Tài liệu luyện thi IELTS - Topics for IELTS speaking practice

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 Table of Content PART 1: Some common topics PART & A PLACE: where you like/favorite/enjoy where you don’t like/unusual where just opened A building where you like A favorite park A shop just opened in your hometown A café/restaurant you enjoy A quiet place you enjoy A place people sport A THINGS: you like/favorite/enjoy/happy you don’t like/don’t happy/unusual A product you bought and feel happy A favorite Song A piece of furniture A piece of cloth you like A TV drama series An interesting Book An English lesson Money A PERSON: you like/favorite/enjoy/happy you don’t like/don’t happy/unusual A business person you admire A famous person you admire A neighbor you like 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 A car trip A time where you not allowed to use phone A time you friendly with someone you didn’t like A time you had good experience in countryside A wedding ceremony A Foreign/new food you tried A positive experience when you were a teenager An unusual food An Experience you spent time with a child 10 Achievement PART 1: SOME COMMON TOPICS Tips and Tricks: 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 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 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 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 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 Focus on Fluency: extent your answer • • Pattern 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 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 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 you enjoy about the course you are taking? Candidate: Well, I’m studying design and I absolutely love the work experience we 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 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 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 you like to 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 have time off, l like to get outside and 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 you 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 something Unwind (verb) relax 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 you like most about your school? I guess the aspect I find most enjoyable is the environment I mean, I get to study in Englishspeaking classrooms and the facilities are top-notch; I mean, all the classrooms are airconditioned and equipped with projectors My friends and teachers are all very nice as well, so all in all it’s a great place to study top-notch (adj) excellent Your family How 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Topic: A person who solved a problem in a clever way PART Describe a person who solved a problem in a clever way You should say: ▪ Who the person is ▪ When you meet the person ▪ Where you meet the person ▪ And explain why you think he or she is clever ANSWER My baby cousin, Jason, is well-known for his mischievous and playful nature who always seems to get off the hook whether by luck or by design I’ve lost count how many times he has managed to get out of trouble without suffering Jason’s house is in the same neighborhood as mine and we are as close as two siblings could be He’s a few years younger than me but we have lots of things in common We were both hyperactive and enjoyed making others’ lives a misery when we were kids, which earned us a nickname as “the cousins from hell” However, I had to admit he was a bigger troublemaker than me I remembered the time when he was grounded for playing truant from school and had to mow the lawn in the garden, he brilliantly had it covered without breaking a sweat It was at the weekend and since Jason wasn’t allowed to go out, I spent the entire morning at his place to keep him company He kept putting off cutting the grass in the garden because it was hot outside As we were playing cards inside, some of his friends stopped by with a determined look on their faces It turned out they wanted Jason to help them pass the last round of a video game, slaying the dragon and reclaiming the kingdom or something like that In case I forgot to mention, Jason was an exceptional gamer and his dream was to become a professional one day He kept denying at first but his expression changed when he looked at the messy garden Then, he made a deal with them, cleaning up the garden in exchange for the kingdom, which sounded ridiculous to me considering how hot it was outside And much to my surprise, all the kids frantically nodded their heads and looked ready to work It had to be one of the funniest scenes I witnessed in my life when my cousin, who was supposed to be punished by skipping class, comfortably sat in the house playing video game while some innocent kids, who had no reasons to torture themselves, were diligently mowing the garden I didn’t know whether to yell at my cousin or praise him for taking advantage of his friends but undoubtedly, I was impressed since after all, it was a win-win situation ▪ mischievous (a): enjoying playing tricks and annoying people ▪ get off the hook (idiom): to allow someone to escape from a difficult situation or to avoid doing something that they not want to ▪ by design (idiom): as a result of a plan; intentionally ▪ have (something/ nothing) in common: to resemble one another in specific ways or no way ▪ hyperactive (a): too active and only able to keep quiet and still for short periods ▪ make one’s life a misery (idiom): to cause someone to suffer or be unhappy for a long period ▪ troublemaker (n): a person who often causes trouble, especially by involving others in arguments or encouraging them to complain about people in authority ▪ grounded (a): not allowed to participate in social or recreational activities ▪ play