Debates

Agreeing and Disagreeing
Giving opinions and

discussing likes and dislikes
What do you think?
I think Italian food is fantastic!!

Choose and practice the answer to give your opinion
Yes, you are right.

Isn't it a little difficult to prepare?
Yes, It s marvelous.
I don't really agree with you.
Do you?
Especially pizzas.
Agree or Disagree with the following

topics
Give your opinion to each of the situations. Do you agree or disagree

Example:
A: Cold in here, isnit?
B: Is it? I really think it's too hot.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I think we should /ud/ cancel

the whole project right now.
I think we should move
production to a country where
labor costs are cheaper.
My Volkswagen is very
reliable. /rilaiabl/
This wine is very good.
I think SuperAudit should
audit /odit/ our accounts next
year.
Answers
Yes, you are right
I don't really agree with you. I

think
Do you? I think
Is it? I think
Listen and watch
http://abcasiapacific.com/businessen
glish/stories/s1465486.htm
Giving an opinion of agreement

or disagreement.
Example:
A: How do you feel about the stray dogs of
Valparaiso?
B: Well, if you ask me, the stray dogs are a
big problem.
A: Why do you think that?
B: They are malnourished, hungry, sick, and
so sad.
A: Thats a good point.
Make up conversations
Example:
A: How do you feel about the
stray dogs of Valparaiso?
B: Well, if you ask me, the stray
dogs are a big problem.
A: Why do you think that?
B: They are malnourished,
hungry, sick, and so sad.
Talk about
Stray dogs
Capital punishment
Marriage
Gambling
Violence on TV and in movies
Any other topic
Giving opinions
If you ask me
Dont you agree that?
You know what I think? I think
that
Agreement
Exactly.
I couldnt agree more.
Thats exactly what I think.
Thats a good point.
Disagreement
Im not sure if I agree.
Maybe, but dont you think
that..?
Agreeing or disagreeing
Example:
A: Dont you agree that learning English is
pointless! (1)
B: Im not sure if I agree I think its
probably a good thing to do.
A: Why do you say that?
B: Well, because English is a world language
you need it to communicate with people
from other countries.
Agreeing and Disagreeing

Example:
A: Dont you agree that learning English
is pointless! (1)
B: Im not sure if I agree I think its
probably a good thing to do.
A: Why do you say that?
B: Well, because English is a world
language you need it to
communicate with people from other
countries.
Talk about: (1)

Learning English is pointless.
Marriage is out of date.
This university is the best one in
Chile.
The Simpsons is the most
intelligent
show on TV today
Giving opinions
If you ask me
that
Agreement
Exactly.
I couldnt agree more.
Thats exactly what I think.
Thats a good point.
I think so, too
Disagreement
that..?
I wouldnt say that.
Find the mistakes

One is correct, but the others have mistakes
1 That's interesting, but I'm not sure if I am agree.
2 I think you might have right.
3 Exactly. Now, are you all agree?
4 I think you are right.
5 I'm not sure I disagree.
6 OK. Do we all agreed now?
7 I don't entirely agree
Right answers
1 That's interesting, but I'm not sure if I agree.
2 I think you might be right.
3 Exactly. Now, Do you all agree?
4 I think you are right.
5 I'm not sure If I agree.
6 OK. Do we all agree now?
7 I m not entirely agree
Issue:
Television Plays a Positive Role in

Society
Expressions
Well, from my point of view
Dont you think that?
What about you?
Whats your reaction to that?
Would you like to add
anything?
In spite of this,
For instance
As a matter of fact
Even so
Whats more
Pro :
television is now playing a
very important role in our lives.
Because of this
To put it simply
Unless we, we wont
That sounds like a good idea,
but
Im not really sure
If you ask me
that
that..?
Con:
Dont you think that
television is a great time waster.
Activity:
Pick up one argument from the pile.

Decide if it is an con or pro argument.
Move to the con or pro corner.
Share your argument with your partners.
Complete your arguments with a possible
expression of agreement or disagrement.
Share your arguments with the class.
Part 1: With Your Partner, Think of at

Least One Strong Reason for Each
Resolution
1. Women should quit their job after they get married.

REASON:
2. Love is more important than money.
REASON:
3. It is better to be married than single.
REASON:
4. Writing by hand is better than writing by computer.
REASON:
Part 2: Now Compare Your Reasons with Another
Pair and Decide Whose Reasons are Stronger and Why
Ways to State Reasons:

. Comparison: X is _____ er than Y.
OR: X is more _____ than Y.
Cause-and-effect:
X causes Y.
OR: If you do X, then Y will happen.
AHow to Agree Strongly with an Opinion.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
I couldn't agree more!

That's absolutely true!
Absolutely!
I agree with your point.
I'd go along with you there.
I'm with you on that.
That's just what I was thinking.
That's exactly what I think.
That's a good point.
That's just how I see it.
That's exactly my opinion.
C. How to Disagree Politely with an Opinion.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
I am not so sure.
Do you think so?
Well, it depends.
I'm not so certain.
Well, I don't know.
Well, I'm not so sure about that.
Hmm, I'm not sure you're right.
I'm inclined to disagree with that.
No, I don't think so.
B. How to Half Agree with an Opinion.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Yes, perhaps, however ...

