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Candidate: I like trying many different kinds of foods, but in particular, I’m really into Thai and Vietnamese’s cuisines give examples - Examiner: Now let’s talk about your study.. To

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Introduction

Welcome to IELTS!

This material for Speaking skill area, are compiled from a variety of sources, but the special feature

of this material is providing the best comprehensive of speaking test in IELTS based on the real experience of a group of students when they study

To get started, please take some time to read tips and tricks and each part of speaking test You will also find many model answers, which may be of assistance to you In this guideline you will:

• become familiar with the structure of the Speaking Test

• talk about your likes and dislikes

• practice extending your answer

• paraphrase vocabulary from examiner questions

• practice your pronunciation of new language

Thank you once again for your interest in this material Your success is our motivation to continue gather and find out more strategies to help you achieve your desirable score in your IELTs exam

We look forward to getting along with you on the journey of conquer IELTs

Your IELTS fighter team

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Table of Content

PART 1: Some common topics

PART 2 & 3

A PLACE: where you like/favorite/enjoy

where you don’t like/unusual

where just opened

1 A building where you like

2 A favorite park

3 A shop just opened in your hometown

4 A café/restaurant you enjoy

5 A quiet place you enjoy

6 A place people do sport

A THINGS: you like/favorite/enjoy/happy

you don’t like/don’t happy/unusual

1 A product you bought and feel happy

A PERSON: you like/favorite/enjoy/happy

you don’t like/don’t happy/unusual

1 A business person you admire

2 A famous person you admire

3 A neighbor you like

4 A person who solved a problem in a clever way

AN EXPERIENCE: you like/favorite/enjoy/happy

you don’t like/don’t happy/unusual

1 A car trip

2 A time where you not allowed to use phone

3 A time you friendly with someone you didn’t like

4 A time you had good experience in countryside

5 A wedding ceremony

6 A Foreign/new food you tried

7 A positive experience when you were a teenager

8 An unusual food

9 An Experience you spent time with a child

10 Achievement

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PART 1: SOME COMMON TOPICS Tips and Tricks:

1 Focus on Grammar: likes and dislike

- Examiner: Do you enjoy watching sports?

Candidate: No, I’m not really a fan of sports to be honest I prefer going to concerts or

seeing a good film at the cinema

- Examiner: What kind of food do you like most?

Candidate: I absolutely love fresh seafood Especially lobster and prawns

- Examiner: Are there any types of food that you dislike?

Candidate: Well, I’m not very keen on red meat actually I’m not a vegetarian, but I just

don’t like the taste of beef very much

- Examiner: What do you like about living in your hometown?

Candidate: Well, there’s a lovely park near where I live, which I absolutely love

especially in spring when the flowers are so beautiful I go for a walk there most

weekends

- Examiner: Are there any types of films that you do not enjoy?

Candidate: Yes, I’m not really into war films All that violence and killing just makes me

feel ill I went to see Saving Private Ryan at the cinema because I’d heard it was very

good, but I had to leave after only half an hour or so It was just too violent

- Examiner: What do you like about your work?

Candidate: Well, because we sell our products all over the world there are a lot of

opportunities for travel and that really appeals to me I may be going to China next year

for a sales conference

- Examiner: Do you enjoy visiting museums?

Candidate: To be honest, I’m not that keen on going to museums All those old, dead things just don’t appeal to me very much I’d rather watch a film about dinosaurs than

look at some old bones in a museum

- Examiner: Do you like the national costume worn in your home country?

Candidate: Yes, I’m very fond of it actually I think it looks really nice to see people

wearing it, and it’s a traditional part of our culture that I think we should keep

- Examiner: Would you like to have a pet?

Candidate: No, I’m not that fond of animals really They’re quite expensive to look

after My apartment is tiny so I could fit in a goldfish, I suppose, but I certainly couldn’t keep a dog or a cat

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2 Focus on Fluency: extent your answer

Pattern 1

• Say (how much) you like it

• Give the reasons why you like it and/or Give the examples

For examples:

- Examiner: What kind of weather do you like?

Candidate: I’m really fond of weather that is warm and sunny because in my free time I

enjoy spending time outdoors (give reasons)

- Examiner: What kind of food do you like?

Candidate: I like trying many different kinds of foods, but in particular, I’m really into

Thai and Vietnamese’s cuisines (give examples)

- Examiner: Now let’s talk about your study What do you enjoy about the course you are

taking?

Candidate: Well, I’m studying design and I absolutely love the work experience we do as

part of our course We each work one day a week in a real design company and I actually get to design furniture there, which is the area I want to specialize in I’m learning so much from the other designers that I could never learn from just studying from books

Pattern 2

• Say you don't like it

• Give the reasons why you don't like it

• Give your preference for something else

For examples:

- Examiner: Do you enjoy watching sports?

Candidate: To be honest, I’m not really a sport fan I prefer going to concerts or going

to the cinema to see a good film

- Examiner: Do you enjoy cooking?

Candidate: No, it doesn’t really appeal to me that much It just takes too long to prepare

a nice meal and since I live alone, I’d only be cooking for myself anyway, I prefer to eat

out or just get take away on my way home from work

Notes: - Try to use both patterns an equal number of times but answer the questions honestly

about yourself

- Record your answer each time and listen to it, check your accurate use of grammar

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3 Focus on Vocabulary: showing a variety of ranges

One of the things that the examiner will be listening for in your speaking test is whether you

have a wide range of vocabulary This is known as lexical resource

Let’s look at these examples to show that you know and can use a wide variety of different English words

- Examiner: What do you like to do in your free time?

Candidate: ok, well, I don’t have a lot of spare time at the moment because I’m quite busy with my study but when I do have time off, l like to get outside and do something active I enjoy outdoor pursuits like hiking and camping, I love going to wild and beautiful places

- Examiner: Do you think it’s important for people to have hobbies?

Candidate: Yes, I do Everyone needs them

When we are working or studying, free time activities are vital for relaxation

and relieving stress

Then later in life when we retire, having interests will become crucial

Suddenly, we will have lots of leisure time, so we will need to have things we enjoy doing to stay active and enjoy our retirement

Comments: the candidate use a wide range of vocabulary, such as:

- Free time = spare time, time off, leisure time

- Important = vital, crucial

- Hobbies = pursuits, free time activities, interests, things that we enjoy doing

4 Focus on Pronunciation: Essential aspects

The most important aspect of good pronunciation is not to sound like a native speaker The most important things are that you speak clearly and that you are understood

In your speaking test, the examiner will be listening to your pronunciation Let’s see what this involved:

- Pay attention to how you pronounce in individual sound For example: “Pear” or “bear”

- Place stress correctly in words or sentences For examples:

+ In the word “University”, the stress is on the third syllable “uniVERsity”

+ In the sentence: “I teach at the University of Queensland”, the stress is on these words: I,

teach, University, Queensland because these are content words, they contain meaning

- Don’t usually stress little grammar like: “at”, “the”, and “of” …

- It’s ok to PAUSE between each idea but try to not PAUSE in the middle of an idea, INTONATION is also important It’s useful for emphasizing keywords If you are telling

the examiner about an exciting experience, try to make this apparent in your voice

- Speaking in phrases rather than in individual words

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These following are some common topics that could be apparent in your Speaking test The model answers have just meant to give you the ideas for each question, it doesn’t focus on giving you the best answer with the strategies that we show you as above because our purpose is that giving you

a chance to make your own answer based on the ideas and the useful words and idioms that we

give you to broaden your variety wide range of your vocabulary Knowing exactly what the

examiner will be looking for in the Part 1 of Speaking Test to re-answer these questions

Make you own answer and practice that is the best way to learn!

Working

Are you a student or are you working?

