Unit 2 · Speaking Activities

Guided Speaking Activities

Two focused activities to help you talk about advantages and disadvantages, and respond with confident counter-arguments.

S1
Talk about advantages and disadvantages
S2
Give counter-arguments
Key Language
Useful Phrases

Learn these phrases to structure your points clearly. Click a card to mark it as used.

Advantage
One major advantage is that…
"One major advantage is that zoos help protect endangered species."
Advantage
A key benefit of… is…
"A key benefit of wildlife sanctuaries is that animals can live safely."
Advantage
This means that…
"This means that species can survive even when their habitat is destroyed."
Disadvantage
However, a disadvantage is…
"However, a disadvantage is that animals suffer in poor conditions."
Disadvantage
On the other hand…
"On the other hand, keeping animals in zoos can be cruel."
Disadvantage
One issue with… is that…
"One issue with zoos is that animals cannot behave naturally."
Balancing
Despite this…
"Despite this, the welfare of the species must come first."
Balancing
Overall, I believe…
"Overall, I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."
Choose a Topic
Pick Your Topic

Select one topic to discuss. Think of two advantages and two disadvantages.

🦁
Keeping animals in zoos
🌿
Wildlife sanctuaries
🔬
Animal testing for medicine
🐟
Fishing regulations
🌍
Eco-tourism in national parks
🏕️
Rewilding habitats
Speech Structure
How to Structure Your Talk

Follow these five steps. Aim for 2 minutes total.

Step 01
Introduce the topic
State what you are going to discuss and why it is important.
20 sec
Step 02
First advantage
State it clearly and give a reason or example to support it.
25 sec
Step 03
Second advantage
Add another benefit using a different phrase.
25 sec
Step 04
Disadvantage(s)
Acknowledge the downsides honestly using "However…" or "On the other hand…"
25 sec
Step 05
Conclusion
Give your overall opinion. Use "Overall, I believe…"
25 sec

Your Speaking Task

Choose one of the topics above. Give a 2-minute talk discussing the advantages and disadvantages. Use at least 4 phrases from the cards.

  • 1
    Pick your topic and spend 2 minutes making notes.
  • 2
    Use the structure above to organise your ideas.
  • 3
    Start the timer and deliver your talk.
  • 4
    Ask a partner to give you feedback using the checklist.
Delivery
Presentation Timer

Press Start when you are ready to speak.

2:00
Peer Feedback
Listener Checklist

Tick each box as you listen to your partner's talk.

  • Did the speaker clearly introduce the topic?
  • Were at least two advantages mentioned?
  • Were at least one or two disadvantages mentioned?
  • Did they use phrases like "One advantage is…" or "However…"?
  • Did they give a clear personal opinion at the end?
  • Did they stay within the two-minute time limit?
Key Language
Useful Phrases

Use these expressions to disagree politely and present your counter-argument with confidence. Click to mark each one as used.

Counter
While I understand that…, I think…
"While I understand that zoos protect species, I think wild habitats are more important."
Counter
That may be true, but…
"That may be true, but poachers still operate despite laws."
Counter
On the contrary…
"On the contrary, many endangered species depend on zoos to survive."
Counter
I would argue that…
"I would argue that illegal poaching is the biggest threat to wildlife."
Concede
I take your point, however…
"I take your point, however the welfare of animals must come first."
Concede
You could argue…, but…
"You could argue that conditions have improved, but the issue of cruelty remains."
Counter
The evidence suggests that…
"The evidence suggests that critically endangered species cannot survive without protection."
Concede
Although… is valid, we should consider…
"Although that argument is valid, we should consider the mental suffering of captive animals."
Discussion Prompts
Statements to Challenge

Your partner reads a statement. You must give a counter-argument using the phrases above.

Statement A
"Zoos are cruel and should be banned."
Counter: argue that zoos protect critically endangered species from extinction.
Statement B
"Poaching is impossible to stop."
Counter: argue that stricter laws and education can reduce illegal poaching.
Statement C
"Animals in the wild always suffer more than in captivity."
Counter: argue that living in the wild allows animals to behave naturally and with freedom.
Statement D
"We cannot protect every endangered species."
Counter: argue that every species depends on its habitat and deserves welfare protection.
Statement E
"Climate change is a bigger threat than poaching."
Counter: argue that both issues require urgent action and one cannot be ignored.
Statement F
"Humans have the right to use animals for food and medicine."
Counter: argue that the welfare and survival of species must be protected from abuse.

Your Speaking Task

Work with a partner. Partner A reads a statement. Partner B gives a counter-argument using the key phrases. Then swap roles.

  • 1
    Partner A: read one of the statements above aloud.
  • 2
    Partner B: respond with a counter-argument. Use at least two phrases.
  • 3
    Continue the discussion for 2 minutes, then swap roles.
  • 4
    Use the checklist below to give each other feedback.
Delivery
Discussion Timer

Press Start when you begin your counter-argument discussion.

2:00
Peer Feedback
Listener Checklist

Tick each box as you listen to your partner's counter-arguments.

  • Did the speaker understand the original statement before countering?
  • Did they use a polite counter-argument phrase (e.g. "That may be true, but…")?
  • Was the counter-argument supported with a reason or example?
  • Did they concede any part of the original argument before disagreeing?
  • Was the tone confident but not aggressive?
  • Did they use vocabulary from Unit 1 (welfare, species, endangered, illegal, etc.)?