Speaking Topics - Supported Opinion Questions in English-language Exams

My two previous posts explained how to deal with two distinct types of oral examination questions as part of English-language certification qualifications. The first post gave some tips how to describe a person, place, object or activity while the second how to narrate past experiences or any kind of situations one may have had to deal with.  

 

Though these types of questions are typically part of the English oral examination for the Michigan State University (MSU) certificate at C2 level, this as well as the two previous posts can be used to train candidates of other English-language examinations, be they B1, B2, C1 or C2-level exams. Based on experience, I have seen that helping a candidate develop fluency requires building up their ability to narrate and describe, so whether they are sitting the IELTS or CPE, the ECPE or LRN, LRN, TOEFL, BULATS, TIE, ECCE, FCE and so many others that are out there on the market, knowing how to describe and narrate is a must.

 
This post therefore is not only geared towards those taking the MSU exam, but for candidates preparing for the IELTS, CPE, ECPE, ESB, LRN, TOEFL, PTE, BULATS, TIE, and similar tests whose list will doubtless increase with time.

 

Perhaps the most difficult third skill which needs to be elaborated and is this post's center of attention, is expressing an opinion and backing it up with arguments. These supported opinion questions are especially troublesome when candidates are youngish and haven't managed to formulate their own views on a number of pressing, social or moot issues, which makes it all the more essential that they be practiced as often as possible.

Tackling Supported Opinion Questions

 

 

Basic Rule: The Organization

 

Deal with such questions as if they are essay questions, but tone down the language. 

Answers to questions that ask for your opinion should be structured like essays so that you have enough things to say, otherwise your replies will be brief. 

 

Don't simply present arguments for the side you support but mention what the other side believes as well. Point out the weaknesses of those arguments to further convince your listener that what you're saying is more plausible. 

 

 

Step 1: The Initial Statement and/or Reaction

 

Start off with an introductory statement that either reacts to the question or summarizes your point of view.

Example: 

    Question: "Do you think online lessons are better than being taught in a classroom?"

    Answer A: "Hmm, well it's difficult to say seeing as I haven't attended any online lessons. However, I can imagine what it would be like sitting in front of a screen for an hour or two, and that compared to being in a classroom is most definitely a lot more boring."

 

The candidate here kicked off their answer with a reaction, saying that such a question presents a difficulty due to the fact that they have no experience of online lessons. The second statement adds a clear opinion though and indicates which side will be supported.

 

     Answer B: "I'm most definitely in favor of online courses and don't see the point in having to be in a classroom anymore!"

This answer clearly states an opinion from the start. It also rephrases the question by mentioning and/or paraphrasing key words such as "online lessons" and "classroom" to make the statement more complete and not abrupt. 

Step 2: The Argumentation

Having expressed which way your allegiances lie, you should now proceed with convincing your interlocutor that what you've said holds merit.

Just as you would in an essay, you present arguments and support them with explanations and examples.

If we take the sample question used above and support classroom not online learning, we could formulate an answer as follows:

 

    Sample answer: "The first reason I think being in an actual room with an instructor is better than doing a course online is because of connectivity. First of all, you need some kind of computer or tablet that you can use to go online and link up with the teacher and (if it isn't a private, one-on-one lesson) your co-students. Nowadays people in the Western world take it for granted that everyone has at least a cell phone they can use to connect to the Web, but not everyone who goes online has the ease with which to pay network providers for fast broadband or a reliable service that gives them uninterrupted access. In fact, where I live, everytime I followed a lesson online, there was some kind of problem and whether it was my connection or my teacher's, the screen would freeze, the connection was lost and one of us always had to call the other back. That wasted too much time and became annoying after a while. In a physical environment, that would never have occurred. I mean, even without the problem of having to fully reconnect, there's the issue of small lags at all times -- I've often had to ask my online tutor to repeat something because I didn't catch what he'd said ... in a real classroom though, I may have had to ask the teacher once or twice throughout the year to repeat something. Really! These breaks in communication when you're online! They're extremely frustrating!"

 

This answer to the question is just one argument, which could be part of many more. Notice that it begins by stating the main reason for the candidate's opinion ("connectivity"), then explains why it is a problem. Finally, examples taken from the candidate's own experience makes these explanations clear.

 

So, you've stated one or two arguments that support your opinion, but realize that your answer is still a little short and needs more arguments. What do you do in this case? Mention one or two oppposing arguments and, if you can, discredit them. 

    Sample answer continued: "Now there are those who strongly maintain that online lessons save you the hassle of having to leave the comfort of your home, that you don't need to sit waiting for the bus or pay for gas every time you commute by car. That's true, but my answer to them is that all that time either on the bus or in the car is part of a greater picture known as one's daily routine. You're out, around others at the bus stop, looking at other commuters or the cityscape, listening to the radio in your car or a cd you enjoy -- all this fuels your mind with fresh images it needs to process. What would you be doing had you been sitting at home? You'd get up, grab something to eat for breakfast then sit in front of your laptop. No further interaction with anyone. No active use of the senses to look, listen, smell all those things that are around you while you're out and about. You know what your home looks like, so nothing new there to discover. You may be living alone, with no one to interact with. What good does it do to stay at home?"

