Question Type 1: Basic Description Questions

The first point needs to be developed with a complex sentence. Notice in the example how the candidate uses a structure with "that".

"...the first thing I would say is that it‘s absolutely enormous, maybe even one of the biggest cities in Asia I guess."

This is a simple but effective way to join your linking phrase with the detail sentence. The result is a complex structure. Notice how the candidate then uses another linking word "maybe even" to add more details.

Activity

Example question: “Tell me about your studies or job.”

Choose a lead-in and pointing phrase. Introduce your first point and use a structure with "that”. Add a linking word to introduce a detail about your first point. Now we can look at the full structure.

1. 
   Lead-in phrase
   
2. 
   1st pointing phrase
   
3. 
   Point I
   
4. 
   Linking word / phrase + detail about point I
   
5. 
   2nd pointing phrase
   
6. 
   Point 2
   
7. 
   Linking word / phrase + detail about point 2
   
8. 
   3rd pointing phrase
   
9. 
   Point 3
   
10. 
    Linking word / phrase + detail about point 3
    

Examples of 2nd pointing phrases:

• 
  Another point which I could add is that...
  
• 
  A second feature which I should mention is that…
  
• 
  As well as that, I could say that...
  
• 
  On top of that I can also add that...
  
• 
  Also, I suppose I should say that...
  

Examples of 3rd pointing phrases:

• 
  And I shouldn't forget to mention that...
  
• 
  In addition to what I've just said, I can add that...
  
• 
  Something else that I need to comment on is that…
  
• 
  I guess I could also remark on the fact that...
  

So a complete response might look something like this:

"Well first of all, the main thing you need to know is that... (point I) ... In fact ... (detail I)... On top of that I can also add that... (point 2) ... which means... (detail 2) ... Something else that I need to comment on is that... (point 3)...So actually (detail 3)…

Activity

Practice saying the full sample structure with your own points and details for the following questions:

• 
  Tell me about the house / flat you live in.
  
• 
  Tell me about your city
  
• 
  Describe your hometown.
  
• 
  What is your main ambition?
  
• 
  Tell me about your job.
  
• 
  What makes you happy
  
• 
  Tell me about your family.
  

Now write out your own full describing structure using the example phrases. Now practice using your structure for the questions above.