Social issues

1. FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT
PRACTICE 12 - SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
C1

2. SPEAKING PART 1 - THE INTERVIEW
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Personal information
- Several topics Simple introduction questions.
- Present, past or future tenses questions
- 3 minutes Ice-breaker
THE KEY:
- Give a good
fi
rst impression.
- Focus on good pronunciation, and giving a complete
and spontaneous answer.
- No need to give long answers
- AVOID HESITATING & REPEATING YOURSELF
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total

3. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
What are your values?
honesty
humility
equality
equal opportunities
egalitarianism
family & friends
respect
free access to healthcare
justice
freedom
Talking about values
I value ...
... play a crucial role in my life
I believe in ...
I swear by ...
I will always stand for ...

4. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
Do you catch up with the news? How does it affect you?
It gives me ...
It makes me ...
affects me
has a (positive) effect on
has an in
fl
uence on
in
fl
uence(s)
Describing an impact

5. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
Have you ever volunteered?
Evaluating past events
I have fond memories of ...
I had a great time
I enjoyed myself
It was a pleasure to ...
I wouldn't have thought that..
I was amazed by ...
What surprised me the most was ...

6. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
Do you take part in local or general elections?
Describing consequences
long - term implications
far-reaching consequences
vital importance
affects the future
creates the future

7. SPEAKING PART 2 - LONG TURN
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- 1 minute without interruption
- 2 PICTURES (to choose from 3) that you have to compare
- ANSWER the questions
- Give your own opinion
- 30 seconds comment after your partner’s long turn
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Speak for as long as possible, the examiner will stop you
- IMPORTANT: Answer the questions!
- Listen to your partner but do not interrupt
- AVOID HESITATING AND REPEATING YOURSELF
KNOW
HOW
STRUCTURE
Common theme
Comparison
Speculation
Answer the question
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment

8. What might be the reasons for this people to break the law?
How should each of these people be punished for their actions?
3. Speculation
It seems/appears to me that ...
They might /may / could ...
I might be wrong, but I think ...
I can't be certain, but I guess..
Both pictures present/show …
These two pictures share the fact that...
1. Identify the common theme
In picture A, as well as in B, ….
In contrast to picture A, picture B presents...
In picture A one can spot ..., whereas in picture B ...
Unlike picture A, picture B ...
2. Compare & Contrast: similarities & differences
As for (+ question)
In relation to the question... Regarding the question...
4. Answer the question
STUDENT
A
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
1 MIN

9. Do you consider your place of living safe?
STUDENT
B
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
30 SEC
I'm deeply convinced that ...
I am a strong supporter of ...
Certainly
De
fi
nitely
Undoubtedly
Without a shadow of a doubt ...
Strong opinion:

10. How could these people be helped?
3. Speculation
It seems/appears to me that ...
They might /may / could ...
I might be wrong, but I think ...
I can't be certain, but I guess..
Both pictures present/show …
These two pictures share the fact that...
1. Identify the common theme
In picture A, as well as in B, ….
In contrast to picture A, picture B presents...
In picture A one can spot ..., whereas in picture B ...
Unlike picture A, picture B ...
2. Compare & Contrast: similarities & differences
As for (+ question)
In relation to the question... Regarding the question...
4. Answer the question
STUDENT
A
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
1 MIN

11. What could you do to help people in need from your local area?
STUDENT
B
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
30 SEC
Talking about help
a hand
support
aid
assistance
guidance
advice
counselling

12. SPEAKING PART 3 - INTERACTION
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Interaction between candidates
- You will be given a discussion question and 5 written prompts
- 2 - 3 minutes conversation
- Discuss, make and respond to suggestions
- Negotiation between candidates
- The interlocutor will ask you to summarise at some point.
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Focus on giving your opinion
- Support your opinions with reasons
- Respond to your partner's opinions and suggestions
- Easier if you purposely disagree with your partner.
- You don’t need to come to an agreement.
- PREPARE PART 3 & 4 together!
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 3
2 min conversation
+ 1 min to summarize

