C1 SPEAKING INTERACTION
The C1 Speaking Interaction is a collaborative task where two candidates discuss a topic for 5-6 minutes. Candidates are given different viewpoints and discussion points to consider. This tests your ability to express and justify opinions, develop arguments, evaluate alternatives, and negotiate with your partner to reach common understanding.
Click on each post-it to see the full discussion topic. Click the "Start Conversation" button to begin the interactive dialogue between candidates.
Available Discussion Topics
Early Retirement - Just a Dream?
Explore whether working until 80 is realistic or if early retirement should remain a right.
The Power of Routine
Discuss how remote work is changing our daily routines and work-life balance.
The New Normal
Debate whether living with parents in your thirties is the new normal or if independence should be prioritized.
Social Identity
Explore the benefits and drawbacks of belonging to groups and how it shapes our personal and collective identity.
A Job Opportunity?
Debate whether a rural Spanish town should welcome a new pesticides company, considering environmental impacts, tradition, and jobs.
Celebrity Culture
Explore how celebrity culture has evolved, the path to becoming famous, and the realities of living in the public eye.
Conflict at Work
Discuss workplace bullying, managing difficult relationships with superiors, and strategies for addressing professional conflict.
Black Friday vs Buy Nothing Day
Debate the merits of Black Friday shopping versus the conscious consumer movement of Buy Nothing Day.
Marine Plastic Pollution
Discuss the global impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems, tourism, and climate change, and explore potential solutions.
Political Apathy
Explore the causes of political disinterest including poor governance, corruption, transparency issues, and educational factors.
Early Retirement - Just a Dream?
Candidate A
Benefits of late retirement...
EARLY RETIREMENT - JUST A DREAM?
Scenario: Experts on society say that the age at which people retire might one day be extended to 80. This means the idea of early retirement may disappear. You think late retirement provides many benefits but for your partner it also involves certain drawbacks.
Discussion points:
- Better physical functioning and cognitive status
- We have doubled lifespan in the last century
- Late retirement means a much wiser and experienced workforce
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
Drawbacks of late retirement...
EARLY RETIREMENT - JUST A DREAM?
Scenario: Experts on society say that the age at which people retire might one day be extended to 80. This means the idea of early retirement may disappear. You think late retirement involves many drawbacks but for your partner it also provides certain benefits.
Discussion points:
- Early retirement is an earned social right
- People have to get retired according to their ability
- Working up to the age of 80 will turn people into slaves
You start the conversation
The Power of Routine
Candidate A
Benefits of work-from-home routine...
THE POWER OF ROUTINE
Scenario: Now that working remotely is more common, people are discovering how their routines are changing to suit their new work life. You think it provides many benefits but for your partner it also involves certain drawbacks.
Discussion points:
- Creating a work-from-home routine
- Flexibility
- Easy time-management
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
Drawbacks of remote work routines...
THE POWER OF ROUTINE
Scenario: Now that working remotely is more common, people are discovering how their routines are changing to suit their new work life. You think it involves certain drawbacks but for your partner it also provides many benefits.
Discussion points:
- Workspace
- Falling into a bad routine
- Unplugging: healthy work-life balance
You start the conversation
The New Normal
Candidate A
Benefits of living with parents...
THE NEW NORMAL
Scenario: In Spanish contemporary society, there are a lot of people in their thirties that still live with their parents and have a badly paid temporary job. You think it is the "new normal" and a good idea to save some money but for your partner, however much their standard of living falls, people in their thirties need to be independent.
Discussion points:
- Aspirations and goals of young people
- Precarious labour market
- Perspective on family life
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
Importance of independence...
THE NEW NORMAL
Scenario: In Spanish contemporary society, there are a lot of people in their thirties that still live with their parents and have a badly paid temporary job. You think they need to be independent however much their standard of living falls but for your partner, it is the "new normal" and a good idea to save some money.
Discussion points:
- The "non-growth" issue
- Lower one's expectations
- Toxic family dynamics
You start the conversation
Social Identity
Candidate A
Benefits of belonging to groups...
SOCIAL IDENTITY
Scenario: You and your partner are talking about how important it is for an individual to feel part of a group and the different effects it has on you, both at a personal and a collective level. You think it provides many benefits but for your partner it also involves certain risks and drawbacks.
Discussion points:
- Human beings have a clear tendency to live in groups
- Fitting in is important. The feeling of belonging
- Role models
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
Risks of group conformity...
SOCIAL IDENTITY
Scenario: You and your partner are talking about how important it is for an individual to feel part of a group and the different effects it has on you, both at a personal and a collective level. You think it involves certain risks and drawbacks but for your partner it provides many benefits.
