Lesson 41 · Speaking
Speaking & Writing — Cambridge B1 Preliminary Part 2 narrative / B2 First Part 2 story
Your task
Tell a short story (about a mix-up, a surprise, or being late) that includes at least 4 past perfect forms showing background events, alongside past simple for the main storyline.
How to do it
Narrative tasks are scored partly on tense range — using ONLY past simple flattens a story. (1) Identify the main timeline first (past simple). (2) Find at least one moment where you need to explain something that happened EARLIER — that's your past perfect. (3) Use 'by the time', 'already', 'just', or 'never' as natural triggers. (4) Don't overuse past perfect — only for genuinely earlier background, not for every past action. (5) In speech, contract 'had' to 'd for natural rhythm.
Use these phrases
Talk about
- • Tell your partner about a time you arrived somewhere and something had already happened without you.
- • Think of a film or book where you only found out later what had really happened earlier. What was it?
- • Finish this sentence about your own life: 'By the time I realised what was happening, ...'
Model answer
I got to the airport an hour early, feeling very pleased with myself — until I realised I'd left my passport at home. By the time I'd rushed back and got a taxi back to the airport, the check-in desk had already closed. Luckily, the airline had opened a new flight that afternoon because of a cancellation, so I hadn't actually missed my trip — just a lot of dignity. It turned out my friend, who I'd told about the whole disaster, had already booked herself onto the same later flight, just in case.
Pair / class extension: Role-play 'Piecing together what happened before you arrived' — one partner arrives late to an event (a party, a meeting, a family gathering) and asks the other what had already happened. Use at least 4 past perfect questions/answers and 3 lesson phrases.
Giving opinions
Share what you think clearly and naturally.
- On the whole, I think…“On the whole, I think remote work suits me better.”
- In my view, …“In my view, schools should teach financial literacy.”
- If you ask me, …“If you ask me, it's not worth the money.”
- To be honest, …“To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the film.”
- I'd say (that)…“I'd say that's the best one.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Agreeing & disagreeing
Respond to opinions without sounding aggressive or weak.
- Absolutely / Definitely.“Absolutely — that's exactly what I meant.”
- I see your point, but…“I see your point, but I'd look at it differently.”
- I'm not so sure about that.“I'm not so sure about that — it depends on the price.”
- Yes and no.“Yes and no — partly true, but it's more complicated.”
- I'd have to disagree.“I'd have to disagree there — I had a great experience.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Asking questions politely
Soften questions for strangers, customer service, formal contexts.
- Could you tell me…?“Could you tell me where platform 4 is?”
- Do you know…?“Do you know what time it closes?”
- Would you mind + -ing?“Would you mind repeating that?”
- I was wondering if…“I was wondering if you had a moment.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Clarifying & checking
Make sure you've understood — without saying 'What?'.
- Sorry, do you mean…?“Sorry, do you mean Monday next week or this week?”
- Just to check, …“Just to check, that's £40 each, right?”
- So what you're saying is…“So what you're saying is we should leave earlier.”
- Could you say that again?“Could you say that again — I missed the last part.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Reactions & follow-ups
Keep conversations alive instead of letting them die.
- Oh really? / No way!“A: I quit my job. — B: No way! When?”
- Have you? / Did you? / Are you?“A: I've moved to Lisbon. — B: Have you?! How is it?”
- How come?“How come you decided to do that?”
- What's that like?“What's that like — working remotely full-time?”
- How about you?“I love thrillers. How about you?”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Suggesting & negotiating
Make plans, propose solutions, find middle ground.
- Why don't we…?“Why don't we meet halfway?”
- How about + -ing?“How about going to the Thai place?”
- Shall we…?“Shall we say 7pm then?”
- Would it work if…?“Would it work if we pushed it to Friday?”
- I'm easy / I don't mind.“I'm easy — whatever suits you.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Storytelling & anecdotes
Hold attention when you tell a story or share news.
- You'll never guess what happened.“You'll never guess what happened on the way here.”
- So basically, …“So basically, we missed the train by 30 seconds.”
- All of a sudden, …“All of a sudden, the lights went out.”
- Long story short, …“Long story short, we ended up driving instead.”
- Anyway, …“Anyway, that's how I met your dad.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Hedging & diplomacy
Soften strong opinions, disagree politely, sound less abrupt.
- It might be worth + -ing“It might be worth checking the schedule first.”
- I'd probably…“I'd probably go for the smaller one.”
- I'm not entirely sure, but…“I'm not entirely sure, but I think it closes at 6.”
- That's a fair point, although…“That's a fair point, although there's another side to it.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.