Why debate (part 3) Feels Hard
Part 3 questions suddenly feel “academic” or “advanced”:
“What role should governments play in education?”
“How has technology affected communication?”
“Should people be forced to recycle?”
That’s when many students freeze or ramble. They worry:
“I don’t have a strong opinion.”
“What if my grammar isn’t good enough?”
“I don’t know what to say!”
Let’s fix that — because this part of the test is easier than it looks once you know how to speak with structure and calm.
The Truth: You’re Not Being Graded on Philosophy
You’re not expected to be an expert.
You’re expected to sound like someone who can:
- Understand a question
- Express a basic opinion
- Support it with a reason or example
- Stay calm and keep going
That’s it. And we’ll teach you how to do that now.
The 3 Patterns That Will Save You in Part 3
1. Opinion → Reason → Example → Result
This is your basic structure. Use it every time.
Q: Should people work from home?
“Yes, I think it’s a good idea. It saves time on commuting. For example, I have a friend who works remotely and he’s more productive. In the end, I think it also improves work–life balance.”
Q: Is competition good for students?
“I think some competition is helpful. It pushes students to do their best. For example, I studied harder because I wanted to win a school prize. So I think it can be positive, if it’s not too stressful.”
Even basic grammar works when your ideas are structured.
2. Compare and Contrast
Use this when asked to discuss two sides.
Q: Do older people and younger people use technology differently?
“Yes. Young people use it more for social media and fun. Older people might use it more for practical things, like reading news or calling family. So the usage is different, but both use it every day.”
This shows range and flexibility — which earns you points.
3. Speculation with Safety Phrases
If you’re not sure about the answer, use soft phrases to buy time and stay fluent.
Useful Phrases:
- “It depends on the situation.”
- “That’s an interesting question… I guess…”
- “To be honest, I’m not sure, but maybe…”
- “In the future, I think this might change.”
Q: Will libraries disappear in the future?
“That’s a good question… I guess some might close, but I think many will stay, especially in schools. People still need quiet spaces to read.”
Don’t panic when you don’t know — just soften, guess, and move forward.
Mini Drill: Reuse Your Part 2
Many Part 3 questions connect to your Part 2 answer.
If your Part 2 was about helping someone, Part 3 might ask:
“Do people help each other less nowadays?”
Use your story to support your view:
“Actually, in my experience, people still help each other. I recently helped a tourist who was lost, and I see others do similar things. So I think we still help — just in different ways.”
Mini Challenge: Speak 3 Ways
Choose a question:
- “Should students have homework every day?”
- “Do men and women shop differently?”
- “Will people travel less in the future?”
Now try:
- Opinion → Reason → Example → Result
- Compare two sides
- Use a speculation phrase
Optional: Record all three. Which one flows best for you?
What You Just Learned
- Part 3 isn’t about big words — it’s about clear thinking
- You now have three calm, powerful patterns to answer anything
- You don’t need strong opinions — just a clear way to express a simple one
This part of the test is your moment to show the examiner:
“I can handle adult conversation. I can think in English. I’m fluent — even under pressure.”
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