Part 1 - sample questions

 In what ways do you try to stay healthy?

 Is it easy to keep fit where you live?
 What do you think is more important, eating healthily or doing exercise?
 What are the health benefits of playing a sport?
 Have you ever had any habits which you consider to be unhealthy?
 Do you think more about your health now than when you were younger?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe something you do to keep healthy.

You should say:

 what this activity is

 when you do it
 and how often you do it

and explain why you think it’s a good way to look after your health.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country?
2. Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get older?
3. Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that they are damaging
to their health?
4. How can children be encouraged to adopt healthy eating habits?
5. Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years?
6. Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?

Useful Vocabulary
Healthy activities / habits

 taking regular exercise

 playing sport(s)
 (going) swimming / cycling / jogging
 going to the gym
 walking to work / the dog
 doing yoga / pilates / tai chi
  eating fresh fruit and vegetables / organic food
 eating regular meals
 having a balanced diet
 drinking lots of water

Unhealthy habits

 smoking
 binge drinking / drinking alcohol excessively
 taking drugs
 eating too much salt / fat / sugar
 eating too much greasy food / fried food / junk food / fast food
 eating too many ready meals / pre-prepared meals
 being overweight

Health Collocations

 a health farm / centre / club

 a health service
 a health risk / hazard
 a health check
 a health problem
 a health visitor
 a health inspector
 health food
 health insurance
 healthcare
 health and safety (rules / regulations / guidelines)
 a healthy lifestyle
 a healthy diet
 a healthy appetite
 a healthy economy
 a healthy bank balance
 a healthy profit
 a healthy attitude
 a healthy respect
Verb + Noun Collocations

 to look after your health

 to take care of our health
 to maintain your health
 to be in good / poor health
 to regain your health

Verb + Adjective Collocations

 to feel healthy
 to look healthy
 to be healthy
 to keep / stay healthy

Useful linkers for adding more detail

 In (actual) fact…
 Actually…
 More to the point…
 Indeed…
 To be more precise / exact…

Sample Answer
Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?

Yes, in my opinion the government has a big responsibility to try to persuade people to live more
healthily. I think they could provide more education in schools to teach children how to eat more healthily
and show them the importance of taking physical exercise. In fact, it’s the parents too that also need to be
re-educated on these issues. Another thing, I think there should be more government warnings on TV
showing people the dangers of obesity and poor diet, for example. Actually, they do have some that show
the health risks of smoking and drinking, which are quite powerful, but not really about healthy eating.
Finally, there could be more public facilities to help people keep fit, like swimming pools, gyms and sports
centres. More to the point they need to be affordable so that everyone has the opportunity to use them.
Part 1 - sample questions

 Do you work full-time or part-time?

 What's your job / What do you do (for a living)?
 What do you enjoy most about your work?
 What are the main tasks/duties in your job?
 Is there anything you would like to change about your job?
 What would be your ideal job?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe the job you would most like to have.

You should say:

 what this job would be

 where you would work
 which qualifications you would need

and explain why you would like to have this job most.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Which jobs would you say are most respected in your country?
2. Some people say it's better to work for yourself than be employed by a company. What's your
view?
3. Do you agree that some jobs are still more suited to either men or women?
4. Do you think schools provide enough advice and support to students about their future
careers?
5. What changes in employment have there been in recent years in your country?
6. Do you think more people will work from home in the future?
7. Can you think of any disadvantages of working from home?

Useful Vocabulary
 to apply for a job / post / promotion
 to get / have a part-time/full-time job
 to work in [field / place]
 to work for [a company]
 to specialise in [field]
 to be a qualified [job]
  to work shifts / unsociable hours
 to get / have an interview
 to be shortlisted for an interview/job/post
 to be demoted / promoted
 to be transferred / to put in for/request a transfer
 to be fired / sacked / dismissed
 to be made redundant
 to get/take voluntary redundancy
 to retire / to be retired
 to get a pension / to be a pensioner
 the perks of a job (benefits)
 to work from home (home-working)
 to be self-employed / to work for yourself
 to work/do flexi-time / overtime

Useful linkers for sequencing ideas

 firstly / first of all…
 secondly…
 thirdly…
 then…
 another point / reason / example is…
 lastly / finally….
 overall…

Sample Answer
What changes have there been in recent years in employment in your country?

