Try practicing in the following way: First, note some ideas. Then record yourself speaking for two minutes. Next, listen to the recording and write down what you said. Finally, try to improve the written description.
Here are five simple rules for Speaking Part 1:
1. Keep your answers short, and then stop with confidence.
2. Answer the questions using full sentences.
3. Use words from the examiner's question in your answer.
4. If possible, give a reason for your answer.
5. Don’t forget to say \"yes\" or \"no\" when necessary.
Here's an example to illustrate these points:
Do you like parks? Yes, I like parks because they are great places to relax. If you live in a city, a park is often the only place where you can escape from the noise and the traffic.
IELTS Speaking: useful expressions
In this lesson I want to draw your attention to a few useful expressions that I
used in last week's answers. Maybe you could try using them in your own answers.
1. An alternative way to say \"and\":
- Just as individuals can learn from their mistakes, societies can (also)...
- Just as we need to exercise the body, we also need to exercise the mind.
2. A nice way to introduce a personal example or opinion:
- From what I've read in the newspapers,...
- From what I've heard / seen / experienced,...
3. Giving an opinion when you're not sure:
- If I had to guess what might happen in the future, I'd like to think that... - If I had to give my opinion, I'd say...
IELTS Speaking Part 1: strange questions
In part 1 of the speaking test, the examiner will ask around 10 easy questions. However, students have reported some strange questions, such as:
1. Do you like parks?
2. Do you think different colours can change our moods?
3. When do people give flowers in your country?
Don't be shocked by these questions. Just give a simple answer with a reason. Don't worry about using fantastic grammar or vocabulary; just try to answer without hesitating. For example:
1. Yes, I like parks because they are great places to relax. I think all cities need green areas.
2. Yes, I think bright colours, like red, can make you feel energetic. Some greens and blues can be more relaxing.
3. People give flowers on special occasions like birthdays or on Valentine's Day. In my country, giving flowers is seen as romantic.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'friends' topic
In part 1 of the IELTS speaking test, remember to keep your answers short and simple. Here are some example questions and short answers:
1. Are your friends mostly your age or different ages?
Most of my friends are about the same age as me because we met at school or university. I've got one or two friends who are older or younger that I met through
work.
2. Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends?
I tend to meet up with my friends at weekends because everyone's too busy during the week.
3. The last time you saw your friends, what did you do together?
It was one of my friends' birthday last weekend. Six of us went out for a meal to celebrate.
4. In what ways are your friends important to you?
I think it's important to have friends that you can talk to and share experiences with. My friends make me laugh, but I know I can also rely on them whenever I need help or support.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: travel habits
Remember that Part 1 questions are supposed to be easy. Just give a simple answer and a reason.
1. What form of transport do you prefer to use? Why?
I prefer to travel by car because it means that I have my own space. Also, the
buses and trains in my city are usually overcrowded; my car is much more comfortable.
2. How much time do you spend travelling on a normal day?
I probably spend about an hour and a half travelling to and from work. I travel during the rush hours, so there is quite a lot of traffic.
3. What do you do while you are travelling?
I usually listen to the radio or a CD. In the morning I like to listen to the news to find out what is happening in the world.
4. Do you ever have problems with transport?
Yes, as I said, I get stuck in traffic on my way to and from work. I used to get annoyed by traffic jams, but now I'm used to them.
A few important points:
• In the answer to question 4, can you see the difference between \"I used to\"
and \"I'm used to\"?
• Notice the good vocabulary: 'have my own space', 'overcrowded', 'to and
from work', 'rush hour', 'find out what is happening in the world', 'get stuck in traffic'.
• If the examiner asks a question that you have already answered, just say \"as I
said\" and repeat your answer.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'communication' topic
1. How do you usually keep in touch with members of your family?
I mostly keep in touch with my family by phone, and I've started using the Internet to make video calls. I also try to visit members of my family in person as often as I can.
2. Do you prefer to speak to people by phone or by writing emails?
It depends on the situation. I use email and text messages to communicate with friends, but my parents prefer it if I phone them.
3. Do you ever write letters by hand? (Why / Why not?)
No, I don't write letters by hand because it's so much easier to send an email that will arrive immediately.
4. Is there anything you dislike about mobile phones?
Well, I don't like listening to other people's conversations in public places, and I don't like it when someone's phone rings in the cinema or during a lesson
IELTS Speaking Part 1: clothes
1. Are clothes and clothing fashions important to you? (Why/Why not?)
No, clothes and fashions are not really important to me. I tend to wear clothes that are comfortable and practical rather than fashionable.
2. What different clothes do you wear for different situations?
Well, I have to dress quite formally for work, so I wear a shirt and trousers. At home I prefer to wear jeans and a T-shirt, and on special occasions I might wear a suit.
3. Do you wear different styles of clothes now compared to 10 years ago?
No, not really, because I don't follow fashion. I think I have dressed in a similar way for the last 10 years.
4. Do you think the clothes we wear say something about who we are?
Yes, they probably do. Some people are really careful about what they wear because they want to be seen as stylish. Other people wear clothes that show wealth or status, such as clothes by famous designers
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'reading' topic
1. Do you like reading?
Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including novels, newspapers, magazines, and online articles.
2. Do you usually read for leisure or for work purposes?
Well, I have to do a certain amount of reading as part of my job, but I probably read more for enjoyment. I pick up a newspaper most days, and I usually have a book on the go.
3. What was your favourite book or story when you were a child?
The first book that I remember really enjoying was The Hobbit. It only took me a few days to read because I liked it so much that I couldn't put it down.
4. Do you think it's important that children read regularly?
Definitely. I think reading is possibly the most important skill that children learn. The ability to read opens the door to all aspects of education.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: laughing
The following questions are taken from Cambridge IELTS 7, page 55. The aim in part 1 is to give short, simple answers. Don't worry about using 'difficult' grammar.
1. What kinds of thing make you laugh?
I laugh most when I'm with friends talking about funny things that have happened to us. I also like watching comedians and comedy films.
2. Do you like making other people laugh?
Yes, it's a nice feeling when you can make someone laugh because you can see that you've made them happy. It's great to share a funny moment with someone.
3. Do you think it's important for people to laugh?
Yes, of course. It's important to see the funny side of things; humour helps us not to take life too seriously. I think that laughter is good for our health.
4. Is laughing the same as feeling happy?
It's not exactly the same because you can be happy without laughing, and sometimes we laugh when something bad has happened; a sense of humour can help us to cope with difficult situations.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: musical instruments
For IELTS speaking part 1, remember to give short, simple answers. Answer the question with a full sentence and give a reason for your answer. Here are some example questions and answers about musical instruments (from Cambridge IELTS
book 6):
1. Which musical instrument do you like listening to most? (Why?)
My favourite musical instrument to listen to is the guitar. I like the fact that there are different types of guitar, like classical, acoustic and electric. I love the variety of sounds a guitar can make.
2. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?
I took some guitar lessons when I was younger and still have a guitar at home. I don't play it much nowadays. I wish I had more time to practise.
3. Do you think children should learn to play an instrument at school?
Yes, I think it's a great skill and it's really enjoyable to be able to play a musical instrument. All children should be given this opportunity.
4. How easy would it be to learn to play an instrument without a teacher?
It would probably be more difficult without a teacher. You need someone to show you what to do and correct your mistakes. You need a lot of discipline to teach yourself.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'telephoning' topic
Here are some part 1 questions and sample answers from Cambridge IELTS book 9. Remember to make your part 1 answers short and simple. Just give a direct answer, followed by a reason or one extra piece of information.
1. How often do you make telephone calls?
I probably make three or four phone calls every day, usually just to make arrangements with work colleagues or to speak to family and friends.
2. Who do you spend most time talking to on the telephone?
I think it would be one of my closest work colleagues. We often call each other rather than meeting face-to-face.
3. When do you think you'll next make a telephone call?
My family are expecting me to phone them as soon as I finish this exam. They'll want to know how it went.
4. Do you sometimes prefer to send a text message instead of telephoning?
Yes. I prefer to send a text message when I'm arranging something simple, like a time to meet someone. In those situations, a phone call isn't necessary.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'numbers' topic
One of my students had these questions in her exam last week. I've put an example answer below each one.
1) Do you have a favourite number or a number that is special to you?
Yes, my favourite number is... because it's the day I was born on, and it's my lucky number.
2) Do any numbers have special importance in your country?
Yes, certain ages are special. For example, your 18th birthday is important because it's when you are considered to become an adult.
3) Are you good at remembering numbers? Why / why not?
No, I'm not very good at remembering numbers. I don't think it's necessary to learn them by heart; I just save them on my phone.
4) What numbers do people often have to memorise?
The most important number to remember on a daily basis is the pin number for your bank card. Without this you can't pay for anything or get cash out.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'toys' topic
1) Did you play with toys when you were a child?
Yes, of course. I loved playing with toys when I was a child; I think all children do.
2) What kinds of toys did you like?
As far as I remember, I mostly played with toy cars, planes and action figures from films or cartoons. I also liked building things with Lego.
3) In your country, do boys and girls play with the same types of toys?
Not really. I think boys like the kinds of toys that I mentioned before, whereas girls play with dolls. My niece, for example, doesn't like toy cars; she prefers dressing dolls in different outfits.
4) Do you think that toys help children to learn?
Yes, I do. All toys encourage children to use their imagination and creativity. Even with simple toys, children imagine situations and invent games and rules.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'neighbours' topic
I've recently bought Cambridge IELTS book 8. Below are some questions and example answers from the first speaking test in the book. Remember that part 1 is supposed to be easy, so you should give short, direct answers.
1. How well do you know your next-door neighbours?
I know my neighbours quite well. They're really nice people, and I always stop to talk whenever I see them. I think it's important to get on well with the people who live next door.
2. How often do you see them?
I see my neighbours at least a few times a week. We usually see each other when we're leaving for work in the morning or coming home in the evening.
3. What problems do people sometimes have with their neighbours?
I think the most common problem is probably noise. It's difficult to live next to people who have a dog that barks at night, or who play loud music or have too many parties.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: home town
Here are some part 1 questions and answers on the topic of 'home town'. Try changing the answers to similar ones about your own town or city. Keep your answers short, simple and direct.
1. Where are you from? I'm from Manchester, which is a city in the north west of England.
2. Do you like your home town? (Why?)
Yes, I like living in Manchester because it's where most of my friends live, and because there are plenty of things to do there. The only thing I don't like is the weather.
3. Would you prefer to live somewhere else? (Why?) For the moment I'm happy living here, but at some point I'd like to live in a country with a warmer climate, and I'd like to live near a beach!
4. Do you think your home town is a good place for young people? (Why?) Yes, Manchester has lots of things for young people, such as sports facilities, music and cinemas.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'accommodation' topic
Here are some questions that I found on the official IELTS website, ielts.org. The answers below are my examples. Remember to keep your part 1 answers short and simple. You don't need to show off in part 1.
1. Tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in.
I live in a house that has a living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a small garden. It's not a very big house, but it's just right for me.
2. How long have you lived there?
I've lived there for about five years. It's the first house that I've owned; before that I was renting an apartment.
3. What do you like about living there?
I like living there because I think the house reflects my personality: I decorated it myself, I chose all the furniture, and everything is where I want it to be.