Well, for the past couple of years, I’ve been working as an auditor at KPMG, which is among the

top 4 auditing firms in the world I love my job, and I think it’s a very interesting line of work

Line of work (phrase) the work that a person does regularly in order to earn money

What do you like about your job?

Well I guess the thing I like most about my job is the salary I make what I’d consider is a lucrative income, which means not only is it enough to cover my bills, but there’s also some extra to spend

on whatever I want So, on payday, I often treat myself to a meal at a high-end restaurant

or splurge on a nice shirt

Lucrative income (phrase)

High-end (adj) the most sophisticated, and typically the most expensive product in a line Splurge on something (phrase) to spend a lot of money on someone or something

What do you dislike about your job?

You know, I’d have to say the overwhelming workload is something I am not a fan of I mean, I’ve got a very hectic schedule, which means I’m always up to my ears in deadlines That leaves

me with very little quality time for family and friends In the future, I might look into another job

that is a bit less stressful

Overwhelming (adj) very intense

Hectic (adj) busy

Up to my ears in something (phrase) busy doing something

Quality time (phrase) time during which one dedicates oneself to a person or activity

What do you do after work?

Well, when we get off work, my colleagues and I usually hit the bar and grab a couple of drinks and maybe a bite to eat if we’re feeling up to it It’s great fun, and a fantastic way

to unwind

Hit the bar (phrase) to go out, to go for a few drinks

Grab a bite to eat (phrase) get something to eat

Up to (doing) something (phrase) well enough, or good enough to do something

Unwind (verb) relax

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Do you miss being a student?

I surely will miss my student life once I get involve in the workplace For me I think when I’m a

student, at least I have someone guide me, whereas at work mostly you must guide yourself The

academic environment appears to be a comfort zone for me, while I’m sure I’ll struggle with fitting

in the working environment

To get involve in (v) to become a part of (an organization)

To fit in (v) to become suitable or appropriate for something or someone

Studying

Are you a student or are you working?

I’m currently a senior at X University, which is one of the top schools in the nation Admission is incredibly competitive so I’m very proud of being a student here

Senior (noun) final year university student

What are you studying?

Well, I’m majoring in Accountancy, so as you can guess, I deal a lot with numbers and figures day in, day out It can be overwhelming at times, but I’d like to think that I have a knack for mathematics and calculations so it’s okay

Day in, day out (phrase) continuously or repeatedly over a long period of time

Have a knack for (phrase) to be exceptionally proficient at (doing) something

Why did you choose to study that major?

There are many reasons for my choice As I’ve already explained about my long-term interest in

Accountancy, another reason could be because of accountancy itself, since I’ve found my personalities have changed in a positive way, you know, like I’ve become more patient and skillful

What’s the most difficult part of your study?

Well, for the most part, I’d say it’s the workload I mean there are so many assignments and students

are always under a lot of pressures from deadlines But on the other hand, exams are a piece of cake They are quite predictable, and I can pretty much breeze through them with a bit of revision

pretty much = almost

A piece of cake (idiom) very easy

Breeze (through) (verb) to easily complete or win something

What do you like most about your school?

I guess the aspect I find most enjoyable is the environment I mean, I get to study in

English-speaking classrooms and the facilities are top-notch; I mean, all the classrooms are conditioned and equipped with projectors My friends and teachers are all very nice as well, so all

air-in all it’s a great place to study

top-notch (adj) excellent

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Your family

How do you spend time with your family?

We’ll have a delicious big dinner together with scrumptious food prepared by my mom After we have dinner at around 7 o’clock, we’ll watch the news, have some chat with each other or huddle together to play cards It’s a precious time when we can momentarily get away from the hectic

whirlwind of daily activities

Scrumptious (adj) delicious

Hectic whirlwind (expression) a busy schedule

Huddle together (phrase) gather together

Do you want to live with your family in the future?

I think probably not It’s better for me to try to start an independent life as a grown-up However,

I still have the responsibility to take good care of my parents that I’ll make time to visit them at

least twice a week

To make time to do Sth (n) to try to spend time doing Sth that is not just for fun like hobbies

How has your family influenced you?

Although my parents are traditional, they try to become my friends, by helping me and encouraging

me without forcing me to live up to their expectations They also imprinted on me proper principles like moral values, respect, humbleness, patience, diligence, etc I think my family shaped

who I am now I’m deeply thankful for having such a wonderful family

To live up to SO’s expectations (v) to try to please others

Imprint (v) to establish securely, as in the mind or consciousness

Diligence (n) careful and persistent work or effort

Do you watch a lot of TV?

Well, not really I mean we have a TV set and cable subscription and all, but we don’t really watch

the box all that much I guess something that we still watch from time to time is The Voice, a singing competition It’s all the rage in our country right now, and supposedly has really high viewership

From time to time (idiom) sometimes

All the rage (phrase) to be very popular at a particular time

What programs do you like to watch?

I’m a fan of competitions on TV like, as I was saying, The Voice I also find quiz shows quite interesting I feel like I really broaden my horizons and learn a wealth of knowledge about the

world around me

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Your Country/Hometown

Tell me about the part of your country where you live

Well, it’s located in the south of the city so it isn’t as noisy as the downtown area My living area has lots of trees and parks so I feel really comfortable when living in my hometown

What do you like about the place where you live?

I think it’s a peaceful and tranquil place, which always gives me peace of mind The people in my

hometown also have a strong sense of community They live close together and always give others a hand when they are in need

How far is it from here to your current place of residence?

Our place is situated in the heart of the city, so it is approximately 6km from there to here and can take probably 15-minute drive if the traffic is not too heavy

What do you think about your hometown?

Well, I think my hometown is one of the best places to live It is well known all over the

country for its amazing history, architecture, and food What makes my hometown more special is the fact that the highest mountain in our country is located there, which

offers breathtaking views of the white, fluffy sea underneath

School

How was your first day at high school?

Well, the first day at high school left an profound impression on me It was the first time I rode

a bike to my high school which is 3km from my house Also, I met 2 new friends at the same class and from then on they became my best friends forever

Who was your favorite teacher? Why?

I had so many favorite teachers so it’s a bit difficult to pick one But I would say my math teacher

in high school was the one who had the most influence on me in a positive way Math used to

be my least favorite subject but he had his own way of making the lessons fun and engaging He was definitely my go-to teacher whenever I got a math problem

Have you ever been a teacher?

I have some experience tutoring my two brothers in English, if that counts as teaching Both of

my brothers used to be afraid of this subject and find it “dry, difficult and dull” I had to spend a lot of time persuading them otherwise Every evening I would spend one or two hours helping

them out with their homework and talk to them in English

Would you like to work as a teacher?

I find the idea very attractive, to be honest You know, in my country, teaching is considered one

of the most noble professions and those who teach get so much respect in our society It

would take a lot of patience and skills to work with children, though I’m not exactly a patient

person or someone who’s patient enough with kids

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Leisure time

Do you have any hobbies?

Well, everyone has their own leisure pursuits, and mine is reading The book I’m reading at the moment is The Godfather by renowned author Mario Puzo It’s a classic, really, and I’d really

recommend it

Leisure pursuit (noun) hobby

Is it important to have a hobby?

Definitely! I mean nowadays life is getting more and more hectic, so people are constantly under

an enormous amount of stress That’s why it’s necessary to get into some recreational activities

to unwind and just forget about life for a minute, you know?

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

Yes, I believe spending excessive time on a hobby may have an adverse effect on people You may end up having not enough time for your priorities like family or work For example, it’s easy

for me to lose myself in books and neglect the deadlines at work

End up doing something (phrase) to be in a particular place or state after doing something

or because of doing it

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

I would love to have a crack at extreme sports in the future, maybe ski-diving It looks like

a blast and I think I will get a real kick out of free falling from enormous heights

Have a crack

at (phrase) to try to do something although you are not certain that you will succeed

Blast (noun) a thrill

Get a real kick out of (doing) something (phrase) it means to enjoy something very much

Travel

Do you like to travel?

