6.2. Giving Opinions and Hedging
Give a view first, then say how sure you are: in most cases, I would say, it depends on the town.
We've been talking about this topic, and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to it.
Let's talk about everyday possessions.
- Why do some people become attached to ordinary things they use every day?
- Do people in your country usually repair belongings or replace them?
- How has advertising changed the everyday items people choose to carry?
The short version
Opinion questions (Do you think, Should, Is it a problem) ask you to judge. A view is required.
A hedge says how sure you are: it depends on the town, but, in most cases, I would say. It shrinks the claim, it does not replace it.
Might, tend to, probably, in many towns, at least where I live.
It depends on the person on its own is not a view. It hands the question back.
What you have to do
In Part 3 the examiner asks opinion questions about people in general: Do you think...?, Should...?, Is it a problem that...? You answer in 20 to 40 seconds: a view in one sentence, then a reason and an example. A hedge says how sure you are: in most cases, I would say, probably. Answers are marked on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. A hedged view counts as developed. A dodge does not.
A hedge is not a dodge
A hedge keeps a claim the size you can defend: many small shops will probably keep closing where rent jumps. The claim is still there, and the examiner can mark it. A dodge has no claim: it depends on the person, some people like it and some do not. If nothing follows the hedge that you could be wrong about, it was a dodge.
always, never, every, all people, all governments, will
I would say, in most cases, it depends on the town, but; tend to, often, might, will probably, at least where I live
Step by step
- 1Listen for the judgement the question wants
Do you think, Should and Is it a problem want you to take a side. Will and What might want a guess about the future. Do people in your country usually repair or replace wants you to say which is commoner. On the sample, Do people usually repair belongings or replace them? wants one answer, replace, with a hedge for how often.
- 2Decide what to say first: your view, then how sure you are
Your first sentence is your view with its size attached. I would say most people replace things now, at least where a new one is cheap. I would say marks it as your opinion. Most and at least where say how far it goes. Then the reason and an example about people in general.
- 3Use the question's words to frame the view, then size it
Start with the question's words so you stay on the question. Add the hedge to the verb or the noun. Should governments protect small shops? becomes I think governments should probably protect small shops where rent is the reason they close. Probably and where size the claim without removing it.
- 4What not to say
Not it depends on the person with nothing after it. Not always, every or all: one counter-example sinks them. Not three hedges in a row: it might perhaps possibly change has no view left inside. Not a memorised opener such as This is a controversial issue in today's modern society. It fits every question and answers none.
- 5If you are stuck, concede one point, then commit, or ask
Say one honest sentence for the other side, then commit with I still think. A chain chemist open on Sunday is useful. I still think a street of only chains loses its character. If you did not catch the question, ask the examiner to repeat or explain it. If nothing comes, the simplest view and one reason is still an answer.
Will small shops survive? Two answers
Too sure: All high streets will die. Too vague: It might perhaps possibly change in some ways. Both leave the examiner with nothing they can call an opinion.
I think many small shops will probably keep closing where rent jumps at the end of a lease. I do not think every town will lose a bakery.
Quiz time5 questions
Each drill gives you one fresh opinion question and works on one step. Practise the judgement, not the whole discussion.
A view with its size attached
Three candidates open their answer to this question. Choose the opening that gives a view and says how sure the speaker is.
Read thisShould children be given pocket money?
Which opening is a sized view?
What each hedge does
Match each hedge to the job it does in a sentence. The extract shows all four in use.
Read thisI would say people in most cases replace things, at least where a new one is cheap, and that might change if repair shops come back.
Pick the hedge that fits
The candidate is answering this question. Choose the hedge that keeps the view the right size for a prediction.
Read thisDo you think people will stop buying printed books?
I think printed books ______ keep selling, at least for children, because a screen is hard to share at bedtime.
Spot the memorised opener
Four sentences from one answer to this question. Three carry a sized view or support it. One is a memorised phrase with no idea inside. Which?
Read thisIs it a problem that people own so many things they never use?
Which sentence contains the error?
One opinion, thirty seconds
Speak for about 30 seconds. Give your view in the first sentence with one hedge (I would say, in most cases, probably). Then give a reason and an example about people in general.
Read thisShould people be encouraged to buy fewer clothes?
Should people be encouraged to buy fewer clothes?
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.
Full answers
Below is an agree question with a complete answer of three sentences. Read it for the moment the speaker commits: one honest sentence for the other side, then I still think.
Is it a problem when chain shops replace local ones?
A chemist that is open on Sunday is genuinely useful. I still think a street of only chains ends up feeling like the next town along, so I would only call the change harmless where a few independent shops survive.
One honest sentence for the other side, then I still think, which is where the speaker commits. Compare that with some people say yes, some say no, it depends on the person. That commits to nothing.
Your turn to speak3 questions
Hedged, or no view at all?
The question was: Should governments protect small shops from chains?
It depends on the person, really. Some people like chains and some prefer independent shops.
Find the claim that is too big
The question was: Should governments protect small shops from chains? Three sentences keep the claim the size the speaker can defend. One does not.
Which sentence contains the error?
Record a hedged view
Give a view. Use might, tend to, or in many towns at least once. Do not finish with it depends on the person.
Will people still go to the cinema in twenty years?
Record your answer (60s maximum)
0:00 / 1:00
Set up your learning path at the top of this lesson to get band-specific feedback.
Tips
- One hedge per sentence
Probably or in most cases or at least where I live. Pick the one that matches the doubt you actually have. Two is careful, three is a dodge.
- Finish every it depends
It depends is fine as the first two words of a view, never as the last two. It depends on the town, but in most cases... keeps the examiner listening.
Recap
Give a view first, in the question's words, then size it with one hedge: I would say, in most cases, probably.
Every and all invite the one counter-example that sinks the sentence, and three hedges in a row leave no view at all.
It depends on the person alone hands the question back. Concede one point, then commit with I still think.
Next: how the four criteria turn your talking into a band.