"Functional language" is the language that we use to perform various functions such as giving advice or apologizing.

A language function is the purpose of speaking that sentence or phrase. For example, Im sorry represents the function of apologizing and, Good Morning! represents the function of greeting. In the speaking test, the examiner will ask certain questions that are testing your knowledge of the suitable ways to speak for certain language functions. It is very useful if you can recognize these language functions. You should also understand that some questions combine two (or even more) types of language function in one question. *************************************************************************

1. Talking About Personal Habits

Example question: What do you usually do in the evenings? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

I usually ... I often ... While I'm studying I usually ... Sometimes I .... As a rule, I ... Whenever I can I ... Don't say, "I will .." unless your meaning includes the word 'if' (or includes the idea of 'if' without using that word.) For example, the following answer is not correct: "What do you do in the evenings?" "Well, after I have had my dinner I will usually watch some TV and chat with my parents." Instead, just say, "Well, after I have had my dinner I usually watch some TV and chat with my parents."

However, the following answer is OK because it includes the idea of "if": "How do you usually get your news?" "I usually get my news from the TV or the internet but sometimes, (if there's some special news that I'm interested in,) I'll buy a newspaper and read more about a topic (that) I'm especially interested in."

The word 'always' means , not .

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2. Expressing Likes and Dislikes

Example question: What kinds of music do you like? 1. My favourite ... is ... 2. I like ... 3. I enjoy ... 4. I'm (quite/rather) keen on ... 5. I just love ... 6. I absolutely adore .... 7. I'm crazy about ... 8. I'm addicted to ... 9. I'm really into ... 10. I don't mind ... 11. As far as .... is concerned, I can take it or leave it. 12. I don't care too much for ... = I'm not really into ...

13. My least favourite .... is ... 14. I dislike ... 15. I can't stand ... 16. I hate ... (extreme language) 17. I find ...

When you express your feelings, including your likes and dislikes, try to use facial expressions to accompany your words. When expressing strong feelings, place extra stress on the key word. These are shown in italics, for example, "I absolutely adore ..." The expression, "I absolutely adore ..." is more suitable for females to say. But males say that when talking about their girlfriend or wife. Only say, "I'm addicted to ..." if it's something that you do very frequently and almost can't control. For example, some boys are addicted to computer games. English speakers also say, "addicted" as an exaggeration, such as, "I'm addicted to the internet" or, "I'm addicted to chocolate I eat some chocolate almost every day." Definitely do not say, "very like". (A Band 4 level mistake.) In English we do not say, "Very + verb". Instead, we say, "Verb + very much" or, "Very much + verb".

For the verb, "like", it's good to use the word, really as in, "I really like spicy food" this is very natural spoken English. Of course, you can also say, "I like spicy food very much" or "I very much like spicy food". *************************************************************************

3. Expressing Reasons for Likes and Dislikes

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. ... because ... ... since ... The main reason I like...... is that it's ...... What I like best about ..... is ..... The thing I like best about ..... is ...... The best/worst thing about ... is ... I don't like that very much because it's too ...... That's because I find it ......

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4. Expressing a Preference
Example question: Do you (or, would you) prefer to travel alone or with others? (e.g., a friend) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

I prefer ... because My preference is ... because ... I prefer A to B because ... If I had the choice, I'd + V ... because ... () If I had the choice, I'd rather + V... because ... () If I have the choice, I'll + V .... (a real possibility for the future) You can also say, "I (very) much prefer ...", "I certainly prefer ..." and "I definitely prefer ...". Never say, "I like both of them." or some similar answer. For example, most people like both rice and noodles. If I ask you which do you prefer, to say, "I like both of them" is a poor

answer. In this situation, the suitable answer is: "I have no preference, really I like both of them equally."

'Prefer' questions are also asking you to make some comparisons between two things. You should use some of the language of comparing when you give your reason(s) for your preference.

