Lesson 35 · Speaking
Speaking & Writing — Cambridge B1 Preliminary / B2 First, personal experience and habits
Your task
Speak or write for 90 seconds/130 words about a habit you changed. Use at least 6 verb + gerund/infinitive patterns, including at least one use of stop, remember or try where the meaning depends on the pattern chosen.
How to do it
Examiners look for accurate, varied verb patterns rather than repeated simple structures. (1) Plan two -ing verbs and two to-infinitive verbs before you start speaking. (2) If you use stop/remember/try, make the context clear so the meaning is unambiguous. (3) Use at least one preposition + -ing (interested in, good at, instead of). (4) Avoid overusing 'want to' — vary with hope to, plan to, decide to, manage to.
Use these phrases
Talk about
- • What's something you always avoid doing, even though you know you shouldn't?
- • Tell a partner about a habit you managed to stop. How did you do it?
- • In one minute, list as many verbs as you can that are usually followed by 'to' (want to, decide to…).
Model answer
I used to put off exercising every single day. I finally decided to try joining a running club, mostly because I was tired of avoiding the problem. The first weeks were hard — I remember dreading getting up early — but I kept going, and eventually I stopped needing an alarm to get me moving. I'm now looking forward to running my first ten-kilometre race, something I never imagined myself doing.
Pair / class extension: Interview your partner about habits: one they enjoy, one they've given up, one they're trying to build, and one they keep putting off. You must use at least 6 different verb patterns across the conversation, including a correct use of stop, remember or try with the meaning made clear.
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.