PART C: Integrated speaking tasks
Task 5
Probblem / Solution
Task overview
For Task 5, you will hear a conversation between two speakers that lasts from sixty to ninety seconds.
Usually the speakers are two students, but there might be a student and a professor, a student and an
advisor, or a student and an administrator. One of the two speakers has a problem related to university
life. The speakers discuss two possible solutions to this problem. You are allowed to take notes as you
listen to the conversation.
Your job is to summarize the problem and the two possible solutions. Then you must give your opinion
explaining which of the two solutions you think is the best and the reasons why.
After you have heard the lecture, you will have twenty seconds of preparation time, and then you will
have sixty seconds in which to give your response.
Sample questions
- The man offers Lucy two possible solutions to her problem. Discuss her problem and then explain which of the two solutions
you think is better and why you think so.
- The male student expresses his opinion of the university's plan to build a new parking lot. State his opinion and explain
the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.
Task Process
Listening
Listening time:
60 - 90 seconds
Oulining
Preparation time:
20 seconds
Response
Response time:
60 seconds
(A) Pre-Speaking
You need to take notes as you listen to the conversation. Because you will be quoting and taking
information from the speakers, you need to mark who says what in your notes. Since the speakers will
always be male and female, you can abbreviate them F and M. You don't need to take a note on every
line that the speakers say. As always when taking notes, write down only ideas that you think are
important.
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(B) Giving the Problem/Solution Response
You should include the following when you give your response to a Problem/Solution:
► A statement about the problem and a description of it
► The first possible solution and the second possible solution ( + the other speaker's reaction to it)
► Your opinion or preference and the reasons you give for holding that opinion + details/examples
You do not need to report everything that is said in the conversation. Focus on the problem and possible
solutions. As much as possible, paraphrase. Explain the problem and the solutions in your own words.
Useful strategies
Keep these points in mind when you give your response:
► You need to state the problem and the solutions clearly
► Remember: Which solution you choose is not important. Choose the one that is easier to
support.
► Use transition words to divide parts of your presentation, to give reasons, and to present
examples.
► Use the language of giving advice correctly ("The woman suggests that the man go...").
► Follow the notes that you made during the preparation time.
► Don't speak too quickly or too slowly.
► Keep your response flowing; avoid long pauses.
► Pay attention to pronunciation and intonation.
► Keep it simple by using familiar vocabulary and grammar.
The Language of Problem/Solution
Specific vocabulary and grammatical structures are often used when giving responses for
Problem/Solution Tasks.
Stating the Problem
You need to begin your response by stating and explaining the problem that one of the speakers has. Here
are some simple ways to do this:
Lucy's problem is a lack of sleep.
The problem is that Peter is not allowed to keep a pet in his dorm room.
The man has a problem with cooking.
Solutions
The speakers will bring up and discuss two solutions to the problem. When you are listening to the
conversation, you may hear speakers make suggestions in the following ways:
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"Why don't you .. . ?"
"Here's what you can do."
"Here's what I think:. .."
"You should ..."
"Maybe you could .. ."
"I guess you could ..."
"If I were you ..."
"You should give __ a try."
"Why not.. . ?"
"I have an idea."
"Here's my suggestion: .. ."
"Shouldn't you .. ."
"You could always . .."
"If I were in your shoes,..."
"Try ..."
There are different ways you can report these solutions. However, you need to be careful of the
grammatical rules with different verbs. Here is just a small guideline to help you.
Advise and Suggest
Some verbs used to make suggestions—advise and suggest, for example—take a special verb form called
the present subjunctive. This is a base form of the verb (infinitive without to). Look at these examples:
The man advises that Lucy drink some coffee.
The woman suggests that the man buy a good cookbook.
Notice that the base form (the infinitive without to) is used in the that clause. The third person singular
form with -s is NOT correct in this sentence.
The man advises that Lucy drinks some coffee. (INCORRECT)
The woman suggests that the man buys a good cookbook. (INCORRECT)
However, you use an infinitive {to + base form) with the verb advise (but not suggest) if you do not use
that.
The man advises Lucy to drink some coffee. (CORRECT)
The man advises that Lucy to drink some coffee. (INCORRECT)
The woman suggests the man to buy a good cookbook. (INCORRECT)
The woman suggests the man buy a good cookbook. (CORRECT)
Think and Say
The verbs think and say can be used to report suggestions. These verbs do NOT use the present
subjective in the that clause.
The woman thinks/ says that Peter reads the paper every day.
When reporting suggestions, the verbs think and say often use a modal verb such as should or phrase
ought to in the that clause.
The woman says that Peter should keep his pet bird at a friend's apartment. The man thinks that
Lucy ought to drink some strong coffee.
Tell and Urge
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The verbs tell and urge usually use the infinitive form in the second verb.
The woman tells the man to get a cookbook.
