PART 3

Do you think teachers are

paid enough?
What are the qualities
of a good teacher?
 PART 3 STRATEGY
Type 1: Comparing Type 4: Advantages

Type 2: Predicting Type 5: Disadvantages

Type 3: Why questions Type 6: Problems

Type 7: Solutions
Type 1: Comparing

Time comparison “Do men and women like the same

Are houses nowadays, the same as hobbies?”
houses 30 years ago in your country? “I think men and women like different
Social group comparison hobbies, for example men are fond
Do men and women like the same of many type of sporting activities
types of books? such as football and basketball. Also
Do old and young people like the they prefer things like watching
same holidays? action movies and going to bars, but
Geographic comparison women like hobbies such as shopping,
Are houses in North China are same watching TV, singing TV and
as houses in South China? chatting online”.
Type1: Comparing

“Do men and women like the same hobbies?”

“Well obviously there are a number of clear differences.

However, I guess that the most significant would be that
men tend to prefer sporting activities such as football or
basketball. Whereas in contrast women prefer things
like shopping for clothes. In addition to this, another
possible distinction might be that men usually watching
films; while on the other hand, women are more likely
to prefer watching soap operas on TV.”
 Type1: Comparing

Opening linking phrase: Now say that there are some differences:
Well obviously … There are a number of underlying differences
Well clearly … here.
Sure, without a doubt … There are a variety of possible differences here.
Well undoubtedly … There are a range of potential distinctions here.
Well unmistakably …
Unquestionably ….. Introduce the first difference:
However, I guess that the most significant would
be that …
Though I suppose the most obvious would be that
…
But I would say the most fundamental would be
that …
Type1: Comparing

Develop this first difference with a Introduce a second difference.

simple linking word: In addition …
especially, particularly, in fact, such Additionally …
as, for example, specifically. As well as this …
On top of this ….
Now use your first comparative Moreover …
linking structure: After that …
Whereas on the other hand …. Say there is another important
On the contrary … difference.
Though quite the opposite … … a second key distinction would be
that …
… a subsequent contrast could be
that …
… a futher distinction might be that …
Type1: Comparing
“How has X changed in recent
Second comparative linking years?”
structure. “Is X nowadays the same as X in the
While on the other hand … past (20 years ago, 50 years ago
Alternatively … etc.)?”
Conversely …
Then again, in opposition … “Used to” structure
X used to be much smaller …
X always used to be more …
X didn’t use to have as many …
X didn’t use to be as …
Type1: Comparing
Type 2: Predicting

“What will house be like in the future?”

“Certainly, I’m sure that most people would agree that

there will be a number of major changes related to this.
Initially, I guess that we might begin to see houses that
are much bigger. At the same time, I suppose it’s quite
probable that we may have houses under the sea. And
who knows, it could even be possible that we’ll see that
arrival of houses on the moon.”
 Type 2: Predicting

Opening linking phrase: Introduce first prediction:

Certainly, I’m sure that most
people would agree that there will Initially, I guess that we might
be a number of major changes begin to see…
related to this. To begin with, I’d predict that
I’m sure that in years to come we we will most likely have…
will be a number of major changes Primarily, it looks quite
related to this. probable that we are going to
I reckon that in the not so distant have…
future, we will witness some major First of all, I would envisone
changes with regard to… that we are going to have…
 Type 2: Predicting

Introduce 2nd prediction: Introduce 3nd prediction:

At the same time, I suppose it’s And who knows, it could even
quite probable that we may be possible that we’ll see the
have… arrival of …
As well as this, some people And you never know, it could
claim that we will probably start even transpire that we’ll
to see… have…
On top of this, I imagine it’s And I know it’s a bit of a
quite likely that we will soon crazy thought, but one day we
have… may even have…
Likewise, I would imagine that And who knows, there’s even a
we may even be able to see. chance that we will have…
Type 2: Predicting
Type 2: Predicting
Type 3: Why question

“Why do so many people want to be famous?“

“In my opinion I guess u would have to say that there are

probable a number of factors involved. Primarily, one key
motivation would be because they think they would be able to
make more money. As well as this a subsequent incentive
might be because they want to live in a big house and drive
an expensive car.”
 Type 3: Why question

Begin with a linking phrase: Now use a structure to say that

Well in my opinion I guess I “there are many reasons”:
would have to say that… There are probably a number of
Well in my view, I suppose I factors involved.
would say that… There are obviously a number
Will in my estimation, I guess of motives surrounding this
that… idea.
Well generally it’s my belief There are unquestionably a
that… number of explanations for this.
There undoubtedly a variety of
justifications behind this.
 Type 3: Why question

Introduce 1st reason Introduce 2nd reason

The chief cause might be As well as this, a subsequent
that… factor could be because…
The main basis is probably At the same time, a secondary
because motive could be that…
Additionally, a further rationale
might be due to the fact that…
Type 3: Why question
Type 4: Advantages

“What are the advantages of travelling by train?”

