Extent Your Answers

WAYS TO EXTENT YOUR ANSWERS
The strategies below are used to answer the question:
What kind of food do you like?
1. DIVIDE INTO 2 OR 3 PARTS:
Model answer:
Well, there are three kinds of food that I’m really keen on. The one I like best is Italian food
because I am a big fan of pasta. I also really like to eat Korean food as it it’s very healthy
and flavorsome. I’m also kind of partial to Mexican food because it is so hot and spicy.
 This strategies involves giving 2 or 3 reasons for your answer, as follows:

- Well there are several kinds of .... that I’m really keen on
- The one I like best is ... as it’s very..
- I’m also kind of partial to ... because...
2. GENERAL TO SPECIFIC
Model answer:
Well, I’d have to say that I’m a big fan of seafood. In particular, I really like to eat Japanese
seafood because it’s always so fresh. For instance, sashimi is delicious because the raw fish
is so flavorsome.
 This strategies involves giving a general reason for your answer, and then explaining it
more specifically, and even giving an example.
- General = seafood
- Specific = Japanese food
- Example = sashimi
3. DEPENDS: describing different situations
Model answer:
I think it depends really. If I’m working, I prefer to get something like fast food such as
McDonalds because I only have a short break. But, if I’m out with friends, I would rather
have something more exotic such as Thai food or Indian food.
 This strategy involves giving different reasons for different situations for your answer.
4. CONCESSION
Well, recently I’d have to say that I have been enjoying eating steak and each time I feel like
a steak I go to Outback Steak House because the steak there are huge. However, I think that
it might not be all that healthy to eat so much red meat, as I’ve heard it can lead to high
levels of cholesterol.
 This strategy involves making a main point and then giving a counterargument to it.
5. AVOIDANCE
Well, to be honest, I don’t really have a favourite food, but I guess that if I had to
choose one, then I’d go for something like pizza. You know, I just love all that cheese
and tomato sauce.
 This strategy involves not directly anwering the question at first , and then answering it .
Avoiding phrase = well, to be honest, I dont really have...
Answering phrase = but I guess that if I had to choose one...
6. Practice questions:
What kinds of book do you like? - Well there are several kinds of .... that I’m
really keen on
- The one I like best is ... as it’s very..
- I’m also kind of partial to ... because...
What is your favourite kind of music? - Well, I’d have to say that I’m a big fan
of................
- In particular, I really like ........ because
it’s........
- For instance, ..........
What kinds of movies do you like? - I think it depends really.

- If .........., I prefer to..........
- But, if ........ I would rather ..........
What is your favourite sports? - Well, to be honest, I don’t really have

...........
- but I guess that if I had to choose one, then
I’d go for ...........
- The reason is that........
Where do you like to go shopping? - Well, recently I’d have to say that .........
- However, .................
TYPES OF QUESTIONS AND ITS STRATEGY
Description Types of Liking disliking Habits Yes/no In the comparing

future
Divide into Divide General General Depends Depends avoidance avoidance
2 or 3 part into 2 or to to
3 part specific specific
I. Description questions:
1. Strategy: Divide into 2 or 3 parts
2. Structure: point 1 + point 2 + point 3
3. Sample answer:
Tell me about your hometown?
Well, I come from Taipei and I have lived here all my life. I’d like to begin by saying that it’s the
capital city of Taiwan and also the cultural center. On top of that, I can also add that it’s very
crowded, may even one of the most congested cities in Asia I guess. The roads are so jamed that
even the local have problems finding their way around! Finally, I’d also like to mention that it
offers splendid examples of contemporary architecture. Actually, some of the most renowned
landmarks are in the middle of Taipei, such as Taipei 101, the second largest building in the
world.
4. Usefull language:
 Starting off:
- Ok, then, actually, well, you know
 Point 1:
- I’d like to begin by saying that .....
- The first thing I want to mention is...
- The main thing you need to know is.....
 Point 2:
- On top of that, I can also add that....
- Another interesting point is that.......
- Not only that, but .... is also exceedingly + adj
 Point 3:
- Finally, I’d also like to mention ....
- And, I shouldn’t forget to mention that....
- I guess I could also say that it’s/they’re sort of....
5. Practice quesions:
Tell me about your job/study - Well...., I’d like to begin by saying that .....
- Finally, I’d also like to mention ....
What does your house look like? - Ok...., The first thing I want to mention is...
What does your city look like? - Well....., The main thing you need to know
is.....
- Not only that, but .... is also exceedingly +
adj
- I guess I could also say that it’s sort of....
Tell me about your dream job? - you know...., The first thing I want to
mention is...
What describe a country you would like to - you know..... The main thing you need to
visit? know is.....
II. TYPE OF question:

