Series ID: EDKS-BASIC-ZH-0042 · Lesson No.042 · A2 Reasons, Opinions and Advice
Giving Reasons, Opinions and Advice | 原因、观点与建议
I think this route is better because it is faster. You could leave earlier, or you could take the train.
我觉得这条路线更好，因为它更快。你可以早点出发，也可以坐火车。
A2 communication requires more than saying I like it. You need to explain why, show whether something is a fact or opinion, respond to another view, and give advice with the right level of strength.
这一课训练“理由—观点—建议”的完整系统：说清楚你知道什么、你怎么看、为什么，以及你建议别人做什么。
Chinese Edition Hub · 中文版入口 · ← Lesson No.041 · Making Comparisons and Choices
The reasoning map | 理由观点建议路线
- fact vs opinion
- I think / I don’t think
- in my opinion / for me
- because / because of
- so / that’s why
- for example
- one reason is…
- agree/disagree politely
- should / shouldn’t
- could
- why don’t you…?
- if I were you…
- have to vs should
- advice strength and boundaries
1. Fact | 事实
A fact is presented as verifiable information.
- The train leaves at 8:30.
- The shirt costs twenty dollars.
2. Opinion | 观点
An opinion is a judgement or personal view.
- I think the train is more convenient.
- For me, the blue shirt looks better.
3. Mark opinions clearly | 观点要有标记
Useful frames:
- I think…
- I don’t think…
- In my opinion…
- For me…
- I prefer…
4. I think… | 我觉得……
- I think this café is better.
- I think we should leave early.
5. I don’t think… | 我觉得不……
- I don’t think this route is faster.
- I don’t think we need another bag.
6. In my opinion | 在我看来
- In my opinion, daily practice is more useful.
This is a little more explicit/formal than I think.
7. For me | 对我来说
- For me, the train is the best option.
- For me, mornings are easier for study.
This keeps the claim personal instead of universal.
8. Because | 因为
- I prefer the train because it is faster.
- I stayed home because I was tired.
9. Because of + noun | because of + 名词
- The train was late because of heavy rain.
- We changed the plan because of the weather.
because + sentence; because of + noun phrase.
10. So | 所以
- The train was late, so I called my manager.
- It’s raining, so we’ll take the bus.
11. That’s why | 这就是为什么
- The station is near my home. That’s why I use the train.
12. One reason is… | 一个原因是……
- One reason is the price.
- One reason is that the train is more reliable.
13. Another reason is… | 另一个原因是……
Useful for building a short opinion paragraph or answer.
14. For example | 例如
- Public transport can be convenient. For example, I can read on the train.
15. Such as | 比如
- I enjoy outdoor activities such as walking and cycling.
16. Reason + example | 原因 + 例子
I prefer studying in the morning because I have more energy. For example, I can concentrate better before work.
17. Opinion ladder | 观点阶梯
- opinion
- reason
- example
- conclusion
18. Ask for reasons | 问原因
- Why do you think that?
- Why do you prefer this one?
- What is the main reason?
19. Ask for opinion | 问观点
- What do you think?
- Which do you prefer?
- What’s your opinion? — recognition/useful
20. Agree | 同意
- I agree.
- I think so too.
- That’s true.
21. Strong agreement | 强烈同意
- I completely agree. — recognition
- Exactly.
22. Disagree politely | 礼貌不同意
- I’m not sure I agree.
- I don’t think so.
- I see it differently.
23. Partial agreement | 部分同意
- That’s true, but…
- Maybe, but…
- I agree about the price, but not the location.
24. Give evidence, not only stronger language | 用证据，不只是“更大声”
Weak:
This is definitely better!
Stronger reasoning:
This is better for me because it is cheaper and closer to home.
25. Should | 建议
- You should leave earlier.
- You should check the timetable first.
should + base verb.
26. Shouldn’t | 不建议
- You shouldn’t wait until the last minute.
- You shouldn’t share your password.
27. Should is advice, not usually a rule | should 通常是建议
Compare:
- You should arrive early. — advice
- You have to show ID. — requirement
28. Could | 可以考虑……
- You could take the bus.
- You could ask for another size.
could often sounds less strong and offers an option.