truant (idiom): stay away from school or work without permission or explanation ▪ mow the lawn: to cut the grass on a lawn with a lawn mower ▪ have something/ someone covered (idiom): to have done, gotten, or provided whatever is needed ▪ break a sweat (idiom): to put forth a large amount of energy or effort into or toward a task ▪ keep someone company (idiom): accompany or spend time with someone in order to prevent them from feeling lonely or bored ▪ slay (v): to kill somebody/something in a war or a fight ▪ exceptional (a): unusually good ▪ frantically (adv): quickly and with a lot of activity, but in a way that is not very well organized ▪ torture (v): to hurt somebody physically or mentally in order to punish them or make them tell you something ▪ take advantage of (idiom): to use a situation or opportunity to get what you want ▪ win-win (a): providing a good result for everyone involved PART Do you think children’s wisdom are influenced by their parents? Children’s mental abilities are determined by several factors, both internally and externally, however, their parents often play a much more influential role than others Genetically speaking, kids partially inherit their intelligence and resourcefulness from their parents Some are fortunate enough to have all the good genes that make them not only highly intellectual but also physically attractive Yet, it doesn’t mean one who wasn’t born a genius cannot have wisdom since it could be obtained through learning and experiencing And unsurprisingly, the majority of people gain wisdom that way Those who are constantly seeking knowledge, guidance and experience can develop a better sense of judgement and perception of surroundings Hence, never cease to learn ▪ internally (adv): on the inside of your body ▪ externally (adv): on the outside of something/somebody ▪ partially (adv): partly; not completely ▪ inherit (v): to have qualities, physical features, etc that are similar to those of your parents, grandparents, etc ▪ intellectual (a): connected with or using a person’s ability to think in a logical way and understand things ▪ resourcefulness (n): the quality of being good at finding ways of doing things and solving problems, etc ▪ genius (a): a person who is unusually intelligent or artistic, or who has a very high level of skill, especially in one area ▪ cease (v): to stop happening or existing; to stop something from happening or existing Do you think children have good habits nowadays? Why? Some and some don’t, I suppose The advancement of technology and convenience of modern society obviously have beneficial effects on children’s development, however, unless being used wisely, they may pose serious threats For example, lots of kids these days are leading a sedentary lifestyle with little interest in outdoor activities because of their addiction to hi-tech gadgets Admittedly, video games help to boost their brain activity and creativity but those means nothing if children get sick Obesity, eye fatigue and other ailments are direct results from lack of physical practice Therefore, parents should encourage a balanced lifestyle and set a good example in order to raise a well-rounded kid ▪ pose a threat (idiom): create a situation or an activity that could cause harm or danger ▪ sedentary (a): (of work, activities, etc.) in which you spend a lot of time sitting down ▪ fatigue (n): a feeling of being extremely tired, usually because of hard work or exercise ▪ ailment (n): an illness that is not very serious ▪ set an example (idiom): to behave in a way that someone can copy, especially by doing something good ▪ well-rounded (a): having a variety of experiences and abilities and a fully developed personality AN EXPERIENCE Topic: A car trip Part Talk about a car trip that you took You should say ▪ Where did you go? ▪ What was the purpose of the trip? ▪ Who was there with you? ▪ Why you still remember this trip? Similar topics: A bicycle, motorbike or car trip you would like to go on in the future You should say: ▪ Where you would like to go ▪ How you would like to go there ▪ Who you would like to go with ▪ And explain why you would like to go there by car, motorbike or bike Sample Answer There is a thing that troubles me more often than not when living in [………] is the majority of people are riding motorbikes rather than cars As a result, most people don’t know how to drive a car, I included, which also itches me since I have always wanted to take a road trip across the country A road trip by car from the south to the north of my country would be tough and adventurous because hundreds of marvelous destinations are awaiting to be explored However, it is worth taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone to truly experience what life has to offer when your legs can still carry you rather than to regret in your later life “If you wanna go fast, go alone If you wanna go far, go together.” It might be fun if you were a lone traveler and didn’t enjoy getting lagged behind your schedule Still, the adventure could be more colorful and unexpected, hopefully in a good way, when you got company, especially during a long journey like the one I prefer Hence, picking up a close friend or two who share the same vision, the same eagerness to capture the beauty of nature would be my choice We would start from the south where we are living and move north on the go, stopping at our favorite beaches a little longer than other places because there isn’t nobody don’t have time for juicy coconuts and white sand paradise Traditional cuisine would also be our utmost priority whenever we reach a new place as the best way to live like a local is to eat like a local A car is our best choice because it would give us room to comfortably converse with each other and shelter from inclement weather during our journey, if