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l\ Focus: Answering extended description and opinion

questions

ln the test
e- Sample test pp20-23
<- Unit 3 p54
Speaking Test Questions 4-5
. ln Questions 4-6, you will be asked to imagine that you are taking part in a market
research telephone interview.
. You will be asked to respond to three related questions without preparation.
. The questions will be about familiar topics that relate to your personal experience:
entertainment, purchases, dining out, family and friends, health. housing, news, shopping,
or travel.
. You will be scored on using relevant vocabulary and structures and answering the question
appropriately.
. ln Unit 3, we focused on Questions 4-5.
. ln this unit, we will look at how to answer Question 6, which asks you to give a longer
response of 30 seconds.
o ln this unit, we will learn some phrases for describing objects, people, and experiences,
and for giving explanations and opinions. We will also look at how to introduce opposing
arguments, and how to make your answer cohesive using linking devices.

1 Language building: Phrases for describing and giving opinions

A d) Read and listen to the model phrases a-c used to introduce Describe your
favorite X questions.
Quickly choose
a focusfor
Describe your favorite (sport)
thsrribe..,
questions a. W,ell, th*re are a lat of (sports) I like, but if I had fo choose ane, it woald
::' have to be (football).
questions that ask
r- lo Describe your b. I would have to say that my favorite (sport) is (ice h:ackey). :

z,orite X or Describe c; .f fiJ66 a lat of (sports), but I think my favarite is {tennis),

a" X, you should
:- ckly choose one
i- rg that you can Use the model phrases in A to answer questions 1-3. Write your answers in 1.

*liy speak about, Take turns answering questions 2 and 3,

:-en start to make 1. Describe your favorite restaurant.
€Jr introductory
:;iement. a. Well, there are a lot of (restaurants) I like, but if I ...
b.

c.

2. Describe your favorite movie actor.

3. Describe your favorite way to travel.

Unit 9 I Speaking Test Question 5 99

 ft Read and listen to the model phrases a and b used to introduce Describe
a(n) X questions.
Become familiar
with phrases to
introduce your
opinions
For questions that ask
you to give your I can think of is (Kensingtofl
opinion on an issue or
ask you to suggest
ideas, you should
quickly decide on an D Use the models in C to answer questions 1-3. Write your answer in 1 . For
opinion or idea you questions 2 and 3, make your answers in pairs.
can easily speak '1. Describe a place that people in your community like to visit on weekends.
about, and then use
an appropriate phrase a. Well, there are quite a few places that people like to visit, but ...
to make your
introductory
statement.
b.

2. Describe a special gift you have received.

3. Describe a summer activity that is popular in your community.

{^l the opinion phrases in the table to answer questions 1-6. Begin your
Use
sentence with /n my opinion ... , I think ... , I believe... . First listen to an
example. Which question does it answer?

1. What type of entertainment facility would you like to see opened in your
community? Why?
2. How important is it to buy brand-name goods? Why?
3. Do you think it is a good idea for families to have pets?
Why?/Why not?
4. How important is it for children to take part in sports or regular physical
education in school? Why?
5. How do you think English education could be improved in your
community?
6. Where in your community would you take a visitor from another country?
whv?

100 Unit 9 | Speaking Test Question 5

 Use the linking words and phrases in the table to complete the example
Link your opinions answer below.
and supporting
points clearly Linking word/phrase Use
ln Question 6, you are the reason I say this is that ... To give supporting reasons for an opinion
expected to talk for one reason for this is ...
30 seconds. lt is
important to add another thing ... To add additional supporting sentences
supporting sentences also...
to your opinions and
use appropriate words
on the other hand, ... To introduce an opposing point
to link them together. however, ...
This will make your
overall, ... To signal your conclusion after you have
answer more
structured and easier
in spite of that, ... mentioned an opposing point
... though...
to follow.

Q: How important is it for people to have a watch? Why?

You may wish to
include some
lthinkitisveryimportanttohaveawatch.(1)-ifyoudon,t
opposing ideas knowthetimeyoumightoftenbelateforthings.(2)-lthink
Adding some points watcheslookverystylishandprofessional.(3)-isthatmost
that oppose your watches also tell you the date. (4) , some people use cell
opinion can show that
you have carefully phones as an alternative way to tell the time and date, but (5)
thought about the I think having a watch is very important for me.
opinion. lf you include
opposing points. you
should finish with a
dA Extend the opinion statements you made in E by following steps 1-4.
sentence that restates First listen to an example. Which question does it answer?
your opinion. 1. Choose one of the opinion statements 1-6 you made in E.
2. Think of some supporting reasons (and opposing points if appropriate).
3. Make a new answer by joining your opinion with the supporting (and
opposing) points, using the linking words and phrases.
4. End with a short conclusion, restating your opinion.

