The Trinity ISE III Collaborative Task is an expanded version of what you may have seen in ISE II, but with a couple of key differences. As always, it’s a slightly odd task, but has solid reasoning behind it. The Collaborative Task is designed to force Trinity ISE III exam candidates to show that they can maintain and control a conversation while using C1 level functional language. To practise, we’ve designed 20 ISE III Collaborative Task prompts on a range of topics which are designated by Trinity for this level.
If you also want to practise the ISE III Conversation Task, check out our post with 120 ISE III Conversation Task questions:
Contents
Dilemmas vs Opinions in the ISE III Collaborative Task
Dilemma prompts
When presented with a dilemma, it’s the candidate’s role to explore the problem through questioning before evaluating the situation. They should then express opinion, caution, reservations and/or sympathy.
Dilemma prompts often come across as a little strange. The examiner may say they have overheard something unusual or that they are worried about a family member. Make sure you listen carefully to the prompt and ask lots of questions before you start offering solutions. The background information that the examiner provides may significantly affect your advice. You also don’t want to run out of things to say before your time is up!
Opinion prompts
If asked to discuss their opinion, candidates will be told a thought-provoking and often divisive statement which encourages them to challenge and justify arguments. They should react and explore the opinion by asking questions before evaluating both sides of the issue.
Opinions feel a bit more natural than dilemmas, but they can still catch you off guard. Make sure you are familiar with Trinity’s list of topics in ISE III because anything related to those could come up and they can get pretty abstract. As always, when discussing your opinion, don’t be too one-sided right away. Always look at both sides of the debate and consider different arguments before making a decision. Just like real life!
20 ISE III Collaborative Task Prompts
Here are 20 ISE III Collaborative Task prompts to prepare for the exam. Consider what the examiner’s backstory would be and how the task may evolve over the 4 minute task. Also, think about what advanced language you could use with each prompt.
Download a pdf version of 20 ISE III Collaborative Task Prompts:
Dilemma prompts
- I’ve just started renting a room in a shared house and my new housemates love to have parties at home. I like having a good time, but I’m not sure how I feel about it.
- I’ve decided to delete all my social media accounts, but I’m worried that I might lose touch with some of my friends.
- I can’t decide whether I should start looking for a new job. I feel like I could be climbing the career ladder faster than I am.
- My niece has decided to join the army as soon as she finishes school, but I’m a pacifist so I’m not very keen on the idea.
- I’ve noticed that my neighbour never recycles and I think I should bring it up next time we see each other.
- I’ve been struggling with sleepless nights recently. I’m not really sure what else I can do to ensure a better night’s sleep.
- My husband never wants to help out around the house and I’m starting to feel like I do the lion’s share of the work.
- I’m thinking about taking my daughter out of school and teaching her from home instead. It’s a big decision to make though.
- A friend of mine is on track to become a professional athlete, but I’m worried he might be heading down a dangerous path.
- A huge chain store is moving in next door to the clothes shop I own. Should I be concerned about it affecting my business?
Opinion prompts
- Family is really undervalued these days. I wish we could go back to the way things were in the past.
- I’ve never understood people who spend all day rushing around. Life should be about taking your time to stop and smell the roses.
- There’s an important international sporting event in my city next week, which is great, but I can’t stand it when everywhere is packed with tourists.
- People are always complaining about online privacy nowadays, but I don’t see what the big deal is.
- I wish I could trust the news I read in newspapers. It feels like everything is so over-the-top and sensationalist that I can’t believe any of it.
- Online dating apps and relationships have gone too far. Nobody knows how to communicate face-to-face anymore.
- I’m so impressed with the way science and technology have improved our lives over the last decade. It really has been revolutionary.
- I can’t stand people who only think about themselves and always want to win. It really drives me up the wall.
- The most important thing for future generations is to ensure they get a good education. There’s no substitute for a well-designed school system.
- Why don’t young people move out on their own anymore? It seems like everyone lives with their parents much longer than they used to.
