Language Functions for Speaking Tests

Understanding Language Functions for Speaking Tests

Introduction to Language Functions

• Definition: A language function is the specific purpose of speaking a particular sentence or phrase.

  • Examples:

    • "I'm sorry" serves the function of apologizing.

    • "Good Morning!" serves the function of greeting.

• Relevance for Speaking Tests: Examiners will pose questions designed to assess your ability to use suitable language for various functions.

  • It is crucial to recognize these language functions to respond appropriately.

  • Be aware that some questions may combine two or more language functions, requiring a multifaceted response.

Index of Key Language Functions

This section outlines essential language functions and provides example phrases for each.

1. Talking About Personal Habits

• Purpose: To describe routine activities or behaviors.

• Example Question: "What do you usually do in the evenings?"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "I usually…" (e.g., "I usually go for walking.")

  • "I often…" (e.g., "I often listen to the music in the evenings.")

  • "While I'm studying I usually…"

  • "Sometimes I…"

  • "Whenever I can I…"

2. Expressing Likes and Dislikes

• Purpose: To state preferences or aversion towards something.

• Example Question: "What kinds of music do you like?"

• Useful Phrases for Liking/Loving:

  • "My favourite… is…" (e.g., "My favourite music is slow music.")

  • "I like…" (e.g., "I like listening to Arabic music.")

  • "I enjoy…" (e.g., "I enjoy listening to Arabic music.")

  • "I'm quite keen on…" (e.g., "I'm quite keen on rock music.")

  • "I just love…" (e.g., "I just love rock.")

  • "I absolutely adore…."

  • "I'm crazy about…"

  • "I'm addicted to…"

• Grammar Note: Verbs like "hate," "like," "love," and "prefer" can be followed by either a gerund ($V_{ing}$) or a to-infinitive ($to + V$).

• Useful Phrases for Disliking/Hating:

  • "I don't care too much for…" (synonymous with "I'm not really into…")

  • "I dislike…"

  • "I can't stand…"

  • "I hate…" (considered extreme language)

3. Expressing a Preference

• Purpose: To indicate a choice or inclination for one option over another.

• Example Question: "Do you (or, would you) prefer to travel alone or with others?"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "I prefer… because…" (e.g., "I prefer traveling alone because it is more quiet.")

  • "My preference is… because…" (e.g., "My preference is to travel with others because it is more joyful.")

  • "I prefer A ($v + ing$) to B ($v + ing$) because…"

  • "If I had the choice, I'd + $V$… because…"

  • "If I had the choice, I'd rather + $V$… because…"

4. Comparing

• Purpose: To highlight similarities or differences between two or more things.

• Example Question: "What are the differences between people's homes in the city and people's homes in the countryside?"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "A is/are bigger than B."

  • "B is/are not as big as A."

5. Suggesting

• Purpose: To offer ideas, advice, or recommendations.

• Example Questions:

  • "What would you suggest a visitor to your country see and do?"

  • "What do you think the government could/should do?"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "I'd…. (suggest, recommend, say, tell him/her/them)…" (e.g., "I'd tell him to visit Babylon.")

  • "Maybe/perhaps/possibly… + could / should…" (e.g., "Perhaps he could visit Basra.")

6. Expressing Opinions

• Purpose: To state one's personal view or belief on a topic.

• Example Question: "Do you think that children should always be offered an incentive (a reward of some kind) when parents ask their children to do something?"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "I think…"

  • "I believe…"

  • "I feel…"

  • "Personally, I (think, believe, feel)…"

  • "I tend to + (think, feel, believe) that…"

  • "In my opinion,…"

  • "In my view,…"

  • "It seems to me that…"

  • "I'm convinced that…"

  • "My view is that…"

  • "From my point of view,…"

7. Explaining

• Purpose: To provide reasons, clarify, or give details about something.

