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Topic

Hobbies

data
Think about question words: What, when, where, why, who w
One of my hobbies is photography. Ive got two digital cameras: one
with me, and one bigger, more expensive camera that I use on specia
time; its like my best friend.
I take photos so that I have a record of the things Ive seen or done.
but I also take pictures of interesting things that I see. I am very inter
mountains, seas, and oceans. I have stunning pictures for sunrise an
and grades of the colors of the sun against the sky.
Describe opinions and feelings

I like photography because its a creative hobby and it makes you no


special moments or unusual or beautiful images, and its a great feel
and relive different experiences. A picture freezes the moment and g
throughout my coming years. Magnificence of photography lies in the
faces of dear people that I wish not to forget. If time and circumstanc
pictures that will always remind me of their faces and features. And w
weakens and I forget events or faces, those pictures would be always
take me back to the time I yearn to go back to.

Tell a story related to the topic:

The last time I took photos on a special occasion was at my friends w


pictures of the bride and groom and their guests celebrating. After th
pictures and sent it to my friend as a present.
General data:

I guess I spend about two hours every week on my hobby. Thi


time during the week.

In my opinion, good hobbies are those ones that give you the

example, collecting stamps teaches you to be systematic, pat

other hand may result in you acquiring bad habits. For examp
neglecting your studies.

I believe that everyone needs a hobby ..a hobby is a part of


your identity.
City
Tell me something about the city you live in.
City name, known for, likes and dislike

Answer: I live in Cairo. It is the capital of Egypt. Cairo is an old

It is known for its fine weather all over the year and its monum
churches and mosques .

It has many heavy industries such as automobile, aircraft, and

What do you like about your city?

Answer: I like several things about my city. For instance, in my


They make you feel at home.

Every things are available through its malls, college, gardens,

I like the fact that it is a clean city also.

Cairo is a city that never sleeps. You can go out anytime late a
the spirit of the people that makes Cairo very special
Question: Is there anything you dont like about your city?

Answer: Yes. In my city the traffic system is very congested. A


your home or office in time.

Over population makes the daily life harder in every way. For e
other problems in Egypt like the problem of unemployment an
Question : How long have you lived in your hometown?
Answer : I have been living here for the past twenty five years or so

Is there much to do in your hometown?

Oh yes, there's certainly lots to do there as it's a fairly big city. If you
good restaurants and bars. If you prefer cultural activities there are m
What kind of weather do you like? Why?

I love sunny and dry weather its my favorite because I am the kind o
What kind of weather dont you like? Why?

I hate windy weather because I am the kind of person who loves outd
extra clothes to feel warm
Personal Data

Does your name have any special meaning?


Answer: Yes, my name is Amgad , and its an Arabic word that means

Are you a student or do you have a job?


Answer: I have a job as I am working as a Radio designer in one of th
responsible for choosing the locations of the new sites and their phys
other stuff)

Is your job important to you?


That is a broad question. Allow me to explain by shortly mentioning t
to me because by doing it I can serve my community .For example, I
and in addition to that I am earning enough money. My job is importa
teaches me new skills, and broadens my network,

If you could, would you change jobs?


No, not really. Because I am really happy and satisfied in my current
along well with my colleagues. Furthermore, I believe I will be able to
up the good work that I am currently doing, I could be promoted in tw

department.

Could you tell me something about your family?


We are a normal Egyptian family of four, my wife, two children Im ad
because they have a full innocence and all time laughing and joking
Animals

what the animal is and what it looks like

where it lives

and explain how people in your country (or you) feel about this

You might not be able to copy my example because I've described an


hopefully my description will give you some ideas.
1

I'm going to describe the 'canary' which is a wild bird that is c


brown and white feathers and an area of bright red color on it
red color makes robins very easy to distinguish from other bir

Canary are common garden birds. Many houses in the UK hav


sitting in a tree. They make their nests in trees and go looking
for a walk in the countryside or in a park.

Robins have a special place in British culture. They are consid


on Christmas cards. Many people leave food in their gardens f

They can observe a wide range of animals in a safe environment

Topic2:
My favorite animal is cow and it is much more beneficial than other a
protein supply for us. It provides us meat and the leather equipment
cow is used for farming purposes.
The teeth and bones of this animal are sometimes used to make butt
dung is used as fertilizer and to burn fires.

The cow is a four footed animal and its skin is thick. Grass is its main
like this animal mostly for its usefulness for us. In my childhood we h
friendly. They had been very helpful for us. I like it as it is very gentle
Music

Do you think music is important?


Yes, I like music very much. I cannot imagine what my life would be li
Firstly, I believe that music take off people minds off a hard day at wo
life without it life of beings would have never been complete.

What kind of music do you enjoy most?


I like pop music very much. Allow me to explain. First of all, pop musi
It has a good rhythm. For instance, it is suitable for us to dance on.
Lastly, pop music is simple to understand. and it helps me to relax.

