This week's sessions
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- Summarize Group Discussion: the note gridRead this week's lesson, then do two discussions. Take notes in the topic, A, B, C and outcome grid before you speak.
- Discussions and situationsDo the speaking set below. In every summary use at least three reporting verbs, and compare each answer with the model.
- Respond to a Situation: tone and detailDo three situations. In the 10 seconds, decide who you're talking to and which details you must use, then greet, explain, ask and close.
- Respond to a Situation sample answersListen to three sample answers and note the polite phrases. Then answer the same situations in your own words and record yourself.
- A full speaking runRecord one answer for every speaking task in order. Listen back and choose the two tasks with the most pauses; practise those again next week.
This week's lesson: Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation
These are the two task types added in August 2025. Summarize Group Discussion scores both listening and speaking, and Respond to a Situation scores speaking, so both matter for your Speaking target. They reward the same thing: a clear, organised answer that uses the details you heard or read.
Summarize Group Discussion: who said what, and what they decided
You'll hear three people discuss a topic, then have 10 seconds to prepare and up to 2 minutes to speak. Two minutes is a long time, so you need good notes. Use a simple grid:
Topic: library open 24 hours in exams A: suggests it → later: only one floor, swipe card B: for it, noisy share house → agrees one floor is cheaper C: cost of staff, security → OK if tutoring isn't cut Outcome: one floor overnight, keep tutoring
Then speak in the same order:
- The topic: "The students discussed a plan to open the library 24 hours a day during exams."
- Each speaker's view, and who said it: "The second student supported it because... The third student was concerned about..."
- How the views connected: "In response, the first student suggested..."
- The outcome: "In the end, they agreed that..."
Reporting verbs make it easier
Instead of repeating said, use verbs that show the speaker's attitude: suggested, proposed, agreed, pointed out, was concerned that, argued, accepted, disagreed. They also help you link the views together naturally.
Fill the time, but don't invent
A good summary of a short discussion often takes 60 to 90 seconds. You don't have to use all 2 minutes. If you finish early, add one sentence about how the discussion developed: "So the discussion moved from a simple proposal to a compromise." Never add opinions or details that weren't in the recording.
Respond to a Situation: talk to the person
You'll read and hear a situation of up to 60 words, then have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak. Ask yourself three questions in those 10 seconds:
- Who am I talking to? A manager, a colleague, a friend, a stranger? This decides your tone.
- What's the problem or purpose? Apologise, ask, explain, advise or complain?
- What details must I use? Times, objects, places, reasons.
Then speak in four steps: greet, explain, ask or suggest, close.
"Hi Sam, thanks for asking me to lead Thursday's meeting. Unfortunately, I have a medical appointment that afternoon that I can't move. Would it be possible to move the meeting to Thursday morning? If not, I could prepare the agenda so someone else can run it. Thanks for understanding."
Tone is part of the answer
Speak to the person as you would in real life. Polite phrases help: I'm afraid..., Would it be possible to..., I was wondering if..., I'm really sorry about... To a friend, keep it warm and simple; to a manager or a stranger, be a little more formal.
Fluency still counts
Everything from week 1 still applies. Speak in chunks, keep going through small slips, and avoid long pauses.
This week
Practise both tasks every day. For each answer, check: Did I use every detail? Was the tone right? Did I finish with a clear outcome or request?
Practice for this week
Discussions and situations
Loading questions…
Weekly check: Mock test 3 speaking tasks
Do the speaking tasks in Part 1. For Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation, check every detail and the outcome or request.
When you finish, come back to your plan home: your dashboard updates with the new score.
Answers, explanations and transcripts
Finish the test first, then open each section to check your answers. Every answer has an explanation.
Discussions and situations
Transcript: Summarize Group Discussion
Student A: The library is thinking about opening twenty-four hours a day during the exam period. Student B: I'd definitely use it, because my share house is too noisy to study at night. Student C: But who pays for the extra staff and security? The money might come from other services, like the free tutoring program. Student A: Maybe only one floor could stay open overnight, with swipe-card entry. Student B: That would be much cheaper. Student C: Fine, as long as the tutoring program isn't cut.
Model answer: Summarize Group Discussion
Listen to the discussion, then summarise it. You have 10 seconds to prepare and 2 minutes to speak.
The students discussed a plan to open the library twenty-four hours a day during exams. The second student supported it because her share house is too noisy for studying at night. The third student was concerned about the cost of extra staff and security, and worried that money might be taken from the tutoring program. The first student then suggested opening only one floor overnight with swipe-card entry. The second student agreed this would be cheaper, and the third student accepted it on the condition that tutoring is not cut.
Transcript: Summarize Group Discussion
Speaker A: I'd like to suggest that our team stops scheduling meetings on Fridays, so everyone has one full day to focus on their own work. Speaker B: I like the idea, but some of our clients prefer to talk to us at the end of the week. Speaker C: We could keep Fridays free of internal meetings only, and still take client calls. Speaker A: Good point. Let's try that for one month and then review how it's working. Speaker B: Agreed, but we should let clients know first.
Model answer: Summarize Group Discussion
Listen to the discussion, then summarise it. You have 10 seconds to prepare and 2 minutes to speak.
The team discussed a proposal to stop holding meetings on Fridays so that everyone has a day to focus. The second speaker liked the idea but pointed out that some clients prefer end-of-week calls. The third speaker suggested a compromise: no internal meetings on Fridays, while still taking client calls. The first speaker agreed and proposed a one-month trial followed by a review, and the second speaker supported this as long as clients are told in advance.
Transcript: Respond to a Situation
You borrowed a camera from a colleague for a weekend trip, and you lost the lens cap. You are returning the camera to your colleague on Monday morning. What would you say?
Model answer: Respond to a Situation
Listen to and read the situation. Then say what you would say. You have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak.
Hi Jordan, thanks so much for lending me your camera for the weekend. It was perfect for the trip, and I got some great photos. I'm afraid I have some bad news, though: I lost the lens cap somewhere on the walk. I'm really sorry. I've checked the online price, and I'd like to order a replacement for you today, or I can give you the money if you'd prefer to choose one yourself. Just let me know which is easier.
Transcript: Respond to a Situation
Your manager has asked you to lead a project meeting on Thursday afternoon, but you have a medical appointment at that time that you can't move. You speak to your manager. What would you say?
Model answer: Respond to a Situation
Listen to and read the situation. Then say what you would say. You have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak.
Hi Sam, thanks for asking me to lead Thursday's project meeting. I'd be happy to do it, but unfortunately I have a medical appointment that afternoon that I can't reschedule. Would it be possible to move the meeting to Thursday morning or Friday? If the time has to stay the same, I could prepare the agenda and notes, and perhaps Priya could run the meeting. I'll be back by about four if anyone needs me.
Transcript: Respond to a Situation
A new student in your class has asked you how to find a part-time job near the campus. You have found work this way yourself. What would you say?
Model answer: Respond to a Situation
Listen to and read the situation. Then say what you would say. You have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak.
Sure, I'm happy to help. The first thing I'd do is check the careers centre on campus, because they post local part-time jobs every week. It's also worth asking at the cafés and shops around the university, as many of them hire students. Make sure your résumé is only one page and lists the hours you're available. That's actually how I found my job, so if you like, I can look over your résumé before you send it.
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