Language for the “Fluency-based Strategy”
As mentioned earlier in this section the four linking structures and four topic card prompts work for EVERY Part Two topic. You will need to create your own 4 linking phrase structures.
The examples below can be combined in any order and they will all work with every prompt on every topic card.
When you choose your four structures, try to select sentences that don’t repeat the same vocabulary (e.g.: "point", "subject" etc.)
Don’t waste time and energy learning and memorizing every possible linking phrase given below. Choose one from each section and learn those 4 so that you can produce them perfectly and naturally. Practice using those 4 for as many Part Two topics as you can.
Most of the following language can also be used in Part One and Part Three; so if you have time to spare it will be useful to get used to this way of making sentences.
A. Opening phrase + the first prompt from card
· Ok then, I guess I could start off by answering who the person is...
· Alright then, in response to the first question of who the person is...
· So to begin with, in reply to the initial point of who the person is...
· Ok, I’ll start the ball rolling by touching on the matter of who the person is...
· Right then, like to get cracking by pointing out who the person is...
· So I suppose I should commence with the first aspect which is who the person is...
· Initially then, I’d like to get started by looking at who the person is...
· So, to start with I’ll talk about who the person is...
· So, to start with I’ll talk about who the person is...
· So I guess I could kick off by stating who the person is...
· Ok so my first point here would obviously be who the person is...
Before you add your content sentence, you need to add another linking phrase:
· ...and I think I would have to choose...
· ...and I’d have to go for...
· ...and I’d probably select...
· ...and my choice is going to be...
· ...and the one I’d pick is...
So your opening sentence might be:
Ok, I’ll start the ball rolling by touching on the matter of who the person is, and have to go for Jackie Chan.
It would be a good idea to develop this first sentence further using a simple linking structure: because, for the reason that, actually, who is, which is (was), where, in fact, although, particularly, especially.
Ok, I’ll start the ball rolling by touching on the matter of who the person is, and I'd have to go for Jackie Chan for the reason that...
Remember, the first point will probably be your shortest point; so don’t worry if you can’t develop it with lots of details.
B. The second point the second prompt from card
· Going on to my next point which is why he is famous...
· Continuing then with the next point of why he is famous...
· Now with regard to the next question of why he is famous...
· Next then in response to the point of why he is famous...
· Regarding the theme of why he is famous...
· Now on the subject of why he is famous...
· Now concerning the matter of why he is famous...
Before you explain this point you need to add a second linking phrase (similar to your first point).
· ...and what I’d like to add here is that...
· ...and what I need to emphasize here is that...
· ...and what I ought to stress here is that...
· ...and the thing that needs to be highlighted here is that...
· ...and what I have to mention here is that...
Notice that all of these linking structures end in "that". This means it is very easy to make a complex sentence structure by adding a simple clause.
So the second point might be:
Now concerning the matter of why he is famous, and the thing that needs to be highlighted here is that he is a world-renowned martial arts film star.
You should develop this point using a basic linking word with one or two details which help to explain your first point. Remember - you don’t really need to speak for more than 40 seconds on any of the 4 points, so don’t introduce too many details.
C. The third point the third prompt from card
· Processing to the subject of why I would like to meet this celebrity…
· Moving onto the business of why I would like to meet this celebrity...
· Drawing attention to the matter of why I would like to meet this celebrity...
· Proceeding with the issue of why I would like to meet this celebrity...
· Moving forward onto the area of why I would like to meet this celebrity...
Now add your second linking phrase:
· I would like to explain that...
· What I’d like to make clear is that...
· You really have to understand that...
· What like to shed light on here is that...
· I suppose I should underline the fact that...
So the third point could be:
Moving onto the business of why I would like to meet this celebrity, the chief explanation would most likely be that I would probably ask him to leach me a few special Kung Fu tricks.
Now use another linking word to develop this point into a longer sentence (give reasons. details, explanations etc.)
D. The fourth point the fourth prompt from card
If you give fairly long responses for the other points, you might not have time to cover the last point. This is not a problem, as long as you have produced all of the linking structures in the first 3 points – your Part Two talk will be fine.
The last linking phrase:
· Finally then, if I there‘s time, I could deal with the last question of...
· To end with, if I still have time, I could take care of the final question of...
· As a final point, if time permits, I'd like to bring in the point of...
· To cut a long story short, as my very last point, with reference to the question of...
It will probably be unnecessary to develop this point because hopefully the examiner will stop you around this point.
Most people find that when they use this method, they reach the two-minute mark just after saying this final linking phrase.
Strategy Summary
The reason why this strategy is called the "fluency-based strategy" can be illustrated below.
Your overall answer will look something like this:
1. Linking phrase + prompt + linking phrase + details + connective...
2. Linking phrase + prompt + linking phrase + details + connective...
3. Linking phrase + prompt + linking phrase + details + connective...
4. Linking phrase + prompt + linking phrase + details + connective...
In the marking system, linking phrases and connectives feature heavily in the fluency scoring and so obviously an answer of this type has an enormous affect on your "Fluency" score.
It is interesting to note that most people only produce 3 or 4 linking phrases in their whole interview. However, if you use this system you will produce 8 of these in your Part Two talk alone!
It is also important to realize that the overall structure produces a large amount of complex grammar structures.
Examples of Part Two Using the Fluency Method
Describe an animal that can he found in your country.
You should say:
What type of animal it is
Where it can be found
Whether you have seen it
What other people think of this animal.
Preparation Notes
Panda
Present Tense + Past Tense
national symbol nature reserve
endangered species protected
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