29. Why don’t you…? | 为什么不……？
- Why don’t you call the clinic?
- Why don’t you try the smaller size?
This is a suggestion, not usually a real question asking why.
30. How about…? | ……怎么样？
- How about taking the train?
- How about meeting at four?
Often followed by noun or -ing form.
31. If I were you… | 如果我是你……
- If I were you, I’d check the price again.
- If I were you, I’d leave early.
This is a common advice frame. Learn it as a chunk.
32. Maybe you could… | 也许你可以……
- Maybe you could speak to your teacher.
Soft, useful advice.
33. You might want to… | 你可能可以考虑……
Recognition/useful A2 phrase:
- You might want to check the weather first.
34. Advice strength | 建议强度
| stronger | You should… |
| medium | Why don’t you…? |
| softer | You could… / Maybe you could… |
35. Ask before advising | 先判断对方是否需要建议
- Do you want some advice?
- Would you like a suggestion?
Not every problem statement is a request for advice.
36. Advice needs context | 建议需要情境
Good advice depends on the person’s goal, limits and information.
37. Avoid pretending expertise | 不要装作专家
For health, legal, financial or safety decisions, simple English advice practice does not replace qualified professional guidance.
38. Give options | 给选择
- You could take the train, or you could leave earlier and take the bus.
39. Explain consequence | 说明后果
- If you take the train, you’ll probably arrive earlier.
- If you wait, the price may go up. — context-dependent
40. Advice + reason | 建议 + 原因
You should book early because the tickets are often cheaper.
41. Advice + alternative | 建议 + 备选
You could take the direct train. If it’s full, you could take the bus instead.
42. Opinions about study | 学习观点
- I think short daily practice is better because it is easier to continue.
- For me, listening practice is the most important area right now.
43. Opinions about travel | 旅行观点
- I prefer trains because they are usually more comfortable.
44. Opinions about shopping | 购物观点
- I think the cheaper item is better value.
45. Advice for study | 学习建议
- You should review old vocabulary.
- You could record yourself speaking.
- Why don’t you practise for ten minutes every day?
46. Advice for travel | 出行建议
- You should check the platform before boarding.
- You could leave earlier if the weather is bad.
47. Mandarin transfer: 我觉得 | I think / for me
- 我觉得这个更好。 → I think this one is better.
48. Mandarin transfer: 因为…所以… | English often does not need both
Chinese commonly uses 因为…所以…. English often uses either because or so in one simple relation:
- I’m late because the train was delayed.
- The train was delayed, so I’m late.
Avoid Because…, so… in standard English.
49. Mandarin transfer: 应该 | should often works, but context matters
Chinese 应该 can express advice, expectation or probability. English may use should in several ways; this lesson focuses on advice.
50. Mandarin transfer: 可以 | can/could/may depend on function
For suggestions, could may be more natural than can.
51. Reading practice A: study opinion | 阅读 A
Mei thinks short daily study is more effective than one long weekly session. One reason is that she remembers vocabulary better when she reviews it often. Another reason is that fifteen minutes is easy to fit into a busy day. However, she still does a longer reading task on Sunday because some activities need more time.
- What is Mei’s opinion?
- What is reason one?
- What is reason two?
- What is the contrast?
52. Reading practice B: advice | 阅读 B
David often misses the bus because he leaves home too late. His friend says, “You should prepare your bag the night before. You could also leave ten minutes earlier. If traffic is bad, you might want to take the train instead.”
- What is the problem?
- What is the strongest advice?
- What option is offered?
- What backup advice is given?
53. Speaking practice: opinion with support | 观点口语
Choose one topic and speak for 45 seconds:
- best transport
- best study time
- online vs in-person learning
Use opinion + two reasons + example.
