B1 • Lesson 21 of 75

Extended Thinking Time

Handle complex questions with confidence

🌊 Fluency & Flow
📖 Do Prep First →

The Spark: When Questions Get Deep

Welcome to B1! You've mastered the A2 foundation. Now you're ready for the next level.

At A2, you learned to buy time with simple phrases like "Let me think..." and "That's a good question..."

But what happens when someone asks you THIS:

🤔
"What do you think will be the biggest change in education in the next 20 years?"
⚠️ Complex question - needs more than "Let me think..."

This kind of question needs more thinking time. A simple "Well..." won't be enough. You need strategies that:

Today you'll learn: 5 extended thinking strategies for complex questions.

Micro-Skill: 5 Extended Thinking Strategies

These phrases give you MORE time and make you sound thoughtful, not stuck:

"That's something I've thought about before..." Click to expand
USE
Shows you have background on the topic
BENEFIT
Buys 5-8 seconds while sounding engaged
FOLLOW WITH
"and I think..." or "In my view..."

Example:

"What's the biggest problem facing cities today?"

→ "That's something I've thought about before... and I think the main issue is probably housing."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Use this phrase to answer: "What makes a good leader?"

"There are several ways to look at this..." Click to expand
USE
For questions with multiple perspectives
BENEFIT
Shows analytical thinking + buys time
FOLLOW WITH
"but for me..." or "I'd focus on..."

Example:

"Is technology making us more or less social?"

→ "There are several ways to look at this... but for me, I think it depends on how you use it."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Use this phrase to answer: "Should everyone go to university?"

"If I had to summarize my view..." Click to expand
USE
When you need to simplify complex thoughts
BENEFIT
Commits you to a clear position
FOLLOW WITH
"I'd say..." or "it would be..."

Example:

"What's the key to a happy life?"

→ "If I had to summarize my view... I'd say it's about having meaningful relationships."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Use this phrase to answer: "What makes a job satisfying?"

"It really depends on..." Click to expand
USE
Shows nuanced thinking - not black/white
BENEFIT
Gives you time to add conditions
FOLLOW WITH
A factor, then "but generally..."

Example:

"Is working from home better than working in an office?"

→ "It really depends on the type of work and the person... but generally, I think a mix is best."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Use this phrase to answer: "Is it better to live in a city or the countryside?"

"I haven't thought about that recently, but..." Click to expand
USE
Honest admission + still gives an answer
BENEFIT
Sets low expectations, then delivers
FOLLOW WITH
"my initial reaction is..." or "I'd probably say..."

Example:

"How do you think AI will change healthcare?"

→ "I haven't thought about that recently, but... my initial reaction is that it will make diagnosis faster."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Use this phrase to answer: "What will travel be like in 50 years?"

Guided Practice: Handling Complex Questions

For each question, choose an appropriate thinking strategy, then complete your answer:

Question 1: Society

"How do you think climate change will affect daily life in your country?"

Step 1: Choose a strategy and start

💡 Try: "There are several ways to look at this..." or "If I had to summarize my view..."

Step 2: Give your main point

💡 What's ONE key way it might affect daily life?

Question 2: Technology

"Do you think children today spend too much time on screens?"

Step 1: Start with "It really depends on..."

💡 What factors might it depend on?

Step 2: Give your general view

💡 "But generally, I think..."

Question 3: The Future

"What skills will be most important for young people to learn today?"

Speak for 45 seconds using any strategy

💡 Start with your thinking phrase, give 2-3 skills, explain why

Free Production: Complex Question Challenge

You'll answer 4 complex questions in 5 minutes total. Use your extended thinking strategies!

Speaking Timer

5:00

Your Questions:

1️⃣
"What changes would you make to the education system if you could?"
2️⃣
"How do you think the way we work will change in the next decade?"
3️⃣
"What's the most important thing society should do to reduce inequality?"
4️⃣
"Do you think people today are happier or less happy than previous generations?"

Goal: Answer all 4 questions thoughtfully. Start each with an extended thinking phrase!

Recall Zone

A2 Review: Your Foundation Skills

Before adding B1 skills, let's make sure your A2 foundation is solid. Click to test yourself!

From A2 Lesson 1: What are 3 simple time-buying phrases?

"Let me think..."

"That's a good question..."

"Well..."

From A2 Lesson 9: How do you correct yourself mid-sentence?

"I mean..."

"What I meant was..."

"Actually, let me rephrase that..."

From A2 Lesson 16: What's a natural thinking sound in English?

"Hmm..." or "Um..."

Also sentence starters: "So...", "Well...", "You know..."

🎤 Combine A2 + B1!

Answer this complex question using BOTH simple fillers AND extended thinking phrases:

"What do you think is the biggest advantage of learning a foreign language?"

Start with "Hmm... That's something I've thought about before..." then give your answer.

Self-Check

📋 Today's "I Can" Statement

I can use extended thinking phrases to handle complex questions

How confident do you feel?

1 = Need more practice | 5 = I've got this!

Quick Review: 5 Extended Thinking Strategies

✓ "That's something I've thought about before..."

✓ "There are several ways to look at this..."

✓ "If I had to summarize my view..."

✓ "It really depends on..."

✓ "I haven't thought about that recently, but..."

Your Mission Before Lesson 22:

When someone asks you a complex question this week, pause and use one of these extended thinking strategies before answering.

← A2 Mastery