Yes, definitely! I think seeing the world, from great historical monuments to white sandy beaches, is what life is all about It’s a very interesting way to learn about new cultures and explore new places

or

Yes, definitely! I think seeing the world, from great historical monuments to white sandy beaches, is what life is all about It’s a very interesting way to learn about new cultures and explore new places

Who do you often spend holiday with?

It depends on what kind of holiday it is If it’s Christmas vacation, I prefer hang out with my friends here and there and have a chit-chat If it’s New Year holiday, I just want to celebrate the holiday with my family and relatives in a cozy ambiance

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How much traveling have you done?

Well for a start I’m an international student, so my life can be counted as travelling I’ve been on a road trip to USA, a vacation to Japan, and Korea when I was younger thanks to my father meeting sales goals, and most recently Australia – a splendid country

What kind of places have you visited in your life?

I am a working person Therefore, I prefer to visit the places which elevate my mood and energize

me I have been to some of the most beautiful beaches and lakes in my country These places bring

me closer to nature and rejuvenate me

When you visit new places, what do you like to do?

It seems to me that there’re a lot of stuff to do when visiting a brand-new places At first, I would love to take photographs to bookmark my travel experience as well as share with my best mates Culture vulture seems to be my another character when I feel like discovering the places of great aesthetic appeal everywhere I set foot in

Do you prefer traveling alone or in a group?

Well, it depends on my current mood A trip to the off-the-beaten-track destinations, mountainous

or forested place for instance will be my initial choice if I feel devastated On the contrary, I will congregate with my companions and sign up for guided tours as it’s a chance to be shown around and take photograph – one of my hobbies when feel overjoyed

In which seasons do you prefer to travel?

I guess it would be autumn This season has little rain, clear skies and temperate conditions It’s really the best season when most places are at their best at that time

What places would you like to visit in the future?

If I have the chance to visit one famous place, it will be Paris, a must-see place to me I would love

to visit the Eiffel Tower, to tuck into French delicacies in prestigious restaurants In addition, it’d

be great for me to visit the Louver Museum and discover history as well as La Sorbonne University – the oldest educational institution in modern France

Or:

If the choice is in my hands, I’m yearning for travelling to Paris on Christmas vacation when the weather is neither too cold or too hot There I can contemplate the picturesque scenery

Weather

Do you like rainy days?

Yes, absolutely! I love all the freshness around, the cool breeze after a heavy rain It’s wonderful!

What do you do on rainy days?

Well, rainy days are the best days to watch movies I have been longing to watch or catch up on

my unfinished reading Movies and books will make up my whole rainy day Sometimes, I would rather spend with my pet and teach it new tricks

Does it rain much in your country? (Where? When?)

As it is entirely located in the tropical belt, it receives quite a great amount of precipitation every year However, the part that records the highest rainfall is the northern part This region can also

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be affected by the typhoon season in the Western Pacific, which can see severe storms lashing the coast from August to November

Is there any part of your country where it doesn’t rain much? (Where?)

In general, I guess the driest place might possibly be X, which is situated on the south-central coast The weather there is quite extreme with a lot of wind as well as a hot and dry atmosphere during the year Also, there is no winter here, and the average temperature is considerably higher than most other parts of the country

Can you remember any time when it rained particularly heavily in your hometown? (When?)

Yes, of course I suppose it was about a year or so ago, when we had several days of torrential rain, almost non-stop, and so the whole of my neighborhood got flooded You know, the water was, like, up to my knees, and so the traffic came to a complete standstill So, yeah, that was probably the worst time I can remember

Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown? (How?)

Yeah, for sure As a matter of fact, rain often causes severe traffic congestion, especially when there is heavy downpour People should expect to be stuck for hours in a traffic jam I’m not exactly sure why, but it’s possibly because vehicles tend to move slower in the rain

Eating out

Do you like to eat at home or eat out?

To be honest, I lead a busy lifestyle and I think cooking requires a lot of time and effort, so I usually eat out However, I really enjoy eating at home because I can spend quality time with my loved

ones

How often do you go out with your friends?

Well, I’d say that I hang out with my friends on a weekly basis Every time we have days off, we grasp the chance to gather at a coffee shop and chit-chat about this and that

When was the last time you went out with your friends? & What did you talk about?

Well, it was last week when we threw a party at my close friend’s house to celebrate her

birthday We had a whale of time at the party and didn’t want to go home at all So, we decided

to stay and had a chit-chat all night about our favorite topics like shopping, traveling, etc

What will you bring when you go out?

Oh, this is such an interesting question to me Being a girl means that being neat and beautiful is her top priority Hence, whenever I go out, I often carry a black leather backpack which contains a comb, a pack of tissues, a bottle of water and a jacket that would protect me from the severe sunlight of the sun during a day

Neat [a] A neat person likes to keep themselves, their house and their possessions tidy and in

good order

Priority [n] something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things

Contain [v] to have something inside or include something as a part

Tissue [n] soft paper which is used for cleaning, especially your nose, and is thrown away after

use, or a small rectangular piece of this

Severe [a] causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious

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Did you ever forget to bring things?

I’m kind of absent-minded so I sometimes forget to bring the keys I tend to toss keys everywhere

so I have lost them several times

Absent-minded (adj) forgetful

Will you bring different things in the daytime or at night?

I would say that most of the time when I go out during the daytime or night, I always bring along a

purse which contains my credit and debit cards, small money, and driving license However, I will

bring some make-up and skin-care products like sunscreen in my vintage bag when I go out in

the daylight hours

Bring along (phrasal verb) to bring someone or something while going somewhere

Skin-care (phrase) things that you do and use to keep your skin healthy and attractive

How would you remind yourself of something you need to bring?

Well, I have never ever thought about it Such an interesting question, though I think that I can refresh my memory by taking note of every single thing I should bring along during the day shortly after I get up This is because in the morning, I can recharge enough energy after a healthy

sleep, thereby being able to avoid forgetting things to carry along

Never ever (expression) an emphatic way of saying never

Take note of (phrase) to give attention to something

Refresh my memory (phrase) to help you to remember something

When you go to different places, do you carry different kinds of things?

Well, I’m a kind of person who prefers the same things all the time, so it’s not very easy for me to

change my stuff Whenever I go out, I hardly carry a lot of things Hence, when I arrive at different places, I still bring my favorite backpack with the same personal objects, such as: a pack of tissues,

a bottle of water and a jacket

Stuff [n] used to refer to a substance or a group of things or ideas, etc., often with a description

of their general type or quality or saying who they belong to, without saying exactly what they are

Hardly [adv] only just; almost not

Personal object [phrase] things that belong to someone

Public holidays

What public holidays do you have in your country?

My country has a great range of public holidays but to me the most important one is the Independence Day It is considered as a national holiday, which is annually celebrated on July 4 These day are to celebrate the day the US secured independence from the British Empire after the

Revolutionary War and usher in a new era of peace and reunification

Usher in (v) to make an activity or process begin

Era (n) a period of time that has a particular quality or character

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Do people in your country celebrate foreign festivals?

Of course, we do We celebrate Christmas with extraordinarily colorful lights and decorations similar to those found in Western countries It is a grand party when the fun-loving and sociable

citizens, whether being a Christian or not, celebrate with gusto Besides, there are also sparkling

lighting decorations on the streets and in front of houses, turning particular places into Christmas area Usually the shops will have their signs advertising sales for Christmas seasons, and

the piercing cold is a wonderful chance for people to get dressed up

With gusto (phrase) if you do something with gusto, you do it with a lot of enthusiasm

What do you usually do during public holidays?

