2 Describe a water sport you would like to try in the future

 What is it
 Where you will do it

 Whether it is easy or difficult

 Why would you like to try it

I’m going to talk about snorkeling, which is quite popular nowadays but
for some reasons I haven’t had the chance to try. So you can do this sport
pretty much everywhere provided thatthere’s a body of water,
preferably a beach with some beautiful submarine landscape.

I’ve heard that the ideal place to go is Coron island where there’s
gorgeous coral. If you can afford overseas travel there’s plenty to choose
from, like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The equipment required for this sport is quite simple, you just need a
snorkel to help you breathe underwater. Obviously it is better to wear a
mask to prevent water from coming into your eyes and fins to swim faster.

I think that there are only definite areas off a beach where you can safely
dive. And also we should not get too far away from the shore or the boat.
Anyway I think I’ll try this sport some time this summer, when it gets too
hot in the city.
Describe a song or a piece of music you like

You should say:

– What the song or music is
– What kind of song or music is it
– Where you first heard it
– And explain why you like it

Sample Answer
I have always been a huge fan of music. I love listening to music because
good music helps me recharge my battery and energy as well as uplift
my spirit after a long day overloaded with work and study. I listen to
many different kinds of music from Rock to Jazz, depending on where I am,
who I am with and how I feel at the time. Today I’m going to tell you about
one of my favorite songs titled ‘Hello’.

The genre is pop, as characterized by its upbeat music and simple, down-
to-earth lyrics. It’s actually a single that just went platinumthis week. The
song is incredibly popular at the moment, I mean, it’s the talk of the
town. It’s been topping the charts for weeks, and has got millions of
streams on music sites.

The person who performs the song is Adele, an internationally

acclaimed artist, hailing from the UK. She’s made a killing with her
albums, but she’s maintained a somewhat low-profile lifestyle. I am a huge
fan of her. I have an impressive collection of her records that I really treasure.
Maybe I would have the fortune to attend one of her concerts.

I first listened to the song last week. It was when I was in the middle
of finals. I was up to the ears in revision and it was incredibly nerve-
racking time, so I needed something to let my hair down. That’s when I
went to YouTube to watch some music videos. The minute I heard Adele’s
voice, I was hooked and totally blown away. I’ve put the song on
repeat ever since.

I am keen on the song for a number of reasons. First, it was her voice that
struck me, which is incredibly soothing, and has a nice warm quality to it.
The lyrics is also dope. It talks about emotions after two people part
ways in a relationship and I can definitely relate to that.
Vocabulary
A huge/big fan of (phrase) really like someone
Uplift one’s spirit (phrase) fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
Overload with (phrase) to put too many people or things in or on
something
Down-to-earth (adj) practical
Go platinum (phrase) to sell 1 million copies of an album
The talk of the town (idiom) if something is the talk of a place, people
there talk a lot about it
Acclaim (verb) praise
Make a killing
(phrase) to have a great success, especially in making money
Low-profile (adj) deliberately not attracting public attention
In the middle of (doing) something (phrase) busy doing something
Up to the ears/neck/eyes in (idiom) involved in a difficult situation, or
with more work to do than you can deal with
Nerve-racking (adj) making you very nervous or worried
Let one’s hair down (idiom) to relax and enjoy yourself because you are
in a comfortable environment
Hooked (adj) if you are hooked on something, you find it so attractive or
interesting that you want to do it as much as possible
Blow away (phrasal verb) impressive greatly
Dope (adj) very good
Part ways (phrase) end a relationship
Describe a quiz program or game show on TV
What programme is it?

How did you know about it?

How is it organized?

and explain what do you think it is worth watching.

So I’m going to talk about a quiz show called “Who is the millionaire?”.
You should know what it’s like because the format is very popular all
around the world.

At the start of the show contestants are gathered and will have to answer
a multiple choice question to decide who gets to be in the Hot seat.
Naturally it’s the person who answers accurately within the shortest time.

When a contestant is selected, he or she will proceed to sit in a chair in the

centre and have the opportunity to answer in total 15 questions that get
harder over time. For every answer that you get right, you’ll be awarded an
amount of money. Apparently if you’re not sure about one particular
question, you can always stop the game and go home with the money. But if
you’re feeling adventurous you can just go with your instinct. And
there’s always three “aids” you can use, for example you can call your
friends for help, or choose to have half of the options eliminated.

It’s great fun to watch and I assume also great fun to play! I don’t
remember if anyone managed to pass all 15 questions but there must’ve
been a few people
Describe an occasion when you got up very early.
You should say:
when it happened
why you got up early
who you were with
and explain how you felt about getting up early.
Related topic:
Describe a long car journey you went on

You should say:

where you went
why you went there
who you travelled with
what you saw on the trip (on the way)
and explain why you went by car.

BAND 8.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

Like many other young people, I don’t have the habit of waking up early
every day, only for special occasions. Last weekend, I and a group of my
friends decided to go on a trip to the mountainous area of my country called
[………..]. We had to leave very early in the morning so that we did not get
stuck in the traffic. In addition, we would have more time to spend there.

It wasn‟t easy to get up early in the morning, because I had been so excited
about the trip that I had barely slept that night. I had never been to this
place before. It is located in the northern part of my country so I knew that
we faced a long drive ahead. We had decided to go by car since, that way, all
5 of us could travel together. Moreover, everyone reckoned that it would be
safer than going by motorbike. Waking up early did not feel that bad at all,
even though it was the first time I had done so for many months. To begin
with, I felt a bit sleepy, but then the pure morning air freshened me
completely.

After 5 hours driving, we arrived at our destination. We were amazed to see

a vast land filled with the yellow color of terraced rice fields, ready to be
harvested. Under the sunlight, these rice fields sparkled like gold. We
stayed for one night with a local host and helped the family with their
regular tasks before setting out for home the next day. It was such an
amazing trip, and it helped us to learn more about the countryside and the
way of life of those who live there. I‟d love to make more trips like that in
the future.
VOCABULARY:
 get stuck: [verb phrase] to be in an unpleasant situation that you can‟t
escape from.
Example: I left work early, because I didn‟t want to get stuck in traffic on
my way home.
 barely: [adverb] something that can be achieved, but only with difficulty.
Example: We barely had time to catch the train, so we ran all the way to the
station.
 faced a long drive ahead: [verb phrase] a long car journey.
Example: My advice is to sleep well if you face a long drive ahead the next
day.
 reckon: [verb] to think or have an opinion about something.
Example: If I want to lose weight, I reckon that I will have to eat less bread.
 freshen: [verb] to make something cooler and more pleasant.
Example: The rain freshened the air.
 vast: [adjective] very big.
Example: The Amazon is a vast rainforest.
 harvest: [verb] to cut and collect a crop, such as rice.
Example: Every year, bananas are harvested from the trees on my uncle‟s
farm.
 sparkle: [verb] to shine brightly.
Example: The sky sparkled with thousands of stars.
 setting out: [phrasal verb] leaving a place and beginning a journey.
Example: I finished my breakfast and set out for the train station.
Describe a meal you had your friends (in someone’s home or in a
restaurant).
You should say:
who organized this meal
where you had it
what you talked about during the meal
what you ate and drank and explain why you had this meal with your
friends.

BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

Last month, I had a get-together with some of my high
school friends whom I had not met since we graduated. Then, we decided
to have lunch at a well-known pizza restaurant in the city centre.
Arriving at the restaurant, we were quickly given the menu.
What surprised me the most was that there were various types of pizza
and drinks; hence, it took me quite a long time to choose the food. After
that, we talked with each other while waiting for the dishes. Some
of my friends were studying at the same university, some had decided
to get a job. And I was especially impressed by the decision of one
friend to take a gap year. She said that as she had a strong passion
for traveling, she would spend one year visiting lots of places.
Then, the dishes were served. The pizza was out-of-this-world and the
drinks were tasty although they were a bit pricey. We kept talking and
enjoyed the meal and drinks for about two hours. Actually, meeting them
reminded me of the time when we studied at high school and I realized
that now we were all grown-up, we had our own plans to pursue. But
we all promised to meet up regularly.

VOCABULARY:
 get-together: [noun] an informal meeting or gathering of friends.
Example: We usually have a family get-together during the New Year
celebrations.
 gap year: [noun] the year that a young person spends working and/or
travelling after leaving school and starting university. Example: I‟m
planning to take a gap year before I start my university course, and I have
decided to go to see India and China.
 have a passion for: [expression] have a hobby or activity that you like
very much. Example: He has a passion for traditional music, and he is
learning to play some traditional musical instruments.
 out-of-this-world: [adjective] used to emphasize how good or beautiful
something is. Example: The variety of Vietnamese food available during the
Tet holiday is out-ofthis-world.
 tasty: [adjective] having a very delicious flavour. Example: When I want
something tasty to eat, I often buy some chocolates or ice-cream.
 a bit pricey: [adjective] a little expensive. Example: Although my
favourite restaurant serves food that is out-of-this-world, it is
unfortunately a bit pricey, so I can‟t afford to eat there often.
 grown-up: [adjective] mentally and physically an adult. Example: She
has a grown-up daughter who works in our local hospital.
 meet up: [phrasal verb] to meet someone, usually by arranging a time
and place with them first. Example: After work, we all met up at the
cinema to watch the new James Bond movie.
 Describe a person who has interesting ideas or opinions

 who this person is

 how you know this person
 what interesting ideas/opinions he or she has
 and explain you think why his/her ideas are interesting.

MODEL ANSWER
I’m going to talk about my friend, Hardy, who is very good at languages and
always has a lot of interesting ideas when it comes to language learning and
teaching. He is a fellowteacher at my workplace so we have had lot of
opportunities to work together.

He is fluent in THREE foreign languages, English, Chinese and Japanese,

in addition to his mother tongue. So you can imagine, as a language
teacher, he has great advantages.

Although language comes to him naturally, he knows that for others it

may not, and always tries to come up with new methods to help language
learners improve faster and achieve better results. In addition
to imparting knowledge, he also does it in an interesting way. For
example, at the start of each class, he would have all the students stand up
and play some warm-up games instead of going straight into doing routine
teaching stuff. Some of the games are even invented by himself and I must
say they are all well thought out. I learn a lot from observing his classes
and look forward to working more with him in the future.
 Describe a prize you would like to win. You should say:

 what prize (or award) it is (or, would be)

 how you know about (or learned about) this prize/award
 what you would need to do to get it (or, how you would win it)
 and explain why you would like to win this prize (or, receive this award)

MODEL ANSWER
The prize I want to get is from a quiz show called “Who is the millionaire?”.
You should know what it’s like because the format is very popular all
around the world.

It is roughly like this, contestants have to answer in total 15 questions that

get harder over time. For every answer that you get right, you’ll be awarded
an amount of money. Apparently if you’re not sure about one particular
question, you can always stop the game and go home with the money. But if
you’re feeling adventurous you can just go with your instinct. And there’s
always three “aids” you can use, for example you can call your friends for
help, or choose to have half of the options eliminated.

Winning the first prize, which means nailing all 15 questions, is what I’m
aiming for. The game requires you to know a bit of everything, so
I’m reading up on areas that I’m not interested in or familiar with. I’m also
looking for people who I can call for help during the program. I think I’m
going for a game next month.
Describe a person you know who dresses well/ Describe a person
you know who speaks a second (or foreign) language well.
/Describe a person (you know) who travels a lot by plane
Describe a person you know who dresses well
You should say:
who this person is
what kind of clothes this person likes to wear (or, wears)
how you know this person
and explain why you think this person dresses well.

Describe a person you know who speaks a second (or foreign)

language well.
You should say:
who this person is
how you know this person
what language this person speaks
how often they speak it
and explain why you say they speak it “well”.

Describe a person (you know) who travels a lot by plane.

You should say:
who this person is
how you know this person
where this person travels to
and explain why they (= he or she) choose to travel by plane
BAND 8 SAMPLE ANSWER:
Today, I am going to share with you a person I know/ who dresses
well/speaks a second (foreign) language well/ travels a lot by plane/. That
person is my friend/boss/…..
As a typical saleswoman for a multinational company, my friend/my boss
has to meet many people from all over the world. That‟s why she speaks
English as fluently as her mother language. In addition, she also dresses
well because appearance is very important in the sales market. She is tall
and thin, thus she always chooses to wear blouses with pencil skirts or midi
dresses because such smart clothes not only complement her figure, but
also give her a formal look suitable for business meetings. Every time she
appears in public, she draws everyone’s attention; people look at her with
admiration. I think that’s one of the reasons why she is such an effective
salesperson.
Due to the characteristics of her job, she has to travel to [……..]/uses
English quite often because our company has a large customer
internationally. As a result, travelling by plane is the only choice. There are
months when she has to go there once a week to prepare for a client
meeting or provide training to new employees/ Being competent in English
helps her a lot in closing the deal with international clients, since nowadays
English is considered to be the most common language in the business
world. She speaks English so well that one of our clients complimented her
on sounding exactly like a native speaker.

VOCABULARY
 typical: [adjective] having all the usual qualities or features that we
expect. A woman whose job is to sell products will usually have to meet a lot
of people, and sometimes these may be international customers. My
friend/my boss is no different – she is a typical saleswoman.
Example: A typical street in the centre of London has crowds of shoppers,
and the roads are full of cars, taxis and buses.
 dresses well: [verb+adverb] she wears a particular style or type of
clothes and these give her a good appearance.
Example: In England, people dress formally when they go for a job
interview.
 appearance: [noun] the way that somebody looks. If you are selling
products, your ppearance must be tidy and professional.
Example: Photographers always follow famous people, so those people pay
a lot of attention to their appearance – they want to look good !
 skirt: [noun] a piece of clothing for a girl or woman which goes from the
waist and covers part of the legs.
 pencil skirts: [adjective+noun] a skirt which is narrow and straight.
Example: Pencil skirts are often worn by professional women, such as
secretaries or executives.
 midi dresses: [noun] dresses which cover the legs to below the knees.
 smart: [adjective] looking clean, new and attractive.
Example: I have to be smart for work.
 complement: [verb] to add something in a way that makes it look more
attractive or improves it.
Example: His smart tie complemented his formal suit.
 figure: [noun] the shape of the body.
 look: [noun] this is another word for appearance – the way that
somebody looks.
Example: My friend has a very professional look when she is at work.
 draw attention: [verb+noun] my boss/my friend attracts the interest of
everyone.
Example: In the world of men’s fashion, David Beckham draws the
attention of the world media.
 customer base: [noun combination] all the people who buy or use a
particular product or service.
Example: We need to appeal to a wider customer base.
 closing the deal: [verb+noun] making an agreement with a customer or
supplier.
Example: As a professional saleswoman, my friend usually closes the deal
and makes a sale to her clients.
 compliment: [verb] to say something which expresses praise or
admiration for a person.
Example: My boss complimented me on the work which I completed last
week.
 Describe a time when you used the internet to solve a problem. You should

say:

 what problem it was

 when you did this
 how long it took you
 and explain why you used the internet to solve this problem.

MODEL ANSWER

So I’m going to talk about this time when I needed a foreign book for my
studies. I was in my junior year in university and we had this assignment
that required us to find the latest statistics, some of which are very hard
to come by.

Apparently in order to get access to new data you must know the right
source and pay some fees. I found out that the statistics that I needed
were published in a book but unfortunately it was not available for sales in
my country. And even if I’d had it delivered, by the time it arrived it’d have
been too late.

So I had to contact a friend in America and asked him to buy a hard copy
then have the statistics pages scanned and emailed to me. It took some time
but eventually I got the data in time. It was a bit of a hasslefor my friend
so I decided to buy him a small gift in return.
 Describe a time when you received a call from someone you do not know in

a public place.

 when it was
 where you were when you received it
 what the call was about
 and explain how you felt (after) when you received this call.

MODEL ANSWER
We often receive calls from strangers and most of the times it’s not
something dangerous. But there was this one time that I really thought
“well, it was close”. So one day I was finishing my lunch in a small
restaurant when I received a call from a strange number. I am a teacher so I
do receive calls from strangers enquiring about my courses. Ipicked
up and the woman on the other side said, in a serious tone: “I am from the
Post Office and you have this letter from the Police notifying you
to cooperate with them in a cyber gambling case.”Needless to say I was
shocked. Never had I even thought of taking part in illegal activity. So I
asked her, breathlessly, what I would need to do next. She was like, if you
want, I can transfer your call to the police station then you can talk to them
directly. I had nearly said yes when I caught myself wondering “How could
this post office person know so much? Are they allowed to open my letter?”
So I decided to go to the post office and see the letter for
myself. Apparently I found out later at the office that there was no such
letter and it was a scam designed to steal money from me. It was very
annoying but fortunately nothing bad happened, nothing that I know of yet
anyway.
 Describe a famous person that you admire/Describe a famous
person that you are interested in

 Who is this person

 What is their specialty
 Why do you admire him

Sample Answers

In my to-meet list, there are so many well – respected celebrities whom I

am desired to meet and spend time with. However, I would like to share
about Pele, who is nicknamed as the greatest soccer player around the Globe.

Initially, I really need to kick off with the point that Pele was just seventeen
when he first played in World Cup in Sweden of 1958 for Brazil. Despite his
very young age, he was selected for the national team participating one of the
biggest sport competition on the planet. Back then, he was not the star player
but when his teammate was hurt, Pele went into the game. He immediately
scored goal and Brazil won the World Cup. By his amazing aptitudes and
skills, Pele was feared by other teams. The Brazilian government even named
him as a national treasure. It is not doubtful to say that Pele is one of the
biggest factors making Brazil’s soccer so well – known. His last World Cup
was in Mexico in 1970. Brazil scored 4 goals against Italy to win the World
Cup for the third time. Another point that I would like to share is that Pele
owns an admirable career that every soccer players crave for. Pele holds
many soccer records such as having over 1000 goals in his career. He was
nominated athlete of the Century in 1980 and became a member of a soccer
Hall of Fame in 1993.

Although he’s now retired from professional competition, Pele is still

considered as a great inspiration for soccer players and lovers.

Outline:

There are a multitude of well – respected celebrities whom I have a

burning desire to have chance to talk to. However, the public figure I
want to share with you today is [………].
 Main ideas:

 Who is he?:
– Lead vocalist – song composer – guitarist
– Born and grew up in….==> embark on his singing careerin…..
 How did you know about him?
– 10 years ago when he joined a nation-wide singing competition
==> catch a glimpse of him on TV ==> hooked by his outstanding
performance/ fall in love with his voice/good-looking/personalities
(gregariousness, sense of humor, creativeness in singing/composing ..)
 Why famous?
– The most known for his hits released in early 2000s ==> produce world-
class songs and awarded international prizes
– Care for his fan –> free concert/show for fans
– Personalities ==> devote time/love/money/effort to helping the
disabled/poor
 Why you liked him?
-Say no to scandals
– Remarkable albums/concerts
– Personalities ==> set a prime example for young people
Conclusion:
Adored by all people | A very decorated singer (many awards)
| extraordinary human being
Describe a place you went to that was full of colour.
You should say:
what place it was
why you went there
what you did there
and explain why you think it was full of colour

Describe a garden or park you visited and liked.

You should say:
where it was
what it looked like
what you did (or, were doing) there [or, what people were doing there
and explain why you liked it.

BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

I would like to share with you my impressions of a garden that I visited last
summer, which was full of colour and interest: Claude Monet‟s house and
garden in Giverny, France.
As a big fan of Monet‟s paintings, especially the famous „Water Lilies‟, I
had always dreamed of seeing he scene in real life. So, when some friends
suggested a visit last year, I jumped at the chance. After a journey of about
an hour by train from our hotel, we arrived at Giverny. The garden was
exactly as he had painted it – it was a riot of colour, from the peaceful white
of the water lilies to the striking reds and oranges which filled some of the
flowerbeds. The two parts of the garden complemented each other
perfectly. We first admired the array of bright flowers and fruit trees in the
Clos Normand, but my favourite part was the water garden, and we
enjoyed a leisurely stroll, taking in all the colours, perfumes and bird songs.
Monet avidly collected prints of Japanese gardens, and these inspired the
Japanese bridges covered with wisterias, the water lilies in the pond, and
the bamboo and weeping willows which he planted.
For me, it was like a wonderland of colours and a dream come true after so
many years.

USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS:

impression: feeling or feelings (in the plural) about the garden

(impressions) “His impression of the meeting was that it didn‟t go very
well.”
fan: although the word is often used in the context of football nowadays,
here it means a person who admires [ Monet‟s paintings]. “She is a huge
fan of Maroon 5.”
jumped at the chance: I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to
visit the garden. “He jumped at the chance to go to Las Vegas with his
boss.”
a riot of colour: a collection of many different colours. “Sandra‟s rose
garden is a riot of colour.”
striking: very attractive and unusual. “The woman he was with was
wearing a striking outfit last night.”
flowerbeds: a piece of a garden or park in which flowers are grown. “He
loves digging in his flowerbeds.”
complemented each other: each part of the garden added something
different to the other part, so that the garden as a whole became more
attractive. “The wine and the fish complemented each other to form
a perfect meal.”
the array of bright flowers: the large and impressive collection of
flowers. “The array of bright flowers in her garden surprised everybody.
They didn‟t realize she had planted so many varieties.”
a leisurely stroll: a slow, relaxing walk. “We went for a leisurely stroll
along the beach this morning.”
taking in all the colours: our eyes noticed all the colours and features
of the garden. “We were taking in all the colours of his garden, when all of a
sudden we heard a large crash outside the garden gate. Two cars had just
bumped into each other.”
avidly: Monet collected prints of Japanese gardens enthusiastically. “He
studied English avidly, from morning until late in the evening.”
prints: copies of original drawings or paintings. “The artist offered her
prints for $100 each.”
wisterias: white or purple flowers which cover walls, bridges or trees.
“The wisterias in the garden were in full bloom.”
pond: a small area of still water, usually in a garden. “There are many
beautiful fish in the pond.”
bamboo: tall tropical plants which have hollow „stems‟ [the long, thin
part of the plant] used for building or furniture. “Pandas love to eat
bamboo.”
weeping willows: trees which grow near water and have „branches‟
which hang downwards. “There are two weeping willows on the property,
but we should cut one down.”
wonderland: an imaginary place in children‟s stories. “The amusement
park was a wonderland for both children and adults.
 Describe an occasion when the vehicle you took broke down during your

travel/ Describe a time the vehicle you were travelling in broke down

 where you were going;

 who you were with;
 how long it took to fix the vehicle;
 and explain how you felt about it.

Model Answer
This actually happened the last time I took the IELTS test. It started at 8 in
the morning so naturally I had to get up at 6. When I got out of the house it
was still dark outside.

The test was going to take place at a hotel, which is only 20 minutes from
my home. So actually if everything’d gone according to plan, I’d have had
an hour or so to relax or revise. But unfortunately, it didn’t.

After riding for about 5 minutes, my bike started to make weird noises, then
the whole engine began shaking violently. I hurriedly shut the engine,
getting off the bike to examine it. But I was no mechanic. And as I
suspected, the engine wouldn’t start again.

So I had to drag it along the street, looking for a repair shop. Luckily it
didn’t take me long to find one, and the repairman only needed 10 minutes
to fix my bike. It wasn’t a happy experience but at least I wasn’t late for the
test.
 IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe your favorite piece of clothing.

 Where you got it

 Do you often dress it
 When you wear it
 And explain why it is your favorite clothing.

BAND 9 ANSWER
I wouldn’t go too far by saying I’m a fashionista or the like even though I
have quite a good sense of fashion and are usually praised for my
excellent choice of clothing. One of the items that I am crazy about and is
probably the most-worn piece of clothing in my closet is my black leather
jacket from ZARA.

Ever since I had my hair cut short, pixie style to be exact, my taste in
fashion has drastically changed to suit my rebellious hairstyle. I
have developed an appreciation for more classic, minimalist and
masculine outfits. Hence, when I saw a mannequin looking so cool but not
less feminine in a black leather jacket at a ZARA store, I couldn’t take my
eyes off of it and ended up buying the jacket and a pair of ankle boots. The
jacket’s jet-black color and classy design make it an
extremely versatile item that can be worn in multiple occasions whether
for a casual date or office wear. I usually wear them on top of
other apparel such as a tank top, a T-shirt or even a sundress to make the
outfit less boring as well as add some rugged flair to my chic style. It is
also featured with some metal zippers and pockets, which prove to be pretty
convenient to keep small items like key chains or some pocket money.
However, the only issue I have with it is the cleaning and maintaining of the
jacket. As it’s a big investment in my wardrobe, there is no way I am going
to get rid of it after only a few wears. Keeping a leather jacket fresh and
usable is a complicated, yet rewarding process because if you do it right, it
could last for years. I believe a decent leather jacket not
only complements my look but also makes me feel comfortable in my
own skin since it represents my personalities as well as personal image
better than anything: strong, rebellious, yet timeless.
 fashionista (v): a devoted follower of fashion
 praise (v): to express your approval or admiration for
somebody/something
 take one’s eyes off of (idiom): to stop looking at someone or something
 jet-black (a): deep shiny black in colour
 versatile (a): having many different uses
 apparel (n): clothing, when it is being sold in shops/stores
 rugged (a): strong and designed to be used in difficult conditions
 wardrobe (n): the clothes that a person has
 complement (v): to add to something in a way that improves it or makes
it more attractive
 comfortable in one’s own skin (idiom): displaying a relaxed confidence
in and clear understanding of oneself and one’s abilities, especially when
presenting oneself to or interacting with other people
Describe some advice you received (from your friend or family
member) which was useful to you.
What the situation was
Who gave you the advice

What the advice was

and explain how useful you think the advice was.

The best piece of advice I ever got came from my Dad.

It happened in my junior year of college. At that time, I was just starting to

think about what I wanted to do with my life. My dad helped me a huge
amount.

Rather than just tell me what he thought I should do, though, he told me a
story about his own life. Immediately after he got out of college, he took a job
in Florida selling real estate. He ended up doing that for something like seven
years. During the entire time he was doing it, he was pretty unhappy. Sure,
he had a pretty happy home life and a good family, but his job wasn’t
rewarding. He took it in order to make money, not to be happy. Eventually,
he found something that interested him. We moved to Ohio, so he could start
a brewery with one of his friends from college. The job was much more
interesting. He didn’t come home at the end of the day relieved to be done
with work. He actually enjoyed what he did.

This story taught me an extremely valuable lesson. I shouldn’t just jump into
a job because it paid well. I should take time to find a job that I would actually
like. Money shouldn’t be the number one concern. It was due to this advice
that I moved here, to China.
Advice Giving

1. Have your parents given you much advice?

Yes, my parents have given me tons of advice. They always do it in a way,

though, where they aren’t just telling me what to do. Instead, they give me
some of their wisdom, and let me do with it what I want. This way, I can make
more informed decisions about important stuff.

2. What kind of advice do parents give their children?

I’ve found that it really varies what kind of advice parents give. Many of my
friends’ parents are really overbearing. They try to force themselves into
every decision their kids make, be it important (like moving) or unimportant
(like buying a hike). Other parents are really hands-off. They let their kids
make all their own decisions. This way kids can learn from their own
mistakes. I think each way has its advantages and disadvantages.

3. What kind of advice do friends give each other?

Friends seem lo give each other advice about things that they have
experienced before on their own. For instance, I’ve lived in China, so I can
help my friends decide whether it’d be a smart move for them. These
situations are useful, because friends are often of the same age, so they can
offer a viewpoint from someone who is going through the same kinds of
situations. Most of the time, though, friends’ advice tends to be about small
things, like what clothes to wear or what stuff to buy. These situations aren’t
really advice, but more suggestions or what they dunk.

4. Do you think young people should follow their parents’ advice?

No, I don’t think young people should follow’ all of their parents’ advice. 1
think they should listen to what their parents have to say. and use that
information to come up with their own decisions. Parents are there to help
kids out when they need it, but not to instruct their kids how to live their
lives. If you rely on your parents too much, you might eventually end up in a
situation where they arc not around to help you, and you have to make a
decision about something you’ve never thought about on your own before.

5. In China, do children ever strongly oppose the advice of their parents?

I’m not too sure. But in my limited experience, it seems that Chinese people
really rely on their parents. Therefore, I think that it’s rare to sec a Chinese
person flat out denying what their parents suggest they do. It seems that they
are far more likely to take what their parents say into consideration than to
not listen to it.

6. In China, do young people ever give advice to older people, for example,
their parents?

I think, yeah, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving advice. You can
make your opinions known, then whoever you are talking to can choose
whether or not to listen to it. Giving advice does nothing more than try to
give the person who is making a decision a little bit more information than
they had before. This is especially so in case of parents and children, because
so many of parents’ decisions affect kids’ lives, so the kids should have a say
in the decision-making process.

7. Which has more influence on young people, advice from their parents or
their friends?

This is a tough but good question. 1 think that when kids are really young,
like under twelve, they rely on their parents more than their friends. When
they become teenagers, though. I think they listen to a much larger
percentage of their friends’ advice. Kids at this age arc really concerned with
being cool and being accepted, and their parents aren’t that big of a help to
them. Their friends know what is cool and what’s not. As they get older,
though, I think that people rely on their friends and family pretty equally. By
this time, I think most people realize the value in everyone’s opinions, so they
consider what everybody says.

8. Have you ever received advice from an expert or professional (other than
your parents)?

Yeah, I guess I have, if you consider teachers professional people. Many a

time I have asked teachers for advice. For example, when I was thinking
about moving to China, I asked my Asian Humanities professor what he
thought about the idea. He thought it would be a great move, and I took what
he said into consideration. Other than teachers, though, no, I haven’t really
had the need to ask experts or professionals for advice. I haven’t made any
big enough decisions that would require anyone outside of my friends and
family.
9. In China, is there anywhere where members of the public can get advice?

<

p class=”p1″ style=”text-align: justify;”>Yeah, there arc places to go for

advice. One I absolutely know of is the Internet. Any time 1 have to make a
decision, I look online for different websites that have reviews or
suggestions about different things. The Internet is a hugely valuable
resource for things like this. Other than that, though, I cant really think of
anywhere people can go for advice.
 Describe situation when a child made you laugh
You should say: who the child was

 (when and) where it happened

 what he or she did to make you laugh
 and explain why you laughed.

BAND 8.5 SAMPLE ANSWER:

One of my best friends has a 3-year-old baby girl; so every time we went
out, she would take her with us.

Her little girl is such a witty kid, and she is always full of energy. As she
begins to be aware of the outside world, she asks a lot of questions just
to satisfy her curiosity.

It happened one day when we went out shopping. While her mother and I
took turns trying clothes on, she was sitting quietly on the bench. Then
she looked at me and her mother and started to express her opinions on
our clothes.

The way she talked was so funny that we couldnt stop laughing. She was so
used to playing with her Barbie doll that she suggested we should dress
like one of her dolls.

She even taught us how to walk like models because she thought that
was pretty.

All the customers who walked in the store noticed her, even the store
owner couldn‟t stop laughing at her since she was still a baby girl,but
she talked and acted like a grown-up

That was probably the best part of the shopping trip that I will never
forget.
 witty: [adjective] able to say clever and funny things
Example: Everybody laughed during the lesson, because the teacher was
so witty.

 satisfy her curiosity: [verb phrase] to have an answer to a strong wish

to know about something
Example: My answer did not satisfy his curiosity, so he asked me for
more details about what had happened.

 trying clothes on: [verb phrase] to put on clothes to see if they fit and if
they look good
Example: Try these clothes on before you buy them to make sure that
they are the correct size.

 models: [noun] people whose job it is to wear and show new styles of
clothes
Example: The dream of many young people is to become fashion
models and appear in magazines.

 grown-up: [adjective] typical of an adult

Example: The child was used to being treated in a grown-up way by his
parents.
Describe a practical skill that you have.

You should say:

What this skill is

How you learned it

When you use this skill

and explain how this skill is useful to you.

Well one skill that I have is playing the guitar.

I learned it when I was young. I learned how to play because I had many
friends that played the guitar and when they played and sang, I knew I just
had to learn. At first it was a little difficult because to be quite frank, I really
didn’t see myself as someone who was musically inclined. I had to tell myself
that I could do it and little by little, a note here and a chord I there, I managed
to pick it up. Even now I have a long way to go with playing but I have found
it enjoyable not just for myself, for others have said they enjoy it as well. I
have had a few guitars and although there arc different styles and qualities,
to me it seems that as long as they have strings on them and you can tune
them they arc fine.

I use the guitar to cheer myself up when I am feeling a little down and also
use it to teach songs to others. I have never made money teaching guitar but
I have made a little money playing and singing. I don’t know if I would want
to pursue this skill as a career but as long as I still enjoy it, I am going to do
it.

Practical Skills

1. Compare the importance of practical skills and academic skills.

Well actually both are much needed in society. It seems to me that practical
skills such as knowing how to cook a meal or clean a house or take care of
children arc slipping, whereas academic skills such as teaching a class or
doing research seem to be on the rise. This is not bad in itself because there
need to be people who are thinking about how things work and how to
improve them, but the skills needed for everyday life shouldn’t be looked on
as any less important than others.

2. How can people learn practical skills?

A lot of these skills can be learned at home with their mother and father
and family. Skills such as sewing, budgeting or maintenance can be learned
from an aunt or uncle, grandfather or grandmother. If more difficult trades
want to be learned, such as plumber or electrician or mason, there are
vocational schools that could leach those. The main thing to learning a skill
is the motivation that is involved.

Children and practical skills

3. What practical skills do children leant at school in your country?

I’m afraid that there are not many. Academics are stressed so highly in
schools that they seem to overshadow practical skills. I suppose students
probably leant to listen to their teacher and how to behave and sit for long
periods at a time and apply themselves. They also have to learn how to
interact amongst themselves in a satisfactory way. They have to learn how to
get up on time and be at their school, which teaches them responsibility. I
guess it would help to define what practical skills we are talking about.

4. Do you think children should learn some practical skills at school?

I think that children should learn practical skills at school. This would help
to prepare them for life outside of school. A lot of times not much thought is
put into how to manage money or take care of an apartment but I think these
skills would be helpful. Life in the working world can be a lot different than
the sheltered life of schooling, so having some practical skills such as those
learned from a part-time job would be beneficial to a student.

5. How useful will these skills be to the children alter they leave school?

Well as I was saying in the previous question, these skills would be very
helpful to children after they leave school. When a teenager goes from high
school to college he has to start managing things on his own without the
security of mom and dad. Even more so when a young adult graduates from
college or university, he would also be very grateful to have some practical
knowledge on how to survive in the working world.

Adult education

6. Do you think it’s useful for adults to attend classes to further their
education?

Sure, why not, if it is something that they find useful in their lives and
something that they enjoy. Learning is lifelong and I don’t know if it has to
stop in old age. Now I know that a lot of times these adults are looked upon
as teachers, but if they feel so inclined why not attend a class to further their
education. If they are not able to keep up with the young students then this
would be a detriment, but if there are no disruptions why not?

7. What kinds of courses exist in your country for adults?

There are wonderful exercise classes that are available for adults. I don’t
know if you have seen large groups of older women out on the streets
performing with various percussion instruments, but these are classes that
help them to work together and perform for audiences. There arc dancing
classes available. There are even English classes available for senior citizens.
There are Tai Chi classes also available to seniors here. As time goes on and
the country develops there will be more classes that will be available for
seniors.
8. What are some reasons why adults might attend classes?
Well I guess one of the main ones is that they arc working and they need to
keep up with the latest technology that will help them to stay abreast of the
latest in their fields. Sometimes they might even be thinking of switching
careers so they take classes to get the training to do so. Other times they
might just want to learn some things in their spare time that will enhance
their life on a recreational level. Other times their bosses might want them
to learn some special skill for the good of the company.

