Developing Your Answers

One of the main aspects that the examiner will assess is your ability to speak at length when answering questions; therefore, it is important that you develop your answers with as much information as possible. You should avoid giving yes/no answers or answers that are too short. In Part 1 of the speaking test, answers of about 15-20 seconds in length are appropriate.

Listen to a candidate giving two answers to the same question. Which answer has he developed more appropriately?

Question

What kind of music do you like best?

Answer A

Answer B

Check your answer

Whether you are asked a closed-ended or an open-ended question, you need to expand your answers with additional information. You can do this by adding 2-3 questions with Wh- words to the question asked by the examiner. For example:

Question asked by the examiner	Direct answer
What kind of music do you like best?	I guess I prefer rock.

Wh- word	Type of information	Sample additional idea
Why?	reason	I like it because my parents listened to it all the time when I was a kid.
When?	time	I listen to it in the mornings when I’m on my way to work.
Where?	place	I have a playlist on my phone so I usually listen to it on the train.
Which?	type	I particularly like rock from the 70s and 80s. That’s my favourite.
Who?	people	I listen to rock with my brother. He also likes it.
How often?	frequency	I try to listen to it as much as I can, every morning and also on the weekends.
How long?	duration	I’ve liked rock ever since I was a kid, maybe since I was 5 years old.

.

Activity

Now try this strategy yourself.

Answer the following example questions and develop your responses by adding 2-3 Wh- word questions.
Record yourself so that later you can check how you did.
Compare your responses to the sample answers provided.

Questions

1. Who do you live with at the moment?

Compare your answer

2. Do you enjoy your job?

Compare your answer

3. What do you often do in the evenings?

Compare your answer

Lesson 9, Topic 3

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