I think there have been many changes in the types of jobs that people do nowadays compared to 20 or 30
years ago. First of all there are much fewer jobs related to heavy industry such as mining or ship-building
or even manufacturing. Secondly, there has been a big increase in the number of jobs in the service and
leisure industries like shops, gyms, and hotels. And finally, since the launch of the internet there has
been a big surge in the number of jobs related to IT, such as web development and design.
Part 1 – sample questions

 Which form(s) of transport do you usually use?

 What is the easiest way to get around your town/city?
 Do people use public transport where you live?
 Are there any problems with the public transport system in your town/city?
 How do you prefer to travel on long journeys?
 What is the most unusual method of transport you've ever used?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe an interesting journey you have been on.

You should say:

 where you went

 how you travelled there
 who you went with

and explain what was so memorable about the journey.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What methods of transport are most popular in your city / country?

2. What are some of the problems of long-distance travelling?
3. Has the way people travel changed much in the last few decades?
4. Do you agree that governments should do more to encourage greener methods of transport?
5. What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities?
6. Do you think that transport problems are worse in urban or rural areas?

Useful Vocabulary
Typical methods of transport in cities

 to take/catch the metro / underground / subway

 to take/catch a tram
 to take/catch a bus
 to take/catch a taxi
 to go by car
 to go by motorbike/scooter/moped
  to go by bike/bicycle / to cycle
 to go on foot / to walk

Other methods of transport

 to go by plane / to take/catch a flight

 to go by / to take/catch a train
 to go by / to take a coach
 to go by / to take/catch a boat/ferry

Transport problems

 long delays = my flight/plane was delayed

 cancellations = my flight was cancelled
 to lose your luggage
 to miss your connection
 to be stuck in traffic-jams / traffic congestion
 to be held up by roadworks / diversions / accidents
 to break down = my car broke down
 bad weather conditions
 thick fog / icy roads / heavy rain / strong winds / heavy storm

Solutions to inner-city congestion

 road access charges in city centres

 car share schemes / incentives
 bypasses / ringroads
 park and ride schemes
 free rental of city bikes
 more cycle lanes
 more frequent buses / extended network of buses
 cheaper public transport
 more pedestrianised streets
 more electric trams
 more accessible metro system

Useful linkers for giving examples

  for example
 for instance
 such as
 like / as
 another example / way is

Sample Answer
What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities?

There are many ways that congestion could be reduced in big cities. In my city, for example, they have
introduced a bike rental system where members can pick up a bike at one point and drop it off at another.
It’s proving to be very popular and as a result more cycle lanes are also being provided.

Another example, which unfortunately doesn’t exist in my city, is a park and ride scheme where you leave
your car outside the city in a carpark and then take a free bus into the centre. Another way to prevent
people bringing their cars into the city would be to charge a special fee to access the centre, like they do
in London, though I guess this wouldn’t be quite so popular with the residents.

Part 1 – sample questions

 Are there many public or national holidays in your country?

 Do you think there are enough public holidays?
 Do you like going away on holidays?
 Tell me something about your last holiday?
 Do you always like to go to the same place for your holiday?
 Where would you like to go for your next holiday?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a holiday you would like to go on.

You should say:

 what place you would like to go to

 how you would like to get there
 what you would like to do while you were there

and explain why you would like to go on this holiday.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Which places in your country do visitors enjoy visiting most?

2. What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday?
3. Have there been any recent changes in the types of holiday that are popular in your country?
4. What kinds of benefits might a significant increase in tourist numbers bring to a location?
5. What are some of the negative effects of a dramatic increase in tourism?
6. What developments affecting international travel might there be in the future?

