Lesson 24 · Speaking
Writing — Cambridge FCE Part 2 (article / review of an issue)
Your task
Write a 140–190 word article for an English-language student magazine titled 'Three things I do before I share a news story.' Use at least 4 reporting verbs and 5 lesson vocabulary items.
How to do it
Article tasks reward (1) a TITLE-MATCHING opening hook (don't restate the question — re-angle it), (2) a clear STRUCTURE (three things = three short paragraphs or a tight list with commentary), (3) DIRECT ADDRESS to the reader ('you'll have seen', 'next time you scroll'), (4) RANGE — at this level examiners want reporting verbs and varied tenses, not just 'said'. End with a call to the reader, not a summary.
Use these phrases
Talk about
- • Name the three places you actually get most of your news. Are any of them journalism?
- • What's the last headline you remember? Tell your teacher who reported it and whether you trust the source.
- • What makes you trust a news source? List three things.
Model answer
You've probably shared an article today that you haven't actually read. Don't worry — researchers have admitted most of us do it. Here are three small habits that have changed how I read news. First, I check the source. A claim from Reuters and the same claim from an unknown account aren't the same thing. Second, I look for the 'OPINION' label — opinion pieces argue a position, they don't report events. Third, if a headline makes me furious or thrilled, I slow down. That's exactly the reaction clickbait is engineered to produce, and sharing in that moment is how misinformation spreads. None of this takes long. Next time you reach to retweet, just open the article first.
Pair / class extension: Role-play with your teacher (or a partner): you've both seen the same viral news story and you disagree about whether to trust it. Discuss the source, the headline, the bias, and what would change your mind. Use at least 5 reporting verbs and 4 vocabulary items.
Giving opinions
Share what you think clearly and naturally.
- On the whole, I think…“On the whole, I think remote work suits me better.”
- In my view, …“In my view, schools should teach financial literacy.”
- If you ask me, …“If you ask me, it's not worth the money.”
- To be honest, …“To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the film.”
- I'd say (that)…“I'd say that's the best one.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Agreeing & disagreeing
Respond to opinions without sounding aggressive or weak.
- Absolutely / Definitely.“Absolutely — that's exactly what I meant.”
- I see your point, but…“I see your point, but I'd look at it differently.”
- I'm not so sure about that.“I'm not so sure about that — it depends on the price.”
- Yes and no.“Yes and no — partly true, but it's more complicated.”
- I'd have to disagree.“I'd have to disagree there — I had a great experience.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Asking questions politely
Soften questions for strangers, customer service, formal contexts.
- Could you tell me…?“Could you tell me where platform 4 is?”
- Do you know…?“Do you know what time it closes?”
- Would you mind + -ing?“Would you mind repeating that?”
- I was wondering if…“I was wondering if you had a moment.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Clarifying & checking
Make sure you've understood — without saying 'What?'.
- Sorry, do you mean…?“Sorry, do you mean Monday next week or this week?”
- Just to check, …“Just to check, that's £40 each, right?”
- So what you're saying is…“So what you're saying is we should leave earlier.”
- Could you say that again?“Could you say that again — I missed the last part.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Reactions & follow-ups
Keep conversations alive instead of letting them die.
- Oh really? / No way!“A: I quit my job. — B: No way! When?”
- Have you? / Did you? / Are you?“A: I've moved to Lisbon. — B: Have you?! How is it?”
- How come?“How come you decided to do that?”
- What's that like?“What's that like — working remotely full-time?”
- How about you?“I love thrillers. How about you?”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Suggesting & negotiating
Make plans, propose solutions, find middle ground.
- Why don't we…?“Why don't we meet halfway?”
- How about + -ing?“How about going to the Thai place?”
- Shall we…?“Shall we say 7pm then?”
- Would it work if…?“Would it work if we pushed it to Friday?”
- I'm easy / I don't mind.“I'm easy — whatever suits you.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Storytelling & anecdotes
Hold attention when you tell a story or share news.
- You'll never guess what happened.“You'll never guess what happened on the way here.”
- So basically, …“So basically, we missed the train by 30 seconds.”
- All of a sudden, …“All of a sudden, the lights went out.”
- Long story short, …“Long story short, we ended up driving instead.”
- Anyway, …“Anyway, that's how I met your dad.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Hedging & diplomacy
Soften strong opinions, disagree politely, sound less abrupt.
- It might be worth + -ing“It might be worth checking the schedule first.”
- I'd probably…“I'd probably go for the smaller one.”
- I'm not entirely sure, but…“I'm not entirely sure, but I think it closes at 6.”
- That's a fair point, although…“That's a fair point, although there's another side to it.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.