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Speaking Part 1 - Opinions - Agreeing

Speaking Part 1 - Opinions - Agreeing

Date: Jan 05 2012

Topic: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge

Author: RichardPH

Lesson


·          
Opinions – Agreeing

·          Topics: You/Education/Technology



Objective

In part 1 of the IELTS test get ready for the examiner to ask questions about you. They may ask you what you think – in these cases you will have to offer an opinion or say if you agree or disagree with an opinion.

 

If the examiner is asking you a ‘do you think’ question. they are looking for agreement or disagreement.

 

Some students find it difficult to say what they think or feel in English especially if they do not have a strong opinion or good knowledge of the topic. In this lesson we’ll look at three different question examples to show how to successfully agree with an opinion in English.

 

When answering part 1 questions remember to keep your answers short and direct, using full sentences and trying to include some words from the question in your answer.

 

Language focus: Giving an opinion - Agreeing

 

 

Q1. In your opinion, is the internet useful for learning English?

 

'I believe it is. Personally I use it to find any kind of information I am looking for, and that includes learning English. I also think that the internet helps us to communicate and gives us opportunities that we wouldn’t usually have to do so.'

 

The speaker starts by saying ‘I believe it is’ – this means personally they have a strong opinion agreeing with the statement.

 

They follow this by giving a reason ‘looking for information’ and further they speak not just personally (I) but about ‘us’  ‘I also think that the internet helps us’– so they believe it is useful for them and other people too.

 

This is a strong agreement.

 

Q2. Do you think mobile phones are essential for everyday life?

 

'I think that nowadays mobile phones have become part of everyday life. In some lines of work you won’t be able to get far without one, like sales or something like that, where you are always on the move.As a teacher I think I can live without one, but I do have one.'

 

The speaker repeats much of the question. When speaking they would stress ‘have’ to show that the statement is true.

 

However they do no repeat ‘essential’. In this case the speaker talks generally about ‘some people’ but when talking personally they say they could ‘live without one’ so this means on a personal level mobile phones are not essential.

 

This is a weak agreement.

 

Q3. Do you think people spend too much time online?

 

'Well, it depends really. It depends on what you are doing. I think ifit is work or study or communicating with family and friends then why not spend a lot of time online, as long as you get some fresh air. In some cases it could be true. If you’re just playing games then maybe you should think about how much time you are spending online.'

 

The speaker opens without agreeing or disagreeing ‘well it depends really this tells us immediately that the speaker does not strongly agree with the statement.

 

They then compare two different uses of the internet to give a reason for their indecision.

 

They finish with a suggestion for those who in their opinion do spend too much time on the internet ‘maybe you should think about how much time you are spending online.’

 

This is a partial agreement.

 

Advice

 

Some simple advice to remember when answering 'Do you think' questions

 

·          Give your true opinion – it’s easier you will be judged on your language ability not how correct your opinions are.

 

·          Give your personal opinion of course but for higher marks consider and compare others opinions Be subjective and objective.

 

·          Always give reasons for why you agree with something

 

·          Nothing is black or white learn how to in English admit there may be some truth in most statements

If you want to help me with lessons, or other students, keep in touch on

http://www.facebook.com/Richlingo

Comments

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yolanda olla

Indonesia

okayCool

12:24 PM Jul 23 2012 |

wise person

Oman

nice Wink

03:26 PM Mar 27 2012 |

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