What this task asks
You see a statement about a social, workplace, or everyday topic and must express and explain your opinion on it. 30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak. Take a clear position. Support it with specific reasons, not vague generalisations.
The Opinion Structure
State your position clearly (5–10 seconds)
"I strongly agree with this statement, and I think the reasons for this go beyond what most people initially consider."
Primary argument — your most compelling reason (25–30 seconds)
"The core issue is that remote work fundamentally changes the relationship between employees and their time. When people are judged on output rather than presence, they tend to organise their day around their natural productivity rhythms — working when they're sharpest and resting when they're not. Studies on productivity have consistently found that this leads to higher output quality, not lower."
Secondary argument or counterpoint addressed (15–20 seconds)
"I recognise that some people argue remote work damages team cohesion. That's a legitimate concern, but it assumes that physical co-presence is the primary driver of team connection. In practice, the teams I've seen maintain cohesion best are the ones that invest in intentional communication — regular video calls, clear documentation — regardless of where they work."
Closing — land the point (5–10 seconds)
"The evidence, in my experience and in the broader research, points in one direction: flexibility of location does not reduce commitment. If anything, it increases it."
Key Opinion Language
Stating your position:
- "I strongly agree/disagree with this statement because..."
- "My view on this is quite clear:..."
Building your primary argument:
- "The core issue is that..." / "What matters most here is..."
- "Research/experience has consistently shown that..."
Addressing a counterpoint:
- "I recognise that some people argue..., but..."
- "That's a legitimate concern, however..."
Closing with conviction:
- "The evidence points in one direction:..."
- "For these reasons, I remain convinced that..."
Plug-and-Play Sentence Starters
Memorise these. On exam day, your opening, transitions, and closing should be automatic — so your mental energy goes entirely into the content.
Opening sentences (choose one):
- "I [strongly agree / disagree] with this statement, and my position comes down to [CORE REASON]."
- "My view on this is quite clear: [POSITION]."
- "Before anything else, I want to state my position directly: [POSITION]."
Transition phrases (between points):
- "I want to acknowledge the counterargument here..."
- "That said, the evidence points in one direction..."
- "Beyond that, there's another reason worth considering..."
Closing sentences (choose one):
- "On balance, [RESTATE POSITION] — and that's the view I hold."
- "Whatever the counterargument, I remain convinced that [POSITION]."
- "At the end of the day, [RESTATE POSITION] — that's what the evidence supports."
CLB 6 vs CLB 8 — Same Idea, Different Level
See exactly what the examiner is comparing your response against.
| Criterion | CLB 6 response | CLB 8 response |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | "I agree with this statement." | "I strongly agree with this statement, and I think the reasons for this go beyond what most people initially consider." |
| Supporting detail | "Remote work is good because people can work when they want." | "When people are judged on output rather than presence, they organise their day around their natural productivity rhythms, which research links to higher output quality." |
| Vocabulary | "Some people say it's bad for teams but I don't think so." | "I recognise that some argue remote work damages team cohesion, but this assumes physical co-presence is the primary driver of connection." |
| Closing | "So that's why I agree." | "The evidence, in my experience and the broader research, points in one direction: flexibility of location does not reduce commitment." |