Persuading (no image)

Instructions: 60 seconds to take notes, and 60 seconds to respond

This task presents a representative situation that may occur in a person’s daily life. Test-takers are required to choose one (1) of two (2) ways to solve a problem and explain their reasons to a friend, an associate, or a family member. Test-takers must defend their choice to the ‘imagined’ other person (a friend, an associate, or a family member), but they have to be careful how they argue (delicately/ be sensitive) because they are disagreeing with another person (i.e., they do not want to make the other person angry). Test-takers can concentrate on speaking about other things to explain but they have to respond directly to the question prompt they choose. There are 60 seconds for both preparation and the spoken response.

Procedure:

Preparation (60 seconds):

Take notes:

1. Choose a side/position to defend.
2. State the purpose of your response first (very important) (topic sentence)
3. Write down 2 or 3 reasons why you cannot participate – being understanding of the other person’s situation (extra information) – use your imagination.

Procedure when speaking (60 seconds):

1. Remember to speak in paragraph form – topic sentence (purpose), 2 or 3 reasons why (to explain) – use your imagination/ make up plausible excuses.
2. Speak a concluding sentence.

 

Example 1:

Your child’s school has asked you to help with a class field trip. Your friend bought you tickets to a baseball game for that same day. The school will cancel the field trip if there are not enough parents, but your friend will be upset if you cannot go to the baseball game because the tickets are expensive.

Note*: There is no correct answer, a good response is an organized response every time!

Choose ONE of the following options: (you have 60 seconds to respond):

EITHER

1. Talk to the school. Explain why you cannot help with the field trip.

OR

2. Talk to your friend. Explain why you cannot attend the game.

For example:

Hi. This is Mr. Turner. To whom am I speaking? (extra information underlined)

PURPOSE of call: Hi. I am hopeful you have enough parents to help with the field trip today, Marci. I am sorry that I cannot attend, but something suddenly came up.

Reasons/ excuses: An old friend from out of town, asked me to attend a baseball game with him. We have not seen or spoken with each other for 30 years, so this is a very special occasion for us. Now, to make amends, I will offer you my time for the next two field trips, as I know there is another one at the end of the month and again in two months’ time. I can guarantee I will help in whatever you need. Again, I am sorry I cannot participate, but this is a situation that I cannot change as my friend will move to another country and we will probably never see each other again. [use your imagination to make excuses, but make sure your excuses are believable]

Conclusion: I hope you can understand, thank you.

 

Response 1: (defending #1 option) (imagined information underlined)

Hi. This is Mr. Turner. To whom am I speaking?

Hi. I am hopeful you have enough parents to help with the field trip today, Marci. I am sorry that I cannot attend, but something suddenly came up. An old friend from out of town asked me to attend a baseball game with him. We have not seen or spoken with each other for 30 years, so this is a very special occasion for us. Now, to make amends, I will offer you my time for the next two field trips, as I know there is another one at the end of the month and again in two months’ time. I can guarantee I will help with whatever you need. Again, I am sorry I cannot participate, but this is a situation that I cannot change as my friend will move to another country and we will probably never see each other again. I hope you can understand, thank you.

Statistics: 149 minutes spoken in 58 seconds.

 

Marker’s score = 10 or 11

Content/Coherence: The speaker’s response is organized and is coherent, in that it fulfills the question prompt. The response uses a proper paragraph form, and some remorse is presented adequately so the listener (the character of Marci) can understand the speaker’s plea.

 

Vocabulary: The speaker used different verb tenses effectively throughout the response. Present perfect (have not seen); simple present the verb to be (is, am, are); simple past (asked); simple future (will move).

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is grammatically correct.

 

Task Fulfillment: The speaker’s response is complete because it responses directly to the question prompt and tries to resolve the problem at a later while giving plausible excuses. The tone varies (from  ‘now to make amends’ to ‘I am sorry’), but it is acceptable due to the difficulty involved with the question prompt.

