Why Your C1 Speaking Score is Stuck (and the Simple Way to Fix It!)

We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in the exam room, your heart is racing just a little bit, and the examiner hands you those two photos. Your brain naturally wants to take the easiest path: describing what you see.

"In the first photo, I can see a man in an office. He is wearing a blue shirt and looking at his laptop..."

It feels safe, right? But here is a little secret from someone who has seen many students hit the "C1 Plateau": The examiner already knows what’s in the photo. What they really want to hear is your brilliant mind at work.

To get that Grade A, we need to move away from "The Description Trap" and start doing something much more exciting: Speculating.

What is Speculating (And Why Is It Your Best Friend?)

Speculating is just a fancy word for "making a smart guess." At the C1 level, the examiners aren't testing your eyesight; they are testing your ability to handle abstract ideas.

Instead of telling them what is happening, tell them the story behind it. Talk about the feelings, the "what ifs," and the hidden motivations. It shows you have the nuance and the vocabulary to look beyond the surface.

Your Speculation "Toolbox"

Here are some beautiful, natural structures you can start using today to sound more like a C1 speaker:

1. The "I’m Pretty Sure" Tools (High Certainty)

• Must + infinitive: "They must be feeling such a sense of relief now that the exam is finally over!"

• Can’t be + -ing: "He can’t be enjoying the commute much, judging by the look on his face."

  
  

2. The "Maybe" Tools (Possibility)

• Might/Could well: "This experience could well have a lasting impact on how they see the world."

• It strikes me that... "It strikes me that she’s more concerned about her friend’s reaction than the actual result."

  
  

3. The "I'm Just Guessing" Tools (Low Certainty)

• One can only assume... "One can only assume they’ve been waiting a long time, given how exhausted they look."

• It looks as though... "It looks as though they are caught in the middle of a very deep conversation."

Let’s Level Up Your Language

See the difference between a "safe" B2 answer and a "sophisticated" C1 answer? Both are correct, but the second one is where the high marks live!

If you see...	Instead of saying (B2)...	Try saying (C1)...
A smiling woman	"She is happy."	"She appears to be sharing a moment of genuine connection with someone."
A busy street	"There are many people."	"The sheer volume of people suggests a fast-paced urban lifestyle."
Someone studying	"He is reading a book."	"He seems to be cramming for a deadline, perhaps feeling the pressure."