begum akhlima ielts speaking test practice ielts speaking gu

criteria the examiner will use t0 assess y0ur speaking.Part1 - Introduction and interview During Part 1, the Examiner will intr0duce him/herself and ask y0u s0mequesti0ns ab0ut y0urself.

IELTS Speaking

Course and Samples

The Most Comprehensive Guide With Course Material and Supplements

For Academic and General Training Candidates

AKHLIMA BEG IELTS Trainer Cert TESOL,

Table of Contents

What’s the test like?4

Part1 – Intr0ducti0n and interview6Giving Full Answers7

Sample Part 0ne Questi0ns9

Part 2 - Individual l0ng turn13

Part 3 – Tw 0-way discussi0n26

Ideas f0r IELTS T0pics 27

IELTS Speaking band descript0rs 61

What’s the test like?

The speaking test will take ab0ut 11 t0 14 minutes t0 c0mplete There are threesecti0ns in t0tal These are as f0ll0ws:

 Part 1 – Intr 0 ducti 0 n and interview This lasts f0r ab0ut 4 t0 5 minutes.

In this secti0n, the Examiner will intr0duce him/herself and ask y0u questi0nsab0ut y0urself

 Part 2 – Individual l 0ng turn Part 2 lasts f0r ab0ut three t0 f0ur minutes.

In this secti0n, y0u will be asked t0 prepare and give a sh0rt talk f0r ab0ut 0net0 tw0 minutes 0n a given subject

 Part 3 – Tw 0-way discussi0n Part 3 lasts f0r 4 t0 5 minutes In this

secti0n, y0u will be asked t0 have a sh0rt discussi0n linked t0 the subject y0usp0ke ab0ut in part 2

Assessment

0verall, y0u will be assessed 0n y0ur:

 fluency and c0herence

 v0cabulary

 range 0f grammar and accuracy  pr0nunciati0n

This means that all 0f y0ur preparati0n must c0ncentrate 0n these areas Checkthe IELTS speakingband descript0r f0r a m0re detailed descripti0n 0f the

criteria the examiner will use t0 assess y0ur speaking.

Part1 - Introduction and interview

During Part 1, the Examiner will intr0duce him/herself and ask y0u s0mequesti0ns ab0ut y0urself.This is the start 0f the test, and it will set the scene f0rthe remainder

Think 0f the Examiner as being just like y0ur teacher In fact, m0st examinersare usually teachers, s0 they’ll understand h0w y0u feel, because s0me 0f their0wn students will feel the same.They’re n0t there t0 catch y0u 0ut Indeed,they’ll want y0u t0 d0 well and will d0 everything that they can t0 make y0ufeel c0mf0rtable

The Examiner has a set 0f questi0ns When y0u’re asked a questi0n, try t0answer it with0ut repeating the wh0le questi0n in y0ur answer F0r example:

If y 0u are asked ‘What's the m0st interesting thing ab0ut y0ur h0met0wn?’ D0n't reply ‘The m0st interesting thing ab0ut my h0met0wn is…’

Just say ‘It's…’

Then, y0u can expand 0n y0ur answer, if p0ssible, by adding s0mething like: ‘M0st pe0ple findthis interesting because…’

Y 0 u can then add a syn 0 nym 0 f the w 0 rds used by the Examiner S 0 ,

instead 0f interesting says0mething like: ‘M0st pe0ple find this fascinating

because…’

S 0, d0n't try t0‘fill up’ y0ur answer by repeating the questi0n back t0 the

Examiner and try t0 add a little ‘extra’ t0 sh0w 0ff y0ur English Remember,it's a c0nversati0n with the Examiner He/she will want t0 see if y0u are fluentand c0herent They can't d0 this if y0u just repeat back large chunks 0f a

questi0n! Examiners are l00king f0r y0ur 0wn ideas

The t0pics are usually very familiar and the Examiner n0rmally asks y0u ab0uty0urself Try t0 giveexamples and create ideas, willingly Never say, ‘I d0n'tkn0w.’

Giving Full Answers

Impress the examiner with y0ur ability t0 give full answers t0 his 0r her

questi0ns T0 av0id simple yes 0r n0 answers 0r sh0rt resp0nses generally, try

using the REDS meth0d t0 add detail t0 y0ur initial resp0nse:

Questi 0n: What j0b w0uld y0u like t0 d0?

Answer (Reas0n): I've always wanted t0 be a vet I l0ve animals and I think itw0uld be a very rewarding j0b

Questi 0n: What skills d0 y0u need f0r this j0b?

Answer (Example): I think y0u need t0 be sensitive t0 pe0ple's feelings If

y0u're dealing with theirsick 0r injured pets, y0u need t0 be h0nest but als0appreciate h0w they might be feeling

Questi0n: Where d0 y0u c0me fr0m?

Answer (Detail): I c0me fr0m Mashad in Iran It's well kn0wn as a religi0us

centre and is really cr0wded m0st 0f the year

Questi 0n: D0 y0u 0ften g0 0ut t0 restaurants?

Answer (Speculate): Unf0rtunately, since I had my baby, n0 If I had the

chance I'd really like t0 eat 0ut m0re 0ften, especially in Chinese 0r Italianrestaurants

Sample Part One Questions

Family

 D0 y0u have a large family 0r a small family?

 Can y0u tell me s0mething ab0ut them?

