💡 How to use this lesson

1. A statement or idea that forms the fundamental foundation for a logical argument is called a _____.

2. An explanation or theory that seems reasonable, believable, and likely to be true is described as _____.

3. When an argument is logical, well-structured, and all its parts fit together clearly, it is _____.

4. The underlying reason or explanation for a particular decision or set of beliefs is known as the _____.

5. Maintaining an attitude of questioning and doubt rather than instantly trusting unverified claims is _____.

1. _____ a theory is popular, that doesn't mean it is grounded in fact.

2. In a fair debate, _____ the evidence supports the conclusion, not who presents it.

3. _____ people accept myths without double-checking the facts. It is still a mystery.

4. _____ intuition is always reliable, but feelings can be misleading.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Deep Discussion

"Well, honestly, I'd say knowing how to figure things out is far more vital. If you just memorize facts, your knowledge becomes outdated quite quickly. But if you have critical thinking skills, you can evaluate new information for yourself. For instance, when I read a health article online the other day, I didn't just accept the claims right away; I checked where the information came from. Over time, facts change as we discover more, but a solid method for investigating truth will stand the test of time. So, learning how to search is what really matters overall."

"Um, I think people should generally be free to believe what they want, as long as it doesn't harm anyone else. Personal convictions often give people comfort or purpose in daily life. For example, my neighbor believes that carrying a lucky coin brings good fortune, which is completely harmless. However, it's a different thing when unverified beliefs lead to dangerous decisions, like refusing medical treatment. So, while we can't police what goes on in someone's mind, we have to draw the line when those beliefs cause actual damage. It's about finding the right balance."

"Well, being intelligent doesn't make someone immune to cognitive bias. In fact, smart individuals are often better at justifying their own opinions, even when they're mistaken. They can construct clever arguments to defend a false idea simply because it fits their identity. For instance, a friend of mine who is a brilliant engineer fell for an online financial scam recently because he was overly confident in his judgment. No one can say why human emotions override logic so easily in every case, but in my friend's case it comes down to pride. People often see what they want to see rather than looking at evidence."

"Yes, absolutely. What matters is whether the reasoning is logically valid and based on true facts, not who is delivering it. A selfish person might present a strong argument purely to gain profit, but that doesn't change the logic itself. For example, if a dishonest salesman says it's cold outside and it really is, his greedy intention doesn't make the statement false. It is tempting to think that bad intentions ruin an argument, but judging the speaker instead of the claim is actually a mistake. In the end, logic stands on its own merits regardless of personal motives."

"Well, I don't think so, because extreme scepticism would completely paralyze everyday life. While critical thinking is vital, demanding absolute proof for every single statement is just impractical. For instance, if I buy bread at a local bakery, I have to trust that it's safe to eat without sending it to a lab for testing first. Even if a claim sounds slightly uncertain, that doesn't mean we must halt everything to verify it. We need a degree of basic trust to function smoothly. So, while healthy doubt protects us, total suspicion would bring daily society to a grinding halt."

"Um, I believe we should embrace these open-ended questions rather than feeling frustrated by them. Questions like 'what makes a good life' aren't meant to be solved like a math problem; instead, they encourage personal reflection and growth. For instance, my views on happiness have changed significantly since I started my first job a while ago. It's a matter of exploring different perspectives throughout our lives. Rather than searching for a single rigid truth, we should view such questions as ongoing conversations that help us make sense of our personal experiences, and we should keep an open mind as we have them."