9. Who do you think should pay for adult education—the

government, the student or the company (if it is a work-related course)?
Again it depends on the course and why they are taking it. If it is for
personal gain or gratification then of course students should be responsible
to pay for it. If the government is offering a course and adults are interested
in it then it is already paid for. If it is going to move the company ahead and
bring financial results then of course the company should pay for it. Now if
the company can’t pay for it and it interests the individual then it is up to
him to get the money together to attend the class.
Describe an unforgettable advertisement that you saw or heard.

You should say:

Where you saw or heard it

What kind of advertisement it was

What the contents of the advertisement were

and explain why this advertisement is so unforgettable.

While waiting for my boyfriend to pick me up from work, I was watching

advertisements on the TV in the lobby. That night I saw an advertisement
that has forever stuck in my mind.

It was a commercial for Nike shoes with Michael Jordan. In it he said, “I’ve
missed more than nine thousand shots in my career. I’ve lost almost three
hundred games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning
shot but missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that
is why I succeed.” I couldn’t get that commercial out of my mind, not because
I thought buying Nike shoes would make me as successful as Michael Jordan,
but because of his unflinching determination and perseverance.

Life is full of challenges and difficulties that test our level of commitment. I
believe having determination divides the winners from die losers.
Successful people are not ones who have never failed, but those who kept
trying. As simple as this may sound, it is the one ingredient that separates
the winners front the losers. The one skill that winners acquire is an
understanding that growth is only possible if you have the courage to
change what you have been doing, if it is not achieving the result you desire.
Sometimes success is learning how to fall and recognizing that from that
fall you will learn to grow. And growth is what a fulfilling life is all about.
The influence of advertisements

1. How do advertisements attract attention?

It all depends on what group of people the advertisement is aimed for. Young
people look if it’s cool, hip, or fashionable; whereas older people tend to be
more practical-minded, so those in charge of advertising need to have a clear
idea of who they will be targeting with their advertisement, and plan
accordingly. If the advertisement is geared to the younger generation, then
showing how the product can help kids be more attractive, confident, or
successful is good. Catchy music also helps attract attention and helps
listeners remember it. If you’re trying to reach the older generation with your
advertisement, explaining how the product will give them better health, or
help them relax, or he happier may appeal to them.

2. Do young and old people have the same attitudes towards advertisements?

Definitely not. Every individual has his own unique attitude forward
advertisements and die advantages and disadvantages that advertising
brings. Both old and young people are inclined to believe and think that
advertisements tend to be misleading, dishonest, phony, shallow, and at
times annoying, especially when they’re not well made or dorky. On the other
hand, if done well, they can be very creative, humorous, artistic, and
enjoyable to watch Those, however, are the exception, rather than the norm.

3. Do you think advertisements are a good or bad influence on children?

Looking at todays children, I would have to say advertisements have

predominately had a negative influence on their lives and character. Ads
create a discontentment with what children have and a desire to own more
and to be like everyone else. Advertisements usually tend to be unrealistic
and give a false impression of how the children should he or what will happen
when they buy the product.

4. Do you think advertisements actually influence people to buy tilings? And

How?

When seen a lot. advertisements make products more familiar and ingrained
in people’s mind, so when they want to buy something, they will take a brand
that they recognize. In our country, people want to be like the West and so
they buy what they see on TV that the Western people have. They think that
if they have this Western product, they will be as cool as this person, which
is totally bizarre to my mind.

Government control

5. Does the government control advertisements in any way?

Of course. All TV media is controlled in some way by the government, so

advertisements must be as well. The government prevents advertisements
from having inappropriate content or content that is not in line with
government policy. That is common in every country. I’m sure that if the
advertisement is within normal bounds, then the government wouldn’t have
much to say about it.

6. Do you think there should be controls on advertising?

Yes, I do. Some things should not be advertised, such as cigarettes, which arc
harmful to people’s health. Most people arc aware of their existence, so they
don’t need to be promoted more. Children especially should not be shown
advertisements that make harmful things look cool or interesting.
Advertisements that have age-inappropriate content should also be banned.

7. Do you think that advertisements for products that harm the health, such
as cigarettes, should be allowed?

Now you arc getting into freedom of choice and whether it would be better to
just prohibit something from being advertised to get people to stop using the
product, but unfortunately this just doesn’t work, as prohibition in the States
found out. The best thing would be for the products just to not be
manufactured, but this doesn’t work either because then they would be
produced illegally, becoming more dangerous.

8. Can you think of any example of false advertising?

The biggest example that comes to my mind is McDonald’s advertisements.

Every time 1 go to McDonald’s, I see pictures of happy, thin people with big
smiles and perfect teeth holding hamburgers and cartons of French fries that
are at least three tunes bigger than the real products. This advertisement
clearly ignores three glaring facts. For one, if you cat at McDonalds a lot, you
will not look like the people in the advertisement. Two, the hamburger and
French fries are nowhere near the size pictured. Three, if you stand smiling
lidding a burger, nobody will think you are cool.

9. What kinds of products are most often (most easily) promoted by false
advertising?

Well, most products are really promoted by false advertising. I hate to sound
so cynical but I have a friend in the advertising business, and a lot of so-called
experts advertising their product know absolutely nothing about it. In the
Held of beauty care products, this happens a lot. The poor women sitting at
home with nothing to do except watch TV me so susceptible In this kind of
advertising.
Describe a person you have seen who is beautiful or handsome

– where you saw this person

– when you saw this person
– what the person looked like
– why you think this person is beautiful or handsome
Model Answer
I’m going to tell you about the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. Although
I don’t like to admit it, there is a certain prototype(specific type) of men
that I always find attractive. That would be a dark-skinned, dark-haired
man, maybe Latino or Mediterranean. There is something about this look
that is so exotic to me, as a fair-skinned, light haired freckly (with
freckles) woman.

I’ll never forget this man I saw during my trip in Costa Rica once. As I was
walking along the street one day, I caught a glimpse (saw) of his
gorgeous face behind the bar of a small, local restaurant and bar. After this,
I couldn’t get him off my mind. The next day, I decided to go in that bar
with some friends of mine to see if I could get to know him more.
Unfortunately, it turned out that he was already taken. However, he was
quite friendly so we still chatted for a bit.

I’ll never forget the dimensions of his face. He had dark brown eyes with
long, dark eyelashes paired with a pearly white smile. Everything was
perfectly symmetrical (even) on his face. Furthermore, he has
a chiseled (defined) jaw line which is quite manly and attractive to me.
He had short black hair which fell perfectly on his face with a slight swoop
(falling across his face). I’m a pretty tall woman, standing at about 1.68,
but I noticed that he was significantly taller than me, perhaps about 1.85,
which is uncommon for his country. As I’m not into super buff (super
muscular) men, I liked his slightly muscular, lean build.

Although he was gorgeous, what stood out (caught my attention)to me

most was his smile. He had a friendly demeanor (way of being), which
tends to attract me above all. It seems that we always tend to want what we
don’t have, so I really enjoyed how different looking he was from me, as I
was used to seeing blonde-haired, blue eyed guys in my own country.
Describe An Older Person Who You Admire
You should say:
 Who this person is
 How long you have known him/her
 What qualities he/she has

I would like to describe one of my teachers who taught me at high

school. She had a great influence on me and was a role model whom I
look up to.
Her name is Yen and she taught me Math for 3 years of high school. She
was in her 50s, and so she had a lot of teaching experience. Actually, we
met each other almost everyday as she was also my form teacher.
She cared about us as if we had been her sons and daughters. For
example, she always brought some kinds of medicines so that whenever
her students got a cold, coughed or something like that, she would give
them the medicines immediately.
Above all, I was most influenced by the way she taught us in class.
Her thoroughness in teaching inspired me to study Math, even though I
had not been interested in the subject before. Thanks to her
effective teaching method, I was able to pass the university
entrance exam with a high Math grade. Besides, I was also
influenced by her lifestyle, which was so simple and worthy of respect
that I really wanted to copy her. As she is a warm-hearted person, she
always gave us advice about any problems we faced. At times, I felt that
she was like my friend who I could share everything with. Although we have
now all graduated from high school, my friends and I often visit her at
the weekends to tell her about our daily life at university.

VOCABULARY
 role model: [noun phrase] a person that you admire and try to copy.
Example: Parents are usually the most important role models for a child.\
 in her 50s: [expression] between the ages of 50 and 59. Example: My
mother retired from her job as a teacher when she was in her 50s.
 cared about: [phrasal verb] felt that we were important and worth
worrying about. Example: Everybody had a good opinion of the hospital –
the doctors and nurses really cared about the health of the patients.
 thoroughness: [noun] the quality of doing things very carefully and
with great attention to detail. Example: The report was perfectly organised
and included every important detail, and I had to admire
his thoroughness.
 lifestyle: [noun] the way in which a person or group of people live and
work. Example: When I moved to the countryside from Hanoi, I had to
change my lifestyle completely.
 warm-hearted: [adjective] kind and generous Example: He often gave
money and chatted in the street to poor people that he knew – he was a
very warm-hearted person.
Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in.
You should say:
where this house or apartment would be
what it would look like
when you would like to live there
and explain why you would like to live in such a place

BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

Today I am going to share with you a description of my ideal

apartment that I would like to live in. Since I live in a big city, it is
probably more convenient to buy a condo in a building complex.

I prefer a cozy place, so, I would expect it to be not too big, about 90 to
100 square meters, with 2 bedrooms and 2 balconies. In my opinion,
this size is perfect for a small family of parents and one child. When it
comes to cleaning the house, you would not feel discouraged by all
the chores you have to do.

It would be great if my apartment overlooked [1] a river or bridge, and it

should be located on a high floor like the 10th or above. As a person who
loves color and nature, I would decorate my house with a lot of paintings
and plants. I would make a hanging garden in one of my balconies [2]
and put small chairs and tables out, so that I could sit there and enjoy my
small garden. I would use yellow -tinted bulbs and lamps all over the
apartment to make it cozier.

If I got the chance [1], I would love to make my dream

apartment become a reality as soon as possible, because I have always
wanted to move out of my parents‟ house. Owning an apartment would
allow me to do whatever I want, whenever I want.

VOCABULARY
 condo: [noun] one apartment that you own in a building with other
apartments. However, the shared areas are owned by everyone. Example:
The owners of the condos share the swimming pool and children‟s play
areas that are part of the apartment complex.
 building complex: [noun] a group of similar buildings of one type in
the same place. Example: The buildings in the sports complex included a
gymnasium and a basketball court.
 cozy: [adjective] small, but warm, comfortable and safe. Example:
Although it was cold outside, his small apartment was cozy and so we
stayed overnight.
 balcony: [noun] something that is built on the outside wall of a building,
like a small platform with a wall or rail around it for safety. Example: We
had drinks on the hotel balcony, enjoying the view of the sea.
 discouraged: [adjective] feeling less enthusiastic about something.
Example: when I looked at all the homework that I had to finish, I felt quite
discouraged. However, I decided to start doing it immediately.
 chores: [noun] routine tasks. Example: I have to do some chores every
day, such as cleaning the kitchen and washing the dishes.
 overlook: [verb] if an apartment overlooks a place, this means that you
can see that place from the window or balcony of the apartment. Example:
We had lunch in a restaurant overlooking a lake.
 floor: [noun] all the rooms that are on the same level of a building.
Example: On the 10th floor of my apartment block, there are 6 different
apartments.
 hanging garden: [noun] a type of garden on a balcony or roof in which
many plants are in baskets which hang down from baskets fastened to the
walls.
Example: Many people in our apartment complex grow flowers in baskets
which hang from the walls of their balconies.
 yellow-tinted: [adjective] having a light yellow colour. Example:
The yellow-tinted lights gave our apartment a relaxing and cozy
atmosphere.

5 (100%) 1 vote[s]
 Describe something that was lost by others but found by you/
Describe a time you found something someone lost. You should
say:

 what it was;
 when and where you found it;
 what you did after you found it;
 and explain how you felt about finding it.

Model Answer

Just last week my dad lost his wallet. He was sure he dropped it somewhere
in the house, so he went everywhere looking for it but found nothing. I
know my dad is a bit forgetful so it could have been anywhere, in his room,
outside the house or in one of the restaurants that he frequents.

The wallet contains important identification papers and bank cards, and
getting them redone is a big hassle, so he was bent on recovering it.

I thought I’d lend him a hand, looking first inside our house, then went out
asking around to see if anyone has picked it up. Unfortunately after hours
of searching the wallet was still nowhere to be seen.

I’d gone home and almost given up hope when I noticed something in dark
brown lying under a chest of drawers in our living room. It was none other
than my dad’s wallet! He must’ve accidentally dropped it there.
 Describe a success your friend has had that you are proud of.
You should say:

 what it was
 when it happened
 why your friend chose this area of activity
 how easy or difficult it was to achieve
 and explain why you thought this was a success.

SAMPLE ANSWER
I would like to share with you a success my friend has had that I am
particularly proud of. My friend decided to tie the knot quite soon, right
after she had finished her study at university. Therefore, she had to stay at
home to take care of her new born baby for 3 years before her son was able
to be admitted to kindergarten. After that, she had so much free time that
she decided to get a job with the aim to earning more money and enlarging
her social network. As she got a bachelor degree in accounting, she set a
target to pursue this field. Unfortunately, the competition in applying for a
job in accounting was so hard. She finally figured out that she had to get an
ACCA certificate to be qualified for a vacancy in accounting department
in her desired company.

This certificate was quite challenging to get, not only for the one who had
left school so long as her, but also for the whole. She had to deal with a
heavy loads of knowledge and textbooks, to revise things she had learnt
before and acquire new things. Once, I looked at her textbooks when she
brought to the cafeteria when we were gathering, I was extremely shocked
because they were very thick and complicated. She had to understand and
memorize all of them, which impressed me a lot as she was not good at
studying when we were at school. At that time, she was busy as a bee,
always attending training class in the daytime and burning the midnight
oil night after night. Never ever in my life had I seen her so determined.
After 3 months of hard work, she finally managed to get that certificate.
Now that she is currently working for her desired company, even get
promoted recently, we’re still talking a lot about those days. All of us feel so
proud of her success.
 VOCABULARY:
 tie the knot: get married
Ex: She’s planning to tie the knot with her boyfriend next month.

 admit someone (in)to (some

place): to allow someone to enter some place.
Ex: They refused to admit us into the theater.

 With the aim to: in order to

Ex: She tried to study English with the aim to becoming a bilingual.

 Set a target to V: be determined to V

Ex: she set a target to pursue this field
CUE CARD FOR IELTS SPEAKING PART 2
Describe an outdoor activity that you like doing.
You should say:
what this activity is
When you do it
where you do it
and explain why you like it.
Band 9.0 Sample Answer:
I really enjoy running. Not the fast sprinting kind of run, but father the
more drawn-out jogging kind of run.
I usually like in run when the weather is warm but not too hot, because if it’s
too hot then I’ll be sweating like a camel, and will be so thirsty and red
from the heat that I can’t function for about a half hour alter that. Somewhere
between 21 and 28 degrees Celsius is a good temperature for running.

I extremely dislike running on a track or in wide open spaces, because it

makes me feel like I’m not getting anywhere. I think that the best place to
run is on a smaller, not-so-busy street in a nice residential area. But if there
isn’t a place like flat to run near my house, I’ll run anywhere—even on a
track.

One reason that I enjoy running is it’s faster than walking and cheaper than
taking buses or taxis. Also, running is good for your health; the more you
run the stronger your legs, back and lungs get. I also like the rush that you
get when you push yourself farther than you’ve ever gone before, where you
feel like collapsing and keep on running until you don’t even I feel your legs
anymore and it’s just mechanical.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Outdoor Activities
1. Would you say people spend more time outdoors today than
they did, say, 20 years ago?
I don’t really think so. Now with so many modem conveniences there’s less
need In work- outdoors; There are so many offices and indoor jobs now
that’s almost considered “low class” to do manual labor or work outside.
Most middle-class working people do not get sufficient amounts of exercise,
and as a result are weak and more prone to sickness.
2. Are there any outdoor activities that many people used to do
but which most people don’t do now?
One of the main ones that l can think of is walking People still walk, but not
in the same proportion that they used to years ago. Walking used lo be the
main source of travel, unless you could afford a horse, donkey, or mule. But
now with cars, buses, and the Internet, people do a lot less walking to gel to
work, the store, or wherever they need to go.
3. What are the most popular outdoor activities in your country?
Many people enjoy playing badminton, riding bicycles, and walking.
Some sports that have been adopted from other cultures are also popular,
such as basketball, tennis, and track spoils. One outdoor activity that most
people, both old and young like is table tennis, it is a national sport in our
country so it’s not really surprising that so many people enjoy playing it.

4. Do old and young people like doing the same kinds of activities
outdoors?
It really depends on the people playing sports, because some old people are
very til and can keep up with the younger ones quite well. But for the most
part old people generally don’t exert themselves physically as much us
the younger ones do. They’d much rather take a walk or play badminton
than climb a mountain or play a full-court game of basketball.

Working Outdoors
5. What do you think no some of the differences between
working outdoors, compared to say, working in an office?
If you’re always indoors then you’ll get weak and sick easier; whereas if you
work outside then you’re getting fresh air and sunshine, which are two
things that everyone needs to stay healthy. If you’re working outdoors, then
you’ll probably he much more physically fit and a whole lot stronger than if
you’re sitting at your desk all day. Of course if you don’t have a balanced life
then you’re bound to have complications, and if you don’t spend at least a
few hours on your computer every day you might not be able to sleep at
night.

6. Do people in your country prefer to work indoors or

outdoors?
Most people prefer working inside to working outside. They’ve had to work
outdoors for so many years that it’s a relief to work inside. I think that a
common mentality is that if you work outdoors you’re low class and can’t
do anything else. This might be true in some eases, but I’m not sure that it’s
true with everyone.

7. If you had to choose an outdoors job, what would you choose

lo do?
I would probably choose a job where you have to exert yourself physically.
Maybe I’d work on a farm or some job like that, although I’d like to learn
carpentry. Oh, I know I’d work at a zoo cleaning the monkey cages. And
when I’d have time off I’d go to the elephant cage and feed them peanuts.

Outdoor Environment
8. How do you think climate and the environment affect what
activities people do outdoors?
If it’s really cold then you can’t do some of the things that you can when it’s
really hot. If you try to play basketball the ball won’t bounce so well because
the cold makes it flat. That’s why they have indoor basketball courts; they
keep it warm so that the ball can bounce and the teams can play without
freezing. In the cold climates you can skate, ski and snowboard, and in hot
climates you can surf, swim, and play football or basketball.

9. Do you think the air quality in your hometown has improved

or worsened in recent years?
Improvement as far as air pollution is concerned is an impossibility, if the
air has steadily gotten worse at an alarming rate. Over the past few years
more people have gotten cars, more factories have been constructed, and
the air has just gotten worse. The sad thing is that it’s slowly killing us all,
and in a matter of years we’ll all have bronchitis, or maybe tuberculosis—
not a very pleasant thought if you ask me.

10. Do you think it will be easy for the government to solve

environmental problems?
It won’t just be hard, it’ll be almost impossible. As far as air pollution, the
government is fighting a losing battle: every time they pass new regulations
or set the standards higher something twisty happens. Like when the
Russians were conducting the safety tests at the Chernobyl Nuclear
Power Plant, it blew up in their faces. But they should definitely try to do
their best to solve these problems.

11. How do you think the environment in your hometown should

be changed?
If we had more trees and plants around the city then the air would be a lot
fresher. There needs to be some kind of quality control on vehicles that are
going around the city, some of those farm tractors are blowing out black
smoke that suffocates anybody who’s nearby. The sad thing is that people
in my hometown are so accustomed to the environment being bad that they
don’t really care about changing it; they just want to do what’s easiest, even
if it means mining their health and slowly killing themselves.
Describe something you do that keeps you fit. (or, that helps to
keep you fit)

what it is
how often you do it
how you do it (or, how easy or difficult it is to do) and explain how it helps
to keep you fit.

BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

Nowadays, keeping fit is everyone’s concern and I am no exception.

Since I am a full time employee, I can‟t arrange time to go to the gym as
often as when I was a student.

However, in order to stay fit, I register for a hip hop class, which is held
twice a week. – Unlike running on the treadmill, dancing is more fun. It
helps me burn a lot of energy. In addition, it enhances my flexibility with
a lot of stretching movements. Dancing also allows me to work on all
the parts of my body. You might look at dancers and think that dancing
is light and easy, but you are wrong. In order to be that flexible and
light, dancers have to work on their core muscles to maintain their
stamina. Dancing can help burn as many as 360 calories in just an
hour of intensive training.

By maintaining a schedule of dancing twice a week, I successfully manage

to keep fit. Not only that, dancing helps me relax after a busy day at work
and my mind is always fresh and alert during and after the class.

VOCABULARY
 keep fit [verb phrase] do physical exercises to improve your strength
and stay healthy. Example: Keeping fit is especially important for people
who spend a lot of their time at their desks, working or studying.
 hip hop: [noun] a type of music [usually with words] played with a
regular beat on electronic instruments. Example: Hip hop is great music
for a keep-fit class, because the regular beat is perfect for repeating physical
exercises.
 treadmill: [noun] an exercise machine with a moving surface that you
can run or walk on, while remaining in the same place. Example: You can
change the speed on the treadmill in the gym, for running or walking, fast
or slow.
 burn a lot of energy/burn calories: [verb phrases] use up the
energy that we get from our food. Example: Athletes burn a lot of
energy, so they need a diet with lots of calories.
 flexibility: [noun] the ability to bend easily when we move. Example:
Without regular exercise, older people lose their flexibility and they find it
more difficult to move easily.
 stretch: [verb] to put your arms and legs out straight and contract your
muscles. Example: These stretching exercises will strengthen the muscles
in your arms and legs.
 core muscles: [adjective + noun] the most essential muscles in your
body. Example: Dancing is an activity which uses all your core muscles.
 stamina: [noun] the physical strength that enables you to do something
for a long time.
Example: The event in athletics which demands the most stamina is
probably the marathon.
Describe a subject that you did not like in the past, but now you like it.
You should say:
what it was
when you studied the subject
why you didn’t like it before
and explain why you have interest in it now.

As a high school student, I learned a number of subjects. Among them, I

was not really into history at the first time. The reason was really simple: I
disliked the teaching method of my teacher. It was boring, and I will tell
you why.

He was a lazy teacher, I thought. He just copied words, facts and figures from
the book to the board and made us to write down what he wrote. Then he
told us to memorize all information if we did not want to receive a low score
for this subject. This made me and my classmates sick.

Later when I grew older, I had a chance to watch a movie about Vietnamese
history. The movie is about King Ly Cong Uan relocating the capital city from
Ninh Binh to Hanoi more than a thousand years ago. I really liked the film
and realized that history is not as boring as I thought. After that I managed
to read more historical articles and watched more historical movies, and now
I am really interested in history.

I think the Ministry of Education should adjust the school curriculum or

train teachers how to deliver history lessons more successfully and
attractively. Without any action, many Vietnamese pupils still hold a
negative attitude towards history.

Model Answer 2:

Well, I’m afraid that the subject that I didn’t like in my high school was
physics. But I had to learn it because of the exams, you know, it was one of
the compulsory courses during the entire middle school for six years.

My physics teacher always tended to be demanding with us, he seemed like

making the abstract theory more obscure, and sometimes I didn’t
understand what my teacher had said, and he also left endless homework to
us, which really made me frustrated. I felt that physics was the most
challenging subject in the world.
Another reason was that there were too many abstract formulas I had to
remember. You know, I was not good at memorising things, so I often used
the incorrect formula in the exams, and made lots of mistakes and got low
marks as a result. But after I grew up, I found that physics was a really
indispensable curriculum in the school education because it could help me
develop the logical and rigorous thinking pattern so that I sometimes found
myself a critical thinker. Besides, with the knowledge of physics, I’m aware
of many physical phenomenon round me, such as optics, mechanism, which
helps me understand the intrinsic principle of many devices.
 Describe a free day off study or work

You should say:

 When did you have this relaxing day?

 Where did you spend this day?
 What did you do on that free day?
 And explain why was it relaxing?

Model Answer
I’m pretty busy now so a day off is quite rare to me. But when I do get free
time, I would wake up early in the morning for a run. Although I don’t like
sweating but it is necessary to stay fit and stay healthy. Afterwards I
normally have a full breakfast, getting enough energy for a new day.

I’m a reader so I always have a few books sitting around waiting for me to
pick up. I would grab some, put them in my bag then head to a nice cafe in
the city centre. My favourite is a rooftop cafe, which allows me to take in the
whole city. It is also very quiet so I can concentrate on reading.

At noon I would have lunch with some friends to catch up on each other’s
lives. It is also a good chance to try out new cuisine in the city. In the
afternoon, I would find some cultural activities nearby, and mind you,
there’s always some in the central area. I love going to these events to make
new friends and appreciate art.
Part 1
What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Where do you live now?
Do you work or are you a student?
How long have you been doing your job?
How was your first day at work?

Street Market
Are street markets popular in your country?

Absolutely! Street food and markets are a huge part of my culture. Many,
no matter rich or poor, go to the streets in the morning to pick up the
freshest produce from the street vendors. The thing is that the street
produce is the best quality and price! You simply cannot find fish or
crabs straight out of (directly)the water onto your plate in a
supermarket.

What is usually sold there?

Principally food, but also miscellaneous items. For example, there’s a street
that sells different electrical parts, secondhand clothing, decorations, and
shoes. But still, the main event is the fresh produce, fish, and meats. That’s
what defines our street market.

Do you think people like street markets?

Definitely. No matter what your economic status (how much money

you have) is, there is always something for you. Moreover, our street
markets are famed for freshness and quality at the lowest prices, so why
would dislike that? On the other hand, some people fear being ripped off
(being charged a higher price), so they avoid the street markets.

Sharing
Have you shared anything with others recently?
Yes! Actually, I got a box of 6 bottles of red wine as a gift recently. Since I
cannot consume all of that, I’ve shared 3 bottles with my friends, as red
wine is a luxury here in Asia. I enjoy sharing alcohol with people, as it’s
something that puts you in a good mood!

What do you like to share?

That’s an interesting question. I’m a pretty generous person, so I’m happy

to share most of my things. However, I particularly enjoy sharing my food
with others. I feel that food is one basic thing that undoubtedly makes
everyone happy. It’s a win-win (always a benefit) situation.

What kinds of things are not suitable for sharing?

Well, for me, I’m extremely petite (small), so it’s difficult for me to share
clothes with my friends. It’s quite a task for me to find clothes my size, so I
don’t like to risk others stretching them out (to make
bigger). Furthermore, I think it’s unsanitary to share certain items, like a
toothbrush or a toothpick.

Did your parents teach you to share when you were a child?

Of course! Actually, since I’m one of 7 children, sharing was unavoidable.

After one child grew bigger, we always shared their hand-me-downs
(secondhand clothing). Furthermore, during a meal, we each started
with a small portion to make sure everyone got enough, then would go back
for seconds (second portion of food)
Part 2: Describe your grandparent’s job
You should say:

– what it was

– how long he or she had this job

– how he or she got the job

– and whether you would like to have this job

Model Answer
Since I don’t exactly understand what my grandfathers did as a job, I will
tell you about my grandmother’s career. As it was uncommon for a woman
to have a university degree and their own career other than being a stay at
home mom (mother who doesn’t work; stays at home to care for
the house), I really looked up to her (admired) for this my entire life.
She always motivated me to be a strong, independent woman. Now, let me
give you more details.

She was a Registered Nurse, mostly focused on caring for the mentally ill. I
really admired her for her career choice, as her brother committed suicide
when she was young. Because of this, she wanted to provide help to those
suffering from mental illnesses. She studied at a famed university in
Washington, DC and directly after got a job at a hospital nearby. As she was
at the top of her class, she was an extremely attractive candidate for any
position, so she got the one she most sought after (desired). I know that
she greatly cared for her patients there, as my father used to tell me stories
about how she would even invite her patients over to have dinner with their
family sometimes! Apart from working as a full-time nurse, she
also tended to (took care of) her home and four children. She had this
job from her post university years all the way to her retirement at age 65.
All in all, I admire her for having a lot on her plate (having a lot to
do)but still taking the time to take good care of her husband and children,
while still taking the extra mile (doing more than expected of
her) to make her patients feel part of her family, as well.
Although I do believe that nursing is a fulfilling career, I wouldn’t want it
for myself. For one, I cringe (movement in disgust) at the sight of
blood. Moreover, mathematics and the sciences aren’t my strong point, so I
don’t believe I would be a good candidate for this vocation. At the same
time, I certainly respect others in this field. To sum it up, my grandmother
was a woman ahead of her time (a modern, forward woman)!

Part 3
What changes in employment have there been in recent years in
your country?

As far as I know, more and more people, especially the young generations
are involved in setting up their own businesses. Thus, the “start-up”
community is now more alive than ever, especially tech startups.

Which jobs are most respected in your country?

Well, I have never thought about this, but I reckon that professional careers
such as the fields of law, education, and medicine may be the most highly-
acclaimed ones. It is mainly because of the fact that people working in
these fields can easily earn lucrative income compared to others.

What are some of the important things a candidate should find

out before accepting a job?

Well, this is an interesting question. If I were offered a job, I would

definitely go through the company’s compensation package such
as salary, allowances, maternity or paternity
leave, insurance, pension plans, vacations, etc. Also, I’d need to know
about my area of responsibilities so that I can make sure that I will not
be overwhelmed with heavy workloads down the road.
Describe something you do to help you study or work
– what it is

– how you learn it

– when you do it

– and how you feel about the method

Model Answer
I’m going to tell you about the thing which helps me stay focused most:
exercise. I often get bogged down (busy) with work, and it seems like I
cannot stay concentrated if I don’t take a short break to exercise.
Thinking back, I didn’t often exercise during my teen years, which was the
period when I did the worst in school. I believe there is a correlation here.
When I first starting regularly exercising at about 18 years old, I was
surprised to see how much my grades improved.

So, this is when I starting incorporating this habit into my lifestyle. More
specifically, when I know I have to get some work done or study for
an exam, I deliberately (purposely) set my alarm for 45 minutes
earlier so I can run on my treadmill and do some mat exercises before I
begin. Since I work remotely from home, I tend to do this 5 days a week,
during my work hours. When I fail to follow this routine of exercising
before work, I seem to not be able to focus, or better yet even muster up
(to get) the energy to start my day.

I feel like a new person after sweating a bit in the morning. Actually, I feel
like I wouldn’t be able to function without exercise- it’s what gives me
energy. I feel proud of myself that this is what keeps me focused, as it is also
a healthy habit to have. I can re-charge my brain and work on my
fitness simultaneously (at the same time)! All in all, I’m in love with
this method and it makes me feel amazing!
 Describe a birthday celebration that you attended recently.

You should say:

 Whose birthday it was

 who attended the party
 where did it take place

Sample Answer:
I have attended so many birthday parties, but the one I remember the best is
the birthday of my grandfather when he turned 80. That celebration is one
of the best memories I can keep about him.

To people in our country, 80 years old is a special milestone in everyone’s

life as the old people are respected for their experience and wisdom. Thus,
in 80th birthday celebration, people often hold a big and extremely
memorable party, inviting a lot of people to attend. Among invitee list, there
are a lot of our relatives, neighbors, friends and local authorities.

My grandfather’s 80th birthday celebration took place in a convention near

his house. It was such a quality time for my whole family and all our
beloved relatives and friends to sit together. Everyone tried to choose a
special gift for my grandpa. I was a little bit astonishedwhen I saw the
number of gifts my grandpa received, which meant how much my grandpa
was loved. People also sent greetings to him, which are mostly about health.
Then, people enjoyed the party with delicious and well-prepared food.

However, the most lovely part of the celebration was the time after party.
When all of invitees had left, our family gathered together and took a trip
down memory lane. It reminded me of the good old days, when I
was knee high to a grasshopper and still a little stubborn girl who
always got into trouble. No matter how serious problem I got, I could
always ask my grandpa for helps or advice as he would never turn his back
on me.

Time flies so fast, but memory still lasts. Grandpa and his 80th birthday
celebration would definitely be among my sweetest memory.
 Vocabulary:

 turn 80: reach the age of 80.

Ex: I was considered an adult since I turned 18

 milestone: an action or event marking a significant change or stage in

development.
Ex: The speech is being hailed as a milestone in race relations

 wisdom: the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment;

the quality of being wise.
Ex: A stoic is a person who combines the qualities of wisdom , upright
dealing, and courage.

 take place: happen or occur

Ex: When will this party take place? It’s taking place right now.

 Quality time: time that you spend with someone, usually your partner or
child, doing enjoyable things together so that your relationship remains
strong
 astonished: greatly surprised or impressed; amazed.
Ex: He was astonished at the change in him

 took a trip down memory

lane: To reminisce over memories of past events, especially happy ones
Ex: Our family spend more time taking trips down memory lane when we
have dinner together.

 knee high to a grasshopper: very young

Ex: I haven’t seen him since I was knee-high to a grasshopper

 turn one’s back on somebody: to refuse to help or be involved

Ex: How can we turn our backs on people who have no homes, no jobs, no
hope?
Describe a piece of good news you heard (from TV or the
Internet)
– what the news was about

– when you got this news

– where you got this news from

– and why you think it was good news

In a world where negative news seems to take front and center, I’m really
pleased to tell you about a positive news article I came across (saw
without looking for it) the other day. I was looking up some highlights
from 2018 online, and stumbled across some information about how
France is becoming a leader in curbing (stopping) food waste. Let me
tell you about the actions they are taking.

The article talked about how France has banned supermarkets from
throwing away leftover food that is either edible (can be eaten) or usable
as animal feed. Moreover, they have made laws to demand that restaurants
donate their food waste. If they don’t comply to this law, they will be faced
with a fine from 3,500-75,000 euros, or even up to 2 years in prison. There
were some people who were skeptical (suspicious; unsure about) of
these laws, but they commented at the end of the article that supermarkets
and restaurants have since changed their practices in general, and are
becoming much more environmentally-friendly.

I was really moved to read this article. It reminded me of when I read years
ago that we could solve world hunger with the amount of food we waste.
Since global food waste is a colossal (huge) problem, it’s excellent to
know that some action is being taken against this world issue. Although the
laws could be seen as excessive, I think that this is an effective way to
enforce them. Unfortunately, often times it takes new laws and threatens of
fines or jail time to make people change. After reading this, I hope that
more countries follow in France’s footsteps.
 Describe an important decision you made with the help of others

 what it was about;

 who helped you make this decision;
 what happened after the decision was made;
 and explain how you felt about the decision.

Last year I was working in an international company and doing quite well,
so I was offered a big promotion to become a manager. But I had also been
looking for opportunities to study abroad, and received an offer from a
prestigious university around the same time I got the job offer. It was a
scholarship that would cover all expenses, including tuition and
accommodation, an enviable package.

