Task 7: Expressing an Opinion
Objective: Take a clear stance on a common social topic and support it with well-developed reasons, explanations, and examples over a full 90-second response.
Task Overview
You’ll be shown a question or statement on a social issue or everyday topic. You’re asked whether you agree or disagree and why.
Examples:
- “Do you agree or disagree that all students should wear uniforms to school?”
- “Some people believe that children should not start school until age six. Do you agree or disagree with this idea?”
Time Limits
- Preparation Time: 30 seconds
- Speaking Time: 90 seconds
What You Are Being Evaluated On
| Scoring Category | What the Examiner Expects |
| Coherence & Meaning | Clear opinion, logical flow, well-developed arguments |
| Lexical Range | Advanced vocabulary, transition phrases, topic-specific word choice |
| Listenability | Natural rhythm, proper pacing, sentence variety |
| Task Fulfillment | Full, focused, complete response with multiple distinct and relevant ideas |
What Makes This Task Hard
- You need to speak for a full 90 seconds without going off topic
- The topic is sometimes familiar but deceptively abstract (e.g., “Do you agree that governments should limit working hours?”)
- Many students give only one weak reason or repeat themselves
- Others don’t structure their argument, leading to a list of disconnected points
Strategy Framework: O.R.E.O.X.
Lancity’s premium framework for organized, logical speaking in 90-second arguments
| Step | What It Means | What to Do |
| O | Opinion | State your position clearly in the first sentence |
| R | Reason 1 | Give a strong, well-developed reason |
| E | Explain or Example | Support reason 1 with logic, data, or a real-world example |
| O | Other Reason or Objection | Give a second strong reason or address a possible opposing view |
| X | eXit and Conclude | Summarize your stance with impact or reflection |
What to Do in the 30-Second Prep Time
- Pick your position quickly — agree or disagree
- Write two clear reasons (categories: social, emotional, financial, practical)
- Add a real-world or personal example for one of them
- Think about how you’ll wrap up — repeat your opinion or suggest action
90-Second Pacing Guide
| Time Mark | What to Do |
| 0–10 sec | State opinion clearly |
| 10–45 sec | Give first reason with full support |
| 45–80 sec | Give second reason or counter-argument |
| 80–90 sec | Restate your view and close logically |
Vocabulary for Strong Opinions
| Function | Stronger Alternatives |
| I think | I strongly believe, I firmly support, I’m convinced that |
| Good | beneficial, valuable, practical, reasonable |
| Bad | harmful, short-sighted, inefficient, unnecessary |
| People | citizens, families, decision-makers, communities |
| Result | outcome, consequence, long-term effect, implication |
Grammar Targets
| Form | Use Example |
| Conditional clauses | “If students all wore uniforms, it would reduce distractions.” |
| Passive voice | “Uniforms are often seen as a way to create equality.” |
| Complex clauses | “Although some argue it limits individuality, I believe…” |
| Linkers and transitions | “Furthermore…”, “In contrast…”, “As a result…” |
Sentence Templates
Opening (O – Opinion):
- “I completely agree with the idea that…”
- “In my view, this would be a mistake because…”
- “I strongly disagree with the statement that…”
First Reason (R):
- “One major reason is that…”
- “The biggest advantage of this is…”
- “This approach would lead to…”
Support/Example (E):
- “For example, many schools in my city…”
- “This is important because…”
- “Take a real case where…”
Second Reason or Counterpoint (O):
- “Another important factor is…”
- “Some people might say…, but I think…”
- “In contrast to that view…”
Closing (X):
- “So for all these reasons, I firmly support…”
- “That’s why I think this idea should be implemented.”
- “Unless this changes, we’ll continue to face the same issues.”
Sample Prompt (Authentic Style)
Some people think that schools should remove exams and focus only on projects and presentations. Do you agree or disagree with this idea?
Sample O.R.E.O.X. Plan
- O: Disagree
- R: Exams prepare students for real-world pressure and time management
- E: Without exams, students might procrastinate or avoid study routines
- O: Projects are useful but don’t assess deep understanding under pressure
- X: Keep projects, but exams are necessary for academic and job preparation
Final Model Response (Based on Prompt)
I strongly disagree with the idea that schools should remove exams and rely only on projects and presentations.
Exams are still essential for preparing students for real-world challenges. In most jobs and higher education settings, people are expected to perform under pressure and meet strict deadlines. Exams build those skills.
For example, in my university program, the students who performed best in jobs later on were not the ones who excelled at group presentations, but the ones who had practiced managing their time under exam conditions.
Now, I agree that projects encourage creativity and collaboration, but that’s not enough. They can often be done over weeks, sometimes with a lot of outside help, which doesn’t always reflect true ability.
So while projects have their place, exams teach structure, discipline, and endurance — skills that are crucial in both academics and the real world.
That’s why I firmly believe schools should keep a balance and not eliminate exams entirely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | How It Hurts You |
| No clear opinion in the first sentence | Examiner can’t follow your argument |
| Only one underdeveloped reason | Fails Task Fulfillment and Coherence |
| Repeating “I think” over and over | Weakens Lexical Range and Listenability |
| Ending early | Leaves time unused, misses score opportunities |
| No examples or explanations | Makes arguments vague and unconvincing |
Practice Prompt
Many companies now allow their employees to bring pets to work. Do you support this idea? Why or why not?
Use O.R.E.O.X. to plan:
- O: Agree or disagree
- R: Choose your first main point
- E: Add logic or real-world example
- O: Second reason or rebut the opposing view
- X: Close confidently and summarize