Task 5: Comparing and Persuading Template
The Template¶
Prep time: 60 seconds | Speaking time: 60 seconds | Blanks to fill: 6
Everything outside the brackets is memorized word for word. Fill in the details from the prompt.
"Hi [NAME]. I saw your suggestion to choose
[THEIR OPTION]. That's a good idea, but I believe
[YOUR OPTION] is the better choice.
First, regarding the price, [PRICE LINE].
Also, my option is much more [ADJECTIVE] because
[REASON]. This makes it more practical for us.
For these reasons, I think we should go with my
suggestion. Let me know if you agree."
Your 60-Second Prep¶
Scribble these on your notepad:
1. their option
2. your option
3. price line (cheaper or worth it?)
4. adjective + reason
That's it. Everything else is already memorized.
What to Fill In¶
| Blank | From the prompt |
|---|---|
[NAME] |
friend / colleague / manager name |
[THEIR OPTION] |
what they chose |
[YOUR OPTION] |
what you chose |
[PRICE LINE] |
pick one from below |
[ADJECTIVE] |
pick from adjective table |
[REASON] |
one feature from the prompt |
Two Price Lines — Memorize Both¶
Pick the one that fits:
If yours is cheaper:¶
"my option only costs [YOUR PRICE]. This is much
cheaper than yours at [THEIR PRICE]."
Example: "my option only costs fifty dollars a month. This is much cheaper than yours at a hundred and twenty dollars a month."
If yours costs more:¶
"even though my option costs [YOUR PRICE], it is
worth it because [ONE REASON]."
Example: "even though my option costs twenty thousand dollars, it is worth it because it can be completed in just two weeks."
Reading Prices Naturally¶
| Written | Say this |
|---|---|
| $20 | "twenty dollars" |
| $50 | "fifty dollars" |
| $100 | "a hundred dollars" |
| $150 | "a hundred and fifty dollars" |
| $350 | "three hundred and fifty dollars" |
| $500 | "five hundred dollars" |
| $699.99 | "almost seven hundred dollars" |
| $120/month | "a hundred and twenty dollars a month" |
Never say
"one-two-zero dollars" or "dollar one hundred" — always say the number naturally like you're talking to a friend.
Universal Adjective Pairs — Memorize 3¶
| Situation | Positive (yours) | Negative (theirs) |
|---|---|---|
| Money | much cheaper / more affordable | more expensive / overpriced |
| Convenience | more accessible / more convenient | too far / more inconvenient |
| Fun / gifts | much more exciting / more memorable | boring / less engaging |
| Quality | more reliable / easier to use | outdated / impractical |
| Flexibility | much more flexible / no commitment | too rigid / locked in |
| Health | much more beneficial / healthier | less effective / unhealthy |
Examples¶
Mountain Cabin vs City Hotel¶
Prompt: Your friend wants the City Hotel ($350/night). Persuade them to choose the Mountain Cabin ($150/night).
"Hi Sarah. I saw your suggestion to choose the city hotel. That's a good idea, but I believe the mountain cabin is the better choice.
First, regarding the price, my option only costs a hundred and fifty dollars. This is much cheaper than yours at three hundred and fifty dollars.
Also, my option is much more environmentally friendly because it is surrounded by nature and only five minutes from the hiking trails. This makes it more practical for us.
For these reasons, I think we should go with my suggestion. Let me know if you agree."
Italian Bistro vs Steakhouse¶
Prompt: Your colleague wants the Steakhouse ($45/person). Persuade them to choose the Italian Bistro ($20/person).
"Hi Sarah. I saw your suggestion to choose the steakhouse. That's a good idea, but I believe the Italian bistro is the better choice.
First, regarding the price, my option costs twenty dollars per person. This is much cheaper than yours at forty-five dollars per person.
Also, my option is much more accessible and convenient because it takes only a five-minute walk from the office and walk-ins are welcome. This makes it more practical for us.
For these reasons, I think we should go with my suggestion. Let me know if you agree."
Basic Internet vs Premium Plan¶
Prompt: Your roommate wants the Premium Plan ($120/month). Persuade them to choose the Basic Plan ($50/month).
"Hi Juan. I saw your suggestion to choose the premium plan. That's a good idea, but I believe the basic plan is the better choice.
First, regarding the price, my option costs fifty dollars a month. This is way cheaper than yours at a hundred and twenty dollars a month.
Also, my option is much more flexible because it has no contract and free streaming service included. This makes it more practical for us.
For these reasons, I think we should go with my suggestion. Let me know if you agree."
Grammar Reminders¶
| Rule | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
| "my option" = singular | "my option cost" | "my option costs" |
| After "more" use adjective | "more convenience" | "more convenient" |
| Short adjectives use -er | "more cheaper" | "much cheaper" |
| No double comparative | "more faster" | "much faster" |
Delivery Tips — Sound Natural, Not Robotic¶
Pause with Purpose¶
| Bad pause | Good pause |
|---|---|
| "um... regarding the price..." | "First, regarding the price... (pause) ...my option only costs..." |
| "uh... for these reasons..." | "For these reasons... (pause) ...I think we should go with my suggestion." |
Emphasize Key Words¶
| Line | How to say it |
|---|---|
| "That's a good idea, but..." | Pause before "but" — the pivot moment |
| "much cheaper than yours" | Stress "much cheaper" |
| "much more flexible" | Stress your adjective |
| "Let me know if you agree" | Sound friendly, confident |
The Secret: Smile While Speaking¶
The examiner can hear a smile in your voice. It makes the whole response sound warmer and more natural — even if you're reading from memory.
Memorization Checklist¶
Practice saying the template out loud until you can do it without looking:
- Opening: "Hi . I saw your suggestion to choose . That's a good idea, but I believe ___ is the better choice."
- Price (cheaper): "First, regarding the price, my option only costs . This is much cheaper than yours at ."
- Price (worth it): "First, regarding the price, even though my option costs , it is worth it because ."
- Value: "Also, my option is much more ___ because ___. This makes it more practical for us."
- Closing: "For these reasons, I think we should go with my suggestion. Let me know if you agree."