APTIS Advanced: Model Answer to Sample Speaking Question #1

(4 parts – 10 minutes)

Part 1: In this part of the test, you are going to compare two pictures and I will
ask you two questions about it. You will have 45 seconds for each response.
1.2.        Tell me what you see in the photographs.

 
In the photographs, I can see two types of homes. The one on the left is an apartment
complex. It is a high-rise building and there are many floors. It doesn’t look so modern,
but it isn’t old either. I think it might be in a city because it can accommodate many
families. I am also inclined to believe that it’s in a warm place because each unit has a
balcony. In contrast, the home on the left is a single-family dwelling. It looks like it’s in
the suburbs because those types of homes aren’t really common in urban centres. There
are two stories and a garage.
 
1.3.        Which of these homes is more common in your town/city? Why?
It’s hard to say. I live in a fairly big city, so you definitely see a lot more apartment
buildings in the city centre. It takes less space to accommodate more people. It’s also
easier for people that live there because it is less outdoor work in the winter when they
have to clear snow or in the spring when they have to mow the lawn. However, I live in a
small bungalow near the city limits. My area is pretty residential and there are a few
pockets like this in the city where the population density is lower.
1.4.        Which place would you rather live in? Why?
Growing up in a house all my life, I’d probably choose the house. I think it gives you
enough space to live with people without constantly being in each other’s ways. Flats can
get too cramped and I imagine you don’t have much personal space or privacy. While
buying a large house is a goal, I understand that it might not be financially possible in my
future.
Part 2: In this part of the test, you will answer abstract questions about a
particular topic. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking.
Then, you will speak for 2 minutes.
How important to you is health and fitness?
In what ways can people stay healthy?
What do you think governments can do to promote healthy lifestyles in your country?
I was just thinking about this question the other day as I scrolled through Instagram. As a
kid, I used to always eat junk food. I took my fast metabolism for granted and didn’t
bother to do any sport or exercise. While I never prioritized healthy living when I was
younger, I think it is incredibly important nowadays. Without our health, we are nothing.
That being said, it was hard for me to understand how people can stay healthy. I started
following many fitness inspiration pages and influencers on social media to truly
understand how I could adopt a better lifestyle and soon enough I learned that it was
more than just eating fewer calories and going to the gym. I learned that people need to
pay attention to eating clean, nutrient-dense foods, and that even walking could count as
exercise. It’s that fact that I wish governments promoted more. I always would associate
a healthy lifestyle with being skinny, and that’s not the case. If the government educated
us more on plant-based lifestyles, or small changes that we can make in our daily lives, I
think everyone would be healthier.

Part 3: In this part of the test, you are going to give a presentation. You can
see the topic and some points for and against both sides. You will choose two
points from each list and give a balanced argument. You will have 60 seconds
to prepare before you start speaking and then you will have 1.5 minutes to
speak. After you finish speaking, you will be asked an additional question about
the topic.
Topic: Citizens should be allowed to carry personal guns.
FOR
·       Guns can help people protect themselves
·       They prevent people from becoming victims of crimes like burglary
·       Necessary for hunting or target sports
AGAINST
·       Guns are weapons that are used to commit a crime
·       Fewer guns will reduce the homicide rate
·       Handheld and/or military guns are not useful for activities like hunting 
There is a hotly-debated topic about whether or not people should be allowed to carry
personal guns. While I strongly believe that this should not be the case under any
circumstance, I will present both arguments.
In a time of uncertainty and danger, it is important to feel safe. Guns can help people feel
secure if they are walking alone at night or living in a bad neighbourhood. If someone
attempts to break in to my home or car, this crime could be circumvented with the
presentation of a firearm as a deterrent.
On the other hand, guns are killing machines. Even if it is unintended side effect of
protection or sport, they can be the reason for a crime in itself. By reducing guns, the
homicide rate will go down as well. This is because guns are very easy to use to kill
someone versus other methods. Notwithstanding guns used for hunting large animals,
there is no excuse that a person who is not trained should have access to a hand gun or
military rifle. They would make the animal inedible.
All in all, I think guns should be banned.
Part 4:  Answer the question. You have 45 seconds to speak.
There is fewer crime today than there was in the past.
What is your response to this statement?
In general, I don’t think that there is fewer crime today than in the past, but the crime is
definitely different. While there may be less instances of armed robbery or burglary due to
home surveillance systems and safer neighbourhoods, I think that there is more identity
theft and cyber-crime. Nowadays, stealing someone’s credit card number or passport is
more valuable than just the cash in their wallet and I predict this will increase in the
future.