What raters reward
Raters reward a clear stance held throughout, three developed points (firstly, secondly, thirdly), debating language, and fluent, well-paced delivery across the full 90 seconds. Pick the side you feel passionate about.
Your time plan
How to structure it
Fill the [slots] with your own ideas, then adapt the frames; don't recite them.
No fence-sitting and no casual 'well'; this is formal.
Grammar Frame the debate + confident stance
- The question of [topic] is a hotly debated one these days.
- I feel that the wisest choice would be to support [stance], and I'll explain exactly why.
Claim, then why it matters.
Grammar Reason + result
- Firstly, [reason], which shows that [point].
A fresh angle, not a repeat.
Grammar Addition + example
- Secondly, [a different reason]; for example, [detail].
Attack the other side a little.
Grammar Debating language
- Thirdly, [one more reason]. It makes no sense to think otherwise.
Do not add new points.
Grammar Confident conclusion
- To finish up, I'm convinced that [restated stance].
Delivery & exam-day toolkit
Your content is not scored; your English is. These delivery habits apply to every speaking task and protect a level 9 and up.
- Start speaking the moment the timer begins. Delaying is penalized, so open with a quick 'hi' if you need to.
- Aim to finish about five seconds early (55s on a 60-second task, 85s on a 90-second task); you always run longer than you plan.
- The first prompt is unscored. Speak through it anyway to warm up your voice, so you do not stumble on the scored tasks.
- People finish other sections at different times, so someone will be talking while you speak, and you do not get noise-canceling headphones.
- Practice with the news playing in the background (people talking, not music) so the real room feels normal.
- Drop 'um', 'you know', 'so', 'like', 'etc.' and 'and so on'. Say 'for example' instead of 'like'.
- Never say 'I don't know'; it reads as a lack of confidence.
- A short pause (under two seconds) reads as confidence, not a blank. Pause after a connector or before a difficult sound.
- Vary your pace: slower with pauses to emphasize a point, a little quicker through a list.
These carry their own marks.
- Raise your volume on adjectives; sound excited on good news, quieter and slower on bad news.
- Let each sentence fall at the end. A rising ending sounds like a question.
Never fill a gap with 'um'. Use a ready line while your next point forms.
- 'Another important point about [topic] is that …'
- 'It is worth understanding that …'
- 'Based on where things stand, it is clear that …'
- If nothing comes, apologize once and calmly ('sorry, I lost my point for a second') and move on; a calm recovery costs far less than flailing.
- If you slip, fix it and say 'sorry' or 'pardon me' once or twice. Native speakers do this, and the mark is recovered.
- Task 1 and friendly messages: warm, with a smile in your voice.
- Task 6 bad news: calm, lower, and apologetic.
- Task 7 opinions: passionate and firm.
- Task 5 persuading: enthusiastic, but never belittle the other option.
- Picture tasks (3, 4, 8): neutral is fine, except when you voice a feeling in the scene.
- Record yourself, play it back, and judge it like a rater. Note the single biggest weakness and fix just that on the next take. Run uncertain sentences through a grammar checker.
Useful vocabulary
Vocabulary is one of the four scored dimensions, so weave a few in (don't force all of them). Bookmark the ones you want to use — they show up in your saved library.
- a strong beliefI hold a strong belief that public transit should be free for students.
- indisputableTo me, the benefits of regular exercise are simply indisputable.
- a no-brainerProtecting green spaces in the city is a no-brainer.
- it makes no sense to think otherwiseThe evidence is overwhelming, so it makes no sense to think otherwise.
- I have faith in thisI have faith in this approach, and I'm confident it will pay off.
- hotly debatedThis topic has been hotly debated in recent years.
- there's no denyingThere's no denying that screen time affects how children sleep.
- on balanceOn balance, the advantages clearly outweigh the concerns.
- at the heart of the issueAt the heart of the issue is a simple question of fairness.
- a natural deterrentHigher parking fees act as a natural deterrent for driving downtown.
- justifiable and warrantedGiven the safety risks, the new rule is both justifiable and warranted.
- for the sake ofFor the sake of future generations, we have to act now.
- squanderingIgnoring this chance would be squandering a rare opportunity.
- undeniablyThis policy would undeniably improve daily life for commuters.
- above allAbove all, it comes down to protecting people's health.
- to finish upTo finish up, I firmly stand by my position on this.
From the lesson
The full phrase bank from Task 7: Expressing Opinions. Bookmark whatever you'd actually use — everything you save shows up in your library.
Stating your position (first 10 seconds)
6I feel quite strongly about this, I firmly believe…
For me, there's really only one sensible answer here…
I'd come down clearly on the side of…
I'll be upfront: I completely agree / disagree with this.
My view on this is pretty unambiguous.
Without hesitation, I'd say…
Building arguments
7Firstly / Secondly / And the third point I'd make is…
What actually happens is…
The evidence points one way…
And I think this matters even more…
The most obvious reason is…
There's also a practical argument here…
Perhaps the strongest case is…
Developing a point (turns a claim into an argument)
6…and the knock-on effect of that is…
In practical terms, that means…
To put it in context…
Take a typical example: …
Anyone who's experienced situation will recognize this.
The consequence, inevitably, is…
Handling the counter-argument (high-value move)
5Now, some would argue that… and that's a fair concern. Nevertheless…
The usual objection is… but that doesn't really hold up, because…
I understand the opposing view, the trouble is…
Critics tend to say… What they overlook is…
That argument sounds reasonable until you consider…
Conviction phrases (this task rewards them)
7It's hard to argue otherwise.
I'd go further and say…
There's simply no compelling reason to…
The case is close to indisputable.
Frankly, the alternative makes very little sense.
I don't think it's even a close call.
And who ends up paying for that? Answer.
Hedging, when you want to sound reasonable, not fanatical
4Broadly speaking…
In most cases, at least…
There are exceptions, of course, but as a rule…
I'd stop short of saying extreme, but…
Restating your position at the end
4So overall, I'd say **[position]:** for the reasons I've given.
That's why I come down firmly on the side of…
All things considered, my view hasn't shifted: …
To sum up, reason 1, reason 2, and that's why I'd position.
Common mistakes to avoid
- No firstly / secondly / thirdly, so you lose structure marks.
- Arguing both sides instead of committing to one.
- Opening casually with 'well' in this formal task.
- A 30-second intro that leaves no time for a third point.
Quick tips
- Commit to one side and sound passionate about it.
- Use three points: firstly, secondly, thirdly, about 20 seconds each.
- Use debating language (a strong belief, it makes no sense to think otherwise).
- Vary your pace: pause, then speed up a little through each point.
