Guide
The A–R–E Method for Longer Answers
Answer, Reason, Example — never give a one-sentence answer again.
The problem
Short answers like "Yes, I like it." don't show your English. The examiner needs to hear you speak.
A–R–E
| Step | What you say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A — Answer | Answer the question directly | "Yes, I really enjoy cooking." |
| R — Reason | Say why | "It helps me relax after a long day." |
| E — Example | Give a real example | "Last weekend, for instance, I made plov for my whole family." |
That's 3–4 sentences — perfect for Part 1 and Part 3.
Useful starters
- To be honest, …
- The main reason is that …
- For example, just last week …
- It depends, really. On the one hand … on the other …
Practise it
Take any question — "Do you like your hometown?" — and answer with A–R–E out loud. Then use the timer on the Speaking page for Part 2.