Lesson 43 · Speaking
Speaking — Cambridge B1 Preliminary Part 3 / IELTS Part 2-3 (comparing options)
Your task
Compare two options (two jobs, two cities, two products) for 90 seconds. Use at least 5 modified comparatives, one 'as…as' or 'not as…as' structure, and one 'the more…, the more…' sentence.
How to do it
Examiners reward precision, not just correct grammar. (1) Don't just say 'more expensive' — grade it: 'slightly more expensive' or 'far more expensive'. (2) Use 'not as…as' for natural negative comparisons instead of always using 'less than'. (3) Finish with a clear superlative statement using 'by far' to signal your conclusion. (4) A 'the more…, the more…' sentence near the end sounds notably fluent and is easy to prepare in advance.
Use these phrases
Talk about
- • Compare two cities you know well. Which is far more expensive? Which is slightly more relaxed?
- • Name something that isn't as good as it used to be. What changed?
- • Finish this: 'The more I practise English, the more…'
Model answer
Comparing the two jobs, the first one pays far more, but it's nowhere near as flexible — I'd have to be in the office five days a week. The second job isn't as well paid, but it's just as interesting, and it's much closer to home. Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I lean towards the second one — for me, flexibility is by far the most important factor.
Pair / class extension: Role-play 'Choosing between two options' (two holidays, two courses, two neighbourhoods). Partner A prefers option 1; Partner B prefers option 2. Each of you must use at least 4 modified comparatives, one 'as…as' structure and one 'the more…, the more…' sentence to defend your choice before agreeing on one.
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.