SPAN 1001

Topics for the Oral Exam

 
 

Choose two of the following topics.  The day of the Oral Exam you and your partner will present one of these conversations.  The topic will be chosen at random.  You will talk for about 8 minutes.  Please bring the scripts of your conversations to prove that you are prepared with both of them.

 
 
  1. Fiesta informal y grande vs. Fiesta formal y pequeña

Two roommates are planning a birthday party but they still have to decide on the details.  It seems that they are having a hard time agreeing on the size and type of the celebration; for instance the food and drinks they will offer, the dressing code (describe the clothing items), the guests: family, friends, classmates, coworkers, professors, etc., the most appropriate day and time, the type of music, the place, etc.  Finally, they agree and explain to each other about their choices.

 
 
  1. Vacaciones en un lugar turístico donde hace: Frío vs. Calor

You and your better half are going to take a break away from town but the two of you have different preferences.  One of you wants to go to a sunny and warm place and the other wishes to enjoy the snow and cold weather.  Both try to convince each other.  So, you main job is to impress your partner with all the details about the fun you are about to experience. You talk about the weather, the clothing you will wear, the food you will eat, the drinks you will have, the places you will stay and go, the activities that you will do, the prices, the means of transportation, your budget, etc.

 
 
  1. Mi universidad vs. Tu universidad

One day, after several years of not talking to your best High School buddy, you run into him/her and brag about the university you are attending.  Of course, you want to impress him/her with the facilities, buildings, the size of the campus, the amount of students, the programs they offer, classes you take, the schedule you have, professors & classmates profile: attitude, personality, cultural activities, sport teams, etc.

 
 
  1. En un restaurante: cliente/a & mesero/a

You play the role of a waiter/waitress and a customer.  You are very hungry and thirsty.  It is a hot afternoon but you do not know what to order.  The waiter/waitress offers you some appetizers and drinks.  Later, you ask for some items that are not listed on the menu but the waiter is not familiar with these very common American dishes because he/she is from another country, so you describe the ingredients.  Eventually, you accept some of the dishes he/she proposes.  He/she offers you some deserts and you ask him/her to describe them.  Finally, you are ready to pay and ask for the check.  You pay, tip and ask him/her for a date because of his/her beauty and personality.

 
 
  1. New neighbors: sharing family photo albums

You just moved into a new neighborhood and you meet one of your next door neighbors.  He/She invites you over.  Once you are together, both of you want to take advantage of this opportunity to talk about the members of your family so you decide to show him/her some family photos.  You mention their names, their relation with you, their ages, whatever they do (study, work, etc.), what they like or dislike, the things they do for fun.  You also describe their personal and physical traits, their daily routines or what they do during the weekdays or weekends or any other specific time. You can add any information you think is relevant for this first meeting.