Oxford Test of English Speaking: test de práctica 1

I live in Bilbao, in a flat near the city centre, with two friends from university.

I'm a student. I'm in my third year of a degree in engineering.

On Saturdays I usually play football with some friends in the morning, and in the evening we often go out for dinner. Sundays are quieter: I tend to stay at home, catch up on my studies and maybe watch a series.

There's a small beach about half an hour from my town. It's never very crowded, so I go there to read or just listen to the sea. It's the best place to switch off after exams.

Hello, my name's Laura García. I booked a table for six people this Saturday at nine o'clock, for a friend's birthday. I'm afraid I need to change the booking, because two more friends have just told me they can come, so we'd need a table for eight. If possible, we'd also prefer to come a bit earlier, at half past eight. One more thing: a couple of my friends are vegetarian, so could you tell me if you have vegetarian dishes on the menu? Please call me back on this number. Thank you!

Woman: Hi, it's Kate. Listen, I'm thinking of joining a gym, and I know you've been going to one for a while. I can't decide between the one near the station and the one by the university. Could you call me back and tell me what you think? Thanks!

Hi Kate, it's me. I got your message. If I were you, I'd choose the gym by the university. It's a bit more expensive, but it's much bigger, it's open until eleven and it's never too crowded. My advice is to ask for a free session with a trainer at the beginning, so they can show you how to use the machines properly, and don't try to do too much in the first few weeks. Why don't we go together one day next week? I usually go on Tuesday evenings. Call me back!

I've chosen the outdoor cinema and the new cycle lanes. First, an outdoor cinema in summer would be really attractive for young people, because it's a cheap and social plan. Lots of teenagers spend their evenings indoors watching films on their phones, so this would get them to do the same thing, but outside and with friends. As for the cycle lanes, I think they would make a big difference, because many young people would cycle to school or university if they felt safe. At the moment the roads are too busy. With proper lanes, cycling would become part of their daily routine, not just something they do at the weekend. Overall, I think the cycle lanes would have the biggest long-term effect.

Probably the outdoor cinema, because it's something you can do with friends and it doesn't require any effort. The cycle lanes are more useful, but some people simply don't like cycling.

Mainly because of screens. Most entertainment is on our phones now, so there's less reason to go out. Also, many parents worry more about safety than they used to.