The format
You
know when Part Three has started because you will hear the examiner say:
Ok we've just been talking about (public transport) and now like to ask you one or two general questions related to this topic. So first of all let’s talk about…
Part
Three should take 4-5 minutes. This includes the time it takes for the examiner
to introduce topics and ask questions.
It
is important to realize that in Part Three the focus of questions and topics
changes.
As
we have already seen, in Part One and Part Two the focus of the topics and
questions is "you" or "your life".
Part One Part Two
Do
YOU like... Describe
YOUR favorite
How
often do YOU... Describe
something YOU like doing...
Tell me about X in YOUR city. Describe
something that is popular in YOUR country
In
Part Three, there is a definite change in the focus. The questions are no
longer about you or your life. The general focus of Part Three is "other
people" or "society in general". The questions in Part Three may
be based on things in your country, things in general (no particular place) or
they may be about global issues.
There
is a direct relationship between your Part Two topic and your Part Three
topics. However, it is important to realize that your Part Three topics will
not be exactly the same as your Part Two topic.
For
example, in Part Two your topic was:
Describe an interesting trip you have been on.(You described a trip to Hong Kong.)
In
Part Three, your examiner might ask you questions about:
Different types of trips and holidays
Travelling abroad / travelling in your own country
The importance of tourism
The
examiner will NOT ask about:
Travelling to Hong Kong
Your favorite ways of travelling
Why you like travelling
This
aspect of Part Three is important to understand because the content of your
answers must be based on "general ideas" and not your "personal
information".
It
is important to remember that your ideas are not being tested - the examiner is
only testing your ability to express your ideas in spoken English.
Candidates
who continue to talk about themselves in Part Three will lose marks.
Part
Three questions and strategies are given in the other post.
