III. Speaking — Extra Practice (Energy)
1. Independent Speaking_1
Do you agree or disagree: “Governments should provide long-term subsidies for rooftop solar to all households, regardless of income.”
Preparation time - 15 seconds, speaking time - 45 seconds.
Click to show/hide Active words & collocations
Adjective + Noun
long-term subsidy; targeted support; universal access; renewable incentive; energy equity; upfront cost; household budget; policy impact
Verb + Noun
provide subsidies; reduce inequality; support households; lower barriers; promote adoption; cover costs; attract investment; protect taxpayers
Verb + Adverb
invest wisely; allocate fairly; expand gradually; subsidize directly; means-test carefully; monitor transparently
Noun + Preposition
return on investment; access to solar; burden on taxpayers; impact on markets; eligibility for benefits; effect on emissions
Discourse markers
To begin with… / In my view… / For instance… / On the other hand… / Nevertheless… / In the long run… / Therefore…
2. Independent Speaking_2
For your city, which investment would be more effective: expanding electric public transit or incentivizing more fuel-efficient private cars? Explain your choice with reasons.
Preparation time - 15 seconds, speaking time - 45 seconds.
Click to show/hide Active words & collocations
Adjective + Noun
public infrastructure; electric fleet; reliable service; peak congestion; travel demand; commuter time; modal shift; maintenance cost
Verb + Noun
expand network; increase frequency; upgrade buses; reduce emissions; incentivize purchases; ease traffic; improve mobility; cut noise
Verb + Adverb
operate efficiently; scale progressively; price fairly; invest strategically; coordinate regionally; integrate seamlessly
Noun + Preposition
access to transit; incentives for drivers; reduction in congestion; benefits for commuters; impact on air quality
Discourse markers
I’d prioritize… / The main reason is… / Additionally… / By contrast… / As a result… / Overall…
3. Independent Speaking_3
Would you personally accept higher electricity prices if it guaranteed your power came from 100% renewable sources? Explain with details and examples.
Preparation time - 15 seconds, speaking time - 45 seconds.
Click to show/hide Active words & collocations
Adjective + Noun
renewable electricity; higher tariff; monthly bill; environmental responsibility; personal values; carbon footprint; long-term savings
Verb + Noun
accept trade-offs; pay a premium; reduce emissions; support projects; offset costs; invest in efficiency; switch providers
Verb + Adverb
contribute directly; budget carefully; save eventually; compare transparently; benefit collectively
Noun + Preposition
commitment to sustainability; impact on finances; value for money; benefits for the community; guarantee of supply
Discourse markers
Personally… / The key point is… / For example… / Even though… / In the short term… / Ultimately…
Integrated Speaking_2
Step 1. Read the announcement
From: Campus Facilities Office
Date: October 26, 2025
The University is launching a Green Energy Initiative starting next semester. All campus buildings will gradually transition to electricity produced from renewable sources, including solar panels on rooftops and contracts with local wind farms. To support this effort, a sustainability fee of $50 per semester will be added to each student’s tuition bill.
Students who participate in the program by attending at least two sustainability workshops per year will be eligible for a $100 rebate on their dining plan. The University believes this initiative will not only reduce the campus’s carbon footprint but also give students an opportunity to learn practical skills for building a greener future.
Step 2. Listen to the audio file below. During the real exam you will hear the audio only once. But now you can listen to it as many times as you want.
If you have difficulty understanding the audio, Click here to read the script
Student (critical): Honestly, I think this so-called Green Energy Initiative is just another way for the university to squeeze money out of us. They’re adding a $50 fee to everyone’s bill, and most of us are already struggling to pay tuition. If the school really cared about sustainability, it would find grants or partnerships instead of passing the cost on to students.
And that rebate they’re offering? It doesn’t make sense. You have to attend workshops to get it back, but not everyone has time for extra sessions outside of classes and jobs. So basically, students with heavier schedules end up subsidizing those who can go. To me, this policy is unfair and puts financial pressure on the very people the university claims to help.
Step 3. Prepare and record an answer to the following question.
Preparation time - 30 seconds, speaking time - 60 seconds.
The student expresses her opinion of the university’s announcement. State her opinion and the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.
Click here to show/hide useful introductory expressions
- "As stated in the announcement, …"
- "The student objects to this initiative because …"
- "To start with, …"
- "In addition, …"
- "Overall, she believes the policy is …"
Click here to show/hide model answers
Basic Template:
The announcement states that the university will add a $50 fee to fund renewable energy and offer rebates for attending workshops.
The student strongly opposes the plan for two reasons. First, she says the fee is unfair and puts extra financial pressure on students. Second, she argues the rebate system is impractical, since busy students cannot attend workshops and therefore lose out. In her view, the initiative is unfair and burdensome.