Apparently I was in a dilemma, not knowing whether to stay and further my

career or to go and further my education. So I decided to ask my friend,
Hugo, for his advice, because he once faced a very similar choice. He was
like, If you want to go far in this field, you have to possess excellent
qualifications, because if you don’t there’s a limit to how far up you can
reach, this promotion may look good now, but as far as I see there’s little
room left for development.
 Describe a time you had to change your plan

 what the plan was;

 why you changed it;
 what you did instead;
 and explain how you felt about changing the plan.

Model Answer
Last year I was working in an international company and doing quite well,
so I was offered a big promotion to become a manager. Needless to say, I
was very happy with this good news. However, I’d been preparing myself
for the new position when I received another piece of good news: a
scholarship from a prestigious university in America covering all expenses,
including tuition and accommodation, an enviable package.

Apparently I was in a dilemma, not knowing whether to stay and further my

career or to go and further my education. So I decided to ask my friend,
Hugo, for his advice, because he once faced a very similar choice. He was
like, If you want to go far in this field, you have to possess excellent
qualifications, because if you don’t there’s a limit to how far up you can
reach, this promotion may look good now, but as far as I see there’s little
room left for development.

I took his advice and am now studying in America.

Describe a good law in your country
What it is about

How you know it

Who would be affected by it

And explain why the law is good

Band 7 Answer by IELTS test taker

Talking about a good law in my country, I would like to talk about the Renewable Energy Law
that was passed in 2005. The law requires power grid operators to purchase resources from
registered renewable energy producers.

The law also offers financial incentives, such as a national fund to foster renewable energy
development, and discounter lending and tax preferences for renewable energy projects. I knew
this law because my uncle works for national power grid and he told me about this law when he
was visiting me in that year. The law is aimed at encouraging the use of clean energy and is
expected to boost the use of renewable energy capacity up to 10 percent by the year 2020.
National power grid is the first to be affected and our daily use of energy might also come from
more diversified sources.

As for the reason why I think the law is good, well, first of all, the law can be very effective in
encouraging more use o clean energy, which is expected to lead to continued economic growth,
the cleaner air for residents, the reduction in greenhouse gases, and technological progress.
Secondly, it also indicates that, our country, as one of the world’s largest economies is now
shouldering its due responsibility by making one of the largest state-sponsored commitments
toward renewable energy.
Describe an indoor game that you liked to play when you were a
child | Describe an indoor game that you played when you were a
child

You should say:

what the game was
who you played it with
how you played it where you played it
and explain why you liked playing that game.

An indoor game that I liked to play when I was a child was badminton. It
started when I was in 6th grade. At that time, I was living near my uncle‟s
house. Every morning, he would wake me and my cousins up early and drive
us to the sport center near our house.

It was actually a badminton class, so we had teachers and other students

too. We practiced badminton here for an hour. During the
summer holiday, we even stayed there for another half an hour. Just
like tennis, you can play badminton as a singles match or doubles match.
The rules are pretty much the same as tennis. The only difference is that
the badminton shuttlecock is lighter than the tennis ball, thus, it
requires less strength.

Due to my short-sightedness, I was not very good at playing this game but
I enjoyed it anyway. Firstly, it helped keep me fit. In addition, I
could train my eyes to look further and faster, and it quickened my
reflexes. Last but not least, it helped me a lot in improving my teamwork
skills.

VOCABULARY:
 badminton: [noun] an indoor game. Players hit a small light ball, with
feathers round it, across a high net, using a racket, like tennis.
Example: A net in badminton is much higher than in tennis, and
the ball and rackets are smaller and not as heavy.
 singles match: [noun] a game in which one player plays against one
opponent.
 doubles match: [noun] a game in which two players play against two
opponents.
Example: She won the women‟s singles gold medal in tennis in the
Olympic Games. Then, playing with her friend, they won the
women‟s doubles gold medal by defeating two American opponents.
 shuttlecock: [noun] badminton uses a shuttlecock, not a tennis ball. It is
 very light and it has feathers round the edge.
Example: Players hit the shuttlecock across the net in badminton.
 short-sightedness: [noun] a person who can only see things if they are
very close, is short-sighted.
Example: I need glasses for reading, because of my short-sightedness.
 train my eyes: [verb phrase] I developed my ability to see things
quickly and accurately.
Example: The detective trained his eyes to look for small but important
details at the scene of the crime.
 quickened my reflexes: playing badminton improved my ability to
move and think quickly when I played the game.
Example: Many people say that video games quicken your reflexes and
you become more expert.

Describe a game (not a sport) you enjoyed as a child / Describe a game that

you played in your childhood.

 What the game was

 When you played it
 Who you played it with
 How you felt about the game

Model Answer
As a child I enjoyed playing chess. It is probably the best known board
game in the world, where two players try to defeat the other by taking his or
her pieces and finally trapping his King. This final move is called
checkmate.

You probably know the Western version of this game, which is known as
King chess. The former is more popular among younger generations,
whereas the latter is mostly played by older people. I personally enjoy both
of them equally.

These games are difficult in that you have think to ahead and plan your
steps carefully, while keeping an eye on your opponent’s moves. This is
exactly the kind of challenge that I relish, and I feel excited whenever I
manage to outwit the other player.

Chess games are also a good way to build a bond with your friends, since
they encourage healthy rivalry and prevent you from being arrogant,
because there’s always someone who’s able to beat you
Part 1:
What is your full name?
Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Where do you live now?

Hometown

How long have you been living there?

I was born and raised in Cusco. I’ve lived there for my entire life, except for
when I went to Lima, the capital city, to study my Bachelor’s Degree. After
that, I needed to escape the hustle and bustle (noise from a big
city) and come back to my lovely town.
What do you like (most) about your hometown?

I love that it’s a mix between the ancient and modern world. Furthermore, I
like the mix of the indigenous (native people) and Spanish influence.
Sometimes it feels like I’m walking in the shoes of the Incas. Furthermore,
there is definitely a warm, friendly feel to the town which makes it a
pleasant place to live.

Would you like to live there in the future?

Although my city is magical, I would consider moving somewhere else in

the world. I think sometimes people become too accustomed to (used
to) their daily routine. So, perhaps when and if I have a family, I would
consider moving to another country in South America or to Spain. It would
be our adventure!

Not at all! I’m quite an impatient person. I often feel on edge

(stressed), especially when I’m behind the wheel or waiting in line.
Moreover, I like immediate gratification, so I tend to lose my patience when
I cannot obtain this. This is one my biggest downfalls (bad personality
traits).

Do most people in your country have patience?

Not really. Since I come from a country of people who are used to having all
conveniences at their fingertips (something easily accessible), they
often become impatient when this doesn’t happen. Furthermore, people
spend a lot of time commuting (traveling from home to work) to
their offices in the mornings, which tends to leave them feeling antsy
(anxious) as well as angry at other drivers.

Have you ever lost patience?

Who hasn’t? There have been several instances. I once became quite
impatient while I was waiting in a convenience store, not to mention with
people cutting the line repeatedly, and I just left my items there idly
(not doing anything) and stormed out (left angrily) of the store.

When do you need patience the most?

That’s a difficult question. I think having patience in general is quite
a virtue (a good trait). I think it’s good to have it with your life in
general. When you have this, I imagine your life goes more at ease from
step to step. Moreover, I think it’s important to have it with your children
so that they aren’t raised in an angry environment, and furthermore so they
can develop it later on in life.

Driving

Do you drive often?

Luckily not, as I despise driving. I usually take Ubers around the city, cycle,
or walk when possible. I try to avoid driving at all costs (avoid no
matter what), considering the traffic in my city is incredibly chaotic.
Furthermore, there is a huge air pollution problem in my city, so I try to
take this step to be more green (environmentally friendly).

Do you want your children to drive in future?

Out of necessity, yes. I would like for them to go through the process of
getting their driver’s license just in case. For example, it would be helpful if
their friend who drove them to a place gets too drunk to drive them home,
etc. However, I would urge (push) them to drive as little as possible, since
it’s quite risky and not environmentally friendly.

Do you have a driver’s license?

Yes, I do. I’ve had one for 10 years now. I still remember initially failing the
test my first two tries, then eventually nailing it (doing it perfectly).
Although I don’t use it very often, as I much prefer cycling or walking when
possible, it’s still a benefit to have it.

At what age are people allowed to drive a car in your country?

Since I’m from a country that was made for cars with hardly any public
transportation available, it’s almost necessary to have a car unless you live
in a big city. With this said, we allow teenagers to get their license when
they’re 16. Although it seems really young, I think it’s necessary to make life
more convenient!
Part 2 – Describe a time when someone didn’t tell you the whole truth

about something

You should say:

– when this happened

– what the situation was

– who you were with

– and why the person didn’t tell the whole truth

Sample Answer
I’m going to tell you about a time I was really upset about someone lying to
me. As I whole-heartedly value the truth, I feel very disappointed when I
find out that someone has lied to me, especially when it’s someone close
to me. So, I’ll share this situation with you.

I had just started dating a new guy and felt that I really liked him. I was 24
at the time, and he had said that he was 30. He appeared to be a bit older
than that, so I tried to clarify his age twice, which he insisted was exactly
30. So, I decided to believe him. I was chatting with his best friend one day
who was 32, and he made a comment saying that he was younger than
Manny, which I was confused about at first. Later that day, I called
Manny out (confronted) about that over text, in which after several lies
finally confessed that he was actually 33 years old. I knew it wasn’t the most
terrible lie someone could tell, but I felt that my trust in him was tested. I
thought, “if someone lies about simple personal details, what else do they
lie about?”

He never stated his intentions about his lie, but I would imagine that maybe
he felt he was too old for me. I guess that he was afraid to lose me if I knew
he was 33, which wasn’t a problem for me. Furthermore, maybe he was
struggling with accepting his age himself, so he wanted to keep believing
that he was 30. I’m sure it was related to his insecurities one way or
 another. Anyway, whatever his reasons were, I decided to give him
another chance although I wasn’t happy that he was dishonest.

Part 3

 Why is honesty important?

 What are the benefits of being honest?
 Is it important to teach children the value of honesty?
 How can parents or teachers teach a child to be honest?
Jan – Apr 2019

hat is your full name?

Can I see your ID?
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
What is your job?
How long have you been doing your job?
How was your first day at work?
Which job do you prefer in the future?

Alone

Do you like to be alone?

Definitely not. As I live alone in a studio apartment, I sometimes get lonely,

so I take every opportunity to have social interactions to avoid sitting at
home alone. I would consider myself a mixture between introvert and
extrovert, but definitely leaning more towards extrovert. Although I
definitely appreciate my time alone, I certainly don’t crave (have an an
urge to do) anymore.

When was the last time you were alone?

Last night. I had come from a stressful day of work so I decided to stay in
for the entire evening with some Netflix and hot tea. Although I’m kind of
a social butterfly (a social person), I have come to enjoy nights in by
myself from time to time. I think all of us need that as a balance.

What do you like to do when you are alone?

As I’m a tea addict, that’s my number one activity to do alone. Furthermore,

I enjoy reading a book or a series on Netflix. I tend to get lost in (to
become fully involved in) those two activities. Moreover, I enjoy taking
a walk alone around town and people watching (observing
strangers).

Sunglasses
Do you like to wear sunglasses?

Why yes of course, especially when I feel that I look tired. Moreover, I like
that they can tie a whole outfit together (make the outfit look
better). Moreover, when I drive on sunny days, sunglasses are a must.

Do you often wear sunglasses?

Not too often actually because of the climate here. I’d say I have to wear
them a couple times a month on the rare occasion that the sun comes out
(appears). As I mentioned before, I feel I need them most when I drive on
sunny days or when I go on holiday to the beach.

Where do you buy sunglasses?

I’m not one to splurge on (spend a lot of money; luxury) sunglasses

since I have the tendency to lose or break them, so I usually just
buy knock-off (copy) brands from street vendors. I’ve bought and lost
several pairs of knock-off Ray Bans which were just fine for me. I feel that
the shape of them suits my round face shape.
 Part 2

Describe a good law in your country

 What the law is
 How you first learned about this law
 Who benefits from this law (who is affected by this law)
 And explain why you think this is a good law
Model Answer I’m going to tell you about Singapore’s littering laws
which I firmly believe are a great idea. As you know, Singapore is one of the
cleanest countries in the world which I feel extremely proud of, considering
many other countries in Asia have enormous pollution issues.
Unfortunately, I think people need strict laws enforced to have
the incentive not to do it. Either way, I’m glad it benefits our planet and
those who reside on it.

In Singapore, a first time offender who is caught littering is subject toa

max fine of $2,000, a second time offender $4,000 and third time
$10,000. However, this is only if a police sees you. I wonder how many
people can sneak past (do something without being caught) this!
However, there is a strong police presence in Singapore, so I hope this isn’t
the case.

I would say the entire country benefits from this. By having a cleaner
environment, we all have uncountable health benefits. For example, we
could have healthier lungs, skin, animals have improved habitats, etc.
Furthermore, we attract more tourists, as many people are drawn to clean
places. With this said, I know that some people financially profit from
this.

Sadly, humans have a tendency to choose to see only what they want. None
of us want to believe the gravity of (how serious something is) just
how much we are harming the planet and cannot always directly see it in
front of us; we live just for today. With this said, people usually don’t take
initiative to protect the environment unless there are laws. So, I think this
law is critical to give people incentive to not litter. As the fine
is drastically high, it will scare people intomaking sure their trash
goes into the bins. Although it must go hand in hand with education, I
think it’s impossible to keep a clean country without strict laws. I wish more
countries enforced laws like these.
Part 3
Is there any situation people disobey the law?

To be honest, I’ve never actually seen anyone litter. I’m sure it must still
exist to some low extent, but I genuinely think people are afraid to do so
because of the fines and police presence. However, I know that no country
is perfect and that there are always people who will disobey the law. On
another note, I think that perhaps people who come to Singapore are more
likely to throw their trash on the ground if it isn’t something enforced in
their home country.

Do people like being a policeman in your country?

I would say so. Actually, my father is a police officer and he seems to enjoy
it quite a bit, although it is a tough job. Since Singapore has a reputation to
maintain, the police force strives their utmost (works extremely
hard) to give their all to make sure that Singapore remains among the
safest countries. With this said, some police officers feel quite a lot of
pressure, which makes it a challenging yet rewarding job.

What qualities should a police officer have?

Firstly, I believe that a police officer must have a high sense of integrity. As
corruption is a problem in many countries which prevents progress in a
place, it is important that the police officer has a sense of integrity along
with morality, honesty, and a genuine concern to make the country safer.
Furthermore, they must be hard-working and not too relaxed as there are
always people trying to slip through the cracks (do something
without being caught) of the law. All in all, they must be a strict, no
tolerance sort of individual to be efficient.

Why some people want to become a lawyer?

To be honest, I think some people choose it for the money, as it is a high

paid job in many countries. Secondly, some people feel quite passionate
about the law and want to dedicate their life to it. Thirdly, there are many
different branches of law, such as international, geriatric, criminal, etc., so
there are many different opportunities within this career path. As with
other jobs, people know in their heart which career is for them!
 Part 1

 Do you have any unhealthy habits?

 In what ways do you try to stay healthy?
 Is it easy to keep fit where you live?
 What do you think is more important, eating healthily or doing exercise?
 What are the health benefits of playing a sport?
 Have you ever had any habits which you consider to be unhealthy?
 Do you think more about your health now than when you were younger?

Part 2
1. Describe something you do to keep healthy.
You should say:

 what this activity is

 when you do it
 and how often you do it
and explain why you think it’s a good way to look after your health.

1. Describe a time when you were ill.

You should say:

when this was

what your symptoms were
how long the illness lasted
and say how it affected your life at the time.

1. Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness

You should say:

what you do
how often you do it
where you do it
and explain how you think this activity helps you stay healthy or fit.
1. Describe something you have done that is good for your health and that you
would recommend to others.
You should say

what it is
when you do it
who you do it with
and explain why you think it is good for your health.

Part 3

 Do you think people pay enough attention to their health today?

 What costs are involved when you are ill in your country?
 Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get older?
 How can people be encouraged to stay healthy?
 What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country?
 Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that
they are damaging to their health?
 Do women pay more attention to their health than men?
 Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years?
 How can children learn to have a healthy lifestyle?
 Do you think the government should promote a healthy lifestyle among the
citizens?
 Would you say modern science and technology has more of a positive, or a
negative influence on people’s health?

Exercise

 What sports are popular among young people in your country?

 Is it easy in your hometown to find places to exercise?
 Do you think the government should do more to encourage people to
exercise?
The Promotion of Health Awareness

 Are people in your country very aware of how to maintain their health?
 Do you think the best way would be to promote health awareness in
schools?
A Healthy Lifestyle and the Workplace

 What would be the results of having employees who are not healthy?
 Do you think this might have an effect on the economy (of the country)?
 Do you think work stress is a health issue?
 How could work stress be reduced?

SAMPLE ANSWERS
Part 1

1. Do you have any unhealthy habits?

Sadly, a big yes. Because I work until 9pm and won’t be back until 10 pm, I
often stay up late, very late. Besides, I’m also quite busy so I don’t usually
cook. I eat ready meals instead.

Ready meal (phrase) a prepackaged, fresh or frozen meal that only requires
heating (often in a microwave) before being served

2. In what ways do you try to stay healthy?

I love working out at the gym. I do a lot of squat, plank as well as

weightlifting. In addition, I try to have a balanced diet and often
have check- ups with our GP. Therefore, I’m always as fit as a fiddle.

GP: General Practitioner (Family doctor)

Balanced diet (phrase) healthy diet

Go for a check-up (phrase) health check

As fit as a fiddle (idiom) in good health

 3. What are the health benefits of playing a sport?

I think playing sports benefit us both physically and mentally. When

you play sports, you are giving your body time to build muscles, and
to burn fat. Therefore, you will be fitter and stronger. Also, you are giving
your body time to relax. That’s why I enjoyworking out so much.

Part 2

Well, I’ve never been seriously ill, but I can remember a couple of weeks
ago, I had to have take leave for 3 days because I was under the
weather.
I was walking back home from work and it suddenly started to rain cats
and dogs, so I got wet. The next day when I woke up, I was a bitoff
colour. I still remember feeling poorly, even I got a headache, a sore
throat, chesty cough, and a blocked nose. I decided to see my GP for
a check-up. My GP said that I caught a heavy cold and had to take a lot
of medicines. I was in charge of a project presentation at that time, and
due to the situation, I had no choice but to phone in sick and
reschedule the presentation until this week. But thank God, I was over the
worst of it and made a speedy recovery after 3 days suffering.

 Take leave: to use time permitted to be away from work

 to be under the weather: (informal) to not feel well
 Rain cats and dogs: rain heavily
 a blocked nose: when the nose has excess fluid due to a cold
 to be a bit off colour: to feel a little ill
 a sore throat: inflammation that causes pain when swallowing
 Chesty cough: a cough caused by congestion around the lungs
 Catch a heavy cold: have a bad cold
 to be in charge of: take over something; responsible for something
 to phone in sick: to call work to explain you won’t be attending work
due to illness
 to be over the worst: to have got through the most serious or
uncomfortable stage of an illness
 made a speedy recovery: to recover quickly from an illness
Part 3

1. Do women pay more attention to their health than men?

I believe so. Well, whenever I feel poorly, I will arrange an

appointment with my GP for a check-up. But things doesn’t seem to go
the same with men. For example, my dad doesn’t think he is sick until he
is at death’s door. Maybe it’s because we think that women are
more vulnerable than men.

2.Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?

I think there are still a lot of things that governments can do to encourage
healthier lifestyle. People should be both physically and mentally healthy.
Therefore, both of the aspects should receive attention equally. For physical
health, governments can raise taxes on junk food and invest more in
public exercise equipment. For mental health, I believe most of mental
problems result from stress. Therefore, governments should come up
with ideas to reduce working hours of employees as well as workload of
students. Of course, this reduction must be accompanied by an increase in
productivity and quality.

3.Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get
older?

Obviously, people will pay more attention to their health problems when
they go grey. The reason is that when we are older, our immune
system will weaken. And as a result, we’ll get sick more easily. Besides, the
sickness will also affect us more badly.
3/ Describe something you do to help you study or
work
You should say:

– what it is

– how you learn it

– when you do it

– and how you feel about the method

PART 3
Is salary important to you? What is the impact of salary on doing work?
What kinds of jobs are easy to get in a foreign country?
Should young adults work abroad?
If they don’t work abroad, would it be helpful for them to travel in a foreign
country?
Is it hard to find interesting job in your country?
What kinds of preparation should people do for a job interview?
Why do some people keep changing their jobs?
What should a good employer do?
How would you define ‘an interesting job’?
What are the disadvantages of working overtime?

Model Answers 1
Model Answers 2

Describe a city or country you want to live/work the most

in the future
What is it

Where is it located

Why you like it

IELTS Sample Band 9
Well, it is such an interesting topic! Off the top of my head, if I were given a chance to go to a
country to settle down, I would not hesitate to pick Japan because I’m a real sucker for the
country itself and the Japanese’s style of working in particular.

To start off, what would interest me most during my stay in Japan would be the breathtaking
scenery there, as I have watched countless programmes on TV featuring the magnificent
landscapes from South to North. If I were to pick what city, it would be Ottawa, since good
words about it are going around a lot.

I wouldn’t forget to mention the fact that the Japanese are hard-working people and have a
strong sense of responsibility and discipline, and because of this, I reckon a period living and
working in a native environment would cultivate that characteristic in me.

The final point is that I love the Japanese language, and actually I have been making an all-out
effort to master the language, so that I can stand a better chance of settling down there.
I hold high hopes that with my determination and stamina, someday my dream will come true.

Settle down: to begin to live a quieter life by staying permanently in a place

Be a real sucker for: to like a particular type of person or thing very much, so that you will do
almost anything to please them or to have them

in particular: especially

breathtaking: extremely impressive or beautiful

Go around: if something such as an illness or

a piece of news is going around, people are giving or telling it to each other

Cultivate: to develop something such as an attitude, ability, or skill

all-out effort: With all one’s strength, ability, or resources; not holding back

stand a chance: to have a chance of doing something

stamina: the ability to work hard or to make a lot of effort over a long period of time
without getting tired

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Is salary important to you? What is the impact of salary on doing work?
As far as I know, the more salary you receive, the more eager and enthusiastic you become at
the workplace. What I’m trying to say is that high salary can give us immense motivation to carry
out the tasks and accomplish them with the highest degree of accuracy and speediness, I
distinctly remember a time when my boss promised to give me a pay rise if I could carry through
a project on time; I was simply too excited to turn down his offer and as a result, l made it in time.
In a nutshell, the power of money is undeniable.

What kinds of jobs are easy to get in a foreign country?

Finding employment can be easier if you know how to do certain types of jobs. The first common
occupation that many migrants do would be taking care of the nails of their customers, or the so-
call manicure I guess. Such a job requires little or no knowledge but you have to Sacrifice your
self-esteem as I see most foreigners often look down on that type of work. The second but nobler
profession is the one related to the use of foreign language. I am one hundred percent certain
that if you have an excellent command of the local language, for example, English, in all
likelihood you can find a decent job with a handsome salary.

Should young adults work abroad?

I reckon it’s a mixed blessing. On the bright side, a period of work in a foreign country can give
people a wealth of knowledge and practical experience especially in advanced countries, so I
guess they would learn pretty much. Besides, the companies in their home country usually give
their red-carpet treatment to those working abroad when they come back. Then again, it’s not all
it’s cracked up to be as there are also many drawbacks. They can miss their parents or have a
hard time getting some used to the climate or culture in a strange land, without much support
from others. All in all, it primarily depends on their preferences and determination, but I
recommend they should give it a try as they are still young and energetic.

If they don’t work abroad, would it be helpful for them to travel in a foreign country?

Well, travelling can be a good way to explore the country and gain some hands-on experience,
but I have to admit that mostly it just gives you a superficial experience. You get exposed to
much stuff without a clear focus. For instance, you can get into contact with the locals, sample
the local cuisine or marvel at the breathtaking landscapes. So I guess, it doesn’t have much thing
to do with work or work experience. In a nutshell, travelling broadens your horizons of the world
and the people, not giving you any insight into the work you are doing.
Describe an interesting job that you want to have in
the future.
You should say:

What it is.

How you can find this job.

What qualities it requires.

And explain why it is a well-paid job and why you think you will be good at it.

Well, the job I want to talk about today is the journalist. Basically speaking, it is not an easy task
to find a job as a journalist. In most of the cases, people need to apply for this job in the
newspaper agent or in the TV station. As for what this job requires for, what I want to mention
firstly is that it requires people to learn about the media theories in detail. The professional media
theories can consolidate people’s background knowledge, and those theories will teach people
about how to become a journalist as well as how to interview the people. Secondly, it requires
people to be sensible to the news. One of the journalist’s responsibilities is to dig news, so I think
people need to read more domestic and international news and learn to be sensible to the news
happened in the country and the world.

In my country, a professional journalist should not only know about how to dig out the truth, but
also be professional at writing news reports, and I think that is also why the journalist is a well-
paid job in our country. As for me, I think I am in possession of the basic skills of becoming a
journalist. I am active, passionate, and fond of communicating with different kinds of people. It is
widely acknowledged that a journalist need to have ‘a thick cheek’ since not every interviewee
ii willing to be interviewed. I think my personality is quite suitable to be a successful journalist in
the future.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

1) Is it hard to find interesting job in your country?

I think it depends on how you think of what an interesting job is. For me, I think an interesting job
should be the one that you like and are willing to devoting efforts. During the process, you should
feel more joy than pain from work. Therefore, think being a teacher should be such kind of a job
in my mind and it is not hard to find a job as a teacher in my country. While for others, maybe the
interesting jobs for them is painting or photographing and it may not be that easy to find a job
as professional painter. So, it depends. However, on the whole, I think the market has provided
enough choices so that I should not be that hard to find an interesting job.

2) What kinds of preparation should people do for a job interview?

Firstly, to get enough understanding of the position that you are going to apply is important
because the employer ii searching the one who is the most suitable and professional about the
position. Then, people should practice making a brie self-introduction so that the employer can
quickly have the basic information about you and your ability of oral expression Another thing
that I think one should prepare is the dressing. To dress according to the right dressing code is
key and it is also a respect for others and the sign that you really value this opportunity. For girls,
maybe they also should be aware of wearing appropriate make-ups depending on the position
that they apply.

3) Why do some people keep changing their jobs?

I believe there are various reasons and various situations. For some people with strong ability,
they can do every job well while they switch jobs just to experience more and figure out what
they are really passionate about. Also, for those people they may want to keep themselves
refreshed because after doing the same job for long, it is 6 easy for people to get bored, so they
keep changing jobs to have the feeling of freshness. For another group of people, they do not
have many choices and positions that can be offered may only be temporary, so after a while,
the company or the employer may no need this position any more. For such kind of people, I
think they have to keep doing different jobs without choices for the lack of competitiveness.

4) What should a good employer do?

In my opinion, I think a good employer firstly should trust the employees and give the employees
enough opportunities to give their talent into full play and train the employees to become better
and better. Also, a good employer should no consider himself or herself to be superior to the
employees. Secondly, a good employer should care about the safety of the employees during
work. There is a lot of news about the employees getting hurt because of work and I think it
ii, also the employer’s responsibility to give the employees a safe environment to work, especially
for some special kind of work. In a word, a good employer should really care about the
employees from the bottom of the heart.

5) How would you define ‘an interesting job’?

I think an interesting job should be the one that you are passionate about so that during work,
you will never feel bored and can feel more joy than suffering. And I believe the definition differs
from person to person. For example, for me, I like getting along with the people who are younger
than me, so for me, being a teacher should be an interesting job. While for some other people, if
they do not like to communicate with the young children, then being a teacher may not sound like
a interesting job. Also, an interesting job should be the one that will give you the energy instead
of absorbing your inner energy. People will get energy only when they are in positive mood, so
an interesting job should be the one that makes people happy.
 4/ Describe an occasion that you wore formal clothes
You should say:

 What occasion it was

 When it was
 Where it was
 And explain why you wore it
PART 3
What kinds of clothes do people wear after work?
Do you think it is necessary for children to wear school uniforms?
Where do people in your country buy clothes?
When do people wear formal clothes?
Will the way we dress influence the way we behave?
Do people wear formal clothes more often or less often than the past?
Is fashion important where you live?

Model Answers

Describe a time that you wore a type of clothes for a special occasion
You should say:

 Where you bought the clothes

 And what other people at the occasion thought of your clothes

By nature, I prefer simplicity and always pick casual clothes no matter what the occasion is. Yet
off the top of my head, there comes a time when I had to put on a suit for a photo shoot for our
yearbook, which I personally feel quite burdensome and formal.

Everyone was supposed to dress smartly and formally for the occasion, so boys were told to
have their black suit on, and a pair of shining shoes or a brand-new pair of sneakers for footwear.
I did also wear a necktie to look more elegant and sophisticated. The girls were simpler in their
clothes; some colorful traditional clothes could do wonders to their outer appearance.

The suits were rented from a store that specializes in renting costumes for artists or students
about to graduate, and fortunately our monitor made great preparations beforehand so we had
our clothes rented dirt cheap.

I’d have to admit that it was the very first time I put on formal wear, so my friends made quite
sarcastic comments about my look at saying that I looked quite serious and unnatural. But
somehow I was quite satisfied with how the clothes fitted me perfectly, and afterwards I tried to
be more at ease I would say I looked great. I mapped dozens of selfie pictures and stored in my
phone and sometimes take them out and feel quite nostalgic, actually.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

What kinds of clothes do people wear after work?

There are a wide range of clothes people can choose to put on when people go home from their
office. One of the most popular types is shorts and T-shirts, which I think is favored by both
sexes. I guess this is simply because at the, workplace staff are supposed to dress formally and
such clothes are pretty uncomfortable. So, casual wear helps the blood circulate better and
thereby relaxing their body. Many people are also keen on gym clothes, pajamas or skirts as it
doesn’t increase their laundry, which means they don’t have to wash their clothes frequently.

What kinds of clothes should people wear at work?

Actually, I think it depends on what people do. One of the most popular types among manual
laborers is thick pieces of garments with protective gear as these help them to prevent injuries
and dirt. However, those working in the office have different dress code for sure. To be more
precise, office workers tend to dress more formally like a pair of trousers and shirts for males or a
dress for females. This is probably because they have to present a professional Image in the
eyes of the customers or wearing such clothes gives staff more confidence in their ability.

Do you think it is necessary for children to wear school uniforms?

As far as I’m concerned, I strongly believe that it’s absolutely vital for school children to wear
uniforms. The most convincing reason is that in a developing country, if all students wear the
same clothes, which are white shirts and blue pants, then poor students will feel less humiliated
and embarrassed about the financial conditions and consequently can focus more on their
academic study. The second reason is that uniform brings and cultivates a sense of belonging
and unity in a group. Besides, it will be pretty pleasing to the eyes, if you see students in their
uniforms in the schoolyard line up to enter the class, which I think is unique in my country.

Where do people in your country buy clothes?

Actually, there is quite an array of places people can purchase their clothes. The most typical
one is at the supermarket where clothes of all price ranges are on display. I reckon it absolutely
caters for consumers’ interest as they are able to pick whatever item of garment they like and try
it on. ask their buddies’ opinion and so on. Another place is at the market or alongside the
streets. Clothes sold at these points are often of lower quality but at more reasonable prices,
which is quite a popular choice among less well-off folks. Needless to say but most people are
short of cash at times so this alternative seems to be pretty good.
When do people wear formal clothes?

Formal attire is often a must on important occasions such as meetings, ceremonies and other
solemn events. Having said this, it’s becoming more and more popular that people nowadays
prefer casual wear on nearly all occasions and it’s a standard practice in my country, I’d have to
admit. For example, it’s absolutely normal to wear jeans and T-shirts to weddings, birthdays,
meetings and so on. if the nature of the event is not too serious. This is quite in contrast to that of
Westerners who often hut on a suit or a dress every time they join a formal event.

Do people wear formal clothes more often or less often than the past?

I’d say casual attire is gaining more popularity as people in modern society prefer flexibility and
convenience. For example. it’s absolutely normal to wear jeans and T-shirts to weddings,
birthdays, meetings and so on, if the nature of the event is not too serious. This is quite in
contrast to that of Westerners who often put on a suit or a dress every time they join a formal
event.

Will the way we dress influence the way we behave?

This is an interesting question, and my answer is yes. For those creative people, they often
choose a combination of diverse colors in their clothing style and such people tend to be
fashionistas who have a firm grasp of a hat to wear to make them look best. These people are
dynamic, energetic and love to socialize. On the other hand, those who often wear plain clothes
to belong to a group which doesn’t have much enthusiasm about fashion and IS willing to put on
anything they can find in their wardrobe every morning
 5/ Describe a time when you received money as a
gift
You should say:

 Who gave it to you

 When it was given to you
 Where it happened
 How you felt about it
PART 3
In your country, when (on what occasions) do people give gifts to others?

What sorts of things do they give?

Do people today still give the same kinds of gifts that people used to give,
many years ago?

Why do people like to receive gifts?

Do you think it’s suitable to give money as a gift?

Do you think it’s a good idea for people who are doing business with each
other to exchange gifts?

Why do some people not give gifts to others very often?

Model Answers

Topic: Describe a gift that you recently gave to

others
Jenny is my best friend since we were together in kindergarten. Thus, on her 20th birthday, I
decided to give her a special gift.

Choosing a gift for someone is usually a very difficult task because you should make sure that
the receiver will like it. Jenny is not a typical girl, she’s a sporty girl. I remembered she had told
me that she wanted a ball with Manchester United symbol, her favorite football team and that ball
is limited stock. I spent around a month before the date, went to some shopping malls and tried
to find that gift for her. Unfortunately, it was out of stock.

I was so disappointed. My brother knew it and suggested me to search online. Before the
birthday three days, I received a call from a boy who wanted to sell the ball for me with a half
price compared to the original one. I was on cloud nine. I came to his house immediately and
brought that ball back home. I also chose a nice paper with Manchester United symbol and
wrapped it carefully.

Jenny jumped for joy when she received my gift. It is true that our friendship is valuable and
what we did for each other build up our friendship more and more.

Vocabulary

Limited stock (n) Sth that are produced at a limited amount

Out of stock (phrase) a product that is no longer available

To search online (v) to look for Sth on the Internet

To be on cloud nine (adj) to be extremely happy

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

1. In your country, when (on what occasions) do people give gifts to others?

People usually give presents to others on a wide range of occasions such as brithdays,
weddings, anniversaries or opening ceremonies. Especially, after travelling to a new place or a
new country, they always give souvenirs or foods from that place to their friends and relatives.

Vocabulary

A wide range of Sth (n) many choices are available

2. What sorts of things do they give?

Depending on different occasions and the receivers that we have a suitable gift to give. It could
be clothes, jewelry, souvenirs or even some DIY stuffs. For example, flowers are the common
gifts for opening ceremony which are always in a beautiful bouquet of flowers that
represents prosperity.

Vocabulary

Prosperity (n) The state of being prosperous

3. Do people today still give the same kinds of gifts that people used to give, many years
ago?
I think people today tend to go for conventional gift choices, thus they could choose a present
easily. Online business allows customers to choose gifts without directly going to the shop.
Personally, I usually put more thoughts and efforts into looking for a meaningful and useful gift for
my family, relatives or close friends.

