INTERACTIVE PHASE
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INTERACTIVE TASK This phase provides the opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their ability to initiate and take control over the interaction through the use of questioning techniques and functions associated with requesting information, seeking clarification and and encouraging encouraging further further detail.. In addition to general functions such as requesting information, the language functions listed for the particular grade should arise naturally from each task prompt. In this phase, the emphasis is placed upon the candidate’s ability to use functional language rather than upon the accurate use of the grammatical structures st ructures listed for the grade. It is important that, once the examiner has set up the situation, the candidate takes responsibility for the interaction. The interaction will take the form of multiple turns, with the examiner’s turns being much shorter than those of the candidate. In some cases this may involve role- play play but the examiner and candidate are ar e free to ‘be themselves’ thems elves’ so as to create as authentic an exchange as possible. At the Advanced stage, the actual tasks have been designed to provide the candidates with the opportunity of demonstrating not only their ability to express the functions of the grade but also their control of the grammatical items listed for all grades up to and including Grade 9. (See Grammar Reference)
Sample exchange in the Interactive phase at Grade 11
Examiner: - Two months ago, it was advertised in the newspaper that there was a fantastic new opportunity in a television company. Admittedly, the advert was quite small so that perhaps should have implied something. Anyway, I applied for it. Candidate: - So what kind of job did it turn out to be? And were you you short-listed? Examiner: - Eventually I have been short-listed for the director's department as a clerical worker.
Candidate: - How do you feel about that? Are you raring to do it? Examiner: - I must say income is quite profitable, indeed. Candidate: -…..........
VARONA'S INSTITUTE, S.L. : C/ Párroco D. Emilio Franco, 53 -
Tlf: 91 4789486 /
Avda. Buenos Aires, 21 –
TLF: 91 7788517
Grade 11 - Interactive prompts task, I 'l l start start by tell tell in g you you some somethi thi ng. You' You' ll have to The examiner will introduce this phase by saying: " I n thi s task, ask ask me ques questions to fi nd out mor e inf ormation. I t's your r esponsibi ponsibi li ty to maintai n th e conve conversation. rsation. Ar e you you ready ready?" ?"
1. People say that laughing is good for your health, physically and psychologically, and I'm sure that's true. I always feel ten times better after a good laugh and there are lots of things that make me laugh but sometimes I wonder if I should be laughing at them at all. (Inferring, justifying an argument, evaluating different standpoints) 2. We all seem to get inundated all the time with appeals for money from different charities. You can't give to all of them and I find it very hard to decide which ones to support. (Inferring, support. (Inferring, expressing caution, evaluating different standpoints) 3. Last week, I had someone in to do some home improvements for me but you should see what my house looks like now. (Inferring, expressing caution, challenging opinions) 4. A friend of mine came to see me the other day and said he was desperate for my help. I really don't know what to do. (Inferring, expressing caution, softening and downplaying propositions) 5. People always talk about what period in the past they would like to have lived in. I'm happy to be living in the present when you think what the future could hold. (Inferring, evaluating different standpoints, justifying an argument, expressing reservations) 6. Last year I decided to study something new. I didn't learn much about the subject but attending the course changed my life. (Inferring, expressing caution, challenging opinions) 7. I've heard about people getting married in some very strange places and in unusual ways. It does make me wonder how serious these people are about marriage. (Inferring, justifying an argument, challenging arguments and opinions, evaluating different standpoints) 8. I really feel I ought to tell my boss how unhappy many of the staff are and how low morale is at the moment but it's a very difficult thing to do and I don't know whether to go ahead or leave it. (Evaluating different standpoints, justifying an argument) 9. My sister complains that her husband never helps with the housework but at the same time she gets her daughter to help with the washing-up and lets her son sit and do nothing. I often talk to her about it but she can't see what I'm getting at. (Evaluating different standpoints, justifying an argument, softening and downplaying propositions) 10. I live on a very busy road where there are frequent road accidents. The local council plan to put up a speed camera which at first I thought was a wonderful idea but when I heard how it's going to affect me personally, I wasn't so sure. (Evaluating different standpoints, expressing caution, justifying an argument, softening and downplaying propositions) VARONA'S INSTITUTE, S.L. : C/ Párroco D. Emilio Franco, 53 -
Tlf: 91 4789486 /
Avda. Buenos Aires, 21 –
TLF: 91 7788517
USEFUL FUNCTIONS FOR THE INTERACTIVE TASK JUSTIFYING ARGUMENTS
This idea is backed up by research. This idea has been proven to work. Time after time, this method of study has given good results. I strongly believe in this idea because …. E.g. the alternatives are not viable. I am convinced that this is the best solution/alternative. E.g. Environment pollution I am convinced that recycling is the best possible possi ble solution to the problem of environmental pollution because all other alternatives have proven to be too costly costly or too difficult to enforce. INFERRING
Making somebody understand without saying directly what you want to say. E.g. Vanessa: “Maybe I could help you to prepare your classes bec ause I have lots of experience teaching little children and I know they can be difficult” Vanessa is inferring that that the teacher is not doing a good job. E.g. Vanessa: “I should really ring John but I've forgotten my mobile and I don't have time to go to the public phone”. Vanessa is inferring that she wants to borrow my phone to ring John. EXPRESSING CAUTION
You need to be careful when... You shouldn't jump to conclusions. You should weigh up both sides of the argument before making a decision. People really need to take their time before making a decision about... I would advise you to be careful. Don't rush into things. Take your time. CHALLENGING ARGUMENTS / OPINION
I'm afraid I couldn't possibly agree. VARONA'S INSTITUTE, S.L. : C/ Párroco D. Emilio Franco, 53 -
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Why do you think tht is there evidence to back that up? I would have thought exactly the opposite. I couldn't disagree more because I read an article that said exactly the opposite. Are you sure about that? EVALUATING DIFFERENT STAND POINTS On the one hand...., on the other hand.... Whereas... While this idea makes a lot of sense, I think I would be more convinced by..... EXPRESSING RESERVATIONS
I'm not sure that I would be convinced.... I wouldn't be won over by that argument. While it's and interesting point of view, I'm not 100% convinced. DEDUCING:
Must be
Might be
Jane’s light is on. It might be a pet pit. She must be at home. She can’t be out It could be a local fair. They must be at school.