 

Step 3: Rounding off

 

Indicate that you've come to the end of your answer. It's awkward to listen to someone speak for a minute or two and not know when to ask another question. It's even more anticlimactic when that person stops talking all of a sudden or says, "That's it."

Tell the examiner that you're closing your reply by repeating part of the question as you restate your opinion. 

For example: "So, as you can see, I'm much more in favor of attending classroom lessons instead of sitting for hours in front of a computer."

 

Having said that, here's a list of topics you can practice answering. If you're taking a C2-level exam, make sure your responses last for at least two minutes. For lower-level examinations, about a minute should do. 

 

Remember, the more topics you see and prepare, the more ideas you'll have when you answer questions at the exam. Think about the topics and jot down arguments in a notebook so that you won't run out of words when you find  yourself in front of the examiner on the day of your exam.

 

 

 

 

MSU- CELP Speaking Topics

Part 3:

Supported Opinions

• Can single-parent families raise children as successfully as nuclear families (with two parents and one or more children) can? 

 

• Should all schools have a dress code in place or should students be allowed to wear what they want?
  

 

• Do athletes, models, pop stars and cinema stars deserve the millions that they make?

 

• Let's say someone has done something they need to apologize for. If the apology needs to made to a friend, would it be better to apologize in person or in writing?  

 

• Which part of the country you live in has the most to offer to tourists?
  

 

• Should the prices for medication be monitored by the government or should pharmaceutical companies have the right to charge whatever they want?

 

• Do you think reading for pleasure and personal entertainment will one day become obsolete?
  

 

• Is it more important for a doctor to be skilled or to have a friendly way with patients? 

 

• The world is going through trying times in terms of the economy. Has the economic situation affected people your age? How?
  

 

• What is the best means of transport when you're living in a city?  
  

 

• Should parents give children a weekly allowance? If so, what should it cover?
  

 

• We often hear people saying that television programs these days lack quality. Do you think that those who make TV shows have the responsibility to produce quality shows? 

 

• Are e-books better than books? Do you think the former will ever replace the latter?
  

 

• Would you move to a different city only so that you could be close to your boyfriend/girlfriend?
  

 

• What penalties should be imposed on those who are caught cheating on their university entrance exams? 
  

 

• What quality do you consider to be most important in a good friendship? 

 

• "Finding a job doesn't depend on your CV. It depends on the people you know." Do you agree with this statement?
  

 

• Does online social networking bring people closer together or have we become more isolated as we stay connected to the Web?  

 

• Are friends your age the ideal people to turn to for help and advice when you find yourself in a difficult situation?
  

 

• How can we encourage people, especially youngsters, to adopt a healthy lifestyle?
  

 

• What can individuals do to help save the planet / environment?
  

 

• Is lying to a friend ever acceptable? 

 

• "An ideal family should consist of two children?" Do you agree with this statement?
  

 

• Different countries have differing laws when it comes to the age when it is legal for a person to vote. At what age do you think countries should set the legal voting age? 
  

 

• How good are you at budgeting your finances? What advice would you give to someone on how to budget their money effectively?
  

 

• Is media censorship ever justified?
  

 

• Should teens aged 16 have the right to drive or should driver’s licenses be legal when they're 18?
  

 

• Is earning a high salary more important than job satisfaction?  

 

• What qualities make a leader successful?
  

 

• Do all students need to have a laptop or tablet with them as part of their school supplies (like they do pens and notebooks) which they bring to class every day?
  

 

• Would a man or a woman be better at the head of a big company?  

 

• Why are some people so focused on buying brand products and clothes?
  

 

• Should we seek advice from our parents about the job we want to do or should we decide on our own? 

 

• Which occupations give people the greatest satisfaction in your opinion?
  

 

• What can be done to lessen the negative impact on teenagers of violence present in video games or movies?  

 

• Should parents impose a curfew when their child is under 18 years of age?

 

• Do you think high school students should have a choice regarding what classes they take? 

• What makes a parent great at raising children? Is it a single quality that stands out above all others?
  

 

• Are computers making us more anti-social, as some experts have stated?
  

 

• Do you think children are effectively taught when they are homeschooled by either their parents or a tutor?  
  

 

• Why are kids so hooked on junk food?
  

 

• "Human activity is destroying the world's rainforests and nothing can be done to stop this." Is there any hope in changing this situation or should people just give up trying to save them? 

 

• Should high school students be free to select the classes they wish to attend?
  

 

• What part do zoos play in the conservation of species?  

 

• Do you think it’s important for individuals to support charities? 

 

• Is capital punishment effective in preventing crime or is it simply barbaric?
  

 

• "Cosmetic plastic surgery has much to offer with few risks." Do you agree with this statement?
  

 

• Does technology save us time?

 

• What kind of career would you be least suited to follow?

 

• Why do you believe some people can't handle fame, fortune and the prerogatives that go hand in hand with being a celebrity. 

 

 

 

 

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