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Here are some more examples for IELTS speaking part 1. Remember to give short, easy, direct answers.

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 2: artist or entertainer

The following question is a variation on the "describe a person" topic.

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 gigand 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 admirepeople 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 1: clothes

In part 1 of the IELTS speaking test, you will have to answer some easy questions on 2 different topics. You should give short, simple answers. Here are some example questions and answers for the topic of '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 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

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: '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 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.

I could also give more information about the teacher, his personality and why I liked him. The key is to tell a story and add details until the time runs out.

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 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 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 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 2: describe a law

Students tend to worry about 'difficult questions', but questions are often much easier than they seem. For example:

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 go to school 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: 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: something naughty you did

This has been a recent question in part 2 of IELTS speaking:

Describe something naughty you did when you were a child. Say

- 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: work or study

These are common questions at the start of the speaking test:

1. Do you work or are you a student?

2. Do you like your job / course? Why / why not?

Example answers:

1. Before I came to England I was working as an accountant, but at the moment I'm studying English because I hope to do a Master's here.

2. Yes, I really like my job because it's interesting and I work with a great team of people. OR: Yes, I enjoy studying English, but my real aim is to do a Master's and then find a job in an international company.

Note:
Don't ask the examiner: "Do you mean in my country or here in England?" - it doesn't matter. Don't worry if you have a job and study at the same time - you can mention both.

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,...)

Note:
If you need to keep speaking, give examples for point 4.

IELTS Speaking: if you don't know the answer

How do you answer a question when you don't know anything about the topic?
There are 2 things you can do:

1. Be honest and explain why you don't know

2. Guess, and tell the examiner that you are guessing

Example question:

How has technology affected the kinds of music that are popular with young people?

My answer, using both tips above:

(1) To be honest I don't really know the answer to that because I'm completely out of touch with what young people are listening to, and I'm not a fan of pop music.
(2) However, I suppose that technology must have affected music. Maybe young people are listening to music that has been made using computer software instead of real musical instruments like the piano or guitar.

Note:
Can you see any "band 7 vocabulary" in my answer?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: present, past, future

In part 3 of the speaking test, it's common to get questions about the past and future, as well as questions about 'now'. Here are some examples:

What types of transport are there in your town?

In Manchester I think you can find every form of transport apart from an underground system. You can drive around the city by car or get on a bus; there are even free buses that take people between the train stations. Manchester also has a tram system, and of course there are taxis too.

How has transport changed since your grandparents were young?

Well, they had cars, trains and planes back then, and London already had the underground system, but I suppose the difference is that technology has moved on. Having said that, the transport system is not necessarily better nowadays; people travel a lot more, and I'm sure we spend more time stuck in traffic.

What types of transport do you think we will use in the future?

I'm not sure, but hopefully we'll have cars that drive themselves and never crash. I think we'll probably fly more, and it might become normal to have your own plane. On the other hand, many cities are building more bicycle lanes, so maybe we will use cars less for getting around towns and cities.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 1-minute preparation

This week I've been thinking about different ways to use the 1-minute preparation time. Here's what I've learnt:

1. One minute is a very short amount of time! I found it just as difficult as my students did.

2. A simple list is probably faster and easier than a diagram or mind map.

3. You need to decide on your topic as quickly as possible. Then spend most of your time making notes.

4. Try to write at least one key idea for each part of the question.

5. Don't write sentences, and don't waste time erasing "mistakes".

6. Try to use a topic you have already prepared.

7. Forget about grammar. Focus on answering the question.

8. Finally, fast preparation is a skill that you can practise. Why not train yourself by making notes for a few different questions every day?

The following photo shows a part 2 question with my notes below. As you can see, I couldn't write much in 1 minute, but I followed the advice above.

IELTS Speaking: using the 1-minute preparation time

Martin asked a great question: "What's the best way to use the 1-minute preparation time in part 2 of the speaking test?"

I must admit, I don't have a good answer to this question (yet). I'm going to try some different approaches with my students this week - hopefully I'll find some answers.

If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to share them in the "comments" area. I'll share my ideas on Friday.

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?

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 Speaking Part 2: use what you know

Don't worry if you get a question that you haven't prepared for. You can usually use ideas that you prepared for a different topic. For example:

Describe a piece of advice that you gave (or that someone gave you)

Why not say that you advised your friend to visit London? Then you could use all the good vocabulary from this lesson.

Or, you could use this lesson to talk about advice that your father gave you. For example, say that your father told you to work hard. Then you could use great vocabulary such as 'major influence', 'hard-working', 'role model', 'set a good example', 'positive outlook on life'.

Think quickly during the one-minute preparation time: What can I use that I've already prepared?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a foreign person

Jay sent me this interesting IELTS question:

Describe a foreign person that you like. You should say:

- where you met him/her
- why you like him/her
- and explain what you learnt from him/her

Some advice:

1. The easy choice would be to describe an English teacher. You could then talk about your lessons and easily explain what you learnt.

2. I think it would be acceptable to describe someone you have never met. Just say "I've never met the person I'm going to describe, but I hope to meet him/her one day".

3. If you do number 2 above, choose your hero. It's best to choose someone you know a lot about. Give as much real information as possible. Do some Google research to get ideas.

Finally, remember that this is a "describe a person" question. Hopefully you can use some of the ideas from this lesson.

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/sistersup 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 alwaysmade time for me and my brothers/sisters.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'dancing' topic

How do you answer questions about a topic that you are not interested in? For example, many people have no interest in dancing, so what should they say?

My advice: just tell the truth. It's fine to say you don't like something. Read my examples below:

1. Do you like dancing?

No, I don't like dancing. I'm not a big music fan, and dancing just makes me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.

2. Has anyone ever taught you to dance?

No, I've never been interested in learning to dance, so I've never taken any lessons or asked anyone to show me how to do it.

3. Do you think that traditional dancing will be popular in the future?

I'm afraid I have no idea because I don't follow what's happening in the dancing world! I suppose it will always be popular with some people.

Note:
The above answers are all at band 9 level.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: work

Here are some example questions with good answers (band 9).

1. Do you work or are you a student?

I’m a qualified doctor, but at the moment I’m studying English so that I can work in this country.

2. Do you enjoy your job?

Yes, I really enjoy my job. Ever since I was a child I have always wanted to be a doctor; I’ve always wanted to be able to help people.

3. What's the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is that I can make a difference in people’s lives. It’s a great feeling to see someone recover after an illness because my colleagues and I were able to help.

4. Do you prefer working alone or with others? Why?

In a hospital you have to work as part of a team. I’ve got used to working with others, and I think you can achieve a lot more as a team than you would alone.

