Task 7: Expressing Opinions

Instructions:

Task 7 focuses on a social issue that is familiar to many Canadians.

• Test takers are to state their opinion and then defend it logically
• They should try to persuade the listener that their opinion is rational and practical

(use logic)

• Choose a position immediately – agree or disagree with the statement immediately
• Think of reasons/ facts to support (empirical evidence (stats), quotes from experts in the field, personal stories, or anecdotal evidence)
• 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to respond!

Procedure: (30 seconds)

1. Choose a position.
2. Write down three ideas that will help you argue (against) or persuade (agree)

Note: Again, as with other tasks, this task seeks a logical response in the form of a persuasive

argument (use paragraph form).

In 90 Seconds:

1. You need to make a statement immediately that reflects which side of the argument

you are on.

2. You need to have 3 reasons to support your position – and give reasonable examples to support your 3 reasons (use facts)
3. Finally, add a simple conclusion to your argument.

Note: Do not worry if your response ends around 60 – 70 seconds – if you are logical with good paragraph form, you will score well.

Examples:

1. Do you think all university students should study abroad for a year if there is sufficient funding? Explain your reasons.

Topic sentence: I believe that university students should study overseas for several reasons.

Reason 1: First, it is all about culture.

• Detail: Students can learn a great deal by being immersed in a different culture where they can expand their knowledge of different traditions and languages of a different culture. This can be a lot of fun because it is so interesting to be a part of Christmas, festivals, or rituals.

Reason 2: Also, studying overseas allows students to observe different professors and instructors who have different study methods.

• Detail: There are usually many ways of getting to the same answer, so this can be accelerated by studying under foreign instructors. Elon Musk chose to study in Canada even though he is from South Africa.

Reason 3: Finally, studying abroad helps students find employment after they graduate.

• Detail: Many employers seek employees with experience in multicultural environments, so education counts

Conclusion: In these ways, studying overseas can be beneficial for students.

 

Response 1:

I believe that university students should study overseas for several reasons. First, it is all about culture. Students can learn a great deal by being immersed in a different culture where they can expand their knowledge of different traditions and languages of a different culture. This can be a lot of fun because it is so interesting to be a part of Christmas, festivals, or rituals. Also, studying overseas allows students to observe different professors and instructors who have different study methods. Detail: There are usually many ways of getting to the same answer, so this can be accelerated by studying under foreign instructors. Elon Musk chose to study in Canada even though he is from South Africa. Finally, studying abroad helps students find employment after they graduate. Many employers seek employees with experience in multicultural environments, so education counts. In these ways, studying overseas can be beneficial for students.

 Statistics: 149 words spoken in approximately 74 seconds

Marker’s score = 10 /11

Content/Coherence: There are a sufficient number of reasons with examples that suggest that this response has satisfactory content. Because it is organized in a typical paragraph form it is coherent.

 

Vocabulary: The vocabulary used is related to the reasons given (culture – language), methods – accelerated, Elon Musk – Canada – South Africa, employment – multicultural environments.

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is grammatically correct.

                  Task Fulfillment:  The task is complete because it answers directly to the question

prompt, and it is organized. Likewise, the tone is consistent throughout.

 

Response 2:

Even if students are given the opportunity to study overseas, they should not go for several reasons. First, even if a student has funding, it is very expensive to live and study there. Rent and food in foreign countries cost a great deal and many times these costs are unexpected, including hidden taxes and utilities. Also, students new at university must learn how to study first before being exposed to different teaching methods and cultures. Culture alone can be difficult if a student is forced to use a foreign language in their daily life. Then there is the added pressure to understand lectures and new methods. Why go through all this trouble? Finally, the proper time to go overseas to study is after you have completed your first Bachelor’s degree and are seeking a Master’s degree. All students would appreciate this experience as they have already uncovered their major course of study and they already know how to study. These are good reasons for not studying overseas.

Statistics: 168 words spoken in approximately 80 seconds

 

Marker’s score = 10 /11

Content/Coherence: The response adheres to proper paragraph form, so it is spoken in a coherent manner. Further, since there are 3 reasons with some detail, there is adequate content that answers the question prompt, so it is appropriate in this response (expensive as it relates to hidden taxes and utilities; a culture that can be a form of added pressure; the comfort of study after completing a BA degree).

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is grammatically correct.

                   Task Fulfillment:  The task is complete in that the response answers the question

prompt in an organized way with related content. The tone of the speaker varied only

slightly the question ‘Why go through all this trouble?’