Unit 4 – My Opinion on City Life

Warm-Up Activities

Activity 1: Phrases for Opinions

When we share our opinion, we use special phrases.

Activity 2: What’s Most Important?

Let’s think about city life. What is the single most important advantage of living in a big city? Choose one.

A) More job opportunities
B) Better entertainment (cinemas, concerts, etc.)
C) Higher quality education
D) Great public transportation

Activity 3: Pronunciation – Sounding Confident

How you say something is as important as what you say. When you state an opinion, your voice should sound confident. Usually, your intonation goes down at the end of the sentence.

Listen to these two examples. Notice the difference in intonation.

Now, listen to the confident version again and practice saying it out loud three times. Use the voice recorder to hear yourself.

Speak Your Mind: Structuring a Personal Opinion

S-E-E Formula for Giving Opinion

On the TOEFL iBT test, the first speaking question asks for your personal opinion. It’s fast!

You get 15 seconds to prepare your answer.
You get 45 seconds to speak your answer.

To give a great answer in such a short time, you need a formula. Let’s learn the S-E-E Formula.

S = State your opinion. Start directly and clearly. Don’t waste time.
E = Explain your reason. Give one main reason why you have this opinion.
E = Example. Give one specific, personal example to support your reason. This is the most important part!

The S-E-E Formula in Action

Let’s look at a sample question and a model answer.

Question: “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? ‘Living in a big city is the best choice for young people.’ Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.”

Model Answer Analysis: Read the transcript below. See how it follows the S-E-E formula.

(S) State: In my opinion, I agree that living in a big city is the best choice for young people.

(E) Explain: The main reason is that cities offer far more professional opportunities that are essential for starting a career.

(E) Example: For example, my cousin recently graduated from university in Bandung. She immediately found an internship at a big tech company there. If she had stayed in our small hometown, she would not have had that kind of opportunity. That experience is now helping her get a full-time job.

Listen to the Model Answer: Now, click play to hear how this answer sounds. Notice the speaker finishes just before 45 seconds.

Skill Practice

Let’s practice implementing S-E-E formula.

Question: “Some people think the best part of living in a city is the variety of food and restaurants. Others think it is the public parks and green spaces. Which do you think is more important and why?”

Activity 1: Build Your Answer

First, let’s practice the structure.

Activity 2: Your Turn to Speak!

Now, it’s your turn to answer the same question. Use the template below to help you plan.