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.
"y 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
#uickly with the guidance of a teacher. $or e%ample! 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. "aybe students will attend a
lesson &ust once a week! and spend the rest of their time following online courses or watching video lessons.
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Friday, June 24, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: descri"e a lesson
(peak for 1 minutes about the following topic.
Describe an interesting lesson that you attended.
ou should say
where you attended this lesson
what it was about
and why you found it interesting
2ere are some ideas for a description of a science lesson3
.. I'm going to talk about an interesting science lesson that I attended at secondary school when I was
.4 or .5 years old.
1. It was #uite 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 o%ygen passes into the blood. The
science teacher also talked to us about the effects of smoking on the lungs.
6. I found this lesson interesting because my science teacher! 7r. (mith! 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 te%tbook. The film showed diagrams of the lungs to e%plain the
breathing process. *ater 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.
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Friday, June !#, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part !: 'nu$"ers' topic
8ne of my students had these #uestions in her e%am last week. I've put an e%ample answer below each one.
1! Do you have a favourite number or a number that is special to you?
9es! 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?
9es! certain ages are special. $or e%ample! your .:th birthday is important because it's when you are
considered to become an adult.
3! "re you good at remembering numbers? Why # why not?
;o! I'm not very good at remembering numbers. I don't think it's necessary to learn them by heart I &ust save
them on my phone.
$! 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.
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Friday, June !, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: c%oosing a 'strong topic'
"ost people are good at talking about their studies! work! hobbies! health etc. I call these "strong topics".
$or the #uestion below you can choose any topic you want! so choose something that you find easy to talk
about.
Describe something that was recently reported in the news.
ou should say%
what happened
who was involved
and why you found this news interesting
)%ample topic choices for the #uestion above3
.. "y strong topic could be <education<! so I'd say that I read a news article about universities using the
Internet. ,lick here to see a recent article about this topic.
1. If you like football! you could talk about the news that Barcelona won the ,hampions *eague.
6. If you have studied the <health< topic for I)*T( writing! you could talk about schools banning &unk
food. I did a #uick search and found this article about schools in 7ubai.
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Saturday, June 4, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: '"and &' e'a$ple
2ere's my 'band 9' e%ample for yesterday's I)*T( speaking #uestion3
click here to listen
These are some of the best words and phrases that I used. *ook them up in a dictionary if you're not sure
what they mean3
desirable location
it stands out
a famous landmark
it's distinctive
spectacular views
the best vantage point
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Friday, June 3, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: descri"e a "uilding
Describe a modern building. ou should say%
where it is
what it is used for
and why you like#dislike it.
2ere's my e%ample description of a building in "anchester3
.. I'm going to describe a modern building in "anchester. It's called the Beetham Tower! and it's the
tallest building in the city! with about 5/ floors.
1. >lthough it's called the Beetham Tower! most people know this building as the 2ilton 2otel. In fact!
the bottom half of the tower is the hotel and the top half is apartments. The apartments are e%pensive
because the location and views make them very desirable.
6. I'm not sure if I like the design of the building! it's &ust a huge glass tower! but it definitely stands out.
It has become a famous landmark in the city. 9ou can see it as you approach "anchester! 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 16rd floor which has spectacular
views of the city it's definitely the best vantage point in "anchester 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
"anchester to go there and e%perience the view.
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Friday, (ay 2#, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: kno) t%e e'a$
It's important to know e%actly what to e%pect in each part of the e%am.
The following #uestions come from part .! part 1 and part 6 of the speaking test.
,an you tell which part each #uestion is from?
.. 2ow often do you watch television?
1. 2ow have television programmes changed since you were a child?
6. 7escribe a television programme that you en&oyed.
4. Which TA channel or channels do you prefer to watch? Why?
5. 7o you think governments should control what TA programmes show?
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Friday, (ay 2, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: '*uestionnaires' topic
I)*T( speaking part 13
Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a &uestionnaire.
+d,ice: (ay that your were given a #uestionnaire at the end of one of your school or university courses. (ay
that the #uestions asked for your opinions about the teaching! materials! facilities! level of difficult! how
much you en&oyed the course etc.
I)*T( speaking part 63
What kinds of organisation regularly conduct &uestionnaires?
