How to expand your answer in Speaking Part 1

Feelings and Opinions

What do you like to do in your spare time?

• Short answer: I like shopping.

• Longer answer: I like shopping because I love trying on new clothes and I always feel more
confident when I’m wearing a new outfit.

Contrasting details

Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?

• Short answer: I prefer living in a house.

• Longer answer: I prefer living in a house with my family. However, when I get married, I think I
will move to a modern flat to enjoy its smart facility.

Combining details

What do you often do on weekends?

• Short answer: I often clean my house.

• Longer answer: At the weekend, I often clean my house and cook for my family. In addition, I
also spend time talking with my parents about work and life.

Past comparison

What do you want to be in the future?

• Short answer: I want to become a teacher.

• Longer answer: I used to wish to become a businesswoman when I was young, but I now fall in
love with kids and decide to become a teacher.

Adding reasons

Which one do you prefer: go out for dinner or cook at home?

• Short answer: I prefer cooking at home.

• Longer answer: I prefer cooking at home because my mother is a good chief and she often
teaches me how to cook delicious meals.
Future

What do you do?

• Short answer: I work as a teacher.

• Longer answer: currently, I’m working as a teacher at the primary school but two months later,
I will move to the international school to teach Chinese students.

Contrast opposing ideas

Do you play football?

• Short answer: Yes, I really love playing football.

• Longer answer: Yes, I really love playing football, however, my mother often prevents me from
playing that game for the silly reason “I’m a girl.”

Giving examples

Do you and sister have the same interest?

• Short answer: No, we’re totally different.

• Longer answer: No, we’re totally different. For instance, my sister is fond of playing with doll
while I’m in love with Japanese comics.

Frequency

What do you do in the summer?

• Short answer: I often go to the beach.

• Longer answer: In the summer, normally I go to the beach with my family. My mother and I often
enjoy sunbathing while my father tries some sports games like waterskiing and snorkeling.