What's the difference between "speak" and "say"?

[Toan Trieu]

Test No. incompl/elem-1 "Speaking already", question 1

Can you hear what he is .........?

(a) saying
(b) speaking
(c) telling
(d) talking

Test No. incompl/elem-1 "Speaking already", answer 1

Can you hear what he is saying?

Correct answer: (a) saying

Your answer was: incorrect
Can you hear what he is speaking?
_________________________

would you explain me why "saying" is wrong?

[Torsten]

Hi Toan Trieu,

In the sentence you are referring to the verb saying is the correct choice because we can use it without an object while the verb speaking usually requires an object:

The manager is speaking to the job applicant.
She speaks several languages.

Let us know if this makes sense to you.
Have a good Sunday
Torsten

TOEIC listening, question-response: How soon can you finish taking inventory?