Part 1:
Give extra information using the EPACT Technique
E- example
P- popularity
A- advantage = benefit
C- cost
T- time
Practice Questions
Study
1. Do you prefer to study at home or in another place? Why?
Direct Answer = I prefer to study at home
→ prefer (v) = to be in favor of (adj)
→ preferable (adj) = favorable (adj)
I am in favor of studying at home
Studying at home is preferable / is favorable for me
→ like (v) = to be my cup of tea (idiom) = to be a big fan of (idiom)
I am a big fan of studying at home
Studying at home is my cup of tea
→ study (v) = review previous lessons (v) = prepare materials for future
classes (v) = complete homework / complete assignments (v) = …
I am a big fan of reviewing previous lessons and completing assignments
at home
Preparing materials for future classes at home is my cup of tea
→ at home = at my house
→ at home = in the comfort of my own room
I am a big fan of reviewing previous lessons and completing assignments
in the comfort of my own room
Extra Information = C + T
→ expensive (adj) = prohibitive (adj) = exorbitant (adj) = costly (adj)
→ to cost an arm and a leg (idiom) = to be beyond my financial reach
because going out is beyond my financial reach at the moment as a
college student.
→ busy (adj) = to have a hectic schedule (v) = to drown in deadlines (v)
→ to be up to my ears (idiom)
Moreover, I am up to my ears everyday with school assignments and
projects so I hardly have any free time to travel to another place to
study. (= so I usually decide to study at home to optimize my schedule)
Full Answer (C+T) = I am a big fan of reviewing previous lessons and
completing assignments in the comfort of my own room because going
out is beyond my financial reach at the moment as a college student.
Moreover, I am up to my ears everyday with school assignments and
projects so I hardly have any free time to travel to another place to
study. (= so I usually decide to study at home to optimize my schedule)
Extra Information = A
→ focus (v) = concentrate (v) = pay attention to (v)
→ comfortable (adj) → comfort (n)
→ private (adj) → privacy (n)
because there is no noise so I can easily concentrate on my tasks.
Moreover, the environment (= my room) is more comfortable and
private, which allows me to study for a long time without getting tired.
Full Answer (A) = Preparing new materials for future classes and
revising for upcoming exams in my own living room is my cup of tea
because there is no noise so I can easily concentrate on my tasks.
Moreover, the environment at home is more comfortable and private,
which allows me to study for a long time without getting tired.
Direct Answer = I prefer to study in another place
→ in another place = outside of home = anywhere beside home
I am a big fan of reviewing previous lessons and completing school
assignments outside of home
Extra Information = E + P
→ such as = like = for example = for instance = ____ is a prime example
→ etc. → etcetera = so on = and whatnot
such as at local coffee shops, in the school’s library, on campus, etc. with
coffee shops being the most popular among college students like me.
Full Answer = I am a big fan of reviewing previous lessons and
completing school assignments outside of home such as at local coffee
shops, in the school’s library, on campus, etc. with coffee shops being the
most popular among college students like me. For me, I can focus more
easily in crowded places.
Plants
1. Do you keep plants at home? Why or why not?
Direct Answer = Yes, I keep plants at home
→ keep (v) = grow (v) = plant (v) = take care (v)
→ plant (n) = flower (n) = vegetable (n) = tree (n)
→ at home = in my front yard / in my backyard = in my garden = on my
balcony
Yes, I have been growing a wide variety of flowers in my garden
Yes, I have been taking care of a wide array of plants on my balcony
Extra Information = E + A
such as sunflowers, roses, lavenders, and so on. Taking care of them
allows me to unwind after a hectic schedule. In addition, they also
provide my living space with fresh air and gorgeous (= vibrant) colors to
beautify my room.
Full Answer = Yes, I have been growing a wide variety of flowers in my
garden such as sunflowers, roses, lavenders, and so on. Taking care of
them allows me to unwind after a hectic schedule. In addition, they also
provide my living space with fresh air and vibrant colors to beautify my
room.
Direct Answer = No, I don’t keep plants at home
Unfortunately no, I am not growing any plants or flowers at home
As much as I want to, no, I am not growing any plants or flowers at
home
Extra Information = C + T
→ properly (adv) → proper (adj)
→ various (adj) → variety (n)
→ supplement (n)
→ afford (v)
because taking care of them properly requires various equipment and
supplements, which cost an arm and a leg so I cannot afford them.
Besides, I usually drown in deadlines so I hardly have any free time for
this activity.
Full Answer = As much as I want to, no, I’m not growing any plants or
flowers at home because taking care of them properly requires various
equipment and supplements, which cost an arm and a leg so I cannot
afford them. Besides, I usually drown in deadlines so I hardly have any
free time for this activity.
Food
1. What are some popular dishes in your country?
Direct Answer = My country has many popular dishes
→ my country (n) = Vietnam (n)
→ has (v) = offer (v) = to be a home to = to be the root of
→ a wide variety of (n) = a wide array of (n)
→ many (adj) = several (adj) = multiple (adj) = numerous (adj)
→ popular (adj) → authentic (adj) = original (adj)
→ dishes (n) = cuisine (n) = specialty (n)
Vietnam is a home to a wide array of authentic dishes
Vietnam is the root of numerous original specialties
Vietnam offers a diverse authentic local cuisine
Extra Information = E + P
for example, Pho, Com Tam, Banh Mi, and whatnot, with Pho being the
most prominent, recognized worldwide. Additionally, such dishes are
often served as breakfast early in the morning.
Full Answer = Vietnam is a home to a wide array of authentic dishes, for
example, Pho, Com Tam, Banh Mi, and whatnot, with Pho being the
most prominent, recognized worldwide. Additionally, such dishes are
often served as breakfast early in the morning because they provide
sufficient nutrition for a healthy body.
Homework: Prepare the following questions using the EPACT technique
1. How much time do you spend studying every day?
2. What kinds of flowers do you know?
3. How often do you cook at home?