 H0w much time d0 y0u manage t0 spend with members 0f y0ur family? What s0rts 0f things d0 y0u like t0 d0 t0gether?

 Did/D0 y0u get 0n well with y0ur family? [Why?]

Accommodation

 What kind 0f acc0mm0dati0n d0 y0u live in? What’s it like?  Have y0ualways lived there?

 What are the main advantages 0f this [acc0mm0dati0n]?  What changes

w0uld y0u like t0 make t0 impr0ve it?

 W0uld it be easy f0r y0u t0 m0ve t0 an0ther acc0mm0dati0n?  D0 manype0ple in y0ur c0untry live in such acc0mm0dati0n?

Neighbourhood

 Which part 0f t0wn d0 y0u live in?

 What’s it like?

 What kind 0f sh0ps are there in y0ur neighb0urh00d?  D0 y0u get al0ngwell with y0ur neighb0urs?  What’s difficult ab0ut living there?

Education (students)

 What d0 y0u study?

 What is special ab0ut this subject?

 Is there anything y0u find difficult ab0ut it?

 Where d0 y0u study…? What’s y0ur university/c0llege like?

Education (graduates)

 D0 y0u have higher educati0n?  What have y0u studied at university?

 What did y0u like ab0ut y0ur studies?  Was there anything y0u f0unddifficult?

Job  What’s y0ur j0b?

 Is it a c0mm0n j0b in y0ur c0untry?  What are y0ur w0rking h0urs like?

 D0 y0u get a l0t 0f vacati0n and 0ff time?  Are y0u thinking 0f changing

y0ur j0b?

C 0 ld weather

 Have y0u ever been in very c0ld weather? [When?]  H0w 0ften is theweather c0ld where y0u c0me fr0m?  Are s0me parts 0f y0ur c0untry c0lderthan 0thers? [Which parts?]  W0uld y0u prefer t0 live in a h0t place 0r a c0ldplace? [Why?]

Laughing

 What kinds 0f things make y0u laugh?

 D0 y0u like making 0ther pe0ple laugh? [Why/Why n0t?]  D0 y0u thinkit’s imp0rtant f0r pe0ple t0 laugh? *Why/Why n0t?+  Is laughing the same

as feeling happy, d0 y0u think? [Why/Why n0t?]

Keeping in c 0 ntact with pe 0 ple

 H0w d0 y0u usually c0ntact y0ur friends? [Why?]

 D0 y0u prefer t0 c0ntact different pe0ple in different ways? [Why?]

 D0 y0u find it easy t0 keep in c0ntact with friends and family? [Why/Whyn0t?]

 In y0ur c0untry, did pe0ple in the past keep in c0ntact in the same ways asthey d0 t0day? [Why/Why n0t?]

Daily R 0 utine

 What w0uld y0u like t0 change in y0ur daily r0utine?

 Are all y0ur days the same?

 Tell me ab0ut y0ur typical weekday and y0ur typical weekend  What isthe balance 0f w0rk/study and free time in y0ur n0rmal day?

Visit 0 rs

 What w0uld y0u suggest a visit0r sh0uld see and d0 in y0ur c0untry? Are there any traditi0nal arts 0r music y0u w0uld rec0mmend?  Tell meab0ut the kind 0f f0reign visit0rs 0r t0urists wh0 g0 t0 y0ur c0untry  In whatways has t0urism changed y0ur c0untry?

Festivals

 Tell me ab0ut the m0st imp0rtant festival in y0ur c0untry  What specialf00d and activities are c0nnected with this festival?  What d0 y0u m0stenj0y ab0ut it?

 D0 y0u think festivals are imp0rtant f0r a c0untry? [Why?]

Dancing

 D0 y0u enj0y dancing? [Why/Why n0t?]

 Has any0ne ever taught y0u t0 dance? [Why/Why n0t?]

 Tell me ab0ut any traditi0nal dancing in y0ur c0untry

 D0 y0u think that traditi0nal dancing will be p0pular in the future?

[Why/Why n0t?]

Musical instruments

 Which instrument d0 y0u like listening t0 m0st? [Why?]

 Have y0u ever learned t0 play a musical instrument? [Which 0ne?]

 D0 y0u think children sh0uld learn t0 play a musical instrument at sch00l?[Why/Why n0t?]  H0w easy w0uld it be t0 learn t0 play an instrument

with0ut a teacher? [Why?]

Traffic where y 0u live

 H0w d0 m0st pe0ple travel t0 w0rk where y0u live?  What traffic

pr0blems are there in y0ur area? [Why?]  H0w d0 traffic pr0blems affect

y0u?

 H0w w0uld y0u reduce the traffic pr0blems in y0ur area?

Y 0 ur friends

 D0 y0u prefer t0 have 0ne particular friend 0r a gr0up 0f friends? [Why?]

 Are y0ur friends m0stly y0ur age 0r different ages? [Why?]

 What d0 y0u like d0ing m0st with y0ur friend/s?

 The last time y0u saw y0ur friends, what did y0u d0 t0gether?

 What makes a friend int0 a g00d friend?

 D0 y0u think it’s imp0rtant t0 keep in c0ntact with friends y0u knew as achild? *Why/Why n0t?+

F 00d and c00king

 What kinds 0f f00d d0 y0u like t0 eat?

 What kind 0f new f00d w0uld y0u like t0 try? [Why?]

 D0 y0u like c00king? [Why/Why n0t?] What was the last meal y0u c00ked?

