If you are reading this it is because you will be preparing for the DELE C1. Since you are faced with speaking a language that you are learning with all that this entails, having to think quickly and correctly, you must know beforehand what to do in each task to avoid being too nervous.

This is why, in this post, I am going to explain to you task number 3 of the DELE C1 oral test:

Task number 3 consists of carrying out a conversation with the interviewer in which you will be given a problem, some requirements to consider and 4 solutions to solve that problem. To successfully carry out this task 3 of the DELE C1 oral exam, you will have to discuss with the examiner which of the options proposed is the most appropriate.

Remember that it is important to take into account the conditions stated in the instructions and that you must carry out a dialogue with the other person. It's not a monologue.

Some important tips to keep in mind include the following:

  1. Take the lead in the conversation, but without making it a monologue. You should ask the interviewer and find out if they agree with what you say or not. Show initiative to start talking about a topic and show interest in knowing what your interviewer thinks.
  2. The one who should guide the conversation from one option to another is you, not the interviewer every time.
  3. It doesn't matter if you're not interested in the topic you've been given. If you don't have a strong opinion about it, get into the role they give you in the instructions and imagine what that person would think. Start by saying an opinion about one of the options, even if it's a neutral opinion, and you'll see how the conversation flows.
  4. In line with the above, if you start by holding an opinion and then you want to change it, that's fine, as long as you do it logically.
  5. You must pick up on what the examiner tells you, since this way it shows that you are understanding it and are able to integrate what they say to you.

This last point is important, because that way it is assumed that you understand what they say and not that you have a conversation learned by heart. Some valid structures to use in this part are the following:

  • “Al hilo de lo que usted ha dicho, tengo que añadir que …” (In line with what you said, I have to add that...)
  • “En ese sentido, quiero intervenir diciendo …” (In that sense, I want to come in by saying...)

After using any of these phrases, you should follow the conversation along the same lines as what your interviewer was saying to you.

Another way to do this is to use reported speech (estilo indirecto), for this you must repeat what the examiner just told you after using one of the following structures:

  • “Usted ha mencionado que …” (You mentioned that...)
  • “Tal y como usted ha dicho, …” (Just as you said...)
  • “Como usted decía, …” (As you were saying...)

After using any of these structures and repeating what the examiner told you before, you must add something else, for example, your opinion for or against. Also, remember that the use of connectors and idioms is very useful to ensure a better grade.