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5. Comparing
Example question: What are the differences between people's homes in the city and people's homes in the countryside? 1. A is/are bigger than B. 2. B is/are not as big as A. 3. A _____ than B. (Example:"Old people usually havemore moneyin the bank than young people.") You can also use some of these:

Use much as in, A is much better / worse than B. A is not nearly as good as B. B is nowhere near as big as A A is not quite as important as B. A is almost as important as B, but not quite. In comparison to B, A is quite big. Or, A is quite big in comparison to B. Compared to B, A is a lot/much bigger. Note that model 3, above, does not use a comparative adjective. Although comparative adjectives are most commonly used to form comparison sentences, you can just talk about "more X", "fewer X", or "less X" where X is a noun, usually a plural noun if the noun is countable.

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6. Talking About Recent Changes = Comparing the recent past and the present
Example question: Has your hometown changed much in the past few years? (e.g. 20 years) Yes, it has. For example, ... today there are many more cars on the roads than there were thirty years ago. ( ... there are/is _____ than there were/was ....) 2. the air pollution is much worse/much better than it used to be. ( ______ is/are ____ than it used to be.) 3. compared to thirty years ago, the population of the city has increased by about two million. (Compared to thirty years ago, _______ has + )

4. the population of the city has increased by about two million people in the last thirty years. (______ has + in the last thirty years) 5. more people today own a car than was the case thirty years ago. (More/fewer/less _________ today + present tense than was the case thirty years ago.) 6. more and more people are living in high-rise apartment buildings today whereas thirty years ago, we had very few high-rise apartments buildings in our city. (Today ______ are + whereas thirty years ago + past tense) 7. more and more large-scale supermarkets are being built nowadays but there were very few of them in my hometown thirty years ago (More and more ________ are being + nowadays but + past tense thirty years ago.) There are more sentences that could be used to answer this question. The sentences shown above give you some basic structures but, to give a complete answer to a question in the test, you also should try to use linking or introductory phrases for these sentences. Here's a complete answer, using some linking phrases and words: A: "Has your hometown changed much in the past few years?" (e.g. 20 years) B: "Yes, it has. For example, today there are many more cars on the roads than there were thirty years ago. As a result of that, the air pollution is much worse better than it used to be. As well as that, the population of the city has increased by about two million people in the last thirty years. Another change is that more and more people are living in high-rise apartment buildings today whereas thirty years ago, we had very few high-rise apartments buildings in our city." *************************************************************************

7. Contrasting
The question is usually 'a compare question'. When you answer one of these questions, you can use a contrasting statement. However, since the grammar of the comparing answers (see above) is more difficult, you will impress the examiner more by mostly using that, rather than by using contrasting statements. Example: "A is big but B is small." (____ is _____ but _____ is ____)

A contrasting statement has two parts and the second part basically repeats the first part in grammatical form but the idea expressed in the second part is the opposite idea to the first part. In the example above, the two ideas expressed are the adjectives 'big' and 'small' but you can use adverbs or phrases as well. (The yellow words are given extra stress because they are words in contrast.) For example, "He works quite slowly whereas I work quite fast" or, "I was on my way to work but he was on his way home." Of course, it's much better to add words such as 'quite'. For example, "A is quite big while B is rather small."

Instead of 'but' you can use, 'while' or 'whereas'. It's possible but not necessary to include the expression, "on the other hand". For example, "A is quite big but, on the other hand, B is rather small." The verb form doesn't have to be present tense any suitable verb form is possible. When you speak a sentence with a contrasting statement, it is important to stress the words that are in contrast. (The examiners are looking for these stressed words. Examiners use contrast statements as part of their assessment of your pronunciation score, not so much your grammar score.) For example: "A is quite big while B is rather small." The words 'big' and 'small' have the greatest sentence stress but 'A' and 'B' are also stressed.

8. Suggesting
Example questions: What would you suggest a visitor to your country see and do? What do you think the government could/should do? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

I'd .... (suggest, recommend, say, tell him/her/them) .... Maybe/perhaps/possibly ... + could / should ... It might/may help if ....+ past tense form of verb It would probably + (be a good idea, be useful, help) if + past tense form of verb I .... (suggest, recommend, say) .... Notice that the word 'would' is usually used in this type of question and in your answer. So, don't answer with the words, "I will ...". Instead, say, "I'd ..." Notice the grammar in this answer: "I'd recommend they visit the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian." The same verb form is used after the word, "suggest".

