Native speaker features
Well Actually In fact Okay
Of course Certainly Absolutely Possibly
I suppose I guess I think I imagine
Really Probably Quite Almost
Sort of Kind of So Especially
Like You know I mean Perhaps
Maybe In short Rather In some ways
I have to say I must say I would say
The thing about The point is Alright
To be honest In all fairness
For instance For example
It goes without saying It really depends
On the whole All things considered
Part1Type “Description” Questions
Question : Tell me about your hometown?
Answer
Well, as you can probably guess I come from Beijing and I have lived here all my life although at the moment I’m studying in another city – Tianjin. I suppose if I had to describe Beijing, the first thing I would say is that it’s absolutely enormous, maybe even one of the biggest cities in Asia I guess. It’s so big in fact that even the locals have problems finding their way around. Another significant characteristic is that it offers examples of both classical and contemporary architecture. Actually some of the China’s most renowned landmarks are “slap-bang” in the middle of Beijing.
Opening phrase (Lead-in phrase)
Well, as you can probably guess I come from Beijing and I have lived here all my life although at the moment I’m studying in another city – Tianjin. I suppose if I had to describe Beijing,
First pointing phrase
the first thing I would say is that it’s absolutely enormous, maybe even one of the biggest cities in Asia I guess. It’s so big in fact that even the locals have problems finding their way around.
Second pointing phrase
Another significant characteristic is that it offers examples of both classical and contemporary architecture. Actually, some of the China’s most renowned landmarks are “slap-bang” in the middle of Beijing.
Other Opening phrase (Lead-in phrase)
Ok then…
Alright…
Well, you know…
Actually…
Right, Ok…
Well, first of all…
Other First pointing phrase
…the point I’d like to begin with is that…
…I could start off by saying that…
…My initial point would be that…
…I need to start off by pointing out that…
…the main thing you need to know is that…
…I suppose I should begin by highlighting the fact that
…I really need to kick off with the point that …
Other Second pointing phrase
A second feature which I should mention is that…
As well as that, I could say that…
On top of that, I can also add that…
Also, I suppose I should say that…
Other Third pointing phrase
And I shouldn’t forget to mention that…
In addition to what I’ve just said, I can add that…
Something else that I need to comment on is that…
I guess I could also remark on the fact that…
Part2Type “Liking” Questions
Question : Do you like animals?
Answer
Well to be quite honest, in general I would say that I’m actually quite keen on animals, but in particular I would probably have to say I’m really into domestic pets like dogs. I guess the reason why I’m a fan of dogs is because I simply adore their loyalty and companionship. In addition to dogs, I suppose I’m pretty passionate about endangered species, especially dolphins and things like that and this is due to the fact I feel some degree of responsibility towards wild life protection.
Opening phrase
Well to be quite honest, in general I would say that
Liking phrase
I’m actually quite keen on animals,
Introduction of a specific type of topic or category
but in particular I would probably have to say I’m really into domestic pets like dogs.
Introduction of the first reason
I guess the reason why I’m a fan of dogs is because I simply adore their loyalty and companionship.
Introduction of the second reason
In addition to dogs, I suppose I’m pretty passionate about endangered species, especially dolphins and things like that and this is due to the fact I feel some degree of responsibility towards wild life protection.
Other Opening phrase
Actually, I suppose that for the most part I’d probably say that…
Well, to be honest I should really say that…
Of course, I think I’d have to say that…
Certainly, I would definitely say that…
Well, I guess that generally speaking I would certainly say that…
Alternative language to “liking”
I’m fairly keen on…
I’m quite fond of…
I’m quite a big fan of…
I’m quite enthusiastic about…
I’m quite partial to…
I’m quite passionate about…
I’m totally mad about…
I’m absolutely crazy over…
Other Introduction of a specific type of topic or category
…to be more precise…
...to be more specific…
…to be more exact…
…to be more accurate…
…specifically…
…particularly…
Other Introduction of the first reason
This could be because…
This might be because…
I suppose the reason has something to do with the fact that…
Other Introduction of the second reason
As well as this….
To add to this…
On top of this…
Part3Type “Disliking” Questions
Question : Is there anything you don’t like about your hometown?
