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Advanced Speaking Skills Practice

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Advanced Speaking Skills Practice

At a busy train station, a group of young travellers is discussing what to do when their train is delayed. Read the conversation and practise choosing words that help everyone take part. For written responses, more than one answer may be suitable; compare yours with the example answer.

Read the station conversation

Manaia: “The board says our train is delayed by 25 minutes. Should we wait here or ask about another route?” Ruben: “We should just take a taxi. There’s no point waiting.” Tevita: “I’m not sure a taxi is affordable for everyone.” Ruben: “It’s obviously the fastest option.” Manaia: “Let’s check the bus connection before deciding. Tevita, what would make the trip easier for you?” Tevita: “If we know the cost and whether the bus stops near our destination, I can compare the options.”

1.Ruben has spoken twice, and Tevita has just shared a concern. Which response best shows respectful turn-taking and moves the discussion forward?

“You’ve had your say, Ruben. Be quiet now.”
“Tevita has raised an important point. Could we compare the bus cost with the taxi fare before deciding?”
“I disagree, so let’s stop talking about taxis.”
“We should all wait silently until someone has a perfect answer.”

2.Choose the two questions that would help clarify Tevita’s concern without making assumptions.

“When you say affordable, what cost would be manageable?”
“Why are you trying to stop us taking a taxi?”
“Would it help to check the bus fare and where it stops?”
“You don’t like taxis, do you?”

3.Which detail from the conversation shows that Manaia listened to Tevita rather than simply waiting to speak?

4.Write one sentence that disagrees with Ruben’s claim that a taxi is obviously the fastest option, while keeping the conversation respectful.

5.A fourth traveller has been quiet throughout the discussion. Write a welcoming question that invites them to contribute without putting them on the spot.

6.Explain why saying “It’s obviously the fastest option” may make a group discussion less productive. Give one alternative phrase Ruben could use.

7.Match each speaking or listening strategy with its example. Write the letter of the matching example beside each strategy. Strategies: 1. Paraphrasing 2. Inviting another view 3. Building on an idea 4. Disagreeing respectfully Examples: A. “Manaia’s suggestion to check the bus could help us compare both choices.” B. “I see why a taxi appeals, but I’d like to check its cost first.” C. “What do you think about checking the bus connection?” D. “So the cost and the bus stop are the details you need before deciding?”

Paraphrasing
Inviting another view
Building on an idea
Disagreeing respectfully

“What do you think about checking the bus connection?”
“So the cost and the bus stop are the details you need before deciding?”
“Manaia’s suggestion to check the bus could help us compare both choices.”
“I see why a taxi appeals, but I’d like to check its cost first.”

8.The group starts repeating the same opinions. Write a short sentence that summarises the choices so far and suggests a practical next step.

9.Write a three- or four-sentence response as Manaia. Acknowledge Tevita’s concern, ask one clarifying question, and suggest a fair way for the group to decide.

10.After practising the conversation aloud with a partner, name one action that showed you were listening and one action you could try next time. Give a specific example for each.