PART 3 — ARGUMENT DISCUSSION

Part 3 — Analyse an argument

C1

Weigh both sides of a complex statement.

1
question
0
images
1 min
prep time
2 min
to speak

How it plays out

You get 1 min to prepare, then answer all 1 question together in one 2 min turn. You're expected to raise points on both sides before landing on a position.

What examiners are listening for

  • Grammatical range & accuracy
  • Vocabulary
  • Fluency
  • Coherence & cohesion

Tips for Part 3

  • Structure matters more than opinion — raise a point for the statement, a point against it, then state and justify your own position.
  • Don't just repeat the statement back — engage with why someone might disagree with it before you argue your side.
  • Use hedging and nuance language ("to some extent", "it could be argued that") — this is what separates B2 from C1 answers here.
  • The 60-second prep is enough to plan three moves: for, against, your view — don't script full sentences, you won't finish.

Where this fits

Part 3 targets C1, the top of the scale. It's the only part with a single question and no images — just you, an abstract statement, and two minutes to reason through it. It also carries the most weight of any single part: it's scored on a 0–6 scale, while every other part tops out at 5.

Drill Part 3 on its own before a full mock.

Practice Part 3

Or see how all four parts add up.

Sit a full test