Unit 9 | Speaking Test Question 6 101

 2 Test tactic: Organizing different question types

A ft
Become familiar
with how to
organize different
question types
Responses for
different questions
require a different
organization. Learn
different types then
choose the appropriate
type to answer the
question.
Listen and read the example for organizing Describe ... questions.
Answer model
1. Begin with an introduction sentence
that says what you are describing and
includes words from the question.
2. Give a reason why you chose this
thing / place/person.
3. Describe the thing/place/person.
Use adjectives (e.9. helpful, relaxing,
expensive, beautiful, delicious) and
words to talk about appearance,
character, use, etc. to give as much
information as you can.
Example: Describe your favorite sport.
I would have to say that my favorite sport
is ice hockey.
The reason I say this rs because lthink it is
a really exciting sport. lt is also good
exercise, and is a lot of fun to play.
It is a team sport played on ice.
It is very fast.
You use a stick to shoot.

B With a partne4 answer questions 1-3 following the three steps in the answer
model in A. Look back at the language introduced in the Language building
section to help you make statements and link your sentences.
1. Describe a family member you have learned a lot from.
2. Describe your favorite way to spend a weekend.
3. Describe a food that is well known in your country.
C {} Listen and read the example for organizing Opinion questions.

Answer model Example: What animal do you think makes

. a good family Pet?

1. Begin with an introduction sentence ln my opinion, a turtle would make a

that gives your opinion and includes good family pet.
words from the question.
2. Think of two or three reasons to Some of the reasons are because turtles are
support your opinion. cheap and they are quiet. Also they are
very interesting.
3. lf you can think of any opposing Howevec they aren't very loving.
points you may add them.
4. lf you added an opposing point, add ln spite of this though, I think they make
a final conclusion sentence. a very good family pet.

D With a partnel answer questions 1-3 following the four steps in the answer
model in C. Look back at the language introduced in the Language building
to help you.
section
1. What do you think is a good way to keep fit? Why?
2. lf you could change one thing about your home, what would it be? Why?
3. How important is it for children to enjoy reading? Why?

102 Unit 9 | Speaking Test Question 6

 t aa Look at the list of common English hesitation devices below, then listen to
the recording and repeat them until they are familiar to you.
lf you need time
to think, use
English hesitation
devices
lf you aren't sure
what to say next, do
not leave very long
pauses or use words
Practice using similar hesitation devices with your partner by doing the task
or sounds from your
own language. Learn
below.
the words, phrases Student A: Read the task below.
and sounds used in
English to help you
Student B: Look at Activity File Unit 9 on page 225.
sound fluent and
Student A
natural.
Take turns asking each other questions 1-3. The person answering the question
must talk for as long as possible (maximum 30 seconds) without a silent pause
of more than two seconds. lf you need time to think, use hesitation devices.
Ask Student B these questions.
1. What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Describe it'
2. What was the first book you ever read? Describe it.
3. What would you buy if you had a thousand dollars? Explain why.

B Tactic practice
a Ask yourself what
kind of question it Use the Test tactics you have practiced to answer the following questions.
is (description or Follow the steps summarized in the Test technique. After each of the three
opinion) and points in the checklist, discuss your ideas with your partner.
decide on your
focus. 1. Describe a piece of furniture in your home that is important to you'
Z Follow an
2. How do you think sports facilities could be improved in your community?
appropriate 3. How important is it for people to have computer skills, and why?
organization 4. Describe your favorite place to go in the evening, and why you like it.
model for the
question.

Z Link your ideas

d.) Using natural English
ln natural spoken English, sounds are sometimes changed, combined, or dropped. Listen to a
together, and if
native speaker saying the following sentences and write in the words they say.
you need time to
think, use English Ten people around the table easily.
hesitation devices.
All aspects of life made easier.
Some clubs are expensive and only adults _=- there.
-
Check your answers in the Key on page 25.
Listen again and practice these sentences with the correct sound and rhythm.

Unit 9 | Speaking Test Question 6 103

 C Mini-test
Now apply the Test tactics to answer the following questions. Use the
recommended test time for Questions 4-5.

Questions rt-6: Respond

to questions

Questions 4-6: Respond to questions

Directions: ln this part of the test, you will answer three questions.
For each question, begin responding immediately after you hear a beep.
No preparation time is provided. You will have 15 seconds to respond to
Questions 4 and 5 and 30 seconds to respond to Question 6'

Question 4

lmagine that a US marketing firm is doing research in your country'

You have agreed to participate in a telephone interview about clothes shopping.

Where and when do you usually shop for clothes?

00:00:00

'104 Unit 9 | Speaking Test Question 5

Question 5

lmagine that a US marketing firm is doing research in your country'

You have agreed to participate in a telephone interview about clothes shopping'

How do you decide where you will shop for clothes?

00:00:00

Question 6

lmagine that a US marketing firm is doing research in your country'

You have agreed to participate in a telephone interview about clothes shopping.

How important is the way you dress at work and why?

00:00:00

Unit 9 | Speaking Test Question 6 105