CAE part 3

 Speaking part 3

This part tests your ability to interact with your partner by exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and disagreeing, speculating, evaluating and reaching a decision through discussion. It is important that you keep talking.  15 seconds to think 2 minutes to discuss your ideas.

Here are some of the actions that people take to prevent or cope with stress. Talk to each other about how effective these actions might be in helping people to prevent or cope with stress. 

Example

I have to admit it's only recently that I started getting stressed about things - I think it coincides with when I started my new job. 

Really? So what makes you feel stressed?

All kinds of things. Obviously having too much to do, you know, not having enough time to do everything they want me to do. Then I start thinking: my manager’s got it in for me - or that she doesn't like me and is making my life difficult deliberately. Do you know what I mean?

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. You start by blaming someone else and then you decide its your fault - that you are inadequate. That is when the stress starts. 

Exactly, then because you're working so hard and thinking about work even when you're not there, it starts to affect other parts of your life. I lost my temper with my boyfriend last week-- for no real reason- just because I’d had a hard day at work. I apologized afterwards of course, but I could tell he was quite upset. That's one of the worst effects of stress, isn't it?

Yes, it is. Other people are affected if you're stressed, often people you care about. But you know, you're lucky - at least you have a job. I've been really stressed recently because I can't find a job. And I'm running out of money. 

What will you do?

I don't know. I could borrow some from my parents, but I’d prefer not to. And if I tell them I'm short of money, they'll start to worry and I don't want them worrying because of me. That'll make everything worse and I'll get even more stressed. It's a vicious circle. So what do you do if you're feeling stressed?

Well, I thought about going to the doctor and asking for some pills, bit then I thought. There must be better ways of dealing with it than drugs. So if I'm feeling particularly stressed after a day at work, I do one of two things: either I phone a friend and suggest we go out for the evening, or I go to the gym. What about you?

I find talking about my problems is quite helpful. You often find there are lots of people in the same citation or even a worse situation than you - that helps me get things into perspective. And I always try to find reasons to be optimistic. For example, I've got two interviews next week and I'm determined to get one of the jobs that'll make things easier for me. And I spend tie with friends and I try relaxation techniques. Have you tried that?

No, but perhaps I will. 

Now you have about a minute to decide which actions would be the most effective in helping people prevent or deal with stress. 

Exercise

Now  I'd like you to talk about something together for about two minutes. Here are some different ways of finding a first job and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. 

(After 15 minutes) now talk to each other about how effective these ways of finding a first job might be. 

Now you have about a minute to decide which way of finding a first job is the most effective.