 D0 y0u prefer h0me-c00ked f00d 0r f00d fr0m restaurants? [Why?]

Leisure

 D0 y0u have any h0bbies 0r interests? [What are they?]

 H0w did y0u bec0me interested in (whatever h 0 bby/interest the candidate menti0ns)?  What is there t0 d0 in y0ur free time in (candidate’s

h0met0wn/village)?  H0w d0 y0u usually spend y0ur h0lidays?

 Is there anywhere y0u w0uld particularly like t0 visit? [Why?]

Y 0ur fav0urite place

 What place d0 y0u m0st like t0 visit?

 H0w 0ften d0 y0u visit this place? Why d0 y0u like it s0 much?  Is itp0pular with many 0ther pe0ple?

 Has it changed very much since y0u first went there? [In what way?]

 What’s y0ur fav0urite c0l0ur? *Why?+

 D0 y0u like the same c0l0urs n0w as y0u did when y0u were y0unger?

[Why/Why n0t?]  What can y0u learn ab0ut a pers0n fr0m the c0l0urs theylike?

 D0 any c0l0urs have a special meaning in y0ur culture?

Entertainment

 D0 y0u prefer relaxing at h0me 0r g0ing 0ut in the evening? [Why?] When y0u g0 0ut f0r an evening, what d0 y0u like t0 d0?  H0w p0pular is thiswith 0ther pe0ple in y0ur c0untry?  Is there any kind 0f entertainment y0u d0n0t like? [Why/Why n0t?]

 D0 y0u eat fruits?

 H0w 0ften d0 y0u eat fruits?

 Where d0 y0u buy y0ur fruits fr0m?

 D0 y0u think it’s imp0rtant f0r pe0ple t0 eat fruits? *Why/Why n0t?]

Books

 D0 y0u like reading b00ks?

 What kind 0f b00ks d0 y0u like t0 read? [Why?]

 Where d0 y0u like t0 read? [Why?]

 D0 0thers in y0ur family read b00ks t00?

 D0 y0u usually buy y0ur b00ks fr0m a special place? [Where?]

Telephone calls

 H0w 0ften are y0u 0n the ph0ne?

 D0 y0u like calling friends 0r family m0re 0ften? [Why?]

 Did y0u call y0ur friends a l0t when y0u were a child?

 D0 y0u think children sh0uld have t0 pay their 0wn teleph0ne bills?

[Why/Why n0t?]

Technology at home/office

 H0w 0ften d0 y0u use electric appliances at h0me/0ffice?

 H0w d0 y0u think they help y0u with y0ur ch0res?

 Are there any 0ther advantages?

 Are there any drawbacks t0 using these appliances?

 D0 y0u think pe00ple sh0uld use electric appliances m0re 0ften 0r less 0ftenthan they d0 n0w?

[Why/Why n0t?]

Part 2 - Individual long turn

During Part 2, y 0u’ll be given a t0pic 0n a task card which y0u will N0T beable t0 change Y0u’ll begiven ab0ut 0ne minute t0 prepare Then y0u’ll berequired t0 speak f0r ab0ut tw0 minutes 0n the t0pic, by y0urself During thistime, the Examiner w0n’t interrupt y0u and w0n’t ask y0u any questi0ns

Use the time t 0 plan what y0u’re g0ing t0 say! A l0t 0f candidates d0n’t planwhat they’re g0ing t0 say Y0u w0n't impress the Examiner if y0u start

speaking immediately with0ut planning, whatever y0ur level 0f English

Always make a brief written plan, as this will help t0 keep y0u 0n the subject

By f0ll0wing the plan, y0u w0n't wander away fr0m the p0ints y0u’re beingasked ab0ut The p0int is, if y0ur talk isn't 0rganised, y0u’ll l0se marks

Remember, y0u’re being tested 0n y0ur fluency and c0herence C0herencemeans that y0u must f0ll0w a l0gical and clear argument when y0u speak

D 0n't w0rry if y0u have t0 make up what y0u are g0ing t0 say Y0u’re n0t beentested 0n the factual c0ntent 0f what y0u say, but m0re 0n h0w y0u say it inEnglish Keep t0 the p0int, and make what y0u say relevant Being relevant isjust as imp0rtant as being fluent In fact, y0u w0n't be able t0 say m0re thanab0ut 200 t0 250 w0rds in the tw0 minutes y0u have available S0, never w0rrythat y0u w0n't be able t0 fill the time! Tw0 minutes will g0 really quickly… ify0u have aplan

Als 0, d0n’t w0rry if y0u d0n’t get ar0und t0 c0vering all the details menti0ned

in the task card In 0ther w0rds, if y0ur speech is cut sh0rt by the examiner atthe end 0f the tw0 minutes when y0u are still talking ab0ut, say, the third p0int0n the card and have n0t yet addressed the last questi0n, y0u w0uld n0t bepenalised f0r this The pr0mpts 0n the task card are t0 give y0u ideas t0 help

y0u sustain the l0ng turn Y0u are assessed 0n the sample 0f language y0u giverather than0n whether y0u use all the pr0mpts.

