Trinity GESE Grade 5 Topic Form: worked examples

The rules for your topic

• The topic is your own choice. It must not be taken from the six conversation subjects.
• You write five discussion points, one short phrase each.
• The examiner picks points in no particular order. At least four are covered.
• You must ask the examiner at least one question about the topic.
• A script or memorised speech is penalised. You may bring pictures or objects.
• No topic means an automatic fail.

Source: Trinity specifications ; Trinity also publishes a sample completed Topic Form in its Grade 5 results and preparation pages .

Build your own Topic Form

Type your topic and your five discussion points, or fill the example to see how it works. Trinity's specifications say a Grade 5 candidate completes the form with five points, one short sentence or phrase each, and that the form can be Trinity's or one you make yourself. Press the button to print it or save it as a PDF. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Points should be about different parts of the topic. Trinity says they must not be general points such as "Introduction". Your own question for the examiner is not written on the form, but you must ask at least one about the topic (Trinity specifications).

Example 1: Learning to cook my mother's recipes

Topic: Learning to cook my mother's recipes

• Why I wanted to learn
• The first dish I made
• What went wrong
• How my family reacted
• What I want to cook next

Why it works: each point is a different question the examiner can ask. You can use the past ("I made"), the present perfect ("I've learned") and the future ("I will cook").

Example 2: My first year at a new job

Topic: My first year at a new job

• How I found the job
• My first day
• The people I work with
• The hardest thing
• My plans for next year

Why it works: you can give reasons with "because", say how long you have worked there with "for" and "since", and ask the examiner a real question, such as "Have you ever changed jobs?"

Example 3: Cycling in my town

Topic: Cycling in my town

• Why I started cycling
• Where I like to ride
• Cycling or taking the bus
• A funny thing that happened
• Cycling in winter

Why it works: the third point lets you say what you prefer ("I'd rather cycle"). Check this topic is not too close to "means of transport", which is a conversation subject. If it is too close, choose a different topic.

What to avoid

• Topics from the conversation list. Festivals, transport, special occasions, entertainment, music and recent experiences are for the second phase.
• Long sentences on the form. Use short phrases only.
• A script. If you learn a speech word for word, the examiner can tell, and Trinity penalises it.
• Five points about one tiny fact. Pick points that lead to different answers.
• A topic with only facts. Add your own feelings and reasons.

How to practise your topic

Say each point for 30 to 60 seconds. Then ask a friend, or an AI examiner, to choose points in a random order and ask "Why?" and "What happened next?" Prepare your question for the examiner. You can practise this phase with an AI examiner on this site.