Well, I often spend my time gathering with my beloved family and friends Maybe go shopping

and take advantage of the sales which my favorite shops are offering or hanging out with friends

and having a whale of time at some entertaining places

Take advantage of (phrase) to use an opportunity to achieve results

Have a whale of time (n) to have an exciting or fun time; to have a big time

Do you like short holidays or long holidays?

Both options have their own merits, but if I have to choose one, I would pick short holidays The

reason for this is that I can feel more prepared to go back to study and feel less fatigued than spending a week for playing or travelling The purpose of holiday should be to give people a temporary rest and help them recharge the batteries for a fresh period ahead Therefore, it is not recommended that people turn their days off into a long holiday, indulge themselves and neglect their study and work

Fatigued (a) feeling extremely tired, either physically or mentally

Indulge (v) to have or eat something that you enjoy but that you should not have much of

Watches

Do you like to wear watches?

Well, I am more a cosmetics girl than clothing and accessories, hence, there are not many watches

and jewelries in my possession However, I have nothing against wearing a beautiful piece of art

on my wrist and do own a few exclusive timepieces which suit perfectly with my clothing on some special occasions, giving me a sense of identity and uniqueness

In someone’s possession: if something is in someone’s possession, they have it

Have nothing against: to dislike or not approve of someone or something for a particular reason

On (special) occasions: from time to time; now and then

Why do people like expensive watches?

Just like any other accessories, the more luxurious a timepiece looks, the higher social status the

owner may hold Watches are widely used by either gender and one of the

visual indicators presenting how professional, smart and attractive a person is Therefore, if one wants to be acknowledged and taken seriously, he/she will prefer a high-end watch rather than a collection of low-end ones

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Timepiece (n): a clock or watch

Social status (n): a person’s standing or importance in relation to other people within a society Indicator (n): a sign that shows you what something is like or how a situation is changing Acknowledge (n): to accept that somebody/something has a particular authority or status High-end (a): expensive and of high quality

Low-end (a): at the cheaper end of a range of similar products

Music

Do you like to listen to music?

So far, I haven’t met anyone who dislike music However, when the workload is too heavy that requires me to stay highly focus, music is a huge distractor Unlike many people who

likes listening to instrumental music because it highly benefits for their concentration and study, in

my case the music makes me feel instantly sleepy

Workload (n) the amount of work that person has to do

Distraction (n) something that gets your attention and prevents you from concentrating on

something else

Do you listening to music when you are studying or working?

Well I’m a type of person whose mood is easily influenced by what I’m listening to When music changes, my mood also fluctuates Therefore, most of the time I don’t listen to music to be able to concentrate on my tasks

How is music important to you?

Well, music is crucially important to human beings in the whole world and I’m no exception I usually listen to cheerful music when I need motivation while sad music is my go-to choice during emotional days

Do you like to listen to live music?

Unless it’s live at a coffee shop, whereby literally only you and the music, then yeah, I would love

to go enjoy myself But I would change my mind if it’s a concert That place is too crowded and too messy that most of the case I end up having serious dizzy and headache

What kind of music do you like?

- I don’t have a particular taste in music I can pretty much listen to everything as long as it sounds

good to me Still, I can hardly listen to traditional music, some countries’ folk songs and several tracks belonging to the classical genre

- My music taste varies widely from West to East and from the 90s to modern EDM But pop music is my all-time favorite More than half of my playlists are pop songs and I always keep myself updated with the news related to pop music and pop singers

To keep updated (v) to follow a celebrity by frequently reading news about them

How much time do you spend listening to music every day?

- It depends I often listen to music when I’m doing the housework or when I’m on the bus At

that time, I feel like I can immerse myself in my own world When I need to really concentrate

on school work, I don’t really listen to music as it can cause some distraction

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- As I’ve mentioned I prefer working in silence To put it simply, no music is allowed during

my working hours After a long day at school, I probably want to chill out for like half an hour

with music to help me stay energetic so I can get back to work later

To put it simply (expression) used for saying that you are explaining something in

a clear and simple way

Chill out (phrasal verb) to relax

When do you listen to music?

Well, music is essential to human in the whole world so I’m no exception I usually listen to cheerful music when I need motivation while sad music is my preference if I’m in a bad mood

To be no exception (adj) if someone or something is no exception, they are the same as all others so they can be included in a general statement

To be in a bad/good mood (phrase) sad or happy

Boat

Have you ever been on a boat?

To be honest, I was really lucky growing up because my parents travelled quite a lot & they

really instilled the travel bug in me I remember going to Mexico with them a few times and we did have a whale of time on a fishing boat

Travel bug: is an illness or a disease which compels the infected person with the desire to

travel

Would you take a vacation on a boat?

Well, I have to say that I am not a boat person I’m happy to go out for the occasional afternoon and

float around here and there, maybe have a drink on board and take in some scenery But I am

always happy to be back on solid ground

Would you like to own a boat?

For sure! Owning a cruise has been one of my dreams for a while You know, having a boat can offer the most unique way to travel and take in the local culture

Jewel

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

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regardless of: paying no attention to something/somebody; treating something/somebody as

not being important

Do you wear any jewelry?

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 catching accessories whenever I come across one but always consider carefully before matching

eye-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 behavior

come across (phrasal verb): meet or find by chance

Do people in your country ever wear jewelry, such as rings or neckless? Why do people like to wear those things?

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, most people show a big preference for accessories like jewelry in

the belief that they beautify the body It’s a common sight that women wear necklaces or

bracelets made of gold every time they are present at a special occasion like weddings or parties Besides, such pricey accessories symbolize people’s social status as well, so it is used as a means

to show off things people have

Beyond/ without a shadow of a doubt (phrase) used for saying that you are completely certain

of something

Show a (big) preference for something (phrase) a feeling of liking or wanting something more

than someone or something else

Make of (phrasal verb) to produce or construct from

How often do you wear jewelry?

Once in a while, especially when there is a special event On that occasion, I often have my bracelet

or necklace on so that I can feel more confident in myself

Once in a while (idiom) sometimes

What kind of jewelry do you like to wear/see on other people?

If I were to choose, I’d opt for gold necklace or bracelet The reason behind this is that they are

eye-catching and a girl would look gorgeous with some accessories on such body parts For me, any piece of jewelry has its own beauty, depending on the beholders and the appropriateness of the situation

opt for (verb) make a choice from a range of possibilities

Eye-catching (adj) immediately appealing or noticeable; striking

Beholder (n) a person who sees or observes someone or something

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

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they hold dear such as their spouse, parent or soul mate 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

Animal/Pets

What is your favorite animal?

I would call myself a dog person I really adore dogs They are so cute & loyal to their owners That’s why they are one of the most popular kinds of pets in the world

Do you have any pet?

Although I really love dogs, I can’t manage to have a dog because I travel quite often & hardly

have spare time to stay at home & look after my dog But I really hope that when I settle down, I

can have a dog who always bounds up to me and start licking my hands every time I am back home

Settle down (phrasal verb) to start living in a place where you intend to stay for along time,

usually with your partner

Hand Writing

Do you usually write by hand?

Not really anymore These days I find myself typing a lot on computers and texting on my phone,

so I rarely use paper and a pen anymore That said, I still have to jot down notes in class because

laptops are not allowed I think it’s a pain, really

jot down (phrasal verb) write

Do you think handwriting will be replaced by computers?

Well, you know, in this day and age, modern technologies have largely marginalized handwriting, and you don’t see people writing by hand as much as they did in the past However, I still think

some things need to be handwritten For example, you should always handwrite a wedding invitation to show respect to the guests

marginalize (verb) to make someone or something seem not important or relevant

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Politeness

Do you think you are a polite person?