4. What sort of accommodation would you most like to live in?
If I could, I'd buy a bigger house near a beach or in the mountains, preferably somewhere with a warm climate
IELTS Speaking Part 1: giving negative answers
It's fine to give negative answers in part 1 of the speaking test. Here are some example negative answers for people who don't like sport:
1. What sports or physical activities do you regularly do?
Unfortunately I don't have time to do any sports or physical activities because of my work commitments. I'd like to find more time for regular exercise.
2. Which sport or game would you like to be good at?
I'd like to be good at tennis. It must be great to be able to hit the ball as hard
as you can and watch it land exactly where you wanted it to.
3. Do you prefer watching or playing sports?
I don't watch much sport on TV and I'm not a big sports fan, so I think I would probably enjoy doing sports more than watching them.
4. Do you think children should be encouraged to do more sport?
Yes, I think that sport is really important for children. Sports and games teach children to play together and try their best.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'cooking' topic
Here are some recent part 1 questions, with my example answers.
1. Do you like cooking? Why / why not?
Sometimes I like preparing a special meal for family or friends who visit, but everyday cooking is a bit boring; it's something that has to be done, but it's not really fun.
2. Who did the cooking in your family when you were a child?
My mother almost always did the cooking when I was young. I don't think she trusted my father to make a nice meal.
3. Do you think that it's important to know how to cook well?
I'm not sure whether it's important to cook well, but I do think that everyone should know the basics. It definitely isn't healthy to rely on pre-prepared meals or fast food.
4. Do you think that children should be taught cookery at school?
Yes, that's probably a good idea. If all children knew how to cook a few basic, healthy meals, that would surely be a good thing.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: emails and handwriting
At work or in your studies, do you often write things?
Yes, I write a lot of emails as part of my job. I work for a company that has offices in several countries, so we use email to communicate.
How often do you send e-mails?
I probably write between 5 and 10 work emails every day, and I send emails to friends or family a few times a week.
Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
It depends what I’m doing. I prefer the computer for most things because
it’s faster and you can save or copy things, but I still like making notes or writing ideas down by hand.
Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
No, I think we will always write by hand as well. I think it’s an important skill, and schools will continue to teach children to write by hand before they learn to type.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'walking' topic
Remember to keep your part 1 answers short and 'to the point'. Here are my example answers for some questions about walking:
1. Do you like walking?
I'm not one for going on really long walks in the countryside, but I don't mind walking when I'm in a town or city, for example when I'm sightseeing in a new place.
2. Do you think walking is important?
Yes, I think it's important to be active, and walking is the most basic physical activity that we can do.
3. Do you think walking in the countryside is better than walking in the
city?
Personally, no. As I said before, I like walking in the city, especially if it's somewhere with a lot of history like London or Paris. I've done quite a lot of walking in those cities.
4. What could be done to improve the experience of walking in cities?
I suppose the main issues are space and safety. Pavements need to be wide enough to accommodate lots of pedestrians, and we need safe places to cross the street.
IELTS Speaking: if you don't know what to say
In Sunday's lesson I suggested answering in the following way if you don't know what to say:
\"Well, I don't really know much about... because..., but I suppose...\"
In other words, you admit that you don't really know what to say, you explain why, then you invent an answer anyway. Let's try using the formula above with an example.
Question:
What kinds of jobs might stop when the season changes?
Answer:
Well, I don't really know much about seasonal jobs because everyone works all year round where I live, but I suppose that some jobs related to tourism must stop at the end of the summer holiday period.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: event in history
One of the most important and shocking events in history is the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
This event took place on the East coast of the US on September 11, 2001 and it consisted of a series of suicide attacks conducted by a group of terrorists. These terrorists hijacked commercial airplanes and directed them into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center buildings in New York City. Part of the Pentagon was damaged, but both Twin Towers collapsed and were fully destroyed. Because of these attacks, thousands of innocent people were injured and killed.
I think this event really has had an effect on many people's lives, especially Americans because it was like a direct hit into their hearts. Since the attacks, the security at airports, government buildings, and popular public places has become extremely tight and that somehow has caused inconvenience on our daily lives. For example, if we want to travel by plane, we must get to the airport 2 or 3 hours before the flight in order to go through all the security check points.
All in all, I think the 9/11 attacks is an important event in the history of mankind because it showed how a country was able to rebuild and recover despite all the grief.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: old building
1. I'm going to describe a very famous building in New York: the Empire State Building. People might not think of it as an old building, but the Empire State Building was built in 1931, so I don't think it can be classed as new. It's located on Manhattan island and it's probably the most distinctive and recognisable building when you look at New York's skyline.
2. As far as I know, the Empire State Building is an office building, but visitors can go up to an observation deck on the top floor, which is the 102nd floor. There's also a 360-degree observation area on the 86th floor. Apparently, the building makes more money from the sale of tickets to the observation floors than it does from office rentals.
3. I think the Empire State Building is still one of the most impressive
skyscrapers in the world. It's such an iconic structure, and it's amazing to think that it was built around 80 years ago. The best thing about the building is the viewing deck on the top floor, which offers spectacular views of the city; it's definitely the best vantage point in New York. I'd recommend anyone who visits the city to go there and experience the view.
Today I want to talk about an old building, which is a Buddhist temple situated in the suburbs of Kaohsiung City in the southern part of Taiwan. I'm not sure when this temple was built, but it indeed looks very old... my guess is that it should have at least 100 years old.
This temple is actually quite small compared to others but it is a very popular one among Kaohsiung residents because it is believed that miracles happen when you devote yourself in this religion. For this specific reason, many believers go on a frequent basis to pray for good health and prosperity.
During the last Chinese New Year celebration, I had the chance to visit this temple and this place was surely packed! We had to make long lines just to see the image of Buddha and the different gods. I remember that the entire building was very colorful and we could also see lots of figurines aligned on the interior walls.
I like the building itself because its appearance is very traditional and pretty well preserved. But most importantly, it is rich in historical value. However, I actually didn't enjoy my last visit because it was way too crowded, it was a rainy day, and things were quite chaotic.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'difficult' questions
Describe a law in your country.
Many students think they don't know anything about laws. However, there are
some easy examples that they could choose:
1. In many countries it is now illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. You could start by talking about the popularity and benefits of mobile phones, and explain that people want to be able to answer calls wherever they are. Then you could explain the dangers of being distracted while driving; this law could reduce the number of road accidents, and therefore save lives.
2. If you feel confident talking about the 'education' topic, you could choose the 'compulsory education' law. This is the legal requirement that children up to a certain age must attend school. In the UK, for example, children are required by law to continue in education until they are 16 years old. This is a good topic because you can talk about the benefits of education.
Of course, you could choose a more obvious law (it is illegal to steal, carry a gun etc.) but you might have more ideas and good vocabulary if you choose a typical IELTS topic like number 2 above.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a vehicle
Describe a vehicle you would like to buy in the future. You should say
• what kind of vehicle it is
• what you would use it for
• and why you would like to buy it.
Here's my sample answer:
• If I had the money, I’d like to buy my own helicopter. I recently saw a TV
programme about someone who flew around in his own helicopter, and I remember thinking that it would be great to have one. The helicopter on the programme was a small, blue, two-seater and it seemed quite easy to fly - that's the kind of thing I'd like to buy.
• Ideally, I’d use my helicopter instead of a car. First, I’d need to learn to fly it,
but then I’d use it to go on short trips or holidays. It would be fantastic to be able to avoid traffic jams, and get everywhere in a fraction of the time it normally takes. I’d take friends and family sightseeing, over cities or mountain tops, and maybe I could even use it to do the shopping!
• The reason I’d like to buy a helicopter is that you can park one almost
anywhere. You don’t need to find a runway or an airport like you would for a plane. So I’d be able to park my helicopter in my garden - if I had a bigger garden. Also, I’ve always been intrigued by those helipads on the tops of tall buildings - I think it would be fun to land on top of a building. A helicopter probably isn’t a realistic choice of vehicle, but you never know - I might win the lottery!
If I were a billionaire and had the money, I would like to buy a spaceship for my own space exploration adventures.
Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to be an astronaut. So having my personal spacecraft will be able to fulfill my childhood dreams. I would use my spacecraft to travel to different planets and hopefully be able to discover a habitable place where humans can live in the future. I think this could be a huge contribution to mankind as we know that our Earth's environment has been deteriorating to some extent.
Anyway, the spaceship I want is one that doesn't need huge rockets, but one that has enough power and technology to transport me to outer space and bring me back to Earth safely without any problems. As for the size, something like NASA's space shuttles will work because they provide enough room to bring family and friends along.
Also, since photography is one of my hobbies, taking pictures of the different celestial bodies and objects would be a really fascinating experience.
All in all, although this may seem very unrealistic, I think humans will eventually come up with a vehicle like this and I'm sure it will revolutionize the concept of space travel.
Today I want to talk about a car I wish to buy in the future, which is the Mercedes Benz GL-Class.
This is a luxurious sport utility vehicle, or SUV, with an optional third row seat to accommodate up to 7 people. The color I prefer is silver metallic, with leather
seats and GPS navigation system. One of the features that really attracts me is its newly designed \"panorama roof\sky even when they are at the very back of the car.
My wife told me that if I bought this vehicle, we would have to drive it throughout the entire US... and I totally agree with her, because this SUV provides all the necessary safety and comfort features for such long trip. I would drive this car to all major cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and to different coastal areas as well as national parks.
Actually, the main reason why I want to buy this car is that I saw its commercial the other day and my all-time favorite tennis player Roger Federer was in it. I think this car is as elegant as him and it definitely can elevate the image of a person. However, this car costs too much, around $90,000 US dollars... I can't afford this car at the moment so I all I can do now is to keep working hard and save lots of money to make this dream come true!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a market
Describe an open-air or street market which you enjoyed visiting. You should say:
- where the market is - what the market sells
- how big the market is
- and explain why you enjoyed visiting it.
Here's my description. It includes several examples of 'band 7-9' vocabulary that I took from the websites I listed in last week's lesson.
• I’m going to describe a street market that I’ve enjoyed visiting many times
in Manchester. It’s the Manchester Christmas Market, and it comes to the city for about a month from the end of November every year. The market stalls are spread across several sites in the city centre, but the centrepiece is the large European market in Albert Square next to the Town Hall.
• The Christmas Market stalls sell an array of Christmas gifts and
mouth-watering food and drink from all over Europe. It’s a great place to find handmade crafts such as jewellery, ornaments, wooden toys and other souvenirs, but it’s the food and drink that seem to be most popular. Probably the biggest seller is the ‘Gluhwein’, a hot, sweet wine which is sold in a souvenir mug.
• The market was originally quite small, occupying just one of the central
squares in Manchester, but it’s grown quickly in recent years, spilling over into maybe five other pedestrian streets and a few other squares. Apparently there are over 200 stalls now, so it’s become a really big event attracting thousands of visitors.
• The main reason I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Christmas Market is the
fantastic atmosphere. When I went there last December, it didn’t matter how cold or wet the weather was, Manchester seemed to come alive when the market opened; the streets were bustling with people and there was a real festive feel to the city.
I want to talk about the farmers' market in my neighborhood, which is a type of open-air market my wife and I really enjoy going to.
I live in a small town near the San Francisco Bay Area and they have a farmers' market in its small downtown every Saturday in the summertime. This open-air market is actually quite small, about only 3 blocks long, but you can find all sorts of products. Here you can find locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables as well as handmade accesories and jewelry. There are also some stands selling different kinds of snacks, such as caramel apple, kettle corn, and cotton candy.
