Opinar y argumentar
The fourth speaking task and the second writing task are both opinion pieces, and the marker is counting how many ways you can introduce one. The trap is the subjunctive: creo que takes the indicative, no creo que does not.
Dar la opinión
En mi opinión
In my view
Followed by the indicative.
Desde mi punto de vista
From my point of view
Yo diría que…
I'd say that…
The conditional softens it, and sounds more native than creo que.
Me parece que…
It seems to me that…
Affirmative takes the indicative: me parece que es caro. Negative takes the subjunctive: no me parece que sea caro.
Personalmente, considero que…
Personally, I take the view that…
For the written task rather than the spoken one.
Estoy convencido de que…
I'm convinced that…
La verdad es que…
The truth is…
Estar de acuerdo o no
Estoy totalmente de acuerdo
I completely agree
Tienes razón en parte
You're partly right
The B1 move: concede, then object. It scores better than a flat disagreement.
No estoy de acuerdo con eso
I don't agree with that
Depende de…
It depends on…
Depende de la situación. · It depends on the situation.
Puede que tengas razón, pero…
You may be right, but…
Puede que always takes the subjunctive: tengas, not tienes.
Yo lo veo de otra manera
I see it differently
Polite and portable.
Argumentar
Por ejemplo
For example
The examiner is waiting for one. Give it.
Por ejemplo, en mi país…
For example, in my country…
Bringing in your own country is rewarded: it shows you can compare.
Una ventaja es que…
One advantage is that…
Un inconveniente es que…
One drawback is that…
Lo más importante es que…
The main thing is that…
Followed by the subjunctive when it is a judgement: lo más importante es que la gente participe.
Aunque…
Although…
With the indicative you assert the fact; with the subjunctive you brush it aside. Both are fine at B1.
Sobre todo
Above all
Hipótesis y cierre
Si tuviera que elegir…
If I had to choose…
Si plus imperfect subjunctive plus conditional. One well-placed use of this lifts a B1 answer.
Sería mejor que…
It would be better if…
Takes the imperfect subjunctive: sería mejor que fuéramos.
Ojalá…
I hope…
Always the subjunctive: ojalá venga.
En resumen
To sum up
Por todo esto, creo que…
For all these reasons, I think…
A closing formula that ties the argument together. Worth having ready.