any It is not only about the destinations but also about the time I would love to spend with my dear friends as we would share the same space in a four-wheel vehicle along the road; and at the end of the day, it’s the people that matters ▪ more often than not: usually ▪ take risks: to something that might be dangerous ▪ have to offer: have something available to be used or appreciated ▪ get lagged behind: get fallen behind ▪ cuisine (n): style of cooking ▪ utmost (a): greatest; most extreme ▪ inclement (a): (of the weather) not pleasant; cold, wet, etc ▪ at the end of the day: in the end, finally ▪ shelter (v): protect or shield from something harmful, especially bad Part – How often you travel by car? – How good is the transportation system in your country? – How can it be improved? – Do you think doing so will reduce pollution? – If the transportation system were improved, would more people use it? weather Topic: A time when you not allowed to use phone Part Describe a time you were not allowed to use mobile phone You should say: – what you did – when it was – where it was – why you were not allowed to use a mobile phone Model answer One of the most controversial issues in my high school when I was a senior was the “No-cellphoneallowed” rule under any circumstances It has been five years when the rule first came into force and until now, the majority of students have still been demonstrating against it and personally, I believe the board of the school should reconsider their decision During my time, cellphone was not as popular as they are today mainly because of their exorbitant prices; therefore, only those with money were able to afford them I, on the other hand, still managed to get one since my house was extremely far from my school and my parents wanted me to be able to contact them in case of emergency However, considering its negative impacts on students’ performance in school, our principal decided to have it banned on our campus She was convinced that such device continuously distracted students during class, making them lose their focus and accordingly, discouraging their learning spirit Unfortunately, reality wasn’t far from her assumption Take my class for instance, a few classmates of mine who owned a mobile phone could hardly pay full attention as they were constantly checking their phones for messages and the like As a result, our teachers found it worrisome and disturbing when students using phones in their class and we ended up not being able to bring cellphones to school at all If anyone needed to call their parents, they were allowed to use the telephone in a supervisor’s room anytime Controversial (a): causing a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement Come into force: to become valid, effective, or operable Demonstrate (+against): to take part in a public meeting or march, usually as a protest or to show support for something Exorbitant (a): (of a price) much too high Distract (v): to take somebody’s attention away from what they are trying to Discourage (v): to make somebody feel less confident or enthusiastic about doing something Assumption (n): a belief or feeling that something is true or that something will happen, although there is no proof Worrisome (a): that makes you worry Disturbing (a): making you feel anxious and upset or shocked PART Do young and old people use phones in the same way? There’s a distinct discrepancy about how youngsters and the elders use their cellphones in term of purposes and frequency It is obvious that mobile phones are indispensable hi-tech gadgets for the majority of young generation They attach to their phones every second for not only calling and texting but other usages This is because smartphones nowadays are extremely helpful in one’s personal life: taking photos, setting up meeting, recording and so on However, the old generation don’t find cellphones that necessary as they often use them for calling anyway Distinct (a): easily or clearly heard, seen, felt, etc Discrepancy (n): a difference between two or more things Frequency (n): the rate at which something happens or is repeated Indispensable (a): too important to be without Gadget (n): a small tool or device that does something useful What are the differences between writing a letter and writing a text message on a cell phone? Well, those are two completely different concepts, I believe Producing a formal or semi-formal piece of writing like letter requires certain amount of time and effort You have to consider the language as well as punctuation to make your message clear and decent enough for receivers to read People often assess a person through official papers like letters Text messages, on the other hand, are usually exchanged among well-acquainted people or for swift response, therefore, people don’t place emphasis on grammar or vocab errors as long as they can understand the main point Require (v): to need something; to depend on somebody/something Punctuation (n): the marks used in writing that divide sentences and phrases; the system of using these marks Well-acquainted (a): having a good knowledge or understanding of someone or something Swift (a): happening or done quickly and immediately; doing something quickly Place/ put emphasis on: emphasize Many people think mobile phones can be annoying at times Can you give any examples of that? Honestly, I am one of those people who find mobile phones irritating sometimes I have been in many situations where I didn’t appreciate the presence of this hi-tech device One of the things I hate most is people keep checking their phones during their conversation with others and many of my clients have done the same I felt a little offended since that person didn’t give me his full attention and sometimes got lost for a few minutes to answer his calls Another