Speaking Lab

Image-based speaking practice with useful phrases, pronunciation focus and model response.

45 minC1c1speakingconsulting-strategy-decision-makingstrategydecision-makingconsultingcomparison

Lesson objectives

Describe, compare and speculate more naturally under speaking-task pressure.
Use useful phrases with better rhythm, stress and connected speech.
Respond to image prompts connected to consulting, strategy & decision-making with C1-level range.

Lesson audio

Listen to the model audio before you answer the lesson tasks.

Speaking — describe & compare

Se te presentarán dos fotografías. Debes comparar ambas imágenes y responder a la pregunta sobre las situaciones que representan. Deberás hablar durante aproximadamente un minuto para la comparación y un minuto adicional para responder a la pregunta. En este ejercicio, enfócate en comparar las diferentes formas de toma de decisiones y entornos de trabajo.

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Useful phrases

In both pictures, we can see... — En ambas imágenes, podemos ver... 🔊
While the first image depicts..., the second one shows... — Mientras que la primera imagen representa..., la segunda muestra... 🔊
There is a striking difference between... — Hay una diferencia llamativa entre... 🔊
It appears as though the team is... — Parece como si el equipo estuviera... 🔊
One could argue that the atmosphere is... — Se podría argumentar que el ambiente es... 🔊
They seem to be in the middle of... — Parecen estar en medio de... 🔊
Judging by their expressions, it's likely that... — A juzgar por sus expresiones, es probable que... 🔊
In stark contrast to the first scene... — En marcado contraste con la primera escena... 🔊
It's hard to tell exactly, but it might be... — Es difícil saberlo con exactitud, pero podría ser... 🔊
The setting suggests a sense of... — El entorno sugiere una sensación de... 🔊
Both scenarios revolve around... — Ambos escenarios giran en torno a... 🔊
Whereas the first group looks..., the second group seems... — Mientras que el primer grupo parece..., el segundo grupo parece... 🔊

Pronunciación

Presta atención a las 'silent letters' en palabras de nivel avanzado como 'subtle' /'sʌtl/ (la 'b' es muda) o 'strategy' /'strætədʒi/. También, practica la pronunciación de palabras con terminaciones complejas como 'decision' /dɪˈsɪʒn/ para asegurar que el sonido /ʒ/ sea suave y no una 'j' fuerte.

Model answer

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In both pictures, we can see professionals engaged in high-level business activities, yet the atmosphere in each is quite distinct. In the first image, a group is gathered around a table, seemingly deep in a strategic consultation. They are looking at a tablet, which suggests a data-driven approach to decision-making. The setting is modern and professional, conveying a sense of collaborative problem-solving. In stark contrast to this, the second image—if we were to compare it to a more solitary setting—might represent individual analysis, but here, the focus remains on teamwork. While the first group appears to be in the middle of a heated debate or a crucial brainstorming session, the lighting and composition suggest a more structured, formal environment. It appears as though they are weighing different options to reach a consensus. Judging by their focused expressions, it's likely that the stakes are quite high. One could argue that this represents the modern way of consulting, where digital tools and face-to-face interaction merge to facilitate complex decision-making processes. Overall, both scenes highlight the intensity of professional strategy.