IEP level 105

Speaking: answering part 3 questions

Pg.109
 Learning objectives & outcomes

Objectives
• you will learn how to talk about advantages and disadvantages and
express opposing ideas in part 3 questions
Outcomes
• by the end of this lesson you will know some useful expressions to
talk about different ideas in part 3 of the speaking
Look at the photos on page 103 of your course book and discuss in
your groups

1. What are the differences between these different types of

communities? Think about:

• the amount of space each person has

• how easy it is to get to areas of natural beauty
• the type of services available

2. Which type of community would you prefer to be part of? Why?

 City or countryside …. which is better? Why?

Countryside City
easy access to shops and other
a slower pace of life
facilities (more choice!)
 City or countryside …. which is better? Why?

Countryside City
easy access to shops and other
a slower pace of life
facilities (more choice!)
we can meet many different
rent in the countryside is lower
people
easy access to nature (minus the
more job opportunities
bugs!)

people are friendlier better public transport

quieter, less crowded more educational institutions

 Making comparisons

quiet quieter much / a lot quieter

healthy healthier much / a lot healthier

exciting more exciting much more exciting

a lot more exciting

There are more shops.
There’s less pollution / There are fewer traffic jams.

Living in a village is not as expensive as living in a city.

 Watch the video (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G63TF6OMa_8&list=WL&index=62)

1. What’s the population of Santa Cruz Island?

2. How big is the island?

3. What facilities are there on the island?

4. What facilities aren’t available on the island?

5. Who established the community on the island?

Work in small groups. Think of two advantages and two
disadvantages of:

• living in a small community (= a group of people living together)

• living in a large community

• in a small community people know each other, so it’s easier to

make friends
• in a small community people often help each other
• in a large community people may find it difficult to meet other
people; they can feel lonely or isolated
• in a small community people may find it difficult to keep privacy
 Course book page 109, exercise 2: Read the statements. What
does the speaker do in each one?

1. It can be difficult to have a private life in a

small community because everyone knows B. gives a reason
everyone else.
C. expresses
2. It’s true that your neighbours know
opposing ideas (a
everything about you (-), but they can also
negative and a
help you in times of trouble. (+)
positive idea)
3. In my view, a small community can bring
people together – for instance, when they A. gives an example
are going through some difficult times.
 Course book page 109, exercise 3: Match the beginnings (1-6) and
endings (A-F) of statements expressing opposing ideas

1. On the one hand, getting involved in a community can take up a lot

of your free time.
D: On the other hand, it can give you a sense of belonging.

2. Some people think that there is a better sense of community in a

small village
A: but others say you can have the same community feel in a city.
3. Although in a large city you have lots of facilities and services
available,
F: you also have more pollution, more noise and more stress.

4. It’s wrong to say that living in a city can be lonely.

B: On the contrary, I find it an excellent place to make friends.
5. I don’t enjoy living in a village because there are no facilities apart
from one shop.
E: However, I do like the peace and quiet.

6. There is always something happening in a busy city

C: but at the same time it can be a very lonely place to live.
4a: Listen to a candidate answering an examiner’s questions about
his community. Match the questions (1-4) with the candidate’s
answers (A-D).

Listen again and note down two opposing ideas for each answer the
candidate gives.
Which words/phrases from the box does the candidate use in his
answers? Look at the audio script 7.3 on page 217.

• … but at the same time …

• Although
• However,
• It’s true that … but …
• On the contrary …
• On the one hand, … On the other hand, …
• Some people think/feel/say …. but …
Exercise 5b: Complete the sentences with words/phrases from
the box in exercise 5a

1. It’s not easy to keep things private in a small village. On the

contrary, everyone knows your personal business.

2. It’s true that many people like getting involved in community

activities, but not everyone does.

3. Although big cities offer many opportunities, there can be a lot

of competition.
4. On the one hand, I like having all the facilities nearby. On the
other hand, I don’t like the noise and pollution.

5. I love living in a small village and am happy to stay here.

However, my brother hates it and wants to move away.

6. Some people think it’s important to keep small traditional

communities but others feel they are too old-fashioned..
Work in small groups. Take turns to ask and answer the following
questions. Try to use expressions from exercise 5a in your answers.

1. Do you think we are losing our sense of community nowadays?

2. How much do you take part in your community?
3. What kind of community do you live in?
4. What do you think are the advantages of that?