My wife and I really enjoy going to this farmers' market because the atmosphere is quite relaxing. All the vendors are locals and they treat everyone nicely. I also feel they are honest people and would never try to trick you when selling you something. In fact, we have bought oranges, apples, and different kinds of vegetables, and everything was indeed quite fresh.
All in all, although very small, this farmers' market is a wonderful place for local residents to hang out and buy some fresh produce.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a plant
A student sent me this question from a recent test in Australia:
Describe a plant grown in your country. You should say - what the plant is - where it is grown - why you like or dislike it
- and explain why it is important to your country.
Let me talk about the grapevine, which is an important plant grown in my country Argentina.
The grapevine is a type of climbing plant that grows grapes. There are several species of grapevines and Argentine people eat grapes as fruits or use them to make wine, raisins, jams, and so on.
In Argentina, we can find plenty of vineyards and wineries in valleys along the high altitudes of the Andes mountain range; I guess that's because of its suitable climate. I would say that 99% of the grapes are grown in that region of the country.
I like eating grapes very much since they are nutritious and refreshing, which
comes perfect in a hot summer day. And for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries, my wife and I would open a bottle of wine to enjoy the moment and have a relaxing time.
Grapevines are extremely important in Argentina as they contribute a big part of the economy. Argentine wines are well-known and have a pretty good
reputation. In fact, Argentina is considered one of the top wine makers in the world and it exports millions of bottles of wine per year, so that shows you how important grapevines are for the country.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'team project' topic
You won't be able to use everything you read in these descriptions, but you should find some good vocabulary ideas that you can copy:
• a team project with 3 members on each team
• It was quite a learning experience
• In the end, I think it was a successful project
• Our task was to...
• We had to collaborate
• The challenges were intense but fun
• a real sense of accomplishment
• It was more rewarding than I could have imagined
• They were proud of what we had done
• Success is a team project
• share the burden
I'd like to talk about a school project I worked on with a group of classmates back in college.
This team project was for our Microbiology class and it was actually my very first time to do teamwork with American students. To me, it was a real challenge as my English skills were still not good enough to communicate with them fluently.
Anyway, we were 4 members in the group and our main task was to find the sources of the E. Coli bacteria in a river nearby the school. We split the work and each one of us had to make short trips to different parts of the river to collect water samples. We then had to bring all the samples back to the school lab for further testings and finally write a report about our findings.
This project was NOT a huge scientific breakthrough, but I think we had a successful one and it allowed me to experience the job duties of an environmental researcher. This project was the first of the many projects I had to work on
throughout my school life and I think it was important that I was able to have a good start
I’d like to talk about a team project that I was involved in during my final term at business school. There were four of us on the team, and our task was to work with a local company to research a new market, in a European country, for one of their products or services. Our objective was to produce a report and give a presentation.
The first thing we did was split into two groups of two. We had been assigned a company that produced a range of bicycle accessories, so two of us spent some time getting to know the company while the other two researched the market and the competitors in the target country, which was Germany. In the end, I think it was a successful project because we managed to identify a possible gap in the market in Germany for one of the company’s products. Our group presentation also went really well.
Until that point, the course had been all about business theory, so it was quite a learning experience to work with a real company. I felt a real sense of
accomplishment when we handed in our report and delivered our presentation, and I think all of us were proud of what we had done.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: TV channel
Describe a TV programme or channel that you enjoy watching regularly.
• What it is called and what is it about?
• When do you usually watch it ?
• Why do you prefer it to other programmes or channels?
Here's a sample description with the best vocabulary underlined:
• I rarely watch traditional television channels nowadays; I much prefer
searching for interesting programmes or videos online. So, although it’s not a normal TV channel or programme, I’d like to talk about a website which I think is kind of a modern version of a TV channel. It’s called TED, which stands for ‘Technology, Entertainment, Design’, and it’s a great place to watch short talks and presentations about all sorts of interesting topics.
• The good thing about the videos on TED is that I can watch them whenever I
want. I have ted.com saved as one of my favourites on my laptop, and I tend to visit the website every few days to check whether there is anything new. I often watch TED videos on my phone while I’m travelling to work on the train.
• The reason I like watching online videos on TED is that I learn something new
every time I watch one. The tagline for the TED website is ‘ideas worth spreading’, and this really sums up the appeal of the site for me. Instead of watching meaningless soap operas and talk shows on TV, I’d much rather spend 10 minutes watching someone talk about a breakthrough in technology, science or
healthcare.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: environment problem
Describe a problem that affects the environment in the area where you live.
You should say - what the problem is - what causes it
- and explain what you think could be done to solve it
Remember, the question asks you to talk about a problem in your local area, so don't choose 'global warming'. These topics would be better:
• Air pollution caused by traffic and factories.
• Building new roads, houses, factories etc. destroys natural areas.
• Increasing amounts of litter and household waste.
IELTS Advice: describe your favourite...
More advice about describing your favourite book, film or piece of music:
1. You can talk about any type of book (textbook, biography etc.). You only need to describe a story if the question asks you to describe a 'novel'.
2. Many books are also films. It would be a good idea to prepare one description that you can use for both.
3. Amazon.com is great for reviews of books, films and music. Just search for a title, then go down the page to find the reviews.
4. \"Steal\" the best vocabulary from the reviews that you find.
5. Use Google. I searched for \"my favourite film is\" on Google and found this 'My Favourite Films' website. It's full of good ideas.
6. Try this Google search: \"my favourite piece of music is\"
7. You can describe a book, film or piece of music from your country.
8. You can invent a story if necessary, but it's easier to tell the truth.
9. If you don't like books, pretend that your favourite film is a book (and vice versa).
10. Remember to include adjectives to describe your feelings/opinions. Tell
the story of when you first read the book, saw the film or listened to the song, who recommended it, why you like it etc.
NB. 'Piece of music' just means a song.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a film/movie
In part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, you might have to describe your favourite film ('movie' is American English). My advice is to look for your film on amazon.com. You will find reviews of almost any film, from The Godfather to Titanic.
The only problem is that the reviews are often quite difficult or too detailed. I recommend stealing a few ideas or a few bits of good vocabulary.
For example, here is some good vocabulary from a review of The Godfather:
- one of the greatest films ever made
- a masterpiece
- a brilliant story
- the actors' performances are outstanding
- it's compelling to watch
Make sure you can summarise the film's plot (the story). Try to remember where and when you first saw the film. Explain how it made you feel and why you like it.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: artist or entertainer
Describe an artist or entertainer you admire You should say
• who they are and what they do
• how they became successful
• how you found out about them
• and why you admire them
I've tried to write a general example description that might help you with some ideas. In your description you must give the name of the person.
• I’m going to talk about a musician that I admire, called... He’s a singer who
also plays the guitar and writes his own songs. I think he recorded his first album about 10 years ago, and he’s released several other CDs since then.
• He became successful after many years of writing songs and performing live
in small venues all over the country. Gradually he built a following of people who liked his music. I think the key to his success was one of his songs that was used on a TV advertisement. This meant that more people became aware of his music.
• I found out about... because one of my friends got tickets to see him in
concert. I hadn’t heard any of his music before, but I went along to the gig and really enjoyed it. After that I bought the first CD, and now I’ve got all of them.
• The reason I admire... is that he has worked hard for his success: it takes years
of practice to become a good singer and guitarist, and he spent several years playing to very small audiences before he became successful. I also like the fact that he writes his own music. I admire people who have worked hard to get where they are.
Note: I've underlined the best vocabulary. 'Gig' is an informal word for concert
or performance, but it's fine to use it in this context.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a library
Describe a library that you visited? You should say
- where the library was
- - what facilities it had
- - why you went there
- - and explain whether you found the library useful or not. Today I'd like to talk about the library I used to go when I was in college several years ago.
Since it was a private school, the library was quite small but I think it had all you needed to have a successful life as a student. The facilities included a
computer lab, a writing lab, a section with cubicles for self-study, and an area with large tables for group discussions. And if you needed more privacy, they even had small rooms where students could get absolute silence.
There were several reasons why I would go to that library. First, it was right next to my dormitory building, so it only took me a few seconds to get there. Second, before a test, I would go to my favorite spot in the library to study. That spot was in a corner of the third floor and next to a large window where I had a bird's-eye view of the school campus. And third, I would go to the library to do research and find sources of information for my research papers.
Although relatively small, I think this library was quite useful for me because I could find all the necessary materials I needed throughout my school years. I also made use of its writing lab very often because they had people who could take a look at my work and give me feedback. That was particularly helpful since English was still a language I wasn't very familiar with.
All in all, this library played an important part in my life as a college student
and I wish I can visit it again some time in the future!
Let me tell you about a small, but beautiful library that I often use in Richmond.
It is situated in a park and has both an indoor and outdoor area.
It is used by a variety of different people – school pupils, university students, young children and even elderly, retired people who like to sit in the garden reading the newspapers, which are provided free of charge, and chatting/gossiping.
I personally used it when I was a university student to research information but now I tend to use it more for general reading. Last year I went there every day and used their computers while mine was being repaired.
And, I have spent a lot of time there recently revising for this exam.
It has several facilities which include: free internet access, a good selection of fiction and non-fiction books, daily newspapers and a number of specialist magazines. It also organises regular events which include talks, workshops, seminars ….
Oh, and I shouldn´t forget to mention that it has a superb café, which serves excellent, fresh coffee and has possibly the best selection of pastries in town.
For that reason alone I will probably go there after this test.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a meal
Describe a popular meal from your country that you like to eat. You should say - what the meal is
- why it's popular in your country - and why you like it.
Here's some advice:
1. Your choice of meal is important because you need to be able to say a lot about it. For example, you could choose a dish that people eat during a particular festival.
2. Spend some time on each of the 3 parts of the question. For the first part, don't just give the name of the meal; explain what it consists of and how it is made.
3. For the last part (why you like it), use some good adjectives, then tell a story about when you last ate that meal. Explain where you were and what the occasion was.
Prepare some ideas and try recording yourself. Keep practising until you are confident that you would be able to answer this question in an exam situation.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: essential preparation
It's impossible to prepare for every question that you might get in the speaking test, but what are the essential things to prepare for?
Here's my list of essentials:
1. Favourites: Don't go into the test without knowing what your favourites are. Prepare to talk about your favourite book, film, music, and website.
2. People: Be ready to talk about a famous person and a member of your family.
3. Activities: Have you prepared some ideas about a hobby? Can you describe a typical day in your life? Try to remember some special moments in your life, such as birthdays, festivals and weddings.
4. Places: You need to be able to talk about where you live. Also, think about the places you have visited, what you did there, and why you liked or didn't like them.
5. Things: Can you talk about the things you use every day, something you would like to buy, or a present that you received?
Remember that in part 2 you are always asked to \"describe\". Make sure you prepare some good adjectives for each topic, make sure you can talk about your opinions and feelings, and think about some examples or stories to make your descriptions more interesting.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: a funny situation
Describe a funny situation that made you laugh. You should say - when this situation took place - what happened
- how you reacted and why you found the situation funny.
Tip: The best way to answer this question is to tell a story. If you can't think of
a real situation, make one up!
Today I want to talk about a very funny situation that made me laugh out loud (LOL).
