Common mistakes and recommendations to improve

Part A. Group Discussion

Do you think junk food should be banned at school canteen? To what extent do you
agree or disagree

1. Express your strong opinion and provide some arguments

u Many candidates did not express their opinion to the question, which only
mentioned the pros and cons that having junk foods at school
u Most candidates can only point out one or two arguments to support their opinion.
For example, junk food is not healthy; junk food is tasty

Suggestion:
Ø Candidates should give the answer with a strong opinion first
E.g. From my point of view, junk food should be banned at the school canteen
absolutely
Ø Followed by providing some arguments with a topic sentence
E.g. First, junk food is not good for students’ health/ Second, providing junk food
hinder students to develop a healthy diet

2. Explain ideas by some structures

u Most candidates can only speak 10-20 seconds each time
u Most candidates cannot develop the idea well

Suggestion:
Ø Structure the answers like an argumentative essay
Step Example
1. Reply a team member I agree with you/ That’s great idea/ I’m worry that I
couldn’t agree with you
+ +
Paraphrase his/her idea You mentioned that junk food is not good for our
health

2. Give your idea It’s true/ Absolutely/ It do damage our body

3. Explanation & Examples Junk food will lead to obesity. Usually, it has a high
level of salt, fat, calories, and sugar and offers limited
 nutritional value. Moreover, it may increase the risk
of acquiring heart and liver disease.
4. Conclude your idea Considering students’ health, junk food should be
banned at school canteen
5. Invite your team What do you think? / May I hear your ideas? / Any
members ideas?

3. Speak fluently
u Candidates always hesitate between words
E.g. Ah.. junk food…ah…is not good…ah…for students’ health

Suggestion
Ø Hesitate between sentences instead of between words
E.g. Junk food is not good for our health…well…It is true that…junk food will lead to
obesity
Ø Use conjunctions
E.g. To begin with/ In fact/ Indeed/ Without doubt/ What’s more/ Furthermore/
Therefore/ Thus

4. Speak louder & speak with confidence

u Some candidates are only with very poor voice projection