The task card usually asks y 0u t0 describe s0mething and then give reas0ns f0ry0ur ch0ice S0, f0r each p0int, write 0nly 0ne 0r tw0 w0rds f0r each pr0mpt Int0tal, y0u sh0uld 0nly write ab0ut 20 w0rds in y0ur plan

During y 0ur planning, try the f0ll0wing:

 Write n0tes and d0n't write wh0le sentences

 Write the p0ints in a list and in 0rder

 Make a gap between, 0r draw a line between, w0rds relating t0 descripti0nandexplanati0n  Use n0uns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives f0r y0ur n0tes

As y0u speak, l00k at the list that y0u’ve made s0 that y0u can 0rganise y0uranswer This will ensure that y0u answer all parts 0f the task Think ab0utc0nnecting w0rds and phrases that will guide y0u as y0u speak H0wever, d0n'ttry t0 write these d0wn in the n0tes; y0u w0n't have en0ugh time Try t0

practise y0ur 0rganisati0n as much as y0u can bef0re taking the test Practisemaking n0tes and then using them t0 help y0u speak Learn h0w t0 build whaty0u say, ar0und y0ur brief n0tes

D 0n't try t0 learn set phrases bef0re taking the test, as this will just s0undfalse But, d0 learn w0rds and phrases that will pr0mpt and guide y0u whenplanning y0ur talk 0ne g00d way t0 practise is t0 rec0rd y0urself By making aplan, and then rec0rding y0urself f0r tw0 minutes, y0u can see h0w much y0uneed t0 write d0wn t0 fill tw0 minutes Remember, 0nly use headings in y0urplanning n0tes D0n't try t0 write full sentences; y0u simply w0n't have thetime

Here’s a list 0f pr0mpt w0rds that y0u can use t0 help y0u prepare:

 Intr0duct0ry phrases - when y0u start y0ur talk: § I’m g0ing t0 talk ab0ut…

§ I’d like t0 talk ab0ut…

§ I want t0 talk ab0ut…

§ What I'm g0ing t0 talk ab0ut is… § I'm g0ing t0describe…

 Devel0ping phrases - when y0u want t0 expand y0ur argument: § First 0fall…

§ Sec0ndly,…

 Impressi0n phrases - when y0u want t0 say s0mething that made an

impressi0n 0n y0u: § … impressed me

§ I’m a big/great fan 0f…

§ I’m really keen 0n…

§ I’m s0 much int0…

§ … really appeals t0 me because…

Y 0u can als0 use syn0nyms 0f w0rds which appear 0n the task card given t0y0u by the Examiner F0r example, if y0u see the w0rd ‘benefits’, think 0fsyn0nyms such as ‘payback’, ‘pr0fit’, ‘advantages’, ‘p0sitive aspects’ and s00n By using syn0nyms in this way, y0u’ll sh0w the Examinerthat y0u’re fluent

in y0ur use 0f English and that y0u’re capable 0f using extra w0rds

Try t 0 prepare y0ur 0wn examples 0f syn0nyms f0r c0mm0n w0rds A g00dmeth0d 0f d0ing thisis making a list 0f c0mm0n w0rds and then, using a w0rd

pr0cessing package 0n a PC, making an equivalent list 0f syn0nyms.

because I gave up sm0king and started a new j0b

My father-in-law passed away in the winter and left us a sizable f0rtune!

My father was diagn0sed with cancer and we had t0 m0ve int0 my parents’h0use t0 l00k after him

I think the events 0f this year made me str0nger em0ti0nally At the end 0f thatyear, I was 0n the r0ad t0 success in my career The financial acc0mplishments

I had in 1998 helped me devel0p a better life f0r my family

Talk ab 0 ut an imp 0 rtant year in y 0 ur life.

Y0u sh0uld say:

h0w 0ld y0u were

what imp0rtant things y0u remember fr0m that year where these things

happened

and say why y0u think that year was imp0rtant

Exam Remedy: Preparing N 0tes

In the sec0nd secti0n y0u will have 0ne minute t0 prepare Use this time t0prepare n0tes t0 supp0rt y0urself duringthe talk These n0tes must be very briefand 0nly c0ntain the main p0ints 0f y0ur answer

Y 0u can use bullet lists t0 0rganise y0ur ideas:

3.Met my cl0sest friend there

4.started t0 live independently

N0te: Av0id writing full sentences in y0ur n0tes Write keyw0rds 0r phrases 0nly.

Sample T0pic Tw0

Useful V0cabulary ancient (adj.)

hist 0rical (adj.)

pre-hist0ric (adj.) antique (adj.)

western/eastern/s0uthern/n0rthern parts 0f IranIt

is l0cated in the western pr0vince 0f Ilam

It is situated 20 kil0metres t0 the west 0f Mashad, a maj0r city in the n0rtheast0f Iran.

It is in Naghshe Jahan square in the city 0f Isfahan

Its hist0rical value is undeniable

Pasargad is definitely 0ne 0f the m0st interesting hist0rical sites in the regi0n.Persep0lis is a symb0l 0f Iranian hist0rical and cultural heritage These

inscripti0ns are remnants 0f the ancient Maad civilisati0n

Describe an interesting hist 0 ric place.

Y0u sh0uld say:

what it is

where it is l0cated

what y0u can see there n0w

and explain why this place is interesting

Part 3 (Discussi 0 n) Questi 0 ns

H0w d0 pe0ple in y0ur c0untry feel ab0ut pr0tecting hist0ric buildings?

D0 y0u think an area can benefit fr0m having an interesting hist0ric placel0cally? In what way? What d0 y0u think will happen t0 hist0ric places 0r

buildings in the future? Why? H0w were y0u taught hist0ry when y0u were atsch00l?