example you may have experienced is somebody’s phone rings off in the middle of the meeting, which is unprofessional and disturbing at the same time Irritating (a): annoying, especially because of something somebody continuously does or something that continuously happens Appreciate (v): to be grateful for something that somebody has done; to welcome something Offend (v): to make somebody feel upset because of something you say or that is rude or embarrassing Disturbing (a): making you feel anxious and upset or shocked Do you prefer face-to-face conversations or conversations by phone? I prefer face-to-face conversations because I think it’s more personal when I talk in this way Nowadays, the telephone is getting more and more popular Sometimes, people would spend hours on their phones but neglect the people who live with them I think it’s not a good phenomenon We should treasure face-to-face talking opportunities and spend more time with our family members Topic: A time you were friendly to someone you didn’t like Part ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Describe a time you were friendly to someone you didn’t like You should say: when and where it happened who he or she was why you didn’t like this person and explain why you were friendly to him or her on that occasion MODEL ANSWER I would like to tell you a case when I had to work with one salesman in my company in Christmas promotion activities in Aeon supermarket As I worked in Marketing Department, I had to cooperate with that salesman who was in charge of Aeon supermarket We had to work through mobile because he was in head office in ABC while I worked for XYZ Branch Working with him was extremely challenging to me because he had a caustic style and often spoke in a pejorative way He seemed to scoff at any idea on our project At that time, I nearly ran out of patience with that man that I was on the verge of giving up However, because I was a new staff, I needed some achievements to prove my ability to my team Thus, I decided to try my best to persuade him I asked my team leader for some advice, as she had worked with him in some events before She told me that he didn’t like to be told to anything, as he was a high narcissist Though I was really frustrated by him and didn’t like him personally, I had to tell myself to be patient I tried hard to calm down, then I decided to call him and asked for some advice because I didn’t have much experience in working in that supermarket After hearing that, he seemed to talk in a much more comfortable way, explaining to me about the regulation and working contact there, giving me some sound advice It turned out that getting along with him was not as hard as I had expected Moreover, I gained some more constructive advice to adjust my plan In the end, I managed to co-operate with him well and my campaign notched up extraordinary success After that event, I learnt a lot about how to working with other people, especially at work Sometimes, you have to be friendly to someone you don’t like, because the results of your work are always of the highest importance ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ caustic: sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way scoff at: to laugh or say things to show that you think someone or something is stupid or deserves no respect on the verge of: If you are on the verge of something or come to the verge of something, you are very close to experiencing it Ex: Her husband’s violent and abusive behavior drove her to the verge of despair narcissist: a person who has too much interest in and admiration for their own physical appearance and/or your own abilities Ex: She is a narcissist who thinks the world revolves around her Get along with: if people get along, they like each other and are friendly to each other Ex: I get along well with most of my colleagues Notch up: achieve something Ex: The company notched up over £10 million in profits last year Be of high importance: really important Topic: A time when you had good experiment in countryside Describe a time you had good experience in the countryside You should say： • where you went • what you did • when you did it • who you went with and explain why it was enjoyable Model 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 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 a early bird, so leaving the city at 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 feel the vibes of the village, we visited some 400-year-old ancient house which made of mud 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 foods 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 a 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 moment there 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 Topic: A wedding ceremony Part Describe a wedding that you have attended Describe a wedding ceremony where you enjoyed a lot You should say: ▪ where it was ▪ who was getting married ▪ why you attended this wedding ▪ And explain what was special about this wedding SAMPLE ANSWERS I am at the age when each of my friends started to tie the knot with their beloved ones, which reminds me how grown up we all are but at the same time is a true blessing Weddings have always made me dreamy because you can feel that love is in the air One of the most beautiful and intimate weddings I’ve ever attended was Anna’s, my classmate in high school I knew her from high school and she was a true embodiment of traditional women: feminine, delicate, caring and wholeheartedly devoted and I had no doubt her wedding would be the same the minute I received the invitation It came as no surprise that the reception hall was completed covered with the pastel pink color, from many bouquets of roses, balloons, table cloths and other decorations It should have looked like a 6-year-old