SP3_TEMPLATE

Speaking part 3 – template

I. COMPARISION
1. Opening linking phrase
- Well obviously/ well clearly…
- Sure, without a doubt…
- Well undoubtedly…
- Well unmistakably…
- Unquestionably…
2. Differences
- There are a number of underlying differences here.
- There are a variety of possible differences here.
- There is a range of potential distinctions here.
3. Introduce the first difference
- However, I guess 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 …
 Describe the first difference (using, eg, tend to prefer…) and develop this
dirst difference with a simple linking word: especially, particularly, in fact,
such as, for example, specifically,…
 Use first comparative linking structure and develop the second part of the
first difference with a simple linking word: especially, particularly, in fact,
such as, for example, specifically,…
- Whereas on the other hand …
- On the contrary …
- Though quite the opposite …
4. Introduce a second difference
- In addition/ additionally/ as well as this/ moreover,…
 Describe the second difference
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- … a second key distinction would be that …

- … a subsequent contrast could be that …
- … a further distinction might be that …
 Use the second comparative linking structure
- While on the other hand …
- Alternatively …
- Conversely …
- Then again, in opposition …
5. Sample

Examiner: Do men and women like the same hobbies?

Candidate: 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 are usually
keen on watching films; while on the other hand, women are more likely to prefer
watching soap operas on TV.

Note: câu hỏi về “change” cũng đưa về dạng so sánh (so sánh sự khác biệt giữa
quá khứ và hiện tại). Sử dụng cấu trúc “used to” khi nói về quá khứ
- Hanoi used to be much smaller …
- Hanoi used to be more …
- Hanoi didn’t use to have as many …
- Hanoi didn’t use to be as …
Practice
- Are free-time activities nowadays the same as 20 years ago in your country?
- In what ways are magazines different to newspapers?
- Do adults and children make friends in the same ways?

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II. PREDICTION
1. Opening linking phrase
- Certainly, I’m sure that most people would agree that there will be a number of
major changes related to this.
- I’m sure that in years to come, there will be a number of major changes related
to this.
- I reckon that in the not so distant future, we will witness some major changes
with regard to …
2. Introduce your 1st prediction
- Initially, I guess that we might begin to see…
- To begin with, I’d predict that we will most likely have …
- Primarily, it looks quite probable that we are going to have …
- First of all, I would envisage that we are going to have …
3. Describe your first prediction (using basic future)
Eg: Initially, I guess that we might begin to see houses that are made of plastic
materials because these will be much cheaper and easier to construct.
4. Introduce your 2nd prediction
- At the same time, I support it’s quite probable that we may have …
- As well as this, some people claim that we will probably start to see …
- On top of this, I imagine it’s quite likely that we will soon have …
- Likewise, I would imagine that we may even be able to see…
5. Describe your second prediction (use basic future)
Eg: At the same time, I suppose it’s quite probable that we may have houses that
are controlled by computer because this will make home life much easier.
6. Introduce your 3rd prediction
- And who knows, it could even be possible that we’ll see the arrival of…
- And you never know, it could even transpire that we’ll have …
- And I know it’s a bit of a crazy thought, but one day we may even have …

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- And who knows, there’s even a chance that we will have …

7. Sample

Examiner: What will house be like in the future?

Candidate: 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 the arrival of houses on the moon.

III. “WHY” QUESTIONS

1. Begin with a linking phrase
- Well in my opinion, I guess I would have to say that …
- Well in my view, I suppose I would say that …
- Well in my estimation, I guess that …
- Well generally it’s my belief that …
2. Structures to say that “there are many reasons”
- There are probably a number of factors involved.
- There are obviously a number of motives surrounding this idea.
- There are unquestionably a number of explanations for this.
- There are undoubtedly a variety of justifications behind this.
3. Introduce the first reason
- The chief cause might be that …
- The main basis is probably because …
4. Introduce the second reason
- As well as this, a subsequent factor could be because …
- At the same time, a secondary motive could be that …
- Additionally, a further rationale might be due to the fact that …

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5. Sample

Examiner: Why do so many people want to be famous?

Candidate: In my opinion I guess I would have to say that there are probably 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.

IV. ADVANTAGES
1. Opening linking phrase to explain that there are some advantages
- Well I support that there are quite a few clear benefits.
- Clearly there are a number of obvious merits.
- Sure there are few favorable aspects.
- Obviously there are a number of positive features.
2. Highlight the most obvious
- But I would probably say that for the most part, the one thing that really stands
out is (that)…
- But it goes without saying that the most apparent would be (that) …
- Although I guess that the most visible would be that …
- However, I guess that the most evident would be that …
3. Develop this advantage with one of the following structures:
- This is obviously favorable because …
- This is undoubtedly positive for the simple reason that …
- This is without doubt beneficial because …
4. Introduce the second advantage
- At the same time a second bonus might be that …
- Beside this, a second plus point could be that …

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- As well as this, a further favorable aspect would be that …

5. Develop/ explain this advantage with one of the following:
- This is clearly advantageous because …
- This is definitely valuable since …
- This is surely a positive feature because …
6. Sample

Examiner: What are the advantages of travelling by trains?

Candidate: 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 the North to
the South of Vietnam for 1 million VND. 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.

V. DISADVANTAGES
1. Opening linking structure to explain that there are some disadvantages
- I think it’s fair to say that there are few negative aspects.
- I’m sure most people would agree that there are some drawbacks.
- Of course there are a couple of shortcomings.
2. Introduce your main disadvantages.
- 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 …
3. Develop this disadvantage with a linking structure
- Most people would agree that this is problematic because …
- This is an obvious weakness because …

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- This is a clear limitation because …

4. Describe the second disadvantage
- 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 …
5. Develop this advantage with one of the following structure:
- And the trouble with this is that …
- And this can be a hassle because …
- This is usually an aggravation because …
6. Sample

Examiner: What are the disadvantages of train travel?

Candidate: 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 sear
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.

VI. PROBLEMS
1. Opening linking phrase to explain that there are problems
- Obviously we can say there are quite a lot of dangers regard to this issue
- It’s universally accepted that there are a few hazards involved with …
- This issue is weighed down with a few problems
2. Highlight the main problem
- At the outset, the most crucial predicament is that …
- First and foremost, one major worry is probably that …

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- Essentially, one fundamental concern is probably that …

3. Develop this problem with one of the following structures
- This is clearly alarming because …
- This fact is unmistakably perturbing because …
- This needs to be seen as a sensitive matter because …
4. Introduce the second problem
- Additionally, another major cause for concern has to be the fact that …
- Equally worrying is the suggestion that …
- Anther matter which causes unease is the point that …
5. Develop this problem using one of the following
- 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 …
6. Sample

Examiner: What problems are caused by the increase in use of private cars?

Candidate: it’s universally accepted that there are 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.

VII. SOLUTIONS
1. Opening general statement
- In my view, there are a number of actions that could be taken.
- I honestly believe that there are a few ways to tackle these problems.

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- Well I think we could go about this in a number of ways.

2. Highlight the first solution
- When dealing with the 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 …
3. Introduce the second solution (to the second problem)
- Now taking into account the second challenge, the only way to get to the
bottom of this dilemma would be to …
4. Sample

Examiner: How could these problems be solved?

Candidate: 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 kinds 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.

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