This happened a few days after my wife and I adopted our dog from a dog rescue organization 1 year ago. Her name is Pipita, and after we brought her to our home, we bought her a new bed and several toys; you know, just tried to make her feel as comfortable as possible. Once she got used to the new environment, she was able to finally feel at peace and sleep without any worries. To our surprise, she
snored as loud as any human being can do! I mean, she is only a mid-size dog but her snoring was so loud that it woke us up in the middle of the night!
My wife and I were quite socked in the beginning, but Pipita kept snoring and that really cracked us up! We've raised several dogs in our lives, but had never seen a dog that snored that loudly! I mean, who could have ever imagined that a cute little dog can snore the way she does? I think that's really amazing and funny at the same time!
All in all, we are very glad and lucky to have adopted Pipita. Although this dog can be quite noisy at times, I think she has brought lots of laughter and happiness to our lives!
• I'm going to talk about a funny thing that happened to me a couple of weeks
ago. I think it was a Saturday morning, and I was sitting having a coffee in a café near where I live.
• I was on my own so I decided to read the newspaper while drinking my
coffee. I must have been quite engrossed in what I was reading because the time passed quickly, and I suddenly realised that I needed to get going. What I didn't realise was that I had been sitting with my legs crossed, and one of my legs had completely gone to sleep. As I stood up to leave the café, I quickly became aware that my left leg was 'dead', but it was too late; I started to fall. I thought I could catch myself on the table, but the table tipped over and I fell to the floor in front of everyone in the café!
• I can remember being on my knees in the middle of the café, looking up at
the staff and customers around me. I felt really embarrassed and I expected the other people to find it funny, but to my surprise nobody was laughing. They were all worried that something really bad had happened to me! As I got up from the floor, I had to explain to the whole café that I was fine. I was embarrassed at the time, but I laughed about it later!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: foreign culture
1. Which culture and how I know about it
I'm going to talk about France and French culture. I know France quite well because it was the first foreign country that I visited as a child. I've been on several family holidays there, and I lived and worked in Paris for a while after finishing university.
2. Cultural differences
The first thing that comes to mind when I think about France is the bread! I love the fact that French people buy fresh baguettes every morning, usually from small local bakeries or 'patisseries'; it makes a change from the loaves of sliced bread that most of us buy from the supermarket here in the UK. One slightly negative difference I noticed in Paris is that Parisians don't seem to make friends with their work colleagues to the same extent as we do here.
3. What I like about it
I really like the café culture in France. You can always find somewhere interesting to sit and have a coffee and chat to friends or just watch the world go by. I actually put on a bit of weight when I lived in France because I got into a habit of having a croissant or a cake in every nice café that I found. Another thing I could mention is that the last time I went to France on holiday, I played a game called ‘boules’ every day. The game consists in throwing metal balls as close to a target ball as possible. It’s the perfect game for a relaxing afternoon when the weather’s hot.
Tip:
Notice that I included personal examples or experiences in my answers. It's easy to talk for 2 minutes if you can tell a story or two.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a business
It would be a good idea to prepare some ideas for this question:
Describe a business that you would like to own or set up.
It doesn't matter what business you choose, and you don't need to tell the truth. Here are some ideas:
• Choose something that you know about. For example, if you like buying
clothes, say that you would like to own a clothes shop. If you're a football fan, say that you'd like to own a football club!
• Do some online research. Find the websites of companies you like, and take
some notes about what they do and why they are successful.
• Imagine what a typical day would be like if you worked in the business you
have chosen. What would you do in the morning, during the day, and in the evening? Telling a story is a great way to extend your answer.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: something naughty you did
- what you did - when you did it - why you did it
- and explain how your parents felt about it.
This is a difficult topic for most people, so it's a good idea to prepare for it before your test. If you can remember a real situation, use that. If you can't remember being naughty, invent an easy story like my example below.
Example ideas:
1. I cheated in a test at primary school by looking at the answers in my book under the table.
2. I was about ... years old, it was a ... lesson. Give some more background about the lesson, the test, the teacher etc.
3. I hadn't studied for the test, I didn't want to fail and have to retake the test at lunchtime. Give reasons why you didn't have time to study.
4. The teacher caught me and told my parents. Explain their feelings: disappointed, angry, embarrassed. Explain the punishment e.g. they 'grounded' me for a week (informal expression, meaning 'they didn't allow me to go out or see friends').
IELTS Speaking: garden description
Last week I described a famous garden. Martin, an IELTS teacher who often contributes to the comments on this site, sent me a description of his own garden. You might find it more useful than my famous garden description!
Martin's description: Today I'd like to describe my home garden, which I think is a beautiful one and which I like very much. The garden is part of my home's backyard, and my house is located in the suburbs, about a 1-hour drive from the city of San Francisco. There is
a big tree right in the middle of my garden, which is surrounded by a hot tub, a small water fountain, several bushes, a section for vegetables, and different kinds of flowers.
This garden was actually one of the reasons why my wife and I chose to buy our house because it had been beautifully maintained by the previous owner’s gardener and landscaper. It’s been only 1 year since we bought the house and now we are taking care of the garden ourselves. Even though we are not experts in gardening, we still try our best to plant things that we like, such as roses and tulips, and we even grow our own tomatoes.
Whenever family and friends come to visit us, we invite them to have a relaxing time in our hot tub, and enjoy the view. So in other words, our garden has also become a kind of resort! It definitely requires lots of hard work to properly maintain the garden, but it gives us a great sense of accomplishment to “decorate” it the way we like.
All in all, the garden is one of the best features of my home and it is a place where I can relax after a long day of work or during the weekends.
Simon’s answer:
1. The garden I'm going to describe is famous because it belonged to the French painter Claude Monet. It's in a place called Giverny, which is in northern France, about an hour away from Paris in the province of Normandy.
2. There are actually two gardens at the Monet house in Giverny: a flower garden, and a Japanese inspired water garden. Apparently, Monet designed the gardens himself; he even had the pond and the famous Japanese bridge made. After creating the gardens, Monet painted some of the most well-known paintings in the world, such as those of the waterlilies below the bridge on his pond.
3. Thousands of people visit the gardens at Giverny to see the magnificent scenes that inspired Monet's paintings. Visitors can walk around the gardens and take pictures, which is what I did when I went there.
4. I like Monet's gardens because they are such beautiful creations, and it's amazing to see the 'real thing' having seen the famous paintings so many times.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a festival
A common topic for the short presentation (IELTS Speaking Part 2) is \"describe an important festival in your country\".
My advice is to look for a description of your festival on Wikipedia. Copy the best parts of the description and make small changes if necessary. As an example, I've copied a short description of Christmas from Wikipedia.
Describe a festival: Christmas Christmas is an annual holiday that, in Christianity, commemorates the birth of
Jesus Christ.
Popular customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in some areas) is a popular figure in many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children.
Over the Christmas period, people decorate their homes and exchange gifts. In some countries, children perform plays re-telling the events of the Nativity, or sing carols that reference the event. Christmas, along with Easter, is the period of highest annual church attendance.
A special Christmas family meal is an important part of the celebration for many, and what is served varies greatly from country to country. In England and countries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal includes turkey, potatoes, vegetables, sausages and gravy, followed by Christmas pudding, mince pies and fruit cake.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'positive experience' answers
Describe a positive experience that you had as a teenager. You should say
- What the positive experience was
- Where you were
- Who you were with
- And explain why you found the experience positive.
Here's my sample answer, taking some of the ideas from this lesson.
1.•I’m going to describe the first time I visited England’s capital city, London, on a school trip when I was a teenager. I had never been to London before, and it was great to share that experience with my school friends.
•The positive experience wasn’t confined to one particular place in London. As far as I remember, I enjoyed the whole trip, from the coach journey to the visits to various tourist attractions. We got off the coach near the Houses of Parliament, and so one of my first memories was seeing the famous ‘Big Ben’ clock tower. We also visited the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
•As I said earlier, it was a school trip, and I think there were around thirty of us, including two teachers. I was with a group of close friends, which made the experience more enjoyable.
•What really struck me about London was that it was historic but modern and thriving at the same time. It seemed to me to be a lively, fashionable and
cosmopolitan place. Coming from a relatively small town, the experience made me
keen to visit more capital cities in the future.
Let me talk about my high school graduation trip, which was one of the most memorable and positive experiences I had when I was a teenager.
2. I used to live in Argentina, and just like most senior high school classes around the country, traveling to the town of Bariloche in the Andes mountain was the most popular and economical choice. We were all quite excited about that trip; it was the trip that marked the end of our high school years and also the start of a new stage in our lives.
We were around 30 students in that 1-week trip and we chose to travel by plane rather than bus, otherwise we would have wasted 2 days just to get to the place. We had so many activities in that week. We not only visited the most popular scenic spots of the area but also went skiing twice and went dancing at different night clubs every night.
This was definitely a positive experience for all of us. We had spent 5 years in the same classroom and rarely had the chance to hang out and truly get to know with each other. Thanks to this trip, we were able to renew and confirm our friendships and that's why we all still keep in touch even though it has already passed 15 years since our graduation
IELTS Speaking Part 2: main topics
For part 2 of IELTS speaking, I encourage my students in Manchester to prepare ideas for 6 main topic areas:
1. Describe an object (a gift, something you use etc.)
2. Describe a person (someone you admire, a family member etc.)
3. Describe an event (a festival, celebration etc.)
4. Describe an activity (e.g. a hobby)
5. Describe a place (somewhere you visited, a holiday etc.)
6. Describe your favorite (book/film/advertisement/website)
Most questions fit into one of these topics. For example, \"Describe a river, lake or sea which you like\" is number 5 - you could describe a holiday by the sea,
or a city with a river.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: easier than you think
Sometimes a question seems difficult, but you might be able to turn it into a different topic. Take these questions for example:
1. Describe a photo that you like.
2. Describe an important letter you received.
Many students panic when I ask them these two questions, but they are much easier than you think. Here are some ideas:
1. You could describe a photo of your family on a special occasion (e.g. a birthday party). This would allow you to talk about the members of your family and tell the story of what happened at the party when the photo was taken. Alternatively, you could describe a holiday photo of a place you visited. Then you can talk about the place and what you did there.
2. If you have a job, you could describe the letter you received telling you that you got the job. You could talk about the job interview, how you felt when you received the letter, and what you now do in your job. On the other hand, if you are a student, you could say that you received a letter confirming your place on your degree course.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: ideal home
Describe the ideal home that you would like to live in. You should say •what your ideal home would look like •where it would be •and why you would like to live there
If I were a billionaire and had the money, I would love to rent or buy a castle for my own royal lifestyle.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to become a princess and live in a castle which looks like one in a fairy tale, or like Windsor Castle in England. So living in the castle will be able to fulfill my childhood dreams.
Anyway, my castle looks very antique from outside, but extremely graceful and appealing with a brook dancing beside the border wall. Into a wall, a large scrolled gate was set, and above the gateway was an ornate arch over-run with friendly ivy. The castle spackles in the sunlight with some huge beautiful, magnificent gardens and the picturesque countryside surrounded it.
The most interesting thing when I live in a castle is that I could experience a royal life and be served like a queen. Wearing a gorgeous dress and a dazzling crown on my head, enjoying a plenty of delicious and distinctive food which are made by profound chefs, walking in the marvelous beautiful gardens, I could live life to the full. There are plenty of rooms that my family and friends could shuttle in together. Also, collecting conventional arts is my hobbies, having an exhibition and enjoying every traditional detail in the castle would be a very fascinating experience.