Useful Vocabulary
Personal benefits of going on holiday

 a chance to unwind
 to spend quality time with family / friends
 to get away from work / stressful environment
 to have a change of routine / scenery
 to visit new places / experience new things / cultures
 to broaden your horizons
 to visit family or friends abroad

Commercial benefits of tourism

 creates new jobs in the tourist industry

 boosts the local economy
 attracts media attention to the resort
 'puts a place on the map'
 ensures good level of infrastructure
 improves services & facilities for local residents
 provides revenue to protect /maintain local heritage

Negative aspects of going on holiday

 loss of earnings (if self-employed)

 can be stressful (to be out of your comfort zone)
 can be difficult to cope in a foreign country / unfamiliar place
 may encounter travel problems (plane/train delays / traffic jams)
 may not have access to health facilities/services
  may lose your luggage
 may not be able to speak the local language

Disadvantages for local community

 can cause overcrowding

 tourists may not respect local customs/traditions
 can cause excess of litter / noise
 may cause damage to local environment / possible vandalism
 area becomes too built-up due to increase of hotels/shops etc
 natural landscape/beauty may be spoilt
 may cause increase in prices of local services and goods

Useful linkers for adding more ideas

 in addition (to that)
 apart from (that)
 as well as (that)
 besides (that)
 also
 not only (that) … but also
 both … and …

Sample Answer
What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday?

There are many benefits of going on holiday. Besides giving you a chance to unwind and relax,
it also allows you to spend some quality time with your family, not only in a different environment but more
importantly, away from the routine pressures of work and daily life. In addition to this, it also gives you the
opportunity to broaden your horizons by visiting new places and experiencing a different way of life.
Part 1 – sample questions

 What is the climate like in your country?

 Are there any problems with the climate in your country?
 What is your favourite type of weather?
 What kind of weather do you dislike?
 Would you prefer to live in a hot or cold country?
 What is the best/worst weather for travelling in?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe an environmental problem. You should say:

 what it is
 how long it has existed
 how it affects people’s lives

and explain how you think the problem will develop in the future.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?
2. What are the main causes of these environmental problems?
3. Do you think it is the responsibility of governments alone to protect the environment?
4. What measures can individuals take to protect the environment?
5. Do you think large companies and business organisations should be more environmentally
friendly? Why? How?
6. How can we teach children about the importance of protecting the environment?

Useful Vocabulary
Environmental Problems

 destruction of the rainforests (deforestation)

 melting of the icecaps
 extinction of many species (loss of biodiversity)
 destruction of the ozone layer
 global warming / the “greenhouse effect”
 rising sea levels
 pollution of land, sea and air
 increase of natural disasters eg, earthquakes, landslides, floods

Causes of Environmental Problems

 excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, eg carbon dioxide

 chemical and industrial waste
 emissions from cars and planes
 improper dumping of household waste
 overuse of non-renewable fossil fuels
 genetic modification
 over-consumption
 over-urbanisation

Solutions to Environmental Problems

 recycling
 using renewable sources of energy, eg solar heating, wind-farms
 replanting trees
 cutting carbon emissions
 cleaner waste disposal
 sustainable consumption and development
 buying products with less packaging
 buying organic products
 buying products made from recycled material / renewable sources
 using natural remedies as alternative medicine

Useful linkers for explaining cause & effect

 caused by
 due to
 because of
 as a result of
 leads to
 results in
 causes

Sample Answer
Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?

I think people in my country are most concerned about future shortages of fresh drinking water, which I
suppose is both a result of poor water management and general global warming. I think everyone is
feeling the effects of the latter problem which is causing us to experience more extreme temperatures, for
example, much colder winters and much hotter summers. The long hot summers are particularly worrying
in the south of the country where there is a real risk of drought due to the consistent lack of rainfall.

Part 1 – sample questions

 How much time do you spend using a computer at work or at home?

 What do you mainly use a computer for?
 Did you learn how to use a computer at school?
 Have you ever taken a course to improve your computer skills?
 Has the internet made your job / studies easier?
 Which device do you prefer to use for browsing the internet?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a piece of technology that you find useful.

You should say:

 what it is
 what you can do with it
 how often you use it

and explain why you find it so useful

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What are some of the main uses of technology for communication?

