Today, let’s look at a couple of ways to show sophistication in a G.B.C. answer. The question is about your work life, a common topic in the G.B.C. test.
Here's the question: What do you most like about your job and why?
Here's a sample answer:
Hm, what do I like most about my job? Well, there are a few things, I suppose, and perhaps different people would say different things. Some people might say the money, which is great, but it isn’t the most important thing for me. Someone else might say meeting interesting people from all over the world is their favourite thing, and I really enjoy that, too. But for me personally, the best thing about my job is the challenge. What sort of challenges do I mean? Well, let me give you an example. Last month I was assigned to a new project and the subject was mobile phone technology. To be honest, I don’t know much about telecommunications. I mean, I studied biology—quite a different topic to say the least. In light of that, I was forced to learn all about the new subject in a very short time. I love doing things like that. You see, when I joined this company, I had just graduated from university, but I wanted to keep learning and keep growing as a person. What’s more, I wanted to learn new things and experience new situations. So I chose this job because, on the whole, each project has something new to offer, and it’s a challenge to learn what I have to learn very quickly. In a nutshell, it’s important to do a job you like, and I like pushing myself and finding out new things. This job gives me that opportunity.
This is a great answer because it starts out with a counterargument:
- Some people might say...
- Someone else might say...
Then you state your claim:
- But for me personally...
This answer's claim comes after the counterargument. Beginning your answer this way shows confidence because you are counting on the listener to continue to pay attention until you give the main argument. Speaking like this sometimes should earn you high scores in the Communication of Information section of the G.B.C. test.
The other impressive thing about this answer is that it uses a number of transition and natural phrases (highlighted like so), another big plus in your Communication of Information score.
So show off your sophisticated English in your G.B.C. interview—that's the best way to score highly!
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I suppose—a little weaker than "I think".
Let me give you an example—more natural in spoken English than just "for example".
To be honest—often used to soften a negative phrase.
In light of that—because of this, but used for information that's likely new for the listener.
You see—common in spoken English.
What’s more—more powerful than just saying "and".
On the whole—means "generally speaking".
In a nutshell—means "in short," and it's often used to conclude an answer.