Well, yes, but ...
Yes, in a way, however ...
Hmm, possibly, but ...
Yes, I agree up to a point, however ...
Well, you have a point there, but ...
There's something there, I suppose, however.
I guess you could be right, but ...
Yes, I suppose so, however ...
That's worth thinking about, but ...
D. How to Disagree Strongly with an Opinion.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
I disagree.
I disagree with your idea.
I'm afraid I don't agree.
I'm afraid your idea is wrong.
I can't agree with you.
I couldn't accept that for a minute.
You can't actually mean that.
I wouldn't go along with you there.
You can't be serious about that.
You must be joking.
It's possible you are mistaken about that.
MINI DEBATE With your partner,

One of you will be the pro-side and one the con-side,
The pro-side is responsible for introducing the topic.
The topic will be: Ex " a tree is more important than a car
Then the pro-side has one minute to make arguments for his/her
side.
The con-side has one minute to make arguments for his/her
side.
The students in the class have to decide if they

agree or disagree with the debaters and get
together for arguments.
A Tree is More Important than a

Car
I AGREE
TREES are more important:
Trees are good for the

environment
Cars pollute the
environment
Trees prevent erosion.
Trees are beautiful.
I DISAGREE
CARS are more important:
Cars are necessary

for transportation.
Cars contribute to
business
development and
commerce.
Ex " a tree is more important than a

car"
Disagree
I'm afraid I'm not

convinced.
Agree
I don't entirely
agree.
I'm not sure about

that.
I can't agree with

you there.
I don't think that's

quite correct.
I agree
In that case, I
agree.
I'll go along with
you.
I couldn't agree
more.
That's right.
I concur.
Absolutely!
So do I / Neither do I / etc
Im very interested in
archaeology.
I cant stand waiting
in airports.
My friends and I play
tennis a lot.
Ill be going to the
south of Chile in Dec.
I dont believe in
politicians.
So am I.
Neither can I.
So do we.
So will I.
Neither do I.
To agree with a positive

statement:
We use so + auxiliary\modal verb + pronoun:

"I like tea without sugar.'
'So do I.'
To agree with a positive statement:
We use nor/neither + auxiliary\modal verb + pronoun :
"I don't like tea with sugar.'
'Nor do I.' or 'Neither do I.'
To disagree with a positive statement:
We use pronoun + auxiliary\modal verb + not (-n't):
"I like tea without sugar.'
'I don't.'
To disagree with a negative statement:
We use pronoun + auxiliary\modal verb:
"I don't like tea with sugar.'
'I do.
S0 / NEITHER
Example: Im tired. So am I.
I didnt like Jurassic Park.
I cant stand people who are rude.
I should really exercise more.
Ive never been to Fiji.
I like going to the movies.
I usually go on vacation somewhere in the
summer.
Preliminary practice
Agreeing
Exercise 1
Student 1 : I like spaghetti.
Student 2: So do I. I don't like snakes.
Student 3: Nor do I. I like playing tennis.
Student 4 : ?
Exercise 2
Student 1 : I've been to Rio.
Student 2: So have I. I have never done karate
Student 3: Nor have I. I have canoed in a river.
Student 4: ?
Homework
1.
2.
Practice the dialogs and choose one

topic for discussion in class, or get
another topic of your interest.
Choose another topic from slides 8
and 9 make up a conversation with
your partner and voice record the
dialog. Send the recording to the
teacher by mail.
Tom: Well, Ken, if you ask me, theres too much violence on television.
Ken: Im not sure if I agree with you . Ive never read anything about that.
Tom: Ken, its common sense. The point is, if you keep seeing shootings
and muggings, you wont care if it happens on your street.
Mary: I think thats interesting butIve never met anyone who is
apathetic about violence.
Tom: Oh, Im sorry, I dont see what you mean . Would you mind
explaining that point
Mary: Let me put it another way, Tom. The people on my street theyre
not influenced by what happens on TV.
Sue: Oh, but people may care about violence on their street, but not
about violence in general.
Ken: Wouldnt you say that TV is just a passive way of letting off steam?
Sue: Oh, Ken, thats exactly what I mean! People watching violence to
cool off proves my point they get used to violence!
Mary: I think thats a good point, Sue. I mean, Ken, dont you see what
shes saying?
Sue: Yes! Theres got to be a better way to cool off!
Mary: I agree.
Ken: So do I. Anyway, I dont like TV very much.
Sue: (laughs) Neither do I! Its boring.
Mary: Thats true! Why argue about it?
In your dialogue, be sure to

include this language:

Dont you think that?
What about you?
Whats your reaction to that?
Would you like to add
anything?
In spite of this,
For instance
As a matter of fact
Even so
Whats more
Because of this
To put it simply
Unless we, we wont
That sounds like a good idea,
but
Im not really sure
If you ask me
that
that..?

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Agreeing and Disagreeing

Giving opinions and

What do you think?

I think Italian food is fantastic!!

Yes, you are right.

Agree or Disagree with the following

Give your opinion to each of the situations. Do you agree or disagree

I think we should /ud/ cancel

Yes, you are right

I don't really agree with you. I

Listen and watch

Giving an opinion of agreement

Agreeing and Disagreeing

Talk about: (1)

Find the mistakes

Television Plays a Positive Role in

Pick up one argument from the pile.

Part 1: With Your Partner, Think of at

1. Women should quit their job after they get married.

Ways to State Reasons:

AHow to Agree Strongly with an Opinion.

I couldn't agree more!

C. How to Disagree Politely with an Opinion.

B. How to Half Agree with an Opinion.

Yes, perhaps, however ...

D. How to Disagree Strongly with an Opinion.

MINI DEBATE With your partner,

The students in the class have to decide if they

A Tree is More Important than a

TREES are more important:

Trees are good for the

CARS are more important:

Cars are necessary

Ex " a tree is more important than a

I'm afraid I'm not

I'm not sure about

I can't agree with

I don't think that's

To agree with a positive

We use so + auxiliary\modal verb + pronoun:

Practice the dialogs and choose one

In your dialogue, be sure to

Well, from my point of view

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