In part two of the FCE exam, the student is asked to compare two photographs in about a minute. The picture is given by the examiner. One student compares and the other student listens and gets asked a related question at the end.

Compare these two photos and say whether both of these activities are healthy or not:

Example answer:

In both photos we can see people doing an activity. Although the activities are quite different, they are both considered a sport. The first picture shows a woman running outside and the other picture shows a man playing chess inside.
There are health benefits to both of these activities. Running is a great way to get physically fitter and is a great way to get outside and breathe in the fresh air. On the other hand, playing chess is a mentally challenging exercise and helps keep a person mentally healthy.
Overall, I believe that both activities are important. A person should try to keep both their mind and body healthy. If a person focuses only on one aspect they might lose out on the other.

Compare these two photos and say whether both of these jobs have the same importance or not:

Example answer:

In these photos we can see two people doing their job. One of them is a garbage collector and one seems to work in the healthcare field. Both jobs are quite difficult I would say. One job involves collecting trash from the streets and one involves working in a hospital. Although I don’t have experience doing either job, I believe they both have to work long hours and people don’t necessarily appreciate these people.
In my opinion, both of these jobs are essential for society. In a way they are connected. If the garbage collector doesn’t dispose of the garbage we produce, everyone would probably get sick, and the healthcare worker might be even more overworked. Overall, what I am trying to say is that both jobs are important and we should be grateful to them for helping us everyday.

Compare these two photos and describe the benefits of having a big family and a small family:

Example Answer:

As we can see from the photos, both families seem very happy. The big difference between these two photos is that the family on the right has a lot of children, while the family on the left has none. There are advantages and disadvantages to both ways of life. On the one hand, the family with a lot of children have a lot to do, every day is an adventure and raising children and watching them grow up can be very rewarding, on the other hand the couple with no children has a lot more freedom, independence and probably a lot more money, as raising children is said to be quite expensive.
In the end, everybody needs to reflect about what is the best lifestyle for them. In life there are no right or wrong answers, just choices.

Compare these two methods of transportation and talk about the pros and cons of each:

Example answer:

In these pictures we can see two ways of reaching your destination. One is by air, and one is by train. I have read that taking a plane is a more pollutive way of getting somewhere. Apparently, planes need a lot of fuel and pollute the air a lot. On the other hand, they are a lot quicker and definitely a great way to arrive at a destination on time. Despite all of that, the train is a good option as well. Even though it takes longer, it is comfortable and spacious and most certainly cheaper than a plane ticket. Another advantage of the train is the views you can enjoy while riding one. Looking out the window is a relaxing way to spend your time and great for photos!
All things said and done, it really depends on your time and also on your destination. If you need quick and effective, then take a plane, if you’ve got time and want to relax, take a train!

Compare these two photos and say which one might be the better place to live:

Example answer:

In these photos we can see two beautiful places to live. One is a house in the countryside next to a lake and the other is a luxurious apartment in the city center. There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to each one. When it comes to making a decision on where you want to live, there are many things to take into consideration. For example, are there schools around, supermarkets, gyms, universities, jobs and so on? In that case the apartment seems like the obvious choice. On the other hand, there are many people who prefer the peace and quiet of living in the countryside. In my opinion, it depends on where you are in life. If you are looking for a busy life with a lot of career opportunities and good nightlife, then the best place is the apartment. If you are looking for a quiet place to raise a family, enjoy nature and breathe fresh air, then, of course, it might be time to look into buying a cabin in the woods.

There you have it! You can see 5 examples of a part two FCE question. Try to answer the best you can, and if you need to practice more part 2 questions check them out here!