What raters reward
Raters reward covering BOTH sides, comparing your points against theirs point by point (not all yours then all theirs), and a warm, persuasive tone. Vocabulary matters a little less here; covering everything in a minute is what impresses.
Your time plan
How to structure it
Fill the [slots] with your own ideas, then adapt the frames; don't recite them.
Do not waste time on a generic intro; name an actual advantage.
Grammar Informal greeting
- Hey [name], you're putting me in a tough spot by making me choose between [X] and [Y].
- However, it's clear as day that [my option] has [a real benefit].
Interleave: your point, then why theirs is weaker.
Grammar Comparatives + whereas
- [My option] is comparatively better because [reason], whereas [their option] [drawback].
- I understand you like [their point], but it [downside].
Combine shared features, then add your edge.
Grammar as compared to
- On top of that, [my benefit], as compared to [their option].
- We both get [common feature], but with mine you also [extra].
A friendly, direct nudge.
Grammar Question
- Did I make enough sense to convince you at this point? Let me know.
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.
- comparativelyThe first option is comparatively cheaper, so it saves you money every month.
- as compared toAs compared to the downtown apartment, this one gives you far more space.
- whereasThe gym membership is flexible, whereas the class package locks you in for a year.
- more suitableFor someone with your busy schedule, the online course is much more suitable.
- it has the leastOf the two plans, this one has the least risk and the lowest cost.
- highly beneficialLiving close to work would be highly beneficial for your health and your free time.
- way more superiorIn terms of quality, the second brand is way more superior to the cheaper one.
- the better valueWhen you add up everything you get, the bundle is clearly the better value.
- outweigh the drawbacksYes it costs a bit more, but the benefits easily outweigh the drawbacks.
- in the long runBuying the reliable car will save you money in the long run.
- it's clear as dayOnce you look at the two side by side, it's clear as day which one wins.
- you're putting me in a tough spotYou're putting me in a tough spot, but honestly I'd still go with the first choice.
- trust me you won't regret itPick the guided tour; trust me you won't regret it.
- if I were in your shoesIf I were in your shoes, I would not hesitate to take the second offer.
- did I make enough sense to convince youSo that's my case; did I make enough sense to convince you?
- so what do you sayIt ticks every box you mentioned, so what do you say?
- I'd strongly recommendFor all these reasons, I'd strongly recommend going with option one.
From the lesson
The full phrase bank from Task 5: Comparing & Persuading. Bookmark whatever you'd actually use — everything you save shows up in your library.
Acknowledge → counter (your opening move)
8I can see why you'd lean toward X, but…
X sounds appealing on the surface; the problem is…
You've got a point about X, that said…
I completely understand the appeal of X. However…
I'm not saying X is a bad option. I just think…
X would be great if **[condition]:** but that isn't really the case here.
On paper X looks better, and yet…
I hear you on X. My worry is…
Comparatives, this is where the marks live
10considerably / significantly / far more ___ than…
X is nowhere near as ___ as Y
compared to X, Y gives us…
the real advantage of Y over X is…
that's a fraction of what we'd pay for…
Y is streets ahead of X when it comes to…
there's simply no comparison in terms of…
X doesn't come close to Y on…
Y works out cheaper / faster / easier by a decent margin
you'd get roughly twice the ___ for the same money
Doing something with the numbers (high-value move)
4That's $X a month, which works out at nearly $Y a year.
The difference alone would cover something concrete.
We'd be paying X more for **[minor benefit]:** that's hard to justify.
Over a full year, that gap becomes genuinely significant.
Moving to your second dimension
4On top of that…
It's the same story with…
And that's before we even get to…
The other thing worth weighing up is…
Introducing your own invented detail
4And honestly, there's something the listing doesn't mention…
Here's something else worth considering…
One thing people always forget about is…
Plus, and this is the bit that sold me, …
Persuasion
7the whole point of ___ is…
which means we'd end up…
I'd happily trade ___ for ___
trust me on this one
I really do think you'd thank me later.
Give it a week and you wouldn't look back.
When you actually run the numbers, it's not close.
Graceful concession (use once, near the end)
4Sure, X is a bit ___, but…
Admittedly ___, though I'd still say…
I'll grant you that ___. Even so…
It's not perfect, I know, but on balance…
Closing the pitch
3So overall, I really do think ___ is the better call.
Am I making sense? I genuinely think it's the right move.
What do you say, shall we go with it?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Talking only about your option and ignoring theirs (the main reason people never reach a top level).
- Doing all your points first, then all of theirs, instead of comparing point by point.
- Freezing or running over time; this is the task people blank on.
- Belittling the other option instead of persuading warmly.
Quick tips
- Compare every point, yours against theirs, interleaved.
- Open with one of their points, then pivot to yours.
- Use comparison words: comparatively, as compared to, whereas.
- Coverage matters more than fancy vocabulary here; cover it all in a minute.