birthday party, on the contrary, that light and feminine color surprisingly created a delightful and congenial atmosphere for the wedding There were not too many people at the wedding because the groom and bride wanted to keep it simple, yet intimate and meaningful, which I couldn’t agree more The ceremony was so emotional when the couple took an oath and exchanged wedding rings that I could have sworn I saw tears shined in their eyes The whole ballroom erupted in endless applause and whistles when the groom landed a passionate kiss on his woman’s lips as the pastor announced them as husband and wife – one of the most magnificent moments I’ve ever witnessed and Anna could easily be the most beautiful and happiest bride I’ve ever seen in a glamorous baby pink gown and bohemian hairstyle I also met a couple of friends in high school which made me feel like we were having a reunion and it was great to know after all those years, we could still talk and share this special moment together Tie the knot (idiom) get married Blessing (noun) something good that you feel very grateful or lucky to have In the air (idiom) noticeable all around; becoming prevalent Bouquet (noun) a collection of flowers, cut and tied together in an attractive way Congenial (adj) pleasant, friendly, and enjoyable Erupt (verb) suddenly explode with a lot of noise as people start laughing/shouting PART How you think of the perfect age for marriage? I have had countless debates with my friends and we have different ideas regarding when the ideal age is to get settled I, together with some girls, agree that it should be above 30 for both men and women while others flatly contradict us by saying people should get married as soon as possible even though they have nothing Some may find it too late to tie a knot at the age of 30 but I cannot see the point of living together with more bills to pay and more mouths to feed without having a career and stable income, which is one of the most common reason for separation among married couples Settled (adj) if you have a settled way of life, you stay permanently in one place or job or with one person Why has the divorce rate increased over time in modern life? It’s noteworthy that that divorce rate in modern life is far higher than they used to, which is not a positive trend to look forward for Reasons for such separations vary depending on irreconcilable families’ issues which could be financial problem, disagreement on how to raise their children or worse, infidelity Irreconcilable (adj) can’t find a way to become friendly again after disagreement Topic: Foreign Food you tried Part Describe foreign food you tried/ would like to have You should say: ▪ When you had it ▪ Where you ate it ▪ What it was MODEL ANSWER Well, I spent weeks of the summer vacation in Malaysia to visit my friends thus had chances to try a lot of local foods However, the food that I miss most since I cannot find it in my hometown is called ‘Roti Susu’ Indian food in Malaysia is highly diverse, yet my favorite one is this food Basically, in Malaysian, ‘Roti’ means ‘bread’ and ‘susu’ means ‘milk’ We can add some curry sauce for more flavors Because of such simple ingredients, this food can be found in any Indian restaurants in Malaysia My friends who were studying in Malaysia were also big fan of ‘roti susu’ so they introduced me this food on the first day I came to visit them Because it is sold by an Indian food court on campus, they could have it most of the time I prefer having it without the sauce and usually it’s my everyday-favorite Probably as the soft bread with sweet condensed milk has often been my breakfast when I’m in my hometown, the taste of ‘roti susu’ seems familiar to me In the future, I would love to return to Malaysia someday to enjoy ‘roti susu’ again To be familiar with Sth/SO (adj): to know someone or Something well PART Why some people taste change? Well as we grow older, our tastes are also likely to change as well The reason for this can be we don’t have time for a decent meal as most family members are on the go, meaning that the father and mother have to work longer hours to make ends meet, whereas the students must attend extra classes to keep up with their peers at school So, we end up eating fast foods or take-aways and become used to it The second reason is when we grow older, for health protection, we force ourselves to refrain from certain types of foods, like meat or fast food because they contain many health hazards Which are more popular in your country: fast food restaurants or traditional restaurants? They’re both popular, but in different ways and for different reasons I think fast food restaurants are popular for grabbing a quick bite or snack, as they are fast and you can usually find one nearby Traditional restaurants are more popular for special occasions or going out for lunch or dinner at the weekend when people have more time to sit and enjoy the food and the ambience or atmosphere of the place They usually cost more too, so maybe people don’t go as often, but they’re still popular I don’t think anyone would consider gong to a fast food place for a special occasion – unless it was a kid’s birthday party or something similar, in which case it makes a lot of sense, as some of these places cater specially for such events Topic: An unusual food Part Talk about an unusual food you have eaten Please say – What was the food? – Where and when did you try it? – Did you like or dislike that food? Why? Sample Answer I am a foodie and a frequent traveler So, I get opportunities to taste dishes from different cultures Last year I traveled to China’s capital Beijing In a traditional Chinese restaurant, I tried a strange dish made up of sea weeds Sea weeds, as you know, are vegetarian foods grown in the sea and are very nutritious I loved