13. SPEAKING PART 3
2 min conversation
+ 1 min to summarize
TAKING DECISIONS
Do you mind if I add something to ...
Excuse me, I need to butt in:
I don't mean to intrude, but ...
Before we go on to ... I'd like to add ...
Sorry to cut you off, but ...
May I say something about ... ?
Interrupting:
Who should take
decisions about the
country's law?
People (in a direct way,
e.g. referendum)
Democratically chosen
representatives (the
government)
Other
Specialists (doctors,
engineers, scientists)
Arti
fi
cial intelligence

14. SPEAKING PART 4 - DISCUSSION
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- General conversation based on the topic in part 3
- Both of you will have to give your opinions.
- IT’S THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE
CAPABLE OF DISCUSSING ISSUES IN DEPTH
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Focus on developing the conversation
- Listen to the questions carefully and answer them according to your
opinion BUT ALWAYS: Support your opinions with reasons
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation

15. Should politicians be held responsible for the economic crisis?
SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation
Introducing contrast
On one hand ... On the other hand ...
Even though ... We can't deny that ...
Although ... , I'm afraid that ...
Despite the fact that ...
In spite of the fact that ...

16. Should voting in general elections be obligatory?
SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation
Introducing contrast
On one hand ... On the other hand ...
Even though ... We can't deny that ...
Although ... , I'm afraid that ...
Despite the fact that ...
In spite of the fact that ...

17. How can we tackle the problem of poverty?
SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation
Presenting complexity
Complicated
Intricate
Complex
Multidimensional
Multi-layered
Problematic
Tall task

18. What could be done to prevent discrimination and promote
equality? SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation
Describing strategies
of solving a problem:
tackle
get rid off
fi
x
stop (doing sth)
refrain from
prevent

19. Reading & Use of English: Part 2
READING & UOE
1h 30 min/ 8 parts
One of the most worrying crime statistics in Europe is the rise (1) .... juvenile crime. Often the root cause is
addiction to drugs, an expensive habit which often leads young adults into a life of petty crime. Some parents,
unable to (2) ..... with their children's addiction have thrown them out of home, forcing them to live the lives of
beggars. 'Kate' (not her real name) is one such person. Homeless (3) .... she was 18, Kate has had various
brushes with the law, most recently for shoplifting and drug taking. As a (4) .... , Kate spent two months in
prison, rubbing shoulders with hardened criminals and murderers. Kate accepts (5) ..... she acted illegally in
stealing computer equipment, and doesn't bear any grudges towards the police. 'It's (6) .... job to reinforce the
law, I understand that. And I'm trying to come to (7) .... with my addiction.'
Kate has come good. Helped by the social services, she hasn't touched (8) .... drugs for a year. But, sadly, for
every Kate there are ten young people for whom prison is no deterrent at all.

20. Reading & Use of English: Part 2 - ANSWER KEY
READING & UOE
1h 15 min/ 7 parts
One of the most worrying crime statistics in Europe is the rise (1) IN juvenile crime. Often the root cause is
addiction to drugs, an expensive habit which often leads young adults into a life of petty crime. Some parents,
unable to (2) COPE /DEAL with their children's addiction have thrown them out of home, forcing them to live
the lives of beggars. 'Kate' (not her real name) is one such person. Homeless (3) SINCE she was 18, Kate has
had various brushes with the law, most recently for shoplifting and drug taking. As a (4) RESULT , Kate spent
two months in prison, rubbing shoulders with hardened criminals and murderers. Kate accepts (5) THAT she
acted illegally in stealing computer equipment, and doesn't bear any grudges towards the police. 'It's (6)
THEIR job to reinforce the law, I understand that. And I'm trying to come to (7) TERMS with my addiction.'
Kate has come good. Helped by the social services, she hasn't touched (8) ANY drugs for a year. But, sadly,
for every Kate there are ten young people for whom prison is no deterrent at all.