In part 3 of the speaking test, you need to give longer, detailed answers. A good way to do this is by organising your answers according to the following steps:
- Idea: answer the question directly.
- Explain: give a reason or explain your answer in more detail.
- Alternative: explain an alternative (e.g. the opposite) to your answer.
- Example: give an example to support your answer.
- Another idea: sometimes you think of another idea while you are speaking. Just add it on the end of your answer.
You can give a really good answer without including all five steps, but you might find it useful to practise including all five, as I've done here:
Why do you think some people prefer to buy products from their own countries rather than imported items?
(idea) I suppose it’s because those people want to support the economy of the country they live in. (explain) If they buy something that was made in their own country, they know that they are contributing to the salaries of workers within the same country, (alternative) whereas if they buy imported items, a foreign company and its employees will benefit. (example) For example, if I buy some meat that originates from a local farm rather than a farm in another country, I’m helping one of my fellow citizens to carry on in business. (another idea) Also, I think that trust is an issue; people might feel that they can trust domestically produced items more than imported ones.