Alternatively, you can use the verbal noun () after the words, "suggest" or "recommend" but not after "say". For example, the answer above could also be expressed as: "I'd recommend visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian." But you cannot say, "I'd recommend they visiting ...". You only use the verbal noun when you don't actually say the pronoun, "he", "she" or "they". Remember, "they" can mean "he or she" for this usage; it does not have to be talking about a group." For example: "What would you suggest someone do if they lost their bicycle?" --> "I'd suggest they (= he or she) report the matter to the police" = "I suggest reporting the matter to the police".

Here's an example of #4, above. What do you think the government could do about the pollution problem? "It would definitely help if the government encouraged alternate forms of electricity generation, such as wind farms and solar-power." Notice that the past tense, "encouraged" is used, although it is not the usual past tense meaning. Also notice that, instead of "definitely" you can use, "possibly", "probably" and "certainly". At times, the example shown at 5. (I .... (suggest, say, recommend) ....) is suitable to use. These times are when the examiner does not use the word, "would" in the question.

Some examiners avoid using the word, "would" in the question because they don't want to tell you that you should use "would" in the answer - they want to see if you know about using "would" in the answer. But when the examiner doesn't use "would" in the question, it is sometimes possible to answer correctly without using "would". For example: "Do you have any suggestions for foreigners who are thinking of visiting China?"

--> "I recommend (or, I suggest) they visit the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian." Note: this is most suitable when the examiner does not use "would" in the question. That answer could also be made using the verbal noun: "I recommend (or, I suggest) visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian." You can also answer using "would", even when the examiner does not use "would" in the question. "Do you have any suggestions for foreigners who are thinking of visiting China?" --> "I'd recommend (or, I'd suggest) they visit the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian. That answer could also be made using the verbal noun: "I'd recommend (or, I'd suggest) visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian." It is probably best to use "would" in your answers, even when you don't need to, because this will "impress" the examiner a bit more, since the grammar is a bit more difficult when "would" is used. **************************************************************************

9. Expressing Opinions
Example question: Do you think that children should always be offered an incentive (a reward of some kind) when parents ask their children to do something? 1. I think ... 2. I believe ... 3. I feel ... 4. Personally, I (think, believe, feel) ... 5. I tend to + (think, feel, believe) that ... 6. In my opinion, ... 7. In my view, ... 8. I've always + (thought/believed/felt) that ... 9. I maintain that ... 10. I've always maintained that ... 11. It seems to me that ... 12. I'm convinced that ... 13. As far as I'm concerned, ... 14. My view is that ... 15. From my point of view, ... 16. To my mind, ... 17. The way I see it, ... 18. As I see it, ...

Don't say, "personally in my opinion". Don't say, "In my eyes". Use, "In my view", instead. Only use, "maintain" if the topic is something that you have discussed with others many times before. "Maintain" means you always express this opinion. It is not suitable to use, "maintain" if the question is something that you have probably never thought about before. And only use, "maintain" a maximum of once in the speaking test. Similarly, you should only say, "I firmly believe" when you are talking about a topic that suits a strong opinion and a topic that you have deeply thought about before. Your answers will be better if you include adverbs such as 'strongly', firmly', 'honestly', 'really' and 'personally'. Only use, 'frankly' when saying something that expresses a rather strong or firm opinion. As well as that, this opinion should be rather unexpected (for the person you are talking to) or be

something that you don't usually tell other people, like a 'small secret'. 'Frankly' is used when you are expressing something in an unusually direct and honest way. For example, "Who's your favourite film star?" "Frankly, I don't have a favourite film star because I don't often watch films." Similarly, only start a sentence with the words, "To be honest, ..." when you are expressing an opinion in an unusually direct and honest way, and this opinion is something the listener probably does not expect. **************************************************************************

10. Giving Reasons for Opinions

1. 2. 3. 4.

... because ... ... since ... The main reason I say that is because ... One of the reasons I say that is because ... (One reason I say that is because ... ) Don't use, 'as' or, 'for' to mean when speaking; they are too formal-sounding and unnatural when speaking.

