TIPS & TRICKSPaired Discussion

  • About 2-3 minutes
  • A situation and 6 options
  • With your partner
  • Try to agree at the end

The examiner describes a situation and gives you some options in pictures, for example presents for a friend or activities for a new student. You talk about them with your partner and try to decide together which is best.

There's no right answer. The examiner wants to hear you share ideas, ask your partner's opinion and agree or disagree politely on the way to a decision. When you practise here, imagine your partner's replies and answer them.

Cover several options

Don't spend all your time on one picture. Talk about several options, saying something good or bad about each: 'A bag is useful, but she's probably got one already.' Then compare them.

It's a conversation

Take turns. After each idea, ask your partner what they think: 'What about you?' or 'Do you agree?' Keep your turns fairly short so the conversation moves in both directions.

Always add a reason

Back up every opinion with a reason. 'I think the photo is a good idea, because it will remind her of her friends' says much more than 'I like the photo'.

Disagree politely

You don't have to agree all the time. Disagreeing is good, as long as you're polite and give a reason: 'I see what you mean, but I'm not sure a video is very personal.'

Work towards a decision

Near the end, try to choose one option together. If you can't agree, that's fine: just say so clearly. What matters is how you discussed it, not whether you agreed.

Strategy

  1. 1Listen to the situation and make sure you know what you have to decide.
  2. 2Start with one option and say what you think of it.
  3. 3Invite your partner to give their opinion.
  4. 4Move on to other options, comparing them as you go.
  5. 5React to what your partner says: agree, disagree or add an idea.
  6. 6Suggest a final choice near the end and check whether your partner agrees.
  7. 7Keep each turn short, so you both speak about the same amount.

Useful language

Starting the discussion

  • Shall we start with ...?
  • Let's talk about ... first.
  • What do you think about ...?
  • How about ...?

Giving your opinion

  • I think ... would be good, because ...
  • In my opinion, ...
  • I don't think ... is a good idea, because ...
  • ... is better than ..., because ...

Agreeing and disagreeing

  • Yes, I agree with you.
  • That's a good idea.
  • I'm not sure about that.
  • Maybe, but ...
  • I see what you mean, but ...

Deciding

  • So, which one shall we choose?
  • I think we should choose ...
  • Do you agree?
  • OK, let's go for ...
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