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Lesson 10
Opinions & Discussion
B1

GivingReasons

because · since · as · due to · the reason is that…

60 min Justification

Your level · You are here

  1. A0/A1Beginner
  2. A1/A2Elementary
  3. A2/B1Pre-Intermediate
  4. B1/B1+Intermediate
  5. B2Upper-Intermediate
  6. C1Advanced
  7. C2Proficiency

Get Talking · Section 1

5 min

Start the conversation

activity
The missing why

Answer: 'Why do you study English?' Now add THREE more sentences explaining why.

reflection
Because vs because of

Spot the difference: 'We're late because of the traffic.' vs 'We're late because the traffic is bad.'

discussion
Formal or casual?

Which sounds most formal: 'because', 'since', 'as', 'due to'? Why?

Grammar · Section 2

8–10 min

Reason connectors: because / since / as / due to + the reason is…

Open in Grammar Bank
How it works
  • Three reason linkers join two clauses: BECAUSE (most common, most neutral), SINCE (the reason is known/obvious), AS (often at the start, slightly formal).
  • BECAUSE OF / DUE TO are followed by a NOUN, not a clause.
  • To make a reason really stand out, use 'The (main) reason is that…' or 'That's why…'.
In action

I'm tired because I didn't sleep well.

Since you're here, can you help me?

As it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.

The flight was delayed due to fog. / The reason is that the fog was thick.

Question 1.Choose: 'We stayed in ____ it was raining.'

Question 2.Choose: 'The match was cancelled ____ heavy rain.'

Question 3.'Since' here means…

Question 4.Most formal:

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
Conversation Builder
Say it naturally

Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.

1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

4.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

Quick check 1.Which is WRONG?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Vocabulary · Section 3

5–7 min

Words & phrases to learn

Open in Vocabulary Bank
1

because

everyday reason linker (+ clause)

In context

"I like London because it's so diverse."

Now try it yourself

Give 3 reasons you study English using 'because'.

2

since / as

slightly more formal, often opens the sentence

In context

"Since you've already paid, you can go in."

Now try it yourself

Open 3 sentences with 'Since…' or 'As…'.

3

because of / due to

before a noun phrase

In context

"Trains delayed due to engineering work."

Now try it yourself

Rewrite 'It was cold so we left' using 'because of'.

4

The main reason is that…

highlight one key reason

In context

"The main reason is that the rent is too high."

Now try it yourself

Answer 'Why did you choose this job?' using this phrase.

5

That's why…

introduce the conclusion / effect

In context

"I love stories — that's why I read so much."

Now try it yourself

Finish 'I never drink coffee after 4pm — that's why…'

6

for one thing… for another…

list multiple reasons

In context

"I prefer cycling. For one thing, it's cheaper; for another, it's faster."

Now try it yourself

Give 2 reasons for any opinion using 'for one thing… for another…'.

Make it yours
Use the new words

Pick at least three words from above and use each one in a sentence about your real life. Say each one aloud before you write.

Quick exchange

Ask your teacher (or a partner) a question that uses one of today's words. They reply using a different word.

Ranking

Rank today's words from most to least useful for you this week. Defend your top choice.

Opinion

Finish: "Honestly, I'd say…" using one of today's words.

Tip: aim to reuse at least two of these words later in the Speaking and Writing tasks.

Matching
Match each linker with how it's followed.

Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
Categorise
Group these by register.
Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Pronunciation · Section 4

3–4 min

Weak 'because' /bɪˈkəz/ and contracted ''cos' /kəz/

In natural speech 'because' becomes /bɪˈkəz/ — almost 'bk'z' — and in very informal chat it shrinks to ''cos' /kəz/. The reason itself takes the stress. Don't over-pronounce 'because' or you'll sound robotic and slow.

  • • I'm late bk'z the train was DELAYED.
  • • I love it 'cos it's so QUIET.
  • • Since I was TIRED, I just went to BED.
  • • That's WHY I always carry an umbrella.

Reading · Section 5

8–10 min

The 'why' that turns B1 into B2

Ask a B1 learner why they like their city and you often get one sentence: 'It's nice.' Ask a B2 speaker the same question and you get three sentences with reasons stitched together: 'I love it because the food is incredible, and since the transport is so good I never need a car. The main reason, though, is that my whole family lives here.'

This isn't about knowing rare vocabulary — it's about reason connectors. English examiners and conversation partners alike are constantly listening for the 'because', 'since', 'the main reason is that…' that turn a one-line answer into a full answer. Master five or six reason structures and your speaking score genuinely jumps. Even better, vary them in the same answer — never use 'because' three times in a row.

Question 1.How does the passage contrast a B1 and a B2 answer to 'Why do you like your city?'

Question 2.What specific advice does the writer give about using 'because'?

Question 3.Why does the writer say 'this isn't about knowing rare vocabulary'?

