Review &Debate Lab
Review Lab · mini debates
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Review Lab
A checkpoint, not a test.
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up — no pressure
In 30 seconds, give your opinion on: 'Cities are better than the countryside.' Be ready to defend it.
Go round the group comparing two things each — no repeating a comparison structure someone already used.
Share the best or worst thing you've ever experienced in one sentence.
Grammar recap · Section 2
8–10 minUnit 5 toolkit recap
You now have three tools for comparing and discussing ideas: (1) as...as / not as...as + modifiers (much, a bit, far, slightly) for precise comparisons; (2) opinion & agreement language (In my opinion, So do I, Neither do I, I'm not so sure about that) for natural discussion; (3) superlative + Present Perfect ('the best...I've ever...') for talking about life experiences.
→ In my opinion, this isn't nearly as good as people say.
→ It's far more expensive, but it's the best one I've ever tried.
→ I'm not so sure about that — I think it's slightly overrated.
→ So do I, actually — it's by far my favourite.
More detail
Strong debaters combine all three: compare options precisely, react to others' opinions, and back up claims with personal experience.
Challenge 1.This isn't ____ good ____ the last one.
Challenge 2.I love this app. — ____
Challenge 3.It's the ____ film I've ever seen.
Challenge 4.This is ____ cheaper than I expected.
Challenge 5.I'm not so ____ about that.
Vocabulary recap · Section 3
5–7 minRecycle your toolkit
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
nowhere near
not at all close to
"It's nowhere near as good as the original."
Compare two things using 'nowhere near'.
by far
by a large amount, with superlatives
"She's by far the best in the group."
Say who is by far the best at something.
to have a point
to say something valid
"You have a point, actually."
Say when someone recently had a point.
unforgettable
impossible to forget
"It was an unforgettable trip."
Describe an unforgettable moment.
overrated
praised more than it deserves
"I think it's a bit overrated."
Name something you find overrated.
to see eye to eye
to agree completely
"We don't always see eye to eye."
Say who you don't always see eye to eye with.
Discuss with a partner
- →Is anything you own nowhere near as good as it looks online?
- →Who do you not always see eye to eye with, and why?
Finish the sentence about you
- In my opinion, ...is by far the best... …
- It's nowhere near as...as... …
- It's the...I've ever... …
Pronunciation polish · Section 4
3–4 minDebate rhythm — emphasis and quick reactions
- • It's FAR more expensive, but WORTH it.
- • That's the BEST one I've EVer tried.
- • So do I!
- • I'm not so sure about that, actually.
How to say it
In a debate, stress the key comparison word ('far MORE expensive'), stress the superlative in personal claims ('the BEST I've EVer had'), and keep reaction phrases short and snappy ('So do I!', 'I'm not so sure'). Speed and confidence matter as much as accuracy here.
Reading challenge · Section 5
8–10 minThe great coffee debate
Every week, the same argument starts in the office kitchen: is the new coffee machine better than the old one? Priya insists it's nowhere near as good — 'the coffee's far weaker, and it's the worst milk foam I've ever seen a machine make.' Tom disagrees completely: 'I'm not so sure about that. In my opinion, it's by far the best machine we've ever had — much faster and slightly cheaper per cup.' Somyung is torn: she thinks the taste is roughly the same, but admits the new machine is noticeably quicker. Nobody sees eye to eye, but everyone agrees on one thing: it's the most debated appliance the office has ever owned.
Read carefully, then answer the detail questions. Underline the words in the text that gave you each answer.
Challenge 1.What does Priya think of the new machine's foam?
Challenge 2.What is Tom's opinion?
Challenge 3.What does everyone agree on?
Q1.Priya thinks the new coffee is far weaker.
Q2.Tom thinks the new machine is worse than the old one.
Q3.Everyone in the office agrees completely.
Listening challenge · Section 6
8–10 minMini debate: best travel style
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Leo:In my opinion, backpacking is by far the best way to travel.
Ana:I'm not so sure about that — it's nowhere near as comfortable as a proper holiday.
Leo:Maybe, but it's the most unforgettable trip I've ever had, hands down.