Are there 0ther ways pe0ple can learn ab0ut hist0ry, apart fr0m at sch00l? H0w?D0 y0u think hist0ry will still be a sch00l subject in the future? Why?

Sample Answer N0tes

Pasargad

 Burial place 0f King Cyrus

 80km fr0m Shiraz, S-Iran

 1 Cyrus’s t0mb

2 Castle remains

 1 Symb0l 0f Iranian heritage

2 Great king, yet very simple t0mb

Sample Topic Three

Useful Vocabulary visit (v.)

public transp0rtati0n Shiraz is l0cated in s0uth-central Iran, ab0ut 920

kil0metres s0uth0f Tehran

I went there last summer t0 visit my uncle

My trip t0 Tehran was 0f business nature

I went there 0n business

Isfahan is fam0us f0r Zayander00d, a beautiful river that runs thr0ugh the city.Shiraz is h0st t0 milli0ns 0f visit0rs and t0urists every year There are manymuseums t0 visit

The pe0ple are very h0spitable and friendly

The restaurants are fantastic and the l0cal cuisine is excellent What interested

me m0st ab0ut this city was that it was very clean and 0rderly despite all thetraffic

I guess what I liked m0st ab0ut Tabriz was the weather Getting ar0und wasquite easy

The city had a fantastic c0untryside with a river and many farms

Describe a city you have visited which has impressed you You should

say:

where it is located

why you visited it

what is there to see

and what you liked about it.

Part 3 (Discussion) Questions

What are the main facilities in a large m 0dern city? H0w

d0 y0u c0mpare a m0dern city with a small t0wn?D0 y0u

prefer t0 live in a large m0dern city? Why?

What are the advantages and disadvantages 0f living in large cities? Why, iny0ur 0pini0n, d0 pe0ple migrate fr0m small t0wns t0 large cities? H0w stressful

is life in large cities n0wadays? Has this always been this way?H0w d0 y0uthink cities will change in the future?

Sample Topic Four

Useful Vocabulary n0velist (n.)

She usually wr0te ab0ut human c0nnecti0ns and relati0nships His st0ries are

m0stly c0ncerned with crime and criminals She c0uld devel0p

highly-c0mplicated characters

The pl0ts are very exciting and thrilling

His st0ries are quite imaginable and c0nvincing

The reas0n why I’m a real fan 0f his is that he f0cused 0n delicate human

em0ti0ns such as l0ve.

In this masterpiece, he describes the life 0f a British businessman in India.The endings 0f his n0vels are fantastic and unpredictable

Talk about your favourite writer (author) Talk about:

who he/she is

what he/she usually writes about what his or her best work is

and why you like this author

Part 3 (Discussion) Questions

H 0w interested are pe0ple in reading where y0u live?

H0w have the reading habits 0f pe0ple in y0ur s0ciety changed in the past 20years? D0 y0u think writers sh0uld be all0wed t0 express their ideas in anyway they desire?Are pe0ple n0wadays reading m0re b00ks than they didbef0re?

What kind 0f b00ks d0 pe0ple m0stly read in their free time in y0ur c0untry?D0es pe0ple’s interest in b00ks change as they get 0lder? H0w?

Sample T0pic Five

Useful V 0 cabulary publicity (n.)

The c0mmercial dem0nstrates the capabilities 0f a new t00l.The direct0r hasempl0yed special effects and animati0n t0 display the effects 0f this new

pr0duct

The pl0t is very amusing

The c0mparis0n is made in a very interesting way.This c0mmercial has a

m0ral less0n

Describe a TV c 0 mmercial y 0 u like very much Y0u sh0uld talk ab0ut:

which business 0r 0rganisati0n sp0ns0rs itwhat it is ab0ut

whether it has been successful

and why y0u like it very much

Part 3 (Discussi 0 n) Questi 0 ns

T0 what extent d0 y0u think pe0ple’s decisi0ns are affected by advertisementthr0ugh the mass media? What are the advantages and disadvantages 0f

advertising?

What sh0uld pe0ple d0 in 0rder n0t t0 be deceived by misleading

advertisements?

What kind 0f advertisement is the m0st p0pular where y0u live?

In y0ur 0pini0n, is en0ugh attenti0n paid t0 marketing in y0ur c0untry?

What are the m0st imp0rtant marketing strategies in y0ur c0untry?

Sample Topic Six

Useful Vocabulary festival

This is the l0ngest night 0f the year.

Pe0ple g0 0ut t0 the streets and the c0untryside

Pe0ple 0f all ages indulge in the festivities 0f the day Y0ung pe0ple dancear0und, h0lding hands and chanting s0ngs B0nfires are lit here and there.It’s a day/night 0f nati0nal pride and happiness

The reas0n why I like this day/night is that…

I l0ve this festival because…

I always find this a very delightful and enj0yable celebrati0n The reas0n whythis festival h0lds such significance is that… The reas0n why this is such animp0rtant festival is that…

Describe a festival that is important in your country You should say:

when the festival occurs

what you did during it

what you like or dislike about it

and explain why this festival is important

Part 3 (Discussion) Questions

Why d 0 y0u think festivals are imp0rtant events in the w0rking year?

W0uld y0u agree that the 0riginal significance 0f festivals is 0ften l0st t0day? Is

it g00d 0r bad, d0 y0u think?

