Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

The Handout ‘Speaking: The Monologue’

User Guide
📝 🗣 📊
(a) in the handout you may use both theoretical information ( description and definition of
bars/charts, and useful vocabulary), and practical tasks (speaking papers);
(b) the speaking papers may be printed out and used for the exam preparation;
(c) the feedback on improving the handout is welcomed.

📊 Types of Charts and Graphs

Explore one of the main characteristics of a chart and a graph (see Table 1) to get a clear
notion how you may both deal with them during your speaking part, moreover, how to use
them in future. It is advisable that you try to analyse it together with a classmate, a friend, a
parent or a teacher. Afterwards, you will be more successful in describing charts and
graphs, what is more important - understanding them (Macmillan Dictionary, n.d.; Microsoft:
Educator Center, n.d.; Valcheva, n.d.).

Table 1. The Definitions of the Charts and Graphs

The Type of a Chart or a Graph The Definition and Vocabulary
Pie Chart - a circle divided into sections in
order to show how something is divided into
different amounts.

Each pie is split into slices with each slice

representing one particular group of data.
The size of the slice shows you how much of
that group of data you have.

Picture: canva.com

Line Graph - a graph that uses lines to show

the relationship between numbers or
measurements that change.
X-axis - a fixed line that goes from left to
right and is used for showing measurements
or for finding the position of points on a
graph.
Y-axis - a fixed line that goes from top to
bottom and is used for showing
measurements or for finding the position of
points on a graph.

Picture: canva.com

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Bar Chart - a graph that represents different

amounts or values as thick lines of different
lengths.

Each rectangular bar has length and height

proportional to the values that they
represent.

One axis of the bar chart presents the

categories being compared. The other axis
shows a measured value.

Picture: canva.com

Column Chart - a good way to show change

over time because it's easy to compare
column lengths.

Like bar charts, column charts can be used

to plot both nominal data and ordinal data,
and they can be used instead of a pie chart
to plot data with a part-to-whole relationship.

Picture: canva.com

Area Chart - shows the change in one or

several quantities over time. They are very
similar to the line chart. However, the area
between the axis and line is usually filled
with colours.

They are helpful for us to understand various

statistical measures and trends like
part-to-whole comparison, trend comparison
for more than one portion, a measure of
change
Picture: canva.com

Find out more: Microsoft: Educator Center. (n.d.). How to create effective charts and
diagrams. https://education.microsoft.com/en-us/course/0a60eeb6/7

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

📝 Linking Devices and Useful Vocabulary

Use the provided materials to improve and boost the vocabulary in your monologue and
speaking in general. You may find some new words according to their part of the speech
(see Table 2). It is highly recommended to use some of the new phrases from the linking
devices, do not memorise everything - it is better to choose several linkers that you like the

😊
most. Practise using them with your classmates, peers or a teacher (IELTS Academy, n.d.).
You may also do it on your own in front of the mirror, because - why not?

Table 2. Expressing the Increase or Decrease

Verbs Nouns Adjectives Adverbs
rise (to) a rise dramatic dramatically
increase (to) an increase sharp sharply
grow (to) growth enormous enormously
climb (to) a climb considerable considerably
peak (at) (reach) a peak (at) significant significantly
fall (to) a fall (of) slight slightly
decline (to) a decline (of) sharp sharply
decrease (to) a decrease (of) huge hugely
reduce (to) a reduction (of) rapid rapidly
drop (to) a drop (of) gradual gradually

There are several aspects you should remember about explaining the data according to the
charts/graphs/diagrams. For instance, the correct use of tenses when describing a chart. If
the chart deals with facts in the present, use the Simple Present, if the facts are the past,
then use the Simple Past. If there is a connection between the past and the present, use the
Present Perfect. It is important that you introduce the visual data by using one of the
following phrases or collocations (Castro, 2021):

Introducing visuals

● According to the table/ graph/chart…

● The table/graph/chart shows…
● The table/graph/chart illustrates…
● Looking at the table/chart/graph, it can be seen that…
● The table/graph/chart provides information about…
● Let's have a look at this model/graph/chart...
● To illustrate my point let’s look at some diagrams...
● As you can see from these figures...
● If you look at this bar chart you'll notice...