I do think I’m a polite person I treat other people nicely and patiently, and I do not insult anyone

unless they truly deserve it Also, I properly apologize when I make mistakes and I show my gratitude when other people help me

Do you think people should be polite? Why?

People should always be polite because it shows that they have good manners and it helps them

earn others’ respect Being polite is like having good social skills – it can help one widen their

social network, and this can positively influence one’s private and professional life

How do people in your culture show good manners towards others?

Showing good manners is when a junior properly greets a senior and talks to him/her politely with

sufficient and correct honorifics Politeness also shows during a meal, when people need to wish

the others to have a nice meal and when the younger ones have to wait for the older ones to finish before cleaning the table

Have there been any changes in politeness in the past few decades?

I always have this feeling that people start being less and less polite to each other as time passes

Maybe one of the reasons lies in the etiquette and codes of conduct that have gradually changed

over time In the past, it was very important to behave according to one’s social class, and those of

a lower rank had to obey those of a higher one But today’s society is different – you need to work hard to earn somebody’s respect

Who taught you to be polite?

This may sound weird but my friends actually taught me to be polite I wasn’t a very nice person when I was a kid, and my parents often scolded me for being rude to elders One day, I remember

watching one of my friends talking really nicely and politely to a senior She was praised, and so I started imitating her My parents were really surprised when I changed my attitude, and they gave

me some sweets as I was “being a good kid” I have been showing my politeness to everyone ever since

Money

How much money is enough?

Well, it’s hard to answer this question as there is no exact measurement to say whether money is enough or not It’s up to perspective and goal of different people Some people want to earn more money so they can save up but some just need a certain amount of money to sustain their lives

Why do people care too much about money?

I think the reason is simply because money equals power The more money you have, the more things you can do, the more influence you have over people No one refuses power so that’s why they give priority to money

Is money important to you?

Absolutely I can buy things with money and give presents for my family by my own money It makes my life more meaningful It’s like a motivation to push me forward and work harder to

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enhance my life For me, money is just never enough and if I’m satisfied with what I earn, I’ll fall behind with fellows

What do people in your country save money for?

I suppose it’s up to different purposes While the young save money for travelling or paying tuition fees, the elderly tend to keep money for health service and their kids However, young people have more desire than the seniors so they often spend more than their savings

Toy

What was your favorite toy in childhood?

Well, to be honest, I was kind of a spoiled kid My parents used to pamper me with all kinds of

toys, but my favorite was this Power

Ranger action figure I am a big fan of the franchise so when I got the toy, I was elated I still

have it in my living room, actually

Should parents buy many toys for their children?

Personally I don’t think it’s a good idea I mean, if parents indulge their children and just buy whatever toy they like, the kids are likely to develop a habit of pestering their parents for things,

and that’s definitely not a good thing

What are the benefits of children playing toys?

People often think of toys as being detrimental to kids, but I think they can benefit children’s development in some ways Educational toys like building blocks can actually boost the

cognitive development of small kids For example, my brother used to with Lego a lot when he

was small, and he’s a very creative person

What are the disadvantages of children playing toys?

Toys can be time-consuming I mean, children often lose track of time when they play with toys,

and as a result, they may not have enough time for study

CHOCOLATE

Do you like chocolate?

I’m a big fan of chocolate I do have my all-time favorite flavor, which is the white chocolate Since I have a sweet tooth, dark chocolate would be too bitter for me Meanwhile, milk chocolate

just isn’t sweet enough So white chocolate is just a perfect fit

Did you like chocolate as a child?

I think most of the children at that time were a fan of M&M chocolate and I was no exception Now that my taste changed though, I still enjoy having some M&M snacks

Do you think most people like chocolate? Why?

I think the vast majority of people in my country love to eat chocolate due to its There are a variety

of chocolate brands with different price range and quality available in the market nowadays Thanks

to the health benefits that it offers for human, consuming chocolate at a suitable level is

encouraged The sweetness of chocolate also makes it a common present that men choose to give their beloved women in special days, especially Valentine’s Day or International Women’s Day

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PART 2 & 3 - IELTS Speaking Practice

Part 2 and 3 of IELTs speaking are linked because the topic of the discussion is related to that of the individual long turn There are many topics that may occurs in part 2 and 3 but It’s good ideas

to divide these topics into groups such as: places, things, person, experiences and so on, so that you have the general ideas when you need to talk about the same subject and the model answers in this material will provide you with a wide range of good vocabulary you need to talk about these topics

Tips and Tricks:

Part 2 – THE INDIVIDUAL LONG TURN

Making Notes:

They are brief, in English, and cover the bullet points

Beginning your talk:

I’m going to talk about…

I’d like to start by…

I’d like to tell you about…

Saying more:

Focus on Grammar and follow the notes with the bullet points

Ending your talk:

So in the end, …

All in all, … Finally,

To finish off, … Anyway, it was a great day!

Part 3 – THE DISCUSION

Focus on Vocabulary: practice extending your answers with the

Focus on Grammar: practice using correct tenses

Focus on Comparison language: practice talking about comparisons such as

- I like… More than…

- … is better/ more interesting than…

- Both, in contrast, similarly, the main difference is, one of differences is, on the

other hand, is totally different, is slightly different, whereas, while, …

- I’d prefer to… / I prefer V-ing or Noun / I’d rather…

Focus on Pronunciation: learn how to speak more clearly

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A PLACE

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Topic: A Building

Part 2

Describe a building you like You should say:

Where this building is

What it looks like

What it is used for

And explain why you like it

Sample Answer

I’m going to describe a high-rise building in my neighborhood It’s called Green Paradise located

in the northern region of our country

Unlike other modern blocks, which are usually huge glass towers, the building is painted yellow, although it’s named Green Paradise The structure of Green Paradise is not dissimilar to that of most buildings in Canada nowadays, with the bottom half used as a shopping center and the top half occupied by apartments

One feature that makes the building unique is that its trade center offers Canadian products only, with a view to promoting domestic products to the visitors and also to supporting national manufacturers At the entrance of the building, if you look to the right, you can easily find a store named Master chef bread, which serves traditional bread to people who just do not have enough time to go inside, so they line up waiting to pay

Green Paradise is not only in a prime location, but it also offers a reasonable price for its apartments, which are affordable for many middle-income families From the building, we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery So, if you are planning to find a place with a beautiful and peaceful view, or simply want to buy something traditional, Green Paradise may be a good choice

Part 3

What role do you think the old and modern buildings play in the society?

Well, I think modern buildings are for us to live and work, while old buildings are great for tourism and research

Compare the differences between the constructions in your city with those in 20 years ago?

The traditional buildings are made of the red brick and always have curved eaves Thousands of buildings look the same But now, various buildings with different colors and styles have been going

up in my hometown In addition, room is equipped with kitchen and bathroom This is very convenient

Compare the differences between house and apartment?

In my country, there is a big yard beside house, where we can plant some flowers and trees etc But house is more expensive Apartment is convenient and cheap but small

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Topic: A favorite Park

Part 2

Describe a public park you went to You should say

– Where is the park located?

– Why did you go to that park?

– Who was there with you?

– How did you feel in that park?