Can’t be
Could be
They might be training for a tournament The cart must be too heavy. It can’t be August. It must be in America It must be very frightened
EXPRESSING OPINIONS TENTATIVELY
I strongly agree/ disagree I couldn’t agree less… In my opinion, I would say that... that ... Do you really think that..., As far as I’m concerned, I’d say that… What I think is…
I don’t agree that… I’m certain that… You are incorrect… This can’t be true… The way I see it,… My impression is that… I have have the feeling that…
it is undeniable that… I reckon… I would argue that… I feel that… I hold the view that… I agree that… You are right in saying…
It seems to me that… To my mind,…
I have no doubt I support the view
That seems to be correct…
I shall…
Don’t you think the colour
EXPRESSING BELIEFS
I believe that…
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According to my beliefs, I would say that… I’m definitely going to… I’ve decided to…
I’m thinking of… I’m determined to… I’m planning to… I really mean to…
is ...(too dark)? Wouldn’t you say that…? I have heard that… It is rumoured that… I feel suspicious about…
DEFENDING A POINT OF VIEW
Well, the things is,… Let me explain… The main reason why… is that… They are quite a few reasons why…
First,… then,… lastly … …, that’s why… Little did I know what he was doing.
SUMMARISING ARGUMENTS
all in all
in essence
as a result
in short certainly that is in brief
as has been said on balance hence
in summary finally to conclude
STALL FOR TIME (WHEN YOU'RE ASKED A DIFFICULT QUESTION)
That's such a good question That's a difficult question
That's tricky one I'd have to think about that
Let me see... Well
BE VAGUE AND / OR IMPRECISE
Once in a blue moon In a hour so
From time to time Loads of.. (mistakes)
More or less About (eight)-ish
Bits and pieces In a way
That kind of thing
Sort of / kind of
GIVE ADVICE / MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT PLACES
It's a must must / a must must see (tienes que ver) It's good value for money (precio justo) It's a bit overrated / overpriced overpriced (no merece la pena, es sobrevalorado/ nadtseneno e) It's not all it's cracked up to be. (no es tan bueno bueno como lo describen) I found it a bit dull /touristy (no es nada interesant e) If I were you I'd go to .... VARONA'S INSTITUTE, S.L. : C/ Párroco D. Emilio Franco, 53 -
Tlf: 91 4789486 /
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Don't miss... /Make sure you go to ..... You should try -ing.... I suggest going..../ that you go there Watch out out for for (ten cuidado) cuidado) One thing to be wary of is (tienes que ser precabido con, ten cuidado con con ) STARTING A DISCUSSION
Why don’t we start by … ? Let’s begin with … (shall we?)
Shall we … first? We could start by talking about …
INVOLVING THE OTHER PERSON
What do you think (about) …?
Do you agree with that?
What would you say?
BRINGING THE DISCUSSION TO AN END
So let’s decide which …
Shall we make a decision?
Anyway, we have to decide
SUGGESTING THINGS TO DO
I hope you will … You really must must … / You absolutely have to … How do you fancy …?
You could go to the … What / How about … ?
SUGGESTING WHAT TO BRING
It would probably be a good idea …
Don’t bother …
REFERRING TO QUESTIONS
As for (X) itself
You asked about
You wanted to know whether …
TALKING ABOUT POSSIBILITIES
You will be able to …
You should manage to …
We might be able to …
APOLOGISING
I’m very sorry but …
I’m afraid there won’t be …
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Unfortunately, I don’t think …
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