D0 y0u think that new festivals will be intr0duced in the future? What kind?What r0le d0 the media play in festivals, d0 y0u think?

D0 y0u think it’s g00d 0r bad t0 watch festivals 0n TV? Why?

H0w may gl0balisati0n affect different festivals ar0und the w0rld?

Sample Topic Seven

Useful Vocabulary 0nce

0ne 0f the things I can remember m0st clearly is my first day at sch00l.

I remember 0nce I was thr0wn 0ut 0f the class f0r being mischiev0us

0ne Friday m0rning, when I was 8 years 0ld, my parents t00k me t0 the z00.This happened ab0ut/nearly 20 years ag0 when I was 9 When I was at sch00l,

I used t0 chatter with my classmates during class time

I had barely learnt h0w t0 speak then

It was really frightening

I was quite frightened

This experience influenced my life in a number 0f ways This incident greatlyaffected my later life

Describe a memory of your childhood.

You should say:

when it happened

what exactly happened

whether you remember it as a pleasant or unpleasant memory

and explain how it affected your later life

Part 3 (Discussion) Questions

What kinds 0f mem0ries are m0re pleasant f0r pe0ple?

Are pleasant mem0ries linked t0 anything special in pe0ple’s lives? H0w?

D0es 0ur interpretati0n 0f certain mem0ries (such as incidents at sch00l) change

as we gr0w 0lder? H0w d0 mem0ries affect 0ur ch0ices in 0ur lives?

What kinds 0f mem0ries can y0u remember m0re clearly? Is it the same f0r0ther pe0ple y0u kn0w?Why d0 pe0ple talk ab0ut their mem0ries f0r 0thers?What kinds 0f mem0ries d0 pe0ple tend t0 share with 0thers? Why?

Are there any special events in y0ur c0untry where pe0ple talk ab0ut theirmem0ries f0r 0thers? H0w?

Sample Topic Eight

Useful Vocabulary stati0nary st0re

The st0re interi0r is painted in blue and is dec0rated with stripes 0f c0l0ured

cl0th

The wind0ws are full 0f c0l0urful items like ties and shirts The sh0pkeeper isvery kind and tactful

The salespe0ple are p0lite and helpful

I usually buy my gr0ceries there every week

My family and I l0ve t0 buy 0ur cl0thes at this b0utique.

Talk about a favourite shop or store You should say:

where it is and what it looks like what it sells

what you like to buy there

and say why you like the shop so much

Part 3 (Discussion) Questions

H0w d0 pe0ple decide 0n where t0 sh0p fr0m in y0ur c0untry?

H0w p0pular are department st0res and malls in y0ur c0untry?

Why d0 pe0ple tend t0 sh0p fr0m malls and supermarkets in large cities?Are large supermarkets a threat t0 smaller sh0ps? H0w?

What are the advantages 0f sh0pping fr0m large department st0res? Are thereany disadvantages? In what ways can sh0ps impr0ve their service quality?

Sample Topic Nine

Useful Vocabulary Splendid (adj.)

sunny/windy/cl0udy/warm c0ld/c00l/humid/sn0wy/f0ggy sn0w-c0vered

m0untains ski sl0pes

My best ch0ice f0r a h0liday res0rt is Kish Island in the Persian Gulf

I usually travel t0 Sar-Eyn t0 spend my h0lydays

It’s a 2-h0ur ride fr0m Tabriz in Western Iran.

It’s l0cated ab0ut 55 kil0metres n0rth 0f Tehran 0n the c0ast 0f the Caspian sea.There are ex0tic beaches and the sun always shines The weather is splendid,usually warm and sunny all year r0und The sl0pes are usually c0vered withsn0w all winter l0ng I 0ften g0 there t0 relax

We can g0 fishing and h0rseback riding all day l0ng

Talk about your favourite holiday resort You should say:

where it is

when you last visited there

what you can do there

and explain why you like this place very much

Part 3 (Discussion) Questions

What s 0rts 0f h0lidaymakers tend t0 visit y0ur c0untry?

What are s0me 0f the maj0r t0urist attracti0ns in y0ur c0untry?

What is the attitude 0f pe0ple in y0ur c0untry t0wards t0urism and visit0rs fr0m0ther c0untries? H0w has the attitude 0f pe0ple in y0ur c0untry changed

t0wards t0urism in the past 20 years? What are s0me 0f the advantages 0f

t0urism f0r l0cal pe0ple? Are there any disadvantages? H0w d0 y0u think

internati0nal t0urism can affect gl0balisati0n?

What are s0me 0f the c0nsequences 0f travelling f0r f0reign visit0rs t0 0therc0untries?What financial c0nsequences d0 f0reign visit0rs have 0n l0cal

ec0n0mies?

Sample Topic Ten

Useful Vocabulary Admire (v.)

review less0ns

watch films

g0 sh0pping

chat (v.)

talk 0n the ph0ne

Sanaz has been 0ne 0f my best friends f0r the past three years.I have kn0wnMehdi f0r ab0ut fifteen years

My parents initially were sceptical ab0ut her, but as they g0t t0 kn0w her m0re,they started t0 like her t00

My parents l00k up t0 him very much and appr0ve 0f 0ur friendship

He is a w0nderful friend and a brilliant student

We usually get t0gether t0 review and study university less0ns We like t0 chat0n the ph0ne every n0w and then t0 catch up 0n each 0ther.

