Lesson 29 · Speaking
Writing — Cambridge B1 Preliminary / FCE article ('My ambitions')
Your task
Write a 140–190 word article titled 'The ambition I almost gave up on'. Use 5 lesson vocabulary items, vary verb patterns (hope to / dream of / consider + -ing / would like to / my ambition is to), and end with one specific concrete next step.
How to do it
Article tasks reward voice and specificity. (1) Open with a question or honest admission ('There's an ambition I've been quietly carrying since I was twelve…'). (2) Give the BACKSTORY — where the ambition came from. (3) Describe what stopped you, briefly. (4) Pivot to the present — what's changed. (5) End with ONE concrete next step, not a vague hope. Examiners reward variety of structures: mix 'hope to' / 'dream of' / 'I'd like to' / 'my ambition is to'. Avoid the cliché closing line 'follow your dreams' — be specific.
Use these phrases
Talk about
- • Tell your teacher one realistic hope for the next five years and one impossible-but-fun dream. Use different verbs for each.
- • Name one ambition that's genuinely yours and one that came from family/society. How can you tell the difference?
- • Big ambitions get the headlines — but name one small, modest ambition for this month. Often these matter more.
Model answer
There's an ambition I've quietly carried since I was twelve: I'd love to run a small bookshop. A café in the back, second-hand poetry, the works. For years I told no one. It sounded ridiculous next to the serious jobs friends were chasing. So I trained as an accountant instead, which I'm reasonably good at and don't dread, but don't dream of either. Last year my aunt — bookshop owner, naturally — asked what I'd do if no one I loved ever found out. The bookshop. Instantly. That was the diagnostic. I'm not quitting tomorrow. I'm considering doing a short bookselling course in autumn, working weekends in a friend's shop, and seeing if the dream survives contact with reality. Maybe it won't. Maybe I'll discover that real bookshops are full of admin and damp. But for the first time in fifteen years, I'm taking the ambition seriously instead of dismissing it. Specific next step: course application by 30 September.
Pair / class extension: Role-play with your teacher (or a partner): a 'long-walk' honest conversation about ambitions. Share one ambition you've never said out loud, ask 'If no one you loved ever found out, would you still want this?' for one another's stated goals, and finish by each naming ONE concrete next step with a deadline. Use 5 lesson vocabulary items and at least 3 different verb patterns (hope to / dream of / be considering / would like to).
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.