Sample 1

Well, I am a sporty man, so I usually go jogging in the public parks in the vicinity of my house

Today, I’m goanna tell you about the nearest park I went to just a couple of weeks ago which is Botanical Park

This large park was established decades ago with many different areas for different age groups and interests The last time I was there, I saw people do all kinds of things there like playing

badminton, having picnics, etc

At the top of the hill in the park, there is a beautiful old house which is a great place for just sitting

and contemplating while looking at the beautiful flowers Also, there is a children’s paddling pool where families can safely take their kids to cool down in the height of summer

Living in a vertical city where millions of high-rise buildings were constructed, I felt really relaxed every time I went to the park The last time I visited this park I luckily had chance to join a inspiring event there and it really lifted up my spirit because I just went through a nerve wrecking period and was buried with a tons of deadlines and projects I truly hope that down the road I can spend more time at the park to get back to nature, or just simply sit on the grass and chill out without being disturbed by noise or other trivial things

Sample 2

I’m a regular jogger (collocation) who visits various parks (collocation) for different

running (collocation) experiences Last month I visited New York and had an opportunity to run for five kilometers in The Kennedy Park which (cohesion) is the largest park in that city Since (cohesion) I was there for a scientific conference (collocation), another colleague from the conference joined me

Running in the park was an exciting and refreshing experience (collocation) There were a large

number of people from different age groups who were either exercising or running

This (cohesion) was truly motivational (collocation) Moreover (cohesion), the park was well maintained (collocation) and had no litter Also (cohesion), jogging for more than an hour was made more wonderful by fresh cool breeze of New York’s early morning of October month

Part 3

– What should the government do to protect the environment?

– Do you think these measures will help protect the environment?

– Do you think people now have better awareness of environmental protection?

– Do you think that the sense of natural beauty is changing over time?

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Topic: A shop just opened

Part 2

Describe a shop just opened in your hometown You should say

where the shop is

what items it sells

how often you go there

why you go there

Sample Answer

Well, a new shop in my city? I think I would choose “ABC”, which was just opened 2 months ago

near my house Though it’s still new to the citizens in the area, a lot of people visit it all the weekends This shop mainly focuses on a variety of household appliances which are

a necessity for everyone Therefore, it usually sells TV, washing machine, refrigerators and other

cooking machine like ovens, cookers or stoves Since the day it was opened, life in

my neighborhood has been very joyful People don’t have to travel for a long way to buy TV or

cookers anymore since there is a very big shop which offers them a lot of good electronic devices

Besides, this shop, which can seat up to 1000 people, is very spacious and modern with trained staff and good service Hence, these are also some reasons why I enjoy this new shop a lot

well-as there is no need to wwell-asting time on travelling to a faraway place

citizen [n] a person who is a member of a particular country and who has rights because of

being born there or because of being given rights, or a person who lives in a particular town

or city

variety [n] many different types of things or people

household appliance [phrase] a machine that is designed to do a particular thing in the

home, such as preparing food, heating or cleaning

necessity [n] something that you need, especially in order to live

neighborhood [n] the area of a town that surrounds someone’s home, or the people who live

in this area

seat [v] (of a building, room, table or vehicle) to have enough seats for

well-trained [a] having the qualities that you connect with trained and skilled people, such as

effectiveness, skill, organization and seriousness of manner

PART 3

What type(s) of shop would you recommend a visitor to your country should go to? (Why?)

If travelers ever want to have an authentic and unforgettable experience during their journey, I would highly recommend they pay a visit to traditional markets or food stands on the street to have

a taste of true street foods, which are diverse in types and flavors Street vendors will also offer

visitors a wide range of delicious dishes and true dining experience

Authentic (adj) genuine

Do you ever buy anything on the internet?

I reckon that most of clothing items I have ever bought are from ABC, an online fashion shop where you can find basically everything you need to become a stylish lady From sexy little black dresses

for partying to formal blouses for day life at office, ABC won’t let you down Since

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e-commerce and online shopping has become a trend thanks to its convenience and optimal user

experience, I no longer spend 30 minutes driving to any clothing shops and another 2 hours choosing

and trying on everything In fact, with only my laptop and a cup of coffee, I can easily shop from home with even more choices Internet really works magic

Let you down (phrasal verb) disappoint somebody

E-commerce (noun) the buying and selling of goods and services via the internet

Optimal (adj) best or most favorable

What do you think are the advantages of buying things on the internet?

Online shopping has been prevalent in a past few years for reasons First and foremost, buying online is incredibly time-saving Well, obviously, time is considered the most precious asset that everyone has but many have taken it for granted 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 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 How awesome is that

Prevalent (adj) Predominant; powerful

First and foremost (phrase) most importantly

Taken it for granted (idiom) Fail to properly appreciate (someone or something)

Are there any disadvantages (or dangers) of buying on the internet? (What?)

Every cloud has a silver lightning Online shopping, in particular and e-commerce in general are

true advancement in modern world, however, their drawbacks couldn’t be overlooked It is widely

known that there is no such thing as 100% nowadays, cyber security included No less than once

or twice have I heard about users’ information has been leaked, which can cause a serious threat to customers who are using that company’s products or services Another concern should also

be taken into account is overspending due to constant exposure to products of preference By this

I mean technology has advanced to the point that any shopping sites, especially social media, all

have algorithm that can track your shopping habits and keep reminding you not to miss their

latest items that might attract you What a clever, yet annoying tool at the same time

Every cloud has a silver lightning (idiom) something good even in an unpleasant situation Cyber security (phrase) the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect

networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access

Take something into account (phrase) to consider something to be an important factor in

some decision

Algorithm (noun) a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other

problem-solving operations

Do you like window shopping? (Why? / Why not?)

I must say I am not a big fan of window shopping no matter how shopaholic I am Window shopping can only worsen my financial status rather than helping Admittedly, it pleases your eyes when looking at gorgeous clothing and fancy handbags, yet, it’s too much a temptation that not anyone can resist As a result, you end up being drown in debt just because the urge to become

a trendy lady gets a better hold of you than your modest budget Hence, as I know myself well

enough to understand that would be my reaction towards anything that is pretty, I would rather stay home than window shopping

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A (big) fan of (phrase) an enthusiastic devotee or admirer of something or somebody

Window shopping (phrase) the activity of going to a store or website to look at goods rather

than to buy anything

Shopaholic (noun) a person considered to be addicted to shopping

Get hold of (phrase) To gain control of

End up (phrasal verb) finish, result in

In your country, how has shopping changed in the past few decades?

Just like any other parts of the world, Singapore has experienced dramatic changes in customers’

behavior when it comes to shopping One of the striking features of shopping habits these days is people tend to buy things online and get them delivered to their houses, regardless of what kinds

of items It could be pizzas, clothing or kitchen appliances Besides, international trade has afforded customers easy access to a wider range of products and services which are not only from domestic suppliers but foreign ones as well Lots of items have been imported to meet the demand of users

within the country, ranging from food and beverage, cosmetics, cars and so on

When it comes to V-ing (expression) as for something; speaking about something

Regardless of (conjunction) without considering something

And so on (phrase) et cetera (etc.)

Do you think people spend too much time (or money) on shopping? (Why? /Why not?)

I can’t tell for sure because the amount of time spent on shopping varies among different people

Nevertheless, thanks to the advent of Internet and online shopping, that amount might be relatively less than it used to be Besides, people seem to be busier and their schedules get tighter with much more important tasks other than shopping itself Therefore, I don’t think shopping is people’s

priority or anything more than a necessary deed to get on with life

Get on with (phrasal verb) to give your time to something and make progress with it

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Topic: A Café/ Restaurant you enjoy

Part 2

Describe a café you enjoy/have been to You should say:

Where it is

How often you go there

When you usually go there

Why you like to visit this café

Describe a restaurant you like (to go to)/ that impresses you You should say:

▪ where this restaurant is

▪ what type of food the restaurant has

▪ why you go to this restaurant

▪ and explain why you like this restaurant/why this restaurant impresses you

Model Answer

A Cafe

I’m an introvert and not really keen on socializing with others, so I often find a noiseless spot

to frequent to every time I’m stressed out from work study It is the small and cozy café within a walking distance from my house Unlike other coffee shops in the vicinity of my neighborhood, the atmosphere here is extremely tranquil and serene, which greatly lives up to my expectation

