9.3 Speaking Part 2: Discussion

9.3 Speaking Part 2: Discussion

Quick Answer: Speaking Part 2 lasts about 5–6 minutes. You and your partner do a collaborative task with visual prompts / information. Ask and answer simple questions, give reasons, and keep the conversation going—do not wait in silence for the interlocutor to rescue every turn.

Part 2 is where A2 Key Speaking becomes a true pair interaction. After the personal interview, the interlocutor gives you a task with pictures or other simple visual information. Your job is to discuss the prompt together: share ideas, compare simple options, say what you like, and sometimes decide or recommend in a light A2 way. Examiners listen carefully for Interactive Communication here, while Grammar and Vocabulary, Pronunciation, and Global Achievement continue across the whole test.

Timing and setup

In a group of three, the same task type runs longer overall so each candidate still participates. The skills do not change.

What “collaborative” means at A2

Collaborative does not mean:

• A formal business meeting
• A competitive debate with winners and losers
• Reading every word on the card as a monologue while your partner waits

Collaborative does mean:

• Both people contribute ideas about the same prompt
• You listen and respond to what your partner said
• You invite your partner (What do you think?)
• You help the talk continue until the interlocutor stops you

If you speak for two minutes without looking at your partner, you are not collaborating. If you only say Yes, I agree five times with no ideas, you are not contributing enough content.

Typical Part 2 task shape (what to expect)

Exact cards change, but training materials and official-style tasks often ask you to:

1. Look at pictures of free-time activities, places, food, presents, weekend ideas, or similar A2 themes
2. Talk about what you can see or what the options are
3. Say which you like / prefer / think is good and why
4. Ask your partner’s opinion
5. Sometimes move toward a simple choice (Which is best for a family day?) without heavy persuasion language

You are not writing. You are speaking about the information in front of you.

A reliable 5–6 minute interaction method

Use this loop every time:

1. Check you both understand the task (5–10 seconds). If unclear: Sorry, do we talk about all the pictures?
2. Start with one picture/option — describe or name it simply.
3. Give an opinion + reason — I like this because…
4. Ask your partner — What do you think? / Do you like this one?
5. Respond to their answer — I agree / I prefer the other one because…
6. Move to the next option — What about this picture?
7. Repeat until time ends; if you finish early, compare two options again or suggest a final simple choice.

This loop prevents monologues and silences.

Phrase bank: keeping the conversation going

Starting

• Shall we start with this picture?
• Let’s look at the first one.
• I think this is a park / a café / a sports centre.

Describing simply

• In this picture, people are…
• This one shows…
• There is / There are…

Opinions and reasons

• I like this because it’s fun / cheap / easy / interesting.
• I don’t like this very much because it’s boring / expensive / difficult.
• This is good for families / students / friends.
• I prefer this one to that one because…

Asking your partner (essential)

• What do you think?
• Do you agree?
• Which do you prefer?
• What about you?
• Do you like … or …?
• Why do you like that?

Responding

• I agree with you.
• Yes, that’s true.
• I’m not sure. I think…
• I see what you mean, but I prefer…
• Me too! / Not really. I like…

Moving on

• What about the next picture?
• Let’s talk about this one.
• OK, and this option?

Simple deciding language (light)

• Maybe this is the best for…
• I think we should choose…
• So, do we both like this one?

Repair and help

• Sorry, can you say that again?
• Do you mean this picture?
• I don’t know the word—maybe it’s a…
• Can you help me? What is this?

You do not need all of these in one test. Master one starter, two opinion frames, three questions, two responses, one mover.

Sample Part 2 mini-dialogue (original)

Prompt idea: Pictures of free-time activities—swimming, reading at home, playing football, cooking with family, watching a film.

A: Shall we start with this picture? I think it’s a swimming pool. I like swimming because it’s healthy and fun. What do you think? B: I agree. Swimming is good in summer. But I prefer football because I can play with my friends at the weekend. A: Yes, football is good for friends. What about this one—reading at home? B: Reading is quiet and cheap. I like books, but not every day. Do you like reading? A: Sometimes. I prefer films. Watching a film is relaxing after school. Which activity is best for a rainy day? B: Maybe watching a film or cooking at home, because you stay inside. Football is difficult in the rain. A: That’s true. I think cooking is also nice because you can eat after! Do you cook? B: A little. I can make pasta. So… for a rainy day, let’s choose films or cooking.