Question 4.What does the writer imply that examiners and conversation partners have in common?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
True / False
Decide if each statement is True or False

Q1.Adding reasons can make a short answer sound more B2.

Q2.Using 'because' three times in one answer is recommended.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Listening · Section 6

8–10 min

A short job interview — 'Why this role?'

Listening audio

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Show transcript

Interviewer:So, Mia, why are you applying for this role?

Mia:Well, there are a few reasons. For one thing, I've followed your team's work for years because the design philosophy really matches mine.

Interviewer:OK, good. And the move from your current company?

Mia:Since I started there I've grown a lot, but the main reason I'm looking now is that I'd like more responsibility for end-to-end projects.

Interviewer:Why end-to-end specifically?

Mia:As I've worked mostly on later stages, I sometimes feel disconnected from the original brief. That's why I want a role where I'm involved from day one.

Interviewer:Makes sense. And the hybrid setup?

Mia:Honestly, hybrid suits me well — partly because of my commute, and partly because I focus better at home.

Question 1.What is Mia's main reason for looking for a new role?

Question 2.Why does hybrid working suit Mia?

Question 3.When Mia says she 'sometimes feels disconnected from the original brief', what does she imply?

Question 4.What impression does Mia create by using 'for one thing', 'the main reason is that', and 'that's why' across her answers?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
Tick what you hear
Tick the reason phrases you hear in the interview.
Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Exam tip · Section 7

5 min

Speaking — 'Why?' questions (extended answer)

Task

Answer 'Why did you choose your current job/course?' in 30–45 seconds, using at least 3 different reason structures.

Strategy

OPEN with a clear position. LIST: 'There are a few reasons. For one thing…' BUILD: alternate 'because', 'since', 'as'. HIGHLIGHT one key reason: 'The main reason, though, is that…' LAND: 'That's why I…'.

Example

There are a few reasons I chose this course. For one thing, it has a really strong international focus. I'd also wanted to live abroad for years, so the year-out option was perfect. The main reason, though, is that the teachers are people I genuinely look up to. That's why I picked it over the other offers.

Practice · Section 8

8–10 min

Fill in the blank

Question 1.I'm tired ____ I didn't sleep well.

Question 2.The flight was delayed ____ heavy snow.

Question 3.____ we're already late, let's take a taxi.

Question 4.The ____ reason is that the office is too noisy.

Question 5.I love mornings — ____ why I get up so early.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
Sentence transformation
Say it naturally

There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.

Q1.Give a reason for being late using BECAUSE + clause.

Q2.Same reason but using DUE TO + noun.

Q3.Highlight one main reason for choosing a job.

Q4.List two reasons with FOR ONE THING / FOR ANOTHER.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Writing · Section 9

5 min

Put it in writing

Your task

Write a 70–90 word reply to: 'Why do you think reading is important?' Use at least 4 different reason structures (because, since, as, due to, the main reason is that, that's why, for one thing… for another).

Your answer

Your work saves automatically

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Show model answer

There are several reasons reading matters, in my view. For one thing, it builds vocabulary in a way no app really can. For another, since stories show us inside other people's heads, they grow empathy. As life gets more digital, deep reading is also one of the few activities that genuinely improves attention span. The main reason, though, is that books slow us down — and that's why I always carry one with me.

Speaking · Section 10

10–15 min

Make it a real conversation

Open in Useful Expressions

Pairs: 'Why?' tennis. Student A asks a 'Why…?' question. Student B answers in 3+ sentences using at least 2 reason structures. Swap. Group extension: 'Reason chain' — students react to each other in a circle, each adding 'and that's why…' to extend the previous reason.

Useful phrases

  • • Because…
  • • Since / As…
  • • Due to / Because of…
  • • There are a few reasons.
  • • The main reason is that…
  • • That's why…

Speaking reflection & notes

Your work saves automatically

0 words

Dialogue completion
Choose the strongest, fullest answer.
  • AWhy do you like your neighbourhood?
  • B_______________
  • AWhy did you study English?
  • B_______________
  • AWhy don't you drink coffee after 4pm?
  • B_______________
Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Homework · Section 11

Take-home

Take it home

speaking

Record a 45-second answer to 'Why do you live where you live?' using 4 different reason structures.

writing

Write 6 sentences pairing the same reason with: because / since / as / due to / that's why / the main reason is that.

listening

Listen to a 3-min interview clip and note 5 reason connectors.

Homework notes

Your work saves automatically

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Recap · Section 12

2–3 min

What you've learned

  • Always give a reason — never stop at 'It's nice.'
  • BECAUSE / SINCE / AS + clause; BECAUSE OF / DUE TO + noun.
  • Highlight the key reason with 'The main reason is that…'.
  • Introduce the effect with 'That's why…'.
  • Vary your connectors — never repeat 'because' three times.
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