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11. Explaining
Example question: Why are many older people reluctant to learn computer skills? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

The reason why ... is because / is that ... The main reason why ... is because / is that ... One reason why ... is because / is that ... One possible explanation (for that) is ... To understand why ....., you first need to ..... (understand, know, be aware that) Well, it's like this: .... You could look at it this way: ... Basically, "explain" means to give an answer to a "Why?" or "How?" question that is rather complex. You answer an "explain" question by speaking in some detail. In the first three examples above, you can qualify the verb, "is" by saying, "certainly is", "definitely is" or "surely is". If you don't know and are guessing the explanation for something, then your answer belongs to the Speculating language function, below. In this case, you could qualify the, "is" from examples 1 to 3 by saying, "possibly is", "probably is", "might be", "may be", or "could be". The language function of explaining is most common in Part 2 every Part 2 topic asks you to explain something.

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12. Speculating ( = Guessing When You Don't Know)

(When talking about the present or the past) Example question: Do old people in China have opportunities to attend any forms of classes? 1. Well, I'm not sure but ... 2. Well, I've never thought about that before but ...

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

As far as I know, ... I imagine ... I guess ... I suppose ... I'd say ... Since you're not sure, you can also use words such as, "maybe", "perhaps", "possibly", "probably", "it's quite likely that ...", "it's quite possible that ...", "it's quite probable that ...", "may +V", "might +V", "could + V". (V = )

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13. Speculating ( = guessing) About the Future

(Most commonly, how the future will change, compared to now.) Example question: How do you think the tourist industry (in China) will develop in the future? 1. I predict ... + a noun 2. I (can) foresee ... + [a noun + ] or + a noun 3. I imagine / suppose / guess ... 4. ... will + adverb (or, adverb + will) 5. ... be (present tense) likely to ... 6. ... be (present tense) bound to ... 7. ... be (present tense) + going to + V () = "will" + V () 8. Therell probably / possibly be ... 9. We might see / have ... 10. ... will be + ... 11. ... might be + ... 12. I'd be surprised if + past tense/past continuous tense 13. I'll be very surprised if + present tense/past continuous tense 14. I expect ...

Adverb = adverb of certainty = definitely / certainly / probably / possibly. Be careful of just saying, will with no adverb of certainty. 'Will', with no adverb is used in English to talk about something that you are very certain about in the future. For example, will is used in English to promise something to someone Ill give you the money I owe you tomorrow. Of course, some things are certain, for example, Chinas population will be bigger than it is now, thirty years from now. You can emphasize your feeling of certainty about the future by saying, "certainly will", "will certainly", "definitely will" or "will definitely". However, you can use a simple "will" without an adverb to give your opinion that something will definitely or will certainly happen by including words such as, "I think", "I'm sure", "In my opinion", "I believe" etc. For example, "I believe that twenty years from now, China will have no people living in extreme poverty." The words, "...will surely" means, "I will be very surprised if this doesn't happen" = "I'd be very surprised if this didn't happen." You could use "will surely" in the example above: Chinas population will surely be bigger than it is now, thirty years from now. "Going to" When you are talking about things happening in the future, besides your own plans, "going to" means, "it will (almost certainly) happen". For the question about the tourist industry, you could say something like, "I think the tourist industry is (certainly) going to expand greatly over the next couple of decades." So, even though "going to" already includes the idea of "certainly will happen" or "almost certainly will happen", you can, if you want to, add the adverb, "certainly" to emphasize this meaning.

[When you are talking about your plans for the future, "going to" = "I intend to" + "I think it almost certainly will happen". See below.]