>ll kinds of organisations and companies use #uestionnaires to find out what people think about them. $or
e%ample! university lecturers often ask their students to answer #uestions about their courses. (omeone from
a (tarbucks 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?
8n the one hand! it might be useful for teachers to get feedback from children about how much they learnt
and how en&oyable they found the lessons. 2owever! 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.
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Friday, (ay !3, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part !: 'neig%"ours' topic
I've recently bought ,ambridge I)*T( book :. Below are some #uestions and e%ample answers from the
first speaking test in the book. Bemember that part . is supposed to be easy! so you should give short! direct
answers.
1. 'ow well do you know your ne(t)door neighbours?
I know my neighbours #uite 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 ne%t door.
2. 'ow 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 ne%t to people who have a dog that
barks at night! or who play loud music or have too many parties.
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Friday, (ay -, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: descri"e a la)
(tudents tend to worry about 'difficult #uestions'! but #uestions are often much easier than they seem. $or
e%ample3
Describe a law in your country.
"any students think they don't know anything about laws. 2owever! there are some easy e%amples that they
could choose3
.. In many countries it is now illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. 9ou could start by talking
about the popularity and benefits of mobile phones! and e%plain that people want to be able to answer
calls wherever they are. Then you could e%plain the dangers of being distracted while driving this
law could reduce the number of road accidents! and therefore save lives.
1. If you feel confident talking about the 'education' topic! you could choose the 'compulsory education'
law. This is the legal re#uirement that children up to a certain age must attend school. In the CD! for
e%ample! children are re#uired by law to go to school until they are .@ years old. This is a good topic
because you can talk about the benefits of education.
8f course! you could choose a more obvious law -it is illegal to steal! carry a gun etc.0 but you might have
more ideas and good vocabulary if you choose a typical I)*T( topic like number 1 above.
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Friday, +pril 2&, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: an i$portant con,ersation
IELTS Speaking Part 2:
7escribe 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 t%e part 2 *uestion:
"y 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 1 lessons0.
For t%e .irst *uestion in part 3, $y ad,ice is to use 'stereotypes':
<I think it depends on the people who are having the conversation! and it depends on the situation! but most
people would say that men talk more about sport or cars! whereas women talk about their friends! family and
relationships. Women are supposed to be better at e%pressing their feelings! while men prefer not to talk
about themselves.<
For t%e second *uestion in part 3, use ad/ecti,es and e'a$ples:
<I think good speakers are confident and passionate about the sub&ect of their speech. They need to be
interesting and engaging. I think a speaker's body language is also really important. > famous e%ample of a
great speaker is Barack 8bama he seems to be a naturally inspiring speaker! but I'm sure that practice and
preparation are more important than natural talent.<
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Friday, +pril 22, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: use )%at you kno)
In parts 1 and 6 of the I)*T( speaking test! you need to make #uick decisions about what to talk about.
>lways try to talk about a topic you have prepared or something you know about. 2ere are some e%amples3
'art 13 Describe a law in your country.
>dvice3 ,hoose a typical I)*T( topic like <guns<. )%plain why people in your country can?can't own a gun!
and talk about the pros and cons of this law. There is a chapter on this topic in my ebook.
'art 63 What new law would you introduce to improve life in your country?
>dvice3 ,hoose an easy topic like <environment<. )%plain that the government could introduce new laws to
reduce pollution from factories! cars etc. )%plain how this would improve people's lives.
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Friday, +pril !0, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: so$et%ing naug%ty you did
This has been a recent #uestion in part 1 of I)*T( speaking3
Describe something naughty you did when you were a child. *ay
) what you did
) when you did it
) why you did it
) and e(plain 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
e%ample below.
)%ample ideas3
.. I cheated in a test at primary school by looking at the answers in my book under the table.
1. I was about ... years old! it was a ... lesson. Eive some more background about the lesson! the test!
the teacher etc.
6. I hadn't studied for the test! I didn't want to fail and have to retake the test at lunchtime. Eive reasons
why you didn't have time to study.
4. The teacher caught me and told my parents. )%plain their feelings3 disappointed! angry! embarrassed.
)%plain the punishment e.g. they 'grounded' me for a week -informal e%pression! meaning 'they
didn't allow me to go out or see friends'0.
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Friday, +pril 1, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: )ork or study
These are common #uestions at the start of the speaking test3
.. 7o you work or are you a student?