tasting it the first time No other food comes close to it in terms of taste and it is difficult for me to explain it I loved it not only because of the taste but also due to the abundance of nutrients in it Since I’m a traveler, I have first-hand experience of how humans will face a shortage of nutritious food in the future Scientists have proposed seaweed farms as a solution to the problem I just wanted to taste the future of human food Part – What you think about the fast food trend? – Do you think science and technology affected food and agriculture in a positive or a negative way? – What you think is the impact of the ability to transport the food over long distances? – Do you think technology has also affected the food that we have traditionally been cooking at home? Topic: A positive experience when you were a teenager Part Describe a positive experience when you were a teenager You should say: ▪ where and when you experienced it ▪ what you did ▪ who you experienced it with ▪ and explain why this experience was positive for you SAMPLE ANSWER: Let me tell you about my experience to learn how to babysitting when I was in secondary school This experience really brought me positive energy because it aroused my enthusiasm to other relevant things successfully Actually, I am the youngest person in my family, thus, I am accustomed to being taken care of instead of looking after others, especially for babies One day, I was asked to look for a 3-year baby for my neighbor as she had an important appointment As I was free from study, I agreed to take care of her baby for a while I met that little girl before but not for so long but I thought it would be easy for me She told me some important things on eating time, what kind of game the girl liked but I didn’t pay much attention to what she said At the beginning of the morning, things ran smoothly as I played some games with her We had an enjoyable meal prepared by my neighbor After the meal, I was so exhausted from the morning, I wanted to take a nap but the girl didn’t let me that She asked me to continue playing with her and bothering me with her toys After figuring out that I didn’t want to play anymore, she immediately busted into tears I was tired to death of babysitting and didn’t know what I could to stop her from crying out Then I called my neighbor, asking how to deal with this problem She advised me to turn on television and let the baby watch her favorite cartoon Thanks to her advice, the baby could calm down for nearly an hour, thus, I had time to rest After that, I could play with her again, and it turned out that I could get along well with children That experience helped me to practice my patience, and the most important thing it taught me was to listen to advice from experienced ones Besides, it had a significant influence on my career choice later, as I was in love with working with children since then ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ pay attention to: focus on Sth Ex: I pay a lot attention to work figure out: to understand or solve something: Ex: If they know the cause of the problem, they might be able to figure out how to prevent it happening again burst into tears: to suddenly start to cry Ex: She immediately busted into tears be tired to death of (something): To be or become exceedingly wearied by, bored of, or exasperated with something Cry out: to scream or shout aloud Topic: An experience you spent time with a child Part Describe an experience you spent time with a child You should say: ▪ who the child is ▪ how you know him/her ▪ why you spent time with him/her and explain what you did when you were together Sample Children, with their innocent mind, could make people around laugh by their witty words and funny actions I’m going to talk about my niece, a four-year-old energetic girl who did something that really made me laugh my head off As usual, after finishing dinner, she played toys by herself There was a night when I was doing my assignment Suddenly, she knocked the door and told me tenderly that she wanted me to come over to her room I thought she needed to take any toys on the shelf so I came there immediately Surprisingly, she asked me sit down and started to sing a Korean song named “Three little bears” She sang and did funny actions that I couldn’t help laughing Her parents and my mom heard the noise, they came to her room She was aware of many people around Interestingly, she opened the wardrobe, chose a pink dress like a princess, took a lipstick from my bag and acted like a true singer that everyone couldn’t take their eyes off her Whenever she finished, she always questioned whether we like to listen to more songs We had a nice night together Our life is so busy and it’s hard to find a true happiness that makes us laugh and enjoy That was probably the best part of our family memories that I will never forget Innocent (adj) morally good and with no wish to harm anyone Laugh your head off (idiom) laugh loud and long Tenderly (adv) softly and gently Come over (phrasal verb) visit someone To be aware of (v) Having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact Can’t help something (v) used for saying that someone cannot stop themselves doing something Can’t take your eyes off somebody (phrase) unable to stop looking at them because they are so attractive or interesting Sample 2: Well, a child? This topic challenged me a lot I think the last time I played with a child was weeks ago It’s not very long, right? The child who is years old is my aunt’s son He is quite mischievous and really cute Since his mom had to go out for shopping, I took care of him for hours, which I must say that it could be a disaster Playing with a child is not easy even when he is still very young I looked after him, not letting reach any high places and checking his