IELTS Speaking: add detail

Many students worry too much about grammar. For speaking parts 2 and 3, it's more important to worry about the quality of your answers. The best way to improve the quality of your answers is by adding detail.

Example:
Describe your best friend. Say when you met him/her.

Short answer about when we met:
I met my best friend at school when I was 11 years old.

Detailed answer about when we met:
I met my best friend at school when I was 11 years old, so we've known each other for ... years. I remember we sat next to each other in my first science lesson at secondary school, and we had to work together to do an experiment. We got on straight away, and we've been friends ever since.

Notice that by adding more information I've also used more/better vocabulary and grammar.

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 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 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 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, 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 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.

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 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?

Here are some answers using ideas from this week's lessons:

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 2: example presentation

Watch this YouTube video of a student doing IELTS speaking part 2.

These are his good points:

· He speaks clearly. His pronunciation is good.

· He answers the questions.

· He sometimes corrects his own small mistakes.

These are some of the sentences he uses:

· When I was very young she told me to smile to people (should be 'atpeople').

· She treat everyone equally. (should be 'treats')

· I was really shy when I was young and I rarely talked to strangers, so she gave me this advice to teach me how to deal with people.

· It can increase my confidence and people will have a good impression onme. (should be 'impression of me')

As you can see, there are some small mistakes but also some good words and phrases (treat equally, I rarely talked, gave me advice, deal with people, increase my confidence, have a good impression).

What score do you think he deserves?

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 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 advertisingmanipulates children and encourages them to pester their parents.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: friends

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 3: verb tenses

In IELTS speaking part 3 the examiner often asks a question about the past and a question about the future. Be careful: the examiner is listening to your grammar! You need to show that you can use past, present and future tenses correctly. Here are some example questions:

1. Did people have more free time when your grandparents were young?

2. Do you think the hobbies people have will be different in the future?

In the first answer, the examiner wants to hear some past tense verbs. In the second answer, you will need to use a future tense. Here are some example answers:

1. When my grandparents were young, I think they had less leisure time. They didn't have the gadgets we use nowadays, so they probably spentmore time doing simple things. For example, nowadays we can cook meals in a microwave in less than 5 minutes, whereas in the past peoplehad to cook everything themselves.

2. No, I don't think hobbies will change much in the future. I'm sure peoplewill still play games and sports. On the other hand, maybe the Internet is changing the way we spend our free time. In the future, more and more people might have online hobbies.

IELTS Speaking: describe a website (band 7-9)

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 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 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 2: describe an object

In IELTS speaking part 2, you might be asked to describe an object. For example:

· 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.

Note:
I've underlined the best phrases for IELTS band 7 or higher.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: short, simple answers

The first part of the IELTS Speaking Test lasts around 4 to 5 minutes. The examiner asks about 10 questions related to you, your daily life and your interests. Common topics are hobbies, family, friends, food, music etc.

Part 1 questions are supposed to be easy, and the examiner must get through all of the questions in 5 minutes or less. That's only about 30 seconds per question. If you try to give long answers, the examiner will interrupt you. My advice is to keep Part 1 answers very simple:

Do you prefer home-cooked food or food from restaurants?

I prefer home-cooked food because I think it's healthier and you know exactly what you're eating. I also enjoy cooking for family and friends.

You don't need to say any more than this. Just answer the question with a full sentence, give a reason, and maybe add one extra piece of information. Then stop speaking. Stop with confidence and look at the examiner, ready for the next question.

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: describe a toy

Below, you can read an example description of a toy (for IELTS speaking part 2). See yesterday's lesson for the full question.

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.

Don't just read this description once. Spend some time analysing it:

· Is the description well-organised and easy to follow?

· Can you find any good 'band 7' words or phrases?

· Could you write a similar description for a different toy?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: sport

Some students worry about the 'sport' topic because they don't do any sports. Today's example answers are for those students. Remember to give short, direct answers.

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 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 50 years time?
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 2: food

In IELTS speaking part 2, you might be asked to describe some special food or a special meal you ate recently.

Choose a type of food that is special in your country. Describe the food and explain why it is popular. Then invent a story about the last time you ate this food.

For example, I'd describe the "Full English Breakfast". It's easy to describe what this meal consists of (bacon, eggs, sausages etc.). I'd explain that it is a famous traditional breakfast in the UK, although most people don't eat it every morning nowadays. I'd say that I recently had a full cooked breakfast in a hotel, which I was staying in after a friend's wedding party.

So, choose your food or meal. Think about how you would describe it, and think of a story about when you last ate it.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: competitions

The following questions come from Cambridge IELTS 7, page 80. I've given an example answer for each.

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. Do you think it is 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 2: describe a hobby (photography)

"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: favourite 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 Godfatherto 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 1: laughing

The following questions are taken from Cambridge IELTS 7, page 55. Remember, the aim in Speaking Part 1 is to give short, simple answers. Try not to hesitate, and try to avoid making mistakes. Don't think 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: the fastest way to improve

Recently, I've had a lot of questions from students about 'complex grammar'. Personally, I think it's much easier to improve your vocabulary score than your grammar score.

Remember:

· Grammar is only 25% of your speaking score.

· If you are thinking too much about grammar, you will lose fluency.

· If you try to use memorised grammatical structures, the examiner will know, and your speech will not sound 'natural'.

· You will not avoid small grammar mistakes unless you have lived in an English speaking country for many years.

I've taught many students who have achieved a score of 7.5 or higher, and they all made small grammar mistakes. They got their high scores because we focused on vocabulary, ideas, opinions and fluency.

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.

· New buildings should be designed to complement them.

These opinions come from my 'Ideas for IELTS Topics' ebook. The sentences above are what a native speaker might say (i.e. higher than band 9).

PS. Of course, you would need to link the ideas together.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'wildlife' topic

Last week we looked at a description of a wild animal for IELTS Speaking Part 2. After that, the examiner might ask you some general questions about wildlife.

Here are some Part 3 questions and example answers for this topic:

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 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 1: your 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 3: 'sports' discussion

In this week's IELTS Writing lesson, we looked at the 'sports' topic. This is also a common topic in part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test:

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 a big 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.

Question: Tell me about your family.
Better Answer: In China today, a majority of families have three members, and my family is no exception.

Note: This sentence is built with three parts. First is the place, China. Second is the situation, many families with three people. Third is this person's family.

Question: What is your hometown like?
Better Answer: Although my hometown is not very famous, it has several advantages that make it a great place to live.

Question: How do you feel about your job?
Better Answer: Although you might not believe it, I really enjoy my job every day.