2. Do you agree that some people use technology for communication too much?
3. What differences are there between the attitudes of older and younger people to technology
for communication?
4. Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools?
5. Would you agree that the rapid development of digital technology has had a positive impact
on the world of work?
6. Do you think that the rate of technological expansion will slow down in the years to come?
Useful Vocabulary
Uses of internet for communication

 sending emails
 sending text messages
 tele-conferencing
 video conferencing
 online chatting
 social networking
 blogging
 posting messages on forums
 using an intranet system

Advantages

 offers immediate communication

 cheaper than telephone calls / face-to-face meetings
 allows global communication without the need to travel
 more convenient / people can communicate on-the-move
 allows friends and family overseas to stay connected
 gives everybody the chance to have a public voice

Disadvantages

 people may lose “real” social skills

 people may spend less time socialising face-to-face
 people may become more introverted
 people may become addicted to social network sites
 people spend too much time in front of a screen

Technology and Education

 interactive whiteboards
 e-learning courses /e-books
 online degrees
 self-access centres / study
 online teaching / tutoring / training
  blended learning (online + face-to-face)

Advantages

 offers more flexibility for the learner

 allows people in rural areas the same study opportunities
 cheaper for students (no travel / accommodation costs)
 students & teachers are less bound by time and space

Technology and Work

 automated processes
 automated manufacturing
 automated customer services
 high-tech computer systems
 computerised filing / administrative systems
 huge databases
 intranet system / internal emailing

Disadvantages

 has made some jobs redundant

 gives customers less personal service
 requires staff to be technically skilled
 may cause security issues / files may be lost
 requires a lot of investment
 breakdowns in the system may cause severe problems

Useful linkers for giving reasons

 due to (the fact that)
 because of
 because
 as a result of
 that’s (the reason) why

Sample Answer
Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools?
I think the growth of the internet has had a major impact on current teaching methods and I’m sure
general standards have improved as a result. I strongly believe that the motivation for both learning and
teaching has increased because of the phenomenal amount of information now available to both students
and teachers. On the other hand, due to a danger of information overload, some people may be put off
using technology in the classroom, wishing for a return to more traditional methods.

Part 1 – sample questions

 How much free time do you have per week?

 How do you like to relax at the end of the day?
 What kinds of things do you enjoy doing at the weekends?
 Do you have any plans for next weekend?
 Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people?
 Do you have enough free time to do all the things you enjoy?
 What would you do if you had more free time?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a leisure activity you like doing in your free time.

You should say:

 what kind of activity it is

 how often you do it
 what equipment you need to do it

and explain why you enjoy doing it.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What kind of free-time activities are typical in your country?

2. Have there been any recent changes in the types of leisure activities that people find popular?
3. Do you agree that it’s important for people of different ages to do leisure activities together?
4. In your opinion, who is responsible for encouraging children to take up different leisure
pursuits?
5. Do you think people have less time for leisure activities now compared to the past?
6. Do you think that technology has changed the types of leisure activities we enjoy these days?
Useful Vocabulary
Outdoor Leisure Activities

 to play / practise / do sport(s)

 to go rambling / hiking / trekking
 to go running/ jogging
 to go for a walk / stroll
 to go cycling
 to go fishing
 to go horse riding
 to go surfing / sailing
 to go rollerblading / iceskating / skateboarding
 to go canoeing / kayaking
 to go skiing / snowboarding
 to hang out / meet up with friends
 to eat out / go to restaurants or cafes

Indoor Leisure Activities

 to go to the gym / keep fit / do exercise

 do yoga / pilates / aerobics
 do martial arts (karate/judo/taekwondo)
 to go swimming
 to go to the cinema / theatre / shopping mall/centre
 to listen to music
 to watch TV / films
 to read books / novels / newspapers / magazines
 to play computer/video games
 to surf/browse the internet
 to play a musical instrument
 to sing in a choir
 to go dancing (ballet / tap / ballroom / hip-hop / freestyle / latin)
 to cook / bake
 to play board games / do puzzles
  to sew / knit

 to draw / paint / do crafts

Useful filler expressions

 I suppose / I guess...
 Let me think / see...
 Well, I would say…
 I’m not sure, but…
 You know what I mean
 You know, like...
 I don’t know/I'm not sure exactly, but…

Sample Answer
Do you agree that it’s important for people of different ages to do leisure activities together?