After introducing the visual data, you will be expected to describe the main trends presented
in the table, graph and/or chart. Below (see Table 3) are different phrases and collocations
that you can use to describe a variety of trends:

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

Table 3. The Phrases to Describe the Charts and Graphs

↗ ↘ ↗ ↘
● a significant increase ● a sharp fall ● to reach a peak/high
● a considerable growth ● a significant drop ● at its peak
● to increase dramatically ● to decline sharply ● all-time peak
● to rise sharply ● to show a downward trend ● to rise towards its peak
● to show an upward trend ● to hit the lowest point ● past its peak

↗ ↘ ↗ → ⎇
● a considerable variation ● a period of stability ● to level off
● a slight fluctuation ● to remain stable ● to flatten out
● to vary considerably ● to remain constant ● to reach a plateau
● to show some fluctuation

Here you may find some other useful expressions to analyse successfully the chart, graphs,
and diagrams (Business English, 2008):

Naming the parts of diagrams

● The vertical axis (y axis) represents ● The broken line,
total annual sales. ● The shaded area,
● The horizontal axis (x axis) shows ● The unshaded section,
our market share. ● The dotted column,
● The curve, ● The coloured segment,
● The solid line, ● The red bar…
● The dotted line,

It is crucial to understand the data (see Table 4), thus you should be sure about naming the
provided numbers correctly (Grussendorf, 2007):

Table 4. Naming the Numbers from Charts and Graphs

The Number The Phrase
500 five hundred
1,500 one thousand five hundred
350,421 three hundred and fifty thousand, four hundred and twenty-one
211,050,780 two hundred and eleven million, fifty thousand, seven hundred and
eighty
10.6 ten point six
8.735 eight point seven three five
0.009 zero point oh oh nine
-5ºC five degrees below zero Celsius
½ one-half; a half
2/3 two-thirds
7/8 seven-eighths
km/h kilometres per hour

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

The last section of the provided vocabulary, is devoted to the phrases and linking devices
you may use in any monologue in general (Grussendorf, 2007):

The objective of your presentation:

● My objective this morning/afternoon is to inform you...
● I'm here today to give you...
● In this talk, I/we would like to concentrate on…
● My purpose today is to introduce you to...
● My aim this morning is to...

Structuring and sequencing:

● My presentation is split into three key areas.
● Firstly ... Secondly ... Thirdly ...
● To begin with ... After this ... Finally ...
● I’ll begin/start off by... Then I’ll move on to... Then/Next/After that, I’ll be looking at...

Introducing topics:
● In this part of my monologue/presentation, I’d like to talk about…
● I want to look at ...
● I'd like to review ...
● I want to discuss ...
● I'm going to analyse ...
● I want to cover ...
● I'd like to talk about ...

Moving on: Looking back: Adding:

● Let's now move on to ... ● Let's look back for a ● In addition ...
● I'd like to go on to ... moment ... ● I might add that …
● This brings me to ... ● As I pointed out… ● Furthermore ...
● I now want to ... ● To go back to ... ● Moreover ...
● Referring to…

Summarising and concluding:

● Let me briefly summarise the main issues…
● To sum up then, ...
● To summarise my main points ...
● I'd like to conclude by reminding you that ...
● Let me end by ...
● I'd like to finish ...
● In conclusion, may I remind you ...
● Finally, ...

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

🗣 Speaking Part (Monologue: B2 Level)

When the main characteristics of a chart and a graph were explored, as well as the most
necessary vocabulary was studied, it is the best time to go one to the main activity of the
speaking part - the monologue! According to the programme of the exam in English in form
11 (Skola2030,2021), there are the following rules about the monologue:

● The speaking part consists of the three parts:

○ Part 1: examine the texts and/or graphs characterising some specific issue
you chose from the papers offered. You will be given 5 minutes to develop a
plan for your own presentation;
○ Part 2: present your opinion on the issue (up to 5 minutes);
○ Part 3: answer a few examiner’s questions probing some particular nuances
of your presentation as well as other aspects not covered in your presentation.

Whether it is a paper with two texts, or it is a paper with a chart/graph/diagram and a text,
you will have this plan of your monologue:

Deliver the talk in which you:

1. formulate the issue raised in the materials;
2. compare the information provided in the materials;
3. state your opinion on the issue;
4. support your opinion by at least two arguments giving reasons and examples;
5. come to a conclusion.

You may found the following topics of a monologue with a text and a chart/graph/diagram
for you speaking part practice, where the texts have been taken from the previous exams
dedicated to Form 12:

● Paper 1: money management;

● Paper 2: perfectionism;
● Paper 3: procrastination;
● Paper 4: sleep;
● Paper 5: consumerism;
● Paper 6: laziness.

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

Paper 1

You are taking part in an English debate club discussion on money management. You
should give a talk in which you present your opinion on the issue. Study the provided
materials (their format, content, arguments) in order to plan your talk.

