Your Ideas Matter
Before undertaking the speaking and writing tests, it is important that you take the time to have a clear idea about your own personal feelings and opinions.
Who do you vote for in an election?
Should alcohol be illegal? Should drugs be legal?
Should change happen faster in society, or slower?
Here's an example, if someone is obese (very, very fat), who is responsible? Is it entirely the individual's fault for eating too much? Is there any responsibility on the the businesses that advertise their products? Is the government responsible for not educating the people as to the dangers of eating too much?
Who do you vote for in an election?
Should alcohol be illegal? Should drugs be legal?
Should change happen faster in society, or slower?
Here's an example, if someone is obese (very, very fat), who is responsible? Is it entirely the individual's fault for eating too much? Is there any responsibility on the the businesses that advertise their products? Is the government responsible for not educating the people as to the dangers of eating too much?
First things first
It is very important that you think about this. The more you develop your opinions, the easier and more naturally you will be able to answer speaking test questions. You'll have more confidence, which will improve your pronunciation. Also, the more developed your opinions, the quicker you'll pick up on new vocabulary when you read and listen.
Let's start now!
I always start here: are you conservative or liberal?
A liberal prefers the world to change faster. He/she wants progress, meaning that the sooner the world changes, the better.
Some common Liberal ideals:
1. equality. All people should have the same rights. This could mean that gay people are allowed to marry, poor people should have better access to education and healthcare.
Some common Conservative ideals:
1. the individual is the master of his/her life. This means that it is YOUR responsibility to earn money, YOUR responsibility to stay healthy, and your responsibility to...
2. the government should not interfere in your life. A common ideal for conservatives is that government should be small and not interfere in the economy and in individual freedom.
A liberal prefers the world to change faster. He/she wants progress, meaning that the sooner the world changes, the better.
Some common Liberal ideals:
1. equality. All people should have the same rights. This could mean that gay people are allowed to marry, poor people should have better access to education and healthcare.
Some common Conservative ideals:
1. the individual is the master of his/her life. This means that it is YOUR responsibility to earn money, YOUR responsibility to stay healthy, and your responsibility to...
2. the government should not interfere in your life. A common ideal for conservatives is that government should be small and not interfere in the economy and in individual freedom.
But I agree with ideas on both sides!
You may think that the government should not interfere with the economy; this would make you a conservative. However, you also think that drugs should be legalised so that they can be regulated and taxed, and that money can be used for education and drug treatment; this would make you a liberal.
It may seem complicated, but most people have ideas that conflict. In fact, sometimes the ideas fit both sides. A conservative might prefer legalised drugs in his/her country because it is easier to treat drug addicts this way. If a drug user gets an infection from a dirty needle, it is more costly to society. Other conservatives might look at drugs as inherently bad and say that they should not be allowed.
So you should not consider yourself a pure conservative or liberal based on any single definition. But try to get an idea of whether you are more conservative or more liberal. And remember, this will change over time. It's totally normal.
It may seem complicated, but most people have ideas that conflict. In fact, sometimes the ideas fit both sides. A conservative might prefer legalised drugs in his/her country because it is easier to treat drug addicts this way. If a drug user gets an infection from a dirty needle, it is more costly to society. Other conservatives might look at drugs as inherently bad and say that they should not be allowed.
So you should not consider yourself a pure conservative or liberal based on any single definition. But try to get an idea of whether you are more conservative or more liberal. And remember, this will change over time. It's totally normal.
So what now?
Take some time and think about your beliefs. Talk about them with your friends. Read online.
What is your position on:
1. Drugs. Should the be illegal or illegal?
2. Should the government support people who lose their jobs?
3. Should gay marriage be legal?
Then ask yourself the hardest question: why? Why do you believe these things?
What is your position on:
1. Drugs. Should the be illegal or illegal?
2. Should the government support people who lose their jobs?
3. Should gay marriage be legal?
Then ask yourself the hardest question: why? Why do you believe these things?