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Chunks Conversation · Lesson 17

Challenging Assumptions

Themed Conversation: Education

Expression Chunks

I'm not convinced that + clause

Meaning: Politely expresses doubt about a claim.

Sample sentence: I'm not convinced that exams are always the best measure of learning.

Use it in your answer:

  • Do good grades always mean a student has learned well?Answer using: I'm not convinced that...
  • Is university necessary for everyone who wants a successful career?Answer using: I'm not convinced that...
  • If someone struggles in school, does that mean they are not intelligent?Answer using: I'm not convinced that...
  • Does using technology in class automatically improve learning?Answer using: I'm not convinced that...
  • Should exams remain the main way schools evaluate students?Answer using: I'm not convinced that...

I wouldn't go so far as to say + clause

Meaning: Rejects an extreme version of an idea while allowing that part of it may be true.

Sample sentence: I wouldn't go so far as to say that university is unnecessary.

Use it in your answer:

  • Do good grades always mean a student has learned well?Answer using: I wouldn't go so far as to say...
  • Is university necessary for everyone who wants a successful career?Answer using: I wouldn't go so far as to say...
  • If someone struggles in school, does that mean they are not intelligent?Answer using: I wouldn't go so far as to say...
  • Does using technology in class automatically improve learning?Answer using: I wouldn't go so far as to say...
  • Should exams remain the main way schools evaluate students?Answer using: I wouldn't go so far as to say...

That doesn't necessarily mean that + clause

Meaning: Shows that one fact does not automatically lead to a particular conclusion.

Sample sentence: Someone may struggle at school, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they lack ability.

Use it in your answer:

  • Do good grades always mean a student has learned well?Answer using: That doesn't necessarily mean that...
  • Is university necessary for everyone who wants a successful career?Answer using: That doesn't necessarily mean that...
  • If someone struggles in school, does that mean they are not intelligent?Answer using: That doesn't necessarily mean that...
  • Does using technology in class automatically improve learning?Answer using: That doesn't necessarily mean that...
  • Should exams remain the main way schools evaluate students?Answer using: That doesn't necessarily mean that...

Question Chunks

Would it be fair to say that + clause?

Sample question: Would it be fair to say that schools focus too much on grades?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

Do you think it's always true that + clause?

Sample question: Do you think it's always true that university leads to better opportunities?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

Topic Phrasal Verbs

Themed Conversation: Education

fall behind

Definition: fail to keep pace

Sample sentence: It's easy to fall behind when several deadlines arrive at once.

Practice questions:

  • What usually causes students to fall behind?
  • Have you ever fallen behind with work or study?
  • What do you do when you realize you’re falling behind?
  • Is it easy to fall behind when learning a language?
  • How can teachers help students who have fallen behind?

catch up

Definition: reach the expected level

Sample sentence: I make a plan when I need to catch up with my work.

Practice questions:

  • What do you do when you need to catch up with your work?
  • Have you ever had to catch up after being absent?
  • How long does it take you to catch up after a vacation?
  • Do you prefer to catch up little by little or all at once?
  • What helps students catch up successfully?

drop out

Definition: leave a course before finishing

Sample sentence: Some students drop out because their circumstances change.

Practice questions:

  • Why do some students drop out of university?
  • Do you know anyone who dropped out and still became successful?
  • When might dropping out be the right decision?
  • What support could prevent students from dropping out?
  • Do you think dropping out carries too much stigma?

Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions

  • What did you enjoy most about school?
  • Which teacher had the biggest impact on you?
  • What subject did you find most difficult?
  • Do you learn better by listening, reading, practicing, or discussing?
  • Have you ever fallen behind in a class and had to catch up?
  • Do you think exams are a good way to measure learning?
  • What practical skills should schools teach more often?
  • Is university still necessary for a successful career?
  • How do you think AI will change education?
  • If you could redesign one part of the education system, what would you change?