As a person with heavy amounts of daily workload The café gives me a certain degree of

peacefulness and calmness, especially during nerve-racking times like final exams when I am up

to ears in assignments

What leaves the most profound impression on me is the complete silence in the café as the shop

owner fortunately is not interested in music of any kind, so no background music is expected when

you come here I can increase my concentration span while reading a book or other materials and finish work with great productivity, compared to when I’m at home, surrounded by many

disturbances like babies crying and neighbors arguing One bonus point is that the coffee there

is second to none which caters to my unique tastes! The foods are really scrumptious, giving me great refreshing energy when suffering from fatigue and stress I have to admit

Introvert (noun) someone who tends to concentrate on their own thoughts and feelings rather

than communicating with other people

Frequent (verb) to visit or go to (a place) often

Stressed out (adj) affected by stress

In the vicinity of (phrase) in the area that is close to

Tranquil (adj) quiet

Serene (adj) calm and peaceful

Live up to one’s expectation (phrase) to be as good as good as someone thought something

would be

Nerve-racking (adj) making you very nervous or worried

Up to ears/neck in something (idiom) busy doing something

Leave/create/make an impression on somebody (phrase) to produce a positive memorable

effect on someone

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Second to none (adj) as good as or better than all others

Scrumptious (adj) very delicious

Fatigue (noun) a feeling of being extremely tired, either physically or mentally

A Restaurant

I would like to talk about a Japanese restaurant I read about on a food blogger’s website The

restaurant named X located in an alley on ABC Street which is popular with Japanese food lovers

As I live in XYZ, I can’t go to that restaurant on a regular basis Thus, every time I get chance, I love to get there with my colleagues to enjoy a palatable meal This restaurant serves some kinds

of Japanese traditional food Among them, “ramen” – a traditional noodle of Japanese is the

most sought-after dish by this restaurant’s customers It offers some famous kinds of ramen, with self-made noodle, making a wonderful and true ramen taste The other thing which makes me fall

in love with this restaurant is the Japanese culture when I eat out there Chefs and waiters are always

kind and polite but smoking or too much noise is never allowed there Thus, as soon as you get into the restaurant, it seems like you are immediately brought to Japan to experience the cuisine culture That’s why it’s enjoyable to be there though it is located in a small area Despite the fact that I really love our country’s cuisine, sometimes I choose to enjoy food from other cultures, and Japan is

always at the top of the list The art of Japanese cuisine, and the cozy ambience this restaurant

creates do impress me a lot

on a regular basis: regularly - Ex: I don’t go to that restaurant on a regular basis

popular with: liked, admired, or enjoyed by many people

palatable: delicious

Sought-after: wanted by many people

at the top of the list: better than all the others - Ex: I like all of his books, but this one is at the top

of the list

PART 3

What do old people like to eat?

Personally speaking, the elderly is more into vegetables and fruits rather than meat As they have

grown old, the fiber and vitamins obtained from the intake of salads, tomatoes, bananas and so

on are particularly good for their health By contrast, meat does harm to their digestive system

It’s also worth mentioning that the older citizens can’t chew thick pieces of meat, so they’d rather eat fish, which is softer and can be easily digested

Intake (noun) the amount of a chemical or another substance that enters your body

And so on (phrase) etc.; (used instead of mentioning more of a similar type of thing that has

already been mentioned)

By/in contrast (phrase) used when you are comparing two things or people and saying that

the second one is very different from the first

Do harm to somebody/something (phrase) cause physical or psychological damage or injury Digestive system (noun) a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and

basic nutrients to feed the entire body

How important is it for a country to be able to grow all the food it needs, without importing any from other countries?

In recent times it hasn’t been that important as it’s been easy enough to import anything that was

required Maybe in the future there will be more emphasis on being independent in terms of food

production, as well as other essential resources such as energy and fuel, it looks like there are going

to be some major changes which could affect everyone in terms of how we look at our ability to survive in the event of another world conflict where food and possibly water become scarce

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Topic: A quiet place you like

Part 2

Describe a quiet place you like You should say:

where it is

how often you go there

what you do there

why you like this place

Model sample

Waking up to a daily nine to five job and dealing with all kinds of irksome issues everyday will surely drive you insane someday unless having a healthy way to relieve stress and boredom

Fortunately, I have my own cure – a retreat to ABC, a mountainous area where I can’t see any

tourists there– which I have taken every once in a while whenever life is giving me a hard time

ABC is located roughly 200 km to the northeast of my city and about 1,500 m above sea level, which is well-known for its year-round cool weather Because it is not a popular tourist attraction,

it’s a favorite place for some locals looking for a tranquil place to get away from their tight schedules Since it’s not very far from the city center, only half an hour if traveling by plane, I go there quite often, around 4 times per year And every trip holds its own fascination depending on what activities I participate in Normally, I would go trekking into the wild to burn up my energy and enjoy the feeling of sweat soaking my clothes and being physically exhausted It makes

me feel alive and rejuvenated again Sometimes when I feel like pushing myself to the limit, extreme sports such as water sliding or cliff jumping are my favorites Those kinds of entertainment require good health condition and adventurous spirit, hence, they’re not for

everyone I usually spend 3 days in ABC every time I visit it and although it’s only a short time, I

do feel some of the burdens I shoulder are swept away and am prepared to face whatever comes

next

Nine to five job (phrase) a job with normal daytime hours

Irksome (a): annoying or irritating

Drive someone insane/ crazy: to make you upset; to annoy or irritate someone

Every once in a while: sometimes, but not regularly

Remote (a): far away from places where other people live

Tranquil (a): quiet and peaceful

Fascination (n): a very strong attraction, that makes something very interesting

Rejuvenate (v): make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively Exhausted (a): very tired

Extreme sports (n): sports that are extremely exciting to do and often dangerous, for example

skydiving and bungee jumping

Adventurous (a): (of a person) willing to take risks and try new ideas; enjoying being in new,

exciting situations

Burden (n): a duty, responsibility, etc that causes worry, difficulty or hard work

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PART 3

Are there many quiet places in your city?

I reckon there aren’t many tranquil places in our city unless you wander around the border to the countryside I suppose any cosmopolitan city is as crowed and active as mine so it’s quite tricky to find a peaceful spot to escape just for a while Nevertheless, if you don’t mind an hour riding to the edge of the city, you will be hypnotized by many endless paddy fields and colorful flying kites

Tranquil (a): peaceful

Border (n): the line that divides two countries or areas; the land near this line

Cosmopolitan (a): containing people of different types or from different countries, and

influenced by their culture

Tricky (a): difficult to do or deal with

Hypnotize (v): to interest somebody so much that they can think of nothing else

Paddy field (n): a field planted with rice growing in water

Why do people sometimes prefer to be alone?

I don’t think there is a simple explanation for why people sometimes seek solitude to enjoy life by themselves It has happened to me a few times as well when I feel suffocated by a bustle and hustle of city life You have to spend two-third of your day being surrounded by all kinds of people

and work that you barely have time for yourself and things you love, which is physically and

emotionally detrimental Therefore, in order to balance their personal lives, people often try

to minimize contacts with outside world to find their inner peace when possible

Seek (v): to look for

Solitude (n): the state of being alone, especially when you find this pleasant

Suffocate (v): feel or cause to feel trapped and oppressed

Bustle and hustle: busy and noisy activity

Detrimental (a): harmful

Balance (v): keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall

Minimize (v): to reduce something, especially something bad, to the lowest possible level

Is there much noise around your home?

