The Last Word
Speaking skill

Giving & Supporting an Opinion

An opinion on its own, without support, isn't really an opinion the examiner can engage with. Here's how to state a stance and back it up, even when you're genuinely torn.

This is the quick-fix version — see the full guide →
Common mistake

Turning a Bare Yes/No into a Real Opinion

"Why isn't 'Yes, I think so' enough when they ask 'Do you think...?'"

It technically answers the question, but a bare yes/no gives the examiner nothing to listen to - open with a real stance phrase, then add one reason.

Why this works
— Open with a stance phrase, not a bare yes/no Swapping a flat 'yes' or 'no' for 'I really think that...' or 'I feel that...' turns a one-word guess into a considered opinion before you've even given a reason.
— Follow your stance with one concrete reason A stance on its own is still just a fact about you - one short reason, example, or well-known fact is what actually supports it.
Weak
Yeah, I think so.
Upgraded
I really think that leisure time is important - for example, it's the only part of my week when I'm not checking my phone for work.
Weak
No, not really.
Upgraded
Honestly, I feel that most people don't do enough sport these days - it's common knowledge that most jobs now are desk-based, so people barely move all day.
Weak
Yes.
Upgraded
For me, kids should be allowed to watch TV within reasonable limits, because it's good for their imagination as well as being fun.
Common mistake

Backing Up a Flat Opinion

"How do I fix an opinion like 'I think it's important' that just stops there?"

State the opinion, then immediately back it with one thing - a reason, a quick example, or a fact "everyone knows" - whichever fits the topic best.

Why this works
— Vary how you introduce the opinion Rotate through openers like 'I am of the opinion that', 'I am convinced that' or 'I strongly believe that' instead of repeating 'I think' every time - it signals range.
— Back it with one reason, example, or well-known fact Pick a single support - a quick example, a fact 'everyone knows', or one clear reason - rather than just restating the opinion in different words.
Weak
I think my hometown is a good place to bring up children.
Upgraded
I'm of the opinion that my hometown is a great place to raise kids - for example, there's a park and a decent school within walking distance of almost every house.
Weak
I think email is more popular than letters now.
Upgraded
I'm convinced that email is far more popular than letters nowadays - it's common knowledge that almost nobody writes a physical letter anymore.
Weak
I think learning a foreign language is important.
Upgraded
I strongly believe that learning a foreign language is important, because it's essential for finding good jobs in a lot of industries these days.
Common mistake

Committing to a Stance, Even on Mixed Topics

"Is it okay to just say 'I'm not sure' when I don't really have a strong opinion?"

It's fine to admit a topic is mixed, but you still need to land on a stance by the end - acknowledge the complexity, then say which way you actually lean and why.

Why this works
— Acknowledge both sides, then commit to a lean Saying 'it's a bit of both' or 'it depends' first is fine - but finish with a clear lean ('but overall I'd say...') so the examiner still hears an actual opinion.
— Use a real hedging phrase instead of 'I don't know' Phrases like 'I'm not sure I agree' sound like a considered stance, unlike a flat 'I don't know', which just sounds like you're dodging the question.
Weak
I don't know, maybe, it depends.
Upgraded
It's a bit of both, really - but overall I'd say people should focus more on their mental health, since it's common knowledge that stress causes a lot of the physical health problems we see today.
Weak
I'm not sure, maybe sometimes.
Upgraded
I'm not sure I agree that housework should be forced on every child, but I do think it's good for them to help out sometimes - it teaches responsibility.
Weak
I don't know, it's complicated.
Upgraded
The way I see it, celebrities do give up some privacy by choosing a public career, but that doesn't mean journalists should be allowed to follow them everywhere.
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