1. Strategy: divide into 2 or 3 part
2. Structure: general statement + type 1 + type 2
3. Sample answer:
Tell me about the different types of public transportation in your city.
Well, you know there’s quite a mixed variety of public transportation in my city. I think the most
common one is buses because they seem to go everywhere. In addition, the train are also
extremely popular for those who are lucky enough to live near a train station.
4. Useful language:
 Rephrasing TYPES: kinds, sorts, a variety of, a range of, an array of
 Useful phrases to start GENERAL STATEMENT:
- There’s quite a mixed variety of ........
- There’s a fairly wide range of.......
- There’s quite a diverse mixture of .........
 TYPE 1:
- I think the most common one is.......
- The main one is.......
- The first thing that comes to mind is......
 TYPE 2:
- In addition, X is extremely popular
- Another kind is....
- Not only that, but X is also exceedingly + adj
 TYPE 3 (if needed)
- And I shouldn’t forget to mention that .......
- I guess I could also say that......
- Finally, I’d also like to mention .......
What kinds of restaurants are popular in your - Well, I would have to say that
country? there’s quite a mixed variety of
........
- I think the most common one
is.......
- In addition, X is extremely popular
- And I shouldn’t forget to mention
that ......
What types of shops can be found in your - There’s a fairly wide range of.......
country? - The main one is.......
What kinds of films do people in your country - Well, There’s quite a diverse
watch? mixture of .........
- The first thing that comes to mind
is......
- Not only that, but X is also
exceedingly + adj
- Finally, I’d also like to mention .......
What sorts of things do people collect in your - There’s quite a mixed variety of
country? ........
- The first thing that comes to mind
is......
- And I shouldn’t forget to mention
that .......
How do people in your country spend their - There’s quite a diverse mixture of
free times? .........
- I think the most common one
is.......
III. LIKING
1. Strategy: general to specific
2. Structure: general statement => more precise statement => reason
3. Sample answer
What kind of animals do you like?
Well, in general I would say I’m pretty fond of small animals. In particular, I’m really keen on
cats and dogs, and I guess this is because we often kept them when I was growing up, and they
were good companions for me.
4. USEFUL LANGUAGE
 Rephrasing LIKING:
- I’m pretty fond of....
- I’m really keen on.....
- I’m a big fan of.....
- I’m extremely passionate about.....
 General statement:
- Well, in general I would say....
- Generally speaking.....
- Overall, I think that....
 More precise statement:
- In particular,......
- Specifically,......
- To be more precise......
 Reason
- And I guess this is probably because ....
- I think this is due to the fact that.....
- The reason for this is because....
5. Practice questions
What sort of music do you like? - Well, in general I would say I’m
pretty fond of....
- And I guess this is probably
because ....
What sorts of book do you like reading? - Generally speaking, I’m really keen
on.......
What type of movies do you like? - Overall, I think that I’m a big fan
of.....
What types of free time activities do you like? - Overall, I think that I’m extremely
passionate about....
because ....
IV. DISLIKING
1. Strategy: general to specific
2. Structure: general dislike => more precise statement => reason
3. Sample answer
Is there anything you don’t like about your hometown?
Generally speaking, I’d have to say that I’m not really fond of the weather. To be more specific, I
really can’t stand the summer months. I think this is due to the fact that it is always humid, so it
makes me feel quite hot and sweaty!
4. USEFUL LANGUAGE
 Rephrasing DISLIKING:
- I really can’t stand...
- I’m not really fond of....
- I’m not much of a fan of...
- X simply gets on my nerves.
 General statement:
- Well, in general I would say....
- Generally speaking.....
- Overall, I think that....
 More precise statement:
 Reason
- And I guess this is probably because ....
Is there any food you don’t like? - Well, in general I would say I really
can’t stand....
because ....
What type of weather do you dislike? - Generally speaking, I’m not really
fond of....
What type of movies do you dislike? - Overall, I’m not much of a fan of...
Are there any colors that you don’t like? - Generally speaking, X simply gets
on my nerves.
because ....
V. HABITS
1. Strategy: depends
2. Structure: depends + if preference 1 + if preference 2
3. Sample answer:
What do you usually do at the weekend?
Well, it is contigent upon how I feel. If I’m exhausted after working all week, I prefer to do
something relaxing like chilling out on the sofa with a good book. But, if i feel energetic, I
would rather do something more exciting like go hiking or camping.
4. Useful language:
 Depends
- Well, it is contigent upon...
- I think it depends really.
- Well, to be honest, I would have to say that it really depends.
 Preference 1:
- If I’m ... I prefer to...
- Usually, I prefer...
- Sometimes, I prefer to...
 Preference 2:
- But, if I ... I would rather....
- Although sometime I would rather ....
- However, if I have...
What do you usually do on the Internet? - Well, it is contigent upon...

