What a follow-up chain is and why it matters
A follow-up chain is a sequence of linked answers on the same topic that grow in depth across two or three examiner questions. Instead of restarting your thinking each time, you expand, justify, balance, and extend the same idea. This creates coherence, raises the impression of fluency, and shows that you can explore a theme beyond surface level.

Jargon in plain English

• Pivot: a short phrase that changes angle without losing the thread, for example, “from a cost angle” or “socially speaking”.
• Probe: a targeted detail that answers likely curiosity, for example, a number, place, or time.
• Lens: the dimension you choose to examine a topic, such as cost, access, safety, or long term effects.
• Hedge: a softener that keeps claims accurate, for example, “often”, “on average”, “to some extent”.
• Signposting: guiding words like “firstly”, “for instance”, “however”, “as a result”.

Timing and target shape
Expect two to three follow-ups in Part 3. Aim for 40 to 60 seconds per answer. Use a 4-move spine: stance (your view), reason, example, balance or solution. Plan with three keywords only, not full sentences. Keep one micro-buffer line ready to buy two seconds, for example, “That is a fair point” or “Let me take the wider view”.

The Chain Builder template

1. Stance: one-sentence view.
2. Lens: pick two dimensions to develop.
3. Evidence: add one small fact or named context.
4. Balance: state a risk, trade-off, or exception.
5. Extend: predict, generalise, or suggest a practical step.
   When a new follow-up arrives, reuse the template but switch the lens so you do not recycle content.

Example 1 — Online education
Q1: What are the advantages of online classes?
Stance: Access is the main gain. Students outside big cities can learn from specialists.
Evidence: Recorded lessons remove travel time and cost.
Balance: Motivation may drop without peer pressure.
Extend: Weekly live clinics can keep people on track.

Q2: And the disadvantages?
Stance: Quality control is the biggest risk.
Evidence: Some platforms reward short videos over depth, so practice suffers.
Balance: Adaptive quizzes can target weak areas well.
Extend: A blended model, two days on campus and three online, saves travel but keeps interaction.

Q3: How might this change in the future?
Stance: Content will become more personalised.
Evidence: Analytics can adjust pacing in real time.
Balance: Privacy is a concern if schools store detailed learner data.
Extend: Clear consent rules and local storage would keep benefits without exposing students.

Example 2 — Public parks
Q1: Why are parks important in cities?
Stance: Parks protect health and social ties.
Evidence: People near green space walk more and meet neighbours more often.
Balance: Maintenance is costly for small cities.
Extend: Partnerships with local groups can share upkeep in exchange for event rights.

Q2: Should governments invest more in parks than stadiums?
Stance: In most cases, yes.
Evidence: Parks serve more people per taka and stay open all year.
Balance: Stadiums can create a short surge in jobs.
Extend: If a city builds a stadium, attach public courts and a park belt to deliver daily value.

Mini case — Misha from Sylhet
Misha was stuck at Band 6.0 because her follow-ups repeated earlier sentences. She built ten topic cards and drilled the Chain Builder for 15 minutes on alternate days. She tracked three numbers: words per answer, number of lenses used, and whether she added one balance line. After three weeks she moved from 65 to 115 words on average, lenses from one to two, and balance lines from “rare” to “every answer”. In a mock test on urban design, she pivoted from cost to safety and earned 7.0 for clearer development.

Measurable drills you can copy

• 3×6 ladder: pick one topic and answer three linked questions, six times per week. Log words per answer, one number used, and one balance line. Improve one metric by 10 percent weekly.
• 40–20 swap: alternate a 40-second and a 20-second answer to practise concise and developed modes.
• Handover line drill: end answers with a pointer like “the main risk is cost” or “the next step is a pilot program” to invite a logical follow-up.

Common mistakes and quick fixes

• New topic every time → You lose depth. Fix: name your lens and stay with it for one more answer.
• No evidence → You sound opinion heavy. Fix: add a tiny number or named context, for example, “at my college library”.
• Overstating → Absolute claims collapse under pressure. Fix: hedge with “often”, “on average”, “in many cases”.
• Circular answers → You repeat the first line. Fix: add a balance line, then extend with a practical step.

Edge cases and safe responses

• Challenged example: accept and narrow scope. “That is fair; within public universities the trend is clearer.”
• Unfamiliar angle: pivot to a principle. “As a rule, transparency builds trust; details can be adjusted locally.”
• Running long: summarise and hand over. “To sum up, access improves, but quality control is the risk; I would test a blended model first.”

Glossary
Follow-up chain — linked answers that deepen one topic.
Pivot — a short phrase that changes angle while keeping the thread.
Probe — a targeted detail that satisfies curiosity.
Lens — the dimension you apply to the topic, such as cost or fairness.
Balance line — a sentence that adds risk, trade-off, or exception.

Next steps
Pick two topics today and sketch a chain for each. Record a 7-minute session with nine answers total. Rate stance clarity, evidence, and balance out of five. Keep your top three pivots on a small card. In test week, warm up daily with one 40-second answer, one 20-second answer, and one handover line.

1. Actionable closing — Checklist (do and avoid)

Do

• Use the 4-move spine: stance → reason → example → balance or solution.
• Change the lens on each follow-up to avoid repetition.
• Add one probe per answer: a number, place, or time.
• Hedge once to sound precise.
• End with a handover line that invites a natural next question.
• Track three metrics: words per answer, lenses used, balance lines added.

Avoid

• Starting a fresh topic on each follow-up.
• Repeating your first sentence in new words.
• Listing five points with no development.
• Absolute claims with zero data.
• Long buffers that sound memorised. Keep them under three seconds.

Tips and tricks

• Pre-write three pivots: “from a cost angle…”, “socially speaking…”, “in the long term…”.
• Keep a tiny data bank: two safe percentages and two local examples you can reuse.
• When stuck, say, “Let me look at this from the access side,” then give one reason and one example.
• Practise with a metronome set to your natural speaking pace to control rhythm.

CTA: Do one 3×6 ladder today on any topic. Log your three metrics and replace any answer that lacks a balance line. Repeat in two days and raise one number by 10 percent.