FCE Speaking Part 4: Sample Answers & the PREP Method
Cambridge B2 First Speaking Guide — Tome IV · Or How to Sound Like a Budget-Friendly Socrates for 4 Minutes
This guide is a deep dive into FCE Speaking Part 4 — the 4-minute discussion where the examiner asks opinion questions and expects extended, developed answers. You'll find a full sample answer, the PREP method for never running out of things to say, and categorised opinion phrases that show genuine language range.
The FCE Speaking Exam: A 14-Minute Recap
If you've been following this series, you know the drill. If you haven't — here's the express version. The FCE speaking exam is 14 minutes of structured conversation split across 4 parts:
They ask about your life. You pretend it's interesting. Covered in Tome I.
Compare two photos you've never seen. Pretend to care about the differences. Covered in Tome II.
Work with a stranger to solve an imaginary town's problems. Covered in Tome III.
Philosophical questions about gym memberships and social media. You're here.
FCE Speaking Part 4: The Budget-Friendly Socrates Section
Part 4 takes the topic from Part 3 and asks you to go deeper. The examiner asks questions directly to you and your partner — sometimes to both of you, sometimes alternating. You need to give extended, developed answers, not one-liners.
Common Part 4 topic areas:
- Technology and social media
- Young people vs older generations
- Work-life balance and priorities
- Environment and lifestyle
- Education and learning
The #1 mistake in Part 4: Answering with one sentence. "Yes, I think so." is not a B2 answer. You need Point + Reason + Example minimum. That's what this Tome is about.
You do NOT need specialist knowledge. Part 4 tests how you express and develop opinions in English — not whether your views on social media are academically correct. Any opinion, well-supported, scores well.
Full Sample FCE Part 4 Answer: Young People's Priorities
Here's what a high-scoring Part 4 answer actually sounds like. Notice: it runs about 30–40 seconds, develops a clear argument, uses an example, and ends decisively.
Examiner question: "Do you think young people today have different priorities than previous generations?"
Try answering the question yourself first, then reveal the weak vs. strong comparison below.
"Yes, I think so. Young people care more about social media now. That's all."
One point, no development, no example. Scores poorly for discourse management.
"Oh, definitely. I think the whole 'work-life balance' thing is huge for us. My parents' generation was all about job security and climbing the ladder. For us, it's more like — sure, I want a good job, but I also want to actually enjoy my twenties, you know?
And social media has changed everything. We're the first generation that grew up documenting everything online. That creates this weird pressure to make your life look amazing all the time. Previous generations just had to impress their neighbours — we're trying to impress hundreds of followers.
But I wouldn't say we're less ambitious. We're just ambitious about different things. Maybe we care less about having a fancy car and more about having experiences, travelling, making a difference. Though to be fair, part of that might be because we can't afford the fancy car anyway!"
That answer: states a clear position, gives reasons, uses examples, stays conversational, and ends with personality. That's a B2 answer.
The PREP Method: Your Part 4 Secret Weapon
The PREP method is a four-step structure that naturally produces extended answers. Once it's automatic, you stop worrying about how long to speak and focus on what to say.
State your main opinion clearly. Commit to a position.
Explain why you hold that view. Use "because", "the reason is", "this is because".
Make it concrete. Use "for instance", "for example", "take... for instance".
Restate your conclusion. Use "so", "therefore", "which is why I think".
PREP in Action: Social Media Example
Try it yourself: "Do you think social media makes us lonelier?" — structure your answer using PREP, then reveal the model.
[POINT] "I think social media is making us lonelier."
[REASON] "The reason is that we're replacing real connections with likes and comments."
[EXAMPLE] "For instance, I have friends who have hundreds of Instagram followers but feel like they have no one to really talk to."
[POINT] "So yeah, I'd say more connection online often means less connection in real life."
Practise this: Pick any opinion — about anything — and run it through PREP out loud. Do it five times a day for a week. By exam day it'll be automatic.
Opinion Phrases for FCE Speaking Part 4
The examiner wants to see range. Using the same opener every answer loses you marks. Mix strong, balanced, and tentative opinions depending on the question.
Strong Opinions — When You're Sure
Balanced Views — When It's Complicated
Tentative Opinions — When You're Exploring
"I think... I think... I think..."
Repetitive openers signal limited range. Even if your content is good, this limits your score.
"I'm firmly convinced that..." → "On the other hand, I can see..." → "I suppose what matters most is..."
Three different opinion types in three answers. The examiner notices.
How to Extend Your Answers in B2 First Speaking Part 4
If PREP feels too formulaic, here are natural connectors that buy you time and add structure at the same time:
Adding to Your Point
Contrasting or Acknowledging the Other Side
Concluding Naturally
Remember: The examiner has heard thousands of these. Be the candidate they remember — for good reasons. The ones who do best are the ones who keep going, stay conversational, and show personality. One stumble does not fail you. Silence does.
Complete Your B2 First Speaking Preparation
This is Tome IV of the Cambridge B2 First Speaking Guide series:
- Tome I: FCE Speaking Part 1 — question bank, vocabulary cards, sample answers
- Tome II: FCE Speaking Part 2 — the 6-step photo formula, model monologue, comparison phrases
- Tome III: FCE Speaking Parts 3 & 4 — full collaboration script, interaction phrases, emergency phrases
- Tome IV: FCE Speaking Part 4 — You're here.