1. 7o you like your &ob ? course? Why ? why not?
)%ample answers3
.. Before I came to )ngland I was working as an accountant! but at the moment I'm studying )nglish
because I hope to do a "aster's here.
1. 9es! I really like my &ob because it's interesting and I work with a great team of people. +,% 9es! I
en&oy studying )nglish! but my real aim is to do a "aster's and then find a &ob in an international
company.
-ote%
7on't ask the e%aminer3 <7o you mean in my country or here in )ngland?< F it doesn't matter. 7on't worry if
you have a &ob and study at the same time F you can mention both.
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Friday, +pril !, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: descri"e a skill
7escribe a practical skill that you have learnt -e.g. cooking! driving0.
9ou should say
what the skill is
how you learnt it
why you learnt it
and how this skill has helped you.
"dvice%
9ou need to make a #uick decision! so I'd choose one of the given e%amples -cooking or driving0. Then try
to e%pand on each point.
.. I'm going to talk about driving! which is a practical skill that I use almost every day.
1. I learnt to drive a car by taking lessons when I was .=. "y parents paid for me to have lessons with a
professional driving instructor. I learnt by practising3 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.
6. >s a .=FyearFold! I wanted to have the e%perience 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 e%tremely 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. 2aving a car makes my life much easier when it comes to
things like shopping or visiting family and friends. -*ast week! for e%ample!...0
-ote%
If you need to keep speaking! give e%amples for point 4.
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Friday, (arc% 20, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: i. you don't kno) t%e ans)er
2ow do you answer a #uestion when you don't know anything about the topic?
There are 1 things you can do3
.. Be honest and e%plain why you don't know
1. Euess! and tell the e%aminer that you are guessing
E'a$ple *uestion:
2ow has technology affected the kinds of music that are popular with young people?
(y ans)er, using "ot% tips a"o,e:
2!3 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.
223 2owever! I suppose that technology must have affected music. "aybe young people are listening to
music that has been made using computer software instead of real musical instruments like the piano or
guitar.
-ote%
,an you see any <band = vocabulary< in my answer?
Friday, (arc% !1, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 3: present, past, .uture
In part 6 of the speaking test! it's common to get #uestions about the past and future! as well as #uestions
about 'now'. 2ere are some e%amples3
What types of transport are there in your town?
In "anchester I think you can find every form of transport apart from an underground system. 9ou can
drive around the city by car or get on a bus there are even free buses that take people between the train
stations. "anchester also has a tram system! and of course there are ta%is too.
'ow has transport changed since your grandparents were young?
Well! they had cars! trains and planes back then! and *ondon already had the underground system! but I
suppose the difference is that technology has moved on. 2aving 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. 8n the other hand! many cities are building more
bicycle lanes! so maybe we will use cars less for getting around towns and cities.
Friday, (arc% !!, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: !4$inute preparation
This week I've been thinking about different ways to use the .Fminute preparation time. 2ere's what I've
learnt3
.. 8ne minute is a very short amount of timeG I found it &ust as difficult as my students did.
1. > simple list is probably faster and easier than a diagram or mind map.
6. 9ou need to decide on your topic as #uickly as possible. Then spend most of your time making
notes.
4. Try to write at least one key idea for each part of the #uestion.
5. 7on't write sentences! and don't waste time erasing <mistakes<.
@. Try to use a topic you have already prepared.
=. $orget about grammar. $ocus on answering the #uestion.
:. $inally! fast preparation is a skill that you can practise. Why not train yourself by making notes for a
few different #uestions every day?
The following photo shows a part 1 #uestion with my notes below. >s you can see! I couldn't write much in
. minute! but I followed the advice above.
Sunday, (arc% -, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: using t%e !4$inute preparation ti$e
"artin asked a great #uestion3 <What's the best way to use the .Fminute preparation time in part 1 of the
speaking test?<
I must admit! I don't have a good answer to this #uestion -yet0. I'm going to try some different approaches
with my students this week F 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 $riday.
5Friday, (arc% 4, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 3: longer ans)ers
2ere are 6 techni#ues to help you give longer! more detailed answers3
.. Deep asking yourself <why?<
1. )%plain the alternatives
6. Eive an e%ample
.uestion%
7o you think that school children should be encouraged to have their own ideas! or is it more important for
them to learn what their teachers give them?
