I. Asking for and Giving Opinions

(i) Asking for Opinions

(ii) Giving Opinions

F   Inf

It would seem to me that as far as I'm able to judge, As far as I'm concerned, From my point of view, I think In my opinion + SENTENCE Personally, I think As I see it Frankly, I think I reckon

1. Make the following into questions and answers about opinions using the language in the boxes above.

E x a m p l e:

What/think/new divorce law?

Personally ... awful.

What do you think of the new divorce law?

Personally, I think it’s awful.

1. What/ position/introducting paternity leaves?

As far ... judge, it won’t help matters.

2. How/feel/women being treated like second-class citizens?

From ... it’s an outdated approach.

3. I/wondering/you stood/question/Women’s Liberation movement?

As …, it has no future.

2. Use appropriate language from the boxes above to ask for and give opinions in the following situations.

E x a m p l e:

Two friends – a new dishwasher

– What do you think of my new dishwasher?

– Frankly, I don’t think it'll make your life easier.

1. Conference participants – Indian practice of burning brides.

2. Work colleagues – new benefits for working mothers.

3. Female friends – plans for their summer holidays.

Explaining and Justifying

F

The (main)

aim reason motive etc.

for behind

DOING

is so that X is to …

Only by DOING …

can will

X DO

Taking into account factors like X, then + SENTENCE

You’ve got to take X into consideration.

The

main most important

point seems to me that + SENTENCE

It seems to me

evident obvious

that = SENTENCE

Given the circumstances All things considered, In view of X,

I think + SENTENCE

On the one hand … but on the other hand …

SENTENCE + because

I’m convinced that I consider that I’m sure that

+ SENTENCE

It’s important to

keep X in mind remember X.

Inf

Think of Look at

X this way: + SENTENCE

1. Make the following into statements explaining and justifying using the language from the box above.

E x a m p l e:

It/obvious/a campaign like ours will be successful.

It seems to me obvious that a campaign like ours will be successful.

1. The main aim/holding Women’s Conference/to attract people's attention to women’s problems.

2. On/hand/women have access to education, but on/hand they cannot find employment.

3. All/considered/the traditional roles of women are changing.