Speaking Task — uzdevums. Jaunās tēmas (izstrāde), E. Kaša.

In the speaking part of the exam, you will be asked to deliver a short talk on a given topic using the provided materials. You will have time to read the texts, select appropriate ideas, and plan how to structure your talk before speaking. To help you prepare for this part of the exam, study the speaking task below and complete the activities that follow. These tasks are designed to help you understand how to structure your talk, support your arguments with the material, and draw clear conclusions, so that you feel more confident when completing the speaking task in the real exam.

Prepare a 5-minute talk on the topic of “Taking action”.
Read the materials below and select at least three points and opinions which you will use to support your argument. You can use other ideas as well, but you must discuss the ideas you selected from the material first. After your talk, you will answer three questions and justify your opinion.

In your talk:

introduce the topic and outline the structure of your talk;
present your arguments, supporting them with the information from the material provided;
draw conclusions on the topic.

You have 20 minutes to prepare your talk. You can make notes on the paper.

“Taking action”:

Source 1: Young people today have a strong desire to help others but many do not feel like they can make a difference: 84% of young people want to help others but only 52% believe that they can make a positive difference in their community. Some young people believe that their age and inexperience are limiting but report building confidence in their ability to make a difference through participation. (Teenagency: how young people can create a better world, thersa.org)

Source 2: A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury. (John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859)

Source 3: In our old hunter-gatherer environment (which suited us quite well), action trumped reflection. Lightning-fast reactions were essential to survival; deliberation could be fatal. When our ancestors saw a silhouette appear at the edge of the forest - something that looked a lot like a sabre-tooth tiger - they did not take a pew to muse over what it might be. They hit the road - and fast. We are the descendants of these quick responders. Back then, it was better to run away once too often. However, our world today is different; it rewards reflection, even though our instincts may suggest otherwise. (Rolf Dobelli, The Art of Thinking Clearly, 2014)

Source 4: The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. (Elbert Hubbard, The Philistine,1901)

Source 5: From superstorms to heat waves to raging wildfires, the impact of extreme weather is already being felt in every corner of the country. Every day that goes by without climate action is estimated to cost at least $254 million, based on recent trends, and the average yearly cost of inaction for the last five years has averaged $120.6 billion or $3,824/second. (The Cost of Inaction is Real, www.actonclimate.com)

1. Introducing the Topic

Which opening sentence most effectively frames the topic of the talk?

Taking action is often discussed as a response to global challenges, raising questions about responsibility, urgency, and the consequences of failing to respond effectively.
I chose this topic because I believe people should take action more often, especially in situations where hesitation can lead to missed opportunities or negative outcomes.
People frequently talk about taking action in society, but there is ongoing disagreement about what action truly means and how it should be interpreted.
Instead of viewing action as a simple choice between acting and waiting, this talk will explore when action becomes necessary, when restraint is justified, and what the consequences of inaction can be.

2. Outlining the Structure of the Talk

Which sentence best outlines how the talk will be structured?

I will examine three contrasting perspectives on taking action, drawing on the provided materials, before reaching a reasoned conclusion.
I will support my ideas by referring to quotations and examples from the materials, focusing mainly on explanation rather than comparison or evaluation.
The materials present several ideas connected to action and responsibility, which are mentioned throughout the talk but not organised into a clear argumentative structure.
I will discuss a range of viewpoints related to the topic and then briefly explain my own opinion without evaluating the provided materials.

3. Introducing an Argument

Which sentence most effectively introduces an argument in the main part of the talk?

I will now refer to one of the quotations from the materials in order to support my idea and introduce the topic being discussed.
The texts present different opinions about action and responsibility, showing how these ideas are approached from multiple perspectives.
Taking action can sometimes be difficult for people, particularly when decisions involve uncertainty, pressure, or competing demands.
One key tension surrounding taking action lies in the balance between moral responsibility and the risk of unintended consequences.

4. Supporting an Argument with Source Material

Which sentence most effectively uses the provided material to support an argument?

As the data cited by actonclimate.com demonstrates, inaction carries measurable consequences, with economic losses increasing yearly.
It is believed that young people sometimes lack confidence, suggesting that hesitation and self-doubt can influence their willingness to act.
Many people want to take action but feel uncertain or afraid, particularly when decisions involve risk, responsibility, or possible negative outcomes.
I find this information worrying and strongly agree with its message, as it highlights concerns that many people feel are increasingly urgent.

5. Drawing a Conclusion

Which sentence most effectively begins the conclusion of the talk?

Finally, the quotations on taking action offered different perspectives overall.
Ultimately, the materials suggest that inaction may be as ethically significant as action.
Taking action can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, depending on context.
It is clear that in this talk, I have examined several ideas related to taking action.

Atsauce:

viaa.gov.lv, Centralizētais eksāmens angļu valodā (augstākais mācību satura apguves līmenis), 2025

14. Speaking Task

Uzdevums:

Pamanīts reklāmas bloķētājs!