test
Tip 1: Understand the questions and respond appropriately and fully
Make sure you understand the questions and respond appropriately and fully. Try to explain or expand your answers. Listen carefully to the question and listen for the stressed words which give you the meaning. When you answer a question, you can expand by giving examples and reasons. Practice by first answering the question and then explaining the when, where, and why.
Tip 2: Use your preparation time in section four efficiently
Again, you must make sure you understand the questions and respond appropriately and fully. You are expected to talk for two minutes and you have three questions. Remember that is only 40 seconds a question and practice this with a timer before the exam. You can use the same technique for all your answers. Give a general answer and then be more specific. Give examples, reasons, and results.
Tip 3: Keep your notes short and simple
Keep your notes short and simple and think about how to structure your ideas logically. Look at the keywords in the question and make sure that you answer the question word used, i.e. If the question is ‘When’ talk about a time. It it is ‘Where’ talk about a place.
Tip 4. Practice speaking as much as you can
Practice speaking as much as you can, do not worry too much about mistakes. Instead, focus on whether your message was successfully communicated. Practice ways of saying things again in another way. This will help the examiner understand and heve the benefit of using more time. BE CAREFUL, only do this occasionally.
TIP 5: Record yourself speaking
Record yourself speaking and try to improve your vocabulary and pronunciation.
To prepare for speaking test, record yourself speaking as fluently as possible for a minute or two.
Try the following topics:
- introducing yourself;
- talking about your personal experiences & preferences;
- comparing two different things - perhaps two cities or two houses.
When you listen to your recording the key things to note are:
- grammatical accuracy.
- appropriacy of vocabulary.
- effective pronunciation.
- hesitation.
- well-sequenced ideas properly linked together.
Tip 6: Don't memorize answers
Don't memorise answers, especially in Part 1. Memorised language doesn't give the examiner an accurate measure of your English-language skills. The examiner will be able to tell if you have memorised your answers because they will sound unnatural and will probably be inappropriate to the question. This may influence your final band score.
Tip 7: Don't use long and unfamiliar words
You may want to impress the examiner with long and complex words in your speaking test. But to be safe, avoid using words you are not familiar with. There is a higher chance of making mistakes by either mispronouncing words or using them in the wrong context. Mistakes can affect your final band score.
Tip 8: Use a range of grammatical structures
When APTIS examiners asses your speaking skills, they mark you against the following assessment criteria:
• Fluency and coherence
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy
• Pronunciation
Try and use a range of grammatical structures using complex and simple sentences to express what you want to say. You can improve cohesion by including linking words that give sequences, reasons, results and contrasts.
Know your own errors and practice speaking to friends in English. Try recording yourself to see if you can spot errors. If you hear an error, make sure to correct yourself. To learn something properly you must review it. Look at errors regularly to check you aren’t making them.
You are assessed on your ability to use different grammatical structures accurately, so it is important to practice speaking about the past, the present and the future using correct tenses. If you have difficulty with a tense or structure, try to find another way to express the same idea.
Tip 9: Don't worry about your accent
With a face-to-face Speaking test, the examiner understands a wide range of accents so he or she will be able to understand what you say, unlike an AI machine. You aren’t expected to sound like a native speaker. If you can communicate well, then there is nothing to worry about. But do be aware of sounds that you have difficulty with and make sure to use stress and intonation as English is a stress-timed language and you should try to mimic it. Practice with friends and they will tell you if they can't understand what you are saying.
Tip 10: Practice your English with your speaking partner
Practice your English with your speaking partner. This will not only enable you to improve your speaking but enhance your listening skills too. Make a note of their mistakes and discuss them. Ask your partner to do the same for you.
For the details of further Speaking tips please read our detailed article here.