"nswer%
I think that we should definitely allow children to be creative and have their own ideas. 2)%y63 ,hildren
need to develop the ability to think for themselves and solve problems 2)%y63 because as adults they will
not always have somebody to guide them or tell them what to do. 2alternati,es63 If we don't allow children
to have their own ideas! they will be less successful in the adult world they will be too reliant on others.
2e'a$ple63 > doctor! for e%ample! might encounter a situation that he or she hasn't been trained for! but will
still be e%pected to make a decision that could save someone's life.
Friday, Fe"ruary 20, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'di..icult' *uestions
*ast week I wrote about 'using what you know'. 2ere are some more #uick e%amples of how you can make a
'difficult' #uestion much easier3
1! Describe something that you collect.
"ost students panic because they don't collect anything. But this #uestion is easier than you think. If your
hobby is listening to music or reading books! &ust tell the e%aminer that you collect ,7s or novels. 9ou
could talk about your <collection< of clothes or shoes. )veryone has a collection of something! even if you
don't call yourself a collector.
2! Describe an important decision that you made.
)asy. Hust talk about the sub&ect 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.
Cse the answer you gave for number 1 -with a few small changes0. Talk about the letter you received
confirming your place on a university course! or confirming a successful &ob application.
Friday, Fe"ruary !1, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: use )%at you kno)
7on't worry if you get a #uestion that you haven't prepared for. 9ou can usually use ideas that you prepared
for a different topic. $or e%ample3
Describe a piece of advice that you gave /or that someone gave you!
Why not say that you advised your friend to visit *ondon? Then you could use all the good vocabulary from
this lesson.
8r! you could use this lesson to talk about advice that your father gave you. $or e%ample! say that your
father told you to work hard. Then you could use great vocabulary such as 'ma&or influence'! 'hardFworking'!
'role model'! 'set a good e%ample'! 'positive outlook on life'.
Think #uickly during the oneFminute preparation time3 What can I use that I've already prepared?
Friday, Fe"ruary !!, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: descri"e a .oreign person
Hay sent me this interesting I)*T( #uestion3
Describe a foreign person that you like. ou should say%
) where you met him#her
) why you like him#her
) and e(plain what you learnt from him#her
(ome advice3
.. The easy choice would be to describe an )nglish teacher. 9ou could then talk about your lessons and
easily e%plain what you learnt.
1. I think it would be acceptable to describe someone you have never met. Hust say <I've never met the
person I'm going to describe! but I hope to meet him?her one day<.
6. If you do number 1 above! choose your hero. It's best to choose someone you know a lot about. Eive
as much real information as possible. 7o some Eoogle research to get ideas.
$inally! remember that this is a <describe a person< #uestion. 2opefully you can use some of the ideas from
this lesson.
Friday, Fe"ruary 4, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part !: 'dancing' topic
2ow do you answer #uestions about a topic that you are not interested in? $or e%ample! many people have
no interest in dancing! so what should they say?
"y advice3 &ust tell the truth. It's fine to say you don't like something. Bead my e%amples below3
1. Do you like dancing?
;o! I don't like dancing. I'm not a big music fan! and dancing &ust makes me feel uncomfortable and selfF
conscious.
2. 'as anyone ever taught you to dance?
;o! I've never been interested in learning to dance! so I've never taken any lessons or asked anyone to show
me how to do it.
3. Do you think that traditional dancing will be popular in the future?
I'm afraid I have no idea because I don't follow what's happening in the dancing worldG I suppose it will
always be popular with some people.
Note:
The above answers are all at band 9 level.
Saturday, January 2&, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: recorded e'a$ple
7escribe an interesting place you have visited.
9ou should say3
where it is
what you can do there
and why you think it's an interesting place.
2ere's an e%ample description of a place I've visited. I've used the vocabulary from yesterday's lesson to
describe *ondon.
*isten to the recording while following the vocabulary -see yesterday's lesson0. Then you could practise
your own description of *ondon using the same vocabulary. Deep practising until you're happy.
click here to listen
Friday, January 21, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part 2: descri"e a place
In part 1 of the speaking test! you might have to describe a place. There are several possible #uestions about
places. $or e%ample3
.. 7escribe a place you have visited.
1. 7escribe a historic place.
6. 7escribe a holiday.
4. 7escribe a place you would like to visit.