Discussion points:
- It is better to be different from your peers
- Social pressure
- Fake lives
You start the conversation
A Job Opportunity?
Candidate A
Older generation perspective...
A JOB OPPORTUNITY?
Scenario: You are from a small rural area in the north of Spain. A big international pesticides company wants to settle down near your town. It will employ some local people but also bring a lot of workers from outside. You have a village meeting to decide whether you should oppose to this idea or not. You belong to the older generation.
Discussion points:
- The impact on the environment
- Preserving traditional lifestyle
- The effects of newcomers on community life
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
Younger generation perspective...
A JOB OPPORTUNITY?
Scenario: You are from a small rural area in the north of Spain. A big international pesticides company wants to settle down near your town. It will employ some local people but also bring a lot of workers from outside. You have a village meeting to decide whether you should oppose to this idea or not. You belong to the younger generation.
Discussion points:
- The impact on the environment
- Preserving traditional lifestyle
- Job opportunities
You start the conversation
Celebrity Culture
Candidate A
Celebrity culture past vs present...
CELEBRITY CULTURE
Scenario: According to Fred Allen, "A celebrity is a person who works hard all their life to become well-known then, wears dark glasses to avoid being recognised".
Discussion points:
- Celebrity culture in present-day society vs the past
- Chances of becoming a member of the celebrity club
- Easiness/difficulty of being a celebrity
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
The reality of celebrity life...
CELEBRITY CULTURE
Scenario: According to Fred Allen, "A celebrity is a person who works hard all their life to become well-known then, wears dark glasses to avoid being recognised".
Discussion points:
- Celebrity culture in present-day society vs the past
- Chances of becoming a member of the celebrity club
- Easiness/difficulty of being a celebrity
You start the conversation
Conflict at Work
Candidate A
Experiencing workplace bullying...
CONFLICT AT WORK
Scenario: You work in the HR department of a multinational company. You consider you are being bullied by your superior. Your manager highlights your alleged "incompetence" in front of your co-workers. As a consequence, you feel anxious and stressed. You decide to talk to a close workmate.
Discussion points:
- Possibilities of resigning and finding a new job
- Feasible solutions to the problem
- Ask for advice
You start the conversation
Candidate B
Supporting a colleague under pressure...
CONFLICT AT WORK
Scenario: You work in the HR department of a multinational company. A close workmate of yours is having problems with your superior who is very demanding, especially with your co-worker. This is mainly due to deadlines so you think you work under pressure most of the time. Your workmate is meeting you to talk.
Discussion points:
- Plausible reasons for the criticism
- Feasible solutions to the problem
- Give advice
Your partner starts the conversation
Black Friday versus Buy Nothing Day
Candidate A
In favor of Black Friday...
BLACK FRIDAY VERSUS BUY NOTHING DAY
Scenario: For most retailers, Black Friday is the busiest and most profitable day of the year. However, more and more activists are protesting the consumer culture by celebrating Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day encourages consumers to not spend anything for 24 hours, and instead, use the time and energy to spend time with friends and family. The pointed campaign now exists in 60 countries. You are IN FAVOUR of Black Friday.
Discussion points:
- Saving a lot of money on great deals
- Retailers make a high percentage of their yearly sales
- It is great for the economy in general
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
In favor of Buy Nothing Day...
BLACK FRIDAY VERSUS BUY NOTHING DAY
Scenario: For most retailers, Black Friday is the busiest and most profitable day of the year. However, more and more activists are protesting the consumer culture by celebrating Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day encourages consumers to not spend anything for 24 hours, and instead, use the time and energy to spend time with friends and family. The pointed campaign now exists in 60 countries. You are IN FAVOUR of Buy Nothing Day.
Discussion points:
- People think about how much money they needlessly spend
- Helping consumers control the urge to buy things compulsively
- Your personal happiness does not depend on buying material objects
You start the conversation
Marine Plastic Pollution
Candidate A
Focusing on solutions...
MARINE PLASTIC POLLUTION
Scenario: Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year. At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris found. Marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and death. Plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change.
Discussion points:
- More funding for research and innovation
- Redesign products and rethink their use and disposal
- Strengthen existing international legislative frameworks
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
Addressing environmental impacts...
MARINE PLASTIC POLLUTION
Scenario: Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year. At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris found. Marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and death. Plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change.
Discussion points:
- Impact on tourism
- Impact on climate change
- Impact on marine ecosystems
You start the conversation
Causes of Political Apathy
Candidate A
Focusing on governance issues...
POLITICAL APATHY
Scenario: Politics is basically the game of governance. It involves people, style of governance and the incidence that comes with governance, which could include voting and elections (that is, if democracy is being practiced) or appointment (in terms of monarchy). Political apathy is disinterest in politics, or in the affairs of the governance of a state or community.