I would like to live in a single-family house because I feel I can have more privacy and don't need to share a wall with neighbors. Ideally, the house should have 2 stories; with a big kitchen and living room on the first floor and 2 or 3
bedrooms on the second floor. I'd also like to have an entertainment room where I can watch movies or play the Wii. Since gardening is one of my hobbies, I also want a spacious garden where I can grow different kinds of fruits and vegetables and plant all kinds of flowers.
The location of my ideal home is very important. I want it far from the hustle and bustle of the city because I need a quiet place to relax and have a peaceful lifestyle. Somewhere in the mountains or next to a lake with beautiful scenery would be perfect, this way I can wake up every morning and enjoy the views.
All in all, the main reason why I want to live in such home is because I like being surrounded by nature and don't like the busy and rushed lifestyle of the city.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a website
In Part 2 of IELTS Speaking, you might be asked to describe a website that you use:
Describe a website that you often use. You should say:
• what type of website it is
• how you found out about it
• what it allows you to do, and why you find it useful.
Here are some ideas, with some of the band 7-9 vocabulary underlined:
1. Facebook is a social networking website. It's a free website that allows you to keep in contact with friends or find people you've lost touch with. It's one of the most popular websites in the world, with millions of users in different countries.
2. All of my friends use Facebook. One of my friends sent me an email inviting me to join. I signed up and I've been using it ever since. 3. Facebook allows you to keep up to date with what friends are doing. You have a profile page with information and status updates so that you can tell everyone what you're doing. You can post messages to other people's pages. You can upload photos and videos. I find Facebook most useful for organising my life, keeping in touch with friends and storing photos. I think social networking websites have become part of everyday life
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a hobby
\"Describe a hobby\" seems like an easy topic. However, students often have difficulty speaking for 2 minutes when the topic is easy.
Here are 3 pieces of advice to help you to speak for 2 minutes:
1. Think about question words: What, when, where, why, who with:
One of my hobbies is photography. I’ve got two digital cameras: one small
pocket-sized camera that I carry around with me and one bigger, more expensive camera that I use on special occasions. I take photos so that I have a record of the things I’ve seen or done. Most of my photos are of friends and family, but I also take pictures of interesting things that I see.
2. Describe opinions and feelings:
I like photography because it’s a creative hobby and it makes you notice the world around you. I love capturing special moments or unusual or beautiful images, and it’s a great feeling to be able to look back through my pictures and relive different experiences.
3. Tell a story related to the topic:
The last time I took photos on a special occasion was at my friend’s wedding a few weeks ago. I got some great pictures of the bride and groom and their guests celebrating. After the wedding I made an album of all the best pictures and sent it to my friend as a present.
Note: You don't need to tell the truth (I exaggerated my interest in photography) but it's usually easier to tell a story if it's real.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'future plans' answer
Here's my answer to the future plans question:
• I’m going to talk about a future plan that I have, which is to buy a good
camera and to become a better photographer. At the moment I’m just using the camera on my mobile phone, but I’ve realised that it has its limitations.
• I thought of this plan when I was at a friend’s wedding a few weeks ago. I
got some great pictures of the bride and groom and their guests celebrating, but I did notice that with my phone camera I wasn’t able to capture longer range photos, or photos in darker conditions; the phone’s zoom and flash aren’t very good. Next time I’d like to be able to capture a special occasion in higher quality images.
• Obviously this plan depends on whether I can save enough money to buy the
camera I’d like. Also, before making a decision about which camera to get, I’ll probably talk to a friend who knows more about photography than I do.
• In terms of buying a camera, I’ll achieve this plan if I can save some money!
In terms of becoming a better photographer, I think I’ll achieve that goal by experimenting with my new camera and by learning as I go along.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: something that made you angry
Describe a situation that made you angry. You should say
- when it happened - what happened - how you felt
Here are some ideas. Notice that I answer by telling a story, and that my ideas are not 'academic' or 'formal' because it isn't an academic topic. Study my answer carefully - it's full of good words and phrases.
Band 9 answer:
A recent situation that made me angry was getting stuck in a traffic jam on the way to meet some friends. It was last Sunday lunchtime, and I didn’t expect there to be much traffic; people don’t work on Sundays, so the roads aren’t usually very busy.
Everything was going well until suddenly I saw a queue of cars on the road in front of me. I had no choice but to join the queue and wait to get past whatever was causing the delay. It turned out that it was caused by some roadworks, and it took me an extra 30 minutes to get past them.
Getting stuck in traffic congestion doesn’t usually make me angry, but this time it did, mainly because I wasn’t expecting it and I knew that my friends were waiting to meet me for lunch. I felt frustrated and powerless because there was
nothing I could do to change the situation, and I had no idea how long I would be sitting there waiting. When I finally saw the reason for the congestion, I was relieved that I was close to getting past the roadworks, but I still felt a bit stressed knowing that I was half an hour late.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a building
Describe a modern building. You should say:
• where it is
• what it is used for
• and why you like/dislike it.
Here's my example description of a building in Manchester:
1. I'm going to describe a modern building in Manchester. It's called the Beetham Tower, and it's the tallest building in the city, with about 50 floors.
2. Although it's called the Beetham Tower, most people know this building as the Hilton Hotel. In fact, the bottom half of the tower is the hotel and the top half is apartments. The apartments are expensive because the location and views make them very desirable.
3. I'm not sure if I like the design of the building, it's just a huge glass tower,
but it definitely stands out. It has become a famous landmark in the city. You can see it as you approach Manchester, and it's an easy place to meet people because it's so distinctive and easy to find. The most interesting thing about the Beetham Tower is that there is a bar/restaurant on the 23rd floor which has spectacular views of the city; it's definitely the best vantage point in Manchester because there are no walls, only huge windows, so you can look out over the city in any direction. I'd recommend anyone who visits Manchester to go there and experience the view.
IELTS Speaking: describe a toy
Lego Car Description:
One special toy that I remember getting was a Lego car. It was a birthday present from my parents. I can't remember exactly how old I was, but I was probably about 10 or 11.
The special thing about this car was that I had to build it myself out of hundreds of pieces of Lego. The pieces came in a box with a picture of the finished car on the front, and I had to follow step-by-step instructions to put all the pieces together in the correct way. This wasn't an easy task because the car even had an engine, movable seats and gears. It took me a day or two to make, and required a lot of concentration.
When the car was finished it looked great, and I felt a sense of
accomplishment. I seem to remember that I didn't play with the car very much; the
fun part had been the process of building it.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: sample answer
Describe a subject that you think should be removed from school education programs. You should say
- What the subject is
- why you think it is unnecessary for children to study it
- and explain what you would replace it with.
Here's my sample answer with band 7-9 vocabulary underlined:
• I’m going to suggest that art could be taken out of the school curriculum.
In my experience, art lessons at school tend to include drawing, painting, and the making of collages using paper, fabric and other household materials.
• There are a few reasons why I think that school art lessons are unnecessary.
Firstly, I don’t believe that drawing and painting are essential skills that children will need when they leave school. Children might find these activities enjoyable, but it’s unlikely that they will need them in the working world. Secondly, children can draw, paint and make collages in their own time at home; parents can encourage this, and they can even join in. Finally, remembering my own art lessons at school, I don’t think we learnt any real art skills; the teachers left us to draw or
create things, but they didn’t provide much technical instruction.
• Instead of art lessons, children could do more work on core subjects like
math, science or language. These subjects are more likely to help children in later life when they enter the job market, and I think both children and their teachers would benefit if more time were devoted to them.
IELTS Speaking: describe a piece of furniture
• I'm going to talk about my favourite chair. It's a big, leather armchair that sits
in my living room at home, just under my living room window.
• I didn't actually buy the armchair. One of my friends was moving house and
was going to buy some new furniture. I had always liked his leather armchair, so he said I could have it if I managed to move it. The chair wouldn't fit in my car, and it was tricky to get it out of my friend's apartment. I had to hire a small van to take the armchair home.
• Obviously I use the armchair for sitting! It's my favourite place in the house
to relax, read a book, watch TV or even do some work; the chair's arms are quite wide and flat, so my laptop fits nicely on either of them. Last night I fell asleep in my armchair while I was watching a film.
• The main reasons why I like this piece of furniture are that it's comfortable
and it's in the perfect position in my living room. The only drawback might be that
I enjoy sitting in the armchair too much, and sometimes I think it makes me lazy!
Remember to highlight any useful words or phrases that you found in my description. Also, did you notice some of the strategies that I used to make the answer more interesting?
Today I'm going to talk about my office desk.
This is one of the best and most beautiful office desks I've ever bought. It's a white,wooden,L-shaped desk. Its corners are well-rounded and the edges are smooth, which gives the desk a very modern look overall. It's also very wide and deep, which gives me plenty of room to place my computer, printer, books, and all the paperwork from work.
I bought this desk about 2 years ago at IKEA. It came as a one-piece table top with five metal legs and can be easily assembled. The price was very reasonable; the table top and all metal legs costed me around 100 US dollars.
I use this desk almost every day to have classes with students, correct their essays, chat with family and friends, or even do some photo editing work. This desk is so spacious that my wife and I can work next to each other.
All in all, this is definitely one of my favorite pieces of furniture that I own and I'm extremely satisfied with it. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new desk!
IELTS Speaking: prepare by writing your answers
Although this is a speaking test, a good way to prepare and practise is by writing your answers down. Here's a quick example:
Describe a recent journey.
I’m going to talk about a recent journey to London. It was a couple of weekends ago, and I decided to visit the capital with some friends. I had never been before, so I wanted to go there to do some sightseeing. I don’t have a car, but my friend does, so he volunteered to drive. He had done the trip a few times before, so he knew the way. Maybe it was a bad idea to travel by car because the traffic between Manchester and London was terrible. We spent a lot of time sitting in traffic jams, which were due to roadworks and minor accidents, and it took us the best part of an afternoon to get there...
Note:
The description above is easy to understand, but it contains enough 'less common vocabulary' (underlined) to impress the examiner.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'difficult' questions
Last week I wrote about 'using what you know'. Here are some more quick examples of how you can make a 'difficult' question much easier:
1) Describe something that you collect.
Most students panic because they don't collect anything. But this question is easier than you think. If your hobby is listening to music or reading books, just tell the examiner that you collect CDs or novels. You could talk about your \"collection\" of clothes or shoes. Everyone has a collection of something, even if you don't call yourself a collector.
2) Describe an important decision that you made.
Easy. Just talk about the subject you chose to study or the career you decided to pursue. If you moved to live/study in a different country, you could talk about that.
3) Describe an important letter you received.
Use the answer you gave for number 2 (with a few small changes). Talk about the letter you received confirming your place on a university course, or confirming a successful job application.
IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 descriptions
Here are some suggestions for ways to improve the sentences in yesterday's exercise:
1. The clock is very old.
= The clock is an antique; it's probably a collector's item.
2. It is big and made of wood.
= It is housed in a large wooden cabinet that stands nearly two metres tall.
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 11.08.49
(The kind of clock I'm describing)
3. It has been in my family for a long time.
= It has been in my family for several generations.
4. Everyone in my family likes the clock.
= We've all become quite attached to the clock; it's like part of the family.
5. I hope my parents will give it to me one day.
= The clock is a real family heirloom, so hopefully I'll inherit it one day.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a skill
Describe a practical skill that you have learnt (e.g. cooking, driving).
You should say
• what the skill is
• how you learnt it
• why you learnt it
• and how this skill has helped you.