Question: What do you dislike about your classes?
Better Answer: When I think about how hard my classes, I feel like quitting, which is one reason I've decided to go abroad.
Note: The question is about a feeling and the answer is about a feeling. Good!

Question: What do you want to do in the future?
Better Answer: I first thought about being a lawyer when I was a child, and now, after many long years of study, it seems my dream will become reality.
Note: Excellent! Compare the past dream with the present hard work to show the bright future!

Question: What do you do in your free time?
Better Answer: If I ever had free time, I would probably do many different things, including playing sports, listening to music, and going out with my friends.
Note: Good examples.

Question: Tell me about a typical day in your life..
Better Answer: After resting all night, I wake up every morning looking forward to a new day.

Question: What will you do when you go abroad?.
Better Answer: If I am able to get a visa, I hope to learn about Computer Science in Brisbane, Australia, so that I can come back to China and work for a successful local company.

Question: What are some typical jobs that people do in your country?
Better Answer: One of the biggest industries in China is agriculture, so there are a large number of people working as farmers.

Question: Tell me about a celebration or festival in your country.
Better Answer: When winter is coming to an end, which means a new spring is not far behind, and that is when we in China have our largest celebration of the year, the Spring Festival.

Question: Do you like to go shopping?
Better Answer: When I think of shopping, I think of all the crowds, all the difficult choices, and all the money I will have to spend, so I hate to go shopping.

part 1-Introduction
1.Hello. Could you show me your identification card please?
Hello. Sure, here you are.

2. Could you tell me your full name please?
My full name is XXX. I am also called by my English name, which is XXX.

3. What shall I call you?
You could call me XXX.

4. How are you?
I am well thank you, and yourself?

5. How old are you?
I am 22 years old. In other words, I was born in 1980. On the eight of March 1980, to be exact.

6. Does your name have any special meaning? ( 5 - 6 )
Yes, my name does have some special meaning. My family name means peace, and my first name means strong one. My English name was given to me by one of my high school teachers, and it does not have any special meaning really.

6. Does your name have any special meaning? ( 7 - 8 )
I presume you are referring to my Chinese name. Yes, the English equivalent of my family name would be something like peace, and in the case of my first name it would be strong one. My English name was randomly chosen by one of my high school teachers, and it really doesnt have any special meaning.

7. Is your name important to you? ( 5 - 6 )
No. I dont think it can do anything for me. I believe a person has to work out his own life. I am planning to do this as well as I can.

7. Is your name important to you? ( 7 - 8 )
Not really. I am part of the new generation who do not attach too much significance to our names. Names were important to the older generation as they of the opinion that it will determine your destiny to some extent. However, I personally believe that I myself will determine my destiny irrespective of what my name is. I will do this by acquiring good qualifications and by working hard.

part 2-hometown
8. Where do you come from? ( 5 - 6 )
8. How long have you lived in your hometown? ( 5 - 6 )
I come from xxx. My parents have been living here for the past thirty years or so. I grew up here and I attended a well-known school called School number 163. We live in a nice area with many shops, restaurants, and other businesses.

8. Where do you come from? ( 7 - 8 )
8. How long have you lived in your hometown? ( 7 - 8 )
I come from xxx. My parents have been living here for the past thirty years or so. I grew up here and I attended a well-known school called School number 163. We live in a respectable area with many shops, restaurants, and a variety of other businesses. The people in our building are generally friendly and quite, which makes it a pleasure to live there.

9. Where do you live? ( 5 - 6 )
I live with my parents here in xxx at the moment. To be more exact, we live in an apartment building in one of the northern suburbs of the city. I have my own room and enjoy the privacy that it brings, but I am looking forward to the day that I can have my own apartment. Allow me to explain: they are good parents, and I love them very much, but I would like to be more independent soon.

9. Where do you live? ( 7 - 8 )
Well, that is not so easy to answer. Please allow me to explain. During the week I live in a dormitory at the university, but over weekends I live with my parents in a village about one hour by car from xxx. So I really do not know which of the two to call my home at the moment.

10. Can you tell me something about your hometown? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes, certainly. xxx is in the northeast part of my country, and the capital of the xxx province. It has about three million inhabitants. It has many heavy industries such as automobile, aircraft, and machine tool manufacturers. In addition, it is rich in history. For example, the xxx invaded the city and committed many atrocities (that is to say many crimes) during the occupation. This is still remembered by many of the elderly folks to this day. Another example that I could mention is the Imperial Palace that belonged to the last dynasty .

11. Can you tell me about some famous landscapes in your hometown? ( 5 - 8 )
11. Can you tell me about some famous scenic spots in your hometown? ( 5 - 8 )
11. What are the main places of interest in your hometown? Why? ( 5 - 8 )
11. What places should foreigners visit in your hometown? Why? ( 5 - 8 )
Sure. Firstly, I could mention the Great River, which you will find around the city. To the northeast of the city there is the famous Mountains and the zoological park and botanical gardens. In summer it is a popular place to visit and see tigers, bears, wolves, other animals and even pandas in their natural environment. In winter we often go skiing there. Secondly, I would like to mention the Park. It consists of a large park, with many gardens and a lake. In addition it also is the site of an emperors tomb from the Dynasty. Lastly, there are many other sites that are worthwhile visiting. For example, Government (City Hall) Square with the Great Theater alongside it, Java Square, and the spectacular TV Tower, which is the highest architectural attraction in my country.

12. What places in your hometown do you like best? ( 5 - 8 )
There are many places that I like. If I had to choose one place, I would like to tell you about Government Square. Firstly, it is the largest square . What I mean is that it is a large open space where one can see the sky clearly, and feel free. Secondly, it houses an important government building. I guess you could call it the City Hall.

13. What are the main crops in your region? ( 5 - 6 )
In our region many crops are grown. For example one would find all kinds of vegetables in the fields of this region. In addition, many farmers have orchards. Here they grow many kinds of fruit like apples, pears, and peaches.

13. What are the main crops in your region? ( 7 - 8 )
In our region many crops are grown. For example one would find all kinds of vegetables in the fields of this region. In addition, many farmers have orchards. Here they grow many kinds of fruit like apples, pears, and peaches. Lastly, it is important to note that it is not known for its agriculture. It is better known as an industrial city. For example, here are many heavy industries manufacturing anything from aircraft and automobiles to machine tools.

14. What is the difference between your hometown and other cities(such as Hong Kong)? ( 5 - 6 )
The main difference between my hometown and Hong Kong is the climate. For example, there they have a tropical climate. That is to say that it is very hot and humid. Here in my hometown we have cold winters and hot summers. Secondly, My hometown is an industrial city, whereas Hong Kong is more a financial center. That is to say, here we have many factory workers, or to be more exact, family-orientated workers who are not very wealthy, and in Hong Kong there are many tycoons, millionaires, and wealthy people.