Instead of imagine', 'suppose' or 'guess' you could simply say, 'think' but it's not so impressive to the examiner just to say that. If you say that something is "bound" to happen, you should not use an adverb of certainty because, "be bound to happen" already has a very exact meaning of, "there is no doubt that it will happen" or, "it is inevitable". If you say, "The tourist industry is certainly bound to grow over the next few years", the use of the word "certainly" sounds repetitive and redundant, like saying, "He's a very intelligent genius" or "He's a tall giant". And, of course, you cannot use the adverbs "possibly" or "probably" with "bound to" because those words are in conflict with the meaning of, "there is no doubt that it will happen". Include some comparative () language when talking about the future. For example, "In twenty or thirty years, people will almost certainly be living longer than they do now, due to advances in medical science." "I foresee" is usually followed by + [a noun + ] or a noun. For example, "I foresee people working fewer hours per week in the future." And, using a noun, "I foresee a decrease in the number of hours people work per week." (Use, "people work", not "people will be working".) "I predict" is similar to "I foresee" in meaning but we usually use "will" after "predict". For example, "I predict people will be working (or, will work) fewer hours per week in the future." The noun usage after "I predict" is the same as for, "I foresee": "I predict a decrease in the number of hours people work per week." (For, "people work", "people will be working" is also possible.) #10 & #11 is the future continuous tense. Show the examiner you can say the following kind of sentence: "Thirty years from now, people will almost certainly be driving electric cars and possibly we'll also have flying cars by then." Another example: "In twenty years, some people might be traveling to the moon for holidays." An example of #12 is: "I'd be very surprised if people were still driving petrol-powered cars thirty years from now." Type #13 is basically expressing the same idea as #12 and you could use them interchangeably. For example, "I'll be very surprised if people are still driving petrol-powered cars thirty years from now." Using #12 or #13 will impress the examiner and help you get more points for grammar. To help you think of ideas about the future of the topic you are discussing with the examiner, here are five suggestions:

1. Think about how the internet (or simply, computers) will affect the future of that topic. For example, people will probably be buying many things on the internet in the future and people will be studying more on the internet. 2. Think of science fiction (). For example: flying cars or traveling to the moon for a vacation. Answers based on ideas from science fiction are quite suitable when talking about the future, as long as you qualify your answer with adverbs such as "possibly", "maybe", etc. or use the verb "might" instead of "will". 3. Think of recent advances in science and technology and extend these to the future. For example, cloning, genetic engineering, organ transplanting, wind and solar power, hydrogenpowered cars, electric cars, nanotechnology, robots, brain-wave controlled devices etc. 4. Think of how globalization might affect the future of that topic. For example, as the world becomes more of a "global village", people will be interacting with foreigners a lot more,

leading to probable changes in international law, politics, language, social customs, business etc.

See HERE for more detailed examples of the grammar when talking about the future.

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14. Expressing Plans, Intentions and Hopes for the Future

Example question: What are your future work plans? (after you graduate) 1. I plan to ... 2. My plan is to ... 3. I plan on + Ving () 4. I intend to ... 5. I hope to ... 6. I'm going to ... 7. My ambition is to ... 8. My immediate goal is to ... 9. My ultimate (= final) goal is to ... 10. Ultimately, ... 11. Hopefully, ... 12. Ideally, ... 13. I expect to ... 14. Id like to ... = I want to .. 15. As an alternative, I might ... 16. If all goes well, I'll / I should ... 17. If everything goes according to plan, I'll / I should ... 18. My dream is to ... 19. It's always been my hope/plan/ambition/dream to ... 20. My heart is set on + Ving ()

Don't say, "I wish to", for example, "I wish to study in the U.K." It's too formal. Instead, use "I hope to study in the U.K." or the simpler sentences, "Id like to study in the UK." and, "I want to study in the UK." (See note below about "want to".) See the note about using, "will" in the notes for "Speculating about the Future". When you are talking about your plans for the future, "going to" combines two ideas: "I intend to" + "it almost certainly will happen". So don't use "going to" if you are not very sure that this will happen. It is similar to using "will" but "will" only has the meaning of, "it almost certainly will happen"; it is not connected to your intentions.

For example, the following sentence is not very suitable: "I'm going to get a degree in Accountancy in Australia". Many things could happen to cause this not to happen and, after all, you first have to get your 6.5 in the IELTS test! The following examples are suitable: "I'm going to go shopping tonight"; and, "I'm going to sit for the IELTS test again in two months". On the other hand, if you have already been admitted to a university in Australia and you know your parents have the money, and especially if you already have your visa and plane ticket, then the following statement is suitable: "I'm going to start my university studies in Australia in February."

"I want to" is ok but it just refers to your desire. A desire is not always the same as a plan or intention. Don't overuse, "I want to" when talking about your plans for the future because it's too simple.

Don't use the word "can" or the word "must" when talking about the future. Instead, use "will be able to" and "will have to". "Can" and "must" are only used when referring to now.