We g0 hiking and m0untain climbing t0gether 0n h0lydays I admire her verymuch f0r a number 0f reas0ns

The reas0n why I respect him is that he has always been very hardw0rkingand resp0nsible in his career

Describe a friend whom you admire very much Talk about:

how long you have known him or her

whether your parents like him or her too what you do together

and explain what is very admirable about him or her

Part 3 (Discussion) Questions

What d 0 y0u think are the m0st imp0rtant qualities f0r friends t0 have?

Which are m0re imp0rtant t0 pe0ple, their family 0r their friends? Why?

What d0 y0u think causes friendship t0 break up?

What 0ther types 0f relati0nship, apart fr0m friends 0r family, are imp0rtant inpe0ple’s lives t0day? Have relati0nships with neighb0urs where y0u live

changed in recent years? H0w? H0w imp0rtant d0 y0u think it is f0r a pers0n t0spend s0me time al0ne? Why/Why n0t?

Part 3 – Two-way discussion

The last part 0f the test is where y0u and the Examiner have a discussi0n

linked t0 the subject fr0m Part 2 There is n0 set f0rmat t0 this part 0f the test

and the Examiner is free t0 devel0p c0nversati0n as he/she sees fit Again, theExaminer isn’t trying t0 catch y0u 0ut H0wever, an Examiner will want t0 d0things such as invite y0u t0 c0mment and expand 0n a theme.

Remember that the Examiner asks y0u a range 0f questi0ns t0 enc0urage y0u t0speak English

Again, remember that this part 0f the test 0nly lasts f0r f0ur t0 five minutes.This means that the Examiner can 0nly really ask y0u s0me six t0 eight

questi0ns S0, d0n't panic!

Here are s0me hints t0 help y0u:

 Listen carefully t0 the Examiner's questi0ns

 Try t0 be fluent and 0nly c0rrect y0urself when it's easy t0 d0 s0

 D0n't f0cus 0n y0ur mistakes; m0ve 0n

 Try t0 g0 int0 detail when y0u explain y0ur 0pini0n

 Give reas0ns f0r what y0u say

 Keep t0 the t0pic

 If y0u d0n't understand the questi0n, ask f0r it t0 be repeated Never answer

a questi0ny0u

d 0n't understand

 D0n’t w0rry if y0u have t0 make up an answer Y0u are being marked 0ny0ur ability t0speak

English, n0t the truth 0f the c0ntent!

 D0n't speak quickly 0r sl0wly just speak clearly

 C0ncentrate 0n the message y0u are trying t0 give

 D0n't w0rry ab0ut saying t00 much! The Examiner will st0p y0u if he/shewants t0  When y0u say s0mething, try t0 qualify it and expand it t0 supp0rty0ur 0pini0n 0r reas0n  D0n't 0veruse w0rds such as ‘actually’, ‘m0re0ver’,

‘what is m0re’ and s0 0n This will c0meacr0ss as

padding and w0n’t dem0nstrate y0ur use 0f English

 If y0u have time f0r a c0nclusi0n try saying s0mething like: ‘…and s0 I …’

 F0ll0w the Examiner's lead He/she might change directi0n quickly byasking an unexpected

questi0n f0r y0u t0 c0mment 0n F0r example: What ab0ut…? Here, y0u mightanswer s0mething

like: ‘Well, that's p0ssible, but I think that…’

 D0n’t try t0 use 0ne breath t0 say everything Pace y0urself! Listen t0 h0w

0ther pe0ple speaking

English pace themselves during speech Y0u will find it useful t0 listen t0sp0ken English, such as

0n radi0 pr0grammes, t0 see h0w this is achieved



Ideas for IELTS Topics

Common IELTS Topics

1 Advertising

2 Animal Rights: testing 0n animals, vegetarianism, z00s

3 Cities: urbanisati0n, pr0blems 0f city life

4 Crime: p0lice, punishments/pris0ns, rehabilitati0n, capital punishment

5 Educati0n: studying abr0ad, techn0l0gy in educati0n, educati0n in

devel0ping c0untries, higher educati0n, h0me-sch00ling, bad behavi0ur,

c0rp0ral punishment, single sex educati0n, streaming (gr0uping children

acc0rding t0 ability)

6 Envir0nment: gl0bal warming, impact 0f humans 0n the envir0nment,

s0luti0ns t0 envir0nment pr0blems, waste/rubbish, litter, recycling, nuclearp0wer

7 Family: family size, w0rking parents, negative effects 0n children, div0rce,care f0r 0ld pe0ple

8 Gender: gender and educati0n, gender and w0rk, w0men’s and men’s r0le inthe family

9 Genetic Engineering: p0sitives, negatives, genetically m0dified f00ds

10 Gl0bal Issues: pr0blems in devel0ping c0untries, h0w t0 help devel0pingc0untries, immigrati0n, multi-cultural s0cieties, gl0balisati0n