 

Response 2 (defending #2 option) (imagined information underlined)

Hi Bill, I just wanted to call and tell you I cannot go to the baseball game with you as I have to assist with a field trip at my daughter, Jenny’s, school. Needless to say, I want to go, but the school doesn’t have any help for this trip, so it is my turn to do so. Anyways, you and Rodger both love baseball, perhaps he can go with you as I am sure he will jump at your box seats on the third baseline. Tell you what, I will buy suitable seats for the next home series in two weeks, so then we can go together. Again, sorry I have to cancel but I promised the school.

Statistics: 120 words spoken in approximately 53 seconds.

Marker’s score = 9 or 10

Content/Coherence: The speaker gives a coherent response to the question prompt as there is a purpose stated and is presented in an understandable manner – the prompt is tackled in a direct manner with plausible insight.

 

Vocabulary: Some collocations related to baseball make the conversation more believable (third baseline, love baseball (as a sport), home series).

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is grammatically correct.

 

Task Fulfillment: The tone is believable as the speaker does show some remorse in the form of ‘making up for not being able to go to the baseball game. The response is complete because it answers the question prompt directly, and the speaker attempts to settle or make up for missing the event.

 

Example 2:

A friend who lives in another country is coming to visit for a year. She tells you that she would like to stay at your place to explore your country’s culture and to spend some time with you. Your roommate does not agree and says you will have to move out if she comes.

Choose ONE of the following options:

EITHER

1. Talk to your friend. Explain why she cannot move in for a year.

OR

2. Talk to your roommate. Explain why your friend should be allowed to move in with you for a year.

Response 1: (option 1)

Hi Rachel. I spoke with my roommate about the possibility of you moving in with us, but she said no. In fact, she said that I would have to move out if you moved in! The problem is we have a three-year lease on our apartment while we go to school, so I would have to pay for my rent even if I moved out. I can’t afford to do that, so that is the problem – money. I hope you understand the situation because I would prefer to live with you, but we had already signed this lease 4 months earlier.

I hope you decide to come anyway. We can hang out together at my apartment even if you do not live here. I will send you an email of some other place to live close by. Hope to see you soon.

Statistics: 141 words spoken in approximately 57 seconds

Marker’s score = 11

Content/Coherence: The content of the speaker’s response is complete as the question prompt is answered directly, and it is organized in the proper form. Coherence is gained by the speaker thoroughly explaining why it is impossible for her to move in due to the expense. Finally, the speaker tries to reconcile with her friend by stating that she would prefer to room with her.

 

Vocabulary: The speaker uses the modal verbs accurately (I would have to move out/ future possibility) and the ‘if clause’ (if I moved out,).

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is grammatically correct.

 

                   Task Fulfillment: The speaker’s response is complete as it is organized and it offers

a solution even though her friend cannot stay with her. The tone is consistent

throughout and the question prompt is answered directly.

Response 2: (option 2) (Notice how this task needs only a little imagination – just 3 reasons) [grammatical errors]

I have listened to your complaint, Susan, urh but I think my friend should be able to live here for a year. There [is] a lot uhh of benefits if she does, you know. We will [has] uhh someone to share the cleaning of the apartment – and –  if she lives with us here, she will [give] rent which means we will both uhh have more money to spend. Besides, my friend, Zowie, is uhh a quiet type, so there will not be any problems or arguments with her. She uhh will probably get a job as well, so she will not [am] in the apartment all that much. Finally, uhh you will [enjoy] her, so all three of us will get along just fine. These uhh are my reason[] why Zowie should live with us.

Statistics: 127 words spoken in approximately 56 seconds.

 

Marker’s score = 7

Content/Coherence: the response was logical in its approach – spoken like a persuasive paragraph with an opening counter to why the speaker’s friend should not be able to stay, then proceed to give 3 acceptable reasons, and finally, conclude appropriately. Hence, the response was very coherent away from hesitations and grammar errors.

 

Vocabulary: There are errors in the choice of words – the speaker should use ‘pay’ and not ‘give’; and substitute ‘like’ for ‘enjoy’. Also, the speaker did not pluralize the noun ‘reason’ as ‘reasons’.

