兩位貨真價實的考官的肺腑之言完全符合Pat自己對學生口語成績的長期跟蹤調查：口語的分數，只看你的英語水平和答案是否具體、充實，和所謂的“別出心裁”或者是否“積極”完全沒有關系。說得更直接一點：考官坐到口試的小房間里的任務不是檢測智商，也不是做“心理分析”，主辦方交給他/她的唯一任務是要確定考生的英語口語水平到底怎樣。我們需要做的，只是努力去說正確、流利的英文，但是實在沒必要給自己再強加更多的條條框框了（hard and fast rules）。

British Council官方給出的這段話是對這個問題的解答最權威的結束語：“Examiners are only interested in your language and your ability to communicate. That is all they are assessing and judging.”

Is there anything you don't like about social media?

典型的5分答案：

Some people always chat. They don't have time for other things.

典型的6分答案：

Social media can make young people addicted. They spend a lot of time chatting with their friends but don't spend enough time with their parents.

典型的7分答案：

Yes. The main thing I don't like about social media is the loss of privacy. Even strangers can see what I've shared with my friends. Some social media companies also gather their users' personal information and sell it to other companies.

Do you think you are a good neighbour?

典型的5分答案：

I'm good. I'm quiet and nice.

典型的6分答案：

Yes. I'm always ready to help my neighbours. And I don't make noise or play loud music in my flat.

典型的7分答案：

Yes. I'm friendly to my neighbours and I offer help when they need it. I also respect their privacy and avoid asking them questions that are too personal.

When you go shopping, do you prefer to pay for things in cash or by card?

典型的5分答案：

I pay by card. Card is fast and easy.

典型的6分答案：

I prefer to pay by card because it saves time. Counting cash is slow and a bit boring.

典型的7分答案：

I prefer to pay by card because it's a more convenient way to pay. A card is also easier to carry around than cash. And sometimes I can get reward points for paying by card.

What are the ways that social media can be used for positive purposes?

典型的5分答案：

We can chat with friends and classmates.

典型的6分答案：

Chatting on social media is very relaxing. And we can find useful information on social media.

典型的7分答案：

We can keep in touch with friends on social media or make new friends who have the same interests and hobbies as we do. Governments and companies can also share information with the public on social media.

What could you do to have a healthier lifestyle?

典型的5分答案：

Many things, swim, ride my bike, not eat junk food.

典型的6分答案：

I could exercise every day, watch less TV and drink more water to make my lifestyle healthier.

典型的7分答案：

I could be more active and go to the gym regularly. I could also eat more vegetables，like carrots and tomatoes，so I could have a balanced diet.

Did you enjoy doing art lessons when you were a child?

典型的5分答案：

Yes, I like art lessons and I draw very well.

典型的6分答案：

No, they were boring. The art teacher just let us draw things by ourselves.

典型的7分答案：

Yes，I did because our art teacher taught us to draw，paint and make simple sculptures. Those activities were fun and interesting. They also made me more creative.

Do you watch cookery programmes on TV?

典型的5分答案：

Yes, I watch cookery programmes. They are interesting.

典型的6分答案：

Yes, I do. They teach me how to cook well. The food cooked on TV shows looks beautiful and the hosts are very funny.

典型的7分答案：

Yes，I do because the hosts have great cooking skills. I can really learn from them and improve my own cooking. They also have a good sense of humour and many of them teach people how to cook healthy food.

Do you think all children should learn to play a musical instrument?

典型的5分答案：

They should because they can enjoy music when they play it.

典型的6分答案：

I think they should. Playing a musical instrument helps children relax. It's also an important skill all children should have.

典型的7分答案：

Yes，they should because playing a musical instrument can reduce stress. It can also help children increase their concentration. Playing a musical instrument，like the piano or a guitar，is also a good way for them to express themselves.

我們的結論

☆ 5分是掙扎著說出來的（或者另一個極端是無比流利地“噴”出來的），和考官的交流要不然就是基本無效，要不然就特別機械生硬，更像“人機對話”

☆ 6分是思考著說出來的，和考官的交流開始有效，但是并不充分而且也不是很流利

☆ 7分是快速思考之后比較連貫地說出來的，但中間仍然會有正常呼吸和短暫思考所需要的自然停頓（natural pauses）。和考官的交流比較充分，而且已經具有一定的層次感，但是偶爾會出現不導致嚴重誤解的語法、用詞或者發音錯誤