Contributing to a discussion
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| support a claim | 支持观点 | zhī chí guān diǎn |
| evidence | 证据 | zhèng jù |
| consensus | 共识 | gòng shí |
The group task is the exam
- The last unit puts everything into a discussion, and you are marked on what you contribute to it.
- Not on being right. On listening, on reasoning, and on moving the group towards a decision.
- Two people fail this task in opposite ways: the silent one, and the one who never stops.
Disagree without a fight
- Agree and disagree politely — the disagreement is fine; bluntness is what costs marks.
- Soften, then reason: I see what you mean, though I'd argue…
- ⚠ You are wrong ends a discussion. That's true for phones, but not for laptops continues it.
Which disagreement keeps the discussion going?
It concedes something, then narrows the claim — which gives the other speaker somewhere to go.
An opinion is not an argument
- Support a claim 支持观点 with a reason and an example. Both, every time.
- I think the phone is an opinion. I'd argue the phone, because it replaced four devices at once is an argument.
- Evidence 证据 can be your own experience, as long as it is specific.
Which of these is an argument rather than an opinion?
It gives a reason and a concrete example. The others assert without support.
A weak contribution: "I think the phone. It is very useful and everyone has one."
A strong contribution: "I'd argue for the phone, mainly because it replaced four devices at once — camera, dictionary, timetable, bank. Anna, you said the laptop earlier: does the laptop do anything students do every hour?"
Reason, concrete example, and the turn handed on with a real question. That is what the descriptor means by contributing.
Put a strong contribution in order.
The last step is what separates a speech from a contribution to a discussion.
Reaching a decision
- When the task asks for one, a consensus 共识 is the goal. Reaching a decision is the task; winning is not.
- Bring others in by name. Listening is visible in a discussion, and examiners look for it.
- Summarise near the end: So we agree on the phone, with the laptop second — is that right?
Speaking for most of the discussion shows the examiner you are the strongest candidate.
Dominating loses marks as surely as silence. The skill being assessed is interaction.
Which moves bring another student into the discussion? Choose all that apply.
Naming a person and referring to what they said proves you were listening — which is itself marked.
Write one sentence that summarises a group decision and checks everyone agrees.
Example: "So we agree on the phone, with the laptop second — is that right?" Summarise, then check.
Take a turn every minute or two. That single habit fixes both failure modes: it stops you disappearing, and it stops you monopolising. Set it as your target before the task begins.
Preparing what you will say, and only that, is the commonest preparation mistake. The task is interactive, so half your marks depend on responses you cannot script. Prepare your position, then listen.