14. What is the difference between your hometown and Hong Kong? ( 7 - 8 )
The main difference between my homnetown and Hong Kong is the climate. For example, there they have a tropical climate. That is to say that it is very hot and humid. Here in my hometown we have cold winters and hot summers. Although cities like Toronto,New York, are larger than my hometown , they all are bustling with industrial and cultural activities. Maybe Hong Kong is an exception, as it is better known as one of the most important financial capitals of the world.

15. What are the people like in your hometown? ( 5 - 6 )
15. Can you tell me something about the character of the people in your hometown? ( 5 - 6 )
Well, they arent any different from the people in any other large city. For example, here we also have good and bad people. Secondly, like everyone else, they are trying to work out a good life for themselves and their children. Forexample, parents are trying all they can to ensure that their children receive a good education.

15. What are the people like in your hometown? ( 7 - 8 )
15. Can you tell me something about the character of the people in your hometown?
Well, they arent any different from the inhabitants in any other large city. For example, here we also have many wholesome families as well as our share of criminal elements in the society. In addition, I believe that my hometown has not been westernized to the same extent as a city like Hong Kong. For example, the people have not become materialistic to the same extent as the inhabitants of Hong Kong. In other words, in my hometown you would still find many good old-fashioned (traditional) people who have strong principles and values about many aspects of life.

Part 3-present situation (student)

16. Are you a student or do you have a job? ( 5 - 8 )
I am a student at the moment. I am studying English on a full-time basis at a Language School here . We have classes in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Wednesday afternoons we are off, and are allowed to go swimming at a nearby hotel. We have a number of foreign teachers who assist us in the correct pronunciation and grammar of the language.

16. Are you a student or do you have a job? ( 5 - 8 )
I have a job. I am working in a workshop of a large manufacturing plant at the moment. I graduated from high school two years ago, and went to work immediately. I am an assistant to one of the automotive electricians in the workshop. I have to assist my artisan in getting his jobs done. For instance, I have the responsibility to see that are the tools are in good order, and that the workshop is always kept clean and tidy.

17. What do you like most about your studies? ( 5 - 8 )
Well, I guess the speaking part. Please allow me to explain. Language is all about communication. So when I am able to communicate with someone in English, I feel that I have achieved something. I particularly like our free talk sessions with the foreign teachers. It gives me the opportunity to question them about their countries and cultures.

18. What is your major? ( 5 - 8 )
As I have been studying on a full-time basis at an English Language School, we have only one subject, namely English for Academic Purposes called EAP. We do reading and writing, practical speaking, and listening by means of cassettes. English is the language of the future, especially in the business world. What I mean to say is that when I am able to communicate well in English I will not only be able to go and study abroad and improve my qualifications, but also have mastered a very necessary tool for my future career.

19. Which is the best university in your country? ( 5 - 8 )
Thats an interesting question. Allow me to explain my personal view by shortly mentioning the following points: I believe that the xxx University is the best University in the country. For example, it has the highest percentage of students passing their courses of all the universities in my country.

20. Describe your study habits? ( 5 - 8 )
I have well established study habits. For example, I always start promptly at eight in the evenings. I study for two hours, have a ten-minute break, and the study for another two hours. I follow this habit from Mondays to Fridays, but over the weekends I put in more hours. For example, I study in the mornings and afternoons, and then take the evenings off to relax with my family or friends.

21. Do you think your present subjects are relevant? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes. Allow me to explain myself by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, we often use case studies in class. What I mean is that the professor gives us examples from real life to examine and report on. Secondly, our lecturers and some advisors from the relevant industries have set up our study material. What I mean to say is that the people who we are going to work for one day have had the opportunity to tell the university what they think we should be taught.

22. What kind of job would you prefer after graduation? ( 5 - 8 )
I would like to become a medical doctor. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, I would like to render a service in the community to which I will eventually belong. For example, I would like to assist the elderly that do not have the financial means to afford private hospitals.

23. What are your job prospects? ( 5 - 8 )
I am planning to become a Hotel Manager. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, I believe that the hotel industry will be growing greatly in future. For example, people are becoming more affluent, and spend more and more of their money on holidays. In addition, I believe that after graduating I will be able to find a good job anywhere in the world. What I mean to say is that all hotels and resorts have the same objectives irrespective of where they are situated. Their aim is to ensure that their guests have a good time and return again.
Part 3-present situation (employee)
24. Do you have a degree? If so, when and where did you graduate? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes. I have a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering. I graduated in 2001 from xxx University . It is the largest university in my country and has about twenty thousand students.

24. Do you have a degree? If so, when and where did you graduate? ( 5 - 8 )
No. I have a Diploma in Nursing. I graduated in 2001 from the Medical Training College . It is a well-known College giving excellent training to future nurses and other medical staff. For example, ambulance drivers, hospital staff, and so on are all trained there.

25. What impressed you most when you were at university / college? ( 5 - 8 )
I was most impressed by the knowledge and skills of my lecturers. For example, they had experience in the working environment, and could tell us exactly what we would come across there. Secondly, I was impressed by the facilities. For example, we had a large library, well-equipped laboratories, and sporting facilities at our disposal.

26. Do you still remember your school days? ( 5 - 8 )
Of course! Those were some of the best times in my life. Allow me to explain myself by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly they were carefree days. What I mean to say is that I had no or very few worries. My parents provided in my day-to-day needs, and all I had to do was get good grades. Secondly, I had many friends in school. For instance, some o my best friends today were people that I met in school.

27. What do you do for a living? ( 5 - 8 )
27. Describe your job in detail. ( 5 - 8 )
I am an Engineer. Allow me to explain myself by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, I work for a large construction company. To be more precise, we specialize in the building of railway bridges. Secondly, I would like to mention that I am in the designing department. We have to look at the site for a new bridge, and then decide what type of bridge will be suitable. Lastly, we have to make recommendations to the railway company of all the alternatives, and give them some idea of the costs.

28. Is your job important to you? ( 5 - 6 )
That is a broad question. Allow me to explain by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, my job is important to me because by doing it I can serve my community and my country. For example, when my company builds a new road, many people benefit from our work. Secondly, it makes me feel good about myself. For instance, I am earning enough money to be able to rent my own apartment.

