Module 7: SPEAKING. Tips

C1 & C2 Speaking EOI Exam: LEVEL C1 🌟

1. EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

PART 1: MONOLOGUE (Long Turn)

• Time: 3-4 minutes speaking time. (Preparation: 10-15 mins).

• Task: Discuss the statement below. Structure your ideas logically (Intro, Arguments, Conclusion).

• Topic: The Parasocial Relationship & The Death of Privacy

  • "In the age of social media, the boundary between the celebrity and the fan has vanished, creating toxic 'parasocial relationships' and a total erosion of privacy."

  • The Commodification of Self: How celebrities must sell their private lives to stay relevant.

  • The "Fanatic" Culture: The psychological impact of fans feeling they "own" a celebrity.

  • Public Scrutiny: The mental health toll of being under a permanent microscope.

  • Accountability: Does fame excuse moral failings, or should celebrities be held to a higher standard?

    
    

PART 2: DIALOGUE (Interaction)

• Time: 5-6 minutes.

• Goal: Reach a consensus / Negotiation.

• Scenario: You are a Crisis Management PR team. A very famous celebrity has been "caught" in a major scandal (e.g., an offensive leaked video). You have €1 Million for a reputation-repair campaign.

  • Candidate A: The "Total Honesty" Advocate. You want to fund a prime-time documentary and "tell-all" interview where the celebrity shows vulnerability and apologizes. Argument: Radical transparency is the only way to regain public trust and humanize the brand.

  • Candidate B: The "Action-Oriented" Advocate. You want to donate the entire budget to a relevant charity and have the celebrity disappear from the limelight for a year. Argument: Words are cheap; only tangible financial penance and silence can prove genuine change.

    
    

2. TIPS FOR C1 SUCCESS

• Vocabulary: Parasocial, commodification, limelight, scrutiny, to dehumanize, tabloid, PR stunt, to be held accountable, invasive.

• Grammar: Use Conditional III ("If they had handled the scandal better...") and Inversion ("Not only is their privacy invaded, but also...").

  
  

3. MODEL RESPONSES

C1 EXTENDED MONOLOGUE: The Parasocial Trap "Good afternoon. Today, I’d like to explore the increasingly blurred lines of celebrity culture. We have moved from admiring talent from afar to a state of constant, invasive connection, often referred to as a parasocial relationship. To begin with, we must address the commodification of the self. Unlike old Hollywood stars, modern celebrities are expected to provide 24/7 access to their personal lives via social media. If they don't share their breakfast or their heartbreaks, they risk becoming irrelevant. This creates a dangerous illusion of intimacy; fans feel they 'know' the celebrity, leading to a sense of entitlement. Furthermore, this leads to an unprecedented level of public scrutiny. Every mistake is magnified, and every word is dissected by millions. This permanent microscope has a devastating impact on mental health. If we had realized the psychological cost of this 'always-on' culture years ago, we might have established better boundaries. In conclusion, while fame brings wealth, it also demands the sacrifice of the most basic human right: privacy. We need to stop viewing celebrities as products and remember that they are fallible human beings."

LEVEL C2 🌟

1. EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

PART 1: MONOLOGUE (Long Turn)

• Time: 4-5 minutes speaking time.

• Task: Deliver a monologue analyzing the nuance and complexity of the topic.

• Topic: The Cult of Notoriety and the Erosion of Meritocracy

  • Analyze the shift from "Fame as a Result of Achievement" to "Fame as an End in Itself."

  • The Democratization of Notoriety: Does everyone being "famous for 15 minutes" cheapen real achievement?

  • The "Outrage Economy": How the pursuit of fame through controversy fuels societal division.

  • The Fiduciary Duty of Influence: The ethical responsibility of influencers in shaping political and social discourse.

  • The Ephemeral Nature of Fame: Analyzing the psychological fallout of "post-fame" life.

    
    

PART 2: DIALOGUE (Interaction)

• Time: 6-7 minutes.

• Goal: Debate a controversial policy.

• Scenario: An international commission is debating a "Digital Privacy Law" specifically for celebrities and public figures.

  • Candidate A: The Protectionist. You argue for the "Right to Disconnect," legally banning paparazzi and news outlets from publishing any non-professional photos or private social media leaks. Stance: Fame is a job, not a total forfeiture of human rights.

  • Candidate B: The Transparency Advocate. You argue that public figures have a "social contract" and that total transparency is necessary for public accountability. Stance: You cannot benefit from public attention while selectively hiding the "unpleasant" parts of your life.

    
    

2. TIPS FOR C2 SUCCESS

• Vocabulary: Ephemeral, fiduciary duty, notoriety, meritocracy, to be beholden to, societal contract, moral turpitude, to oscillate, byproduct.

• Style: Use Rhetorical Questions ("Is notoriety not the new global currency?") and Nominalization ("The commodification of privacy is...").

  
  

3. MODEL RESPONSES

C2 EXTENDED MONOLOGUE: The Cult of Notoriety "The contemporary obsession with fame has undergone a radical transformation, shifting from a byproduct of excellence to a self-serving end. I would contend that the rise of the 'cult of notoriety' has led to a significant erosion of meritocracy, where the capacity to generate 'clicks' is valued above actual achievement. Firstly, we must analyze the outrage economy. In a saturated digital landscape, fame is often achieved not through talent, but through the deliberate provocation of controversy. This incentivizes a form of moral turpitude, where individuals are rewarded for toxic behavior because it drives engagement. It is a cynical cycle that prioritizes visibility over virtue. Secondly, there is the issue of the fiduciary duty of influence. Large-scale influencers now hold more sway over public opinion than traditional journalists. However, unlike journalists, they are not beholden to any ethical code. This creates an epistemic crisis where followers cannot distinguish between a paid endorsement and a genuine belief. In conclusion, we have entered an era where fame is both democratized and devalued. Unless we impose a more rigorous critical framework on how we consume celebrity culture, we risk a future where substance is entirely sacrificed at the altar of visibility."

C2 EXTENDED DIALOGUE: Privacy vs. Accountability Candidate A (Protectionist): "We need to address the structural violence inherent in the paparazzi industry. Being a public figure should not constitute a wholesale forfeiture of the right to privacy. I advocate for a strict 'Right to Disconnect' law; the state must protect individuals from the predatory nature of modern tabloids. It is a matter of basic human dignity." Candidate B (Transparency): "I find the term 'predatory' a bit hyperbolic in this context. These individuals enter into a societal contract the moment they seek public adulation and profit from their image. One might argue that the public has a right to see the 'unvarnished' truth to ensure accountability. Selective privacy is often just a tool for PR manipulation." Candidate A: "But where do we draw the line? Is the mental health of a celebrity a fair price for 'transparency'? If we don't establish legal boundaries, we are essentially saying that wealth justifies the destruction of a person's private life. Is that not a form of class-based exploitation?" Candidate B: "That is an astute point, yet I would propose a compromise. Instead of a total ban, we implement a 'Transparency Tier'. Professional activities are open to scrutiny, but private settings—homes, schools, hospitals—become legally 'dark zones.' This protects the individual without allowing them to hide behind a manufactured PR curtain."