3.2. Answer Length and Depth
Say enough to be marked, without turning an answer into a speech.
The short version
Answer, then add a reason or an example.
Part 1: three or four sentences is the target.
A one word answer gives nothing to mark.
Rambling costs you the next question.
How long an answer should be
Part 1 is 4 to 5 minutes for roughly ten questions across two or three topics. That works out at 15 to 25 seconds an answer. Shorter than that and the examiner has nothing to mark. Longer and you are using up time the examiner needs for the next topic.
The right length has a shape, and the shape is always the same: the answer, a reason, one detail.
One word, or one flat sentence. Yes. Yes, I like it. The examiner hears almost no grammar or vocabulary, and no reason at all. They have to ask Why? to get anything to mark.
Answer, reason, one detail. Three or four sentences, about 15 to 25 seconds. The examiner hears a habit, a because, and one thing that only you would say.
A speech, or a list. Six hobbies, five reasons, or a paragraph about modern society. The examiner cuts in, and the time spent on the list came out of the next topic.
Do you like cooking?
The same question, too short and too long
Yes, I do. It's fun. Under three seconds. The examiner now has to ask Why do you like it?
Yes, I love cooking. Cooking is very important in my culture. I can cook rice, noodles, curry, soup, fish, chicken and many kinds of vegetables. My mother taught me when I was seven. I think cooking is a very good hobby because it is healthy, it saves money and it brings the family together. Also, nowadays many young people do not cook because they are too busy, which is a big problem in modern society… A list of seven dishes, three reasons, and a speech. The examiner cut in at modern society.
Do you like cooking?
Yes, most nights, though only simple things. I cook because eating out near my flat is expensive. On Sundays I make one big pot of something, usually a lentil stew, and that covers three lunches.
Answer in the first sentence, with a limit built in (only simple things). A because. One detail with a day and a dish in it. About twenty seconds, and nothing the examiner needs to interrupt.
Stretching a yes or a no
- 1Answer
Yes, no, or the fact. Say it in the first four words.
- 2Because
One reason. Not two, not a list. Because it is expensive to eat out.
- 3One contrast
A though, but, except or apart from that limits the yes. Except on Fridays. Apart from anything with fish in it. This is your one detail. It makes the answer sound true.
A no works the same way
A no is worth as much as a yes. Not really, because I get home too late to start. The one exception is Sunday, when I cook for my parents. Answer, because, one contrast. A no with a reason is worth exactly as much as a yes with a reason.
Quiz time4 questions
Too short, just right, or too long?
The question was: Do you enjoy your job?
Yes, I do. It's a good job.
Too short, just right, or too long?
The question was: How often do you read?
Most days, but only on the train. I get about twenty minutes each way, which is enough for a chapter. At home I fall asleep after two pages, so the train is the only place it really happens.
Too short, just right, or too long?
The question was: What kind of music do you like?
I like many kinds of music. I like pop, rock, jazz, classical, hip hop, folk and country. Music is very important in my life. It makes me happy when I am sad and it gives me energy when I am tired. Also, I think music brings people together all over the world. In my country music is very popular and many people listen to music every day, especially young people, because…
A yes or a no, stretched to the right length
Answer in the first sentence. Give one because. Add one contrast with though, but, except or apart from. Stop there.
Do you prefer to phone people or send them messages?
Record your answer (40s maximum)
0:00 / 0:40
Set up your learning path at the top of this lesson to get band-specific feedback.
Tips
- Answer first, then extend
Say yes or no, then give the reason. Starting with the reason often means never actually answering.
- One example is enough
A single concrete detail does more for your mark than three general sentences.
Recap
Answer the question, then add a reason or an example.
Three or four sentences is right for Part 1.
Too short gives nothing to mark. Too long costs you questions.
Next: what to do in the second where you have nothing to say.