Opportunities— Part 1 Report

Suggestion: Answer the question directly and keep the response within four or five complete sentences. Correct “various kind of activities” to “various kinds of activities” and use the past simple consistently because you are describing childhood: “I took part,” not “I have taken part.” Also, avoid ending with the incomplete phrase “so I have.” Give one or two specific examples and explain what you learned or enjoyed from them. The reference to college is not directly relevant unless you clearly contrast it with your childhood experiences.

Example: Yes, I had plenty of opportunities to try different activities when I was a child. I took swimming lessons, went hiking with my family, and joined an art club at school. I particularly enjoyed swimming because it helped me become more confident and disciplined. Overall, these activities made my childhood more enjoyable.

Suggestion: State your opinion naturally with “In my opinion” or “I think people should...” Correct “learn new things as they can” to “try as many new things as they can” and “it teaches how to live life” to “it teaches them how to deal with life.” Avoid repetition, such as “strengthens strengthens” and “various different things.” Develop the answer with one specific example and use a linking word such as “Moreover” or “For example” to connect your ideas.

Example: Yes, I think people should try as many different things as they can, as long as they do not put too much pressure on themselves. Trying new activities can improve both their physical and mental health, and it may also help them discover new interests. For example, someone who joins a sports club might become healthier and make new friends. Moreover, new experiences can make people more confident and adaptable.

× Yes, I got plenty of opportunities to take part in various kind of activities when I was a child.

✓ Yes, I had plenty of opportunities to take part in various kinds of activities when I was a child.

The quantifier various refers to more than one item, so the following countable noun must be plural: kinds, not kind. Had is also more natural than got in this context because it describes having opportunities in the past.

× I have taken part in swimming, hiking, dancing, art, etc.

✓ I took part in swimming, hiking, dancing, art, and other activities.

The answer refers specifically to activities the student did as a child, so the simple past tense took part is appropriate. The present perfect form have taken part is generally used when the time is not finished or is not specified.

× I have been taking part in various clubs at my college and schools, so I have

✓ I also took part in various clubs at my school.

Because the answer is describing childhood experiences, the simple past tense took part fits the time reference better than the present perfect continuous have been taking part. The revised sentence also completes the unfinished statement.

× I have been taking part in various clubs at my college and schools, so I have

✓ I also took part in various clubs at my school.

The original sentence ends with so I have, which leaves the sentence incomplete because the result or complement is missing. Use a complete sentence instead. In a speaking test, avoid ending a sentence with an unfinished conjunction such as so.

× In my point of view, the person should always learn new things as they can because it teaches how to live life and get the better opportunities.

✓ From my point of view, people should always learn as many new things as they can because this teaches them how to live and find better opportunities.

The fixed expression is from my point of view, not in my point of view. From is the correct preposition used to introduce a personal perspective.

× In my point of view, the person should always learn new things as they can because it teaches how to live life and get the better opportunities.

✓ From my point of view, people should always learn as many new things as they can because this teaches them how to live and find better opportunities.

The correct quantifier structure for plural countable nouns is as many new things as they can. This means the maximum possible number of new things. The phrase as they can must follow the comparative structure as many...as.

× In my point of view, the person should always learn new things as they can because it teaches how to live life and get the better opportunities.

✓ From my point of view, people should always learn as many new things as they can because this teaches them how to live and find better opportunities.

The pronoun them is needed after teaches because the sentence must identify who is being taught. Also, people is a clearer general subject than the person, and this clearly refers to learning new things.

× In my point of view, the person should always learn new things as they can because it teaches how to live life and get the better opportunities.

✓ From my point of view, people should always learn as many new things as they can because this teaches them how to live and find better opportunities.

The phrase better opportunities is general, so it does not need the definite article the. Use the before a noun only when referring to a specific opportunity or specific group of opportunities.

× It also strengthens strengthens their mental health and physical health.

✓ It also strengthens their mental health and physical health.

The verb strengthens is repeated accidentally. A sentence should contain only one main verb in this position. When reviewing your answer, listen for repeated words and remove accidental repetitions.