Answer
Of course, I think I’d have to say that I’m not so keen on the weather. To be more precise, I really can’t stand the summer months. This is due to the fact that the temperatures can get as high as 40 degrees so it can be quite uncomfortable if you don’t have air-conditioning in your house. In addition to this, I’m not really that fond of the public transport system. And I guess this is probably because the buses are too old and the seats are really hard, so long journeys are usually pretty bumpy.
Expressing dislikes
I’m not so keen on…
I’m not much of a fan of…
I’m not really that fond of…
Expressing very strong dislikes
I totally detest…
I absolutely loathe…
I really can’t stand…
Part4Type “Type of” Questions
Question : Tell me about the different types of public transport in your city?
Answer
Of course, it goes without saying that there’s quite a mixed variety of public transport in my city. Though I think the most commonly-used would potentially be buses. And the explanation for this could be that they are so cheap and reliable. In fact, the average bus fare in my city is about one Yuan for a single journey.
As well as buses, the second variety of public transport would be something like taxis. And one exceptional aspect with (taxis) is that they are certainly the quickest way to get around town. So if you’re in a hurry then taxis are the best bet (the best choice).
Likewise, as might be expected, there’re things like ferries, motorcycle taxis and trains, although these are not as widely-used as the first two that I mentioned
Opening phrase
Of course, it goes without saying that
Types phrase
there’s quite a mixed variety of public transport in my city.
Introduction to the first type
Though I think the most commonly-used would potentially be buses.
Linking phrase to develop the first type
And the explanation for this could be that they are so cheap and reliable. In fact, the average bus fare in my city is about one Yuan for a single journey.
Introduction to the second type
As well as buses, the second variety of public transport would be something like taxis.
Linking phrase to develop the second type
And one exceptional aspect with (taxis) is that they are certainly the quickest way to get around town. So if you’re in a hurry then taxis are the best bet (the best choice).
Vague end line
Likewise, as might be expected, there’re things like ferries, motorcycle taxis and trains, although these are not as widely-used as the first two that I mentioned
Other Opening phrase
Well, actually..
Of course, you know
Sure, obviously
Ok, certainly
Other Types phrase
…there’s quite a wide range of …
…there’s a fairly broad range of…
…there’s quite an extensive diversity of…
…there’s quite a diverse mixture of …
Other Introduction to the first type
But I guess that most + adjective would probably be…
However, I suppose the most +adjective could possibly be…
Yet, I imagine the most + adjective may well be…
Still, I suspect that the most +adjective could perhaps be…
Other Linking phrase to develop the first type
And the basis for this is that…
The thing with (buses) is that…
The point I want to add about (buses) is that…
I assume (buses) are so……because….
Other Introduction to the second type
Besides (buses), another form of (public transport) worth mentioning could be…
As well as (buses), another kind of (public transport) would be…
In addition to (buses), a subsequent category of (public transport) would be something like…
Other Linking phrase to develop the second type
And the main characteristic of (taxis) is that…
And the unique aspect of (taxis) is that…
Other Vague end line
And of course, there’s the usual things like…
And obviously, you can also find things like…
And naturally, there’re things like…
Adjective suggestions
Common
Commonplace
Influential
Popular
Frequent
Prevalent
Fashionable
Trendy
Notorious
Famous
Well-known
Prominent
Important
Significant
Widespread
Standard
Conventional
Celebrated
Hip
With-it
Usual
Customary
Commonly-known
Current
Notable
Best-selling
Up-to-date
Renowned
Part5Type “Wh- (Where, when, who) / How often” Questions
Question : How often do you go to the cinema?
Answer
Well, to be honest, I think I would have to say that it really depends. Like for instance, if I have the money, then it’s quite possible that I will watch a movie in the cinema, two or three times a month. You know, cinema tickets are pretty pricey in China. Whereas in contrast, if I’m broke, then it’s more likely that I’ll watch movies at home on DVDs; you probably know that DVDs are quite cheap here, especially compared to the price of a cinema ticket.
Opening phrase
1.Well, to be honest,
“Depends” phrase
2.I think I would have to say that it really depends.
Linking phrase
3.Like for instance,
Conditional grammar structure
4.if I have the money, then it’s quite possible that I will watch a movie in the cinema, two or three times a month. You know, cinema tickets are pretty pricey in China.