1) Deliver the talk in which you:

● formulate the issue raised in the materials;
● compare the information provided in the materials;
● state your opinion on the issue;
● support your opinion by at least two arguments giving reasons and examples;
● come to a conclusion.
2) Answer the teacher’s (opponent’s) questions and justify your answer.

You have up to 5 minutes to plan your talk. Speaking time: 3–5 minutes

At high school, every teenager can

have a part time job, earn their own
money, and open a bank account. It
is interesting how teens’ spending
habits change when it is their own,
rather than their parents’ money.
They also take better care of clothes
and other items that they buy on
their own. Having a good part time
job is also good for learning time
management skills, developing
confidence, learning about the world
of work, and building a resume.
Figure 1: The Rule of Budgeting 50/20/30
(Based on: How to Manage Your Budget [online]. 2020, May 15.
Available: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl)

Questions:
1) How will your financial priorities change in 5 years?
2) How did you spend your money in childhood?
3) What would you do if you got three thousand euros?

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

Paper 2

You are taking part in an English debate club discussion on perfectionism. You should give
a talk in which you present your opinion on the issue. Study the provided materials (their
format, content, arguments) in order to plan your talk.

1) Deliver the talk in which you:

● formulate the issue raised in the materials;
● compare the information provided in the materials;
● state your opinion on the issue;
● support your opinion by at least two arguments giving reasons and examples;
● come to a conclusion.
2) Answer the teacher’s (opponent’s) questions and justify your answer.

You have up to 5 minutes to plan your talk. Speaking time: 3–5 minutes

Many of us believe perfectionism is a

positive quality. Thomas Curran, PhD
and Andrew Hill, PhD define
perfectionism as “an irrational desire
for achievement along with being
overly critical of oneself and others.”
They explain that today’s generation
has “the strong need” to achieve
“increasingly unrealistic educational
and professional expectations”.
Resisting perfectionism does not
mean giving up your quest to do well,
or that you have to give up ambition,
but overdoing it can have negative
consequences.

(Based on: How Stress Influences Anxiety [online]. 2021, June 9.

Available: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl)

Questions:
1. Is stress linked to anxiety and panic attacks?
2. How can you help people who are perfectionists?
3. What are the risk factors/triggers for anxiety disorders?

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

Paper 3

You are taking part in an English debate club discussion on procrastination. You should give
a talk in which you present your opinion on the issue. Study the provided materials (their
format, content, arguments) in order to plan your talk.

1) Deliver the talk in which you:

● formulate the issue raised in the materials;
● compare the information provided in the materials;
● state your opinion on the issue;
● support your opinion by at least two arguments giving reasons and examples;
● come to a conclusion.
2) Answer the teacher’s (opponent’s) questions and justify your answer.

You have up to 5 minutes to plan your talk. Speaking time: 3–5 minutes

According to traditional
thinking, procrastinators
(people who delay or put
things off) have a time
management problem.
Increasingly, however,
psychologists are realising
this is wrong. Experts at
Carleton University have
proposed that procrastination
is an issue with managing our
emotions, not our time. The
task we are putting off is
making us feel bad – perhaps
it is boring, too difficult or we
are worried about failing –
and to make ourselves feel
better in the moment, we
start doing something else,
like watching videos.

(Based on: Ways of Procrastination [online]. 2021, March 21.

Available: https://www.bbc.com/)

Questions:
1. How do you feel when other people put off something you want done soon?
2. Does your need for completing things right interfere with your relationships?
3. What is the cause of being lazy in education?

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

Paper 4

You are taking part in an English debate club discussion on sleep. You should give a talk in
which you present your opinion on the issue. Study the provided materials (their format,
content, arguments) in order to plan your talk.

1) Deliver the talk in which you:

● formulate the issue raised in the materials;
● compare the information provided in the materials;
● state your opinion on the issue;
● support your opinion by at least two arguments giving reasons and examples;
● come to a conclusion.
2) Answer the teacher’s (opponent’s) questions and justify your answer.
You have up to 5 minutes to plan your talk. Speaking time: 3–5 minutes

Adolescents need about 9 hours of

sleep a night to function optimally – to
be physically, mentally and cognitively
healthy. Tell this to nine out of ten
teenagers and they will laugh. In fact,
only about 8 percent of American
teenagers get the sleep they need,
according to a recent study in the
Journal of Adolescent Health. The rest
live with chronic sleep deprivation –
some mild to moderate, but more than
half (59%) with severe sleep
deprivation, meaning they sleep on
average six hours or less most school
nights.

