| To get a high score in the Speaking test, look for ways to show that you have a wide and varied vocabulary, so try to avoid using the same phrases again and again. For example, instead of saying 'I think shopping is boring,' you could use a less common, more complex phrase, such as 'I find shopping can get quite tedious', or an idiom such as 'Shopping bores me stupid/ to tears/ to death'. |
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04. Read this transcript of a candidate's answer to a Part 3 question. Match the underlined phrases (1-8) to their more complex alternatives (a-h). Then listen and check.
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Why has online shopping become so popular with so many people?
To be honest, I understand why people like it, but I'm not sure why people like it so much. I suppose the main reason must be that it's so easy and convenient. You can just relax at home, at work, anywhere, and do your shopping. Plus, there is so much you can buy on the internet and, most importantly, once you've paid, it quickly gets delivered to your door without having the problem of going to a busy high street. So there are plenty of advantages to online shopping. But, for me, the best way to shop is always by going to the store itself and having a look at whatever it is you're thinking of buying. Also, you have the sales assistants to talk to, and they can help and give you good advice.
a. point you in the right direction
b. there's very little you can't buy
c. real plus points
d. above all else
e. it holds so much appeal
f. there's no substitute for heading to
g. wherever you are
h. without having to deal with the hassle of |
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| You don't need the same level of formality in the Speaking test as you would in the Writing test. For example, real plus points may feel a little informal, but would be likely to gain more credit from the examiner than advantages, which is a much more common word. |
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05. Look at an examiner's question and its answer. With a partner, discuss how you could change the phrases in italics to improve the candidate's score for Lexical Resource. Use the expressions in exercise 4 to help you.
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Why do some people have problems managing their personal finances?
I suspect it might be because it has become so easy to get credit from banks: credit cards, overdrafts, anything you think you need. Of course, there are a number of advantages to this - you can buy whatever you want more quickly, and you don't have to pay the loan off until later, so I do see why people like it so much. And on tine banking has actually made it easier to do this without having the problem of going into the branch and standing in a queue for ever. There's so much you can do through your online account. For example, you can apply for a loan anywhere you are, and most of the time you'll be given the money. But, for me, there's no substitute for speaking face-to-face, where a bank advisor can help and give you good advice, as far as savings or debt is concerned. Most of all, they won't allow you to get into debt that you can't pay back. |
