TOPIC 11. 최근 이슈 | Recent Issues & Trends #
최근 이슈 질문은 ‘정답’을 말하는 게 아니라, ‘내 관점과 논리’를 보여주는 구간입니다. 실제 시험에서는 너무 정치적/논쟁적인 주제보다, 내 생활과 연결된 트렌드(재택근무, 물가, 건강, 기술)를 선택하면 안전합니다. AL은 한쪽만 주장하기보다, 반대 가능성도 언급하며 균형을 보여주면 좋습니다.
자주 나오는 질문 패턴 #
- Tell me about a recent issue that has affected you.
- Describe a trend you’ve noticed recently.
- Give your opinion on a modern issue (work style/technology/health).
- Explain both sides and state your preference.
답변 플롯 템플릿 #
[Position] These days, I've been thinking about ________.
[Reason 1] The main reason is ________.
[Example] For example, ________ happened to me / I noticed ________.
[Reason 2] Also, ________.
[Counterpoint] That being said, I understand that ________.
[Conclusion] Overall, I believe ________, and I'm trying to ________.실전 질문 1 #
OPIC 스타일 질문
Tell me about a recent issue or change that has affected your daily life. What happened, and how did you deal with it?
IH 샘플 (짧고 무난하지만, 디테일/감정/연결이 부족한 버전)
Recently prices got higher. I spend more money. I try
to save money and I buy less coffee.AL 샘플 (장면 + 디테일 + 감정 + 리플렉션까지)
Recently, one issue that has affected my daily life is
rising prices, especially food and transportation.
(pause) I noticed it when my grocery bill became
noticeably higher even though I bought the same
items. At first, I felt a bit frustrated because it felt
unfair. So I changed a few habits: I started cooking
at home more often, I plan meals for the week, and I
limit impulse purchases. It's not fun, but it gives me
a sense of control. That being said, I understand
that there are bigger economic reasons behind it.
Overall, I'm trying to be more mindful rather than
just complaining.AL 버전 B (같은 질문, 다른 각도–버전 2로 확장)
It also pushed me to appreciate simple things. (pause) When I make a good meal at home, I feel proud and
calmer than before.
• Issue: rising prices
• Personal trigger: grocery bill example
• Emotion: frustrated
• Action: habits 3개 (cook/plan/limit)
• Counterpoint: bigger reasons 인정
• Conclusion: mindful
• How has this issue changed your spending habits?
• What do you think is the best solution?
• How do people around you react to this change?실전 질문 2 #
OPIC 스타일 질문
Describe a trend you’ve noticed recently in your area or among people your age. Why do you think it’s happening?
IH 샘플 (짧고 무난하지만, 디테일/감정/연결이 부족한 버전)
Recently many people go to gyms. They want to be
healthy. I think it's because they care about health.AL 샘플 (장면 + 디테일 + 감정 + 리플렉션까지)
A trend I've noticed recently is that more people are
focusing on health routines, like going to the gym or
tracking their steps. (pause) I see it in my friends too
- they share workout apps and talk about sleep
quality, which wasn't common before. I think it's
happening because our lives are more sedentary
now, and people feel stress, so they look for
something they can control. That sense of progress
- even small progress - gives comfort. Personally, I
think it's a positive trend as long as it doesn't
become extreme or obsessive.AL 버전 B (같은 질문, 다른 각도–버전 2로 확장)
For me, tracking steps works because it's simple. (pause) It turns an abstract goal like 'be healthier' into a
visible number.
• Trend: health routines
• Evidence: friends share apps, sleep talk
• Reason: sedentary + stress + control
• Emotion: comfort/progress
• Balanced view: positive but not obsessive
• Do you follow this trend as well? Why or why not?
• What are the possible downsides of this trend?
• How do you think this trend will change in the future?실전 질문 3 #
OPIC 스타일 질문
Some people prefer working remotely, while others prefer working in an office. What is your opinion? Explain your reasons.
IH 샘플 (짧고 무난하지만, 디테일/감정/연결이 부족한 버전)
I think remote work is good because you can save
time. But office work is also good because you can
meet coworkers.AL 샘플 (장면 + 디테일 + 감정 + 리플렉션까지)
I think remote work and office work both have clear
benefits, and the best option depends on the job
and the person. (pause) Remote work saves
commuting time, and it helps people focus when
they need deep work. However, office work
supports communication and team culture,
especially for new employees who need mentoring.
That being said, I don't think we should choose only
one. I prefer a hybrid style, where you work in the
office for collaboration days and work remotely for
focus days. In my experience, that balance reduces
burnout and improves productivity.AL 버전 B (같은 질문, 다른 각도–버전 2로 확장)
Also, remote work requires self-discipline. (pause) Without a routine, it's easy to blur the line between work
and rest.
• Balanced opinion: depends
• Remote pros: time + focus
• Office pros: communication + mentoring
• Preference: hybrid + 이유
• Extra detail: discipline/blur line
• How would you design an ideal work schedule?
• What kind of work is better for remote work?
• How does work style affect your mental health?다이얼로그 확장 연습 #
아래는 ‘한 문장 답변 → AL 길이’로 확장하는 연습입니다. Examiner 질문에 대해 먼저 Level 1만 말하고, 사다리처럼 한 단계씩 늘려 보세요.
연습 스크립트 (Level 1 → 확장 힌트 → 내 버전으로 늘리기)
Examiner: Tell me about a recent issue that affected you.
You (Level 1): Prices have gone up, so I try to save money.
확장 힌트: 구체 예시(장보기) + 감정 + 행동 3개 + 결론(마인드풀)
Examiner: What is your opinion on remote work?
You (Level 1): Both remote and office work have pros and cons.
확장 힌트: 균형(That being said) + 하이브리드 선호 + 이유 + 내 경험 한 줄다이얼로그 확장 기록지 (말하기 전에 30초 메모용)
[기록용 메모]
- 내 버전의 핵심 키워드 5개:
1) ________ 2) ________ 3) ________ 4) ________ 5) ________
- 내가 추가한 디테일(장소/사람/감각/수치):
장소: ________ / 사람: ________ / 감각: ________ / 수치: ________
- 감정 단어 2개:
________, ________
핵심 표현 (말로 바로 붙이는 Chunk)말로 바로 쓰는 표현 & 템플릿 #
Chunk Bank (그대로 바꿔 끼우면 문장이 길어져요)
- Recently, one issue that has affected my daily life is ________.
- I noticed it when ________.
- At first, I felt frustrated, so I changed a few habits: ________.
- It gives me a sense of control.
- That sense of progress gives comfort.
- That being said, I understand that ________.
- Overall, I think the best approach is ________.
- The best option depends on the job and the person.
버전 만들기 팁
- 버전 A: 구체적 경험 1개를 깊게
- 버전 B: 습관/루틴을 넓게 + 짧은 미니 스토리 1개
- 버전 C: 비교(예전 vs 지금 / A vs B)로 마무리
플롯 템플릿 (빈칸만 채우면 바로 말할 수 있어요)
[Position] These days, I've been thinking about ________.
[Reason 1] The main reason is ________.
[Example] For example, ________ happened to me / I noticed ________.
[Reason 2] Also, ________.
[Counterpoint] That being said, I understand that ________.
[Conclusion] Overall, I believe ________, and I'm trying to ________.
[버전 B용 추가 문장]
- That being said, ________.
- Looking back, ________.
- If I had to sum it up, ________.