 

*Listenability: The speaker does hesitate several times but the response does move forward and is comprehensible to any listener. There are some grammatical errors, but these do not impede the listener’s understanding.

 

      Task Fulfillment: The speaker’s response is complete as the task used the proper

paragraph form, which included a concluding/summarizing sentence. The tone

wavered a little as there were hesitations, but these were acceptable.

Task 7: Expressing Opinions

Instructions:

Task 7 focuses on a social issue that is familiar to many Canadians.

• Test takers are to state their opinion and then defend it logically
• They should try to persuade the listener that their opinion is rational and practical

(use logic)

• Choose a position immediately – agree or disagree with the statement immediately
• Think of reasons/ facts to support (empirical evidence (stats), quotes from experts in the field, personal stories, or anecdotal evidence)
• 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to respond!

Procedure: (30 seconds)

1. Choose a position.
2. Write down three ideas that will help you argue (against) or persuade (agree)

Note: Again, as with other tasks, this task seeks a logical response in the form of a persuasive

argument (use paragraph form).

In 90 Seconds:

1. You need to make a statement immediately that reflects which side of the argument

you are on.

2. You need to have 3 reasons to support your position – and give reasonable examples to support your 3 reasons (use facts)
3. Finally, add a simple conclusion to your argument.

Note: Do not worry if your response ends around 60 – 70 seconds – if you are logical with good paragraph form, you will score well.

Examples:

1. Do you think all university students should study abroad for a year if there is sufficient funding? Explain your reasons.

Topic sentence: I believe that university students should study overseas for several reasons.

Reason 1: First, it is all about culture.

• Detail: Students can learn a great deal by being immersed in a different culture where they can expand their knowledge of different traditions and languages of a different culture. This can be a lot of fun because it is so interesting to be apart of Christmas, festivals, or rituals.

Reason 2: Also, studying overseas allows students to observe different professors and instructors who have different study methods.

• Detail: There are usually many ways of getting to the same answer, so this can be accelerated by studying under foreign instructors. Elon Musk chose to study in Canada even though he is from South Africa.

Reason 3: Finally, studying abroad helps students find employment after they graduate.

• Detail: Many employers seek for employees with experience in multicultural environments, so education counts

Conclusion: In these ways, studying overseas can be beneficial for students.

 

Response 1:

I believe that university students should study overseas for several reasons. First, it is all about culture. Students can learn a great deal by being immersed in a different culture where they can expand their knowledge of different traditions and languages of a different culture. This can be a lot of fun because it is so interesting to be a part of Christmas, festivals, or rituals. Also, studying overseas allows students to observe different professors and instructors who have different study methods. Detail: There are usually many ways of getting to the same answer, so this can be accelerated by studying under foreign instructors. Elon Musk chose to study in Canada even though he is from South Africa. Finally, studying abroad helps students find employment after they graduate. Many employers seek employees with experience in multicultural environments, so education counts. In these ways, studying overseas can be beneficial for students.

 Statistics: 149 words spoken in approximately 74 seconds

Marker’s score = 10 /11

Content/Coherence: There are a sufficient number of reasons with examples that suggest that this response has satisfactory content. Because it is organized in a typical paragraph form it is coherent.

 

Vocabulary: The vocabulary used is related to the reasons given (culture – language), methods – accelerated, Elon Musk – Canada – South Africa, employment – multicultural environments.

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is grammatically correct.

                  Task Fulfillment:  The task is complete because it answers directly to the question

prompt, and it is organized. Likewise, the tone is consistent throughout.

 

Response 2:

Even if students are given the opportunity to study overseas, they should not go for several reasons. First, even if a student has funding, it is very expensive to live and study there. Rent and food in foreign countries cost a great deal and many times these costs are unexpected, including hidden taxes and utilities. Also, students new at university must learn how to study first before being exposed to different teaching methods and cultures. Culture alone can be difficult if a student is forced to use a foreign language in their daily life. Then there is the added pressure to understand lectures and new methods. Why go through all this trouble? Finally, the proper time to go overseas to study is after you have completed your first Bachelor’s degree and are seeking a Master’s degree. All students would appreciate this experience as they have already uncovered their major course of study and they already know how to study. These are good reasons for not studying overseas.