Vocabulary

To allow SO to do Sth (v) to let SO do Sth

To put thoughts into Sth/doing Sth (v) to carefully think about Sth

4. Why do people like to receive gifts?

Gifts could bring happiness to one’s special day. The receivers would be full of the joys of
springs when they feel the caring and love from the givers because the givers remember the
special days and send them gifts as the best wishes.

5. Do you think it’s suitable to give money as a gift?

I find it’s no problem with gifting people with money. It is much more popular nowadays,
especially on wedding days or brithdays because it is considered as a practical gift. It’s hard to
find a suitable present so the receiver could use that budget to freely buy what they need.

6. Do you think it’s a good idea for people who are doing business with each other to
exchange gifts?

I think it’s quite popular in business nowadays. In some ways, it is a good idea if the gifts are
given in a thankful way after a successful project. It is an important part of business protocol
nowadays in some Asian countries like Japan or China. However, I think it’s not good if the
meaning of gift-giving turns into achieving a purpose.

7. Why do some people not give gifts to others very often?

Choosing perfect gifts is stress people out. It could create the hassle of picking the right gift. The
presents could cause disappointments to receivers because it might not be what they expect.
Therefore, giving money or going out for a meal is always the best and convenient way to avoid
those problems. It could not overburden to the givers as well.
 6/ Describe a person you have seen who is beautiful
or handsome
You should say:

– where you saw this person

– when you saw this person

– what the person looked like

– why you think this person is beautiful or handsome

PART 3
Do you think beauty only relates to a person’s appearance?

Do you the media influences our idea of beauty?

How has people’s idea of beauty changed over the last few decades?

7/ Describe a time you borrowed something from

your family or friend
You should say:

 What you borrowed

 Who you borrowed it from
 What you borrowed it for
 And explain why it was useful to you
PART 3
Why some people lose contact with their childhood friends?
How do people in your country make friends these days?
Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?
Why Is it easier to make friends on the internet than in reality?
What qualities do you think are important in a friend?
Do you think it is a good idea to borrow money from a friend? Why or why
not?
What factors may result in the breakdown of a good friendship?
Friendship is the most important relationship. Do you agree? Why? Why
not?

Model Answers

Describe a time you spend with your friend in your

childhood / Describe a childhood friend of yours
 Who is this friend
 What did you do at that time
 How did you know about each other
 And explain why you describe this time

Band 9 Model Answers

Luckily, I had a happy childhood, free from study burdens hat many children today are facing up
to. Off the top of my head, I would describe a time that my soul mate and I used to hang out
frequently at a rural spot hear our house, which I guess was at least 15 years ago.

At that time, industrialization and modernization are the terms that no one heard o Paddy fields
cover a big area, and there were meadows, streams, ponds

and lakes, giving quite in idyllic and tranquil atmosphere. I and my friend, who is my next-door
neighbor and have known each other since we were knee high to a grasshopper, often played
together at this rural area.

The reasons I describe this time is because it helps me reminisce of my past when I had the total
freedom to explore and enjoy life to the fullest. Catching crickets at dawn, going fishing in the
early afternoon, swimming in the crystal clear water and other activities did fill me with great
excitement. Especially, hanging out together with my best buddy was just an out-of-this-world
experience; we had the time to confide in each other our secrets and ambitions share ups and
downs in life together.

My friend’s now residing in the US, so I really miss him. We skill keep in touch often and are still
proud of our happy childhood.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Are you still in touch with your childhood friends?

Not many of them really, we launched on our own paths ever since we left, primary school. And
as a matter of fact, I can’t recall the face or the names of my classmates in grade 4 or 5, if I
happen to bump into them, they would just, look as strangers to me. Having said this, I still keep
some close contacts ever since, and such friends have become my soul mate. To be honest. I
couldn’t think of how miserable life would be if living without such friends.

Why some people lose contact with their childhood friends?

As for my generation, at the time we didn’t have any smartphone to keep contacts, so it’s easy to
lose precious relationships. In contrast, today we can snap some photos, add friends on face
book, to name but a few, which is hugely conducive to the maintenance of personal contacts.
Another reason can be that there are some friends we often do not get along well, and there’s no
point in keeping such contacts. At the end of the day, it’s quite a matter of taste and preference in
friend selection that really counts.

Who is more important to you, friends or family?

In the deepest part of my heart, I think family natters more to me, although sometimes I may
spend more time with my friends. You know, we can only be born once by our parents, but we
can make new friends all the time. Besides, in this benefit-oriented society, only parents truly
love us. Therefore, family should, carry more weight.

Do you have any foreign friends?

I have a foreign friend whose name is Martina. She comes from America and studies in the same
college with me. We met accidentally. She was lost on the way to the language center and I
happened to there. Martina is not a complete beauty, but she is always confident and optimistic,
which makes her very attractive. She has bright eyes full of wisdom and curiosity but the bad
thing about her is that she’s got a quick temper.

How do people in your country make friends these days?

Well to be honest, I would say that people have many different ways to get to know one another.
The most common place is at the coffee shop where people of different ages would gather
together and share their own stories about themselves. The second way is via Social networking
websites like Facebook or Twitter. Needless to say, many teenagers today would log on the web
and join some chat groups, which I reckon is the quite useful but may have some potential risks

Do you trust friends that you meet on the internet?

When it comes to friends on the virtual networks, I am pretty cautious. Although, social
networking websites like Facebook or Twitter are wonderful platforms for people of all ages to get
to know one another, most of the time It’s not reliable to lend your trust to those online friends.
This is simply because some guys may treat your nicely and act like your close friends but the
reality is that they are, trying to con some money out of your pocket. So the point is we should try
to be on red filter when making use of the internet in general and social networks in

How do you get along with people you don’t like?

Well, there is a couple of ways that help when trying to be on good tarns with those you don’t
want to have a talk with. The first method lies in a person himself. It is true that we should open
our hearts and make efforts to nuke others feel at ease. During a conversation, it’s better if we
feather our confidence and bring up the topic first hatha than waiting for others to break the ice.
Secondly, individuals had better find more time to be close to each other and find out what they
have in common. For example, after watching a comedy at the movie theater, two people found
out that they love this type of film, and then they tried to arrange time to spend more time
together. The two people ended up being intimate friends forever

Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?

Generally speaking, several factors are to blame when it comes to why some. people have a
hard time getting along with other surrounding people. The first cause usually lies in the person
himself. They tend to distance themselves from others and don’t have frequent talks and time to
spend together. As a particular consequence, less mutual understanding is established and the
relationship becomes weaker and weaker. Another culprit might be fast-paced lifestyle people
suffer from nowadays. After a stressful day at the workplace, it is not uncommon to see many
lose their temper or just want to stay home to let their hair down. This makes people spend time
on their own, which means less time is spent on others.

Would you only make friends with people who are similar to you? Do you like to be
friends with someone who is different from you?

Yes, certainly. It is no doubt that we can make incredible headway in our relationships if we
socialize with those we have at least something in common We may share some interests in or
passion for movies or books. This is probably due to the fact that we can easily bring up
conversations and keep the talks going when we have shared hobbies. Otherwise, both friends
would remain silent all the time, which means less mutual understanding is established. Such a
relationship is not going to last long, I reckon.

Do you like to have many friends?

Yes. of course. I’m an extrovert and would love to hang out with a group of friends instead of a
few close friends. This is simply because I can become more independent and mature if I’m able
to mix with people of different backgrounds, learn their life experiences. It is not wrong to say the
bigger your social circle is, the more opportunities in life you can have. Some of your friends may
help your find a decent job or lend you a hand Sometime in the not-so- distant future.

Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person?
= Why Is it easier to make friends on the internet than in reality?

This is advanced age and many of our real life tasks are done virtually by using few mouse
clicks. To be a friend, one does not need to be physically present with the others to make a
friendship. Using different social communication platforms, we could easily make friendship with
the other people living at different parts of the world. They do not need to meet every day in
person to share their feelings and emotions. Rather, they are communicating easily using the
social communication platform features like chatting or messaging, sharing their pictures etc. As
 a result, the necessity of licet ins physically every day or after a specific period appears to
become less and less.

8/ Describe a skill you need long time to learn

You should say:

 What it is
 Where you can learn it
 How to learn it
 And explain why you need long time to learn it
Model Answers

Describe a skill you would like to learn

You should say:

– What the skill is
– Why you want to learn this skill
– Whether you think it would be difficult
Band 8.0+ Sample Answer
Digital technology has reshaped the world in more than one way during
the last decade. As a result, a new way of living and working has
also prevailed among people, especially Millennials. If you’ve heard
about “digital nomad” – a work-from-anywhere kind of employee, you
already know how a specific digital skill set can improve andsimplify your
life, which is why I take great interest in and set Photoshop – one of the
most powerful graphic design tool to be my next challenge to conquer.

Being known as an incredible image editing program, Photoshop

has earned its reputation for good reasons. Created and maintained by
Adobe, Photoshop provides users with a complete and advanced tool set
to maximize their creativity. It can do anything regarding online media,
for example, creating 3D images, resizing, color correction and even editing
video. Fancy as it sounds, to acquire Photoshop skill would be
a painstaking process. Due to complex features and even more complex
applications, Photoshop is not for those without patience and constant
practice. Furthermore, the program usually gets upgraded with more
usages, therefore, you would have to keep learning to avoid being obsolete.
 Graphic design is a critical skill in this digital era which affords anyone
flexibilityas well as attractive income.

Therefore, it would definitely be on top of my must-learn skill in the near

future. Actually, I have already scheduled my timetable and squeeze
in some hours for Photoshop 101 class next month and I hope it would go as
well as it could be.a

Vocabulary & Useful Expression

 prevail (v): exist or be very common at a particular time or in a particular
place
 Millennials (n): people who became adults around the year 2000
 digital nomad: people who use telecommunications technologies to earn a
living
 simplify (n): make something easier to do or understand
 take interest in: become concerned or interested in someone or something
 conquer (a challenge) (v): succeed in dealing with or controlling
something
 earn reputation/ respect (collocation)
 provide someone with something/ provide something for
someone:
 maximize (v): increase something as much as possible
 acquire a skill/ an accent…: gain something by your own efforts, ability
or behaviour
 painstaking (a): needing a lot of care, effort and attention to detail
 feature (n): a distinctive attribute or aspect of something
 constant practice
 get upgraded
 obsolete (a): out of date
 afford (v) (formal): provide
 attractive income:
 schedule (v): arrange that an event or activity will happen at a particular
time
 squeeze in: manage to make room or time for someone or something in a
tight space or schedule
5 (100%) 2 vote[s]
PART 3
Compare the importance of practical skills and academic skills.

How can people learn practical skills?

What practical skills do children leant at school in your country?

Model Answers

Describe a practical skill that you have.

How you learned it

When you use this skill

and explain how this skill is useful to you.

Well one skill that I have is playing the guitar.

I learned it when I was young. I learned how to play because I had many
friends that played the guitar and when they played and sang, I knew I just
had to learn. At first it was a little difficult because to be quite frank, I really
didn’t see myself as someone who was musically inclined. I had to tell myself
that I could do it and little by little, a note here and a chord I there, I managed
to pick it up. Even now I have a long way to go with playing but I have found
it enjoyable not just for myself, for others have said they enjoy it as well. I
have had a few guitars and although there arc different styles and qualities,
to me it seems that as long as they have strings on them and you can tune
them they arc fine.

I use the guitar to cheer myself up when I am feeling a little down and also
use it to teach songs to others. I have never made money teaching guitar
but I have made a little money playing and singing. I don’t know if I would
want to pursue this skill as a career but as long as I still enjoy it, I am going
to do it.
1. Compare the importance of practical skills and academic skills.

Well actually both are much needed in society. It seems to me that practical
skills such as knowing how to cook a meal or clean a house or take care of
children arc slipping, whereas academic skills such as teaching a class or
doing research seem to be on the rise. This is not bad in itself because there
need to be people who are thinking about how things work and how to
improve them, but the skills needed for everyday life shouldn’t be looked on
as any less important than others.

2. How can people learn practical skills?

A lot of these skills can be learned at home with their mother and father and
family. Skills such as sewing, budgeting or maintenance can be learned from
an aunt or uncle, grandfather or grandmother. If more difficult trades want
to be learned, such as plumber or electrician or mason, there are vocational
schools that could leach those. The main thing to learning a skill is the
motivation that is involved.

Children and practical skills

3. What practical skills do children leant at school in your country?

I’m afraid that there are not many. Academics are stressed so highly in
schools that they seem to overshadow practical skills. I suppose students
probably leant to listen to their teacher and how to behave and sit for long
periods at a time and apply themselves. They also have to learn how to
interact amongst themselves in a satisfactory way. They have to learn how to
get up on time and be at their school, which teaches them responsibility. I
guess it would help to define what practical skills we are talking about.

4. Do you think children should learn some practical skills at school?

I think that children should learn practical skills at school. This would help
to prepare them for life outside of school. A lot of times not much thought is
put into how to manage money or take care of an apartment but I think these
skills would be helpful. Life in the working world can be a lot different than
the sheltered life of schooling, so having some practical skills such as those
learned from a part-time job would be beneficial to a student.

5. How useful will these skills be to the children alter they leave school?
Well as I was saying in the previous question, these skills would be very
helpful to children after they leave school. When a teenager goes from high
school to college he has to start managing things on his own without the
security of mom and dad. Even more so when a young adult graduates from
college or university, he would also be very grateful to have some practical
knowledge on how to survive in the working world.

Adult education

6. Do you think it’s useful for adults to attend classes to further their
education?

Sure, why not, if it is something that they find useful in their lives and
something that they enjoy. Learning is lifelong and I don’t know if it has to
stop in old age. Now I know that a lot of times these adults are looked upon
as teachers, but if they feel so inclined why not attend a class to further their
education. If they are not able to keep up with the young students then this
would be a detriment, but if there are no disruptions why not?

7. What kinds of courses exist in your country for adults?

There are wonderful exercise classes that are available for adults. I don’t
know if you have seen large groups of older women out on the streets
performing with various percussion instruments, but these are classes that
help them to work together and perform for audiences. There arc dancing
classes available. There are even English classes available for senior citizens.
There are Tai Chi classes also available to seniors here. As time goes on and
the country develops there will be more classes that will be available for
seniors.

8. What are some reasons why adults might attend classes?

Well I guess one of the main ones is that they arc working and they need to
keep up with the latest technology that will help them to stay abreast of the
latest in their fields. Sometimes they might even be thinking of switching
careers so they take classes to get the training to do so. Other times they
might just want to learn some things in their spare time that will enhance
their life on a recreational level. Other times their bosses might want them
to learn some special skill for the good of the company.
 9. Who do you think should pay for adult education—the
government, the student or the company (if it is a work-related course)?

Again it depends on the course and why they are taking it. If it is for
personal gain or gratification then of course students should be responsible
to pay for it. If the government is offering a course and adults are interested
in it then it is already paid for. If it is going to move the company ahead and
bring financial results then of course the company should pay for it. Now if
the company can’t pay for it and it interests the individual then it is up to
him to get the money together to attend the class.

9/ Describe a film or TV show that made you laugh a

lot
You should say:

 What it was
 When it happened
 Who was with you?
 And explain why it made you laugh
PART 3
Do young people like to watch TV nowadays?
What kind of TV programs do young people like?
Do you think TV will be replaced by computers?
What do you think about TV advertisements?
Why do people like watching television?
How popular is watching television in your country?
What types of programme are generally on television in your country?
What effects can watching television have on children?
Model Answers

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a TV program
You should say:
• What the TV program is
• How you know it
• What it is like
• Why you like it
 Band 9 Sample:
I’m going to talk about “Who wants to be a millionaire”, one of my favorite TV shows ever. As far
as I can remember, it was originally a UK TV Game Show, and it made its first debut in my
country around 10 years ago.

This was kind of a quiz show in which contestants have to go through a set of 15 questions with
increasing difficulty. The first 5 questions are pretty silly really, and they always give me and my
family a good laugh. Contestants are given 4 lifelines to aid them with difficult questions, and
most of them are usually used up when the contestant reaches around question 7 or 8. The
entire show is a sea of knowledge. Many questions from different fields are asked, ranging from
trivial things like ingredients needed to make cookies to academic stuff like quantum physics and
archeology.

You know, I’m quite a curious man, so back when I was a high school kid, I hardly missed an
episode. When the Internet became available in Vietnam, I started to watch the UK and US
version as well, and knowledge acquired from those shows were really helpful to me in many of
my high school knowledge quizzes.

Vocabulary highlights:
• Debut: The first public appearance of something
• Give somebody a good laugh: Make someone laugh in excitement
• A sea of knowledge: a lot of knowledge

IELTS Speaking Part 3

 Do young people like to watch TV nowadays?
I would say no. The Internet is a much better option; everything from films and TV series to music
is available on the Net, some of which are free of charge (or at least in my country I think). Young
people, with their smartphones in hand, no longer feel the need to watch TV.

 What kind of TV programs do young people like?

Mostly soap operas, I believe. More women watch TV than men do, and romances are their
favorites. Also, cartoons are popular among kids, and students in Vietnam also love quiz shows.

 Do you think TV will be replaced by computers?

Yes, it’s very likely. I can see that coming really. The Internet has been a much better option;
everything from films and TV series’ to music is available on the Net, some of which are free of
charge. Young people, with their smartphones in hand, no longer feel the need to watch TV. I
would call it the “natural” selection of technology.

 What do you think about TV advertisements?

TV commercials help us to know about stuff we need to buy, so I think it’s pretty useful. However,
at times it can be very annoying when it interrupts our favorite shows.
 10/ Describe an activity you would do when you are
alone in your free time
You should say:

 What do you do
 How often do you do it
 Why do you like to do this activity?
 How do you feel when you do it?
PART 3
How do people in your country spend free time?
Is there any difference in spending free time now with the past?
Does this change bring any advantage?
How does finance affect the way people spend free time?
Is it important to have a hobby?
Is it harmful to spend too much time on a hobby?
Where do young people in this country usually spend their free time?
How do the men in your family usually spend their free time?
How do the women in your country usually spend their free time?
Do men and women spend their free time differently? How?
Which hobbies are the most popular with women in your country? With
men?
Do people’s leisure time activities change as they get older? How?

Model Answers

ELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics & Questions

1. Do you work? Or are you a student?
Well, I’m a senior at LongBeach University. My major is Linguistics and I
am about to gradute this January.

2. What is your major about?

As you can tell from its name, it’s about teaching English for students of all
ages. It supplies me with knowledge about teaching methodology , how to
prepare syllabus and deal with class situations. It’s very interesting major
for me
 3. Do you enjoy your major?
Yes, absolutely. Teaching has always been my favorite job as I can pass
knowledge to everyone. One of the perks of the job is that I can earn respect
from others though sometimes this job is really stressful

4. Is there anything you don’t like about your major?

Well, I think that my major sometimes is boring as the same lesson
repeated over and over. I don’t have many chances to have practical
experience as I learn theories most of the time

5. What do you don’t like about being a teacher?

As I said before, being a teacher is pretty stressful as I have to stay on top
of everything . For instance, controlling the class and finding suitable
teaching methodology for weak students. Besides, giving marks for tests
takes lots of time so I hardly have time to take a break

6. What kind of jobs get very high salaries in your country?

I think that the more challenging the job is, the higher the salary people
get.Doctors or engineers are one of the well-paid jobs as they require many
years of experience and qualification

7. Will you do the same job in the future?

Being an English teacher is a dream for me. It’s rewarding and challenging
job so I wont change my decision.

8. What’s your favorite color?

I’m a big fan of vivid colors , especially red or white. They bring a sense of
warm and I look good in those colors

1. Are there any colours that have a special meaning in your country?
Well, red and yellow are national colors . They appear everywhere, on the
national flag, clothes and people often decorate their house in yellow.

1. Are there any colours you dislike? [Why?]

I have to say that I don’t like black. It doesn’t suit my skin tone and black
reminds me of gloom so it’s my least favorite color

1. Do you think colours are important?

 I think that colors are irreplaceable in our daily lives. Without them ,
everyday would be tedious and dreary. They beautify walls and streets with
vivid colors and boost our mood in blue days

1. Why do some people like dark colors?

I think there are some reasons. It forms a sense of mystery so people can
hide their true emtions like insecurity. Besides, people who
look plump often wear dark colors to hide their weight and look thinner

1. When you are buying something, is the colour important to you?

Yes, it is. If the color suits my skin tone, it will highlight my beauty and vice
versa. So whenever I buy clothes, color is my first consideration

IELTS Speaking Part 2:

Describe an interesting or unusual thing you did in your spare
time

Where do you do it?

When do you do it?

Who do you do it with?

and describe why it was unusual or interesting.

I’d like to talk about a sport that I’ve (1) taken up lately. I’ve just started
going cycling a few weeks ago when my motorbike suddenly broke down.
My office is not so far from my house so I decided to ride to work and do
exercise at the same time. It started (2)growing on me so now I go cycling
for fun. I often spend time in early mornings to ride around the Sword lake.
The weather is so pleasant and there isn’t as much traffic as in the
afternoon so it’s perfect time to (3)unwind. I often ride alone but I
(4)signed up for this cycling club where everyone (4)share the passion
for riding. I (5)get on well with some members so we get together in the
mornings, ride around the lake and the old quarter then stop by
(6)eatery to have light breakfast. Cycling not only (7)makes my day but also
(8)widen my circle of friends. Though youngsters aren’t interested in this
 sport as they have interest in other things like games or social networks, I
personally think that it is the best way to(9) keep fit and (10)be as fit as a
fiddle

IELTS Speaking Part 3:

1. How do people in your country spend free time?
Well, I think it depends on personality. People who are active are likely to
hang out and spend more time outdoor. They may join in some clubs, make
new friends or involve in some social activities to amuse themshelves. On
the other hand, introvert people tend to idle away the hours staying indoor
and spending quality time with their families

2. Is there any difference in spending free time now with the past?
Yes, it seems to me that cutting-edge technology has great impact onhow
people spend their free time. While youngsters in the past spent more time
outdoor to play some traditional games, youngsters today play video games
or surf the internet . that’s why leisure pursuits today make people less
active and creative than they used to be

3. Does this change bring any advantage?

From my point of view, this modification has certain benefits. Browsing the
internet allows people to update lastest news freely and conveniently.
That’s a good way to be in touch with the world. Besides, playing video
games isn’t only good for mental but also physical health. It helps reducing
stress ,depression and boosts the mood. Interactive games are fast-paced so
players have to pay fully attention or else they’ll lose. That’s why players are
likely to focus and have better motor skills than normal person

4. How does finance affect the way people spend free time?
I see finance has profound impact on spending in spare time.
While affluent people tend to spend their time playing golf or chilling out at
spas, people having low income are likely to spend time at home, watch a
movie. The more money we have, the more money we spend so that’s why
leisure pursuits vary according to finance

5. Is it important to have a hobby? / Why is it important for people to

have free-time activities?
I personally believe that hobby is a remedy for fatigue. Since you choose
that activity, it will always give you pleasure and help you to unwind. Even
if you indulge in your hobby for a short period of time, you still can feel the
difference in your energy level and spirit. While you pursue a hobby, you
may discover that you have a talent for something unusual as well which
you do not know about so far. One more thing is that it also an a chance to
meet amazing people of similar taste when you join in any club

6. Is it harmful to spend too much time on a hobby?

Yes, I do agree to some extent. While having a hobby allows people to
unwind after stressful days, over-indulgence in anything could do more
harm than good. Lots of people spend too much time on playing games or
going to parities without realizing that they are wasting precious time. For
instance, a student spend long hours to play game will lead to bad academic
performance at school. So people should balance between their life and
hobby

7. What free-time activities would you like to try in the future?

I suppose it depends on my mood. If I feel energetic, i’d like to have a crack
at exciting sports like football to be more flexible and get into shape. On
the other hand, I’d like to take up some instrumental music . I find it very
relaxing and interesting to play some piece of music when I feel sad

5 (100%) 4 vote[s]
11/Describe a piece of good news you heard (from
TV or the Internet)
You should say:

– what the news was about

– when you got this news

– where you got this news from

– and why you think it was good news

PART 3
Do you think that news is censored in some countries?
Will newspapers disappear in the future?
What would the world be like without news?
How has it changed over the years?
Do you think people need to know all of the news?
Do you think it’s important to read the newspaper and know what is going
on in the world? Why or why not?

Model Answers

Describe a magazine you enjoy watching

You should say:

 where it can be bought

 what information it contains
 who you think reads this magazine
 and explain why you think this magazine is interesting.

Band 9 Sample
There is a magazine that I really enjoy reading called Vogue. I was first introduced to this
magazine when I went to a friend’s home for tea one evening.

I discovered it lying on her coffee table. I flipped through its pages and became immediately
hooked. I found myself buying It every’ month. I bought Issues at various newsstands,
convenient stores, and once or twice from a grocery store.
Vogue addresses topics of fashion, life and design. However, if there is one thing that makes
buying Vogue worthwhile, it is the articles. They are written by professional and reputable writers
who write in-depth about the products, events, and people, house, fashion, and everything else
there is to write about. There are lots of advertisements in Vogue, which many people hate, but
they do not bother me. I actually enjoy them because they are still showing beautiful people in
fashionable outfits.

The main target for Vogue magazine is young women. The stories are focused on famous female
celebrities and their opinions. The advertisements are all feminine products. What I think most
young girls buy the magazine for is its amazing fashion tip. The fashion taste is great and the
shoot are amazing.

It is an all-round magazine for young girls; but for me it isn’t—it’s only fashion, and it serves me
well. Vogue is classy and stylish, lit features the best fashion and you do not have to be rich to
read this magazine. People who are not interested in fashion will probably hate this magazine,
and that is probably why it has received so much criticism. I, on the other hand, love this
magazine and look to this magazine for some fantastic fashion inspiration.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

What kinds of magazines are popular?

Actually, when it comes to magazines, I’m not quite a big fan. But if I have to answer this
question, I would say that magazines that specialize in gardening, fashion, do-it-yourself are all
the rage in my country. People love do the gardening, planting trees or vegetables while others
are keen on repairing and mending household appliances, or an overwhelming majority of
individuals would be hooked by fashion trends, so I guess those three types of magazines would
have a wider appeal Compared to the rest.

Is journalist an interesting job?

As far as I’m concerned, this occupation Requires great stamina and persistence to be a
journalist, you have too on lots of field trips, travelling nationwide to obtain information for their
news articles. Those detest travelling are not cut out to be journalist or correspondent. Another
point worthy of consideration is that they have to take great care and be responsible for the
truthfulness of their articles. If not, they may be accused of exaggerating or misrepresenting the
real situation, and can be even imprisoned if they happen to libel the state in some ways.

Why do some journalists go to the battlefield to report the war?

I guess these heroic figures want the readers to have an on-the-spot coverage of the event so
that people can have the best picture of what’s going on there. Being a correspondent during war
times can pose an imminent threat to their life but they are in a position to sacrifice their life
simply for the sake of the general public. I guess such people must extremely courageous and
patriotic L. to embark on such a life-threatening mission.

Why do some people still read paper magazines?

Most of these readers tend to be middle-aged or elderly people as they find it difficult to gain
access to modern technology. Most of them are computer illiterate and have a hard time handling
hi-tech device it such as smartphones, so reading c-magazine would be out of their reach.
Interestingly, some people prefer to collect magazines of their interested fields because they can
store them and then lake out for later reading, as compared to online versions, which may be
deleted or removed after some weeks; a paper magazine lasts almost forever.

Do you think it’s important to keep up with the news?

Many people walk through their lives delightfully unaware of most of the events and issues going
on in the world outside of their daily lives. One of the media’s major roles is to serve as a
watchdog that keeps people informed. As social creatures that care about what is going on
around them, human beings rely a great deal on news. It is important not only because It
provides people with information that allows them to live their lives easier, but more importantly
because it is the primary way that the popular can stay informed and thus govern themselves. It
can help one make informed decisions when performing their civic duties.

What are the main differences between magazines and newspapers?

Magazines are made to sell products and to entertain; while newspapers are used more Just to
Inform readers about the important aspects that affect your lives. Most magazines are just
celebrity gossip. It fcs not necessarily verifiable It plays no direct role in the way a person lives
his/her life. It certainly plays no role in helping inform people so they can he good citizens and
govern themselves. Its complete lack of relevancy to I person’s life makes celebrity gossip
entertainment, not news.

Why do some people only read the headlines when they read a newspaper?

Most of us, who are interested in the news, usually have busy schedules. We usually only have
time to read a newspaper on the bus or train, and that is if there is not too many people. So when
people like me read the newspaper, we first scan the headlines to find the most interesting issue
of the day. If a headline does not catch our attention, we don’t read it; unless we still have some
spare time. Then there are articles that we think have no significance in our lives, so we don’t
even consider reading them; thus, just that article’s headline gets read.
 12/ Describe a family business you know
You should say:

 What this family business is

 How you know about it
 Who the customers of this family business are
 And explain why the business is successful
Model Answers

Describe a successful small business that you know.

You should say:

what the business is
where it is
who runs the business / how you know about this business
and explain why you think it is successful.

BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

Nowadays, there is a new booming [1] trend of start-ups in my

city; however, not all of them are successful. One of the businesses that I
think is the most successful is X – a chain of restaurants and café boutiques.

I remember 2 years ago, they only had one business in our city. It quickly
became one of the favorite [2] spots for the youth to get together. Now they
have expanded with franchises [3] in almost every corner of my city.
The fame of X has spread by word of mouth, and in my case, a friend told
me about it.

The owner of the chain is a young woman, who is only 31 years old at the
moment. Since I have always been [4] interested in opening up a small
café/ restaurants of my own, I admire her work a lot. She has successfully
created a brand name of real food, in the environment of
a modern, energetic and urban café, introducing the foreign lifestyle to
our rustic city. Every time I have visited this restaurant, it has always
been full [4] and this applies to all other locations in our city, not
just one specific place.
Recently, the group announced that it had [5] raised a 5.5- million-dollar
investment from overseas funds. This proves that X is considered to have
great potential in developing further and becoming even more
successful in the future.

USEFUL VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS FOR IELTS

SPEAKING:

 booming: [adjective] having a sudden increase in business, wealth and

success. Example: The owner was able to buy new machinery, because his
company was booming and he had money to invest.
 start-ups: [noun] companies that are just opening. Example: Many
start-ups fail because they do not have enough money to survive their first
year in business.
 chain: [noun] a group of businesses owned by the same company.
Example: There are about 6 large chains of supermarkets selling food in the
UK.
 boutiques: [noun] a small business that sells fashionable products.
Example: A famous street in London is full of small boutiques selling all the
latest styles of clothes.
 franchises: [noun] businesses which have been given permission by a
company to sell its products in a particular area. Example: The largest
restaurant franchise in the UK is McDonalds.
 word of mouth: [expression] The chain is famous because people have
talked about it to each other. Example: The news of the accident spread by
word of mouth, hours before it was reported on TV.
 brand name: [noun] the name given to a product by the company that
produces it. Example: The brand name of the most famous trainers is
NIKE.
 rustic: [adjective] simple – typical of the countryside. Example: It is
impossible to see rustic styles of houses in Hanoi nowadays.
 investment: [noun] a sum of money that you lend to a business,
expecting that you will make more money over a period of time. Example:
The investment of money by the bank enabled the business to expand

13/ Describe a time when someone didn’t tell you the

whole truth about something
You should say:
 – when this happened

– what the situation was

– who you were with

– and why the person didn’t tell the whole truth

14/ Describe a party that you joined

You should say:

 When it took place.

 Where it was.
 Who were there.
 What you did I here.
 And how you felt about the party.
Model Answers

Describe a birthday celebration that you attended recently.

You should say:

 Whose birthday it was

 who attended the party
 where did it take place
and describe the party.

Sample Answer:
I have attended so many birthday parties, but the one I remember the best is
the birthday of my grandfather when he turned 80. That celebration is one
of the best memories I can keep about him.
 To people in our country, 80 years old is a special milestone in everyone’s
life as the old people are respected for their experience and wisdom. Thus,
in 80th birthday celebration, people often hold a big and extremely
memorable party, inviting a lot of people to attend. Among invitee list, there
are a lot of our relatives, neighbors, friends and local authorities.

My grandfather’s 80th birthday celebration took place in a convention near

his house. It was such a quality time for my whole family and all our
beloved relatives and friends to sit together. Everyone tried to choose a
special gift for my grandpa. I was a little bit astonishedwhen I saw the
number of gifts my grandpa received, which meant how much my grandpa
was loved. People also sent greetings to him, which are mostly about health.
Then, people enjoyed the party with delicious and well-prepared food.

However, the most lovely part of the celebration was the time after party.
When all of invitees had left, our family gathered together and took a trip
down memory lane. It reminded me of the good old days, when I
was knee high to a grasshopper and still a little stubborn girl who
always got into trouble. No matter how serious problem I got, I could
always ask my grandpa for helps or advice as he would never turn his back
on me.

Time flies so fast, but memory still lasts. Grandpa and his 80th birthday
celebration would definitely be among my sweetest memory.

Vocabulary:

 turn 80: reach the age of 80.

Ex: I was considered an adult since I turned 18

 milestone: an action or event marking a significant change or stage in

development.
Ex: The speech is being hailed as a milestone in race relations

 wisdom: the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment;

the quality of being wise.
Ex: A stoic is a person who combines the qualities of wisdom , upright
dealing, and courage.

 take place: happen or occur

 Ex: When will this party take place? It’s taking place right now.

 Quality time: time that you spend with someone, usually your partner or
child, doing enjoyable things together so that your relationship remains
strong
 astonished: greatly surprised or impressed; amazed.
Ex: He was astonished at the change in him

 took a trip down memory

lane: To reminisce over memories of past events, especially happy ones
Ex: Our family spend more time taking trips down memory lane when we
have dinner together.

 knee high to a grasshopper: very young

Ex: I haven’t seen him since I was knee-high to a grasshopper

 turn one’s back on somebody: to refuse to help or be involved

Ex: How can we turn our backs on people who have no homes, no jobs, no
hope?

PART 3
What are the things the old and the young like doing in their free time?

Should parents spend much money on children’s party?

Why some people dislike attending parties?

Why do people throw parties?

15/ Describe an old person who is interesting
You should say:

– who this person is

– how you know this person

– what you do with this person

– and why you think this person is interesting

PART 3
Why do some young people dislike living with old people?
What are the advantages of living with old people?
What are the causes of generation gap?
What’s the difference between teenagers and children?
Is it possible for parents and children to be friends?
How do teenagers treat old people in your country?

Model Answers

Topic: Describe a person who you like to spend time

with
I’m grateful to have such a supportive family and a large circle of friends who are always be there
for me no matter what. I spend most of my free time surrounded with my beloved friends and
family. Even though I love them all to the moon and back, my younger sister, Jade, is the one
that’s closest to me.

Jade is seven years younger than me, which might create some sense of generation gap, yet,
we still get along well, or at least most of the time. She is in high school now and has a dream of
becoming a doctor one day. In term of appearance, we have little in common. By that I mean
while I’m kind of tall, she’s relatively short; while I take after my father, she’s my mom’s splitting
image. Same thing with our characteristics. I am people-oriented and a true free spirit, Jade, on
the contrary, is quite introverted and into stability. Hence, that came as a huge surprise when
others acknowledge our strong bond. We’re like 2 sides of the same coin.