Compare linking phrase
5.Whereas in contrast,
Conditional grammar structure
6.if I’m broke, then it’s more likely that I’ll watch movies at home on DVDs; you probably know that DVDs are quite cheap here, especially compared to the price of a cinema ticket.
Other Opening phrases
Well in truth
Well, in all fairness
Actually, to be fair
In fact, in all honesty
In actual fact
Other “Depends” phrase
…I suppose I would have to maintain that it kind of depends really
…I imagine that it would depend on the situation
…I guess my answer would be determined by different conditions
Other Linking phrase
More precisely like…
Like more specifically…
Like, to be more direct…
You know like, to be exact
Other Conditional grammar structure
If (situation A)……then I will most likely…..
If (situation A)……then as a consequence I will probably….
If (situation A)……then I guess it’s quite likely that I will….
Situation A Situation B
Weekdays Weekends
Summer Winter
Good weather Bad weather
Term time School holidays
If I’m alone If I’m with friends
If I’ve got a lot of time If I’m fairly busy
Other Compare linking phrase
Whereas on the other hand
Though, at the same time
While, oppositely
Other Conditional grammar structure
If (situation B)……then it’s almost certain that I will….
If (situation B)……then I will almost always….
If (situation B)……then I will most certainly ……
Part6Type “Yes / No” Questions
Question : Is healthy eating important?
Answer
Well, in actual fact, if I think about it, I guess that in many ways it’s fairly important, especially when you consider that a healthy diet can help to prevent a variety of diseases and health problems such as diabetes and obesity. But you also have to understand that eating unhealthy food in moderation is not overly harmful. In fact, unhealthy food is often tastier than healthy food so I guess it’s fine to eat a little junk food now and then. So all in all, I guess my answer would have to be yes and no.
Opening phrase
1.Well, in actual fact, if I think about it, I guess that in many ways it’s fairly important,
Linking structure
2.especially when you consider that a healthy diet can help to prevent a variety of diseases and health problems such as diabetes and obesity.
Introduce your “no” answer”
3.But you also have to understand that eating unhealthy food in moderation is not overly harmful. In fact, unhealthy food is often tastier than healthy food so I guess it’s fine to eat a little junk food now and then.
Round-off answer
4.So all in all, I guess my answer would have to be yes and no.
Other Opening phrase
Ok, well in reality, I suppose that to some extent…
Alright, I guess that on the one hand….
Well, certainly in some ways…..
Other Linking structure
…particularly if you think about the point that….
…especially with regard to the point that…
…and this is definitely the case with….
Other Introduce your “no” answer”
Even so, you could also say that….
At the same time, you could also say that…
Other Round-off answer
So on the whole, I suppose the answer has to be yes and no.
So all things considered, I guess the answer is both yes and no.
So in the main, I suppose the answer is probably yes and no.
Part7Type “Would” Questions
Question : Would you like to move to another city?
Answer
Actually, this isn’t something that I’ve ever considered, but in short I suppose I would possibly consider moving cities, especially if I had the chance to move to a coastal city like Xiamen or Sanya. If I lived in a seaside city, I would be able to hang out on the beach every day and I would also have the opportunity to get into water sports like scuba diving and possibly surfing.
Opening phrase
Actually, this isn’t something that I’ve ever considered, but
First structure
in short I suppose I would possibly consider moving cities, especially if I had the chance to move to a coastal city like Xiamen or Sanya.
Second conditional tense
If I lived in a seaside city, I would be able to hang out on the beach every day and I would also have the opportunity to get into water sports like scuba diving and possibly surfing.
Other Opening phrase
Well, quite honestly I don’t think I’ve ever thought about that, but
I ‘m not really sure how to put this, but
Other First structure
I imagine I would possibly think about (verb + ing)
I guess I would maybe contemplate (verb + ing)
I would perhaps reflect on (verb + ing)
Other Second conditional tense
If I lived near the sea, I would be able to eat fresh seafood
If I had time, I would go for traveling
If I lived in a different city, I would make lots of new friends
If I lived in a city, I would be able to find a new well-paid job
If I lived in a metropolis, I would be able to try lots of new kinds of food
If I worked in a factory, I would be tired every day