• Example Question: "Why are many older people reluctant to learn computer skills?"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "The reason why… is because / is that…" (e.g., "The process is very complicated; the reason why many older people are reluctant to learn computers is because of this complexity.")

  • "The main reason why… is because / is that…"

  • "One reason why… is because / is that…"

8. Speculating (Guessing When You Don't Know) - Present or Past

• Purpose: To make educated guesses or assumptions when lacking complete information about current or past situations.

• Example Question: "Do old people in China have opportunities to attend any forms of classes?"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "Well, I'm not sure but…" (e.g., "Well, I'm not sure but I believe old people in China have opportunities to attend classes.")

  • "Well, I've never thought about that before but…"

  • "As far as I know,…"

  • "I imagine…"

  • "I guess…"

  • "I suppose…"

  • "I'd say…"

9. Speculating (Guessing) About the Future

• Purpose: To make predictions or hypothesise about future developments, often contrasting with the present.

• Example Question: "How do you think the agriculture (in Iraq) will develop in the future?"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "I predict… + a noun" (e.g., "I predict the agriculture in Iraq will be developed in the future by farmers and fertilization.")

  • "I expect…"

10. Expressing Plans, Intentions and Hopes for the Future

• Purpose: To articulate future aims, goals, or aspirations.

• Example Question: "What are your future work plans? (after you graduate)"

• Useful Phrases:

  • "I plan to…" (e.g., "I plan to be a lecturer in the University of Baghdad.")

  • "My plan is to…"

  • "I plan on + $V_{ing}$…"

  • "I intend to…" (e.g., "I intend to be a footballer.")

  • "I hope to…"

  • "I'm going to…"

  • "My ambition is to…"

  • "My immediate goal is to…"

  • "My ultimate (= final) goal is to…"

  • "Ultimately,…"

  • "Hopefully,…"

  • "I expect to…"

  • "I'd like to…" (equivalent to "I want to…")

  • "If everything goes according to plan, I'll…"

  • "My dream is to…"

  • "It's always been my hope/plan/ambition/dream to…"

  • "My heart is set on + $V_{ing}$…"

11. Clarifying

• Purpose: To make a statement clearer, rephrase, or provide additional detail to ensure understanding.

• Useful Phrases:

  • "In other words,…" (e.g., "A: I don't think that this is the right job for you. B: In other words, you want me to leave, is that it?")

  • "Let me put that another way." (e.g., "I don't think that this is the right job for you. Let me put that another way, I wish you'd leave it.")

  • "To put that another way,…"

  • "What I'm trying to say is…"

  • "My point is that…"

  • "More specifically,…"

  • "For example,…" (e.g., "Hyundai is a magnificent car company that has many cars. For example, Elantra and Accent.")

  • "For instance,…"

12. Explaining a Word When You Have Forgotten (or Don't Know) the Word

• Purpose: To describe a word or concept when the specific term is unknown or forgotten, often during a live conversation or test.

• Scenario: Imagine you can't remember the word "car."

• Useful Phrases:

  • "It's a thing that…" (e.g., "It's a thing that has four wheels, contains four doors, you can drive.")

  • "It's a type of…"

  • "It's something you…"

  • "He's a person who…"

  • "It's something like…"

  • "It's similar to…"

  • "It's kind of like a…"

• Practical Example: When describing a bicycle tire pump: "It's a thing, a tool that you use to put air into your bicycle tyre - you use it like this" (accompanied by a demonstrating action).

13. Speaking in General

• Purpose: To make broad statements or generalizations about a topic.

• Useful Phrases:

  • "In general,…" (e.g., "In general, dogs are friendlier than cats but cats are cleaner than dogs.")

  • "Generally,…"

  • "Generally speaking,…" (e.g., "Generally speaking, people like her could be a leader.")

  • "Typically,…"

  • "Usually,…"

• Grammar Guideline: Always use the Present Tense when making general statements.

  • Example: "Boys like to play computer games but girls prefer to go shopping."