Advice:
You need to make a quick decision, so I'd choose one of the given examples (cooking or driving). Then try to expand on each point.
1. I'm going to talk about driving, which is a practical skill that I use almost every day.
2. I learnt to drive a car by taking lessons when I was 17. My parents paid for me to have lessons with a professional driving instructor. I learnt by practising: first I had to get used to steering, changing gears and using the mirrors, then we practised things like reversing and parking. I also had to learn the highway code.
3. As a 17-year-old, I wanted to have the experience of driving a car, and I was fed up with having to walk or take the bus or train whenever I wanted to go somewhere. I also knew that driving would be an extremely useful skill.
4. Being able to drive has helped me in so many ways. The public transport where I live isn't very good, so I travel to work by car most days. Having a car makes my life much easier when it comes to things like shopping or visiting family and friends. (Last week, for example,...)
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an animal
Several students have asked me about this question:
Describe a wild animal from your country. You should say
• what the animal is and what it looks like
• where it lives
• and explain how people in your country (or you) feel about this animal.
You might not be able to copy my example because I've described an animal that is common in the UK. However, hopefully my description will give you some ideas.
1. I'm going to describe the 'robin' which is a wild bird that is common in the UK. The robin is a small bird with brown and white feathers and an area of bright red colour on it's face and on the front of its body. The area of red colour makes
robins very easy to distinguish from other birds.
2. Robins are common garden birds. Many houses in the UK have a garden, and you can often see this bird sitting in a tree. They make their nests in trees and go looking for food. You might also see a robin if you go for a walk in the countryside or in a park.
3. Robins have a special place in British culture. They are considered to be christmas birds, and are often used on christmas cards. Many people leave food in their gardens for robins and other small birds to eat.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an advertisement
Describe an interesting advertisement that you have seen. You should say:
• where you saw it
• what it was about
• why you think it was an interesting advertisement.
Choose something simple. Here's an example with the \"band 7\" vocabulary underlined:
1. I'm going to talk about an advertisement for Coca-Cola, which is one of the biggest brands in the world. I've seen Coke advertised everywhere, on posters and
TV commercials.
2. The advert shows a picture of Santa Claus smiling and holding a bottle of Coke. I think the aim is to target children and associate (link/connect) the brand with Christmas time. 3. The advert is interesting because the company is deliberately trying to influence and attract children. The marketers are trying to capture young customers. They are presenting the drink as something special, a gift for Christmas. However, Coca-Cola is not necessarily a healthy drink for children; it contains a lot of sugar. Maybe this kind of advertising manipulates children and encourages them to pester their parents.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a conversation
Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you didn't know. You should say
- who the person was
- where the conversation took place - what you talked about
- and explain why you found the conversation interesting.
Here's my sample (band 9) answer:
• I’m going to talk about an interesting conversation that I had a couple of
weeks ago in a music shop. I was walking along one of the main shopping streets in the city centre, when a large window displaying all sorts of musical instruments caught my eye. Out of curiosity, I decided to go in and have a look around.
• The person I ended up speaking to was a shop assistant on the second floor,
in the area of the shop dedicated to acoustic guitars. I hadn’t intended to speak to anyone, but the assistant approached me in a friendly way and asked whether I had any questions.
• I explained to the assistant that I hadn’t played the guitar for years, but that
I wondered what the differences were between the various acoustic guitars on show. He talked to me about the different makes and models, whether they were factory or hand made, the woods and varnishes used, the variation in sound quality, and of course the price range.
• I found the conversation fascinating because the shop assistant was so
knowledgeable. It was obvious that he had a passion for the guitar, and he didn’t mind talking to me even though I had made it clear that I didn’t intend to buy anything. He even picked up and played three or four of the instruments to demonstrate the differences in their sound.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an event
Describe a recent event that made you happy.
You should say:
• when and where it was
• who was involved
• what happened
• and explain why it made you happy.
The following description contains the kind of phrases that native speakers (like me) really use. I've underlined the best vocabulary.
1. When and where: my friend's birthday party, last Saturday evening, we went for a meal in an Italian restaurant.
2. Who: there were about 10 of us, he invited some close friends and work colleagues, most of them were people I've known since university. 3. What happened: we met at the restaurant, I gave my friend a present and a birthday card, we ordered some food, while we ate dinner everyone chatted, after the main course the waiter brought out a cake and we sang 'Happy Birthday', everyone went home quite late.
4. Why it made me happy: it was great to get together with old friends, I had some interesting conversations, it was a good opportunity to catch up with what my friends had been up to, it was a nice way to wind down after a hard week at work, the food was delicious, I went home feeling full after a fantastic meal.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a place
In part 2 of the speaking test, you might have to describe a place. There are several possible questions about places. For example:
1. Describe a place you have visited.
2. Describe a historic place.
3. Describe a holiday.
4. Describe a place you would like to visit.
5. Describe somewhere you have lived or would like to live.
My advice is to prepare a description of one place that you could use to answer all of these questions. Then search the Internet for some good vocabulary.
For example, here are some ideas I found to describe London:
• Adjectives: it's exciting, busy, hectic, cosmopolitan, multicultural, unique. It's
historic but modern at the same time, it's a thriving, prosperous city, it's fashionable, lively, fun...
• Activities: London is famous for its history, culture, art, museums. Tourists go
there to see Big Ben, The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square etc. You can get a fantastic view of the city from the 'London Eye'. It's also famous for its theatres and shows in the West End, its shops, restaurants and nightlife. There are endless things to see and do.
• Negatives: London is expensive, crowded, stressful, polluted. The
underground system is dirty, travel is overpriced and unpleasant. The cost of living is high (shopping, house prices etc.), the locals are always in a hurry and can be unfriendly, there are social problems (like you can find in most big cities).
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a person
Describe a person you admire. You should say:
• who the person is
• what he or she is like
• and why you admire him or her.
Here are some ideas. I've underlined the best vocabulary.
• I'm going to talk about my father because he has been a major influence in
my life.
• My father was always a good role model for me as I was growing up. He's
hard-working, patient and understanding; he's also got a good sense of humour and seems to get on well with everybody. Hopefully I've inherited some of these traits.
• I admire my father because I think he brought me and my brothers/sisters up
well; he was quite strict but always fair, and he has always been someone I can turn to for advice. I think my father set a good example by working hard and having a positive outlook on life. I remember that he used to leave for work early and come home quite late, but he always made time for me and my brothers/sisters.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: favourite season
Describe your favourite season in your country. You should say - when that season is
- what the weather is like at that time of year - how that season is different from other seasons
- and why it is your favourite season.
Here's my sample answer:
• My favourite season in England is winter. A typical English winter would last
around 4 or 5 months between November and March, but when I say that I like the winter, I’m really thinking about the coldest month or two each year.
• During those really wintry months, the temperature drops below zero and it
often snows. Over the last few years we’ve had periods of quite heavy snowfall, to the extent that roads have been blocked and schools have had to close. Last winter I remember looking out of the window one morning and seeing everything covered in a layer of white.
• Obviously the snow is what differentiates winter from the other seasons, but
when it doesn’t snow there isn’t much difference between winter, autumn and spring; winter is just a bit colder.
• The reason I’ve chosen winter as my favourite season is because I like the
snow. I live near the countryside, and the landscape looks beautiful when everything is covered in white. We also celebrate Christmas and New Year in the winter, and these are my favourite festivals.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an object
• Describe something you bought recently.
• Describe a gift you gave or received.
• Describe something you own which is important to you.
Choose something easy, like a mobile phone:
I'm going to describe my mobile phone. I bought it online / in a mobile phone shop / it was a present from...
I use the phone to keep in touch with friends and family, for communication by voice, text and email. It has various features like video, MP3 player, wireless Internet, digital camera and games. It's easy to share photos and music. I use it for almost everything, it even has a calendar that reminds me about appointments.
My phone is an essential part of my life. It holds my contacts, my photos, my music collection. I've got instant access to my favourite websites. It's like having my whole life in my pocket. I couldn't live without it.
IELTS Speaking: an important conversation
IELTS Speaking Part 2:
Describe an important conversation you had.
IELTS Speaking Part 3:
What are the differences between men's and women's conversations?
What do you think are the characteristics of a good speaker?
For the part 2 question:
My advice is to speak about a conversation you had with your father or mother about your education or career. If you are studying in a different country, describe a conversation about the decision to study abroad. Then you can use ideas from the 'study abroad' topic and the 'higher education' topic (you can find these topics in my Writing Task 2 lessons).
For the first question in part 3, my advice is to use 'stereotypes':
\"I think it depends on the people who are having the conversation, and it depends on the situation, but most people would say that men talk more about sport or cars, whereas women talk about their friends, family and relationships. Women are supposed to be better at expressing their feelings, while men prefer not to talk about themselves.\"
For the second question in part 3, use adjectives and examples:
\"I think good speakers are confident and passionate about the subject of their speech. They need to be interesting and engaging. I think a speaker's body
language is also really important. A famous example of a great speaker is Barack Obama; he seems to be a naturally inspiring speaker, but I'm sure that practice and preparation are more important than natural talent.\"
IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a lesson
Speak for 2 minutes about the following topic.
Describe an interesting lesson that you attended. You should say
• where you attended this lesson
• what it was about
• and why you found it interesting
Here are some ideas for a description of a science lesson:
1. I'm going to talk about an interesting science lesson that I attended at secondary school when I was 14 or 15 years old.
2. It was quite a long time ago, so I can't remember every detail, but the lesson was about respiration. We learnt about how the lungs work, how we breathe, and how oxygen passes into the blood. The science teacher also talked to us about the
effects of smoking on the lungs.
3. I found this lesson interesting because my science teacher, Dr. Smith, always introduced new topics by showing us a video. We watched a short film about how respiration works, and I found this much easier to understand than a science textbook. The film showed diagrams of the lungs to explain the breathing process. Later in the lesson we saw real photos of healthy lungs and lungs that had been damaged as a result of smoking; they had turned black. I think the image of a smoker's lungs is the reason why I remember this lesson.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: longer answers
Here are 3 techniques to help you give longer, more detailed answers:
1. Keep asking yourself \"why?\"
2. Explain the alternatives
3. Give an example
Question:
Do you think that school children should be encouraged to have their own ideas, or is it more important for them to learn what their teachers give them? Answer: I think that we should definitely allow children to be creative and have
their own ideas. (why?) Children need to develop the ability to think for themselves and solve problems (why?) because as adults they will not always have somebody to guide them or tell them what to do. (Alternatives?) If we don't allow children to have their own ideas, they will be less successful in the adult world; they will be too reliant on others. (Example?) A doctor, for example, might encounter a situation that he or she hasn't been trained for, but will still be expected to make a decision that could save someone's life.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: adding details
These are the 3 techniques I use to create longer, more detailed answers:
1. Explain why
2. Give an example
3. Explain the alternatives
Question:
Why do you think friendship is important?
Answer:
I think friendship is important for all sorts of reasons. (why?) We need friends to share experiences with, to talk to, and for support. (example?) In my case, I like
to meet up with friends at the weekend to do something enjoyable, like see a film or go out for dinner. I like chatting with my friends about what we've been doing during the week, or about what's happening in the world. (alternatives?) Without friends to talk to, life would be dull and boring; we would only have our families to talk to.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: longer answers
Do you remember my advice about how to give longer answers in part 3?