28. Is your job important to you? ( 7 - 8 )
That??s a broad question. Allow me to explain by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, my job is important to me because by doing it I can serve my community and my country. For example, when my company builds a new road, many people benefit from our work. Secondly, I personally get a lot of job satisfaction. What I mean to say is that after we have completed a road, I am proud to drive on the road with my family and explain to them what was involved during the building of the road.

29. If you could, would you change jobs? ( 5 - 6 )
No, not really. What I mean is that I am very happy in my present job. In addition, in my present job I get along well with my colleagues. Should I change jobs however, I might not find such nice people to work with and could be very unhappy. Lastly, I believe I will be able to develop my career here. For instance, if I keep up the good work that I am presently doing, I could be promoted in two years time and so become the head of a department.

29. If you could, would you change jobs? ( 7 - 8 )
Although I am very happy in my present job, I believe one should always be ambitious. That is to say one should never be complacent, but should be on the lookout for opportunities to advance in your career. Furthermore, I would not hesitate for one moment if I could obtain a promotion by changing jobs. I realize that one should show some loyalty to your present employer, but there has to be a balance between looking after ones own interests and those of your present employer.

30. Are their possible changes that could affect your job in any way? ( 5 - 8 )
I don?t think so. The company that I am working for is large and strong. In addition, I have a good relationship with my colleagues and my boss. Lastly, the only possible change that would affect me is if I should receive a promotion. That would be a positive development, so I am worried at all.
31. Could you tell me something about your family? ( 5 - 8 )
Certainly. We are a normal Indian family. It consists of my father, my mother, and me. I am the only child, so I dont have any brothers or sisters. My grandparents passed away when I was still very young, so I did not have the privilege of knowing them. My father was one of four children, and my mother has a brother, so I have a number of uncles and aunts, and many cousins.

32. What do you think of the One-Child Policy in China? ( 5 - 6 )
Thats a tough question. Allow me to explain my personal views by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, I think we have to have the policy in China. Our population had been growing to rapidly and something drastic had to be done. Secondly, I believe the policy will give China a chance to move ahead in the world. What I mean to say is that as soon as the population growth has stabilized, China will be able to make progress in the fight against unemployment.

32. What do you think of the One-Child Policy in China? ( 7 - 8 )
Thats a controversial question in China. Allow me to explain my personal views by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly I believe that the authorities had to do something to curb the increasing problem of overpopulation. However, I am of the opinion that the One-Child Policy was extremely harsh on the people. Maybe the government should have started off by introducing a Two-Child Policy.

33. Why do people in your country traditionally want to have a son? ( 5 - 8 )
Thats an interesting question. Allow me to explain my personal views by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, I believe that fathers all over the world want someone to carry their name into the future. For example, in many western countries it is customary for a boy to receive his grandfathers name. A second reason that I could mention is that parents worry about what will happen to them after they had retired. They feel that when they have a son he would be able to provide for them in future.

34. Who does most of the shopping in your family? ( 5 - 8 )
As far as this topic is concerned, I could say that my mother does most of the shopping, but my father and I will do some shopping from time to time. My parents allow me to buy my own clothes. Lastly, I would like to mention that my mother does not like my fathers smoking habit and therefore refuses to buy cigarettes, so that my father has to do that kind of shopping himself.

35. Who does most of the cooking in your family? ( 5 - 8 )
My mother does most of the cooking, but my father and I will do some cooking from time to time. For example, sometimes my mother will be out the whole day doing voluntary work in our community, and then my father and I will do the cooking for her. The second aspect I could tell you about regarding this topic is that we often eat out. For example, often on a Friday night none of us feel like cooking, and then we visit one of the local restaurants, and have our favorite dish.

36. How does your family feel about you going abroad? ( 5 - 8 )
They are very happy about me going abroad. I believe my parents will be very proud if I were to achieve a degree at a university abroad. In addition, they themselves never had the opportunity to study. I am their only child, and they would do anything in their
power to allow me to have the opportunity.

Part 4-family (married person)

37. Are you married, and if so when did you get married? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes, I am married. I got married about three years ago. I have a good husband / wife, and we are very happy together. To put it in another way you could say that we are best friends. For example, we do not keep any secrets from one another. We had known each other for many years before we got married, so we did not have to adjust too much. For example, I knew that he snores loudly when he turns onto his back when sleeping.

38. Do you have any children? ( 5 - 8 )
No, I dont have any children yet. We are planning to start with a family as soon as we have our own apartment. Until then my husband / wife and I are working as hard as possible to improve our positions in the companies that we are employed by. We would both like to have a son and a daughter, but because of the one-child policy that will not be possible.

39. What is your childs name? Does it have any meaning? ( 5 - 8 )
My childs name is David Lee. His nickname is superman, as we believe that he is going to become a strong man one day.

40. What does your wife do? ( 5 - 8 )
My wife is a housewife at the moment. We are looking for a job for her, but it is not easy, as she does not have any qualifications or experience. They are opening up a new supermarket in our area soon, and we are hoping that she will be able to find a job there. She has placed her name on a waiting list, and we will be hearing from the employment officer soon.

41. What does your husband do? ( 5 - 8 )
My husband is a civil servant. He works for the Department of Health at a hospital near our home. He is responsible for keeping the patient records in the mens wards. He loves his work, and is receiving a good salary, so we dont have any serious worries. As a matter of fact we both agree that we have a lot to be thankful for.

42. Did you have a honeymoon, and if so where did you go? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes, We did have a honeymoon. We went to Cuba for a week, and stayed in a small hotel next to the beach. I will never forget the time we spent there. For example, it was very romantic, as we could sit on the beach in the evenings and watch the moon rising over the sea.

43. Did you and your spouse have to ask permission from your parents before you could get married? ( 5 - 8 )
No, not really. They knew we were going to get married. We only had to confirm the date with them to ensure that it would suit them and our families. In earlier times is was customary for the young man to get the permission from his girlfriends parents before they could get married.

44. Is living together without getting married acceptable in your country? ( 5 - 8 )
It depends to what extent the couple would adhere to earlier customs. What I mean to say is that these days it is becoming more and more acceptable. For example, young people feel that they first want to get know each other even better by living together. When they are absolutely sure that they are able to adapt to each others lifestyles, they would then most probably decide to get married.

45. Do you think couples should live with their parent or on their own? ( 5 - 8 )
There are several reasons as for why I think couples should life on their own. Allow me to explain by mentioning some of them briefly. Firstly, I believe couples should become independent as soon as possible. For example, they should learn how to cope with the money at their disposal. Secondly, I believe they should be alone as soon as possible. For example, should they have an argument, they have to solve the problem by themselves.