5. 7escribe somewhere you have lived or would like to live.
"y advice is to prepare a description of one place that you could use to answer all of these #uestions. Then
search the Internet for some good vocabulary.
$or e%ample! here are some ideas I found to describe *ondon3
+d/ecti,es: it's e%citing! busy! hectic! cosmopolitan! multicultural! uni#ue. It's historic but modern at
the same time! it's a thriving! prosperous city! it's fashionable! lively! fun...
+cti,ities: *ondon is famous for it's history! culture! art! museums. Tourists go there to see Big Ben!
The Tower of *ondon! Buckingham 'alace! Trafalgar (#uare etc. 9ou can get a fantastic view of the
city from the '*ondon )ye'. It's also famous for its theatres and shows in the West )nd! its shops!
restaurants and nightlife. There are endless things to see and do.
7egati,es: *ondon is e%pensive! crowded! stressful! polluted. The underground system is dirty!
travel is overpriced and unpleasant. The cost of living is high -shopping! house prices etc.0! the locals
are always in a hurry and can be unfriendly! there are social problems -like you can find in most big
cities0.
Friday, January 2!, 2!!
IELTS Speaking Part !: )ork
2ere are some e%ample #uestions with good answers -band 90.
1. Do you work or are you a student?
IIm a #ualified doctor! but at the moment IIm studying )nglish so that I can work in this country.
2. Do you en0oy your 0ob?
9es! I really en&oy my &ob. )ver since I was a child I have always wanted to be a doctor IIve always wanted
to be able to help people.
3. What's the best thing about your 0ob?
The best thing about my &ob is that I can make a difference in peopleIs lives. ItIs a great feeling to see
someone recover after an illness because my colleagues and I were able to help.
$. Do you prefer working alone or with others? Why?
In a hospital you have to work as part of a team. IIve got used to working with others! and I think you can
achieve a lot more as a team than you would alone.
Friday, January !4, 2!!
IELTS Speaking: add detail
"any students worry too much about grammar. $or speaking parts 1 and 6! it's more important to worry
about the #uality of your answers. The best way to improve the #uality of your answers is by adding detail.
E'a$ple:
7escribe your best friend. (ay when you met him?her.
S%ort ans)er a"out )%en )e $et:
I met my best friend at school when I was .. years old.
8etailed ans)er a"out )%en )e $et:
I met my best friend at school when I was .. years old! so we've known each other for ... years. I remember
we sat ne%t to each other in my first science lesson at secondary school! and we had to work together to do
an e%periment. We got on straight away! and we've been friends ever since.
;otice that by adding more information I've also used more?better vocabulary and grammar.
IELTS Speaking: in.or$al e'pressions
9esterday I wrote about 'an event' for I)*T( (peaking 'art 1. (ome of the e%pressions I used were
informal3
we chatted -talked0
to get together with -meet0
to catch up with -talk to someone you haven't seen for a while0
what my friends had been up to -had been doing0
to wind down -rela% after something tiring0
The e%aminer would consider these phrases to be <less common vocabulary<. In other words! a few phrasal
verbs or informal e%pressions can help you to get a high score in I)*T( (peaking.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: descri"e an e,ent
8escri"e a recent e,ent t%at $ade you %appy9
:ou s%ould say:
)%en and )%ere it )as
)%o )as in,ol,ed
)%at %appened
and e'plain )%y it $ade you %appy9
The following description contains the kind of phrases that native speakers -like me0 really use. I've
underlined the best vocabulary.
.. ;%en and )%ere: my friend's birthday party! last (aturday evening! we went for a meal in an Italian
restaurant.
1. ;%o: there were about ./ of us! he invited some close friends and work colleagues! most of them
were people I've known since university.
6. ;%at %appened: 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 '2appy Birthday'! everyone went home #uite late.
4. ;%y it $ade $e %appy: 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.
Preparing IELTS speaking topics
9esterday I suggested preparing si% main topic areas for I)*T( (peaking 'art 1. But how should you
prepare these topics? Where can you find good vocabulary ideas?
$irst! have a look through the speaking lessons on this site. I've already covered some of the topics! and I'll
gradually add more this year.
(econd! use the Internet to do some research. $or e%ample! if you want a good description of a famous
person! look him?her up on Wikipedia and note down the best vocabulary ideas.