• Answer the question directly
• Ask yourself why or how (and explain in detail)
• Give an example
• Mention an alternative or opposite answer
• Do you think the seasons still influence people's behaviour?
• Yes, I do think the seasons affect how we behave. (how?) We still wear
different clothes depending on the weather, and clothes shops change what they sell according to the season. We also adapt our habits and daily routines according to the time of year. (example) For example, people in my country like to eat outside in their gardens in the summer, but we can't do that during the other seasons. (opposite) On the other hand, I don't think we notice the change in
seasons when it comes to food; the big supermarkets import food from around the world, so most people don't buy seasonal fruit and vegetables any more.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: add more detail
In this lesson I mentioned 3 techniques to help you give longer answers: ask yourself why, explain the alternatives, and give an example.
Most students have no problem with the first step (explaining why), but they aren't so good at giving alternatives or examples. Take the following question from last week's lesson for example.
Question:
In your opinion, are newspapers important?
Example student answer:
Yes, in my opinion newspapers are very important (why?) because they give us information about what is happening around the world. (why?) They are a vital source of knowledge about education, technology, medicine and many other fields.
This is a good start, but let's try to raise the answer to band 9 level.
Example answer with 'alternative' and 'example':
Yes, in my opinion newspapers are very important (why?) because they give us information about what is happening around the world. (why?) They are a vital source of knowledge about education, technology, medicine and many other fields. (alternative?) If newspapers didn’t exist, I think the quality of news coverage would suffer because there would be fewer professional journalists. (example?) We would have to rely, for example, on unpaid bloggers who do not have the budgets to carry out detailed research before they write an article.
IELTS Speaking: 'hospitality' topic
1. In your country, how do people treat visitors from abroad? I think we treat visitors well. People in the UK are very open-minded and welcoming, and we enjoy the mix of cultures that immigration and tourism bring. Most UK cities, for example, are really cosmopolitan, and you can meet visitors from every part of the world.
2. Do you think hospitality towards visitors is less important than it was in the past? In my city, maybe it’s true that hospitality is less important nowadays, but that’s only because we are so used to seeing visitors from different countries, so we treat it as a normal part of life and nothing too special.
3. What are the advantages of staying with a friend compared to staying in
a hotel when visiting a foreign country? If you stay with a friend, you benefit from someone with local knowledge of the best places to visit. You can also get to know the character and customs of the local people, and for me, this is one of the most interesting aspects of a visit to another country. On the other hand, if you stay in a hotel, you are forced to discover the new place on your own, so it’s more of an adventure.
IELTS Speaking: 'questionnaires' topic
IELTS speaking part 2:
Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a questionnaire.
Advice: Say that your were given a questionnaire at the end of one of your school or university courses. Say that the questions asked for your opinions about the teaching, materials, facilities, level of difficult, how much you enjoyed the course etc.
IELTS speaking part 3: What kinds of organisation regularly conduct questionnaires?
All kinds of organisations and companies use questionnaires to find out what people think about them. For example, university lecturers often ask their students
to answer questions about their courses. Someone from a Starbucks cafe stopped me in the street yesterday to ask me about my coffee drinking habits.
Do you think schools should ask children for their opinions about lessons?
On the one hand, it might be useful for teachers to get feedback from children about how much they learnt and how enjoyable they found the lessons. However, children don't necessarily know what's best for them, and it might do more harm than good to allow them to give opinions about their teachers.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: children's toys
Here are some questions related to last week's part 2 topic:
1. Do you think it's important for boys to play with \"boys' toys\" and for girls to only play with \"girls' toys\"?
I think boys naturally seem to prefer playing with \"boys' toys\" and girls with \"girls' toys\". When I was young I had toy cars, trucks, guns and things like that, whereas my sister always wanted to play with dolls. I don't suppose it really matters if a boy plays with a doll or a girl plays with a toy car, but children learn quickly what toys are supposed to be for boys and for girls.
2. Do you think it's good if parents only buy \"educational\" toys for their children?
No, I don't agree with only giving children educational toys. In my opinion, children learn by playing with whatever interests them. Children invent their own games, even if they don't have any toys at all. It's important for children just to have fun; there will be plenty of time for parents to worry about education when their children get older.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: status symbols
In part 3 of the IELTS speaking test you should try to give longer answers with opinions, reasons, comparisons and examples. Here are some example questions and answers related to last week's part 2 topic:
In your country, what possessions show a higher status or position in society? In my country, people who are wealthy tend to buy big houses and cars. Certain makes of car such as Mercedes or Ferrari are status symbols. They let other people know that you are important or powerful. People who want to give this impression often wear expensive designer clothes, or watches by brands like Rolex.
Do you think we place too much importance on possessions? Probably, yes. Some people are obsessed with showing off their new mobile phone or wearing the latest fashions. I think it's a problem for teenagers because there's a lot of peer pressure to follow fashion or buy the latest gadget that their
friends have got.
Do you think things were different 50 years ago? Yes, maybe people were less materialistic. I think they bought things that lasted longer; my grandparents talk about how they repaired things rather than throwing them away. Maybe brands and advertising weren't as powerful as they are now.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: How will the Internet affect our lives?
The \"perspectives technique\" for generating ideas (see 6th October) can also be useful in the IELTS speaking test. Here's an example:
How do you think the Internet will affect our lives in the future?
Personal perspective:
I think the Internet will have a huge impact on our lives. More and more people are using social websites to keep in touch with friends. I think the Internet will probably replace TV because most channels are already available online.
Economic perspective:
Also, I think we'll do more online shopping. Web-based companies like Amazon are already really successful. In the future, there will probably be more
companies that only sell via the Internet, and I expect we'll spend more money online than in traditional shops.
Educational perspective:
Schools and universities might also use the Internet to provide courses, so online learning will probably become a normal part of life.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: technology at work
1. What technology or equipment is used in most workplaces nowadays?
2. Does technology help workers, or does it make their lives more difficult?
3. What effect does new technology have on employment?
1. Advice: give a list of different technologies, and then talk about one in detail: In most workplaces people use equipment such as computers, phones, printers, fax machines and photocopiers. I think the computer is probably the most essential piece of equipment because we rely on it for almost everything:
communicating by email, writing reports, organising data, and finding information on the Internet.
2. Advice: talk about the positives AND the negatives:
Technology definitely helps workers because it makes many tasks so much easier. For example, email is such a useful tool for communication between employees in different offices, or even in different countries. On the other hand, technology can make life more difficult, especially when it goes wrong. It causes a lot of stress when the Internet is down or a computer crashes.
3. Advice: give the good effects AND the bad effects: I think technology is often responsible for people losing their jobs. Machines have replaced people in areas like manufacturing and agriculture, and whenever a new technology is introduced, there are redundancies. At the same time, jobs might be created thanks to a new technology; there would be no computer programmers if the computer hadn't been invented.
IELTS Speaking part 3: rivers, lakes, sea
1. What do you think are the functions of rivers nowadays?
Rivers have various functions. In the UK, they were probably more important in the past because they were used for the transportation of goods, but I suppose this is still the case in many parts of the world. Rivers can be used as a source of renewable energy in the production of hydro-electric power, and they are also a source of fresh water for drinking and irrigation. Leisure activities are another function: fishing, canoeing, swimming, bathing... I'm sure there are many other things I haven't thought of.
2. What do you think of boats and ships as forms of transportation?
I'm not really a fan of boats and ships. If I'm going abroad, I like to get to my destination quickly, so I prefer travelling by plane. Of course, ships are vital for the transportation of oil and other heavy cargo.
3. Why do some people like to live near rivers, lakes or the sea?
Well, the view is probably a major factor; most people like to look out to sea, or across a river or lake. I'd much prefer to look out of my window onto a natural landscape than an apartment building in a city. Then there's the lifestyle: if you live by the sea, for example, you can lie on the beach, go for a swim, or do water sports like surfing or waterskiing. I definitely wouldn't mind living near a beach at some point in my life!
Note:
These answers are less formal than the essays I write for the writing test, and I say things like \"probably\" or \"I suppose\" when I'm not sure about the facts.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: competitions
The following questions come from Cambridge IELTS 7. I've underlined some of the good words and phrases in my answers.
1. Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class
activities?
I think teachers use competitions to motivate the children in their classes. I'm sure that teachers try all kinds of activities to engage their pupils, and
competitions might be one of the best ways to keep children interested or get them excited. Children love winning things.
2. Is it a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?
It might be a good idea to encourage children to do well in games or sports, but I don't think we should give children prizes for their academic work. Children need to learn that the reason for studying is to learn useful things that will help them in their lives. I don't like the idea of children thinking that they will only work hard if there is a prize.
3. Would you say that schools for young children have become more or less competitive since you were that age? Why?
I'd say that they have become more competitive since I was young. Children now have to take exams from a much younger age, so I think there is more of a focus on doing well in tests. Parents also seem to be getting more competitive; I think that many parents push their children to do extra homework rather than letting them play with friends.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'emotions' topic
Do you think it’s good to show your emotions when you’re angry?
I think it depends on the situation and how you show your emotions. I find that if I’m angry with a friend or someone in my family, it’s best to tell them what the problem is and try to express how I feel. However, I don’t think it helps to argue with people when you’re angry; it’s better to control the anger and explain what’s wrong.
In your opinion, do women show their emotions more than men?
The stereotypical view is that women are more emotional, and in my
experience there is some truth in this; my mother, for example, tends to show her feelings much more readily than my father. However, I’m sure that there are exceptions to the stereotype.
Why do you think men tend to show their emotions less than women?
Maybe it’s because of the way we are brought up. I think that boys are often taught from an early age not to cry. Also, boys are aware that their friends might see it as a sign of weakness if they show their feelings. Perhaps girls are brought up to be more sensitive to their friends' feelings.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: verb tenses
In part 3 of the IELTS speaking test, you will probably get some questions
about the past and the future. The examiner will be listening carefully to make sure you use the correct tense.
• If the examiner mentions “50 years ago”, “when your parents were
young” or “when you were a child”, you should answer using the past simple.
• If the question asks you to predict, or if it mentions “in 50 years” or “in
the future”, use a future tense (will + infinitive).
Do you think people had easier lives 50 years ago?
Yes, maybe life was simpler and less stressful 50 years ago. The mobile phone didn’t exist, so I suppose it was easier to forget about work at the end of the day because people couldn't contact you so easily.
Do you think life will be more stressful in the future?
Yes, it probably will be more stressful. As the world gets smaller, employees will probably have to travel to different countries more often and stay in touch with colleagues and clients all over the world. There will also be more competition for jobs and the cost of living will keep going up. IELTS Speaking Part 3: leisure activities
Here are some questions that a student sent me, with example answers below.
1. What is the relationship between leisure and the economy?
Well, people spend a lot of money on all sorts of leisure activities nowadays, so I think leisure is a very important part of the economy of most countries. Leisure could be anything that people do in their free time, such as eating out, going to the cinema, watching a football match, or staying in a hotel. Millions of people are employed in these areas.
2. How does the economy benefit from people's leisure activities?
The leisure industry makes a huge contribution to the economy. As I said before, it keeps millions of people in employment, and all of these employees pay their taxes and have money to spend on other goods and services. At the same time, most people spend some of their earnings on leisure activities, and this money therefore goes back into the economy.