46. What responsibilities should a couple take? ( 5 - 8 )
There are several responsibilities that couples should take. Allow me to explain by mentioning some of them briefly. In the first place, I believe they should be responsible for their own finances. For example, young couples usually do not have a lot of money, and find it difficult to make ends meet. Secondly, I believe that later they have to look after their children. For example, they have to feed and clothe them, and ensure that they get a good education.

Part 4-family (children)
47. Are there any traditions around the birth of a baby in your region? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes, there are quite a few. Firstly, after the baby is born, the father will give his wife some flowers, and take photographs of the baby and her. When the baby arrives at home, the parents will make prints of its hands and feet. This, together with a paintbrush made by using some of the babies hair, will be kept as memorabilia.

48. What kind of parent do you intend to be? ( 5 - 8 )
Thats an interesting question. Allow me to explain my personal views by shortly mentioning the following points: First of all, I would love my child unconditionally. What I mean is that I realize my child is not perfect, but I will still love him/her even if s/he has made a mistake. Secondly, I would like to be known as a strict but fair parent. For example, I will not allow my child too many freedoms, but I will also try to understand his/her needs.

49. What hopes or fears do you have concerning your children? ( 5 - 8 )
Thats an interesting question. Allow me to explain myself/my personal views by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, I fear that my children will have a very hard life. For example, I wonder if they will have work to do. Secondly, I hope that they will be happy. For example, that they will find a good spouse, have children, and live together in peace and love.

50. What type of culture do you want your child to grow up in? ( 5 - 8 )
Thats a broad question. Allow me to explain myself/my personal views by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, I would like my child to grow up in a culture of love. What I mean to say is that I hope the circumstances in our home will full of love and understanding. Secondly, I hope my child will grow up in a culture where the finer things in life are important. For example, things like music, art, and studying should be part of his life from the beginning.

51. Are you going to bring your children up differently from the way you were brought up? Why? ( 5 - 8 )
No, not really. I believe my parents raised me well, and gave me a good education. If I could do the same for my child I would be happy. Maybe I would be a bit more modern. For example, I believe my parents were unreasonably strict at times. I would try and keep a balance between discipline and freedom. 52. Is there any sex discrimination in your country? ( 5 - 8 )

Part 4-family (woman)

52. Describe the position of woman in China? ( 5 - 8 )
One of the aspects I could tell you about regarding this topic is that there is some discrimination against woman in my country. For example, woman who are doing exactly the same job as men, are getting smaller salaries. Secondly, women are not considered for certain high level positions, like for example, in government. In addition, in many communities , women are still regarded as inferior to men. This is particularly the case in the rural communities. Lastly, parents prefer to have a boy as opposed to a girl. This is an unhealthy situation, as it will disturb the balance between the number of men and women in my country in the years to come.

53. What are the causes of sex discrimination? ( 5 - 8 )
One of the main reasons regarding this topic that I would like to highlight is the fact that men often determine the wages in the companies. Secondly, women are not seen as able to do certain jobs as well as men. For instance, construction work has always been seen as a mans job. Lastly, many men still believe that a woman should stay at home, raise the kids, and be of service to her husband.

53. What are the causes of sex discrimination? ( 7 - 8 )
Thats an interesting question. Allow me to explain myself by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, I believe that discrimination against woman have deep roots in societies all over the world. In other words, it is not a present day phenomenon. Throughout history woman have not enjoyed the same status as men. It is only recently that woman have been filling the same positions in the work place. Lastly, I believe that it will take much more time to eradicate this practice. For example, as more and more woman become the sole breadwinners in families, they will have to be compensated as such irrespective of their sex.

54. Should housewives be paid a salary by the government? Why? (5-
Yes, I believe housewives should be paid a salary by the government. Firstly, to be a housewife is a job just as any other, and one should be paid for what you are doing. Secondly, the more housewives there are, the better. For example, housewives can spend more time with their babies, and so lay the foundation of healthy relationship

part 5-preferences (spare time)

55. What do you usually do in your spare time? ( 5 - 6 )
55. What are your spare time interests? ( 5 - 6 )
As a matter of fact, I have very little spare time these days. My studies are so important to me that I have given up all my other activities. For example, I used to love playing tennis, but these days I simply do not have the time. In addition, I used to swim often, as I believe it kept me fit without the danger of being injured.

55. What do you usually do in your spare time? ( 7 - 8 )
55. What are your spare time interests? ( 7 - 8 )
Well, these days, I surf on the Internet in my spare time. I have just bought my first computer, and love to look for exciting web sites that I have not known before. It is of course very time consuming, so I dont rally have time for anything else. I have to mention that it is an educational activity. For example, by means of web cams (video images from cameras set up at certain places) I am able to watch what wild animals are doing in many parts of the world. I particularly like to watch the polar bears playing with their cubs.

56. Do you often watch TV? What is your favorite program? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes, I often watch TV. My favorite program is called Discovery. As to why it is my favorite, I would like to mention the following. Firstly, it is not science fiction but a documentary on real life events and happenings. For example, it had a program on the latest eclipse of the sun that occurred at the end of the year. Secondly, it often has items about nature. For example, last week it explained how some birds have adapted to survive in a desert.

57. Do you think watching TV is a waste of time? ( 5 - 8 )
No, I do not think watching TV is a waste of time. Firstly, one can learn a lot from watching TV, and secondly, it is a good way to relax. For example, the soap operas help me to relax, while the documentaries are informative. Lastly, I believe that TV has become the best source of information these days. For example, it is a fast and convenient way to find out about the latest news from all over the world.

part 5-preferences (friends)

58. What does friendship mean to you? ( 5 - 8 )
One of the aspects I could tell you about regarding this topic is that friendship is very important to me. For example, I believe that friendship should be the basis for many of our relationships. Husbands and wives, for example, should be friends. In addition, I need friends to help me when I am in trouble. I know this sound selfish, but I feel that it is one of the reasons why I have friends, and they would not mind me saying so. On the other hand, my friends know that I will always be available should any one of them get into some trouble.

59. Do you have a lot of friends? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes, I have a lot of friends. Some of them are only casual friends like my friends at work, but I also have some best friends. For example, I have some friends who I have known for many years. I will do anything to help them when they need me, and I know they would do the same for me.

60. Do you prefer to be alone or to be with friends? ( 5 - 6 )
I prefer to be alone. Please allow me to explain. I like reading, which takes a lot of my time. Reading to me is a way of studying, so I have to do it alone. I often have to check the meaning of unfamiliar words in my dictionary, which is a slow process taking a lot of time.

60. Do you prefer to be alone or to be with friends? ( 5 - 6 )
I prefer to be with my friends. Please allow me to explain. At work I spend most of my time alone in my office. So after work I like the company of other people. I often invite some of my friends over, and we listen to our favorite music, or just chat the whole evening.

