EOI B1&B2 Module 5: SPEAKING. Tips

📚 EOI ORAL EXAM: Social Problems & Inequality LEVEL B1 🤝

1. EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

PART 1: MONOLOGUE

• Time: 2-3 minutes speaking time.

• Topic: Rich and Poor: A Growing Gap.

• Task: Discuss why some people have more opportunities than others. Structure your ideas (Intro, Body, Conclusion).

  • Family Background: Does your family’s money decide your future?

  • Education: Is it fair that some schools have better computers and teachers than others?

  • Hard Work: Can a person become rich just by working hard?

  • Solutions: Should the government give more money to poor families?

    
    

PART 2: DIALOGUE (Interaction)

• Time: 4-5 minutes.

• Goal: Reach an agreement.

• Scenario: Your local neighborhood has received a small grant to help low-income families. You must choose ONE project.

  • Candidate A: You want to buy Free School Supplies and Laptops for students. Argument: Education is the most important thing for children’s future.

  • Candidate B: You want to create a Community Food Bank and Kitchen. Argument: People cannot study or work if they are hungry; it’s an immediate need.

    
    

2. TIPS FOR B1 SUCCESS

• Vocabulary: Rich, poor, gap, fair/unfair, salary, opportunity, government, help.

• Grammar: Use First Conditional ("If we help children, they will have better jobs") and Modals of Obligation ("The government must do something").

  
  

3. MODEL RESPONSES

B1 EXTENDED MONOLOGUE: The Gap Between Rich and Poor "Good afternoon. Today I want to talk about social problems and inequality. In my opinion, the world is very unfair because some people are born with everything and others have nothing. First, let's look at family. If your parents are rich, you can go to the best university and you don't have to worry about money. But if your family is poor, you have to work and study at the same time. This is very difficult. Secondly, education is not the same for everyone. In some neighborhoods, schools are old and they don't have enough resources. I think this is the biggest problem. Many people say that if you work hard, you can be successful, but it's not always true. A person who works 12 hours in a factory is very hard-working, but they stay poor. In conclusion, I think the government should help more. We need better schools for everyone and more support for families with low salaries. If we have the same opportunities, the world will be a better place."

B1 EXTENDED DIALOGUE: School Supplies vs. Food Bank Candidate A: "Hi! We have to decide how to use the grant. I think buying laptops and school supplies is the best idea. If children have technology, they can learn more and get better jobs when they are older." Candidate B: "I see your point, but some families in our neighborhood don't even have enough food. I think a Food Bank is more urgent. A child cannot use a laptop if they are hungry, right?" Candidate A: "That’s true, but a food bank is only for one day. A laptop lasts for years. Education is the only way to escape poverty forever. We should invest in the future." Candidate B: "I understand, but food is a human right. However, maybe we can do both? What if we use half of the money for food and the other half to buy second-hand laptops for the library?" Candidate A: "That's a good compromise! We help with the hunger and the education at the same time. I agree."

LEVEL B2 🤝

1. EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

PART 1: MONOLOGUE (Long Turn)

• Time: 3-4 minutes speaking time.

• Topic: The Reality of Social Mobility.

• Task: Discuss if it is really possible to change your social status in modern society.

  • The "Glass Ceiling": Hidden barriers for people from low-income backgrounds.

  • Expensive Education: The cost of master's degrees and private titles.

  • Housing Crisis: How high rents prevent young people from saving money.

  • Government Role: Should there be higher taxes for the super-rich?

    
    

PART 2: DIALOGUE (Interaction)

• Time: 5-6 minutes.

• Goal: Negotiate and reach a consensus.

• Scenario: You are advisors to the Ministry of Social Affairs. You have a budget to fight "Youth Inequality."

  • Candidate A: You want to offer Housing Subsidies (Rental help) for people under 30. Argument: High rents are the main reason young people are poor and cannot start a life.

  • Candidate B: You want to offer Paid Internships and Professional Training. Argument: The problem is "working poverty"; young people have jobs but their salaries are too low because they lack experience.

    
    

2. TIPS FOR B2 SUCCESS

• Vocabulary: Social mobility, cost of living, household income, tax, subsidies, underprivileged, standard of living, to struggle.

• Grammar: Use Second Conditional ("If the government lowered taxes for the middle class, they would spend more") and Relative Clauses ("People who live in expensive cities find it harder to save").

  
  

3. MODEL RESPONSES

B2 EXTENDED MONOLOGUE: The Reality of Social Mobility "I’d like to begin by saying that the idea of the 'self-made man' is becoming a myth in our modern world. While we like to believe that anyone can reach the top, the data shows that social mobility is actually decreasing in many countries. One of the main obstacles is the cost of living, especially housing. In the past, a young person could save money and buy a flat. Nowadays, rents in cities like Seville or Madrid take more than 50% of a person's salary. This means that if you don't inherit a house from your parents, you are at a massive disadvantage. Another factor is education. While public school is free, the most prestigious jobs often require expensive master's degrees or unpaid internships that only rich families can afford. This is what we call the 'glass ceiling'; you can see the top, but you can't reach it because of your background. In my opinion, we need wealth redistribution. It is not fair that a small number of people have more money than half of the population. We should tax the super-rich more and use that money to fund public housing and scholarships. To conclude, hard work is necessary, but it isn't enough. Without the right policies, your destination in life is determined by your starting point."

B2 EXTENDED DIALOGUE: Rent Support vs. Job Training Candidate A: "I’m convinced that housing subsidies are the priority. It doesn't matter if a young person has a job if 70% of their salary goes to a landlord. If we help them with rent, they can finally save money and contribute to the economy." Candidate B: "I understand your point, but subsidies can sometimes make rents go up even more. I feel strongly that the root of the problem is low salaries. If we invest in paid internships and training, we help young people get higher-paying jobs. This is a long-term solution, not just a 'band-aid'." Candidate A: "I see what you mean about the long term, but people are struggling now. A training course takes six months, but the rent is due on the first of the month. We need an immediate intervention to stop the 'working poverty' cycle." Candidate B: "That’s a valid point. However, giving money for rent doesn't improve the person's skills. What if we find a middle ground? We could create a program that offers discounted public housing but only for those who are also enrolled in a professional development program. This way, we address the immediate cost and the future career." Candidate A: "That’s an excellent compromise. It combines relief with progress. I think we should present this 'Housing-for-Training' model to the Minister." Candidate B: "Agreed. It balances social support with personal growth."