(Based on: Who's Getting The Most Sleep? [online]. 2020, May 15.
Available:
https://www.statista.com/chart/4845/countries-in-which-people-are-getting-the-most-sleep/)
Questions:
1. Is having a daily routine important for physical and mental wellbeing?
2. Why do teenagers sometimes sacrifice sleep for other activities?
3. Do you ever think sleep wastes valuable time spent doing useful things?

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

Paper 5

You are taking part in an English debate club discussion on consumerism. You should give
a talk in which you present your opinion on the issue. Study the provided materials (their
format, content, arguments) in order to plan your talk.

1) Deliver the talk in which you:

● formulate the issue raised in the materials;
● compare the information provided in the materials;
● state your opinion on the issue;
● support your opinion by at least two arguments giving reasons and examples;
● come to a conclusion.
2) Answer the teacher’s (opponent’s) questions and justify your answer.
You have up to 5 minutes to plan your talk. Speaking time: 3–5 minutes

Excessive consumerism has been a part of YouTube culture for close to a decade. Some
videos feature YouTubers showing off their purchases, while “unboxing” videos feature
people constantly buying and opening new things on camera. On top of all of this,
vloggers create direct adverts for brands and sell their own personal merchandise. It
seems logical that this incredible display of materialism is affecting at least some of the
young audience that make up YouTubers’ most loyal fans.

(Based on: Consumer Psychology [online]. 2021, November27.

Available: https://www.emotiv.com/glossary/consumer-psychology/ )

Questions:
1. How does advertising affect our lives?
2. Who suffers and who benefits from consumerism?
3. Do you believe special occasions like Christmas or Easter have become too
consumeristic?

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

Paper 6

You are taking part in an English debate club discussion on laziness. You should give a talk
in which you present your opinion on the issue. Study the provided materials (their format,
content, arguments) in order to plan your talk.

1) Deliver the talk in which you:

● formulate the issue raised in the materials;
● compare the information provided in the materials;
● state your opinion on the issue;
● support your opinion by at least two arguments giving reasons and examples;
● come to a conclusion.
2) Answer the teacher’s (opponent’s) questions and justify your answer.
You have up to 5 minutes to plan your talk. Speaking time: 3–5 minutes

It is a cruel fact in present-day society that some of the best activities imaginable –
napping on the sofa, watching your favourite movie, reading a book with a cat on your
knee that occasionally paws the pages – are considered lazy or unworthwhile. Actually,
according to experts, laziness might in fact be good for your health. Spending a little time
away from your desk, or muting your emails for a few hours, or finally allowing yourself to
relax might actually benefit your brain and body.

(Based on: Laziness [online]. 2020, March 7. Available:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl)
Questions:
1. What can be done to achieve a good work-life balance?
2. In what ways can enjoying life away from work affect your performance at work?
3. Do you estimate how much time it takes to complete a task? Do you think it’s a good
idea?

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Angļu valoda (B2). Valodas loma sabiedrībā. Padomi eksāmenam Angļu valodā (B2): runāšanas daļa.

References:

1. Business English. (2008). Charts, Graphs and Diagrams.

https://www.ilc.cuhk.edu.hk/files/ChartsGraphs_Gilhooly.pdf
2. Castro, A. (2021). Writing Task 1: Phrases and Collocations for Describing Tables,
Graphs and Charts.
https://ieltsamericas.com/writing-task-1-phrases-and-collocations-for-describing-table
s-graphs-and-charts/
3. Grussendorf, M. (2007). English for Presentations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. IELTS Academy (n.d.). Line Graphs for The IELTS Academic. Writing
https://www.ieltshelpnow.com/academic_writing_test_1.html
5. Macmillan Dictionary. (n.d.). Graphs, charts and diagrams.
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/graphs-charts-and-di
agrams
6. Microsoft: Educator Center. (n.d.). How to create effective charts and diagrams.
https://education.microsoft.com/en-us/course/0a60eeb6/7
7. Skola2030. (2021). Angļu valoda optimālajā mācību satura apguves līmenī: Valsts
pārbaudes darba paraugs. https://mape.skola2030.lv/resources/9486
8. Valcheva, S. (n.d.). Types of Graphs and Charts And Their Uses.
https://www.intellspot.com/types-graphs-charts/
9. VISC. (2021). ANGĻU VALODA: Centralizētais eksāmens par vispārējās vidējās
izglītības apguvi. https://www.visc.gov.lv/lv/media/13991/download

Author: Anna Sidorova

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