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Interactive phase Integrated Skills in English ISE II

The Interactive phase provides the opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their ability
to initiate and take control over the interaction. In addition to general functions such as
requesting information, the language functions listed for ISE II should arise naturally from
each task prompt. In this phase, the emphasis is placed upon the candidate's ability to use
functional language rather than upon the accurate use of the grammatical structures listed
for the grade.

It is important that, once the examiner has set up the situation, the candidate takes
responsibility for the interaction. The interaction will take the form of multiple turns, with
the examiners turns being much shorter than those of the candidate.

In some cases this may involve a role-play but the examiner and candidate are free to be
themselves so as to create as authentic an exchange as possible.

This phase should last no more than four minutes. In this phase, the responsibility for
maintaining the interaction is the candidates. If a candidate fails to initiate or to
maintain the interaction of this phase, the examiner will not intervene and take control.

Candidates should be able to understand the language functions of the grade to take a full
part in the exchange.

Those responsible for preparing candidates should help them practise:
question formations using the grammatical structures of the preceding grades
expressing the functions of the grade in a variety of different ways
holding conversations which naturally result in the use of language functions of the
grade
strategies to maintain the flow of conversation
taking the initiative and controlling the direction of the conversation.


Below are some SAMPLE Interactive Prompts for ISE II. Please note these are
samples and will NOT be used in an actual examination.
ISE II Sample Interactive prompts
The examiner will introduce this phase by saying:
For the next part, I'll tell you something. Then, you have to ask me questions to find out
more information. You need to keep the conversation going. After about four minutes, I'll
end the conversation. Are you ready?
1. One of my colleagues at work told me she saw our boss stealing something from the
office. I dont know what to do.
(Possible functions: reporting the conversation of others, persuading and
discouraging, speculating, expressing feelings and emotions)

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2. My partner is going to be 50 next month and his/her workmates have said that
theyre going to organise a big surprise party. My partner would hate that and now I
dont know what to do.
(Possible functions: expressing feelings and emotions, reporting the conversation of
others, speculating, persuading and discouraging)

3. My friend told me he saw a robbery in the street where he lives last night. He didnt
do anything about it and now he feels guilty.
(Possible functions: expressing feelings and emotions, reporting the conversation of
others, speculating)

4. Before my neighbours moved away last week they gave me a box of books which they
said they didnt want. I was amazed when I looked in the box.
(Possible functions: speculating, reporting the conversation of others,
persuading/discouraging)

5. One of my friends told me that she overheard a very strange conversation on the bus
the other day.
(Possible functions: reporting the conversation of others, expressing feelings and
emotions)

6. My friend wants to enter a competition, but says she needs my help. Even though
there's a major prize to be won, I'm not sure about getting involved.
(Possible functions: expressing feelings, reporting the conversation of others,
speculating, persuading/discouraging)

7. I've seen a flat advertised in the newspaper and have been thinking of moving to a
new area.
(Possible functions: expressing feelings, speculating, persuading/discouraging)

8. I have to fly a lot in my job and recently I've been getting more and more worried
about it.
(Possible functions: speculating, expressing feelings and emotions,
persuading/discouraging)

9. My family and I have a big decision to make and, in spite of talking for hours, we can't
come to a decision.
(Possible functions: reporting the conversation of others, expressing feelings and
emotions, persuading and discouraging, speculating)

10. I organised a meeting last week in the village where I live to discuss the possible plans
to extend the nearby airport.
(Possible functions: reporting the conversation of others, expressing feelings and
emotions, speculating, persuading/discouraging)

11. When I came back from holiday, my neighbour told me about some strange things
that had happened in the street while I was away.
(Possible functions: reporting the conversation of others, expressing feelings and
emotions, speculating)

12. My friend went to New York for a holiday last year and he said he loved it. He wants
me to go with him this year but I'm not sure if I want to go there.
(Possible functions: reporting the conversation of others, expressing feelings and
emotions, speculating, persuading and discouraging)

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13. One of my old school-friends has been organising a party to meet up with all the
people who were in our class at school. I'm not sure if I want to go.
(Possible functions: expressing feelings and emotions, speculating, persuading and
discouraging)

14. I moved to live in a new area a few months ago and I'm beginning to wonder if I really
fit in with the neighbours.
(Possible functions: expressing feelings and emotions, speculating)

15. I nearly had a serious accident yesterday but I really don't think it was my fault.
(Possible functions: expressing feelings and emotions, speculating)


Disclaimer: The above materials have been provided to assist teachers with the
preparation of learners for the Trinity Integrated Skills in English examinations. Please
make sure you consult the syllabus fully for all requirements of the examinations. Trinity
will not accept appeals which cite the use of examination materials in support of the
appeal.