Statistics: 168 words spoken in approximately 80 seconds

 

Marker’s score = 10 /11

Content/Coherence: The response adheres to proper paragraph form, so it is spoken in a coherent manner. Further, since there are 3 reasons with some detail, there is adequate content that answers the question prompt, so it is appropriate in this response (expensive as it relates to hidden taxes and utilities; culture that can be a form of added pressure; comfort of study after completing a BA degree).

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is grammatically correct.

                   Task Fulfillment:  The task is complete in that the response answers the question

prompt in an organized way with related content. The tone of the speaker varied only

slightly the question ‘Why go through all this trouble?’

Example 2:

Do you think that young adults should pay rent to their parents if they do not move out by the age of 21? Explain your reasons.

Response 1: I believe that young adults have a right to stay home for as long as they want without paying rent. The basis of this response is upon employment. If a 21-year-old has a job, then I think they can pay some rent. If they are not employed, then they should not have to pay any rent – and their parents should understand that. First, to have a job means that you have an income and can afford to pay rent. But, if you do not have a job, there is no way to pay rent to your parents – and your parents certainly do not want you to live on the streets. Also, if a 21-year-old has a job, they probably want to move out of the house immediately, anyway. Most people I know leave when they graduate from high school or university. Parents have to give their children a chance to graduate from university or college before asking for any kind of rent money. Finally, parents should allow their children to stay home past the age of 21 if they are employed because they need to save a little money before they start paying rent in their own apartment. For these reasons, young adults need their parent’s support.

 

Statistics: 207 words were spoken in 85 approximately seconds

 

Marker’s score

Content/Coherence: The responses is organized, fulfilling the question prompt with several reasons and examples, and is, therefore, coherent.

 

Vocabulary: The vocabulary used is sufficient for the content used to explain the reasons the speaker used to explain why a student to remain at home and not pay rent. (not employed – parents should understand (modal should – as future possibility); not employed – save a little money before moving out).

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is grammatically correct.

 

Task Fulfillment: The task is complete in an appropriate way with a proper paragraph form and enough content to answer the question prompt. The tone of the speaker and the force of the language used were consistent.

 

Response 2:

I think young adults should uhh pay rent to their parents because/if they are living at home. First, by the age of 21 uhh any person should have at least a part-time job that can provide rent money. Many college and university students have part-time employment while they uhh are at school, so parents should be paid for uhh supplying room and board. This is especially true if a young adult doesn’t go to university of college because, from the age of 18, they should have found work now that they are 21. Also, uhh to pay rent is a form of education for young people as well because it is just like living in the real world where people have to survive on their own. Most people pay rent for an apartment before they can afford to buy a house, so uhh by paying rent at house prepares the young adult and, from the parental point of view, it provides a stimulus for this person to formally move out. Finally, young adults should know it more fun to live on their own, so why uhh pay rent to your parents? These are some of the reasons uhh I paid rent to my parents for only one year past the age of 21.

Statistics: 205 words spoken in approximately 89 seconds

Marker’s score = 10

Content/Coherence: The form of this response is organized as it follows a proper paragraph form. The reasons and support/detail are coherent or work in unison to answer the question prompt convincingly.

 

Vocabulary: The speaker uses modal verbs correctly (should have found (present perfect with ‘should’ used as a mode of past possibility/probability) and should know (with ‘should’ used as a mode of ‘probability’).

 

*Listenability:  the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation is acceptable though there are frequent pauses of hesitations that slightly distract the reader. The response is also grammatically correct.

 

Task Fulfillment: The task is complete as answers to the question prompt directly in paragraph form with adequate content. The tone is consistent even though there are some hesitations. The rhetorical question ‘why pay rent to your parents?’ helps the persuasiveness of the speaker’s argument.