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Joy English · Level B2 · Opinionsjoy-english.com

Expressing opinions and arguments

Name:Date:

Learn words and linking phrases for discussions and essays, such as claim, evidence, whereas and admittedly.

Choose the best word or phrase

Choose the best answer.

  1. Online courses are flexible. ___, it can be hard to stay motivated without a teacher.
    • a) For example
    • b) On the other hand
    • c) As a result
  2. There is no scientific ___ that this tea helps you sleep.
    • a) evidence
    • b) point of view
    • c) favour
  3. A biased article ___.
    • a) uses a lot of statistics
    • b) is written by an expert
    • c) presents one side unfairly
  4. Most residents are ___ the new park; only a few are against it.
    • a) whereas
    • b) in favour of
    • c) admittedly
  5. Ravi likes quiet holidays in the mountains, ___ his brother prefers busy cities.
    • a) whereas
    • b) admittedly
    • c) in favour of
  6. Her argument was so ___ that everyone in the room changed their mind.
    • a) biased
    • b) admitted
    • c) convincing
  7. What does a writer show by starting a sentence with Admittedly?
    • a) They accept a point that weakens their own argument.
    • b) They strongly disagree with someone.
    • c) They are about to give an example.
  8. We finally ___ Dad to take a day off work and come to the beach.
    • a) claimed
    • b) persuaded
    • c) argued

Complete the argument

Type the missing word or phrase. Use each one once and change the form if needed. Use: admittedly, claim, evidence, persuade, point of view, valid, whereas.

  1. The seller ___ that the battery lasts a week, but most users say it is closer to three days.
  2. Can you give me any ___ to support that idea, such as figures or research?
  3. From an environmental ___, cycling is clearly better than driving.
  4. ___, the new system took a long time to learn, but it has made our work much faster.
  5. Mina enjoys team sports, ___ her twin brother prefers running alone.
  6. That's a ___ point. I hadn't thought about the cost of transport.
  7. I tried to ___ my friend to join the debate club, but she said she was too busy.

Answer key

Choose the best word or phrase

  1. b) On the other handOn the other hand introduces a contrasting point: a disadvantage after an advantage.
  2. a) evidenceEvidence is the facts or information that show whether something is true.
  3. c) presents one side unfairlyBiased means unfairly supporting one side more than another.
  4. b) in favour ofIn favour of means supporting an idea or plan. It contrasts with against.
  5. a) whereasWhereas compares two different facts in one sentence.
  6. c) convincingA convincing argument makes people believe it is true.
  7. a) They accept a point that weakens their own argument.Admittedly shows that the writer accepts something that goes against their own view.
  8. b) persuadedPersuade someone to do something means make them agree by giving reasons.

Complete the argument

  1. claims / claimedClaim means say something is true without proof. The users' experience suggests the claim is wrong.
  2. evidence / proofEvidence is facts or information that show something is true. It is uncountable.
  3. point of view / perspective / standpoint / viewpointFrom a ... point of view means when you think about it in this particular way.
  4. admittedlyAdmittedly accepts a weakness (it took time to learn) before the main positive point.
  5. whereas / while / whilstWhereas compares two different facts in one sentence.
  6. valid / good / fairA valid point is based on good reasons and worth accepting.
  7. persuade / convince / getPersuade someone to do something means try to make them agree by giving reasons.

Joy English · free English practice · https://joy-english.com/vocabulary/opinions-and-arguments