60. Do you prefer to be alone or to be with friends? ( 7 - 8 )
Sometimes I prefer to be alone. For example, after a hard day at work I just want to relax without anybody disturbing me. Those are the times that I might meditate on the meaning of life for example, or just savour some fond memories. On the other hand, sometimes I want to be with my friends. For example, over weekends, I like to go out with them and enjoy their stimulating company.

61. What do you usually do with your friends? ( 5 - 6 )
Firstly, we often visit the nearest net bar for a number of reasons. For example, to play computer games or to surf the net. Sometimes we chat to young people abroad. We often spend hours there at a time. Secondly, we like to play basketball. For example, we would challenge another group to play against us.

61. What do you usually do with your friends? ( 7 - 8 )
We usually go to the movies. My friends and I like cartoons very much, so we will look in the newspaper where a new cartoon is being showed and go and watch it. In addition, we like to watch a good action movie from time to time. We find the spectacular crashes and explosions very exiting. These movies are from Hong Kong or Hollywood, and have famous actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise playing in them.
62. What do you usually do on weekdays and on weekends? ( 5 - 6 )
On weekdays I go to school. On weekends I like to go out with my friends. For example, we will go and visit new shopping malls in the city. Then we would browse around all the shops. Sometimes we will sit in a restaurant and have something to drink while we watch the crowds of people go by.

62. What do you usually do on weekdays and on weekends? ( 5 - 6 )
On weekdays I go to school. On weekends I like to stay at home. I can easily spend a weekend watching TV and just relaxing. For example, I like the soap operas like Meteor Garden and so on. I know the different characters well by now, some whom I love, and some whom I hate. I realize that some of the plots are silly and overdramatic, but it is good relaxing entertainment, as one does not have to think very hard to follow the stories.

OUTINGS

63. What do you usually do when you go out? ( 5 - 6 )
I usually go to the nearest net bar with some of my friends. We spend many hours playing games or surfing the net. In addition, net bars are a great place for social gatherings. There we meet other youngsters and just hang around talking, and generally having a good time.

63. What do you usually do when you go out? ( 5 - 6 )
I usually go shopping with my mother. The reason for this is simple. Us ladies usually need a lot of clothes to make us look beautiful, so we love to go shopping. Often we dont actually buy anything, but just browse around looking at all the clothes and comparing prices and quality.

63. What do you usually do when you go out? ( 7 - 8 )
One of the aspects I could tell you about regarding this topic is that I usually go to watch a football game with some of my friends. We go to one of the local stadiums where our favorite team will be playing. I love the excitement and suspense. It seems that I often loose my identity in such a large crowd, and go crazy about the smallest of things.

Part 5-preferences (reading)

64. Do you like reading? ( 5 - 6 )
No I dont like reading. I do not have the patience. For example, I have never been able to read a book from start to finish. Maybe the books I have tried were not interesting enough.

64. Do you like reading? ( 7 - 8 )
Yes. I like reading very much. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, I believe that all of us should read a lot. For example, when you read you acquire new knowledge, which in turn will broaden your views on important matters. In addition I also like reading Crazy English. The topics are interesting and short, and the translations ensure that I dont waste time looking up unfamiliar words.

65. What kinds of books do you like best? ( 5 - 6 )
I like cartoons. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, I believe cartoons are a special form of art. For example, the Japanese cartoons that are common in China, have excellent illustrations.

65. What kinds of books do you like best? ( 7 - 8 )
I like novels. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, I like to read a storyline that is full of intrigue and suspense. For example, many love stories have characters who are involved in all sorts of conflicts amongst them. The most common one known all over the world since ancient times is the so-called love triangle.

66. Describe a book that you have read recently. ( 5 - 6 )
I have read a book about the life of Michael Jordan. I am sorry, but I have forgotten the name of the book. I also like to read Japanese cartoons.

66. Describe a book that you have read recently. ( 7 - 8 )
I have recently read a book about the history of South Africa. It is called The Covenant, and was written by a famous American author called James Mitchener. It describes the history from the very first days, up to the present. It covers all aspects of the country, but focuses on the people of the country. For example, he looks at the political situation over the past fifty years, which was based on racial discrimination and had become known to the world as apartheid.

67. Do you often read the newspapers? ( 5 - 6 )
No, I never read a newspaper. I watch TV if I want to know what is happening in China and the world. Newspapers take to much time to read. For example, the news on TV is short and to the point, and thats all I want to know.

67. Do you often read the newspapers? ( 7 - 8 )
No. Allow me to explain the reasons by shortly mentioning the following points: Firstly, I use the Internet these days if I want to know whats happening in region and the world. For example, websites like CNN contain all the latest news on world events. Secondly, I like to read about stories in depth, and this I cannot find in newspapers. For example, I often would like to know the history behind a story. On the Internet I can do some research right away, and so gain a broader perspective on the subject at hand.

Part 5-preferences (hobbies)

68. Do you have a hobby? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes. My hobby is stamp collecting. I have been collecting stamps for the past two years now. That is to say, for two years I have chosen stamp collecting to be my only hobby. I regularly spend time working on my collection. I guess I spend about two hours every week on my hobby. This is mainly over weekends, as I do not have time during the week.

69. Why have you chosen this hobby? ( 5 - 6 )
Thats an interesting question. Allow me to explain myself/my personal views by shortly mentioning the following points: First of all, its a very interesting hobby. For example, the stamps from other countries often say something about that country and its people.

69. Why have you chosen this hobby? ( 7 - 8 )
First of all, when you collect stamps, you are able to learn more about the world, and you will not be bored easily. What I mean to say is that you can get stamps from every country in the world, and the stamps often say something about that country and its people. Secondly, you are able to meet new friends through your hobby. For instance, you have a common interest with someone else, and you can discuss your collections together for many hours. Lastly, the hobby will teach you some self-discipline and how to be very systematic. That is to say, you have to tend to your collection regularly, and you have to sort the stamps according to internationally recognized systems.

70. What are good hobbies, and what are bad hobbies? ( 5 - 8 )
In my opinion, good hobbies are those ones that give you the opportunity to develop a new skill. For example, collecting stamps teaches you to be systematic. Bad hobbies on the other hand may result in you acquiring bad habits. For example, TV and computer games will result in you neglecting your studies.
Part 5-preferences (colors

71. What color do you like? Why? ( 5 - 6 )
I like red. Please allow me to explain. In my country, red is associated with life and good luck. For example, a bride will wear something red on her wedding day, in the hope that it will bring her and her bridegroom some luck in future.