3. Do men and women enjoy the same type of leisure activities?
Yes and no. I think both men and women enjoy things like eating in
restaurants or going to the cinema, but I'm sure there are other activities that are more popular with one gender. For example, I think more men than women go to football matches.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'parties' topic
In part 2 of the speaking test you might be asked to describe a party. Here are some part 3 questions that could follow that topic:
1. What types of party do people have, and why are parties important?
People have parties to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or the beginning of a new year. I think it's important to celebrate these things because they are landmarks in our lives. Parties are a good way to bring people together, and they're an opportunity to let off some steam.
2. Why do you think some people like parties but others hate them?
Most people like parties because they have a good time at them - eating a nice meal, chatting to friends, or having a dance. People who don't like them might find social situations difficult because they are shy, or maybe they don't enjoy having to make small talk with people they don't know. 3. Do you think parties will become more popular in the future?
No, I don't think anything will change. People have always had parties, and I'm sure they always will in the future. Humans need to socialise and enjoy themselves, and parties are one of the best ways to do that.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: opinions
Having opinions is really important for IELTS Speaking Part 3. Even if your
grammar is excellent, you will not get a high score if you don't know what to say.
For example, do you have an opinion about whether governments should protect old buildings?
Here are some possible opinions:
• Historic buildings are part of a country’s heritage.
• Old buildings are often considered to be works of art.
• They give character to cities, and attract tourists.
• We identify countries by architectural symbols, like the pyramids in Egypt.
• Governments should spend money on looking after historic buildings.
• They need regular repairs and maintenance.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'wildlife' topic
Here are some Part 3 questions and band 9 answers for this topic. I've underlined the 'band 7-9' vocabulary.
What effects do you think humans have on wild animals?
Humans have a huge impact on wild animals. We have destroyed a lot of natural habitats, and many animals are in danger of extinction. Tigers and rhinos, for example, are endangered species because of humans. The pollution and waste that we produce also have an effect on animals. In some places there are no fish in the rivers.
What measures could we take to protect wildlife?
I think we need stricter rules to protect natural areas and the wild animals that live there. For example, we should stop cutting down trees in the rain forest. National parks are a good idea because they attract tourists while protecting wildlife.
Is it the responsibility of schools to teach children about protecting wildlife?
Yes, schools can play a big part in educating children about this issue. Children should learn how to look after the natural environment. I think schools already teach children about endangered species and the destruction of rain forests, so hopefully future generations will do a better job of protecting wildlife.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: sports
In the example answers below, I've underlined some of the phrases that examiners would like. They might seem easy to understand, but they are the kind
of natural phrases that native speakers use. My answers are at band 9 level.
1. Why do you think sport is important?
I think sport is important for different reasons. For me, doing a sport is about having fun. When I play football, for example, I forget about everything else and just enjoy myself. Also, doing a sport helps you to keep fit and healthy, and it's a good way to socialise and make friends. 2. Do you think famous sportspeople are good role models for children?
I think that sportspeople should be good role models. Children look up to their favourite football players, like David Beckham for example, so I think that these people have an enormous responsibility. They should try to be a good influence, and behave in the right way.
3. Do you agree that sports stars earn too much money?
In my opinion, it's fair that the best sportspeople earn a lot of money. Being a top sportsperson requires hours of practice, and there are millions of sports fans who are willing to pay to see them play. If we don't want sportspeople to earn so much money, we shouldn't go to watch them.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'lessons' topic
The following answers are at 'band 9' level. Which words and phrases help my
answers to get such a high score?
1. What do you think makes a good lesson?
I think a good lesson is one that is interesting and engaging. By 'engaging' I mean that the students should feel involved in the lesson; they should feel that they are learning something new that is relevant to them. In my opinion, a lot depends on how the teacher delivers the content of the lesson in a way that students like. My favourite teacher at university used to involve the students by making us teach some of the lessons ourselves.
2. Do you think it's better to have a teacher or to teach yourself?
Well, there's no substitute for a good teacher. I think you can teach yourself, but you can learn a lot more quickly with the guidance of a teacher. For example, when learning a language, you really need someone to correct your mistakes; you can get the grammar and vocabulary from books, but books can't tell you where you're going wrong.
3. Do you think the traditional classroom will disappear in the future?
I don't think it will disappear, but it might become less common. I think more people will study independently, using different technologies rather than sitting in a classroom. Maybe students will attend a lesson just once a week, and spend the rest of their time following online courses or watching video lessons.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: common question types
Here are 3 common question types that the examiner could ask you:
1. Compare and contrast.
2. Give an opinion.
3. Imagine.
If the topic is 'cities', the examiner could ask:
1. How is life different in cities compared to rural areas?
2. How do you think life in big cities could be made easier?
3. What do you think cities will be like in 50 years time?
In my answers below I've underlined a few 'markers' that show comparisons, opinions and future predictions.
1. Firstly, the cost of living in cities is much higher. Housing is much more expensive in cities compared to rural areas; everything costs more. I think life in cities is more difficult. There are more people, so there's more competition for jobs. Life is a lot slower in rural areas, everyone knows each other and there's a sense of community. I don't think rural areas experience the social problems that you find in
cities, like crime and homelessness.
2. In my opinion cities need to be well-planned. Good public transport can definitely make life easier because there are so many people and it can be really stressful just to move around. Public areas like parks are also important because people need space to relax, and I think cities should be made into healthier places to live and work.
3. I imagine cities will be less polluted because we'll have electric cars and better public transport. More people might work from home so maybe cities won't be so busy. But I think there will probably still be problems because more and more people are migrating to cities. So I'm not so optimistic about issues like crime, homelessness and unemployment.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: explain, alternative, example
In part 3 of the speaking test, you need to give longer, detailed answers. A good way to do this is by organising your answers according to the following steps:
1. Idea: answer the question directly.
2. Explain: give a reason or explain your answer in more detail.
3. Alternative: explain an alternative (e.g. the opposite) to your answer.
4. Example: give an example to support your answer.
5. Another idea: sometimes you think of another idea while you are speaking. Just add it on the end of your answer.
You can give a really good answer without including all five steps, but you might find it useful to practise including all five, as I've done here:
Why do you think some people prefer to buy products from their own countries rather than imported items?
(idea) I suppose it’s because those people want to support the economy of
the country they live in. (explain) If they buy something that was made in their own country, they know that they are contributing to the salaries of workers within the same country, (alternative) whereas if they buy imported items, a foreign company and its employees will benefit. (example) For example, if I buy some meat that originates from a local farm rather than a farm in another country, I’m helping one of my fellow citizens to carry on in business. (another idea) Also, I think that trust is an issue; people might feel that they can trust domestically produced items more than imported ones
IELTS Speaking Part 3: comparing past and present
In part 3 of IELTS speaking, you might be asked to compare the past with the present. The examiner will be listening to your use tenses. For example:
Are there any differences between the types of people who were seen as celebrities in the past and those who are celebrities nowadays?
Yes, I think there have been some big changes in the types of people who become famous. In the past, before the invention of television, I suppose there were very few national or international celebrities; maybe kings and queens, military, political and religious leaders were the only household names. With the advent of TV and radio, performers such as actors and musicians became more well-known. However, we now seem to have a completely new breed of celebrity as a result of 'reality' television programmes; these are people who don't really have any special skills as performers, but who are famous for just being themselves IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'politeness' topic
Two weeks ago I showed you a part 2 question about a situation in which you were polite. Let's have a look at some related questions for part 3 of the test:
In your country’s culture, how do you show that you are being polite?
We really value politeness and good manners in the UK, and there are many types of polite behaviour. One of the first things we learn as children is to say \"please\" and \"thank you\". As adults, I think we are careful not to be too direct in the language we use. For example, we would never say \"Bring me the bill\" in a restaurant because this kind of direct instruction would sound rude. It would be much more polite to say \"Could we have the bill, please?\".
Are we less polite with members of our families than with people we don’t know?
I suppose it's normal to be a bit more relaxed about politeness with family members. Most people tend to speak in a more informal way at home; in the UK, we still say \"please\" and \"thankshings like nicknames that you would never use with someone you didn't know.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'history' topic
1. What do you think we can learn by studying events of the past?
I think we can learn a lot by studying history. Just as individual people learn from their mistakes, societies can learn from the mistakes made by previous governments or leaders. For example, from what I've read in the newspapers, many economists are looking back to the time of the Great Depression, around 80 years ago, in order to understand the financial crisis that is currently affecting many countries around the world. Even if we don't always learn from mistakes, I think it's fascinating to study history because it gives us an insight into who we are and where we come from.
2. What important events do you think might take place in the future?
It's really difficult to predict what will happen in the future; most of the big, historic events of the past would have been impossible to foresee. For example, I
don't think that anyone living 100 years ago could have imagined that people would one day walk on the moon! If I had to guess what might happen in the future, I'd like to think that scientists will invent cures for diseases like cancer, and we'll all live longer.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: questions about the future
When the examiner asks a question like the one below, you know that you are being tested on your ability to express ideas in the future tense.
How do you think the design of homes will change in the future?
Example answer:
I don't think there will be much change in terms of what houses look like from the outside. In this country, people still like traditional brick or stone houses. Having said that, the design of apartment blocks will probably continue to develop, with more and more experimental or futuristic buildings made of glass and metal. I imagine that it will be the insides of homes that change the most; houses will no doubt be full of technological devices to make our lives easier. Maybe we'll have things like voice-controlled doors, lights and appliances.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: more long answers
What do you think are the most important qualities for friends to have?
Maybe the most important things are that friends need to share common interests and be honest with each other. (why?) Friends are people we spend a lot of time with, so it definitely helps if they enjoy doing the same activities or talking about the same topics as we do, and of course we need to be able to trust our friends, so honesty is vital for a good friendship. (alternatives / example?) I think I would struggle to become friends with someone who didn’t have anything in common with me, or who wasn’t reliable or trustworthy.
How important do you think it is for a person to spend some time alone?
I’d say that it’s essential to spend a bit of time alone, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. (why?) When you have a few minutes to yourself, it’s a chance to take stock and reflect on things. (why?) Most of us live such busy lives that our brains need time to catch up every now and then. (example / alternatives?) Personally, I try to have a bit of “me time” every day; I’ll go for a coffee or find a quiet place to sit and read the newspaper. If I never had any time alone, I think I’d go mad!
IELTS Speaking Part 3: make it personal
In part 3 of IELTS speaking, it really helps if you give personal examples:
1. Do you think it's important for people to have hobbies? Why?
Yes, I think people need to have hobbies because we all need to do things we
enjoy in our spare time. In my case, I find that playing football once a week with some friends helps me to relax, keep fit and forget about work. I think it's the same for everyone.
2. Can hobbies have any negative effects?
Yes, if you spend too much time on your hobby, it can affect other parts of your life. I remember that one of my friends spent most of his time at university playing computer games instead of studying. In the end, he failed most of his exams.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: \"it depends\"
Many students answer questions in IELTS speaking part 3 by saying \"it depends\".
\"It depends\" is not a full answer. What does it depend on, and why?
Example question:
Do you think it's important to find a job that you love, or is it more important to earn a good salary?
Don't say:
\"It depends. Some people prefer to find a job they love, but other people want
to earn a good salary.\" (This answer just repeats the question)
Do say:
\"Personally, I'd prefer to do a job that I really enjoy; as long as I earn enough to live comfortably, the salary is less important. However, I can see the benefits of doing a job that you don't like if it pays well. With a good salary, you can probably do more enjoyable things in your free time.\"
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