Aims
In this lesson you’ll master the formular for do you prefer X to Y? type questions.
Do you prefer writing letters for sending emails?
Do you prefer talking on the phone or chatting online?
Do you prefer to travel by bike or on foot?
The formular
When the examiner asks you do you prefer X to Y? type questions, you must:
Answer order
- State with one you prefer.
- Compare the two things the examiner mentions.
- Give reasons and examples to explain why.
Language steps
- Master prefer + verb-ing
I prefer walking.
And prefer + to verb.
I prefer to walk.
- Use comparatives of convenience or greater benefit like a native speaker.
Travelling by bus is faster than going by car.
Model answer
Interview: Do you prefer to travel by bike or by bus?
Alice: I prefer cycling to travelling by bus. Cycling is so much more convenient than talking the bus if you’re not travelling too far. Actually, it’s often faster to go by bike because you don’t get stuck in traffic jams! Cycling is also better for my health than all other means of transport, including buses.
Interview: Do you prefer chatting online or talking on the phone?
David: Generally, I prefer chatting online. I nearly always find that chatting online can be more sociable as you can speak to more than one person at the same time. Also, chatting online is often much more fun because you can send smileys, photos, and even videos!
Language step 1 Prefer
Let’s look at how the two IELTS candidates, Alice and David, use the verb prefer.
Alice: I prefer cycling to travelling by bus…
David: Generally, I prefer chatting online…
Obviously, the first thing you need to tell the examiner for this type of question is whether you prefer X or Y. Prefer can be followed by either verb-ing or to verb.
Notice in the examples below that prefer + verb-ing can be followed by either to or rather than, but prefer + to verb can only followed by rather than.
Prefer + verb-ing + to/ rather than + verb-ing.
I prefer cycling to talking the bus.
I prefer eating to cooking.
I prefer baking cakes at home rather than buying them in shops.
I prefer reading a newspaper rather than watching TV.
Prefer + to verb + rather than + verb.
I prefer to cycle rather than take the bus.
I prefer to eat rather than cook.
I prefer to bake cakes at home rather than buy them in shops.
I prefer to read a newspaper rather than watch TV.
Both these forms are correct, and mean exactly the same.
Language step 2 Comparatives
Let’s look again at how the two IELTS candidates, Alice and David, use the comparatives.
Alice: …Cycling is so much more convenient than taking the bus if you’re not travelling too far. Actually, it’s often faster to go by bike because you don’t get stuck in traffic jams! Cycling is also better for my health than all other means of transport, including buses.
David: … I nearly always find that chatting online can be more sociable as you can speak to more than one person at the same time. Also, chatting online is often much more fun because you can sen smileys, photos and even videos!
After you have told the examiner whether you prefer X or Y, you should compare them, so it’s very important to use comparatives correctly.
To form the comparative of an adjective, you should:
Add -er if the adjective is one syllable long.
Add -ier if the adjective has two syllables and ends in -y.
And more before the adjective if it has two or more syllables.
When you compare X and Y, you should use one of the following comparative structures:
X + be + comparative + than + Y
Watching TV is more interesting than listening to the radio.
Cars are prettier than buses.
X + be + not as + adjective + as + Y.
Listening to the radio is not as interesting as watching TV.
Buses are not as pretty as cars.
Extra language point Discourse Markers.
Let’s take a look at how the two IELTS candidates, Alice and David, use discourse markers in their answer.
Alice: …Cycling is so much more convenient than talking the bus if you’re not travelling too far. Actually, it’s often faster to go by bike because…
David … I nearly always find that chatting online can be more sociable as you can speak to more than one person at the same time. Also, chatting online is often much more fun because…
One reason why Alice’s and David’s answer are so good is that both candidates put extra little words (called discourse markers) into their answers in a very native way.
Try to use the following words and expressions more often when you speak English, as they will help make you sound like a native speaker:
Actually/ in fact.
Actually and in fact are very often used by native speakers to introduce something that may be surprising or that slightly changes what was being said before.
It is actually a lot cheaper to go to that supermarket.
In fact, public buses are a lot more environmentally friendly than many people think.
Needless to say
Needless to say is another way of saying obviously or everybody knows that … without sounding rude or arrogant.
I like eating lots of cakes, but needless to say, that will make me fat.
He’s done very badly in his exams, so needless to say, He won’t get into university this year.
Also/ in addition
Also and in addition are used to add extra or further information.
I’m a very sociable person. I prefer team sports such as basketball and football an in addition, I like going to English club with my friends.
I prefer cycling rather than driving a car because it helps me keep fit; in addition, it’s better for the environment and it’s also cheaper!
Besides
Besides at the beginning of a phrase means as well as, whereas at the beginning of a clause it means anyway.
Besides watching TV and talking to my friends, I can relax while travelling on the subway.
I like riding a bike as it’s very convenient way to travel. Besides, it’s cheap and I can’t afford a car.
Source: 31 High-scoring Formulas to Answer the IELTS Speaking Questions
