Argue, Hedge & Speculate

The Part 3 toolkit

Part 3 is where Band 6 and Band 8 separate. The examiner asks abstract questions and pushes back on your answers. French argumentation culture rewards conviction: "Je pense que c'est faux, point." IELTS rewards nuance — showing you can see complexity, not just state a position.

Hedging — softening your opinions

Speculation — discussing possibilities

Concession — acknowledging the other side

Why directness costs marks

Compare: "Technology is bad for children. It damages their brains." vs "It seems to me that excessive screen time could have a negative impact on children's development, although the evidence isn't entirely clear-cut." The second uses hedging, a strong collocation, a concession, and sounds like someone who thinks carefully.