08. Look at these Part 3 questions on the subject of history. Listen to a candidate called Minji answering the questions. Match the questions (1-4) with the words Minji uses to begin each answer (a-d).

1. Do you think it's important for children to learn history at school?
2. You said children should learn the history of their own country. What about world history?
3. Do you think most children are interested in learning history these days?
4. Can technology help us learn about history?

09. Listen again. Make notes to summarise what Minji says to expand her answer.

Sample answers

Do you think it's important for children to learn history at school?
primary school-should learn about own community/country -help them understand own identity

You said children should learn the history of their own country. What about world history?
national history should come first, world history later, possibly at secondary school

Do you think most children are interested in learning history these days?
more interested in technology -could use it to learn about history

Can technology help us learn about history?
examples of how technology can be used in learning history -going to place where the event took place is best way to learn

10. Look at the expressions for agreeing and disagreeing and put them into three columns: Agree/ Neither agree nor disagree/ Disagree.

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

11. Read the script of Minji's Part3 answers. Identify the following grammatical structures from the underlined phrases.

SCRIPT

Examiner: So, Minji, we've been talking about a historical event and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this. Do you think it is important for children to learn history at school?

Minji: Yes, definitely. At primary school they should be taught the history of their own country and community. It's a way of helping them understand who they are, and their place in the world, and also the relationships between different countries.

Examiner: You said children should learn the history of their own country. What about world history?

Minji: I'm not so sure about that. I think the history of their own country should definitely come first. I remember learning about Romans and Egyptians when I was quite a young child, without knowing anything about my own country or even my own continent -I mean Asian history. I think learning about world history should come later, say at high school or secondary school.

Examiner: Yes, that's a good point. Do you think most children are interested in learning history these days?

Minji: To be honest, I'd say probably not, which is quite sad, as it's a really important subject. Even though kids are obsessed by their smart phones and computers nowadays, they could still use the technology to learn about history. I think the problem is how history is taught. It needs to be made more fun and attractive to children.

Examiner: Right. You mentioned technology. I was going to ask you about that. Can technology help us learn about history?

Minji: Absolutely! We have the technology to really bring history alive. Lots of museums now have interactive exhibits with holograms and so on. Websites are also becoming more exciting, with videos of reenactments of historical events, interactive quizzes, and things like that. But, for me personally, the best way to learn about history will always be to go to the place where the event took place. For example, I'll never forget the trip we made to Berlin when I did a tour of Europe with my family. Seeing where the Berlin Walt used to stand and visiting the museums. That realty brought history alive for me.

1. verb -ing as the subject or object of a sentence x2

2. without+ verb -ing

3. passive x3

4. superlative

5. modal verbs x2

6. defining relative clause with where

12. Match the Part3 questions (1-4) with their functions (a-d).

1. Why has attendance at museums declined so much in recent years?
2. Can you think of any jobs or careers for which the study of history is very important?
3. Is the way history is taught in schools different from how other subjects are taught?
4. What important events do you think might take place in the future?

13. In pairs, look at all the Part3 questions in exercises 8 and 12. Write answers for each question. Focus on the following:

• Think about the function of the question, and answer appropriately.
• Use a word or expression of agreement or disagreement if appropriate.
• Give an extended answer.
• Use more advanced grammar structures and vocabulary.