No matter how different we are, we have never neglected or abandoned each other. In fact, we
are partners in crime in so many impulsive and silly acts that our family has lost count. Once, I
tried to play the victim with my uncle as I accidentally broke a crystal vase that my aunt adored,
Jade backed me up as we put the blame on our poor cousin. What a shameful act! But that
was years ago and we learnt our lesson in a hard way. Another time when my sister’s teacher
asked to meet our parents because Jade had ditched class. To her defense, that subject was
boring and I was the one who talked to her teacher. In the end, Jade had to serve more time at
the library and we kept this from our parents and so were other things. We got each other’s back
and we always will because that’s what sisters do and simply because I love her.

QUESTION FOR PART 3

1. How do you usually spend your spare time?

To be honest, I barely have free time between work and study these days. However, whenever I
need a break from work or try to loosen myself a little bit, I always turn to music. Music is my
religion, so to speak and I don’t know what I would do without it. No matter how awful my day has
been or how deliriously happy I am with my new project, music always gets my mood. It offers
comfort when I feel down with some smooth melodies and celebrates my success with hard
beats, totally understanding. Hence, it is safe to say music is my soulmate.

2. Why do some young people dislike living with old people?

The most common reason might be a large generation gap between youngsters and their senior
citizen in terms of mindsets and living style. To be more precise, young people are more open-
minded and always up for adventures in comparison to the elder. They live bolder, act more
impulsively and refuse to settle for anything less than freedom and big dream while their
grandparents are more careful in every decision and take into account possible consequences
before making any move. Hence, when living together, they can hardly reach any
mutual consent in any aspect. However, there are also exceptions where 2 or 3 generations
living in harmony under the same roof.

3. What do you usually do when you hang out with your friends?

Well, the kinds of activities can vary depends on which groups of friends I hang out with. If they
are my best friends whom I’ve known most of my life, we will undoubtedly do silly things together
regardless how ridiculous it would look on us. For example, one time, we were playing truth or
dare when I was forced to stand in the middle of the road singing my heart out Justin
Timberlake’s songs. It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life and of course, as
what best friends always did, they recorded it and replayed occasionally anytime we got bored.
Though it was distinctly sheepish, it was how we enjoyed our company whenever we hung out.

4. Do you like to spend time on your own or with your family/friends?

I would say I enjoy both equally. I don’t consider myself an extrovert but I love being surrounded
by people, whether they’re my family, friends or just someone I meet at a social gathering. I find
it intriguing to communicate and get to know people no matter who they are or what
their political standpoint is since every individual I talk to gives me a different perspective of
life. Therefore, I don’t mind spending time with others. However, whenever I feel the need
to contemplate myself or just want to get away from reality, I prefer being on my own.

5. What are the advantages of living with old people?

Old people are like living dictionaries packed with endless stories about lifetime experience and
wide bread of knowledge. Though born and raised in different social context, they can always
provide youngsters with practical pieces of advice and be a valuable reference sources
whenever we are in need. For example, if you get bored with all the facts and dates listed in
history books, which are highly informative, yet, tedious, turn to your grandparents and get ready
to be inspired by their personal insights and authentic experience. No one knows the stories
better than those who have been through it.

6. Should young adults live on their own?

In my opinion, adolescences who have reached their maturity should live apart from their
families to be more emotionally and financially independent. This kind of practice is more
common in European and American countries compared to their Asian counterparts, which can
be explained by traditional lifestyles and mindsets. However, the number of Asian youngsters
moving out of their parents’ houses are growing substantially since living on their own not only
force them to be more responsible with their lives from washing their own dishes to ironing their
clothes, but also offer them certain freedom to pursue what they want.

16/ Describe a time you taught something new to a

younger person
You should say:

– when it happened

– who and what you taught

– why you taught this person

– and how you felt about the teaching

17/ Describe a book you want to write

You should say:

– when you had this idea

– what kind of book you want to write

– what the book is about

– and why you want to write this kind of book

PART 3
What kinds of books that old people like to read?
Are you a good story teller?
How do you think people will read in the future?
Do you think that the internet and television will eventually make books
obsolete?
Do you think that it is more valuable to read a book than to watch
television?
What kind of books are considered good reads in your opinion?
Model Answers

Describe an impressive story you heard from other people

You should say:

 What was this story

 When did you hear about it
 Who told you this story
 And explain why you were impressed by it

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Band 9 Model Answer

Today I’m going to talk about a captivating and inspiring story that I heard from my brother who
said he watched a programme on TV a few days ago. It is about a poor student who made it to
university with the top marks.

It was when I was feeling down in the dumps and disorientated in my life that my brother told me
the story, which gave me a great deal of motivation to keep on studying.

Following the plot of the story narrated by my brother, I was deeply touched and felt a sense of
admiration for such a persistent boy. Although he was born into an impoverished family, and had
to support his family by selling lottery tickets, he managed to cover his study expenses with the
money he earned and finally got into university with flying colors. He was an exemplary role
model and a huge source of encouragement for many disadvantaged students.

After the program, I promised with myself to make a more arduous effort in my study. I no longer
slack off in my studies, and have been frequenting the library day in day out to acquire more
knowledge to better prepare myself for the obstacles ahead. The story truly changed my outlook
on life.
QUESTIONS FOR PART 3
What kinds of hooks that old people like to read?

Since I’m not an elderly person, what I’m going to say is just guesswork but old people are really
into books which tell about the daily lives of ordinary citizens or those books which give them the
chance to reflect on their life. This is because, they are at an age where spiritual well-being is of
more importance, and many old citizens would choose books containing some philosophy or
moral lessons to read. The reason I feel this way is they can not only can while away the time,
they can also improve their personality and pass the experience they read onto their
grandchildren.

Are you a good story teller?

To be honest with you, I’m bad at putting my ideas across so I rarely dare tell a story to anybody.
To be a good storyteller, you have to be excellent at your language, have a broad knowledge and
possess an intriguing voice as well. Those are the qualities I lack so you see; I am hopeless at
describing something to others.

How do you think people will read in the future? = Does reading books become a less
common activity because of ebooks?

I strongly disagree with this view. Although the advent of the internet gives us a wide an array of
options when it comes to reading activity, like we can read ebooks on our laptop or Ipad, nothing
can compare to the experience of holding a book in your own hands, and read it from cover to
cover. Another point is that you can jump to the page you want to read by turning your fingers
and browsing for the desired contents with your eyes, which is much more convenient and user-
friendly than having to use a computer screen or a mouse to do the job
 18/ Describe an item you bought but don’t often use
You should say:

 When you bought it

 Where you bought it
 Why you bought it
 and explain why you don’t often use it

19/ Describe a time that you had to change your plan/

you changed your mind
You should say:

 When this happened.

 What made you change the plan.
 What the new plan was.
 And how you felt about the change.
PART 3
What’s the most important factor in decision-making?
Do you think adults always make better decisions than children?
Do you like to make quick decisions?
What can people learn from wrong decisions?
Should parents make decisions for their children?
Model Answers

Describe an important skill which cannot be learned at school

You should say:
• What the skill is
• Why it cannot be learned at school
• Why it is important
• How we can learn it

Today I would like to talk about making presentations, which is a skill that I learned from my
mentor who used to encourage and give me many pieces of sound advice.

It was about 3 years ago, when I was studying in an English language center in order to improve
my English skills to a higher level. During that time, my peers and I had many opportunities to
make presentations in English under the guidance of Jimmy, who is a born presenter and is head
and shoulders above everyone else in teaching students how to speak in front of the crowd. At
first, I was faced with various obstacles when speaking in front of my classmates, especially the
first time because I had butterflies in my stomach, so I really struggled with speaking in front of a
lot of people confidently, and I even suffered from failures. However, I gradually overcame the
difficulties and got the hang of it, and things became easier for me since then.

As for why this skill is essential, I believe that when studying at universities or working in
companies, people have to speak publicly on a frequent basis in order to prove their ability in
their study or their work. Therefore, by watching YouTube videos or going to learning centers,
learners can improve their presentation skills to a higher degree.

Vocabulary highlights:
• Peer: a person who is the same age or who has the same social status as you
• Under the guidance of somebody: to be guided by somebody
• A born presenter: someone who is really good at making presentations
• Head and shoulders above everyone else: to be better than everyone else
• Have butterflies in my stomach: have a nervous feeling
• Get the hang of it: to learn to handle something with some skills
• On a frequent basis: to do something frequently

IELTS Speaking Part 3

 What qualities do you think are the most important for work?
When it comes to work, I think communication skills are the most important. This is because from
the initial moment that applicants get in touch with interviewers when applying for a new job,
those interviewers will scrutinize the way they behave. If the applicants can prove their
communication skills, it is likely that they will not only communicate well with other coworkers but
also with regular customers, which would allow them to broaden their knowledge and gradually
become a well-rounded employee.

 What skills do you want to learn?

I guess that I’m really interested in technology skills because they seem to be essential in my
occupation nowadays. Specifically, although I am working as a teacher, I need to use some
modern devices like overhead projectors and laptops on a frequent basis, for example, in order
to convey lessons to students more effectively. This will not only help students to understand
lessons more thoroughly but also allow me to develop my lesson plans carefully.

 Is it necessary for teenagers to learn to use computers?

Yes, I think children should learn how to use computers because of two main reasons. One of
which is that computer skills are mainly required in schools nowadays, which means that they
need to use modern devices to search for information on the Internet in order to study as well as
to do assignments and homework. For example, in our country, students are allowed to use
tablets and smartphones to look up new words in English when doing exercises. Another major
reason is that computer skills also bring benefits in the long-term, as most companies nowadays
include these skills as a compulsory requirement, regardless of the occupation.
 20/ Describe a time you received horrible service
You should say:

– when it happened

– where you received

– what happened

– and why the service was horrible

PART 3
Why some people choose to buy in the street market rather than the
shopping mall?
Do you think the discounted goods have good value?
How often do people in your country go shopping?
What kinds of places are popular for shopping in your country?
Do you think online shopping will replace shopping in reality?
Did you ever have had shopping experience?
What would you do if you bought something disappointing from the
internet?
How is online shopping so popular these days?
Model Answers 1
Model Answers 2

IELTS SPEAKING PART 3

1. Do all people enjoy shopping for clothes?

I can’t say for sure since it largely depends on personal demand and
interest. Women seem to be more obsessed with fashion and shopping than
the rest of the population but, of course, there are exceptions. Those who
love spending time and money on beautiful pieces of clothing pay great
attention for their appearance and take pleasure in the act itself, while
others consider it a waste of resources. However, people have different
reasons to buy clothes which are not necessarily related to whether they
enjoy it or not. For example, most men tend to avoid clothes shopping
unless they need a new suit for some formal event or simply because they’re
run out of clothes.
 take pleasure in (idiom): derive happiness or enjoyment from

2. Why women like to do shopping?

Women are usually considered creatures of beauty, which may explain why
they love shopping and enjoy lavish costumes to a considerable degree.
First and foremost, outfits are visual indicators of personal image and
personalities, hence, they want to dress accordingly. Secondly, shopping is
not only for the sake of fashion but also an effective means of
relaxation. In modern society where lots of people are under constant
stress every day, indulging oneself insome serious shopping may help
to take the weight off their mind, despite temporarily. Last but not
least, women don’t usually shop for themselves alone but most of their
spending is on family and friends. They relish the idea of giving gifts or
buying nice clothes for their beloved ones, therefore, shopping sits high on
their to-do lists.

 to a considerable degree (idiom): to some extent

 indicator (n): a sign that shows you what something is like or how a
situation is changing
 for the sake of (idiom): in order to get or keep something
 under stress: dealing with something that causes worry or anxiety
 indulge in (v): to allow yourself to have or do something that you like,
especially something that is considered bad for you
 take the weight off one’s mind (idiom): to allow you to stop worrying
about a particular thing
 relish (v): to get great pleasure from something; to want very much to do
or have something

3. Why some women buy cheaper clothes and expensive ones

at the same time?
Admittedly, the more high-priced a piece of clothing is, the
more exquisite it looks. However, it doesn’t mean low-cost costumes are
less appealing or fashionable. Therefore, many women have both high-
end items as well as more budget-friendly ones in their closet for
different purposes. Luxury brands such as Gucci, Channel or Louis Vuitton
are more familiar with the upper class and frequently make their
appearance in upscale places or events. Yet, more affordable apparel
brands like ZARA or H&M are not falling behind in terms of fashion
trends or stylish designs. Thus, many prefer them and their products are
suitable for various occasion from daily wear to special ones.
 high-priced (a): high-priced
 exquisite (a): extremely beautiful or carefully made
 low-cost (a): below the usual cost; cheap
 appealing (a): attractive or interesting
 high-end (a): expensive and of high quality
 budget-friendly (a): inexpensive
 upper class (n): upper class
 make one’s appearance: to appear; to appear in a performance
 upscale (a): relatively expensive and designed to appeal to affluent
consumers affordable (a):
 fall behind (phrasal verb): fail to keep up with one’s competitors

4. Do you think it is good for people buy expensive clothes?

Why?
People have their own preference when it comes to fashion which satisfy
both their taste and affordability. I believe it’s more economically
wise not to spend exorbitant amount of money on clothing since such
amount can be invested more efficiently. The first reason is fashion is
mainly short-lived. Once a certain type of clothing goes out of style, it is
likely to be left untouched for eternity in spite of only being worn for a
few times. Imagine the exact same thing happens with dozens of other
pieces in your closet and the amount of money you waste will add up.
Furthermore, it will be more beneficial to invest in experiences and
knowledge rather than material items. Travel more and explore the world
while you still can will bring you more pleasure and wisdom than a
fashionable dress ever could.

 economically wise (a): using money, resources, etc., carefully

 short-lived (a): lasting only for a short time
 in/ out of fashion (idiom): popular (or unpopular) and considered (or
not considered) to be attractive at the time in question.
 untouched (a): not be worn
 eternity (n): a period of time that seems to be very long or to never end
 add up (phrasal verb): to amount to an expected total

5. Why do some people like shopping with friends?

Plenty of people, including me, enjoy shopping with friends rather than by
themselves because of some privileges they can’t find otherwise. People
tend to seek advice or ideas on the products or services when shopping.
 Hence, a companion can provide you with more objectiveand
fairer remarks on the item you want to buy but are uncertain of, which is
extremely helpful when it comes to fashion. Besides, it might be impossible
for you to refrain yourself from overspending and that’s where your co-
shopper comes to your rescue. Before they let you go over your
budget, they make sure you are aware of the pros and cons. Thus, unless
all my friends are occupied, I rarely go shopping alone.

 privilege (n): something that you are proud and lucky to have the
opportunity to do
 companion (n): a person who has similar tastes, interests, etc. to your
own and whose company you enjoy
 objective (a): not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; considering
only facts
 remark (n): something that you say or write which expresses an opinion, a
thought, etc. about somebody/something
 refrain (v): to stop yourself from doing something, especially something
that you want to do
 overspend (v): to spend too much money or more than you planned
 come to rescue (idiom): to rescue or save someone or something
 over budget (idiom): beyond the amount of money than had been
planned for

6. Why people like shopping for clothes online?

Online shopping, especially for apparel, has become a thriving business in
a past few years for good reasons. To begin with, buying online is incredibly
time-saving. Instead of spending hours driving to your favorite malls to get
some new clothes of the latest collection, your problem can be solved with
only Internet connections and, of course, your fine taste in fashion. No
energy is needed, either. Secondly, you always have best deals
when subscribing to any online stores, which can save you tons of money
that you don’t even notice. Some shops even offer exclusive
promotions for loyal customers, therefore, get ready for special treats.
Lastly, you can easily switch from site to site to have even more choices
without moving anything but your fingers.

 thriving (a): continuing to be successful, strong, healthy, etc.

 subscribe (v): to arrange to have regular access to an electronic
information service or other Internet service
 exclusive (a): only to be used by one particular person or group; only
given to one particular person or group
 7. What risks would take when shopping online? Why?
Everything always has two sides and shopping online may not always prove
to be the best choice. Many online shoppers have experienced unpleasant
situations in which either products or service, or sometimes both, fell
short of their expectations. The most common problem is false
advertisement in terms of color, size or material which is profoundly
disturbing since each person has a unique figure that suits some certain
pieces of clothing. As a result, you don’t get what you pay for. In addition,
unless you order on trustworthy online stores of well-known brands or the
like, customer service can’t be guaranteed. It may take days or weeks until
your concern is addressed or worse, forever. Therefore, be careful
and selective before any purchase decision to avoid irksome experience.

 fall short of (idiom): if something falls short of a particular level or

standard, it does not reach it
 irksome (a): irksome
 profoundly (adv): in a way that has a very great effect on
somebody/something
 selective (a): tending to be careful about what or who you choose

8. What special clothes do people in your country wear on

official or formal occasions?
General speaking, there isn’t any strict dress code in most of the events,
except some exclusive ones but people do share some implicitly agreed
idea when it comes to formal attires. As regards men, suits, blazers or
tuxedos are their common choice. This is understandable since a nicely
tailored suit can not only boost a man’s confidence and exude power
but also an indicator of honor and respect. After all, it’s better
to overdress than underdress. Women, on the other hand, usually dress
up in elegant dresses or gowns which can accentuate their feminine
figures and make them shine. And depending on the formality level of the
event, the types of dresses can vary greatly from little black dresses, cocktail
dresses to fabulous gowns.

 exude (v): if you exude a particular feeling or quality, or it exudes from

you, people can easily see that you have it
 overdress (v): wear clothes that are too formal or too elegant for a
particular occasion
 underdress (v): dress too plainly or too informally
 accentuate (v): to emphasize something or make it more noticeable
 formality (n): correct and formal behaviour

9. What is the different dress style between boys and girls?

Needless to say, boys’ and girls’ taste in fashion is as different as chalk
and cheese since the former looks for the ease of use while the latter is all
for style and beauty. Due to their dynamic nature, most boys actively
engage in outdoor games or physical activities such as gardening, roller
skating and other sports. Hence, clothes that are sweat-
absorbent, loose-fitting and hard-wearing are often preferable to
male youngsters. However, girls appear to develop a sense of style sooner
than their counterparts, therefore, their outfits are more diverse, form-
fitting and fashionable ranging from blouses, shirts, tank tops to mini
dresses, skirts or culottes.

 as different as chalk and cheese (idiom): if two people are like chalk
and cheese, they are completely different from each other
 sweat-absorbent (a): being able to absorb sweat
 loose-fitting (a): (of clothes) not fitting the body tightly
 hard-wearing (a): able to stand much wear
 counterpart (n): a person or thing that has the same position or function
as somebody/something else in a different place or situation
 form-fitting (a): fitting the body snugly, so that its shape is clearly visible

10. Do you like jewel?

I love collecting tiny pieces of art like jewelries since they are not only
accessories but perfect complements to your whole look. There are
thousands of types and designs of jewelries for you to choose from so I bet
everyone, regardless of genders, can find at least one item they love, from
earrings, bracelets, necklaces to watches. The materials of which they are
made also varied from luxurious ones such as silver, gold, diamond to more
affordable and street-style ones like artificial stones, copper or other
metals. Thus, they can go with different kinds of styles and if you do it right,
they will make your outfit less boring and livelier.

 complement (n): a thing that adds new qualities to something in a way

that improves it or makes it more attractive
 regardless of: paying no attention to something/somebody; treating
something/somebody as not being important

11. Do you wear many jewels?

Even though I have a whole jewelry collection at home, I’ve never
attempted to put on more than five pieces since I live with
a motto“simplicity is the best”. I have a habit of picking up eye-catching
accessories whenever I come across one but always consider carefully
before matching them with my costume. For example, if I dress in an off-
shoulder top, a simple choker is good enough to highlight my long neck.
Other times when I tie my hair in a messy bun, I prefer a pair of
sophisticated earrings such as hoop or feather ones to add more feminine
and romantic vibes. But all in all, never exceed five at the same time.

 motto (n): a short sentence or phrase that expresses the aims and beliefs of
a person, a group, an institution, etc. and is used as a rule of behaviour
 come across (phrasal verb): meet or find by chance

 Why some people wear a jewel for a long time?

I suppose each has their own reasons. In most cases, if people get
attached to a certain piece of jewelries, there might be a story behind it. It
could be a family heirloom that has been passed down generations to
generations so it has a special meaning to the owner. Or it may belong to
someone they hold dear such as their spouse, parent or soulmate which
can explain why they don’t want to take it off. Another reason is that they
keep wearing the same jewel just out of habit. They get accustomed
to it after a while and are too lazy to change the new one so there it stays.

 get attached to: attach

 heirloom (n): a valuable object that has belonged to the same family for
many years
 hold dear (idiom): be fond of; be attached to | cherish, treasure, care for
 out of habit (idiom): habitually
 get accustomed to: to think/start to think that something is normal or
natural because you have experienced it regularly over a period of time
 21/ Describe a beautiful city you’ve visited/ Describe
an interesting part of your country
You should say:

 Where is it?
 When did you go there?
 What did you do there?
 And explain why you like it
PART 3

Do you think modern life give people enough time for leisure?
What’s the most important factor for a tourist attraction?
Do you think we should have more public holidays?
What do people need before travelling to another country?
Is there any difference between young tourists and adult tourists?
Do you think tourism will harm the earth?
Which method of travel do you consider safest?
In 20 or 30 years, how do you think traveling will be different to what it is
today?

Model Answers

Describe an perfect vacation away from home you would like to

have in the future

Where you will go.

Whom you will go with.
When you will go.
What you will do there.
Have you told your friends about this.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample Band 7

This topic actually makes me think of a holiday I am planning for Christmas this year. I would
love to make a trip to Hokkaido. I am so excited about the holiday that I have to tell you all about
it.

During the Christmas holiday, I long to be surrounded by snow and beautiful decor. This is one of
the reasons why I am over the moon to head to Hokkaido. The scenery there is so beautiful that
it almost doesn’t seem real. I saw the location on many TV programs and have had the image in
my head for quite some time. The area has quite a lot of shopping areas too, which will help
keep US busy. Plus, there are tons of places to chow down on delicious food. I am excited to
treat my parents to such meals and to have some quality time with them without interruption.
Of course, one of the main reasons I want to go on this trip is to show my parents the snow. They
actually haven’t been around deep snow before and I think they would have the time of their lives
playing in it. I know, it will help them to kick back and relax, which they both deserve. Plus, the
view of all of the snow will make our Christmas celebration feel magical.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

1) Do you like short holidays or long holidays?

Well, I prefer the long holidays. What I want to mention firstly is that the long holiday provides me
a chance to stay with my family. My university is in the south, however, my hometown is located
in the north- east and it usually costs me twenty hours to take the train home. In this case, I can
only go home to see my family when the holiday is long. Secondly, I can always travel to other
cities during the long holidays. As for me, I like travelling to different cities during the free time. If
the holiday is long enough, I can take the chance to go to other cities and know more about the
world, it is also a good way to broaden my horizon. So, based on the reasons I mentioned above,
I prefer the long holidays.

2) Do you think modern life give people enough time for leisure?

No, I do not think so. What I want to mention firstly is that people’s living pace is becoming faster.
In the current society, the competition is becoming fiercer. In order to survive in such a
competitive society, people need to stay up late at night in order to make more money. In this
case, people will focus more on the work, rather than paying enough attention to the importance
of having rest. Secondly, people are facing too much pressure nowadays, especially for the
students. The high school students are facing the pressure from the college entrance
examination and the university students are facing the heavy pressure from the competitive job
market, so the students need to work harder in order to fight for a bright future. So, based on the
reasons I mentioned above, I think people in the modern society are lack of the leisure time.

3) What’s the most important factor for a tourist attraction?

Basically speaking, I think there are three important factors. What I want to mention firstly is the
history. The tourist attraction can reflect the history of a place, and the reason why the tourists
visit this attraction is that they want to know more about what has happened in the past.
Secondly, the environment of the tourist attraction should also be good. With the development of
the society, the pollution in the city is becoming even more serious. So, the tourists also want
to breathe the fresh air and appreciate the beautiful scenery during the trip. Thirdly, the ticket
price of the tourist attraction should not be too expensive. The commodity price of the current
society is still growing and it is not very easy for peoplẹ to earn money. The cheap ticket price
can attract more people to travel.

4) Do you think we should have more public holidays?

Yes, I think so. What I want to mention firstly is that people are facing too much pressure
nowadays. In this competitive society, the white collars are facing heavy working pressure since
they have to work hard in order to win promotion. For the high school students, they are facing
the pressure from the study since they have to get a high score in the college entrance
examination. Secondly, people need more holidays to stay with their families. In the current
society, many people work far away from the home. If we have more holidays, those people can
have more time to accompany their families and I think the relationship among the family
members will also be closer accordingly. So, based on the reasons mentioned, we should have
more public holidays.
22/ Describe a person you wanted to be similar to
when you were growing up
You should say:

– who this person was

– when you first met the person

– what the person did

– and you would like to become this person

PART 3

What are parents’ responsibilities for their children?

What’s the influence of parents on their children?
What would children do to make their parents proud?
What do you think are some of the most difficult problems faced by
parents?

Model Answers
Describe someone who is a good parent/ Describe a
good parent you know
You should say:

 Who the parent is

 How you know the parent
 What the parent looks like
 And explain why you think the parent is good.

Ok right then, off the top of my head, the parent I’d like to talk about is the mother of a good
friend of mine, and the reason for choosing to talk about her is that my friend is always going on
about how lucky he is to have such a nice mum. And from what I know about her, I’d say he’s
absolutely right.

Anyway, as for how I know her, well it’s basically due to the fact that I went to the same middle
school as her son. And because we became pretty good friends, we ended up seeing quite a lot
of each other’s parents, especially during the holidays when we often went over to each other’s
homes.
And regarding what his mother looks like, well interestingly enough, she actually looks pretty
similar to my own mother, because they both have quite round faces and long wavy
hair. Having said that, I’ve noticed that my friend’s mother often ties her hair up in a
bun whereas my mother usually always keeps it down. And another thing to mention would be
that whenever I see her, she always seems to be wearing red clothes, which I guess is probably
because red suits her quite well.

But anyway, finally then, with regard to why I think she’s a good parent, well I’d say there are
quite a few reasons, one of which would be that she’s always been very supportive to her
son. And just to give you an example, when he wondered what major to study at university, he
ended up choosing music. And his mother gave him her full support, which is probably not
what many other parents would have done, as music doesn’t really leave open a lot of career
choices.

And I think it’s fair to say that nowadays, a lot of parents persuade their children to do things
which they think are best for them, but my friend has said that his parents have never been like
this with him, especially his mother. So I kind of get the impression that she’s never forced him
to do anything against his will, and has always let him make his own decisions, which I
think’s really great.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

In a typical family, who plays the leading role?

Well, the stereotype is that the father is the breadwinner of the family, the person who makes
the decisions and takes responsibility for the whole family. This can be understandable
because the father tends to occupy high positions in society while the mother tends to be
housewife or only gets involved in some trivial work like cleaning or babysitting. However, this is
not really the case in modern society where freedom and equality is being put a higher
emphasis on. Women are as successful as men and are no longer in charge of
the monotonous household chores like they were in the past

In your country, what kinds of family members usually live together?

Well, to the best of my knowledge, despite the increasing popularity of nuclear families,
extended ones still exist in our society. Usually both parents and one, two or three kids
would live together under the same roof. In other cases, a grandmother or grandmother joins
them to take care of the small kids while the parents are away for work, for example. Other less
common situations are many generations reside in the same house, usually a multi-story house.
Families like these often consist of an uncle, aunt, and their families and so on. Typically, many
problems occur when a great many members are in a similar place

Do young and middle-age people live with old people?

Frankly speaking, unlike in Western countries where it is common to send older grandparents to
nursing homes, most people are bound by their duty, which means that they should or, in
another sense, have to pay back what their parents have given them. As a consequence, the
young generations and middle- aged people tend to share the same house with older people.
This can be beneficial since small children can receive special care from their grandparents,
obtain invaluable hands-on experience and tend to develop a good code of conduct later on.

What would children do to make their parents proud?

I guess kids can have good performances at school and behave well to their teachers and the
elders. Parents usually take a great pride in their kids if their children get a good score at school,
or when others tell them that their kids are nice people. As well as this, I deem it a necessity if
children help their parents out with mundane tasks ground the house like sweeping the floor, or
washing the dishes.

Should teenagers have freedom?

To be honest, they should be given freedom to a certain extent. At this impressionable

age, most teenagers can undergo a tough time in their personality growth and
they’re particularly rebellious to their parents. Given this, parents should allow them to do what
really interests them rather than forcing them to adopt certain behavioral patterns. Having
said this, the role of parents is to monitor and advise their children to be on the right
path, intervening when possible if their child makes mistakes or does something unacceptable.

Do you like to spend time on your own or with your family/friends?

I would love to hang out with my families more. As my parents are always pied up at work we
can hardly manage time for one another. So, we often try our best to spend time by having a
dinner together at some restaurants at the weekend or see a movie together if time permits. For
me, it’s much better to build a close-knit family and strengthen our bonds.

What are parents’ responsibilities for their children?

Primarily, they are responsible for the safety and upbringing of their children. Obviously, it
includes a lot of things, such as feeding them, comforting them and looking after them under any
circumstances. They need to make sure that their children have everything they need and
are well looked after, have opportunities to learn about things, grow up and develop as well-
mannered individuals.

What’s the influence of parents on their children?

At first, parents’ behaviors influence their children greatly. If parents are polite, generous and
kind, their children tend to be like this. Besides, parents have influence on their children
in making some great decisions. I think good parents should help their children make better
decisions and offer them useful guidance. What’s more, parents’ attitudes to work,
marriage and life can also influence their children. The children may lose confidence in love
and marriage if their parents often quarrel.

23/ Describe an interesting talk or lecture you heard

You should say:

When you heard it

Where you heard it

What it was about

And explain why you think it was interesting

PART 3

Why do people feel nervous when they are giving a speech to others?
How can people improve their public speaking skills?
Can you suggest any methods that would help reduce nervousness?
Is it good for people to visit schools and give a talk to children about
different things?
What type of person is best suited to give a talk to a group of students? =
What kinds of people should be invited to give a speech?

Model Answers

Talk about an interesting conversation you had, or a speech

you heard.
You should say:

– Who the speaker was

– When you heard him/her or talked with him/her
– What the speech/conversation was about
– Why it was interesting to you
 Sample Answer
Uhm, this is my favorite topic. When I was a student, I wasn’t very
interested in any speech or talks. However, since I started my job as a
teacher, I have enjoyed these talks a lot. I did hear a talk from
a lecturer who comes from ABC University. He is a TESOL teacher, so the
way he gave the talk really impressed me. Sitting in a big hall
and listening to a talk actually isn’t a boring thing. The
lecture presented different methodology in teaching English for high
school students. Then, the talk visualized a variety of games
to motivate students’ interests, such as snakes, battleships or puzzles. I
have to admit that they are very creative and funny. Moreover, I did learn
a lot from this talk, especially the games since I’ve never thought that
games are really effective in class but they proved me wrong. The
students like them a lot, which makes me believe in those new teaching
methods. I think I will listen to these talks more when I have time.

Vocabulary

 lecturer [n] someone who teaches at a college or university

 impress [v] to cause someone to admire or respect you because of
something that you have done or said
 admit [v] to agree that something is true, especially unwillingly
 present [v] to give, provide or make known
 methodology [n] a system of ways of doing, teaching or studying
something
 motivate [v] to make someone want to do something well
 creative [a] producing or using original and unusual ideas
 effective [a] successful or achieving the results that you want
 prove [v] to show that something is true

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Why do people feel nervous when they are giving a speech to others?

Public speaking has always been one of the utmost challenges for anyone,
especially those lacking practices. Like any interpersonal skills, being able
to deliver a thorough, yet captivating speech to a group of strangers
requires certain factors. Reasons why most people fail, for me, fall into two
main categories: the fear of audience’s reaction and the topic itself. People
are judgmental creatures and can cast aspersions on almost
everything; therefore, presenters may suffer from the pressure of perfecting
every detail. In addition, if someone is going to talk about topic that is
unfamiliar to him or too sophisticated for listeners, it is possibly not
as well-received as the one he knows more about.

Utmost (a): greatest; most extreme

Captivating (a): taking all your attention; very attractive and interesting

Judgmental (a): judging people and criticizing them too quickly

Cast aspersions on: to criticize someone or someone’s character

Sophisticated (a): complicated

Well-received (a): getting a good reaction from people

How can people improve their public speaking skills?

Thanks to the Internet, information is now disseminated worldwide and

easily accessible that you can get help from anyone about anything,
including public speaking. There are several means
to acquire and harness such skill as long as people are willing to such as
enrolling in an online course or participating in forum where people with
the same goal gather and share their experience. This is quite effective,
flexible and most importantly, free of charge. If you want something more
official and academic, talk to some experts in public speaking at some
conferences or workshops. They will provide you more insights and tips to
begin. Last but not least, practice makes perfect.

Disseminate (v): to spread information, knowledge, etc. so that it reaches

many people

Accessible (a): that can be reached, entered, used, seen, etc.

Acquire (v): to gain something by your own efforts, ability or behaviour

Harness (v): to control and use the force or strength of something to

produce power or to achieve something
Practice makes perfect: a way of encouraging people by telling them
that if you do an activity regularly and try to improve your skill, you will
become very good at it

Can you suggest any methods that would help reduce nervousness?

Each of us will surely experience at least once in our lifetime the feeling of
anxiety. It can be before our job interview or big presentation, when
meeting your family-in-law for the first time and so
on. Nervousnesscould be a good sign since it shows that we care.
However, to better perform at such life-changing events, you should
control your feelings. Firstly, take a deep breath. You can’t be at your best
without breathing easily. Second, don’t try convince yourself that you’re not
anxious. Accept it just like any other feelings then you don’t have to keep
reminding yourself to ignore it. Lastly, use positive self-talk. Encourage
yourself and remember that you are in this place for a reason.

Nervousness (n): the feeling of being anxious about something or afraid

of something

Life-changing (a): having an effect that is strong enough to change

someone’s life

Is it good for people to visit schools and give a talk to children about
different things?

As far as I’m concerned, it would be a valuable experience for children to

hear real-life stories and personal insights from their predecessors who
have been through ups and downs for useful lessons and advice.
Nowadays, many schools have already invited some guests that could be
their alumni or influential local figures to talk to students. A child’s life
is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark. Therefore, the
sooner we sow a good seed and inspire them, the better they will grow.

Valuable (a): very useful or important

Predecessor (n): a person who did a job before somebody else

Ups and downs: the mixture of good and bad things in life or in a
particular situation or relationship

Alumni (n): the former male and female students of a school, college or
university

Influential (a) having a lot of influence on somebody/something

What type of person is best suited to give a talk to a group of students?

Well, I see no special talents are needed to be able to deliver a

highly motivating and inspiring speech to students as long as their
experiences and messages are relevant and meaningful. Hence, people
who could grab students’ attention and make them question their goals
and purposes are those leading an eventful life. And by this, I mean
someone who has related experiences and been through ups and downs
during his career to reach success. This is because I believe that if one has
never tasted failures and disappointments, he can’t realize his inner
strength to overcome setbacks and truly appreciate his success, which is
what students should think about when they’re still in school.