Um … well … I think in some cases it could be important for people of different ages to do leisure
activities together. For example, parents or even grandparents can enjoy doing fun things with their
children or grandchildren, like, you know, things that don’t require a lot of physical ability such as playing
games, reading or cooking. I guess that sometimes it is very important for older people to do things with
younger ones, especially more difficult skills that need to be taught like … I don’t know … martial arts or
playing a musical instrument.

Part 1 – sample questions

Cinema

 Do you like watching films/movies?

 What kinds of films do you enjoy?
 Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema?
 Is it easy to get to a cinema where you live?
 How often do you watch films / go the cinema?
 Have you seen any good films recently?
 What kind of movies did you like to watch when you were a child?
 Has your taste in films changed as you've got older?
Television

 How much television do you watch per day/week?

 What time of time do you usually watch TV?
 Who do you normally watch TV with?
 What kind of TV programmes do you like the most?
 Do you have a favourite TV programme at the moment?
 What TV programmes do you remember from your childhood?
 How often do you watch the news on TV?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a film you found interesting.

You should say:

 when you saw this film

 why you decided to see this film
 what happened in the film

and explain why you found this film interesting.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Is cinema a popular form of entertainment in your country?

2. How has the cinema experience changed in recent years?
3. Do you think that films should always have an educational value?
4. Is it important for governments to support film-making in their countries?
5. Do you think the Internet has had a big impact on the entertainment industry?
6. In what ways do you think that entertainment media may develop in the future?

Useful Vocabulary
Advantages of going to the cinema

 the thrill of watching something on the big-screen

 more exciting/intense atmosphere
 surround sound system brings the characters to life / enhances the special effects
 able to appreciate the cinematography
 can enjoy a night out with friends
 the excitement of watching a premiere screening

Advantages of watching TV

 can sit in the comfort of your own home

 can choose what you want to watch
 can play back your favourite parts
 can pause it if you want to stop watching
 can flick through the channels
 can invite your friends round
 can watch a variety of programmes at your own convenience
 can switch it off if you get bored

Film-making

 social responsibility to make educational/informative films

 good media for reaching wide audiences
 has high impact on the public
 can get worldwide recognition
 can deliver social and cultural messages
 can bring widespread attention to social/world problems

Technology & Entertainment

 online gaming / games / gambling

 downloading films / videos
 downloading music
 computer game consoles
 social networking / network sites
 instant chat/photo feeds

Useful linkers for giving more exact information

 in (actual) fact…
 actually…
 as a matter of fact…
 to be more exact…
 to be more precise…
Sample Answer
<="" strong="">

No, I don’t think that it’s necessary for all films to be educational. In fact, I think people go to the cinema
because they simply want to be entertained, not always educated. Watching a film on the big screen is a
form of escapism and so people want adventure, romance or fantasy. As far as I’m concerned, if I’m
looking to be educated I would choose to read a book or watch a documentary, although actually I do also
enjoy historical films which teach me something about the past.

Part 1 – sample questions

 Are you a full-time or part-time student?

 What subject(s) are you studying?
 Why did you choose this/these subject(s)?
 Which topic/subject do you find the most difficult/interesting?
 What was your favourite subject when you were at school?
 What do you plan to do when you finish studying?
 Is there anything else you would like to study in the future?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a teacher that had a positive influence on you.

You should say:

 what subject this teacher taught

 how long he/she was your teacher
 what positive attributes this teacher had

and explain why you remember this teacher in particular.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Some people say that your school days are the best days of your life. Do you agree?
2. Do you think school and university prepares young people adequately for real life?
3. Do you agree there is too much pressure on young people at school these days?
4. Some people argue that end-of-year exams should be replaced by continuous assessment.
What do you think?
 5. Have there been significant changes in schooling methods in your country in recent years?
6. Do you think schools and universities provide enough careers advice to their students?

