To prepare for Speaking Task 4, I first read the academic text carefully, underlining the main ideas and key terms to get a good understanding of the topic. As I listen to the lecture, I take notes on points that complement or contradict the text. I do not worry if I do not understand every word, but focus on the general idea and the relationships between the two. To connect the information, I compare what the passage says with what the teacher explains, highlighting similarities or differences. Some useful phrases I use to structure my response are: "According to the passage...", "The lecturer mentions that...", "This contrasts with the reading because...", and "Furthermore, the professor explains...".