Motivate (v): to be the reason why somebody does something or behaves

in a particular way

Inspiring (a): exciting and encouraging you to do or feel something

Relevant (a): having ideas that are valuable and useful to people in their
lives and work

Setback (n): a difficulty or problem that delays or prevents something, or

makes a situation worse

Grab someone’s attention: to draw or attract someone’s attention

24/ Describe a time you enjoyed your free time
You should say:

– when it was

– where you were

– what you did

– and how you felt about it

PART 3
How do people in your country spend free time?
Is there any difference in spending free time now with the past?
Does this change bring any advantage?
How does finance affect the way people spend free time?
Is it important to have a hobby?
Model Answers

IELTS Speaking Part 2:

Describe an interesting or unusual thing you did in your spare
time

Where do you do it?

When do you do it?

Who do you do it with?

and describe why it was unusual or interesting.

I’d like to talk about a sport that I’ve (1) taken up lately. I’ve just started
going cycling a few weeks ago when my motorbike suddenly broke down.
My office is not so far from my house so I decided to ride to work and do
exercise at the same time. It started (2)growing on me so now I go cycling
 for fun. I often spend time in early mornings to ride around the Sword lake.
The weather is so pleasant and there isn’t as much traffic as in the
afternoon so it’s perfect time to (3)unwind. I often ride alone but I
(4)signed up for this cycling club where everyone (4)share the passion
for riding. I (5)get on well with some members so we get together in the
mornings, ride around the lake and the old quarter then stop by
(6)eatery to have light breakfast. Cycling not only (7)makes my day but also
(8)widen my circle of friends. Though youngsters aren’t interested in this
sport as they have interest in other things like games or social networks, I
personally think that it is the best way to(9) keep fit and (10)be as fit as a
fiddle

IELTS Speaking Part 3:

1. How do people in your country spend free time?
Well, I think it depends on personality. People who are active are likely to
hang out and spend more time outdoor. They may join in some clubs, make
new friends or involve in some social activities to amuse themshelves. On
the other hand, introvert people tend to idle away the hours staying indoor
and spending quality time with their families

2. Is there any difference in spending free time now with the past?
Yes, it seems to me that cutting-edge technology has great impact onhow
people spend their free time. While youngsters in the past spent more time
outdoor to play some traditional games, youngsters today play video games
or surf the internet . that’s why leisure pursuits today make people less
active and creative than they used to be

3. Does this change bring any advantage?

From my point of view, this modification has certain benefits. Browsing the
internet allows people to update lastest news freely and conveniently.
That’s a good way to be in touch with the world. Besides, playing video
games isn’t only good for mental but also physical health. It helps reducing
stress ,depression and boosts the mood. Interactive games are fast-paced so
players have to pay fully attention or else they’ll lose. That’s why players are
likely to focus and have better motor skills than normal person

4. How does finance affect the way people spend free time?
I see finance has profound impact on spending in spare time.
While affluent people tend to spend their time playing golf or chilling out at
spas, people having low income are likely to spend time at home, watch a
movie. The more money we have, the more money we spend so that’s why
leisure pursuits vary according to finance

5. Is it important to have a hobby? / Why is it important for people to

have free-time activities?
I personally believe that hobby is a remedy for fatigue. Since you choose
that activity, it will always give you pleasure and help you to unwind. Even
if you indulge in your hobby for a short period of time, you still can feel the
difference in your energy level and spirit. While you pursue a hobby, you
may discover that you have a talent for something unusual as well which
you do not know about so far. One more thing is that it also an a chance to
meet amazing people of similar taste when you join in any club

6. Is it harmful to spend too much time on a hobby?

Yes, I do agree to some extent. While having a hobby allows people to
unwind after stressful days, over-indulgence in anything could do more
harm than good. Lots of people spend too much time on playing games or
going to parities without realizing that they are wasting precious time. For
instance, a student spend long hours to play game will lead to bad academic
performance at school. So people should balance between their life and
hobby

7. What free-time activities would you like to try in the future?

I suppose it depends on my mood. If I feel energetic, i’d like to have a crack
at exciting sports like football to be more flexible and get into shape. On
the other hand, I’d like to take up some instrumental music . I find it very
relaxing and interesting to play some piece of music when I feel sad

25/ Describe an intelligent person you know

You should say:

– who this person is

– how you know this person

– what this person does

– and why you think this person is intelligent

 26/ Describe something you made by hand that you
gave to other people
You should say:

 What it was
 Who you gave it to and when
 How you made it by hand
 And explain why you gave that handmade gift to that person

27/ Describe a kind of food people eat during a

special event
You should say:

– what it was

– what event people usually eat it

– how it is cooked/made

– and explain why it is for the special event

PART 3
Describe what you think is a healthy diet
Are there many vegetarians in your country?
Why do you think some people choose to be vegetarians?
Is the food that people eat today in your country different to the food that
people used to eat in the past? (if yes, in what ways has it changed?)
How do you think the way we eat will change in the future?
Is American-style ‘fast food’ popular in your country? (Why? Popular with
whom?)
What do you think of this popularity- is it as good thing?

Model Answers
Topic: Describe a special meal you have had
The most special meal I’ve ever had in my life was on my Dad’s birthday last year, which was
prepared by all of my family members.

The idea was put forward by my sister. We planned to surprise him and prepare his favorite
foods. On that day, my Mom cooked Pho, a Vietnamese beef noodles, while I baked a birthday
cake for him. My siblings were in charge of decoration and music. Everything had been done
properly a little bit earlier before he came home. When he opened the door, he
was astonished because of seeing a colorful “Happy birthday Daddy” banner sticked on the wall
in the living room. Standing in front, my mom gave him a bouquet of red roses, his favorite
flowers. We enjoyed the food and shared our best memories with my Dad.

After washing dishes, we gathered together in the living room. My Dad made a wish and blew
candles. He said in tears that he was over the moon and he was proud of us, his home and his
family. We gave each other great hugs before going to sleep.

To be in charge of (adj) to take responsibility for Sth

To astonish (v) to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amaze

Over the moon (idiom) very happy

QUESTION FOR PART 3

1. Describe what you think is a healthy diet.

Developing healthy eating habit isn’t as confusing or as restrictive as many people imagine.
Personally, a healthy diet is the one which combines enough nutrients for one’s life. Therefore,
consuming a variety of foods is very important because eating a wide assortment of foods helps
ensure that you get all of the nutrients, especially the disease-fighting potential that foods offer.

Assortment (noun) a group or set of things of various types

2. Are there many vegetarians in your country?

Yes, they are. The number of people following vegetarianism has been increasing recently. It is
thought that old people or those following a religious, like Buddhism, will be vegeterians;
however, youngsters also join to vegetarian community because of many reasons.

3. Why do you think some people choose to be vegetarians?

People become vegetarians for many reasons, including health, religious convictions, concerns
about animal welfare or the use of antibiotics and hormones in livestock, or a desire to eat in a
way that avoids excessive use of environmental resources. Some people follow a largely
vegetarian diet because they can’t afford to eat meat. Vegetarianism has become more
appealing and accessible, thanks to the year-round availability of fresh produce, more
vegetarian dining options, and the growing culinary influence of cultures with largely plant-based
diets.
Antibiotics (noun) a drug that cures illnesses and infections caused by bacteria.

Livestock (noun) animals such as cows, sheep, and pigs that are kept on farms

Year-round (adj) happening, continuing, or available through the whole year

Culinary (adj) relating to food and how to cook it

4. Is the food that people eat today in your country different to the food that people used
to eat in the past? (if yes, in what ways has it changed?)

Personally, eating style of most people has been changed recently. Significantly, food hygiene is
mentioned everyday in news. Therefore, people are very cautious when they choose ingredients
in reliable market/supermarket and cook properly. Those fat-free or low-fat food
and veggies are more preferred in daily meal compared to in the past, choosing food were
mostly based on interests.

Hygiene (noun) the practice of keeping yourself and the things around you clean, in order to
prevent illness and disease

Veggie (n) a vegetable

5. How do you think the way we eat will change in the future?

Yes, I do. I think people nowadays pay more attention to healthy foods because the awareness
of health has been raised among young and old people. Therefore, it will be a remarkable
innovation in food consuming in the future.

6. Is American-style ‘fast food’ popular in your country? (Why? Popular with whom?)

Due to the trend of globalization, fast foods have become more and more popular such as KFC,
Lotteria, Burger King or Domino. Why are those brands popular in our country? The first cause is
needs of modern community which have intensive activities. In a family, both husband and wife
have a tendency to have a job. Consequently, they do not have enough time to cook and the
frequency of eating out increases. Secondly, efforts of fast food restaurant companies to
enhance the nutritional quality of their products and services are also the cause of their
popularity.

7. What do you think of this popularity- is it as good thing?

The popularity of fast food restaurants has certainly influenced some of the changes in the
community. It brings benefits to this busy life with its quick service and convenience place. Other
than that, the increasing number of customers that come to restaurants became the

reason for greater number of restaurant staff to be needed and the demand for restaurant
personnel made it possible for more people to consider work in a restaurant as an attractive
option. With this said, there are many more entry level job opportunities for people.

8. More and more people are becoming overweight nowadays. What do you think might be
the causes of this?
 One major consequence of eating fast food every day is excess calorie consumption. Most fast
food contains calories from refined sugar and fats. It is also high in sodium from salt and other
additives which can lead to some one to eat it more and more. Consuming more calories than
human needs lead to obesity which causes some health problems such as hypertension,
diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.

28/ Describe an important plant in your country

You should say:

 What it is
 What it looks like
 Where and how it is grown
 Why you like or dislike it
 And explain why it is important

29/ Describe a time you looked for information from

the internet
You should say

 When you did that

 What information you searched
 Why you looked for it on the internet
PART 3
What are some of the different reasons why people use the Internet?
Some people say that different age groups have different tastes on Internet
contents. What do you think?
What influences can (or, does) the Internet have on children/teenagers?
Do you think parents should control what Internet sites their children visit
on the Internet?
What (kinds of) people don’t use the internet?
What are the disadvantages people suffer because they do not use the
Internet?

Model Answers

Describe a website you like to visit

When you found it.

What it is about.

How often you visit it.

Why you like this website.

Band 7 Answer by IELTS test taker

Well, the website I want to talk about today is www.wikipedia.org. It is a free online encyclopedia
that allows its user to edit almost any article. Wikipedia was launched in 2001 and was only in the
English language initially, but it quickly developed similar versions in other languages. Generally
speaking, people can check all kinds of information they want on this website.

I learned about this website when I was in junior school. At that time, the history teacher asked
me to make a presentation about cloning. However, the related information on the textbook was
kind of limited, so asked my classmates for advice. They recommended
the www.en.Wikipedia.com to me and I found that I could find a lot of useful bilingual information
on this website. Since then, I have become a big fan of the Wikipedia. Even till now, I
always search for some useful information on this website and I use it almost everyday.

As for how this website helps me, well, I suppose that it is beneficial to my major study. As an
university student, I always need to search for some information while preparing for my paper,
during which I always need to find the accuratẹ definitions of some proper nouns on this website.
In this case, I feel that this website really helps me a lot.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

1) What are some of the different reasons why people use the Internet?

Well, I think there are many reasons. As for the students, they need to use the Internet in order to
search for some information related to their study. During the spare time, they also use the
Internet to watch some TV series and play computer games. As for the white- collars, the Internet
plays an indispensable role in their work. Every day, they will use the Internet to send the e-mails
to their colleagues as well as their working partners. Moreover, they will also use Whatsapp in
order to communicate with their friends and families. As for the old people, they will also use
thẹ Internet in order to make their life colorful. Those people have already retired from the work,
so they will use the internet to listen to the music and watch the films during the day time. All in
all, I think the Internet is very important in people life.

2) Some people say that different age groups have different tastes on Internet contents. What do
you think?

Yes, I think so. As for the young students, they like searching for some entertainment news and
gossip about their favorite stars on the Internet. They will also search for some academic
information related to their study on the Internet sometimes. As for the white-collars, they prefer
to search for some economic news and the national policies which are directly related to their life
on the Internet. As for the old people, they like searching for some information about how tọ keep
healthy on the internet. In this case, I think different age groups have different tastes on Internet
contents.
3) What influences can (or, does) the Internet have on children/teenagers?

Well, honestly speaking, as an old saying goes that: ‘Every coin has two sides’. I think the
Internet has both the good influence as well as the bad influence on the children. As for the good
influence, the Internet is beneficial to the children’s study. When the children meet with some
difficulties on the study, they can type the key words on the search box on the Internet, and then
they can find the useful information within a few seconds. However, as for the bad influence,
violence and sex are very popular on the Internet. The children are too young to distinguish the
right from wrong, so those unhealthy information on the Internet has a bad influence on the
children’s growth.

4) Do you think parents should control what Internet sites their children visit on the Internet?

Yes, I think so. On the one hand, the parents should supervise their children, otherwise the
children may be addicted to the Internet. Many children like surfing the Internet and playing the
computer games, but most of them cannot control themselves. So, I think it is the parents’
obligation to tell the children about which website they can search and how long they can use the
Internet, in this case, the children may not be addicted to the Internet. On the other hand, the
violence and sex are very popular on the Internet. If the parents do not control what websites
their children can visit, the childrer may browse those unhealthy websites or even imitate the
contents on the websites, which is really harmful to the children’s growth. In this case, I believe
that the parents should control what Internet websites their children can visit.

5) What (kinds of) people don’t use the internet?

Well, I think two groups of people don’t use the Internet. What I want to mention firstly is the
middle-aged people. For this group of people, they always need to take care of the children and
do housework during the free time, so they seldom have time to use the Internet and do the
things they want. The second group of people is the old people. Most of them have already
retired from work and they do not want to learn about new things. In this case, they do not know
how to type the words with the keyboard, how to open a webpage, and so on, so they do not
always use the Internet.

6) What are the disadvantages people suffer because they do not use the Internet?

Well, there are many disadvantages, what I want to mention firstly is that it is very difficult for
them to keep pace with this time. Here I would like to take the news for an example. For those
people who use the Internet, they can know what is happening around the world at any time they
want. However, the people who do not use the computer can only know about the world news on
the next day’s newspaper. Secondly, I think the life of the people who do not use the Internet
is very inefficient. With the help of the Internet, people can communicate with their friends all over
the world whenever and wherever they want, and it only takes people a few seconds to shop
online. However, people who do not use the Internet will never enjoy those conveniences.
 30/ Describe a time you were scared/ Describe a
frightening experience you had
You should say:

 When it happened
 Where it happened
 Why you were scared
 How you felt about it
PART 3
What’s the best way to gain experience in life?
Do you agree that we learn best from our mistakes?
Can we gain life experience from books and movies?
Which is more important, experience or potential?

Model Answers

Topic: Describe a time when you made a mistake

To be honest, I have lost count on how many times I have acted on impulse and caused troubles
for not only me but also others. One time when I was in high school, I played truant from
class for a week and finally got caught at an Internet store nearby playing Audition, the most
popular online game among teenagers during that time.

It was an embarrassing and forgettable experience when you were escorted by the school’s
supervisor all the way from the Internet store to the principal’s room. It was even worse when all
of that happened in broad daylight when everyone could see and I could have sworn my face
was as red as a lobster. That was not my first time absent from school but was the first time I
got caught and my parents were involved. Fortunately, they didn’t make a fuss about it in public
but kept regard me with disappointment and suppressed anger in their eyes, which made me
felt guilty and ashamed at the same time for my thoughtless action. The exchange with the
principal was swift, yet serious when I got an after-school detention for a week and had to work
on all of my assignments the week before.

After everything had been sought out at school, it was kind of tense on our way home. Unlike
what I had expected, my parents didn’t raise their voice or keep nagging me about my
misconduct. On the contrary, we had a so-called “peer to peer” conversation in which we shared
our concerns. After all, I learnt my lesson the hard way and truly appreciated my parents’
reaction when dealing with a teenage girl like me. Bottom line is our parents love us no matter
what, therefore, I’ve tried ever since to give them less headache.
Vocabulary:

Play truant (phrase) to stay away from school without permission

Example: Parents often don’t know their children are playing truant.

Escort (verb) go somewhere with another person to protect them or to prevent them from
escaping

As red as a lobster (expression) very red

Make a fuss about (expression) become angry or complain

QUESTION PART 3

1. What should teachers do when students make mistakes?

Teachers have their own methods when dealing with different types of students. Those who
tends to be rebels often receive more severe punishment, while those who rarely make mistakes
can easily get off the hook. Still, I think no matter how naughty or disobedient students might be,
the way teachers communicate their messages or penalties are all that matter. Teenagers
usually behave inappropriately to seek attention, to show off or to drag themselves out of
boredom. The reasons are varied and that’s what teachers should care about. Once they
understand the source of the issue, they can have straightforward conversation with their
students and have higher chances to get through their stubborn minds than just imposing
punishment on them.

Disobedient (adj) deliberately not obeying rules

Show off (phrasal verb) to boast; to show people something that you are very proud of so that
they will admire it

Example: Young musicians will get the chance to show off their musical skills.

Straightforward (adj) clear and honest

Impose something on someone (expression) to give someone something unpleasant to deal

with

Example: This new tax is imposing an unfair burden on employers.

2. What can people learn from mistakes?

I have to say they can learn a lot from what they have done in the past. We can consider them
mistakes, or simply a life lesson and in either way, it would be best to look at them with a positive
attitude and an open mind. Learning process happens with trial and error so once you’ve made
mistakes, whether it was work-related or relationship issues, you would acknowledge the cause
and learn from it, more or less. For example, if you failed to meet the deadline of your previous
project because of your procrastination, learn how to manage your time and try something out to
kick start yourself any time you get demotivated or the like.

Trial and error (phrasal noun) experimenting until a solution is found

Demotivate (verb) to make someone lose their enthusiasm and interest

3. Do you often make mistakes?

There’s no way I could ever say no since I am a true troublemaker. Making wrong decisions
appears to be my talent, both in my professional and personal life. Yet, thanks to those wrongly
made choices, I’ve learnt to be less gullible and more efficient in most of the things I do now.
There was a time when I would say “yes” to practically anything anyone told me to since they
were my friends, my bosses or my colleagues. It could be sending an email for somebody,
working a little late or on weekend or just hanging out with friends. I was so stressed out with all
the requests I got that I barely had time for myself. Fortunately, I realized my mistake soon
enough and learnt how to say “no” to people and to prioritize on what I care and love doing.

Troublemaker (noun) someone who causes problems, often by being violent or by making
others argue or not obey people in authority

Gullible (adj) a gullible person is easy to trick because they trust and believe people too easily

4. Can mistakes help people to be more successful?

That’s the truth which has been proven by so many successful people around the world.
Mistakes and failures are meant to be obstacles that you need to overcome in order to have a
taste of glory and those who can’t walk through the fire line will forever stand still. “Fire proves
gold, adversity proves men”. Thomas Edison is a prime example. If he hadn’t had a will to try
no less than 10,000 times, he would never have come up with new solutions and finally invented
a light bulb, a significant breakthrough in mankind history. Hence, don’t afraid to be wrong if you
truly want to advance.

Obstacle (noun) a difficulty or problem that prevents you from achieving something

Example: Disabled people succeed in overcoming many obstacles in everyday life.

Breakthrough (noun) a discovery or achievement that comes after a lot of hard work

Example: Scientists predict a major breakthrough within six months.

5. How to avoid making mistakes?

From my point of view, it’s nearly impossible to avoid making mistakes, especially in areas you
don’t familiarize with. However, there are some certain measures we can take to minimize
possible consequences to an acceptable extent. Firstly, do your own research. If you have no
idea what you’re dealing with, it will be like going to wars unarmed. As a result, find out as much
information as you can about the issue. Secondly, ask the right person the right question. If
someone in your friend circle has knowledge, or better yet, personal experience related to what
you’re working on, don’t waste such a valuable source of reference. Lastly, just go with it. That
 may sound useless but after you’re done with those previous steps, don’t hesitate to jump into
action. The faster you start to work on it, the less nervous you become.

Work on something (phrasal verb) used for saying that you are dealing with something

Example: Don’t worry about that, I’m working on it.

Hesitate (verb) to pause before doing something

Example: My mother never hesitates to tell me when I look bad.

31/ Describe a time that you took medicine

You should say:

 When it happened
 Who gave it to you
 Why you had it
 How you felt about it
PART 3
Do women pay more attention to their health than men?
Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?
Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get
older?What do old people in your country do to keep fit?
What else people can do to keep fit besides sports?
Do you think that the tobacco companies should be held reasonably
responsible for a person’s addiction to nicotine?
Should smoking in restaurants be banned?
What are some things people can do to keep healthy?
What foods do you think are unhealthy?
Do you think traditional medicine is a good alternative to modern
medicine?

Model Answers 1
Model Answers 2
 Part 1

 Do you have any unhealthy habits?

 In what ways do you try to stay healthy?
 Is it easy to keep fit where you live?
 What do you think is more important, eating healthily or doing exercise?
 What are the health benefits of playing a sport?
 Have you ever had any habits which you consider to be unhealthy?
 Do you think more about your health now than when you were younger?

Part 2
1. Describe something you do to keep healthy.
You should say:

 what this activity is

 when you do it
 and how often you do it
and explain why you think it’s a good way to look after your health.

1. Describe a time when you were ill.

You should say:

 when this was

 what your symptoms were
 how long the illness lasted
and say how it affected your life at the time.

1. Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness

You should say:

what you do
how often you do it
where you do it
and explain how you think this activity helps you stay healthy or fit.
1. Describe something you have done that is good for your health and that you
would recommend to others.
You should say:
what it is
when you do it
who you do it with
and explain why you think it is good for your health

Part 3

 Do you think people pay enough attention to their health today?

 What costs are involved when you are ill in your country?
 Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get older?
 How can people be encouraged to stay healthy?
 What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country?
 Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that
they are damaging to their health?
 Do women pay more attention to their health than men?
 Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years?
 How can children learn to have a healthy lifestyle?
 Do you think the government should promote a healthy lifestyle among the
citizens?
 Would you say modern science and technology has more of a positive, or a
negative influence on people’s health?

Exercise

 What sports are popular among young people in your country?

 Is it easy in your hometown to find places to exercise?
 Do you think the government should do more to encourage people to
exercise?
The Promotion of Health Awareness

 Are people in your country very aware of how to maintain their health?
 Do you think the best way would be to promote health awareness in
schools?
 A Healthy Lifestyle and the Workplace

 What would be the results of having employees who are not healthy?
 Do you think this might have an effect on the economy (of the country)?
 Do you think work stress is a health issue?
 How could work stress be reduced?

SAMPLE ANSWERS
Part 1

1. Do you have any unhealthy habits?

Sadly, a big yes. Because I work until 9pm and won’t be back until 10 pm, I
often stay up late, very late. Besides, I’m also quite busy so I don’t usually
cook. I eat ready meals instead.

Ready meal (phrase) a prepackaged, fresh or frozen meal that only requires
heating (often in a microwave) before being served

2. In what ways do you try to stay healthy?

I love working out at the gym. I do a lot of squat, plank as well as

weightlifting. In addition, I try to have a balanced diet and often
have check- ups with our GP. Therefore, I’m always as fit as a fiddle.

GP: General Practitioner (Family doctor)

Balanced diet (phrase) healthy diet

Go for a check-up (phrase) health check

As fit as a fiddle (idiom) in good health

3. What are the health benefits of playing a sport?

 I think playing sports benefit us both physically and mentally. When
you play sports, you are giving your body time to build muscles, and
to burn fat. Therefore, you will be fitter and stronger. Also, you are giving
your body time to relax. That’s why I enjoyworking out so much.

Part 2

Well, I’ve never been seriously ill, but I can remember a couple of weeks
ago, I had to have take leave for 3 days because I was under the
weather.
I was walking back home from work and it suddenly started to rain cats
and dogs, so I got wet. The next day when I woke up, I was a bitoff
colour. I still remember feeling poorly, even I got a headache, a sore
throat, chesty cough, and a blocked nose. I decided to see my GP for
a check-up. My GP said that I caught a heavy cold and had to take a lot
of medicines. I was in charge of a project presentation at that time, and
due to the situation, I had no choice but to phone in sick and
reschedule the presentation until this week. But thank God, I was over the
worst of it and made a speedy recovery after 3 days suffering.

 Take leave: to use time permitted to be away from work

 to be under the weather: (informal) to not feel well
 Rain cats and dogs: rain heavily
 a blocked nose: when the nose has excess fluid due to a cold
 to be a bit off colour: to feel a little ill
 a sore throat: inflammation that causes pain when swallowing
 Chesty cough: a cough caused by congestion around the lungs
 Catch a heavy cold: have a bad cold
 to be in charge of: take over something; responsible for something
 to phone in sick: to call work to explain you won’t be attending work
due to illness
 to be over the worst: to have got through the most serious or
uncomfortable stage of an illness
 made a speedy recovery: to recover quickly from an illness

Part 3
1. Do women pay more attention to their health than men?

I believe so. Well, whenever I feel poorly, I will arrange an

appointment with my GP for a check-up. But things doesn’t seem to go
the same with men. For example, my dad doesn’t think he is sick until he
is at death’s door. Maybe it’s because we think that women are
more vulnerable than men.

2.Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?

I think there are still a lot of things that governments can do to encourage
healthier lifestyle. People should be both physically and mentally healthy.
Therefore, both of the aspects should receive attention equally. For physical
health, governments can raise taxes on junk food and invest more in
public exercise equipment. For mental health, I believe most of mental
problems result from stress. Therefore, governments should come up
with ideas to reduce working hours of employees as well as workload of
students. Of course, this reduction must be accompanied by an increase in
productivity and quality.

3.Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get
older?

Obviously, people will pay more attention to their health problems when
they go grey. The reason is that when we are older, our immune
system will weaken. And as a result, we’ll get sick more easily. Besides, the
sickness will also affect us more badly.

4.6 (92%) 5 vote[s]

Topic: Describe an activity you do for your health or

fitness.
I’m not a great swimmer in any sense but swimming is like my religion. It is truly refreshing and
literally, washes away every disturbing thought I have whenever I dive into cold water. No matter
how tight my schedule can get, I usually pay at least one visit to a local swimming pool to work
myself up and get rejuvenated.

Sometimes, I have a partner or two, who are also my best friends since high school. We live in
the same neighborhood so it’s not too stressful when we have to set a schedule our swimming
session. We carpool more often than not and it takes us roughly 15 minutes to get to the
local recreation center where it provides the locals with a variety of facilities for training purpose
such as gym class, stadium, swimming pool, tennis court and so on, which is extremely
convenient for those who practice more than one activity. The only thing better then swimming
itself is swimming with your besties, which is one of hundreds of things I love about my
weekly ritual.Hardly do we have time to meet each other during week days as we’re all up to
our neck at work and totally stressed out. Therefore, having such a healthy way to catch up
with your friends and recharge your battery after an exhausting week never sounds better. Just
like any other sports, swimming helps maintain your health, keep you fit as well as build your
endurance. However, unlike others, it’s a very relaxing and peaceful form of exercise, you don’t
even sweat for hours – a supreme advantage. Therefore, if you’re looking for a kind of sport that
brings you comfort and relaxation, swimming should be your first choice.

Rejuvenate (verb) to make someone feel or look younger or have more energy

Ritual (noun) something that you do regularly and always in the same way

Up to one’s neck (idiom) fully occupied; very busy

Recharge one’s battery (phrase) Regain one’s strength and energy by resting for a time

QUESTION FOR PART 3

1. What do old people in your country do to keep fit?

Each individual has their own way to keep fit and stay healthy, including senior citizen. In my
country, you can easily catch a sight of some elders taking a walk early in the morning in the
park or on the pavement along the street. Since they are usually early risers, that’s one of the
most activities they take part in. Additionally, some old people even join many dancing session
for the elders to feel more energetic and livelier.

2. What kinds of sports are popular in your country?

From my observation, football is the most widely practiced sport as well as having most viewers
compared with any other sports. Like others, football has its own sets of rules and regulations
that players need to comply with in order to perform well and of course, to score. Every football
tournament in our country always draw the attention of football lovers and
gets broadcasted either on national or local channel, which is extremely convenient for those
who can’t make it to the stadium.

3. Do you think young people should play dangerous sports?

I believe youngsters should be well aware of their physical and mental capabilities before
deciding to take up any new sports since such activities rarely have a hundred guarantee that
you will never get injured during practice, especially extreme ones. Bungee jumping, skydiving,
hang gliding and so many more are not for everyone and everything needs to be taking into
account when participating in these sports. Therefore, if you’re up for adventures and well-
prepared about what you’re up to, go for it, otherwise, you had better look for another hobby.

4. What else people can do to keep fit besides sports?

There are many ways that people can employ to take care of their mind and body in collaboration
with sports. First of all, pay more attention to your daily diet. You are what you eat, hence, it’s
best if people can try to minimize the amount of junk foods they consume and practice healthy
diet the sooner the better. Secondly, do not take sleep for granted. Many young people
nowadays will not go to bed before midnight, which has detrimental impacts on your brain and
skin in long term. You’ll never be fully energized without a decent rest to recharge your battery
and let the biological clock does its job. Last but not least, advanced medicine might be
extremely useful in some cases. If you lack some kind of vitamins due to unbalanced diets or you
just naturally be, functional foods can help solve the issue but bear in mind that doctors’ advice
are highly recommended.

Decent (adj) good enough

Bear in mind (phrase) remember

5. What do parents do to make their children like sports?

Children loves doing what adults usually do. As a result, set a prime example for your kids to
make them like it naturally. If a father enjoys soccer and has a weekly match on every Sunday,
bringing his son along seems to be a brilliant idea to pique his interest and nurture his passion for
soccer. Next step is to encourage children engage in any kind of sport that intrigues them when
they’re old enough to go to school. Being in a team not only harnesses their team spirit and
responsibility but also helps build character.

Intrigue (verb) make someone very interested in knowing more about something

32/ Describe something lost by others but found by

you
You should say:

– who it belonged to

– when it was lost

– how the person lost it

– how you found it

Model Answers
 Describe something that was lost by others but found by you/ Describe a
time you found something someone lost. You should say:

 what it was;
 when and where you found it;
 what you did after you found it;
 and explain how you felt about finding it.

Model Answer

Just last week my dad lost his wallet. He was sure he dropped it somewhere
in the house, so he went everywhere looking for it but found nothing. I
know my dad is a bit forgetful so it could have been anywhere, in his room,
outside the house or in one of the restaurants that he frequents.

The wallet contains important identification papers and bank cards, and
getting them redone is a big hassle, so he was bent on recovering it.

I thought I’d lend him a hand, looking first inside our house, then went out
asking around to see if anyone has picked it up. Unfortunately after hours
of searching the wallet was still nowhere to be seen.

The wallet contains important identification papers and bank cards, and
getting them redone is a big hassle, so he was bent on recovering it.

I thought I’d lend him a hand, looking first inside our house, then went out
asking around to see if anyone has picked it up. Unfortunately after hours
of searching the wallet was still nowhere to be seen.
33/ Describe a subject you used to dislike but now
have interest in
You should say:

– what the subject is

– why you disliked it

– what you are interested in now

– and explain why you become interested in it

PART 3
Can computers help us in math areas?
What it the first subject learned by children in childhood?
What methods can be applied to make math class more interesting?
How do schools teach math in your country?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using calculator?
Do you think students should choose subjects they like?
What subject would be added to high school?
What it is the most useful subject?
Can the students in your country choose their favorite subjects?
Model Answers

Describe some useful skills you learned in a math class front your
primary /high school.
You should say:

 What the skill was

 How you learned it
 Who taught you
 And explain why it was useful to you

Band 9 Model Answer

Well, math is not my strong suit as I’m quite absent-minded and easily forget numbers and
figures every time I do a calculation. If I’m going to give you an account of a practical math skill I
acquired from a class in my primary school, off the top of my head. I’d say it would be mental
calculation skill
As part of the lesson about the multiplication tablet which is the rudimentary knowledge that any
math learners have to master mental calculation was then brought up in the class by my form
teacher at that time and such a subject drew uninterrupted attention from all the students. I was
instructed how to memorise the multiplication table, how to add, subtract, multiply or divide Ị sum
in my head as well as some tricks to work out the problem in an effective and efficient way. I got
the hang of this skill right off the bat and was then capable of calculating without having to write
down the numbers on the paper, all being done mentally as fast as lightning

This skill is particularly useful in daily activities such as going shopping in the market when you’re
supposed to figure out the exact amount of money to pay the seller, and this calculation skill
helps me avoid being undercharged or overcharged, so I can manage my money in a more
excellent manner. Or when my buddies and I have dinner in some restaurants, it would be of
great help for me to check the bills to see if they are correct. After all, math is of the essence in
our routine life.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Can computers help US in math areas?

Without a shadow of a doubt any Ill-tech gizmos lean lend US a hand with mathematical
problems. It can be clearly seen at university when students are often required to calculate an
enormous amount of data. Thanks to some softwares installed in the computer, any undergrads
can freeze through the calculation process by simply inputting the data and then after some
minutes of, waiting, the problems are solved by the computer. The role of human participation in
this process is to check whether the method used is correct, the calculation rest with the machine
itself.

What it the first subject learned by children in childhood?

If I remember rightly, the very first subject that every child is taught is dictation. It’s a module in
the mother language subject. In this, kids are required to write down the words clearly and slowly
pronounced by the teachers without committing blunder regarding grammar or spelling. This also
trains children in calligraphy as they are told to write down beautifully the characters spoken by
the teacher, which helps them have eat handwriting and meticulousness.

What methods can be applied to make math class more interesting?

In my opinion, I’d strongly recommend that teachers Relate the math lessons to real life issues!
Say, how they should add or multiply a sum when they go shopping in the market, or the
homework should consist of more real-life problems, less on theoretical knowledge so as to
kindle the interest of the kids. Another approach worthy of consideration is that schools should
organize some field trips to certain places such as the market so that they can apply the
knowledge acquired at school into practical issues.

How do schools teach math in your country?

In my country, teachers often focus more on the transmission of theoretical knowledge father
than prioritizing the practical aspects of the subjects! Students are required to cram huge
amounts of formulas and theorems, which are only useful in solving theoretical problems, It’s
saddening to say that most people are weak when it comes to applying the knowledge obtained
from maths into real-life issues.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using calculator?

A calculator is especially useful in working out a maths problem that involves big data, and if
students calculate the sum manually, it may take half an hour. By simply inputting the figures into
the calculator! the Solution pops up right in front of you! However, the drawback of over reliance
on calculator is that students may forget how to perform simple calculation formulas! or become
slow in mental calculations. So if children want to be sharp in their calculation, they should less
rely on calculators for simple calculations.

When do kids in your country start to learn math?

Quite early, I’d have to say. Math forms the foundation of many other science so the importance
of teaching maths is recognized by governments worldwide. Kids in primary school start to
familiarize themselves with the multiplication table and the methods to solve basic calculations.
The process may start as early as when the kid reaches grade 1.