Ana:Fair point. I just think comfort matters more as you get older.
Leo:So do I, actually, a bit. But I'd still choose an adventure over comfort.
Ana:Neither of us is wrong, I guess — it's just far more personal than people think.
Listen once for the whole picture, then again for the details before you answer.
Challenge 1.What is Leo's opinion about backpacking?
Challenge 2.What does Ana think matters more with age?
Challenge 3.What do they agree the topic is?
Skills challenge · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Speaking Part 3/4 (extended discussion)
Task
Take part in a 2-minute mini debate on a light topic (city vs countryside, books vs films, etc.), giving opinions, comparing options and reacting to a partner.
Strategy
Open with a clear opinion (In my opinion...), support it with a comparison (far/much more... / nowhere near as...) and a personal experience (the best/worst...I've ever...), then react to your partner's point before closing with a final opinion.
Example
In my opinion, the countryside is far more relaxing than the city. It's nowhere near as noisy, and honestly, some of the most unforgettable weekends I've ever had were in small villages. I see what you mean about job opportunities, though — I'm not so sure city life beats that for everyone.
Fluency builder · Section 8
8–10 minQuick-fire practice
Challenge 1.It's ____ ____ ____, but I still prefer it.
Challenge 2.____ my opinion, it's overrated.
Challenge 3.It's the ____ trip I've ever had.
Challenge 4.I love it. — ____ ____ I.
Challenge 5.That's ____ my favourite by far.
Q1.Give an opinion using 'In my opinion' about travel:
Q2.Agree with 'I hate long meetings' using 'Neither...':
Q3.Describe your best holiday ever using superlative + Present Perfect:
Writing challenge · Section 9
5 minShow what you can do
Write your own version first, then open the model and compare — what would you change?
Your task
Write a 150-word forum post debating a topic of your choice (e.g. streaming vs cinema, city vs countryside). Use at least one as...as comparison, one modifier (far/a bit/slightly), one opinion phrase, one agreement/disagreement phrase, and one superlative + Present Perfect sentence.
Compare with the model
In my opinion, cinema is nowhere near as convenient as streaming, but it's still far more special. I remember the best film I've ever watched was on a huge screen with a full audience — nothing at home has ever come close. I see what people mean when they say streaming is slightly cheaper and much more flexible, and honestly, so do I agree with that part. Still, if you ask me, going to the cinema is by far the more memorable experience, even if it's not as practical. Streaming isn't as bad as some cinema fans claim — it's just different, and both have their place.
Communication lab · Section 10
10–15 minTalk it out
DEBATE LAB · Groups of 3. Pick a light topic card (books vs films, mornings vs evenings, city vs countryside). Each student states an opinion with a comparison, reacts to the other two, then the group votes on the most convincing argument. Teacher gives final feedback on structure variety.
Useful phrases
- • In my opinion,...
- • It's far/much more...than...
- • It's nowhere near as...as...
- • So do I. / Neither do I.
- • I'm not so sure about that.
- • It's the...I've ever...
Role-play & swap
Role-play the scenario once. Then swap roles and change two details so the second run is not a repeat.
- AI think mornings are far more productive than evenings.
- B_______________
- AWhat's the best decision you've ever made?
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Unit 5 checkpoint — prioritise fluent, natural debate language over perfect accuracy. ~33 min total
Keep it going · Section 11
Take-homeExtend it at home
Record a 90-second solo debate: pick a side on a light topic and argue it using comparisons and opinions.
Write a 150-word debate post using all three Unit 5 structures.
Listen to a short debate/podcast clip and note 3 opinion or comparison phrases used.
Checkpoint reflection · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've reviewed
- as...as / not as...as + modifiers (much, a bit, far, slightly) give precise comparisons.
- Opinion language: In my opinion, If you ask me, I'm not so sure about that.
- Agreement: So do I / So am I; Disagreement (negative): Neither do I / Nor do I.
- Superlative + Present Perfect: the best/worst...I've ever... for life experiences.
- Strong debaters combine comparison, opinion and personal experience in one argument.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 25 again.
Finished this lesson?
Mark it complete to save it to your progress.