The fastest way to understand the speaking exam is to watch one answer improve. Below, the same individual-response question is answered three ways. (These are original, exam-style examples written for teaching — not reproduced past papers.)
The question: “Do you think students today spend their free time well? Why or why not?”
Level 3 — solid, but thin
“I think students don’t spend free time well because they use the phone too much. They play games and watch videos. It is not good for study. So I think they should do other things.”
What’s happening: there’s a clear position and a reason, which is genuinely fine. But the idea isn’t developed, the example is vague, and the language stays simple.
Level 4 — developed and clearer
“I’d say it’s mixed. Many students do spend a lot of free time on their phones — gaming or scrolling — which can eat into sleep and study. But some use it well, like watching English videos or learning a skill online. So it really depends on the choice, not the phone itself.”
What changed: a more balanced position, a developed reason with a concrete example, and signposting (“I’d say…”, “But…”, “So…”). This is the jump most students can make with practice.
5* — the top band voice
“Honestly, it’s less about how much free time students spend and more about intention. Left on autopilot, a phone happily fills hours with gaming or scrolling, and sleep and study pay for it. But the same device becomes useful the moment there’s a purpose — a student learning guitar from tutorials, or practising English by talking to an app. So I wouldn’t blame the free time; I’d ask whether it’s spent on purpose or by default.”
What lifts it: a genuine, nuanced stance; precise language used with control; and a memorable final line. Note it’s still natural speech — not a memorised essay.
The 5* voice is what HKODO’s Black Belt trains. (For reference, the DSE scale itself runs up to 5**; what we teach and showcase is the 5* voice.)
See how to reach the top band, how to improve, and the complete Paper 4 guide.
Start free: Get a coach’s draft of your own answer — take the 15-minute placement.
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