Useful Vocabulary
School

 nursery / primary / secondary school / education

 state school / private school / boarding school
 all girls / all boys / single-sex / co-ed school
 to go to / attend school
 the curriculum / syllabus
 extra-curricular activities
 school trips / holidays
 school playground / dinners / uniform
 school pupils / teachers
 schoolchildren / schoolboy / schoolgirl
 to sit / do / take an exam
 to resit / retake an exam
 to revise / to study (for an exam)
 to pass / to fail an exam
 to get exam results
 to get qualifications / to be qualified
 to leave school / a school-leaver
 to drop out of school / a dropout
 to be academic / to be an all-rounder

University/College

 tertiary / higher / further education

 colleges of higher education / technical colleges / universities
 to apply for a course
 to get an (un)conditional offer
 to do a course in [subject]
 halls of residence / student accommodation
 student union / student body
  a fresher / an undergraduate / a graduate
 a graduation ceremony
 to get a university degree / a Masters / a Doctorate (Phd)
 to graduate from university / to graduate in [subject]
 a postgraduate student / course
 to do / take a postgraduate course / a Masters / a PhD (Doctorate)
 to be a qualified [job title] / to qualify in [subject]
 to take a gap year
 to drop out of university

Useful linkers for contrasting ideas

 However....
 ...whereas / while...
 On the one hand…. but on the other hand…
 Although / Even though…
 Despite (the fact that)…
 But…

Sample Answer
Is there a system of free state education in your country?

In my country there is a state education system offering free education for children from 3-
18, although parents still have to pay for food, materials, school trips and other extra-curricular activities.
This is only one part of the system, however, because there are also private schools and semi-private
schools, which are partly funded by the state. So on the one hand it appears that we do have free state
education, but in actual fact it isn’t available to everyone because places are limited.

Part 1 – sample questions

 Which languages do you speak?

 Do you think it’s important for children to learn a foreign language?
 When did you start learning a foreign language?
 Do you enjoy learning languages?
 What activity do you find most useful for learning English?
  What do you find most difficult about learning English?
 Are there any other languages you would like to learn in the future?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a conversation you had which was important to you.

You should say:

 when the conversation took place

 who you had the conversation with
 what the conversation was about

and explain why the conversation was important to you.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What are the main differences between spoken and written communication?
2. To what extent do you think the media influences how people communicate with each other?
3. Do you think there are differences in the way men and women communicate?
4. Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older?
5. Do you agree that education has a strong and positive effect on people’s ability to
communicate effectively?
6. What impact has the growth of technology had on the way people communicate and how do
you think this will develop in the future?

Useful Vocabulary
Modern forms of communication

 speaking / talking / chatting face-to-face

 speaking / talking / chatting on the phone / by mobile phone / by skype
 sending a text message/an SMS / texting
 sending / writing an email
 using an electronic messaging service
 social networking
 video-conferencing

Non-verbal forms of communication

 lip-reading
 using body language
  using sign language
 using hand gestures / signals
 using facial expressions

Informal utterances

 Give me a call/ring/bell/buzz
 Call / ring / phone me
 Send me a text / an email / a whatsapp
 Text me / email me
 Drop me a line
 Keep me posted
 Let me know
 Keep / stay in touch
 I’ll be in touch

Other forms of communication

 making / giving a speech

 speaking in public / public speaking
 giving a lecture / lecturing
 giving a seminar / presentation
 giving / having / conducting an interview
 having / maintaining a dialogue/conversation/discussion
 having an argument

Reasons for communicating

 giving a demonstration / demonstrating

 giving instructions / instructing
 asking for/giving directions / directing
 asking for/giving advice / advising
 making a complaint / complaining
 making small talk / building social relations / exchanging pleasantries
 exchanging/defending/challenging views/opinions
 requesting/supplying information
 gossiping / spreading rumours
 

Effective communication skills

 maintaining eye-contact
 projecting your voice
 varying your intonation
 punctuating your sentences
 emphasizing / repeating key words
 engaging the listener
 asking rhetorical questions
 using discourse markers

Useful linkers for giving opinions

 In my view…
 In my opinion…
 From my point of view…
 In my experience/case…
 As I see it…
 Personally, I think…
 I believe / feel that…
 For me personally…
 As far as I’m concerned…

Sample Answer
Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older?

I think that people’s ability to communicate does improve with age because generally speaking, people
get more confident as they gain more experience of life and I believe that confidence is a major factor. On
the other hand, some people may become more self-conscious as they got older, particularly when they
reach certain stages in their life such as adolescence. For me personally, I feel that I’m a better
communicator now than when I was younger.