The Situation
In a speaking exam, the examiner (or computer) asks for your opinion: "Do you think children should learn to cook at school?" You have a few seconds — or up to 30 seconds in CELPIP — to prepare, then you need to speak fluently and clearly without memorized scripts. Your score depends on fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and how well you develop your answer.
The OREO Structure
| Step | What to say | Example phrases |
|---|---|---|
| O — Opinion | Answer the question directly | I strongly believe that... / In my view,... |
| R — Reason(s) | One or two reasons | The main reason is that... / Another point is that... |
| E — Example | A specific example | For instance,... / In my country,... / I remember when... |
| O — Opinion again | Short conclusion | So, overall, that's why I think... |
Exam Formats
| Exam | Task | Prep time | Speaking time |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Speaking Part 3 | discussion with the examiner | none | usually 30–60 seconds per answer |
| CELPIP Speaking Task 7 (Expressing Opinions) | recorded answer to a computer | 30 seconds | 90 seconds |
| Short timed opinion answer (like the classic TOEFL independent question) | recorded answer | about 15 seconds | about 45 seconds |
CELPIP tip: 90 seconds is longer than it feels. Plan two reasons with an example each, and you'll fill the time naturally.
IELTS tip: Part 3 is a conversation. Answer directly, develop with a reason and example, and stop — the examiner will ask more.
Fluency Phrases (Buying Time Naturally)
- That's an interesting question.
- I've never really thought about that, but...
- Well, it depends on... but generally speaking,...
- Let me think... I'd say that...
Use one at the start if you need it — not all of them.
Showing Range: Useful Structures
- Concession: Admittedly, cooking classes take time from other subjects. However,...
- Hypothetical: If schools taught cooking, fewer young people would rely on fast food.
- Comparison: Compared with my parents' generation, young people today...
- Wish / regret: I wish I had learned to cook before I moved out.
Sample Answer 1: IELTS Part 3
Question: "Do you think children should learn to cook at school?"
"Yes, I strongly believe they should. The main reason is that cooking is a basic life skill, and many young people leave home without knowing how to make a simple, healthy meal. As a result, they depend on takeout, which is expensive and often unhealthy. For instance, when I moved out for university, I lived on instant noodles for months. I wish I had learned earlier! So overall, I think a few hours of cooking a month would be a really good investment."
Sample Answer 2: CELPIP Task 7 (about 90 seconds)
Task: Your city is deciding whether to build a new sports stadium downtown or to use the land for affordable housing. Which do you prefer? Explain your reasons.
"In my opinion, the city should definitely use the land for affordable housing.
The main reason is that housing costs in our city have become extremely high. Many young families and newcomers spend more than half of their income on rent. For example, a friend of mine who is a nurse had to move an hour away from the hospital because she couldn't find an affordable apartment downtown. That's not good for her, and it's not good for the hospital either.
Another point is that a stadium is only used for events a few times a month, while housing is used every day by hundreds of people. Admittedly, a stadium might attract tourists and create some jobs. However, I think the long-term benefit of housing is much greater, because people who live downtown also spend money in local shops and restaurants.
So, overall, affordable housing would help more people and make the city stronger. That's why I would definitely choose it."
Dialogue: An IELTS Part 3 Exchange
Examiner: Do you think people read less than they used to? Candidate: That's an interesting question. I'd say people read just as much, but differently. The main reason is that most reading now happens on phones — news, messages, articles — rather than in books. Examiner: Is that a problem? Candidate: To some extent, yes. Admittedly, it's convenient. However, short texts don't train your concentration the way a novel does. For instance, I find it much harder to read a long book now than I did at school. Examiner: What could be done about it? Candidate: Well, if schools gave students more time for free reading, they might rediscover books they actually enjoy. So I think that would be a good start.
Notice: every answer starts with a direct response, adds a reason or example, and stops.
Tips
- Your opinion can be simple. Examiners score your English, not whether your opinion is "correct".
- Use your preparation time (for example in CELPIP) to note 2 keywords for reasons and 1 for an example — not full sentences.
- Don't memorize full answers. Examiners notice, and it can lower your score.
- Speak at a natural pace. Speaking fast doesn't mean fluent; pauses in the right places sound confident.
- CELPIP: always address the specific situation in the task, not just the general topic.
Common Mistakes
- Not answering the question in the first sentence.
- Listing reasons without developing them: "Cost, time, health." → explain one or two.
- Stopping at 40 seconds in a 90-second CELPIP task. Add a second example or a concession.
- "According to me,..." → In my opinion,... / I think... ("according to" is used for other people's views).
Your Turn: Practise Speaking
Answer each question with OREO. Time yourself: 45 seconds for the first two, 90 seconds for the third.
- Is it better to live in a big city or a small town?
- Should people be allowed to work from home whenever they want?
- (CELPIP-style) Your workplace can either buy new computers or organize a team trip. Which is better? Explain why.