There are several different types of questions that you might receive in part 3. This document will outline some of the most common and will give suggestions about how to extend your answer.
Identify The Type of Questions
A) Suggest Cause and Effect
B) Analyse past and present
C) Make a Prediction
D) Compare and Contrast
E) Hypothetical Situation
1) How has family life changed in the last 20 years?
2) Which is preferable, having a job with a high salary which you don’t enjoy, or a lower salary that you enjoy?
3) Why do people decide to move abroad?
4) How might technology change jobs in the future?
5) If you could be a different nationality, which one would you choose?
How Should I Answer These Types of Questions?
Suggest Cause and Effect
3) Why do people decide to move abroad?
Low Level Answer
List 2, 3 or 4 causes in a list. I think that there are many reasons people are moving abroad like globalization, job opportunities, the chance to experience a new culture etc
High Level Answer
Actually, I’m not totally sure, but I guess one of the prime reasons people decide to move abroad is (for better job opportunities) ________
Explain Why
Give an example
State what the effect might be on the country losing or gaining people.
Analyze Past and Present
How has family life changed in the last 20 years?
Low Level Answer
Only discuss the past OR only discuss the present
List reasons how it was different
High Level Answer
Consider starting with a sentence in the present perfect to express the level of change
Describe one factor in the past with past simple or used to be.
Then describe how it is nowadays with an example
If you have time either repeat with another factor or speculate how this might change in the future.
Make a Prediction
How might technology change jobs in the future?
Low level Answer List ways that the factor may change in the future.
High Level Answer Mention a change that you have noticed recently Explain how this may continue to develop-give a factor that is necessary for this to continue
Speculate what might stop this from happening.
Compare and Contrast
Which is preferable, having a job with a high salary which you don’t enjoy, or a lower salary that you enjoy? D
Low Level Answer
Say which one is better with a list of reasons, or stick in the middle with lots of hesitation
High Level Answer
Start with a concession sentence-Even though…….
State the side you agree with and give a clear reason.
Expand this reason and compare it to the other side.
Give an example from your country or something you read or watched.
Hypothetical Situation
Low Level Answer
Give a list of ideas about what you would do.
High Level Answer
Start with a general statement to give yourself time to think
Conditional Sentence (try not to use the words of the question)
Expand the idea-consider the consequences of this hypothetical world-how would your life be better
Outline any potential drawbacks
Practice This Strategy Using These Questions
1) How has shopping changed in the last 20 years?
2) Which is better, travelling to many countries in a short time or spending a lot of time in one country?
3) How might family life change in the next 20 years?
4) Why do people like to watch television? What effect does this have on them?
5) If robots were able to do all jobs, what would people do with their time?