The woman urges the man to clean up his apartment before his parents arrive.
Remember that an object must follow the verbs tell and urge. (An object can NOT be used after say).
He tells her to buy a bicycle. (CORRECT)
He tells buy a bicycle. (INCORRECT)
He urges her to buy a bicycle (CORRECT)
He urges to buy a bicycle. (INCORRECT)
He says her that she should buy a bicycle. (INCORRECT)
It is possible to use that after the object with tell. Use a modal verb or regular verb (not an infinitive or
base).
He tells her that she needs a bicycle for work. He tells her that she should buy a bicycle.
Compare:
He tells her that she should buy a bicycle. (CORRECT) He says her that she should buy a bicycle.
(INCORRECT)
He advises her that she should buy a bicycle. (CORRECT)
He tells that she should buy a bicycle. (INCORRECT)
He says that she should buy a bicycle. (CORRECT)
He advises that she should buy a bicycle. (INCORRECT)
She tells him that Lucy drinks coffee. (CORRECT)
She says that Lucy drinks coffee. (CORRECT)
She advises that Lucy drink coffee. (CORRECT)
Second Solutions
Often the same speaker will propose two solutions. You can report the second solution as follows:
The man then suggests that Lucy take a nap in her dorm room.
The woman also tells Peter that he ought to return the bird to the pet store.
The woman then urges John to clean up his apartment before his parents arrive.
The woman's second suggestion is that the man take his parents to a good restaurant rather than
cook at home.
Notice that when the noun suggestion is followed by a that clause, the base form verb (take) is again used
in the that clause.
Reactions to Suggestions and Reasons for the Reactions
As you listen to the conversation, you will hear one speaker make a suggestion. The other speaker will
usually react to the suggestion. This speaker may think the suggestion is a good idea or a bad one. The
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speaker may like the idea but thinks it is not possible for some reason. The speaker may not like the
suggestion but may consider it anyway. The speakers will often give their reasons for their reactions as
well. Here are some ways to report reactions:
The man thinks the woman's idea is a good one but that it isn't practical.
The man likes this suggestion because...
Lucy isn't sure if this is a good idea because...
Peter doesn't want to follow the woman's advice because...
He doesn't know if he can afford to follow this advice.
The woman doesn't really want to buy a bicycle but thinks it may be necessary.
Opinions and Reasons for Them
At the end of your response, you need to explain which of the two solutions you think is best.
In my opinion, Lucy ought to go to her dorm and rest between classes. Why? Because she ...
I think Lucy should follow the man's first suggestion because...
I agree with the woman's suggestion that Peter ask a friend to take care of his pet bird. The reason I
think so is that... I like the woman's first idea because...
I believe that the man should do as the woman originally suggested. I think so
because...
I think the man's second suggestion is better. Why? Because...
I also recommend that the man take his parents to a restaurant when they come to visit him because...
I think that the suggestion that the woman get a bus pass is a good one because...
Note: The verb recommend, like suggest and advise, takes a base form (present subjunctive) in the that
clause.
It's also possible to reject both of the solutions mentioned in the conversation and to propose your own:
I wouldn't follow either of these two suggestions. Instead, I would... I don't like either of these
two plans. Here's what I would do. I would...
Sample
Outline
Reason
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Question: The speakers discuss two possible solutions to the man's problem. Describe the problem.
Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.
Sample Response
Problem
The trouble is that the student lost an expensive library book and can't afford to
replace it.
The librarian suggests two solutions to this problem. The first solution she suggests is
Solution
that the student can borrow the money from his parents. The second solution she
suggests is that the student can work in the library. The money he earns will be used
to replace the book.
Opinion
If I were in that situation, I would work in the library to earn some money.
That way, I wouldn't have to tell my parents I lost the book or borrow money from
Reason
them.
Build Up Your Response
Practice 1
Listening Note
Problem
Finding party venue for drama club
Solution 1
Hotel meeting center
- ask to prepare food
- cost ↑, easier to book
Solution 2
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Opinion
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Reason
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Question: The speakers discuss two possible solutions to the woman's problem. Describe the problem.
Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.
Response
Problem
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Solution
Opinion
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Reason
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Practice 2
Listening Note
Problem
Wrong answer on math test
Solution 1
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Solution 2
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Opinion
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Reason
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Question: The speakers discuss two possible solutions to the man's problem. Describe the problem. Then
state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.
Response
Problem
The problem is that .....................................................................................................................
Solution
The teacher suggests that .......................................................................................................
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Opinion
I think he should ..........................................................................................................
Reason
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Practice 3
Listening Note
Problem
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Solution 1
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Solution 2
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Opinion
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Reason
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Question: The students discuss two possible solutions to the woman's problem. Describe the problem.
Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.
Response
Problem
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Solution
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Opinion
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Reason
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