Why this works at A2:

• Both speakers ask questions
• Reasons appear (because…)
• They use the pictures
• They move from option to option
• Language stays simple and clear
• They reach a light shared idea without complex debate

Turn-taking rules that protect Interactive Communication

If your partner is very quiet:

• Ask easy yes/no then why questions: Do you like this? Why?
• Offer a choice: Do you prefer A or B?
• Point to a picture: What about this one?

If your partner is very dominant:

• Take turns by starting the next picture: OK, and this picture—I think…
• Use a polite entry: Sorry—can I say something? I prefer…
• Keep your contributions complete (opinion + reason), not only Yes.

Using visual prompts well

Visuals are there to give you content. Use them.

Good use

• Name what you see in simple words
• Connect the image to a personal preference
• Compare two images with I prefer X to Y because…
• Invent only small logical links (This café is good for talking with friends)

Weak use

• Ignoring pictures and talking about your holiday with no link
• Listing objects with no opinion (chair, table, cup) for two minutes
• Saying I don’t know for every picture without trying
• Reading unknown words letter by letter in panic instead of paraphrasing (the place where you swim)

If you lack a word: paraphrase.

• Unknown: stadium
• Say: a big place for football games

Paraphrase is strong A2 communication.

Language tools that score without complexity

Avoid stacking rare idioms. Clear I prefer this because it’s fun beats a broken attempt at advanced persuasion.

Common Part 2 traps

1. Two monologues: A speaks 60 seconds; B speaks 60 seconds; no questions.
2. Agree-only mode: Yes, yes, yes with zero ideas of your own.
3. Silence after one sentence waiting for the interlocutor to prompt every line.
4. Fighting to win the choice instead of sharing ideas.
5. Off-prompt chat about unrelated personal stories for the whole time.
6. Whispering so Interactive Communication and Pronunciation evidence disappear.
7. Overusing I don’t know as a full turn when you could say one simple preference.
8. Translating with your partner in another language—keeps you from showing English interaction.

When the interlocutor comes back in

The interlocutor may:

• Give the instructions again more simply
• Ask a short follow-up (Which activity do you like best?)
• Redirect if one candidate has had no chance
• Close the task when time is finished

Respond to the interlocutor clearly, then—if the task continues—return to partner interaction as instructed. Do not look offended if they interrupt; timing control is normal.

Practice routines (home or class)

Routine A — Picture page (8 minutes)

1. Open any magazine/photo page with 4–6 everyday scenes.
2. Partner discussion: loop opinion → reason → question → response.
3. Goal: each person asks at least five questions.

Routine B — Silent partner stress test (5 minutes)

Partner answers only with short phrases on purpose. You must keep inviting with What about…? and choice questions. Then switch roles.

Routine C — Record and count (6 minutes)

Record a practice Part 2. Count:

• How many times you asked a question
• How many because reasons you used
• How many long silences (>5 seconds) occurred
  Improve one number next time.

Routine D — Paraphrase drill (5 minutes)

Partner points to objects; you explain without the exact word: It’s a thing for… / a place where…

Linking Part 2 to assessment (preview)

Section 9.4 details bands, but Part 2 is where examiners often hear the clearest evidence of:

• Interactive Communication: initiating, responding, maintaining exchanges
• Grammar and Vocabulary: opinions, reasons, simple descriptions of prompts
• Pronunciation: intelligibility in freer turn-taking
• Global Achievement: overall success handling the collaborative task at A2

If Part 1 was strong but Part 2 is silent, your profile may still suffer on interaction and global scales. Practise both parts.

Exam-day confidence script (first 20 seconds of Part 2)

When materials appear:

1. Look at the prompt with your partner.
2. Smile briefly; face your partner.
3. Start: Shall we start with this one? I think… because… What do you think?

That single opening already shows collaboration.

Part 2 is not a test of advanced debate. It is a test of simple, sustained, two-way talk about a visual task. Ask, answer, reason, invite, and use the pictures. Do that for five to six minutes and you give examiners the interaction evidence A2 Key is designed to reward. The final section explains how those performances become marks on Grammar and Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Interactive Communication, and Global Achievement.