This set practises five skills from speaking interaction: extending an answer, asking for clarification, comparing options, handling follow-ups and recovering from vocabulary gaps. All tasks are original. They are not exam papers, and they carry no marks.
How to use this set
Speak every answer aloud before opening the model.
Use the private speaking recorder if you can, then listen back. Your answer will differ from the model, and that is normal. Judge it with three questions: did I answer the question, did I give a reason or detail, and did the conversation keep moving?
You can also record two attempts as written notes and compare them with the writing revision compare view. Keep your errors in a mistake log.
Warm-up: extend the answer
1. “Do you have a favourite subject at school?”
Show answer
Model: “Yes, my favourite is geography, because I like learning about different places. Last term we studied volcanoes, and I watched videos at home to find out more.”
Why it works: a direct answer, a real reason, and one specific detail. See extending a short answer.
2. “What do you usually do after school?”
Show answer
Model: “I usually have a snack and then do my homework, because it is easier when I am not too tired. On Wednesdays I go to football practice, so I start later.”
Why it works: the detail about Wednesdays makes it personal and believable.
3. A student answers “Do you like reading?” with “Yes, I like reading because reading is good.” Improve the reason.
Show answer
Model: “Yes, I like reading because it helps me forget about school for a while. I am reading a mystery novel at the moment, and I want to find out who did it.”
Why it works: the original reason only repeated the word. The improved reason says what reading does for you.
Core: clarify and compare
4. The listener says quickly: “What do you think about the recycling programme in your school?” You do not know programme in this sense. Write what you say.
Show answer
Model: “Sorry, do you mean the system for collecting paper and plastic?” Then, after the listener agrees: “I think it is a good idea, but the bins are sometimes full, so people leave rubbish on the floor.”
Why it works: you asked about the meaning in a specific way, then answered. See asking for clarification.
5. You missed the last part of the question “Would you like to live abroad, and where would you go?” Write a clarifying phrase.
Show answer
Model: “Sorry, could you say the last part again, please?” The phrase is specific, so the listener repeats only what you missed.
6. “Would you rather learn online or in a classroom?” Answer in four sentences using a frame.
Show answer
Model: “That depends on the subject. Online, I can repeat the parts I did not understand, whereas in a classroom I can ask the teacher straight away. For practical subjects, I prefer the classroom, because I can see the equipment. For reading and writing, I prefer online, because I can work at my own pace.”
Why it works: both options, a point each, and a preference with reasons. See comparing alternatives.
7. “Is it better to travel with family or with friends?” Give a comparison that does not sound memorised.
Show answer
Model: “With family, it feels safe and my parents plan everything. With friends, it is more fun, but we might argue about money. I would pick friends for a short trip, because I like choosing my own activities.”
Why it works: natural short sentences and a clear choice. Any reasoned choice is fine.
Stretch: follow-ups and gaps
8. After talking about your hobbies, the listener asks: “Should schools give students more time for hobbies?” You have not prepared. Write a four-step reply.
Show answer
Model: “That is an interesting question. You are asking if school should have more hobby time. My cousin joined a school band, and she said it made her less stressed. So I think yes, a little more time would help, because students learn better when they are relaxed.”
Why it works: a bought moment, a restatement, a true example and a link back. See responding to an unexpected follow-up.
9. You want to say “I wore a helmet” but forget helmet. Finish the sentence without the word.
Show answer
Model: “I wore something hard on my head to protect it, when I rode my bicycle.” Or: “I cannot remember the word, but it is the hard hat for cycling.”
Why it works: a description keeps the meaning and the conversation moving. See keeping interaction going after a vocabulary gap.
10. Combine everything. The listener asks: “Have you ever organised an event?” You have not, and you missed part of the question. Write a short exchange of your lines only.
Show answer
Model: “Sorry, could you say the last part again? … Oh, I see, an event. No, I have not organised one myself, but I helped at my sister’s birthday party. I carried chairs and put up decorations, and I learned that planning takes more time than I expected.”
Why it works: a clarification, an honest answer that does not stop at “no”, and a detail that links to the question.
If you got these wrong
| What happened | Go to |
|---|---|
| Answers stayed one sentence long | Extend a short answer with a reason |
| You nodded or guessed without understanding | Ask for clarification appropriately |
| You recited a prepared speech or ignored the options | Compare alternatives without memorised monologues |
| You froze on a new question or said only “I don’t know” | Respond to an unexpected follow-up |
| You went silent when a word was missing | Keep interaction going after a vocabulary gap |
Speaking needs a partner to practise properly. For a teacher to play the other speaker and listen to your replies in real time, see online one-to-one English as a Second Language tuition.