My house is far from the city center, so the neighborhood is quite peaceful and livable I can hardly imagine myself living elsewhere, especially the urban center due to its noise pollution and terrible congestions during rush hours Admittedly, there are certain advantages when living there: short-distance commute, fabulous restaurants, various entertainment facilities and so on, which is pretty tempting However, I am a social butterfly and prefer a good book to any meeting, hence, I

love my tranquil place now

Livable (a): (of life) worth living

Noise pollution (n): harmful or annoying levels of noise, as from airplanes, industry, etc Congestion (n): the state of being crowded and full of traffic

Commute (v): a regular journey of some distance to and from one’s place of work

Tempting (a): something that is tempting is attractive, and makes people want to have it, do it,

etc

Social butterfly (n): a very sociable person who flits from one social event to another

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Does this noise affect you in any way?

Since my neighborhood is relatively restful, I am not often disturbed by noises Yet, every once

in a while, when some neighbor throws a party or has their house refurbished, I tend to get distracted I don’t work well under stress or any kind of distractions since it makes me

unfocused Even if it’s a bit loud, I don’t want to complain since most of the time they are

incredible well-behaved Hence, I choose to do my choirs or hang out with some friends instead to

make my time useful

Restful (a): that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful

Disturb (v): to interrupt somebody when they are trying to work, sleep, etc

Refurbish (v): to clean and decorate a room, building, etc in order to make it more

attractive, more useful, etc

Distract (v): to take somebody’s attention away from what they are trying to do

Distraction (n): a thing that takes your attention away from what you are doing or thinking

about

Well-behaved (a): behaving in a way that other people think is polite or correct

How do you think noise in cities could be reduced?

It will take great effort to be able to reduce noise pollution in cities and everybody will need to join hand Firstly, turn off your electronics when you’re out of home or office It may sound unnecessary and trivial but imagine the whole neighborhood let the music play all night long, it would be a nightmare Secondly, put on your earphones in public places Nobody wants to know

your music taste or to be disturbed when trying to focus on their reading Besides, encourage your friends and family do the same The more participants, the less noise population

Take effort to: to do something even though you do not want to or you find it difficult

Turn off (phrasal verb): to stop the flow of electricity, gas, water, etc by moving a switch,

button, etc

Trivial (a): not important or serious; not worth considering

Put on (phrasal verb): to wear

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Topic: A Place people do sport

Part 2

Describe a place people do sport in (swimming pool, stadium)/ Describe a popular place where people go swimming You should say:

where this place is

what kinds of people go there

why people choose to go to this place instead of other places

what facilities it has

SAMPLE ANSWER

I don’t usually wander far from my neighborhood when I am not at work, so I tend to find a local

place if I need to catch up with some friends or simply, exercise And lucky for me, we do have

a recreation and sport center only 10 minutes away which has been attracting plenty of sporty

people since its opening in 2014

town, showcasing local sportsmanship and unification It was built to replace the old stadium which was barely used by nearby residents and has become unexpectedly well-liked thanks to its wide range of facilities and modernity The center has a large football field, 5 tennis courts, 3

swimming pools and many other rooms for different purposes With people who enjoy swimming like me, this is an ideal place where all necessary facilities are provided: 3 pools with 2 indoors and

1 indoor, saunas, water slides, shower areas as well as a cafeteria by the pool, which are all neatly clean and nicely designed As a result, it’s quite self-explanatory why people prefer this center

and the number of visitors is increasing every month Soon, anyone living in the area who wishes

to exercise different kinds of sports is going to gather here due to its convenience and

outstanding infrastructure

Wander (v): to walk slowly around or to a place, often without any particular sense of purpose

or direction

Recreation center (n): a facility opens to the public for leisure and recreation activities

Showcase (v): to present somebody’s abilities or the good qualities of something in an attractive

way

Sportsmanship (n): fair, generous and polite behavior, especially when playing a sport or game Unification (n): the act or process of joining people, things, parts of a country, etc together so

that they can form a single unit

Modernity (n): the condition of being new and modern

Self-explanatory (a): easy to understand and not needing any more explanation

Infrastructure (n): the basic systems and services that are necessary for a country or an

organization to run smoothly, for example buildings, transport and water and power supplies

PART 3

Should swimming pools be free?

Even though it would be ideal to have swimming pools or any other sport facilities provided for free, I still think people should be charged upon entering If we don’t pay when using swimming

pools, the authority will have to rely on public spending to cover labor costs, renovation and so

on, which can be used in more meaningful activities such as helping the underprivileged or

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building a new medical center And anyway, entrance ticket to the pool is not that pricey that people cannot afford

Rely (+on) (v): to need or depend on somebody/something

Public spending (n): money spent by the state; government expenditure

Labor cost (n): the sum of all wages paid to employees

Renovation (n): the act or process of repairing and painting an old building, piece of

furniture, etc so that it is in good condition again

Underprivileged (a): having less money and fewer opportunities than most people in society

=> the underprivileged (n): people who are underprivileged

Is it important to learn swimming?

Swimming is not only one of the necessary survival skills but a great leisure activity, hence, it would be both beneficial and pleasurable to know how to swim Every year, there are many heartbreaking accidents related to water incidents and most of the victims cannot swim or are not good swimmers Thus, in order to ensure their own safety and help those in need, people

should be able to swim well

Survival skills (n): techniques that a person may use in order to sustain life in any type of

natural environment

Leisure (n): free time

Pleasurable (a): enjoyable

Heartbreaking (a): extremely sad

Ensure (v): to make sure that something happens or is definite

Who is the perfect person to teach people how to swim?

The ones who know how the techniques and are able to swim well, of course A swimming athlete

would be much better, but I doubt we can find one easily Swimming is a sport which means it has

some risky elements that need taken into consideration Therefore, to be able to handle unexpected situations such as cramps or drowning, a teacher should be trained about medical in advance and improvise quickly upon emergency

Technique (n): a particular way of doing something, especially one in which you have to learn

special skills

Element (n): a small amount of a quality or feeling

Take into consideration = take into account: to think about and include a particular thing or

fact when you are forming an opinion or making a decision

Cramp (n): a sudden pain that you get when the muscles in a particular part of your body

contract, usually caused by cold or too much exercise

Drowning (n): the process of dying because of being underwater and unable to breathe for too

long; an act of dying in this way

In advance: before the time that is expected; before something happens

Improvise (v): to make or do something using whatever is available, usually because you do

not have what you really need

Emergency (n): a sudden serious and dangerous event or situation which needs immediate

action to deal with it

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A THING

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Topic: A Product Part 2

Describe a product you bought and felt happy You should say:

What it was

Where you bought it

What it has for/ How it was used

and explain why it made you happy

Sample Answer

Last summer, I bought a Nokia smart phone that I was really satisfied with My cell phone was the latest product from Nokia, so there were various useful applications such as video calling, emails, games, music players, and so on I intended to use this smart hone to listen to music, make phone calls, send messages and check emails I must say that this portable device helps me a lot no

matter where I am

There were numerous reasons why I took an interest in this product Firstly, I wanted to use it for

entertainment purposes I could refresh myself after a hard day’s work

by enjoying music or watching reality shows on the Internet Moreover, thanks to this smart phone, I was able to keep in touch with my old friends whom I could not meet in person regularly Besides, his mobile phone helped me to handle my workload effectively For example, I could check mails when waiting for the bus, which saved a lot of time As a final point, I would emphasize that I chose the mobile phone myself That was the main reason why I felt so happy

with this product

- portable device: an object that is easy to carry or to move

- took an interest in: [expression] wanted to know more about the product

- entertainment: [noun] for interest and amusement

- refresh myself: [verb] make myself feel less tired and stressed

- reality shows: [n] shows that use real people [not actors] in real situations, in order to

provide entertainment

- handle my workload: [expression] manage the amount of work that I have to do

Part 3

What role do you think the old and modern buildings play in the society?

Well, I think modern buildings are for us to live and work, while old buildings are great for tourism and research

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Topic: A Favorite Song from your country Part 2

Talk about your favorite song from your country 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

Model Answer 1

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 platinum this 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

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

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