54. Speaking practice: advice ladder | 建议阶梯
For one problem, give:
- should
- could
- why don’t you
- if I were you
55. Writing practice: short opinion paragraph | 写观点段
Write 6–8 sentences with:
- opinion
- reason 1
- example
- reason 2
- contrast
- ending
56. Error clinic | 常见错误
| Error | Better English | What broke? |
|---|---|---|
| Because it is faster, so I choose it. ✗ | Because it is faster, I choose it. / It is faster, so I choose it. ✓ | double connector |
| You should to go. ✗ | You should go. ✓ | should + base verb |
| You could to try. ✗ | You could try. ✓ | could + base verb |
| I am agree. ✗ | I agree. ✓ | agree is verb |
| In my opinion I think… △ | In my opinion… / I think… ✓ | unnecessary duplication |
57. First weak link diagnosis | 第一个卡点诊断
- I state opinions as facts → opinion markers.
- I give opinion but no reason → because/reason structure.
- I give reasons but no example → evidence/example layer.
- I disagree too strongly → soft disagreement.
- I use advice like a command → advice-strength control.
- I give advice without context → ask goal/limits first.
58. Retrieval lab | 提取练习
- 我觉得这条路线更好。 → ______
- 因为它更快。 → ______
- 所以我选火车。 → ______
- 例如，我可以在火车上读书。 → ______
- 我同意。 → ______
- 我不太确定。 → ______
- 你应该早点走。 → ______
- 你可以试试火车。 → ______
- 为什么不先检查时间？ → ______
- 如果我是你，我会早点出发。 → ______
Suggested answers: I think this route is better. / Because it’s faster. / So I choose the train. / For example, I can read on the train. / I agree. / I’m not sure. / You should leave earlier. / You could try the train. / Why don’t you check the time first? / If I were you, I’d leave earlier.
59. Ten-minute daily practice | 每天十分钟
| 2 min | opinion markers | 观点 |
| 2 min | because/so/example | 理由例子 |
| 2 min | agree/disagree | 回应 |
| 2 min | should/could | 建议 |
| 2 min | one advice scenario | 综合 |
60. Seven-day training cycle | 七天训练
| Day 1 | fact/opinion | 事实观点 |
| Day 2 | because/so | 因果 |
| Day 3 | examples/reasons | 支撑 |
| Day 4 | agree/disagree | 互动 |
| Day 5 | should/shouldn’t | 建议 |
| Day 6 | could/why don’t you/if I were you | 选择建议 |
| Day 7 | opinion + advice simulation | 综合 |
61. Self-test: 30 questions | 30 题自测
- Define fact.
- Define opinion.
- Give three opinion markers.
- Use because.
- Use because of.
- Use so.
- Use that’s why.
- Give one reason.
- Give another reason.
- Give one example.
- Ask for someone’s opinion.
- Ask why they think that.
- Agree.
- Disagree politely.
- Partly agree.
- Use should.
- Use shouldn’t.
- Use could.
- Use Why don’t you…?
- Use How about…?
- Use If I were you…
- Explain advice strength.
- Explain have to vs should.
- Give one option pair.
- Give one advice + reason sentence.
- Correct: Because…, so…
- Correct: You should to go.
- Correct: I am agree.
- Give a 45-second opinion with support.
- Give advice for one everyday problem with two options.
Answer key | 答案
1 verifiable information; 2 personal judgement/view; 3 I think/In my opinion/For me; 4–25 answers vary; 26 use either because or so structure; 27 You should go; 28 I agree; 29–30 performance tasks.
62. For parents and teachers | 给家长和老师
Require reasons for opinions, but keep the content age-appropriate and low stakes.
Teach advice as graded choices rather than one fixed command form.
For Mandarin speakers, explicitly contrast 因为…所以… with standard English connector patterns and discuss how 应该/可以 map differently by function.
Teach epistemic humility: opinion is not fact, and advice is not expertise.
63. Final real-world challenge | 最终真实任务
- State three opinions clearly.
- Support each with a reason.
- Add one example.
- Agree and disagree politely.
- Give advice with should.
- Give a softer option with could.
- Use one conditional consequence.
- Compare advice strength.
- Write an opinion paragraph.
- Hold a two-minute opinion-and-advice conversation.
Next: Lesson No.043 | 下一课
Reasons and opinions help explain the present. The next lesson strengthens storytelling by combining a background action with a main event: what was happening, what happened, and what happened next.
Lesson No.043 · Past Stories with Background and Events · 用背景与事件讲过去故事
Reference floor: British Council A2 Pre-intermediate · British Council A1–A2 Grammar.
