Communication

Part 2 – sample question

Describe a conversation you had which was important to you.

You should say:

- when the conversation took place

- who you had the conversation with
- what the conversation was about

and explain why the conversation was important to you.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What differences are there when using various channels of

communication (face-to-face, telephone, writing)?
2. To what extent do you think the media influences how people
communicate with each other?
3. Do you think there are differences in the way men and women
communicate?
4. Do you think that people become better communicators as they get
older?
5. Do you agree that education has a strong and positive effect on
people’s ability to communicate effectively?
6. What impact has the growth of technology had on the way people
communicate and how do you think this will develop in the future?

Useful Vocabulary

Common forms of communication

- speaking / talking face-to-face

- speaking / talking on the phone / by mobile phone
- sending a text message / an SMS (texting)
- sending / writing a letter (snail mail)
- sending / writing an email
- using an electronic messenger service
- social networking
- sending a fax

Non-verbal forms of communication

- lip-reading
- using body language
- using sign language
 - using hand gestures / signals
- using facial expressions

Informal utterances

- Give me a call
- Call me
- Send me a text / an email
- Text me / email me
- Drop me a line (letter/emal)
- Give me a buzz (call)
- Give me a bell (call)
- Keep / Stay in touch
- I’ll be in touch

Other forms of communication

- making / giving a speech

- speaking in public / public speaking
- giving a lecture / lecturing
- giving a seminar

Reasons for communicating

- giving a demonstration / demonstrating

- giving instructions / instructing
- asking for / giving directions (directing)
- asking for / giving advice (advising)
- making a complaint / complaining
- making small talk / building social relations
- exchanging views / opinions
- gossiping

Business communication

- writing a report / proposal / recommendation

- participating in a call conference
- participating in a video conference
- giving a presentation
- chairing a meeting

Effective communication skills

- maintaining eye-contact
- projecting your voice
- varying your intonation
- punctuating your sentences
- emphasizing / repeating key words
- engaging the listener
 Useful Linking Expressions

Giving opinions

- In my view, …
- In my opinion, …
- From my point of view, …
- In my experience, …
- As I see it, …
- Personally, I think …
- I believe / feel that …
- For me personally, …
- As far as I’m concerned, …

Sample Answer

Qu. Do you think that people become better communicators as they get
older?

I think that people’s ability to communicate does improve with age because
generally speaking, people get more confident as they gain more experience
of life and I believe that confidence is a major factor. On the other hand,
some people may become more self-conscious as they got older, particularly
when they reach certain stages in their life such as adolescence. For me
personally, I feel that I’m a better communicator now than when I was
younger.