For example: "After I go to Canada I can practice more English" is incorrect. The correct sentence is, "After I go to Canada, I'll be able to practice more English". Similarly, "When I arrive in Australia, the first thing I must do is find a place to live" is incorrect. The correct sentence is, "When I arrive in Australia, the first thing I'll have to do is find a place to live" **************************************************************************

15. Clarifying
1. What I mean is .. 2. My meaning is .... 3. In other words, 4. That is to say, ... 5. Let me put that another way. 6. To put that another way, ... 7. What I'm trying to say is .. 8. My point is that ... 9. More specifically, ... 10. Forexample, ... 11. Forinstance, ...

Using "That is to say, ..." is a little formal-sounding. It is best to only use that when speaking quite seriously about something in Part 3 (or when answering a Part 1 question that is a "Part 3style" question).

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16. Explaining a Word When you have Forgotten (or don't know) the Word
"I can't remember the word but ..... 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

it's a thing that ... it's a type of ... it's something you ... he's a person who ... it's something like ... it's similar to ... it's kind of like a ..." These sentences use the present tense because you are speaking in general. For example, "It's a thing, a tool that you use to put air into your bicycle tyre - you use it like this" (Show the action). (a bicycle pump)

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17. Speaking in General

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. On the whole, .. As a rule, ... In general, Generally, ... Generally speaking, .. For the most part, ... Typically, Usually,

Use the Present Tense when speaking in general. Use plural nouns. Although singular nouns are possible in some cases, you will make fewer mistakes by using plural nouns. Examples:

"Boys like to play computer games but girls prefer to go shopping." "I like dog" is wrong and means, "". Instead, use "I like dogs." "I like dogs" means, "I like all dogs; this dog, that dog, whenever I see a dog, I like it." But it is unsuitable to say, "I like pandas" because you don't see different pandas in your everyday life. In this case, it is more suitable to say, "I like the panda" (= "I like the panda species"). "Dogs are friendlier than cats but cats are cleaner than dogs."

Use the present tense. For example: "I usually get my news from the internet because ...." Avoid using will when speaking in general, such as, "I will usually get my news from the internet because ...." = "(Many) People say ..." (Not, "Someone said") Avoid saying, "It is said ..." because that sounds too formal in natural speech.

Apologizing
I really am most terribly sorry This page lists useful phrases for the language function of apologizing.

Elementary

I apologize I'm really sorry I'm so sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry but... Sorry

Pre-Intermediate

...is/was my fault (I'm) sorry if... I (really) must apologize I hope you can forgive me (one day) I really am so sorry I wasn't doing my job I'd like to apologize Please forgive me

Intermediate

...was very...of me (I know) my actions... (Looking back), I (now) realise that...

(Please) don't be angry I accept (full) responsibility I am/feel (so) ashamed I can understand how you feel (about...) I do apologize I don't know what to say I really am most terribly sorry I regret... I take (all) the blame Pardon me! Please accept my/our apologies Please excuse my behaviour/thoughtlessness/...

The word apologize can also be spelt apologise.

Upper-Intermediate

(I now realise that/I know) I shouldn't have done that (I'm sure) you must be (very) disappointed in me (Please) don't be mad (at me)/don't kill me I accept that I am to blame/that it's my fault I am (such) an idiot I am sorry to have disappointed you I apologize wholeheartedly/unreservedly I cannot say/express how sorry I am I have reflected on my actions and... I know it was wrong (of me) (to...) If I could turn back the clock,... It was (a bit) insensitive of me (to...) Please accept my sincere/sincerest apologies There is (really/absolutely) no excuse for my actions/behaviour/inaction/laziness You are right to blame me You must forgive me

Advanced

(I know) I have let myself/you (all) down (by...) (I know) it was thoughtless (of me) D'oh! I can see how you might be annoyed (by...) I can't believe I... I don't know what came over me I don't know what got into me I just want the ground to swallow me up I take (full) responsibility I think I went a bit too far I am/was in the wrong I messed up I would like to express my regret I'm happy to take (my share of) the blame If I could take it all back, I would It was inexcusable It's unforgivable, I know Please don't hold a grudge/don't hold this against me Silly me!