diapers, which nearly killed me That the kids are very active and curious means that a second without looking after him would cause a consequence Therefore, I ought to watch every step and prevent him from doing anything dangerous like approaching a plug or trying to take a pen hours was just like decades that already scared me to death, not because I am get bored with the child but because I’m afraid that something unexpected would harm the kid Now I agree that experience is a good lesson for me though ▪ challenge [v] to test someone’s ability or determination ▪ take care of = look after [phrasal verb] to take care of or be in charge of someone or something ▪ disaster [n] (an event which results in) great harm, damage or death, or serious difficulty ▪ diaper [v] a square of thick soft paper or cloth which is fastened around a baby’s bottom and between its legs to absorb its urine and solid waste ▪ active [a] busy with or ready to perform a particular activity ▪ cause [v] to make something happen, especially something bad ▪ consequence [n] a result of a particular action or situation, often one which is bad or not convenient ▪ prevent [v] to stop something from happening or someone from doing something ▪ approach [v] to come near or nearer to something or someone in space, time, quality or amount ▪ decade [n] a period of ten years, especially a period such as 1860 to 1869, or 1990 to 1999 ▪ unexpected [a] not expected ▪ harm [v] to hurt someone or damage something ▪ experience [n] something that happens to you that affects how you feel PART Are sweets a good thing to reward children? Definitely yes From my experience, children are often thrilled to bits when they catch sight of pieces of candies, especially those with colorful packaging It can be easily understandable because children have a sweet tooth and candies are no wonder a perfect suit for them Thrilled to bits (adj) excited and happy Have a sweet tooth (phrase) like to eat sweet things Do parents in your country spend a lot of time with their children? As far as I can tell, most people are constantly up to ears in their work and hardly spare enough time for their kids Instead, I reckon grandparents are often the ones who look after them as people in my country generally live in extended families and these elderly members have more free time The direct result of this is that children end up being closer to their grandparents than their own mother and father Up to ears/neck in something (idiom) very busy doing something Extended family (noun) a family unit that includes grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, and uncles, etc in addition to parents and children >< Nuclear family (noun) a family consisting of two parents and their children, but not including aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc Why children tend to be happier than adults? I guess the first and foremost reason is because children tend to let their feelings go while adults tend to hold their feelings back In fact, children’s thoughts are simple and innocent They also have the ability to simplify everything that they see, feel and encounter, which helps them to be more careless and not over-analyze things like most adults Besides, they don’t have to face up with any troubles at work and they often forget what just happened They have no worries, no doubts, no disappointment about anything Thus, their life is much easier and happier First and foremost (phrase) most importantly; more than anything else To let Sth go (v) to allow someone or something to escape or go free To hold Sth back (v) to hesitate to act or speak To face with (v) to deal with Topic: Achievement Part Describe an achievement that you are proud of You should say: ▪ what you achieved ▪ when you achieved it ▪ what was difficult about achieving it ▪ and explain why you are proud of this achievement Sample Answer One of the great successes that I have ever achieved in my life was to pass the entrance exam at University of Languages and International Studies This examination took place about years ago It was so important to me because it fulfilled my dreams of becoming an English teacher in the future Additionally, this exam required careful preparation throughout the whole period in the high school, so it was quite challenging for me Before siting for the exam, I had to study around the clock three main subjects: Math, Literature, and English During the lesson, I paid attention carefully to what the teacher was saying and noted down all the necessary information to learn it by heart Beside the required class, I also took the extra ones to broaden my horizons and enhance my skills I pulled out all the stops to as many assignments as possible to have a good performance in the exam I also joined some study groups on Facebook where I asked friends for helping me with tricky exercises Finally, my hard work was paid off I secured a seat at my dream University of Languages and International Studies This success motivated me to become an English teacher to inspire the students to be passionate about learning English and have a great command of English So I think that success will come after hard work and determination, and I’m proud of myself passing this vital test Part What are some of the greatest achievements (of teenagers) in the world? Do you think teenagers should have an aim in life? ... special days, especially Valentine’s Day or International Women’s Day PART & - IELTS Speaking Practice Part and of IELTs speaking are linked because the topic of the discussion is related to that... 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... make this apparent in your voice - Speaking in phrases rather than in individual words These following are some common topics that could be apparent in your Speaking test The model answers have