71. What color do you like? Why? ( 7 - 8 )
If I had to describe my favorite color, I would choose yellow. Many artists are known to use yellow in their paintings. For example, Vincent van Gogh is famous for the yellow sunflowers in some of his paintings. Many countries have yellow in their national flags. For example, South Africa has a broad yellow band in their newly designed flag. This symbolizes the energy and warmth to be found in the nation.

71. What color do you like? Why? ( 7 - 8 )
Yellow is my favorite color. First of all, to me, yellow symbolizes the sun. What I mean to say is that it reminds me of energy and warmth. Secondly, yellow is a bright color as apposed to dull colors like brown and gray. For instance, brown and gray usually make me feel depressed. Lastly, I would like to mention that yellow is a practical color. That is to say, you can wear yellow with almost any color, and it does not get dirty too easily.

72. Do colors have some symbolic meaning in your country? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes, colors certainly have a lot of meaning in my country. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, it is significant that the national flag of my country has a red background. Red is symbolic, for example, of a vibrant life, which we believe are one of the dominant characteristics of the country and its people. It also signifies good luck, so a bride would wear some red on her wedding day. In addition, I think that yellow has a specific meaning to our people. For example, we believe that it symbolizes the energy radiated by the sun, which in turn is the primary source of life. In addition, however, it also signifies the obscene, as apposed to blue in the most of the western cultures. For example, here a blue movie, would be called a yellow movie. Lastly, I think that white has a special meaning to us. To be more specific, in times of sadness and mourning, we use white to express our feelings, as apposed to black in most of the western cultures.

Part 5-preferences (shoppings and movies(

73. Do you like / enjoy shopping? ( 5 - 6 )
Yes, I love shopping. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, I usually buy clothes for myself. I like to go to the shops and see what they have to offer. I browse around and compare the prices before a buy something. Secondly, I do the shopping of all our household needs. I love to find out about any new products on the market and how they can possibly make my life easier.

73. Do you like / enjoy shopping? ( 7 - 8 )
No, I hate shopping. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, shopping is the most basic activity in a capitalistic society. What I mean to say is that somebody has a product which they would like you to buy from them whether you really need it or not. They lure you into their shops and malls by advertising their goods on TV and in the newspapers. They only tell you about the positive aspects of their product, but would never mention the disadvantages. This you have to find out for yourself, usually after you have bought the product.

74. Do you often go to the cinema? ( 5 - 6 )
Yes, I go to the cinema as often as possible. I usually go with some friends to watch the latest action movies or comedies. We have a great time, like for example when our favorite star is playing a lead role in the movie.

74. Do you often go to the cinema? ( 7 - 8 )
Yes, I go to the cinema as often as possible. I believe that films are a wonderful form of art. Please allow me to explain. Firstly, in films there are a wide range of genres ranging from comedy and drama, to horror and science fiction. For example, recently I have seen the drama Titanic, which has been described as the most expensive film ever made. The extent to which the producers attended to the details of the original ship was astounding. Another example would be the thriller with my favorite actor Anthony Hopkins in the lead role called Silence of the lambs. It had me on the edge of my seat for most of the time.

75. Do you often go to the theater? ( 5 - 8 )
No. I have never been to the theater. Firstly, it is too expensive for me. I prefer to go to the cinema. Secondly, I believe that the theater is boring. What I mean to say is that the actors are on the same stage the whole time. I cannot see how that can be as exciting as a good movie.

76. What kinds of movies do you like best? ( 5 - 8 )
I like comedies. First of all, comedies are great fun. What I mean to say is that I have a good laugh while watching. Secondly, comedies seldom contain violent scenes. For instance, you would not easily find murders, shooting, fighting, and so on in a comedy. Lastly, comedies often contain excellent acting by famous stars. For example, Robbie Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire is considered one of the most extraordinary performances ever by an actor.

77. Who is your favorite movie star? Describe him / her. ( 5 - 8 )
My favorite movie star is Jackie Cheng. He is handsome, and very funny. He always has a smile on his face, and never seems to be worried about the situations that he finds himself in. The U.S. President Clinton went to watch one of his movies with him.

Part 5-preferences (music and traveling(

78. Do you like music? ( 5 - 8 )
78. Do you think music is important? ( 5 - 8 )
Yes, I like music very much. That is to say, I cannot imagine what my life would be like without music. Firstly, I believe music plays an important part in peoples lives. For example, we can use it to sooth our minds after a hard day at work, or it can provide us with the rhythm to dance to.

79. What kind of music do you enjoy most? ( 5 - 8 )
I like pop music very much. Allow me to explain. First of all, pop music is lively, and suits me at my age. What I mean to say is that us youngsters like to listen to music that fits in with the way we feel Secondly, usually has a good rhythm. For instance, it is suitable for us to dance on. Lastly, pop music is simple to understand. That is to say, I like it because it is not difficult to understand, and it helps me to relax after I have been studying hard for some time.

80. How long do you listen to music everyday? ( 5 - 8 )
Oh, let me think a bit. I guess I listen to music for about half an hour every day. I would, for example, listen when I get home from school, or in the evenings before I go to bed. On weekends, however, I listen to music much more. For example, I would invite my best friend over to my place, and we would listen to our favorite CDs for a few hours at a time.

TRAVELLING

81. Do you like traveling? ( 5 - 6 )
Yes, I like traveling. Firstly, I believe that traveling is always educational. What I mean to say is that the people that you meet along the way are usually interesting. Secondly, I wish I were able to travel more. For example, I have not traveled to a foreign country yet.

82. How do you usually travel? ( 5 - 8 )
I like to travel by train. Allow me to explain. Firstly, when I travel by train I am able to see more of my country. In addition, the trains in my country are convenient and comfortable. For example, I can travel to any city, and I am able to sleep on the train. Lastly, traveling on a train is a social event as well. For example, one can chat to the other passengers about where they are going, and why they are traveling.

83. Where have you traveled to lately? ( 5 - 8 )
I traveled to xxx last month. My parents and I traveled there by train. We went to see my grandmother who has been ill lately. I enjoyed the trip as I have not been to xxx before. We did not have the opportunity to sleep on the train, as it takes only six hours to get there.

84. What kind of places do you like to visit? ( 5 - 8 )
I like to visit places where there is a lot of entertainment. For example, I dont like it when we go and visit my grandparents in the country. They live on a farm and dont even have a computer for me to play on. I like to visit the cities where there are movies to watch and nightclubs to visit.

Harry's Dao

Thứ Năm, 28 tháng 5, 2015

Speaking simon

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'communication' topic