Where do you usually study? - I think it depends really.
- Although sometime I would rather
....
What do you do to relax? - Well, to be honest, I would have to
say that it really depends.
What do you like to do for holiday? - I think it depends really.
How much TV do you watch? - Well, it is contigent upon...
....
VI. Yes/No questions
1. Strategy: depends
2. Structure: depends + if preference 1 + if preference 2
3. Sample answer:
Do you eat healthy food?
Well, to be honest, I would have to say that it really depends. Usually I prefer to eat something
quick and convenient such as instant noodles because I am very busy with my studies. Although,
sometimes I would rather spend a little more time and cook something healthier such as rice
and veggies.
4. Useful language:
 Depends
- Well, it is contigent upon...
- I think it depends really.
- Well, to be honest, I would have to say that it really depends.
 Preference 1:
 Preference 2:
- Although sometime I would rather ....
Do you like the weather in your country? - Well, it is contigent upon...

Do you enjoy going shopping? - I think it depends really.
....
Do you like to get up early? - Well, to be honest, I would have to
say that it really depends.
Do you enjoy eating food from other - I think it depends really.
countries? - If I’m ... I prefer to...
Do you enjoy your work/studies? - Well, it is contigent upon...
....
VII. In the future
1. Strategy: avoidance (not directly answering the question)
2. Structure: avoiding phrase + answer to the question
3. Sample answer:
Where would you like to go for your next vacation?
Well, to be honest, I don’t really have a clear plan but I guess that I will probably go overseas to
some exotic locations like Nepal because I’m really into hiking and exploring new areas.
4. Useful language:
 Avoiding phrase
- Well, to be honest, I don’t really have...
- Actually, I’m not really/entirely sure about that.
- Oh, I’ve never really thought about that.
 Answer to the question
... but I guess that I will probably...
... but I guess if I had to choose one, then I’d...
... perhaps the end result will be that...
5. Practice question
Would you like to learn a new language in the - Well, to be honest, I don’t really
future? have...
... but I guess that I will probably...
What sort of home would you like to live in in - Actually, I’m not really sure about
the future? that.
... but I guess if I had to choose one,
then I’d...
In the future, do you think people will use - Oh, I’ve never really thought about
mobile phones more than now? that.
- ... but I guess that
Do you think your hometown will change - Actually, I’m not entirely sure
much in the future? about that.
- ... perhaps the end result will be
that...
VIII. Comparing
1. Strategy: avoidance (not directly answering the question)
2. Structure: avoiding phrase + answer to the question
3. Sample answer:
Do you prefer to read a book or watch TV?
Oh, I like them both but it’s to choose only one. But if guess that if I had ti choose one, then I
would rather read a novel and the main reason for this is because I slightly prefer the storylines
of novels to TV.
4. Useful language:
 Avoiding language
- Oh, I like them both, so it’s hard to choose only one.
- Well, to be honest, I don’t really have...
- Actually, I’m not really sure about that.
 Answer to the question
- ...but I guess that I will probably...
- ...but I guess that if I had to choose one, then I’d...
- ....perhaps the end result will be that...
 Comparatives
- I slightly prefer...
- I’d much rather...
- I enjoy X much more than Y.
Do you prefer studying in the morning or in - Oh, I like them both, so it’s hard to
the evening? choose only one.
- I slightly prefer...
Do you prefer taking photos with your phone - Well, to be honest, I don’t really
of with a camera? have...
- ...but I guess that if I had to choose
one, then I’d...
Would you rather live in a place with hot - Actually, I’m not really sure about
weather or cold weather? that.
- I enjoy X much more than Y.
Do you prefer to write by hand or using a - Well, to be honest, I don’t really
computer? have...
- ...but I guess that if I had to choose
one, then I’d...

Extent Your Answers

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Extent Your Answers

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WAYS TO EXTENT YOUR ANSWERS

The strategies below are used to answer the question:

What kind of food do you like?

1. DIVIDE INTO 2 OR 3 PARTS:

 This strategies involves giving 2 or 3 reasons for your answer, as follows:

What kinds of movies do you like? - I think it depends really.

What is your favourite sports? - Well, to be honest, I don’t really have

Description Types of Liking disliking Habits Yes/no In the comparing

Tell me about your hometown?

II. TYPE OF question:

Tell me about the different types of public transportation in your city.

What kind of animals do you like?

Is there anything you don’t like about your hometown?

What do you usually do on the Internet? - Well, it is contigent upon...

Do you eat healthy food?

Do you like the weather in your country? - Well, it is contigent upon...

Where would you like to go for your next vacation?

Do you prefer to read a book or watch TV?

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