34/ Describe a present you received which was made

by hand
You should say:

– what it was

– what it was like

– who gave it to you

– and how you felt about the present

 35/ Describe a book you have read recently
You should say:

 What it is
 Who wrote it
 What it is about
 And explain how you felt about it
PART 3
What kinds of books that old people like to read?
Are you a good story teller?
How do you think people will read in the future?
Do you think that the internet and television will eventually make books
obsolete?
Do you think that it is more valuable to read a book than to watch
television?
What kind of books are considered good reads in your opinion?
Model Answers

Describe an impressive story you heard from other people

You should say:

 What was this story

 When did you hear about it
 Who told you this story
 And explain why you were impressed by it

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Band 9 Model Answer

Today I’m going to talk about a captivating and inspiring story that I heard from my brother who
said he watched a programme on TV a few days ago. It is about a poor student who made it to
university with the top marks.

It was when I was feeling down in the dumps and disorientated in my life that my brother told me
the story, which gave me a great deal of motivation to keep on studying.

Following the plot of the story narrated by my brother, I was deeply touched and felt a sense of
admiration for such a persistent boy. Although he was born into an impoverished family, and had
to support his family by selling lottery tickets, he managed to cover his study expenses with the
money he earned and finally got into university with flying colors. He was an exemplary role
model and a huge source of encouragement for many disadvantaged students.

After the program, I promised with myself to make a more arduous effort in my study. I no longer
slack off in my studies, and have been frequenting the library day in day out to acquire more
knowledge to better prepare myself for the obstacles ahead. The story truly changed my outlook
on life.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

What kinds of hooks that old people like to read?

Since I’m not an elderly person, what I’m going to say is just guesswork but old people are really
into books which tell about the daily lives of ordinary citizens or those books which give them the
chance to reflect on their life. This is because, they are at an age where spiritual well-being is of
more importance, and many old citizens would choose books containing some philosophy or
moral lessons to read. The reason I feel this way is they can not only can while away the time,
they can also improve their personality and pass the experience they read onto their
grandchildren.

Are you a good story teller?

To be honest with you, I’m bad at putting my ideas across so I rarely dare tell a story to anybody.
To be a good storyteller, you have to be excellent at your language, have a broad knowledge and
possess an intriguing voice as well. Those are the qualities I lack so you see; I am hopeless at
describing something to others.

How do you think people will read in the future? = Does reading books become a less
common activity because of ebooks?

I strongly disagree with this view. Although the advent of the internet gives us a wide an array of
options when it comes to reading activity, like we can read ebooks on our laptop or Ipad, nothing
can compare to the experience of holding a book in your own hands, and read it from cover to
cover. Another point is that you can jump to the page you want to read by turning your fingers
and browsing for the desired contents with your eyes, which is much more convenient and user-
friendly than having to use a computer screen or a mouse to do the job
36/ Describe a newly built public facility (such as
parks, cinemas..) that influences your city
You should say:

– where this facility is

– when it was built

– what people can do there

– and what influences this facility have

PART 3
What are the advantages of living in the countryside?
What are the disadvantages of living in the countryside?
What kinds of people live in the countryside?
What do people living in the countryside like to do?
How has life changed over time in the countryside?
Do you think it is better to live in the countryside or in the city?
Do you think that landmarks will make a city more famous, why?
What interesting things can we do in big cities?
What’s the difference between living in the city and countryside?

Model Answers 1
Model Answers 2

Do you often visit the countryside?

Yes, I usually head out on a day trip to lots of

wonderful countryside regions on the weekend to recharge my
energy after a busy week.

If so, who do you visit in the countryside?

I like to visit my grandmother in the countryside. I usually get there on a

train. Every time when I get the chance to see her & enjoy the great fruit,
spending some time getting back to nature, I find myself restored &
relaxed.
Do you have family or friends living in the countryside?

Yes, my grandmother still lives in the countryside. She is a farmer & she
really enjoys the tranquilness & the beauty of the countryside, so she
decided to stay there for the rest of her life .

Would you like to live in the countryside in the future?

Absolutely ! I’m a huge fan of going to going to the forest. The environment
there is just superb. Every now and them I would visit a forest just because
there isn’t that much pollution so I could smell the fresh air. Also the
animals there are also quite cute – especially some colourful birds.

Have areas of countryside in your country changed since you

were a child?

Do you think that visits to the countryside should be something

that schools offer to their children?
 IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics:

Describe an enjoyable/unforgettable experience you had in the

countryside

You should say:

 what the activity was

 when you did it
 who you did with it
 why it was enjoyable

SAMPLE ANSWER
It was two years ago when I had my very first motorbike trip with my
friends to the first and most ancient village which is located in the Southern
[your country]. It is an unforgettable trip that I’ve ever had.

Our group had 3 people, Jack, Jenny and me. We chose to visit that village
because we wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the
city and get off the beaten track. Moreover, because the village is also
the birthplace of my grandparent, I felt really excited to visit the village
and get a closer insight into the lifestyle of local people as well as my
grandparent.

We set out for a day trip to date back to the tradition of our country really
early. I’m always a night owl, not an early bird, so leaving the city at 5
a.m made me feel like I was deprived of sleep. However, I
was deliriously happy shortly after embarking on the trip to the
village. This was because on the way to get there, we admired the
breathtaking landscapes which is totally different from the city we are
currently living in. After 1 hour drive, we got to the picturesque
village which made me feel over the moon. We rented some bikes to
cycle around the village with a lot of small alleyways filled with green
grass. After riding a bike to the paddy field to get the vibes of the
village, we visited some 400 year old ancient house which made ofmud
and laterite and had a look at communal houses where the local
people gathered for festival celebration or public meeting. After that, we
had lunch with many scrumptious food which is locally and organically
grown. In the afternoon, we joined a cooking class with the villagers who
were extremely friendly and clever at making traditional cakes.
The highlight of the trip to the village was going to the paddy fields to help
the farmers harvest the crop. It was such an once-in-a-
lifetime experience which I really enjoyed.

That was our first motorbike trip to the outskirt of the city and first time
in the countryside so we really enjoyed every single
momentthere. Jenny was like a dog with two tails while Jack and I
were also on cloud nine. We relished everything in the village from the
fresh air, cozy ambiance to beautiful landscapes such as small houses or
paddy fields. We very much hope that we can embark on a longer trip
to the countryside down the road if we have more spare time.

Vocabulary

Hustle and bustle (phrase) Noisy and confused activity

Off the beaten track (phrase) far away from the places that people
usually visit

Get insight into (phrase)

Night owl (phrase) someone who enjoys going out at night or does not
go to bed until it is late

Early bird (phrase) someone who gets up early in the morning

Deliriously happy (collocation) very very happy

Embark on (verb) to start a new project or activity, usually one that will
be difficult and will take time

Breathtaking (adj) extremely impressive or beautiful

Picturesque (adj) a picturesque place or scene is attractive, especially

because it is old and interesting

Over the moon (idiom) very happy

 Alleyway (noun) a narrow street or passage

Feel the vibe (phrase) a general feeling that you get from a person or
place

Laterite (noun) a kind of brick

Have/take a look at (phrase)

Communal (adj) relating to a particular community

Scrumptious (adj) very delicious

Once-in-a-lifetime experience (collocation) very special experience

because you will probably only have it once

Other topics:

1.Describe an area of countryside you know and like.

You should say:

 Where it is
 What its special features are
 What you and other people do in this area
 And explain why you like it
2. Describe a village or urban area you have visited

 where it is
 when & how you went there
 who live there
 And explain what you liked/disliked about this village or urban area.
3. Describe a relative’s house you have visited.

4. Describe a place you like to visit

5. Describe a place you often go to.

6. Describe a naturally beautiful place.

7. Describe a place where you went with your parents.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions:

What are the advantages of living in the countryside?

Living in the countryside can definitely benefit people in a wide range

of ways. For one thing, living in the countryside is better for one’s health
condition thanks to significantly lower levels of air pollution. It is
undeniable that, air quality in big cities is so bad that long-term
exposure to it may cause respiratory diseases and other health
problems. Besides, the cost of living in rural areas is likely to be lower than
that in cities. Although people in the city tend to make more money than
people in the countryside do, they have to spend more on food,
accommodation and transportation. Therefore, one can actually save more
money by living in the countryside without working as hard.

What are the disadvantages of living in the countryside?

Although living in the countryside can do wonders for your wellbeing, it

is undeniable that there are still some drawbacks of living in the
countryside. To be more specific, without having a plethora
oftransport on your doorstep, it will be much more inconvenient to
travel to far-away place, which also means you will squander more
time on commuting. Another disadvantage is that country-dwellersalso
have fewer job opportunities compared to those in the cities,
thereby resulting in lower standard of living.

What kinds of people live in the countryside?

To the best of my knowledge, many people decide to live in a

countryside because they want to downshift to a less stressful
life. Although people who live in the countryside can still lead
hectic lives, the peace of their surroundings help to bring them to a gentle
halt and remind them not to rush life away.

What do people living in the countryside like to do?

I reckon that when living in the countryside, people can enjoy a myriad
of activities that they hardly have in cities such as going out at night
without fear of street criminals, doing exercise in the early morning to enjoy
the fresh air.

How has life changed over time in the countryside?

The countryside has experienced certain changes for the last few decades.
Firstly, people, especially farmers, have applied modern technologies in
their work. Therefore, the productivity has significantly improved while
people don’t have sweat as much as they used to. Moreover, young people
in the countryside tend to dwell to town to seek job opportunities. As a
result, the population in the countryside is reducing and aging.

Do you think it is better to live in the countryside or in the city?

As often as this question is raised, I believe it remains a tough decision to
make when it comes to choosing between living in the countryside and
living in the city. Many people have been attracted to live and work in big
cities because of better employment opportunities and higher living
standards. This massive rural-to-urban migration has, however, led
to increase in environmental pollution, traffic and social issues in urban
areas. It would be a better idea for people to live in the suburb and travel
into the city to work every day so that they can enjoy the best of both
worlds.

How is the countryside different from town?

There are many things which differ the countryside from town. Obviously,
it is much less crowded in the country than in cities. Besides, the pace of life
in the countryside is slow while people living in big cities always seem to be
in a hurry. In addition, it is much more healthy to live out of big cities
because the air in the country is fresher and there is not as much noise.

Do youngsters prefer living in rural areas? Why or why not?

Describe a place in your city that you would like to visit
You should say:

 Where it is
 What people do there
 How you know it
 And explain why you want to go there

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample Band 9

As a rule, I go to various spots in my neighborhood, but if I have to describe one that grabs my
attention, the recently opened park within a stone’s throw from my house is what I would like to
pay a visit, maybe a couple of days later when I get my work done. The reason for putting off this
is that recently I’ve been mowed under with working don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of
going there in person.

I hear through the grapevine that there are a bunch of things see in the park, as the hub of
activities for the city-dwellers. There are said to be people selling lottery tickets, some hawkers
idling their goods, or children playing about on the grass. I haven’t gone there yet, but it seems
that there can be more intriguing things

The park interests me for a couple of reasons. First, the atmosphere is fresh, and there are many
species of plants and flowers to gaze at. Second, I love kids and seeing them having fun just
blows my mind. It reminds me of my sweet childhood when I spent most of my free time playing
in the park.

My plan is to organize a small picnic with some of my buddies at university to have a getaway
front the Scorching heat this spring. Probably, we will simply c have a good time together n
catching up on gossip in the shade of many trees there.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Do you think that landmarks will make a city more famous, why?

Of course it is. Landmarks such as picturesque landscapes or places of historical significance

often draw huge numbers of tourists, making a city well-known to the rest of the world. For
example, people often visit Canada for its breathtaking views in rural areas or mountainous
regions, as well as other coastal cities which offer splendid sandy beaches. Without such
attractions, it would be hard to convince foreigners to pay a visit to my country.

What interesting things can we do in big cities?

We can have a lot of fun in big cities. If you like shopping, you could go shopping for beautiful
clothes and see the designs of famous brands. We have to admit that major museums are
usually located in big cities. In these places, we can appreciate our culture and history. There’re
also some amusement parks and leisure centersfor people both young and old.

What’s the difference between living in the city and countryside?

I think that many differences could be counted. Firstly, the infrastructure in city is significantly
more modem, comprehensive and convenient for traveling than that of the countryside.
Additionally, rural citizens’ lifestyle is less competitive and hectic than urban counterparts. A
reasonable explanation for this is that development of the economy and technology in vibrant
cities is accelerating more than ever before

37/ Describe someone you haven’t seen before but

you would like to know
You should say:

Who he/she is

How you knew this person

What you want to know about this person

Why you want to know more about him/her

PART 3
Why some people lose contact with their childhood friends?
How do people in your country make friends these days?
Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?
Why Is it easier to make friends on the internet than in reality?
What qualities do you think are important in a friend?

Model Answers

Describe a time you spend with your friend in your

childhood / Describe a childhood friend of yours
Band 9 Model Answers
Luckily, I had a happy childhood, free from study burdens hat many children today are facing up
to. Off the top of my head, I would describe a time that my soul mate and I used to hang out
frequently at a rural spot hear our house, which I guess was at least 15 years ago.

At that time, industrialization and modernization are the terms that no one heard o Paddy fields
cover a big area, and there were meadows, streams, ponds
and lakes, giving quite in idyllic and tranquil atmosphere. I and my friend, who is my next-door
neighbor and have known each other since we were knee high to a grasshopper, often played
together at this rural area.

The reasons I describe this time is because it helps me reminisce of my past when I had the total
freedom to explore and enjoy life to the fullest. Catching crickets at dawn, going fishing in the
early afternoon, swimming in the crystal clear water and other activities did fill me with great
excitement. Especially, hanging out together with my best buddy was just an out-of-this-world
experience; we had the time to confide in each other our secrets and ambitions share ups and
downs in life together.

My friend’s now residing in the US, so I really miss him. We skill keep in touch often and are still
proud of our happy childhood.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Are you still in touch with your childhood friends?

Not many of them really, we launched on our own paths ever since we left, primary school. And
as a matter of fact, I can’t recall the face or the names of my classmates in grade 4 or 5, if I
happen to bump into them, they would just, look as strangers to me. Having said this, I still keep
some close contacts ever since, and such friends have become my soul mate. To be honest. I
couldn’t think of how miserable life would be if living without such friends.

Why some people lose contact with their childhood friends?

As for my generation, at the time we didn’t have any smartphone to keep contacts, so it’s easy to
lose precious relationships. In contrast, today we can snap some photos, add friends on face
book, to name but a few, which is hugely conducive to the maintenance of personal contacts.
Another reason can be that there are some friends we often do not get along well, and there’s no
point in keeping such contacts. At the end of the day, it’s quite a matter of taste and preference in
friend selection that really counts.

Who is more important to you, friends or family?

In the deepest part of my heart, I think family natters more to me, although sometimes I may
spend more time with my friends. You know, we can only be born once by our parents, but we
can make new friends all the time. Besides, in this benefit-oriented society, only parents truly
love us. Therefore, family should, carry more weight.

Do you have any foreign friends?

I have a foreign friend whose name is Martina. She comes from America and studies in the same
college with me. We met accidentally. She was lost on the way to the language center and I
happened to there. Martina is not a complete beauty, but she is always confident and optimistic,
which makes her very attractive. She has bright eyes full of wisdom and curiosity but the bad
thing about her is that she’s got a quick temper.

How do people in your country make friends these days?

Well to be honest, I would say that people have many different ways to get to know one another.
The most common place is at the coffee shop where people of different ages would gather
together and share their own stories about themselves. The second way is via Social networking
websites like Facebook or Twitter. Needless to say, many teenagers today would log on the web
and join some chat groups, which I reckon is the quite useful but may have some potential risks

Do you trust friends that you meet on the internet?

When it comes to friends on the virtual networks, I am pretty cautious. Although, social
networking websites like Facebook or Twitter are wonderful platforms for people of all ages to get
to know one another, most of the time It’s not reliable to lend your trust to those online friends.
This is simply because some guys may treat your nicely and act like your close friends but the
reality is that they are, trying to con some money out of your pocket. So the point is we should try
to be on red filter when making use of the internet in general and social networks in

How do you get along with people you don’t like?

Well, there is a couple of ways that help when trying to be on good tarns with those you don’t
want to have a talk with. The first method lies in a person himself. It is true that we should open
our hearts and make efforts to nuke others feel at ease. During a conversation, it’s better if we
feather our confidence and bring up the topic first hatha than waiting for others to break the ice.
Secondly, individuals had better find more time to be close to each other and find out what they
have in common. For example, after watching a comedy at the movie theater, two people found
out that they love this type of film, and then they tried to arrange time to spend more time
together. The two people ended up being intimate friends forever

Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?

Generally speaking, several factors are to blame when it comes to why some. people have a
hard time getting along with other surrounding people. The first cause usually lies in the person
himself. They tend to distance themselves from others and don’t have frequent talks and time to
spend together. As a particular consequence, less mutual understanding is established and the
relationship becomes weaker and weaker. Another culprit might be fast-paced lifestyle people
suffer from nowadays. After a stressful day at the workplace, it is not uncommon to see many
lose their temper or just want to stay home to let their hair down. This makes people spend time
on their own, which means less time is spent on others.

Would you only make friends with people who are similar to you? Do you like to be
friends with someone who is different from you?

Yes, certainly. It is no doubt that we can make incredible headway in our relationships if we
socialize with those we have at least something in common We may share some interests in or
passion for movies or books. This is probably due to the fact that we can easily bring up
conversations and keep the talks going when we have shared hobbies. Otherwise, both friends
would remain silent all the time, which means less mutual understanding is established. Such a
relationship is not going to last long, I reckon.
Do you like to have many friends?

Yes. of course. I’m an extrovert and would love to hang out with a group of friends instead of a
few close friends. This is simply because I can become more independent and mature if I’m able
to mix with people of different backgrounds, learn their life experiences. It is not wrong to say the
bigger your social circle is, the more opportunities in life you can have. Some of your friends may
help your find a decent job or lend you a hand Sometime in the not-so- distant future.

Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person?
= Why Is it easier to make friends on the internet than in reality?

This is advanced age and many of our real life tasks are done virtually by using few mouse
clicks. To be a friend, one does not need to be physically present with the others to make a
friendship. Using different social communication platforms, we could easily make friendship with
the other people living at different parts of the world. They do not need to meet every day in
person to share their feelings and emotions. Rather, they are communicating easily using the
social communication platform features like chatting or messaging, sharing their pictures etc. As
a result, the necessity of licet ins physically every day or after a specific period appears to
become less and less.

38/ Describe a teenager you know

Who she/he is

What she/he looks like

How you got to know him or her

Why do you like him/her

And explain how you feel about him or her

PART 3
How much freedom should parents give to their teenagers?
What do you think are some of the greatest problems facing teenagers
today?
How does media affect the thinking patterns of the teenagers of today?
Do you think teenagers today should show more respect for adults?
What’s the difference between teenage girls and teenage boys?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to leave school?
At what age should teenagers be allowed to drink?
At what age should teenagers be allowed to drive?
At what age should teenagers be allowed to get married?
Do you think it is better to raise teenagers in the city, a small town, or the
country?
What is it like to be a teenager in your society?
What are the advantages of being a teenager?

39/ Describe an equipment of yours that had

problems
You should say:

 What it was
 What problem it had
 How you fixed it
 And explain how you felt about it

40/ Describe a complaint that you made and you

were satisfied with the result
You should say:

 When it happened
 Who you complained it to
 What you complained about
 And explain why you were satisfied with the result

t first, there are several causes and solution of environmental issues.

 41/ Describe a person who helps protect the
environment
You should say:

 Who this person is

 What he/she does to protect the environment
 How difficult it is to do that
 And explain how you feel about the things he/she does
PART 3
What do you think is the main danger the world face in term of
environment?
What example are there of how we damage the natural world?
Are there litter laws in your country?
What is the penalty for littering in your country?
Are there any lessons to learn from nature?
Model Answers

t first, there are several causes and solution of environmental issues.

Causes Of Environmental Problems

 Chemical and industrial waste

Example: The chemical and industrial waste being released from factories
cause to the pollution of my local area.

 Emission from cars and motorbikes

Example: The pollution of land and air can be blamed for emission from
cars and motorbikes.

Solutions To Environmental Problems

 To raise people awareness of preserving water and forest

resources
Example: It is necessary to run some campaigns to raise people awareness
of preserving water and forest resource.
 To use alternative energy resources
Example: In order to mitigate the environmental issues, alternative energy
resources such as wind and solar energy should be implemented.

Collocations And Phrases For IELTS Speaking Test – Topic:

Environment

1. Wildlife reserve/ nature reserve/ game reserve: an area of land in

which plants and animals are protected

Example: Rare animals should be protected in game reserve.

2. Wildlife conservation: to protect animals and plants and their

habitats

Example: The government are considering whether they should invest

money on wildlife conservation.

3. Natural environment: the place where animals and plants would

normally be found

Example: Legislation to protect natural environment should be enacted due

to enhanced greenhouse effect.

4. Toxic waste/poisonous fumes/emissions: poisonous rubbish

produced by industrial process

Example: Local people are suffered from great deal of toxic waste being
released by factories.

5. Air quality: the cleanliness of the air we breathe

Example: Living in the environment with high air quality can have a good
impact on our health.

6. Pollution levels: the amount of toxic waste

Example: Many factories are releasing waste illegally into air and water,
which contributes to the increase of pollution levels.
7. Man-made disaster: widespread damage or loss of life brought about
by action of humans

Example: Man-made disaster is a controversial issue, and people should

pay more attention to find a solution for this problem.

8. Loss of habitats: the decline in areas of land where animals and plants
would normally exit

Example: Due to logging, loss of habitats is increasingly common at

present.

9. Endangered species: animals or plants are on the verge of extinction

Example: We have to take the responsibility for protecting endangered

species from hunting and natural disaster.

10. To die out: to become extinction

Example: The population of Kangaroo are is in danger of dying out.

11. Global warming: the increasing temperature of the world brought

about by gases such as CO2

Example: We are beginning to experience global warming due to the

enhanced greenhouse effect.

12. Greenhouse effect: the gradual warming of the air surrounding the
Earth as a result of heating trapped by pollution

Example: The deforestation of forests is contributing to greenhouse effect.

 PRACTICE

IELTS Speaking Task 1:

Are there any environmental problems in your country?

Absolutely yes, the most common environmental issue in my hometown

is exhausted emissions produced by cars and motorbikes have been
afflicting the air and water quality. My government is struggling to deal
with the problem.

Do you take an interest in nature?

Of course yes, As a city person, I barely have a opportunity to experience

the natural environment. Then whenever I have a holiday, I really
prefer to go to the far-off destination, so I could get closer to the
nature and discover the natural world.

Do you or your family take steps to help the environment?

Yes we do. We always turn of lights or electronic appliances when they are
unnecessary. Although this is minor action, but I believe that it could make
significantly contribution to the environment.

IELTS Speaking Task 2:

Describe environmental pollution in you city.

 What type of pollution is/are?

 Why it had happened?
 And explain how this pollution can be controlled?
Sample answer:

I have been living in Hanoi for almost 8 years, then I have the chance to see
how the city has changed in these years. Due to the increasing number of
tourist, Hanoi’ environment has been polluted significantly. Indeed, many
people traveling to there has thrown illegally thrown rubbish into the land
and water, which causes to land and water pollution. In
addition, industrial and household waste from factories and families is
contributing to the high level of pollution.

In order to solve this issues, I would recommend the Hanoi’s authority

to heavily fine who are caught realising trash into the atmosphere. By
carrying out the rule, people being intent to litter the environment will be
afraid of being punished, which can deter them from discharging unlawful
waste . Another solution is that the government should run some
campaigns to raise the awareness of people about how important the
environment is. For example, showing local people and visitors the danger
of global warming and greenhouse effect that I believe could change their
attitude towards the protection of environment, which is likely to have a
good impact on air quality.

Although the two actions above is just simple, I think it will be an effective
way to mitigate the environmental contamination in a long-term.

IELTS Speaking Part 3:

What do you think is the main danger the world face in term of
environment?

It would have to be global warming, which cause some natural

disasters such as flash flood and drought. The problem mainly stems
from enhanced greenhouse effect in recent year. I believe that several
steps should be taken to deal with the issue.

What example are there of how we damage the natural world?

There are factories that release toxic waste directly into the air and water,
which is main cause of air and water pollution. As a result loss of
habitats is increasingly common, many people are diagnosed with health
problems such as lung and throat cancer. In addition, a large number of
land and rain forests are destroyed to make a way for agriculture field.

5 (100%) 9 vote[s]
 42/ Describe a game you played in your childhood
You should say:

 What the game was

 When you played it
 Who you played it with
 How you felt about the game
PART 3
Do you think playing with electronic toys has a good influence on kids?
Which do you think is better, for children to play with toys alone or with
other kids?
Are there differences between toys for girls and for boys?
Why do parents buy lots of toys for their children?
What are the differences between today’s toys and old toys?
What factors should you keep in mind while purchasing toys?
Do you allow children to buy toys of their choice?

Model Answers
Describe a toy that you received when you were a child
You should say:

What the toy was

Who gave it to you?

How you used this

And explain how you felt when you got this toy

Band 9 Model Answer

Let me tell you about my favorite toy I owned when I was ten years old. It was a superman,
actually. I liked it because of the cartoons produced by the Japanese. But since I was extremely
absorbed in model toys at the time so I pestered my parents constantly and, finally they agreed
and were willing to shell out big bucks to afford it for me. I was so revved up when I got it in the
toys store. It was very delicate and finely painted and modelled perfectly, just like my favorite
character in the cartoon, so I almost played with it after class on the daily basis.

This toy carries great significance to me because I have ponged for it and it was hardly
affordable at that time. So I always held it in my hand while watching the cartoon series. As a kid
that was a fascinating and exciting moment for me. Superman was the replaceable hero in my
mind, and I hope I could become a strong man in the future like him to protect others around me.
I still keep the toy in mint condition, and each time I happen to catch a glimpse of it, memories of
my happy childhood just flash back and sometimes tears trickle down my face just imagining how
the toy really means to me.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Do you think it is good for children to play many computer games?

Personally I don’t approve that children play many computer games. Keeping the same posture
in front of the computer for a long time takes a toll on children’s physical health. Besides, children
tend to be addicted to computer games and neglect their study. There is another downside that
children may become isolated and less sociable. It is harmful to their mental health.

Do you think playing with electronic toys has a good influence on kids?

I can hardly doubt the benefits of electronic toys, but it seems to befit boys than girls. Some car
models run when a child pushes certain buttons, or gives out funny sounds. All these can trigger
a sense of curiosity and thrill for the players, which later will hone their creativity and imagination
abilities.

How do you think a child can benefit from playing a child’s game?

At first, the joy of playing games is universal because it constitutes a source of entertainment.
Children derive great satisfaction in the game by making themselves and others happy. Besides,
some games train their intellect and improve their mental and physical health. By playing games,
some children develop their special interest, skills, and hobbies. And more importantly, I think
children learn group skills by playing games, including cooperation and conflict solution. In
games, they follow rules designed by others as well as create their own rules.

Which do you think is better, for children to play with toys alone or with other kids?

Each option has its own merits. Playing toys on their own can be a golden chance for kids to
explore their potential. lf they are furious about and enthralled by the toy, they are likely to dig
deeper into it to see the mechanism behind it. On the other hand, if they have others in company
while playing, teamwork can be built as everyone tries to figure out the solution. Also, they can
have a blast together with more laughter.
 43/ Describe another language (not English) you
would like to learn
You should say:

 What language it would be

 How you would learn it
 What difficulties you think you would have
 And explain why you would choose to study this language
PART 3
What kind of quality should a language teacher have?
Why people want to learn a foreign language?
Which language is likely to become dominant in the future?
Do you think that disappearing languages should be protected or should we
just let them fade away?
What are the advantages & disadvantages of being monolingual?
Should foreign language study be required?
Why is English used in so many places?
Do you think language affects thought?
Do you think that a language other than English should be used as an
“international language”?

Model Answers

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic:

Do you like learning languages?

Absolutely, I am always keen on mastering some new languages such as

English, French. You know, if I am bilingual or multilingual, I
can roam round other parts of the world with great ease and my whole
journey will be transformed miraculously.
What languages do you speak?
Well, my mother tongue is […..]. I’ve always wanted to learn Portuguese
which is predominantly spoken in some parts of the world, but I don’t have
enough time yet.

Do you learn any foreign language?

I’m actually studying two languages at the moment and find it
so challenging, yet intriguing that everyone should try at least once. Since
English is not my mother tongue, it’s the very first foreign language I’ve
attempted to learn because of its widespread use and numerous benefits
that come along. It’s the most spoken language for non-native speakers
around the globe and is one of the most critical criteria companies look for
when recruiting an employee, or at least that’s a reality in my country.

Do you think learning languages is important?

Absolutely. Learning languages, especially English, allows us to be able to
communicate with others. It also helps us study more effectively, since we
can search for almost everything on the Internet in English.

How did you learn the languages that you know?

I think the most effective way to learn a language is to practice more with a
native speaker. By doing this, you can improve both listening and oral
skills simultaneously, you will be fluent in this language. Besides, I also
do general readings in my spare time and keep a journal in English.

Can you learn more than one language at a time?

I haven’t thought of it, but yes, I am quite confident that I can manage to
learn 2 at once. I reckon that the most difficult thing to acquire 2 languages
is to manage my time efficiently. Therefore, it’s more than worth it to plan
out exactly how I am going to divide my time between the two languages I
tackle.

Do you want to became a foreign language teacher in the future?

Why?

That thought has crossed my mind once or twice but I’ve

never visualized myself as a full-time teacher. A part-time job, yes.
Professional one, not likely. Being a legitimate teacher in my country
requires certain academic degrees and credentials to be able
to convey knowledge and improvise in class. In my case, I’ve never
attended any special training on teaching or have any pedagogical skills;
 therefore, I don’t have much confidence in handling difficult situations in
class. Besides, you have to reach a high level of language proficiency to
make sure that whatever you say is trustworthy and credible.

Do you think that English is difficult to learn?

In my opinion, every single language is difficult to learn, and English is not

an exception. I mean, it might be easy to learn grammar and vocabulary,
but it takes quite a long time to practice using the language fluently.

Do you think foreigner should learn your country’s language

when they arrive there?

I think it’s obviously in their best interest to pick up a few basic words
or phrases in a local language. Firstly, it is an interesting experience to try
to communicate with the locals in their mother tongue. You may not get the
words right, but that’s where the fun lies. Hence, people will find you
more approachable and charismatic because of your efforts and sense
of humor. Besides, since language is an integral part of any culture, you
can develop a cultural sensitivity while studying their very means of
communication.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topic:

Describe the first time you used a foreign language to

communicate.
You should say:

 what the situation was

 where you were
 who you communicated with
and explain why you used a foreign language to communicate on this
occasion.

Or

Talk about an instance when you spoke with someone in a

foreign language for the first time.
 You should say:

 when it was
 with whom you spoke
 what language you used
and say how you felt about it.

Sample Answer
I have been learning English for a long time but I haven’t had many chances
to practice speaking English, not to mention to talk to native speakers. To
the best of my recollection, the first time I used it for communication
purpose was on New Year Eve 2 years ago.

At that time, I was hanging out with my friends, talking about some new
year’s resolutions when a foreigner came up to me in all of a sudden,
asking for the direction to a minimart nearby. Honestly, he had such a
strong accent that I couldn’t make out what he wanted to say. I had to
ask him to repeat several times before acquiring all of the information he
needed. Then, I showed him the way to the nearest minimart to buy
some necessities. Honestly, I was not confident in my English speaking
skill, so I had to make the most of my nonverbal skills such as body
language, gesture, etc to make sure that he could get all information he
asked for. Fortunately, he could take in what I said, and expressed his
simple yet sincere gratitude before heading for the minimart.

That occasion helps strengthen my belief that English plays an

important role in our life, even we don’t live in an English speaking
country. English is spoken globally, and we have to use it if we want to stay
connected to people in another country and search for information.
Therefore, I think that I should polish up my English so that I can have a
good command of this international language to be able to talk
confidently with foreigners, regardless of the topic of conversation.

VOCABULARY

 To the best of one’s recollection: something in the past they can recall
 resolution: a firm decision to do or not to do something.
 come up to: approach someone
 All of a sudden: Suddenly
 Make out: understand, hear
 accent: a distinctive mode of pronunciation of a language, especially one
associated with a particular nation, locality, or social class.
 show sb the way to…: give sb direction to somewhere
 necessities: something necessary for daily life: water, food,…
 Make the most of: to use something as much as possible
 take in: understand
 polish up: improve
 regardless of: without being affected or influenced by anything else
that happens or exists

Other related Part 2 topics:

1. Describe a language you would like to learn.
You should say:

 what it is and how you plan to learn it

 where it is spoken
 how it will help you
and explain why you want to learn this language.

1. Describe an unusual activity you have recently taken up

 where you did it

 When you did it
 Who you dis it with
and describe why it was unusual or interesting.

3. Talk about something you would like to do/learn in the future.

You should say:

 what you plan to learn in the future

 why you want to learn it
 where and how you will learn it
and explain why you have planned to learn it.

4. Describe something you want to do if you get free time.

You should say:

 What you do
 Who you do it with
 Where you do it
And explain why you like to spend your free time this way.

5. Describe a practical skill you have.

You should say:

 What the skill is;

 How often you use it;
 Who taught it to you.
and explain how it helps you in your life

1. Talk about something you have always wanted to do but have not done yet.
You should say:

 what it is
 when you would like to do that
 how would you do that
and explain why you have not done it so far.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Topic:

What kind of quality should a language teacher have?

Not only a language teacher in particular but educators in other areas

should have certain skills and knowledge to successfully inspire
 and instruct their students. First and foremost, of course, deep knowledge
and great education matter. It’s often said that “a teacher is only as
good as his knowledge is”. People may not need academic degrees or
certificates in other jobs or industries, but in education and training, they
are solid proof to verify your professional qualifications. Furthermore,
communication skill also plays an essential role. If one is
an articulate and persuasive speaker, he will be able to convey his lectures
with better results. Last but not least, a good sense of humor may be of
great help to grab students’ attention and interest.

 instruct (v): to tell somebody to do something, especially in a formal or

official way
 verify (v): to check that something is true or accurate
 articulate (a): (of a person) good at expressing ideas or feelings clearly in
words
 grab one’s attention: to cause one to become interested in something
Why people want to learn a foreign language?

Studying a foreign language is not only a hobby but also a trend in modern
society due to some undeniable advantages. Speaking more than one
language can open up a world of employment opportunities for job
seekers, especially if that language is widely used in business context. You
will be able to work for not only local but global corporates as well with
decent salaries. In addition, being bilingual or multilingual will
help extend your social network worldwide. You can establish deep
connections and cross-cultural friendships with foreign co-workers or
local people while traveling. Finally, your brain will benefit greatly from the
learning activity itself. Research has shown that studying another language
will alter your grey matter which help to increase your brain power.

Which language is likely to become dominant in the future?

Why do people learn more than one language?

Do you think that all children should learn foreign languages at

school?

Why are some people seemingly better at studying languages

than others?

Why is language an important aspect of culture?

Why it is important to learn a foreign language?

What are the advantages of learning multiple languages?

Hope you find this lesson useful! Write down any new words or phrases, try
to use these words in your answers & share them in the comments section
below!

