Part 3 questions ask for opinions on abstract social topics. One-sentence answers score Band 5. Band 7 requires you to develop a point — give a reason, add an example or qualification, then reflect on implications.
Examples
Weak
Avoid"Should governments control social media?" → "Yes, I think so. It can be dangerous."
Stronger
Better"Should governments control social media?" → "To some extent, yes — particularly around data privacy and the spread of demonstrably false information. Without regulation, platforms have little incentive to self-police. That said, heavy-handed censorship creates its own problems, so I think the ideal model is independent oversight rather than direct government control."
The strong answer takes a qualified position, gives two specific reasons, raises a counterpoint, and resolves it with a nuanced conclusion — all in under 30 seconds.
How It Works
The depth formula
- Position: state your view (qualified is fine).
- Reason: one specific reason why.
- Evidence or example: real or plausible illustration.
- Qualification: when it might not apply, or the opposing risk.
Useful qualifiers
- To some extent... / Up to a point...
- It depends on... / That said...
- In theory... but in practice...
Depth phrases
Quick rules
- Never stop at the first sentence — always add a reason.
- One real example is worth more than three vague claims.
- Qualifications show sophistication, not weakness.
Common Mistakes
Position with no reason
Avoid"Yes, I think governments should control social media."
Better"Yes, primarily because platforms currently have no legal obligation to remove dangerous misinformation."
Fix: Every position statement needs a "because" or "since" immediately after it.
Vague example
Avoid"For example, many people have been affected by fake news."
Better"For example, during the 2020 vaccine rollout, false safety claims spread faster than official corrections on every major platform."
Fix: Name a specific event, time period, or group — vague "many people" examples add no score value.
Practice Lab
Self-mark each task. Retry until every answer is correct.
Score: 0/3
1. Quick pick
Which Part 3 answer shows the best argument depth?
2. Build it
Put the sentence in the correct order.
Tap a chunk to move it between the bank and answer area.
3. Sort it
Sort each item into the correct category.
I think remote work benefits productivity, mainly because it eliminates commuting time that most workers spend passively.
Remote work is good because people can work from home.
That said, isolation is a real risk, which is why hybrid models seem more sustainable long-term.
But there are also some disadvantages that people should think about.
Why It Matters
Part 3 is where Band 7 and Band 8 are separated. The examiner is explicitly assessing your ability to express and justify opinions. One-sentence answers can score fluency marks but miss Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range marks that only appear when you sustain a longer, structured argument.
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