“Well, I suppose that there are quite a few clear benefits, but I would
probably say that for the most part, the one thing that really stands
out is that trains are really cheap, especially for long distance travel –
you can travel from one side China to the other for a few hundred yuan.
I guess that another obvious plus point is that it is much faster than
travelling by road – so you can save time by travelling on trains. Along
with this, a further merit is that you can sleep quite comfortably on
long train journeys.”
 Type 4: Advantages

Opening linking phrase

But I would probably say that for the
Well I suppose that there are most part, the one things that really
quite a few clear benefits. stands out is that…
Clearly there are a number of But it goes without saying that the
obvious merits. most apparent would be that…
Sure there are few favorable Although I guess that the most
aspects. visible would be that …
Obviously there are a However, I guess that the most
number of positive features. evident would be that…
 Type 4: Advantages
Introduce 2nd advantage
Develop the advantage:
At the same time a second bonus
This is obviously favorable might be that…
because… Besides this, a second plus point could
This is undoubtedly positive be that…
for the simple reason that… As well as this a further favorable
This is without doubt aspect would be that…
beneficial because…
Develop the advantage:

This is clearly advantageous because…

This is definitely valuable since…
This is surely a positive feature
because...
Type 4: Advantages
 Type 5: Disadvantages

“What are the disadvantages of train travel?”

“I think it’s fair to say that there are a few negative aspects. I suppose the most
unfavorable quality might be that trains are often overcrowded at certain times of
year. This is a clear limitation because on a long journey you might not be able to
find a seat which means you have to stand up for hours. At the same time, another
stumbling block might be that train tickets are sometimes difficult to buy, especially
around Spring Festival, and this can be a hassle because it means you can’t always
travel on the actual day that you want to.”

When the examiner hears this answer, the first thing he will notice is the appropriate
disadvantage language: negative aspects, unfavorable quality, clear limitation, stumbling
block, hassle. Because you have used these words in complex linking structures, it affects
your score in three ways: fluency-grammar-vocabulary.
 Type 5: Disadvantages

Opening linking phrase: Develop main disadvantage

I think it’s fair to say that there are few
negative aspects Most people would agree that this
I’m sure most people would agree that is problematic because…
there are some drawbacks. This is an obvious weakness
Of course there are a couple of because …
shortcomings. This is a clear limitation because…
Now introduce your main disadvantage:
I guess the most impractical
characteristic would be that…
I suppose the most unfavorable quality
might be that…
Unquestionably, the most adverse feature
would be that…
Type 5: Disadvantages

Introduce 2nd disadvantages:

Correspondingly, an additional weak point may be

that…
Supplementary to this, a further handicap may be
that …
At the same time, another stumbling block might be
that …
Develop 2nd disadvantages:
And the trouble with this is that …
And this can be a hassle because…
This is usually an aggravation because…
Type 5: Disadvantages
Type 6: Problems

This type of question is not as common as the previous five types, but it
is often used in topics that deal with nature, environment, social
problems, or global problems:
“What problems are caused by the increase in use of private cars?“

“It’s universally accepted that there a few hazards involved with the
increase in the use of private cars. Essentially, one fundamental
concern is probably that it leads to an increase in pollution. This fact is
unmistakably perturbing because we are facing huge global pollution
problems at the moment. Additionally, another major cause for concern
has to be the fact that cars consume huge amounts of our energy
resources. And the underlying repercussions of this are that we will soon
be confronted with a global energy crisis.”
 Type 6: Problems

Begin with a linking phrase: Develop main problem:

Obviously we can say there are quite This is clearly alarming because…
a lot of dangers with regard to this This fact is unmistakably perturbing
issue. because…
It’s universally accepted that there are This need to be seen as a sensitive
a few hazards involved with… matter because…
This issue is weighed down with a hew
problems.
Now highlight your main problem:
At the outset, the most crucial
predicament is that…
First and foremost, one major worry is
probably that…
Essentially, one fundamental concern
is probably that…
Type 6: Problems

Introduce 2nd problem:

Additionally, another major cause for concern has to be the fact
that…
Equally worrying is the suggestion that…
Another matter which causes unease is the point that…
Develop 2nd problem:
And the short-term and / or long-term implications of this are
that…
And the underlying repercussions of this are that…
And the principal upshot of this is probably that…
Type 6: Problems
Type 7: Solutions

Some candidates try to offer solutions to the problems in the same answer.
In most cases the examiner will follow the “problem” question with a
“solution” question, so do not offer the solutions until you are asked this
question. It is a good idea to make a back reference to the two problems
that you described in your previous answer.

“How could problems associated with the increase in car us be solved?

“In my view, there are a number of actions that could be taken. When
dealing with the first problem, the easiest way to work it out would be to
develop new technology for car engines which does not cause serious air
pollution, maybe some special kind of exhaust filter. Taking on the second
problem, the most successful way to confront this would be to invest
heavily on research into alternative energy resources. In fact, I have heard
that we have already produced a car which runs on water.”
 Type 7: Solutions

Begin with a linking phrase: Highlight 2nd solution:

In my view there are a number of Now taking into account the second
actions that could be taken. challenge, the only way to get to the
I honestly believe that there are a few bottom of this dilemma would be to…
ways to tackle these problems.
Well I think we could go about this in
a number of ways.
Now highlight your 1st solution:
When dealing with first problem, it is
the easiest way to work it out would
be to..
In reaction to the initial issue, the
most effective way to get to the root
of the problem would be to…
 Type 7: Solutions

If you are confident enough, you might want to develop these points further,
but don’t do it if you are not sure that you have the vocabulary to continue
producing good quality language. It is better to produce a medium length
that is accurate in its language than a longer answer that contains many
mistakes.

Go back to problems question section and practice your “solution” structure for
the problems that you thought about for each example question.
PRACTICE
MAKES
PERFECT
You’re doing great. Keep going!