EOI B1&B2 Module 6: SPEAKING. Tips

LEVEL B1 ⚖️

1. EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

PART 1: MONOLOGUE (Long Turn)

• Time: 2-3 minutes speaking time.

• Topic: Crime and Punishment in My City.

• Task: Discuss how we should punish criminals and how to make our streets safer.

  • Types of Punishment: Is prison the only way? What about community service (cleaning parks, etc.)?

  • Causes of Crime: Why do people commit crimes? Lack of jobs, money, or education?

  • Prevention: Are more police and cameras the best solution?

  • Your Opinion: Should the goal of prison be to punish or to teach?

    
    

PART 2: DIALOGUE (Interaction)

• Time: 4-5 minutes.

• Goal: Reach an agreement.

• Scenario: Your neighborhood has a problem with graffiti and small thefts. You have a small budget to solve it.

  • Candidate A: You want to install More Security Cameras and Lights. Argument: It is fast, people feel safer, and it stops criminals from acting.

  • Candidate B: You want to build a Youth Sports Center. Argument: If teenagers have something fun to do, they won't commit crimes; it's better for the future.

    
    

2. TIPS FOR B1 SUCCESS

• Vocabulary: Crime, criminal, prison, police, safe/unsafe, to punish, to steal, law.

• Grammar: Use First Conditional ("If we have more police, the streets will be safer") and Comparatives ("Prison is more expensive than a sports center").

  
  

3. MODEL RESPONSES

B1 EXTENDED MONOLOGUE: Crime and Prevention "Good afternoon. Today I want to talk about crime and how we can solve this problem. I think that safety is very important for everyone in a city. First, I want to discuss punishment. Many people think that criminals must go to prison for a long time. However, I think that for small crimes, community service is better. For example, if someone does graffiti, they should clean the walls. This is a good way to learn a lesson. Secondly, we need to think about why people commit crimes. In my opinion, most people steal because they don't have a job or money. If the government helps people to find work, there will be less crime. Finally, about prevention, I think that cameras are useful, but they are not the only solution. We need more police walking in the streets to talk to people. In conclusion, prison is sometimes necessary, but teaching people and giving them jobs is the best way to have a safe city. If we only punish, people will never change."

B1 EXTENDED DIALOGUE: Cameras vs. Sports Center Candidate A: "Hi! We have to decide how to spend the money to stop the graffiti. I think security cameras are the best idea. If criminals see the cameras, they will be afraid and they will stop." Candidate B: "I see your point, but cameras only watch the problem; they don't fix it. I think a Youth Sports Center is better. Most of the graffiti is made by bored teenagers. If they play football, they won't have time for graffiti." Candidate A: "That's true, but a sports center takes a long time to build. The cameras are ready in one day. We need to stop the problem now because the neighbors are angry." Candidate B: "I understand, but a sports center is better for the future of the neighborhood. However, maybe we can do both? What if we buy fewer cameras and use the rest of the money to organize a football tournament in the park?" Candidate A: "That’s a great idea! We have some security and some fun activities for the kids. I agree."

LEVEL B2 ⚖️

1. EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

PART 1: MONOLOGUE (Long Turn)

• Time: 3-4 minutes speaking time.

• Topic: The Effectiveness of the Justice System.

• Task: Discuss if our current prisons really work and how to reduce crime.

  • Prison vs. Rehabilitation: Does spending time in a cell change a person's mind?

  • Recidivism: Why do many criminals go back to prison after being released?

  • Alternative Sentences: The benefits of electronic tags and social work.

  • Social Factors: The link between poverty, drugs, and crime.

    
    

PART 2: DIALOGUE (Interaction)

• Time: 5-6 minutes.

• Goal: Negotiate and reach a consensus.

• Scenario: You are advisors to the Mayor. You must choose ONE main strategy to reduce crime in the city center.

  • Candidate A: You propose a "Zero Tolerance" Policy with more arrests for small crimes. Argument: It sends a strong message that the law must be respected; it cleans the streets quickly.

  • Candidate B: You propose a "Social Integration" Program for ex-prisoners. Argument: If ex-criminals get a job and a house, they won't commit crimes again. It's the only way to stop the cycle.

    
    

2. TIPS FOR B2 SUCCESS

• Vocabulary: To re-offend, rehabilitation, deterrent, victim, justice system, crime rate, to reintegrate, shoplifting.

• Grammar: Use Second Conditional ("If prisons offered more workshops, inmates would find jobs easily") and Passive Voice ("More money should be invested in prevention").

  
  

3. MODEL RESPONSES

B2 EXTENDED MONOLOGUE: Does the Justice System Work? "I’d like to begin by saying that the traditional idea of 'punishment' is perhaps a bit outdated. In most modern countries, the crime rate is still high, which means that our current prisons are not working perfectly. On the one hand, many people believe that prison should be a place of suffering to act as a deterrent. They think that if prison is hard, people will be afraid to commit crimes. However, the reality is that many inmates re-offend as soon as they are released. Why does this happen? In my opinion, it's because they don't learn any new skills in prison. When they come out, they have no money and no job, so they go back to crime. On the other hand, I firmly believe in rehabilitation. If we provided education and psychological support in the justice system, it would be much more effective. For example, some countries use electronic tags for non-violent crimes, allowing people to keep their jobs while they pay for their mistakes. This is much cheaper for the taxpayer than keeping someone in a cell. To conclude, we need to address the root causes like poverty and drug addiction. If we only focus on punishment, we are just treating the symptoms, not the disease."

B2 EXTENDED DIALOGUE: Zero Tolerance vs. Social Integration Candidate A: "I’m convinced that we need a Zero Tolerance policy. The city center is becoming dangerous, and tourists are scared. We need more police and immediate arrests for things like shoplifting or vandalism. It’s the only way to restore order." Candidate B: "I see what you mean, and order is important. But if we just arrest everyone, the prisons will be full and the problem will return in six months. I feel strongly that a Social Integration program is better. We should help ex-offenders find work so they don't have to steal to survive." Candidate A: "That’s a very noble idea, but it's also very slow. The citizens want a solution today. A social program takes years to show results. Don't you think we need to be tougher to protect the shops and the families?" Candidate B: "I agree that we need safety, but 'tough' policies are often just a 'band-aid'. However, maybe we can find a middle ground. What if we increase the police presence in the streets to give security, but we also create a center where those police can refer people to job programs instead of just putting them in jail for small things?" Candidate A: "That’s a very interesting compromise. We have the 'visibility' of the police, but we also offer a 'way out' for the criminals. I think we can agree on a project that combines both." Candidate B: "Perfect. It's a balance between being firm and being practical."