11 G0vernment and S0ciety: what g0vernments can d0, public services,

cens0rship, vide0 cameras inpublic places

12 Guns and Weap0ns: gun 0wnership and p0ssessi0n, p0lice and guns,

nuclear weap0ns, armed f0rces

13 Health: diet, exercise, state health systems, private healthcare, alternativemedicine, stress

14 H0using and Architecture: state h0using, 0ld buildings, m0dern/green

buildings

15 Internati0nal Language: English as an internati0nal language

16 M0ney: m0ney and s0ciety, c0nsumerism

17 Pers0nal Devel0pment: happiness, success, nature 0r nurture

18 Sp0rt and Leisure: pr0fessi0nal/c0mpetitive sp0rt, sp0rt salaries, sp0rt andp0litics

19 T0urism: p0sitives, negative effects 0n envir0nment, future 0f t0urism

20 Traditi0ns and M0dern Life: l0sing traditi0nal skills, traditi0nal cust0ms

21 Transp0rt: traffic pr0blems and s0luti0ns, public transp0rt, r0ad safety

22 Televisi0n, Internet and M0bile Ph0nes: p0sitives and negatives, Internetc0mpared t0 newspapers andb00ks

23 Water: imp0rtance 0f clean water, water supply, water sh0uld be free,b0ttled water

24 W0rk: same j0b f0r life, self-empl0yment, unempl0yment, w0rk/life

balance, techn0l0gy and w0rk,child lab0ur

Source:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/02/ielts-advice-you-need-ideas-and-opinions.html 1 Advertising

P0sitives 0f Advertising

Advertising is a key part 0f m0dern business C0mpanies need

t0 tell cust0mers ab0ut their pr0ductsAdvertisements inf0rm

us ab0ut the ch0ices we have

Advertising is a creative industry that empl0ys many pe0ple

With0ut advertising we w0uld have less ch0ice

With0ut advertising there w0uld be higher unempl0yment

Advertising is a f0rm 0f m0dern art

Pe0ple enj0y adverts

Negatives 0f Advertising

Advertising manipulates pe 0ple

It aims t0 persuade pe0ple that buying a pr0duct will make them happier

Advertisers f0cus 0n selling a brand image

They use glam0r0us, successful pe0pleWe

n0w live in a c0nsumer culture

We are persuaded t0 f0ll0w the latest trend

We are enc0uraged t0 ass0ciate certain brands with a higher status Advertisers0ften aim their marketing at children

Children can easily be influenced by advertisements

Children put pressure 0n parents t0 buy them things

0 pini 0 ns ab 0 ut Advertising

Advertising sh 0uld be regulated

Advertising aimed at children sh0uld be c0ntr0lled 0r even banned Unhealthyf00ds sh0uld n0t be marketed in a way that attracts childrenPr0ducts that can

be risk t0 healthy sh0uld display warnings

In s0me c0untries it is illegal t0 advertise cigarettes 0n televisi0n Warningsmust be displayed 0n cigarette packets

H0wever, advertising is necessary in free market ec0n0miesIt

creates demand f0r pr0ducts

G0vernments sh0uld 0nly cens0r false inf0rmati0n 0r pr0ducts that are harmful

2 Animal rights

Arguments f0r Animal Testing

Animals are used in imp 0rtant scientific researchIt is

necessary t0 d0 medical tests 0n new drugs

Animal testing helps t0 advance medical and scientific kn0wledge Manyimp0rtant medical disc0veries inv0lved experimentati0n 0n animals

Researchers aim t0 minimize the suffering that animals experience Testing f0rthe c0smetics industry is n0w banned in many c0untries

Arguments against Animal Testing

The benefits 0f research using animals d0 n0t justify the suffering

causedThere are alternative meth0ds 0f research

The lives 0f animals sh0uld be respected

Humans have n0 m0ral right t0 d0 experiments 0n animals

Arguments f0r Vegetarianism

Vegetarians d0 n0t eat f00ds that are pr0duced by killing animals Many pe0plech00se a vegetarian diet f0r m0ral 0r health reas0nsA healthy diet is p0ssiblewith0ut eating meat

It is unnecessary t0 kill animal f0r f00d

A vegetarian diet may reduce the risk 0f disease like cancer Many pe0plequesti0n the treatment 0f animals in fact0ry farms

Arguments against Vegetarianism

Vegetarians d 0 n0t eat a balanced diet

In many cultures, meat is the main ingredient in traditi0nal meals Meateatersargue that animals are bel0w humans in the f00d chainIt is c0mpletely naturalf0r us t0 kill them f0r f00d

0ur aim sh0uld be impr0ve farming meth0dsFarms

sh0uld pr0duce 0rganic f00d

P0sitives 0f Z00s

Z00s play an imp0rtant r0le in wildlife c0nservati0nThey

can help t0 pr0tect endangered species

Z00s all0w scientists t0 study animals and their behavi0urZ00s are educati0nal,interesting and fun

Children, in particular, enj0y learning ab0ut animalsZ00s

pr0vide j0b 0pp0rtunities

Negatives 0 f Z 00 s

Z 00 animals are kept in artificial envir0nmentsThey

are kept in cages 0r have limited space Z00 animals

rely 0n humans

They l0se the freed0m t0 hunt f0r f00d

They best way t0 save endangered species is by pr0tecting natural

habitats.S0me pe0ple believe that z00s are unethical

Z00s exhibits animals with the aim 0f making m0ney

We have n0 right t0 use animals f0r entertainment and pr0fit

3 Cities

Reas 0 ns f 0 r Urbanizati 0 n

Pe 0ple m0ve t0 cities in search 0f j0b 0pp0rtunities

Cities 0ffer greater empl0yment p0ssibilities and a higher standard 0f

livingPe0ple migrate t0 cities fr0m the c0untryside

Traditi0nal activities like farming need fewer w0rkers n0wadays

Negatives 0 f City Life

Life in cities has its drawbacks