4.5 (90%) 8 vote[s]

44/ Describe a situation when you didn’t have

enough time
You should say:

– when it was

– where you were

– what you tried to do or finish

– and explain why you didn’t have enough time for it

PART 3
Do people nowadays have more pressure time than before?
What is the main reason people cannot have enough time to do?
Do people can control their time wisely when they are older?
How can people balance their time for working and their private life?
Is it important for people to relax during a day?
Modern technologies make people use time up or reduce time?
45/ Describe an important decision made with the
help of other people
You should say:

– when it happened

– who helped you to make the decision

– what the decision was

– and how you felt about it

PART 3
What’s the most important factor in decision-making?
Do you think adults always make better decisions than children?
Do you like to make quick decisions?
What can people learn from wrong decisions?
Should parents make decisions for their children?
Model Answers

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe an important skill which cannot be learned at school
You should say:
• What the skill is
• Why it cannot be learned at school
• Why it is important
• How we can learn it

Today I would like to talk about making presentations, which is a skill that I learned from my
mentor who used to encourage and give me many pieces of sound advice.

It was about 3 years ago, when I was studying in an English language center in order to improve
my English skills to a higher level. During that time, my peers and I had many opportunities to
make presentations in English under the guidance of Jimmy, who is a born presenter and is head
and shoulders above everyone else in teaching students how to speak in front of the crowd. At
first, I was faced with various obstacles when speaking in front of my classmates, especially the
first time because I had butterflies in my stomach, so I really struggled with speaking in front of a
lot of people confidently, and I even suffered from failures. However, I gradually overcame the
difficulties and got the hang of it, and things became easier for me since then.
As for why this skill is essential, I believe that when studying at universities or working in
companies, people have to speak publicly on a frequent basis in order to prove their ability in
their study or their work. Therefore, by watching YouTube videos or going to learning centers,
learners can improve their presentation skills to a higher degree.

Vocabulary highlights:
• Peer: a person who is the same age or who has the same social status as you
• Under the guidance of somebody: to be guided by somebody
• A born presenter: someone who is really good at making presentations
• Head and shoulders above everyone else: to be better than everyone else
• Have butterflies in my stomach: have a nervous feeling
• Get the hang of it: to learn to handle something with some skills
• On a frequent basis: to do something frequently

IELTS Speaking Part 3

 What qualities do you think are the most important for work?
When it comes to work, I think communication skills are the most important. This is because from
the initial moment that applicants get in touch with interviewers when applying for a new job,
those interviewers will scrutinize the way they behave. If the applicants can prove their
communication skills, it is likely that they will not only communicate well with other coworkers but
also with regular customers, which would allow them to broaden their knowledge and gradually
become a well-rounded employee.

 What skills do you want to learn?

I guess that I’m really interested in technology skills because they seem to be essential in my
occupation nowadays. Specifically, although I am working as a teacher, I need to use some
modern devices like overhead projectors and laptops on a frequent basis, for example, in order
to convey lessons to students more effectively. This will not only help students to understand
lessons more thoroughly but also allow me to develop my lesson plans carefully.

 Is it necessary for teenagers to learn to use computers?

Yes, I think children should learn how to use computers because of two main reasons. One of
which is that computer skills are mainly required in schools nowadays, which means that they
need to use modern devices to search for information on the Internet in order to study as well as
to do assignments and homework. For example, in our country, students are allowed to use
tablets and smartphones to look up new words in English when doing exercises. Another major
reason is that computer skills also bring benefits in the long-term, as most companies nowadays
include these skills as a compulsory requirement, regardless of the occupation.
46/ Describe a historical period you are interested in
You should say:

– what the historical period is

– how you know it

– what happened during that period

– why you find it interesting

47/ Describe someone you would like to study or

work with
You should say:

– who this person is

– how long you have known this person

– what you have done together

– and why you you would like to study or work with this person

PART 3
How do people in your country make friends these days?
What qualities do you think are important in a friend?
Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?
What factors may result in the breakdown of a good friendship?
Do you think it is a good idea to borrow money from a friend? Why or why
not?
Friendship is the most important relationship. Do you agree? Why? Why
not?

Model Answers
Describe a time you spend with your friend in your
childhood / Describe a childhood friend of yours
You should say:

 Who is this friend

 What did you do at that time
 How did you know about each other
 And explain why you describe this time

Band 9 Model Answers

Luckily, I had a happy childhood, free from study burdens hat many children today are facing up
to. Off the top of my head, I would describe a time that my soul mate and I used to hang out
frequently at a rural spot hear our house, which I guess was at least 15 years ago.

At that time, industrialization and modernization are the terms that no one heard o Paddy fields
cover a big area, and there were meadows, streams, ponds

and lakes, giving quite in idyllic and tranquil atmosphere. I and my friend, who is my next-door
neighbor and have known each other since we were knee high to a grasshopper, often played
together at this rural area.

The reasons I describe this time is because it helps me reminisce of my past when I had the total
freedom to explore and enjoy life to the fullest. Catching crickets at dawn, going fishing in the
early afternoon, swimming in the crystal clear water and other activities did fill me with great
excitement. Especially, hanging out together with my best buddy was just an out-of-this-world
experience; we had the time to confide in each other our secrets and ambitions share ups and
downs in life together.

My friend’s now residing in the US, so I really miss him. We skill keep in touch often and are still
proud of our happy childhood.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Are you still in touch with your childhood friends?

Not many of them really, we launched on our own paths ever since we left, primary school. And
as a matter of fact, I can’t recall the face or the names of my classmates in grade 4 or 5, if I
happen to bump into them, they would just, look as strangers to me. Having said this, I still keep
some close contacts ever since, and such friends have become my soul mate. To be honest. I
couldn’t think of how miserable life would be if living without such friends.

Why some people lose contact with their childhood friends?

As for my generation, at the time we didn’t have any smartphone to keep contacts, so it’s easy to
lose precious relationships. In contrast, today we can snap some photos, add friends on face
book, to name but a few, which is hugely conducive to the maintenance of personal contacts.
Another reason can be that there are some friends we often do not get along well, and there’s no
point in keeping such contacts. At the end of the day, it’s quite a matter of taste and preference in
friend selection that really counts.

Who is more important to you, friends or family?

In the deepest part of my heart, I think family natters more to me, although sometimes I may
spend more time with my friends. You know, we can only be born once by our parents, but we
can make new friends all the time. Besides, in this benefit-oriented society, only parents truly
love us. Therefore, family should, carry more weight.

Do you have any foreign friends?

I have a foreign friend whose name is Martina. She comes from America and studies in the same
college with me. We met accidentally. She was lost on the way to the language center and I
happened to there. Martina is not a complete beauty, but she is always confident and optimistic,
which makes her very attractive. She has bright eyes full of wisdom and curiosity but the bad
thing about her is that she’s got a quick temper.

How do people in your country make friends these days?

Well to be honest, I would say that people have many different ways to get to know one another.
The most common place is at the coffee shop where people of different ages would gather
together and share their own stories about themselves. The second way is via Social networking
websites like Facebook or Twitter. Needless to say, many teenagers today would log on the web
and join some chat groups, which I reckon is the quite useful but may have some potential risks

Do you trust friends that you meet on the internet?

When it comes to friends on the virtual networks, I am pretty cautious. Although, social
networking websites like Facebook or Twitter are wonderful platforms for people of all ages to get
to know one another, most of the time It’s not reliable to lend your trust to those online friends.
This is simply because some guys may treat your nicely and act like your close friends but the
reality is that they are, trying to con some money out of your pocket. So the point is we should try
to be on red filter when making use of the internet in general and social networks in

How do you get along with people you don’t like?

Well, there is a couple of ways that help when trying to be on good tarns with those you don’t
want to have a talk with. The first method lies in a person himself. It is true that we should open
our hearts and make efforts to nuke others feel at ease. During a conversation, it’s better if we
feather our confidence and bring up the topic first hatha than waiting for others to break the ice.
Secondly, individuals had better find more time to be close to each other and find out what they
have in common. For example, after watching a comedy at the movie theater, two people found
out that they love this type of film, and then they tried to arrange time to spend more time
together. The two people ended up being intimate friends forever

Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?

Generally speaking, several factors are to blame when it comes to why some. people have a
hard time getting along with other surrounding people. The first cause usually lies in the person
himself. They tend to distance themselves from others and don’t have frequent talks and time to
spend together. As a particular consequence, less mutual understanding is established and the
relationship becomes weaker and weaker. Another culprit might be fast-paced lifestyle people
suffer from nowadays. After a stressful day at the workplace, it is not uncommon to see many
lose their temper or just want to stay home to let their hair down. This makes people spend time
on their own, which means less time is spent on others.

Would you only make friends with people who are similar to you? Do you like to be
friends with someone who is different from you?

Yes, certainly. It is no doubt that we can make incredible headway in our relationships if we
socialize with those we have at least something in common We may share some interests in or
passion for movies or books. This is probably due to the fact that we can easily bring up
conversations and keep the talks going when we have shared hobbies. Otherwise, both friends
would remain silent all the time, which means less mutual understanding is established. Such a
relationship is not going to last long, I reckon.

Do you like to have many friends?

Yes. of course. I’m an extrovert and would love to hang out with a group of friends instead of a
few close friends. This is simply because I can become more independent and mature if I’m able
to mix with people of different backgrounds, learn their life experiences. It is not wrong to say the
bigger your social circle is, the more opportunities in life you can have. Some of your friends may
help your find a decent job or lend you a hand Sometime in the not-so- distant future.

Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person?
= Why Is it easier to make friends on the internet than in reality?

This is advanced age and many of our real life tasks are done virtually by using few mouse
clicks. To be a friend, one does not need to be physically present with the others to make a
friendship. Using different social communication platforms, we could easily make friendship with
the other people living at different parts of the world. They do not need to meet every day in
person to share their feelings and emotions. Rather, they are communicating easily using the
social communication platform features like chatting or messaging, sharing their pictures etc. As
a result, the necessity of licet ins physically every day or after a specific period appears to
become less and less.
 48/ Describe something interesting happened in your
school
You should say:

 What it was
 Where it happened
 Who was there
 And explain how you felt about it
PART 3
Should schools teach both arts and science?
What school activities are good for schoolchildren?
What kinds of courses are useful for university students?
Are there good colleges in your country?
Why do some students dislike studying at school?

Model Answers
Topic: Describe a course you would like to study (or,
do).
Digital technology has reshaped the world in more than one way during the last decade. As a
result, a new way of living and working has also prevailed among people, especially Millennials.
If you’ve heard about “digital nomad” – a work-from-anywhere kind of employee, you already
know how a specific digital skillset can improve and simplify your life, which is why I take great
interest in and set Photoshop – one of the most powerful graphic design tool to be my next
challenge to conquer.

Being known as an incredible image editing program, Photoshop has earned its reputation for
good reasons. Created and maintained by Adobe, Photoshop provides users with a complete
and advanced tool set to maximize their creativity. It can do anything regarding online media, for
example, creating 3D images, resizing, color correction and even editing video. Fancy as it
sounds, to acquire Photoshop skill would be a painstaking process. Due to complex features and
even more complex applications, Photoshop is not for those without patience and constant
practice. Furthermore, the program usually gets updated with more usages, therefore, you would
have to keep learning to avoid being obsolete.

Graphic design is a critical skill in this digital era which affords anyone flexibility as well as
attractive income. Therefore, it would definitely be on top of my must-learn skill in the near future.
Actually, I have already schedule my timetable and squeeze in some hours for Photoshop 101
course for next month and I hope it would go as well as it could be.

1. Should schools teach both arts and science?

Arts and science play equal roles in human development, hence, I don’t see no reason that
schools shouldn’t include both in their teaching curriculum. While science provides interesting
facts and implications of how it improves our life through the advent of technology and hundreds
of other inventions, arts deliver mental messages and benefits to our better understanding of how
people entertained in the past and reflect the spiritual lives of our ancestors. Both offer us
insights to fully consider human beings and the environment around as they truly are, giving us
the best of both world.

Curriculum (noun) any programme or plan of activities

Reflect (verb) to show the existence or nature of something

2. What kinds of courses are useful for university students?

Courses in university should be practical and constantly updated in terms of knowledge

and pedagogical approach to provide students with applicable skills and hands-on
experience in preparation for work life. Lots of graduates are lacking certain kinds of skills to
advance in their career path such as communication, problem solving, time management and
analytical thinking. For that reason, it is worth considering making these skills an official course
for university students to be well-prepared before entering real working environment.

Pedagogical (adj) academic; advanced

Hands-on experience (phrase) training involves you doing something rather than just reading
about it or watching other people do it

3. Why do some students dislike studying at school?

I think it came as no surprise that some students don’t enjoy going to school. This can be
explained by the fact that lots of students are being bullied at school by their peers and too afraid
to speak up, which only has detrimental effects on their physical and mental health. Another
possibility might be the heavy workloadstudents have to deal with every night. Teachers tend to
assign more homework than they used to, hence, kids feel more pressure and depressed that
they would be grounded or get detention unless they finish them all.

Workload (noun) the amount of work that a person or organization has to do

4. What school activities are good for schoolchildren?

As children are hyperactive and at the age of exploration and discovery, it would be best to have
them engaged in outdoor and social activities rather than in-class ones only. One of the most
common extracurricular activities is camping or picnicking, which helps boost up kids’
engagement with their classmates, raise awareness about environment issue as well as
introduce them to the world outside the four walls. In addition, school trips to local museums and
zoos can contribute substantially to their general knowledge with hands-on experience instead
of theories, exclusively.

Hyperactive (adj) very active and finding it difficult to concentrate or relax

Hands-on experience (phrase) training involves you doing something rather than just reading
about it or watching other people do it
 49/ Describe a radio programme that you found
interesting
You should say:

 what this programme was

 when and where you listened to this programme
 what the contents of the programme were
 and explain why you liked this programme

50/ Describe an outdoor sport you played for the first

time
You should say:

– what it is

– when you first played

– how you learned to play the sport

– and how you felt about the sport

PART 3
What kinds of sports are popular in your country?
What else people can do to keep fit besides sports?
Do you think young people should play dangerous sports?
What do parents do to make their children like sports?
What do you think of the current competition program?
Why competition programs are so popular?

Model Answers 1
Model Answers 2
Topic: Describe an activity you do for your health or
fitness.
I’m not a great swimmer in any sense but swimming is like my religion. It is truly refreshing and
literally, washes away every disturbing thought I have whenever I dive into cold water. No matter
how tight my schedule can get, I usually pay at least one visit to a local swimming pool to work
myself up and get rejuvenated.

Sometimes, I have a partner or two, who are also my best friends since high school. We live in
the same neighborhood so it’s not too stressful when we have to set a schedule our swimming
session. We carpool more often than not and it takes us roughly 15 minutes to get to the
local recreation center where it provides the locals with a variety of facilities for training purpose
such as gym class, stadium, swimming pool, tennis court and so on, which is extremely
convenient for those who practice more than one activity. The only thing better then swimming
itself is swimming with your besties, which is one of hundreds of things I love about my
weekly ritual.Hardly do we have time to meet each other during week days as we’re all up to
our neck at work and totally stressed out. Therefore, having such a healthy way to catch up
with your friends and recharge your battery after an exhausting week never sounds better. Just
like any other sports, swimming helps maintain your health, keep you fit as well as build your
endurance. However, unlike others, it’s a very relaxing and peaceful form of exercise, you don’t
even sweat for hours – a supreme advantage. Therefore, if you’re looking for a kind of sport that
brings you comfort and relaxation, swimming should be your first choice.

Rejuvenate (verb) to make someone feel or look younger or have more energy

Ritual (noun) something that you do regularly and always in the same way

Up to one’s neck (idiom) fully occupied; very busy

Recharge one’s battery (phrase) Regain one’s strength and energy by resting for a time

1. What do old people in your country do to keep fit?

Each individual has their own way to keep fit and stay healthy, including senior citizen. In my
country, you can easily catch a sight of some elders taking a walk early in the morning in the
park or on the pavement along the street. Since they are usually early risers, that’s one of the
most activities they take part in. Additionally, some old people even join many dancing session
for the elders to feel more energetic and livelier.

2. What kinds of sports are popular in your country?

From my observation, football is the most widely practiced sport as well as having most viewers
compared with any other sports. Like others, football has its own sets of rules and regulations
that players need to comply with in order to perform well and of course, to score. Every football
tournament in our country always draw the attention of football lovers and
gets broadcasted either on national or local channel, which is extremely convenient for those
who can’t make it to the stadium.

3. Do you think young people should play dangerous sports?

I believe youngsters should be well aware of their physical and mental capabilities before
deciding to take up any new sports since such activities rarely have a hundred guarantee that
you will never get injured during practice, especially extreme ones. Bungee jumping, skydiving,
hang gliding and so many more are not for everyone and everything needs to be taking into
account when participating in these sports. Therefore, if you’re up for adventures and well-
prepared about what you’re up to, go for it, otherwise, you had better look for another hobby.

4. What else people can do to keep fit besides sports?

There are many ways that people can employ to take care of their mind and body in collaboration
with sports. First of all, pay more attention to your daily diet. You are what you eat, hence, it’s
best if people can try to minimize the amount of junk foods they consume and practice healthy
diet the sooner the better. Secondly, do not take sleep for granted. Many young people
nowadays will not go to bed before midnight, which has detrimental impacts on your brain and
skin in long term. You’ll never be fully energized without a decent rest to recharge your battery
and let the biological clock does its job. Last but not least, advanced medicine might be
extremely useful in some cases. If you lack some kind of vitamins due to unbalanced diets or you
just naturally be, functional foods can help solve the issue but bear in mind that doctors’ advice
are highly recommended.

Decent (adj) good enough

Bear in mind (phrase) remember

5. What do parents do to make their children like sports?

Children loves doing what adults usually do. As a result, set a prime example for your kids to
make them like it naturally. If a father enjoys soccer and has a weekly match on every Sunday,
bringing his son along seems to be a brilliant idea to pique his interest and nurture his passion for
soccer. Next step is to encourage children engage in any kind of sport that intrigues them when
they’re old enough to go to school. Being in a team not only harnesses their team spirit and
responsibility but also helps build character.

Intrigue (verb) make someone very interested in knowing more about something

Describe a competition you want to take part in

 What the competition is
 How you knew it
 What you need to prepare for it
 And explain why you want to attend it

Today I’m going to share with you about a craft work contest that bunch of school buddies and I
want to part in. ABC Festival is approaching and our form teacher has made a decision to hold a
small competition among our classmates. The theme is to design the most attractive and
meaningful lantern.

My group’s plan is to create a spinning lantern instead of choosing much simpler shapes like
butterflies, fish and stars. As a matter of fact, our idea is to design a lantern which splits around
when a candle is placed inside, which Symbolizes the seasonal spinning of the earth around the
sun. Therefore, it will be a bit tricky and time-consuming to make it work.

We will have to cut the colored plastic papers and draw some exotic pictures to decorate the
exterior of the lantern. Then we have to cut them out neatly, glue and stick them onto the shining
outer surface of the spinning lantern. We will also have to strategize and position the axis so that
it spins properly. AH this is to be finished within 3 hours.

This craft competition has a really special meaning for me and my team. It’s our opportunity to
test our artistic abilities as all of US are going to major in arts later on. If we win this competition,
we can prove ourselves to our families so that they would accept our career path later on. I’m
really looking forward to the contest and hope that we would achieve the best results.

IELTS SPEAKING PART 3

What do you think of the current competition program?

To my mind, game shows featuring contests are mushrooming on the media. Their nature is
quite questionable to me as most of these competitions are previously scheduled and expected
to go according to a certain set plan as to draw the attention of the audience. As a consequence,
the results of such contests are not to be trusted and the whole game can be a scheme simply
made to trick the vulnerable public.

Why competition programs are so popular?

Game shows are all the rage on TVs for the time being. Such programmes tend to, be hosted by
celebrated comedians to hook viewers and boost ratings! The competition “Challenge the
comedians” in which a candidate tries to Intake the panel of judges laugh out loud with a funny
performance or play is considered as a typical programme that Registers millions of views on
Youtube.

Who do you think will take part in the competition?

As far as I’m concerned, those working in the entertainment industry are often the main and
frequent participants in competitions! The reason behind this is that those figures are often
muscular, good-looking and charismatic Enough to, draw’ the attention of the public. The
chances for ordinary’ people to join a competition are quite slim and if there is any, the
competition won’t appeal to many people.

Do people need competitive spirits at work?

A competitive mind is equivalent to the increase in work productivity simply because when a staff
member s motivated and have a sense of rivalry, he will try to outsmart their colleagues by
working extra hours, packing his brains to come up with better ideas and get their tasks done in a
timely manner. This in turn will make others follow suit and the obvious result is the increased
work output.

51/ Describe an ideal house

You should say:

– where this place is

– what it is like

– when you want to live there

– and explain why you think it is ideal for you

52. Describe a time that a piece of equipment was

broken (such as TV)
You should say:

– what the equipment was

– what the problem was

– what you did after it was broken

 53/ Describe an interesting place in your country that
not many tourists get to
You should say

 Where it is located
 Why it is interesting
 What you can do there
 Why are few people go there
PART 3
What kinds of tourist sites are popular in your country?

What can governments do to prevent pollution in tourist sites?

What are the advantages of visiting less known places?

What are the disadvantages when there are too many tourists in one site?

54/ Describe a time when you arrived early for an

appointment
You should say:

 when and where it happened;

 why you arrived early;
 what you did while waiting;
 and explain how you felt about arriving early.
PART 3
What is the main reason people cannot have enough time to do?
Do people nowadays have more pressure time than before?
Do people can control their time wisely when they are older?
Is it important for people to relax during a day?
Modern technologies make people use time up or reduce time?
55. Describe a success your friend has achieved
You should say:

– who your friend is

– what the success was

– what he or she did

– how you felt about the success

PART 3
Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?
How do people in your country make friends these days?
Why Is it easier to make friends on the internet than in reality?
What qualities do you think are important in a friend?
What factors may result in the breakdown of a good friendship?
Friendship is the most important relationship. Do you agree? Why? Why
not?

Model Answers

Describe a time you spend with your friend in your

childhood / Describe a childhood friend of yours
You should say:

 Who is this friend

 What did you do at that time
 How did you know about each other
 And explain why you describe this time

Band 9 Model Answers

Luckily, I had a happy childhood, free from study burdens hat many children today are facing up
to. Off the top of my head, I would describe a time that my soul mate and I used to hang out
frequently at a rural spot hear our house, which I guess was at least 15 years ago

At that time, industrialization and modernization are the terms that no one heard o Paddy fields
cover a big area, and there were meadows, streams, ponds
and lakes, giving quite in idyllic and tranquil atmosphere. I and my friend, who is my next-door
neighbor and have known each other since we were knee high to a grasshopper, often played
together at this rural area.

The reasons I describe this time is because it helps me reminisce of my past when I had the total
freedom to explore and enjoy life to the fullest. Catching crickets at dawn, going fishing in the
early afternoon, swimming in the crystal clear water and other activities did fill me with great
excitement. Especially, hanging out together with my best buddy was just an out-of-this-world
experience; we had the time to confide in each other our secrets and ambitions share ups and
downs in life together.

My friend’s now residing in the US, so I really miss him. We skill keep in touch often and are still
proud of our happy childhood.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Are you still in touch with your childhood friends?

Not many of them really, we launched on our own paths ever since we left, primary school. And
as a matter of fact, I can’t recall the face or the names of my classmates in grade 4 or 5, if I
happen to bump into them, they would just, look as strangers to me. Having said this, I still keep
some close contacts ever since, and such friends have become my soul mate. To be honest. I
couldn’t think of how miserable life would be if living without such friends.

Why some people lose contact with their childhood friends?

As for my generation, at the time we didn’t have any smartphone to keep contacts, so it’s easy to
lose precious relationships. In contrast, today we can snap some photos, add friends on face
book, to name but a few, which is hugely conducive to the maintenance of personal contacts.
Another reason can be that there are some friends we often do not get along well, and there’s no
point in keeping such contacts. At the end of the day, it’s quite a matter of taste and preference in
friend selection that really counts.

Who is more important to you, friends or family?

In the deepest part of my heart, I think family natters more to me, although sometimes I may
spend more time with my friends. You know, we can only be born once by our parents, but we
can make new friends all the time. Besides, in this benefit-oriented society, only parents truly
love us. Therefore, family should, carry more weight.

Do you have any foreign friends?

I have a foreign friend whose name is Martina. She comes from America and studies in the same
college with me. We met accidentally. She was lost on the way to the language center and I
happened to there. Martina is not a complete beauty, but she is always confident and optimistic,
which makes her very attractive. She has bright eyes full of wisdom and curiosity but the bad
thing about her is that she’s got a quick temper.

How do people in your country make friends these days?

Well to be honest, I would say that people have many different ways to get to know one another.
The most common place is at the coffee shop where people of different ages would gather
together and share their own stories about themselves. The second way is via Social networking
websites like Facebook or Twitter. Needless to say, many teenagers today would log on the web
and join some chat groups, which I reckon is the quite useful but may have some potential risks

Do you trust friends that you meet on the internet?

When it comes to friends on the virtual networks, I am pretty cautious. Although, social
networking websites like Facebook or Twitter are wonderful platforms for people of all ages to get
to know one another, most of the time It’s not reliable to lend your trust to those online friends.
This is simply because some guys may treat your nicely and act like your close friends but the
reality is that they are, trying to con some money out of your pocket. So the point is we should try
to be on red filter when making use of the internet in general and social networks in

How do you get along with people you don’t like?

Well, there is a couple of ways that help when trying to be on good tarns with those you don’t
want to have a talk with. The first method lies in a person himself. It is true that we should open
our hearts and make efforts to nuke others feel at ease. During a conversation, it’s better if we
feather our confidence and bring up the topic first hatha than waiting for others to break the ice.
Secondly, individuals had better find more time to be close to each other and find out what they
have in common. For example, after watching a comedy at the movie theater, two people found
out that they love this type of film, and then they tried to arrange time to spend more time
together. The two people ended up being intimate friends forever

Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?

Generally speaking, several factors are to blame when it comes to why some. people have a
hard time getting along with other surrounding people. The first cause usually lies in the person
himself. They tend to distance themselves from others and don’t have frequent talks and time to
spend together. As a particular consequence, less mutual understanding is established and the
relationship becomes weaker and weaker. Another culprit might be fast-paced lifestyle people
suffer from nowadays. After a stressful day at the workplace, it is not uncommon to see many
lose their temper or just want to stay home to let their hair down. This makes people spend time
on their own, which means less time is spent on others.

Would you only make friends with people who are similar to you? Do you like to be
friends with someone who is different from you?

Yes, certainly. It is no doubt that we can make incredible headway in our relationships if we
socialize with those we have at least something in common We may share some interests in or
passion for movies or books. This is probably due to the fact that we can easily bring up
conversations and keep the talks going when we have shared hobbies. Otherwise, both friends
would remain silent all the time, which means less mutual understanding is established. Such a
relationship is not going to last long, I reckon.
Do you like to have many friends?

Yes. of course. I’m an extrovert and would love to hang out with a group of friends instead of a
few close friends. This is simply because I can become more independent and mature if I’m able
to mix with people of different backgrounds, learn their life experiences. It is not wrong to say the
bigger your social circle is, the more opportunities in life you can have. Some of your friends may
help your find a decent job or lend you a hand Sometime in the not-so- distant future.

Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person?
= Why Is it easier to make friends on the internet than in reality?

This is advanced age and many of our real life tasks are done virtually by using few mouse
clicks. To be a friend, one does not need to be physically present with the others to make a
friendship. Using different social communication platforms, we could easily make friendship with
the other people living at different parts of the world. They do not need to meet every day in
person to share their feelings and emotions. Rather, they are communicating easily using the
social communication platform features like chatting or messaging, sharing their pictures etc. As
a result, the necessity of licet ins physically every day or after a specific period appears to
become less and less.

56. Describe your grandparent’s job

You should say:

– what it was

– how long he or she had this job

– how he or she got the job

– and whether you would like to have this job

PART 3
What kinds of jobs are easy to get in a foreign country?
Is it hard to find interesting job in your country?
Why do some people keep changing their jobs?
What kinds of preparation should people do for a job interview?
What should a good employer do?
How would you define an interesting job’?
Model Answers 1
Model Answers 2
4.7 (93.85%) 13vote[s]
Describe a city or country you want to live/work the most
in the future
You should say:

What is it
Where is it located
Why you like it

IELTS Sample Band 9

Well, it is such an interesting topic! Off the top of my head, if I were given a chance to go to a
country to settle down, I would not hesitate to pick Japan because I’m a real sucker for the
country itself and the Japanese’s style of working in particular.

To start off, what would interest me most during my stay in Japan would be the breathtaking
scenery there, as I have watched countless programmes on TV featuring the magnificent
landscapes from South to North. If I were to pick what city, it would be Ottawa, since good
words about it are going around a lot.

I wouldn’t forget to mention the fact that the Japanese are hard-working people and have a
strong sense of responsibility and discipline, and because of this, I reckon a period living and
working in a native environment would cultivate that characteristic in me.

The final point is that I love the Japanese language, and actually I have been making an all-out
effort to master the language, so that I can stand a better chance of settling down there.
I hold high hopes that with my determination and stamina, someday my dream will come true.

Settle down: to begin to live a quieter life by staying permanently in a place

Be a real sucker for: to like a particular type of person or thing very much, so that you will do
almost anything to please them or to have them

in particular: especially

breathtaking: extremely impressive or beautiful

Go around: if something such as an illness or

a piece of news is going around, people are giving or telling it to each other

Cultivate: to develop something such as an attitude, ability, or skill

all-out effort: With all one’s strength, ability, or resources; not holding back

stand a chance: to have a chance of doing something

stamina: the ability to work hard or to make a lot of effort over a long period of time
without getting tired

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Is salary important to you? What is the impact of salary on doing work?

As far as I know, the more salary you receive, the more eager and enthusiastic you become at
the workplace. What I’m trying to say is that high salary can give us immense motivation to carry
out the tasks and accomplish them with the highest degree of accuracy and speediness, I
distinctly remember a time when my boss promised to give me a pay rise if I could carry through
a project on time; I was simply too excited to turn down his offer and as a result, l made it in time.
In a nutshell, the power of money is undeniable.

What kinds of jobs are easy to get in a foreign country?

Finding employment can be easier if you know how to do certain types of jobs. The first common
occupation that many migrants do would be taking care of the nails of their customers, or the so-
call manicure I guess. Such a job requires little or no knowledge but you have to Sacrifice your
self-esteem as I see most foreigners often look down on that type of work. The second but nobler
profession is the one related to the use of foreign language. I am one hundred percent certain
that if you have an excellent command of the local language, for example, English, in all
likelihood you can find a decent job with a handsome salary.

Should young adults work abroad?

I reckon it’s a mixed blessing. On the bright side, a period of work in a foreign country can give
people a wealth of knowledge and practical experience especially in advanced countries, so I
guess they would learn pretty much. Besides, the companies in their home country usually give
their red-carpet treatment to those working abroad when they come back. Then again, it’s not all
it’s cracked up to be as there are also many drawbacks. They can miss their parents or have a
hard time getting some used to the climate or culture in a strange land, without much support
from others. All in all, it primarily depends on their preferences and determination, but I
recommend they should give it a try as they are still young and energetic.

If they don’t work abroad, would it be helpful for them to travel in a foreign country?

Well, travelling can be a good way to explore the country and gain some hands-on experience,
but I have to admit that mostly it just gives you a superficial experience. You get exposed to
much stuff without a clear focus. For instance, you can get into contact with the locals, sample
the local cuisine or marvel at the breathtaking landscapes. So I guess, it doesn’t have much thing
to do with work or work experience. In a nutshell, travelling broadens your horizons of the world
and the people, not giving you any insight into the work you are doing.
Describe an interesting job that you want to have in
the future.
You should say:
What it is.
How you can find this job.
What qualities it requires.
And explain why it is a well-paid job and why you think you will be good at it
Well, the job I want to talk about today is the journalist. Basically speaking, it is not an easy task
to find a job as a journalist. In most of the cases, people need to apply for this job in the
newspaper agent or in the TV station. As for what this job requires for, what I want to mention
firstly is that it requires people to learn about the media theories in detail. The professional media
theories can consolidate people’s background knowledge, and those theories will teach people
about how to become a journalist as well as how to interview the people. Secondly, it requires
people to be sensible to the news. One of the journalist’s responsibilities is to dig news, so I think
people need to read more domestic and international news and learn to be sensible to the news
happened in the country and the world.

In my country, a professional journalist should not only know about how to dig out the truth, but
also be professional at writing news reports, and I think that is also why the journalist is a well-
paid job in our country. As for me, I think I am in possession of the basic skills of becoming a
journalist. I am active, passionate, and fond of communicating with different kinds of people. It is
widely acknowledged that a journalist need to have ‘a thick cheek’ since not every interviewee
ii willing to be interviewed. I think my personality is quite suitable to be a successful journalist in
the future.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

1) Is it hard to find interesting job in your country?

I think it depends on how you think of what an interesting job is. For me, I think an interesting job
should be the one that you like and are willing to devoting efforts. During the process, you should
feel more joy than pain from work. Therefore, think being a teacher should be such kind of a job
in my mind and it is not hard to find a job as a teacher in my country. While for others, maybe the
interesting jobs for them is painting or photographing and it may not be that easy to find a job
as professional painter. So, it depends. However, on the whole, I think the market has provided
enough choices so that I should not be that hard to find an interesting job.

2) What kinds of preparation should people do for a job interview?

Firstly, to get enough understanding of the position that you are going to apply is important
because the employer ii searching the one who is the most suitable and professional about the
position. Then, people should practice making a brie self-introduction so that the employer can
quickly have the basic information about you and your ability of oral expression Another thing
that I think one should prepare is the dressing. To dress according to the right dressing code is
key and it is also a respect for others and the sign that you really value this opportunity. For girls,
maybe they also should be aware of wearing appropriate make-ups depending on the position
that they apply.

3) Why do some people keep changing their jobs?

I believe there are various reasons and various situations. For some people with strong ability,
they can do every job well while they switch jobs just to experience more and figure out what
they are really passionate about. Also, for those people they may want to keep themselves
refreshed because after doing the same job for long, it is 6 easy for people to get bored, so they
keep changing jobs to have the feeling of freshness. For another group of people, they do not
have many choices and positions that can be offered may only be temporary, so after a while,
the company or the employer may no need this position any more. For such kind of people, I
think they have to keep doing different jobs without choices for the lack of competitiveness.

4) What should a good employer do?

In my opinion, I think a good employer firstly should trust the employees and give the employees
enough opportunities to give their talent into full play and train the employees to become better
and better. Also, a good employer should no consider himself or herself to be superior to the
employees. Secondly, a good employer should care about the safety of the employees during
work. There is a lot of news about the employees getting hurt because of work and I think it
ii, also the employer’s responsibility to give the employees a safe environment to work, especially
for some special kind of work. In a word, a good employer should really care about the
employees from the bottom of the heart.

5) How would you define ‘an interesting job’?

I think an interesting job should be the one that you are passionate about so that during work,
you will never feel bored and can feel more joy than suffering. And I believe the definition differs
from person to person. For example, for me, I like getting along with the people who are younger
than me, so for me, being a teacher should be an interesting job. While for some other people, if
they do not like to communicate with the young children, then being a teacher may not sound like
a interesting job. Also, an interesting job should be the one that will give you the energy instead
of absorbing your inner energy. People will get energy only when they are in positive mood, so
an interesting job should be the one that makes people happy.