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Unit 06
Speaking: Parts 1, 2 and 3
how to extend answers, plan a long turn and discuss ideas
The Three Parts
| Part | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4–5 minutes | Questions about familiar topics: home, work or studies, hobbies, daily life. |
| Part 2 | 3–4 minutes | A task card with a topic; 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes. |
| Part 3 | 4–5 minutes | A discussion of more abstract questions related to the Part 2 topic. |
Part 1: Answer + Reason + Example
- Give a direct answer, then add a reason or an example — two or three sentences are ideal.
- Do you like cooking? → "Yes, I do, especially at weekends. During the week I don't have much time, but on Sundays I usually try a new recipe for my family."
Part 2: Using the Preparation Minute
- Write key words — not full sentences — for each point on the card.
- Follow the order of the points; they give your talk a natural structure.
- Spend the most time on the last point ("explain why…"): it lets you show complex language.
- Example card: Describe a place in your country that you would recommend to tourists. You should say: where it is, how you know about it, what visitors can do there, and explain why you would recommend it.
Useful Phrases
| Function | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Buying time | That's an interesting question — let me think for a moment. · I've never really thought about that, but… |
| Giving an opinion | Personally, I'd say… · As far as I'm concerned… · I tend to think that… |
| Comparing past and present | Compared with my parents' generation… · These days…, whereas in the past… |
| Speculating about the future | It's quite likely that… · I imagine that… · In the long run, … |
| Generalising | Generally speaking, … · On the whole, … · In most cases, … |