B1 Preliminary Speaking Part 3: how to discuss green ideas with a partner and decide together

What happens in Speaking Part 3

You take the Speaking test with another candidate, in front of two examiners. In Part 3 you get a sheet of pictures, talk about the ideas together and decide which is best. Part 4 continues the topic with questions for you both.

Here’s a practice task we wrote: “Your school wants more young people to help the environment. Here are some ideas. Talk together about the different ideas and say which one would be best.”

• “a litter-picking day”: picking up litter in a park
• “a recycling competition”: classes competing to recycle the most
• “a second-hand sale”: selling old clothes and games, not throwing them away
• “a nature film night”: a film about animals and nature
• “flowers for bees”: planting flowers bees like around the school

Six moves that keep the talk going

You don’t need clever ideas; you need to share the talk. Use each move more than once:

• Suggest: “Why don’t we have …?”, “How about a …?”
• Give a reason: “… because everyone can take part.”
• Agree: “That’s a great idea.”, “Good point.”
• Disagree politely, with a reason: “I’m not sure about that.”, “I see what you mean, but …”
• Ask: “What do you think?”, “Which one do you prefer?”
• Decide: “So, we both agree.”, “In the end, the best idea is …”

Listen: from a suggestion to a decision

Two students choose one idea for a green week at school. Notice each move, from the first suggestion to the final decision. “The … it is!” is a friendly way to confirm a choice:

Give reasons with if, unless and might

The quickest reason is a first conditional: if + present simple, then will + verb. Will never comes straight after if. Use might or may when you’re less sure, and unless for “if … not”.

• “If we have a recycling competition, lots of students will take part.”
• “If we plant flowers for bees, more bees will come to the school garden.”
• “A film night might be boring for students who don’t like films.”
• “Unless the school says yes, we can’t have the sale.”

Green words for stronger reasons

Learn words together with the words they go with:

• “pick up litter”, “reduce waste”, “cause pollution”
• “recycle bottles and paper”, “a recycling bin”
• “protect the beach”, “Plastic damages rivers.”
• “volunteers”, “public transport”, “second-hand clothes”

Typical mistakes and how to fix them

Listen for these when you practise:

• “If we will plant flowers, more bees will come.” → “If we plant flowers, …”
• “I’m agree.” → “I agree.” Agree is a verb.
• “Let’s discuss about the ideas.” → “Let’s discuss the ideas.”
• “How about make a film night?” → “How about a film night?” or “How about having …?”
• Only “Yes, I agree.” → “I agree, because …”, then a new point.
• No decision at the end → “So, our final decision is …”

A 15-minute practice routine

Twice a week with a friend or a parent; record it if you can:

• 2 minutes: pick a situation (a class trip, a green week) and write five ideas.
• 4 minutes: discuss them; each of you asks “What do you think?” at least twice.
• 1 minute: decide out loud: “So, our final decision is …”
• 5 minutes: listen back, count your reasons and questions, and fix one if-sentence.
• 3 minutes: answer a Part 4 style question: “Do you think young people can help to protect the environment?”

Your next step

In Part 4, give an opinion, a reason and an example. When discussions feel easy, try a balanced Writing Part 2 article or rules with must and don’t have to (links below).