On tourism, Uzbek examples strengthen an answer straight away: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. You can agree that tourism brings "more benefits than problems", but with a condition: after both sides, that is a clear and well-argued position.
The task
Statement: Tourism brings more benefits than problems.
| For | Against |
|---|---|
| It creates jobs and income | Prices rise for local people |
| It helps protect historic sites | Crowds can damage historic places |
| It improves the country's image | Culture can become a show for tourists |
You need to present both sides and argue your own position: one minute to prepare, two minutes to speak. This is a practice task in the exam's format.
Model answer (about 2 minutes)
Tourism brings more benefits than problems.
Tourism in Uzbekistan has grown enormously in recent years, so this is a very relevant question for us. I think it brings clear benefits, but only if it's managed carefully.
The benefits are easy to see. Tourism creates jobs not only in hotels but for taxi drivers, guides, cooks and craftspeople, and much of that money goes directly to ordinary families. It also gives the government a strong reason to restore and protect historic sites, because they're now an important source of income. And when visitors go home and share their photos, it improves the country's image abroad, which can attract investment as well as more tourists.
At the same time, the problems are real. In popular places, prices for housing and food rise, so local people sometimes can't afford to live in their own neighbourhoods. Large crowds can damage old buildings that were never designed for thousands of visitors a day. There's also a risk that traditions turn into shows performed only for tourists and lose their meaning.
Overall, I agree that tourism brings more benefits than problems, but on one condition: it needs limits and planning. If part of the income is reinvested in maintaining heritage sites and supporting local residents, tourism can help a country grow without losing its character.
Useful words and phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| craftspeople | craftspeople |
| restore | restore |
| a source of income | a source of income |
| the country's image | the country's image |
| can't afford to | can't afford to |
| designed for | designed for |
| reinvest | reinvest |
| lose its character | lose its character |
How to answer
- Hint at your position in the opening: "it brings clear benefits, but only if...".
- Say who benefits: "not only in hotels but for taxi drivers, guides, cooks...".
- "At the same time, the problems are real" opens the other side respectfully.
- Agreement with a condition is strong at C1: "I agree..., but on one condition".
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The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
The answer shape and C1 phrases: the part 3 guide. The overall format: Multilevel Speaking.
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