Discussion points:
- Lack of commitment to political policies
- Bad governance
- Lack of communication and transparency
Your partner starts the conversation
Candidate B
Addressing systemic problems...
POLITICAL APATHY
Scenario: Politics is basically the game of governance. It involves people, style of governance and the incidence that comes with governance, which could include voting and elections (that is, if democracy is being practiced) or appointment (in terms of monarchy). Political apathy is disinterest in politics, or in the affairs of the governance of a state or community.
Discussion points:
- Corruption and electoral malpractice
- Absence of variety and distrust
- Lack of education and poverty
You start the conversation
Useful Expressions Glossary
Expressing Opinion
- "I think that..." / "In my opinion..."
- "From my perspective..."
- "It seems to me that..."
- "I believe that..." / "I feel that..."
- "As I see it..."
- "I'm convinced that..."
Agreeing
- "I completely agree about..."
- "That's an excellent point about..."
- "You're absolutely right that..."
- "I couldn't agree more."
- "That's a fair point about..."
Disagreeing Politely
- "I understand your point, but..."
- "I see where you're coming from, but..."
- "That's an interesting perspective, however..."
- "I'm not entirely convinced that..."
- "I appreciate your view, though I think..."
Asking for Clarification
- "Could you elaborate on...?"
- "What exactly do you mean by...?"
- "I'm not sure I follow. Could you explain...?"
- "Would you mind clarifying...?"
Making Suggestions
- "Perhaps we could..."
- "Have you considered...?"
- "What if we...?"
- "It might be worth exploring..."
- "One possibility would be to..."
Discussing Advantages/Benefits
- "One benefit of this approach is..."
- "The advantage of... is that..."
- "This would positively impact..."
- "A key strength of this idea is..."
Discussing Disadvantages/Drawbacks
- "One concern I have about this is..."
- "The drawback of... is that..."
- "We should consider the potential negative impact on..."
- "My reservation about this approach is..."
Comparing and Contrasting
- "On one hand... but on the other hand..."
- "While X has... Y offers..."
- "The difference between... and... is that..."
- "Similarly..." / "In contrast..."
- "That connects to my point about..."
Concluding
- "To sum up..." / "In conclusion..."
- "I think we both agree that..."
- "Perhaps what we're both highlighting is..."
- "It seems we've identified several key aspects..."
- "The challenge is finding that balance between..."
Vocabulary by Topic
This notebook contains advanced vocabulary organized by topic. Each entry includes the term, definition, and an example sentence.
Early Retirement
- Cognitive Function
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Definition: Mental abilities including thinking, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, remembering, and attention.
- Arbitrary
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Definition: Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
The Power of Routine
- Flexibility
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Definition: The quality of bending easily without breaking; adaptability to different circumstances.
- Boundaries
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Definition: A line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line; limits or rules about acceptable behavior.
The New Normal
- Precarious
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Definition: Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse. In employment contexts, it refers to unstable or insecure work.
- Multi-generational
-
Definition: Involving or catering to people of different generations.
Social Identity
- Authentic
-
Definition: Of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine. In personal contexts, it means being true to one's own personality, spirit, or character.
- Performative
-
Definition: Characterized by or relating to public display rather than genuine feeling; done for show or appearance.
Job Opportunity
- Pristine
-
Definition: In its original condition; unspoiled, untouched, pure.
- Revitalize
-
Definition: To give new life or vigor to something; to reenergize or restore.
- Compromise
-
Definition: An agreement reached by both sides making concessions; a middle state between conflicting opinions.
Celebrity Culture
- Scrutiny
-
Definition: Critical observation or examination; close inspection or attention.
Conflict at Work
- Plausible
-
Definition: Seeming reasonable or probable; appearing worthy of belief.
- Feasible
-
Definition: Possible to do easily or conveniently; likely and practical to carry out.
Black Friday
- Compulsively
-
Definition: Acting as a result of an irresistible urge; done repeatedly and with little control.
- Consumption
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Definition: The using up of a resource, particularly in the context of buying and using products and services.
Marine Plastic Pollution
- Entanglement
-
Definition: The action or process of being caught in or complicated by something. In marine contexts, it refers to animals becoming trapped in debris.
- Biodegradable
-
Definition: Capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms, thereby avoiding pollution.
Political Apathy
- Malpractice
-
Definition: Improper, illegal, or negligent professional behavior.
- Bureaucracy
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Definition: A system of government with many complicated rules and processes, often criticized for being inefficient.
- Cynical
-
Definition: Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
- Incidence
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Definition: The occurrence, rate, or frequency of something, especially something unwanted like crime or disease.