How long do you listen to music every day?


I guess I listen to music for about half an hour every day. for example

What role do you think music plays in our life?


Just as other kinds of art, music has become an indispensable part of
spiritual foods, enriches our leisure life .In addition, music can do goo
of us. And, it teaches us how to distinguish beauty from nature. Liste
refreshed from a day's hard work and relax. Music is like the food for

make you cry. It can put you in a very nice mood or can make you tea

1) Can you tell me the western music's impact on the world m


Oh, it is a difficult question, the western music is definitely great, and
Many musical talents and eminent musicians have been trained in we
so on.

2) Do you think it's necessary to open a music course in high


Yes, of course. There is usually 1 or 2 hours each week used for teach
as at least 3 or more. Music is every important for students it can ins
about their own lives. Lyrics of songs can also be used in classrooms
experiences of the speaker in the song.

3) What effects will take place u think to let children (student


Music can do good to children (students) very much. It can elicit the i
teaches them how to distinguish beauty from nature.

4) Its often more easy for children to learn music than adults
Oh, thats because its important to have soft fingers and palm to lea
have more flexible fingers and they are more likely to find the correct
anything in a young age.

5) Do u like music or not? Why?


I like music and like listening to different styles of music like pop, hou
singing, especially in front of many people. I often sing for my friends
listening to the music, I am sure you will soon be refreshed from a da

6) Describe the music you like most and tell me why?


I like classic music. It usually has a slow rhythm and a pleasant melod
refreshed from a day's hard work and relax
Movies

What kinds of movies do you like best?


I like comedies. First of all, comedies are great fun. What I mean to sa
Secondly, comedies rarely contain violent scenes. For instance, you w
each other.

Who is your favorite movie star? Describe him / her.


My favorite movie star is bead bit. He is handsome, and very funny. H
And my favorite female movie star is Jennifer Aniston. I love her spon
Travel

Do you like traveling?


Yes, I like traveling. Firstly, I believe that traveling is always education
you meet along the way are usually interesting. I like to see different

How do you usually travel?


I like to travel by train. Allow me to explain. Firstly, when I travel by t
addition, the trains in my country are convenient and comfortable. Fo
able to sleep on the train. Lastly, traveling on a train is a social event
other passengers about where they are going, and why they are trav
Train journeys are too long and tiring

Where have you traveled to lately?


I traveled to Barcelona last month. I enjoyed the trip as I have not be

What kind of places do you like to visit? ( 5 - 8 )


I like to visit places where there is a lot of entertainment and activitie
movies to watch and nightclubs to go to at night.

What kinds of improvement have there been in transport in


Major improvements in the traffic infrastructure

also extended the underground system so it now links many more

Birthday

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 spe
best vocabulary.
1 When and where: my friend's birthday party, last Saturday ev
restaurant.
2 Who: there were about 10 of us, he invited some close friends
people I've known since university.
3 What happened: we met at the restaurant, I gave my friend a
food, while we ate dinner everyone chatted, after the main co
sang 'Happy Birthday', everyone went home quite late.
4 Why it made me happy: it was great to get together with old f
was a good opportunity to catch up with what my friends had
after a hard week at work, the food was delicious, I went hom
enjoyable celebration.

-Yes, but only on every 10th birthday because Chinese people conside
Do you think its important to remember peoples birthdays?

-Absolutely, it is a very nice gesture to say happy birthday to some


-Its a fantastic way to strengthen you bond with your friends.

-The other side of the argument believe that its very silly to have a b
that , especially as they get older in age.
Do you like birthdays?
-Sure, who doesn't? Any excuse to party is a good one

-Only if its mine, I prefer receiving presents but find it very annoying
always worry about whether they would like it or not.
Do you prefer birthday parties with your friends or with your family?

-My birthday is the anniversary of the day my mother gave birth to m


family.

-Definitely my friends, with my friends I could let loose and really hav

-My family is more important to me so I think its more meaningful to

National celebration

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 retelling 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.
The core of Christmas that people fail to focus on is giving.
People get very busy with the decoration of the tree and food
gatherings and forget that giving is all about Christmas.
Education

Education in its general sense is a form of learning in which


knowledge, skills, and habits of a group of people are
transferred from one generation to the next through teaching,
training, research, or simply observation
It has been argued that high rates of education are essential for
countries to be able to achieve high levels of economic growth

Educational methodologies in schools and universities


focus now on the idea of applying and relating the
theories to real life. And to move from the area of
knowledge to that of real life skills.
Topics

Did you enjoy visiting museums when you were a child?


No I absolutely hated it and I found it really boring looking to
statues and paintings
But nowadays it is more interactive learn where there are
computers where you can use the internet to learn more about
the paintings and statues in the museum

Reading

Do you like reading?


Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including
novels, newspapers, magazines, and online articles.
2. Do you usually read for leisure or for work purposes?
Well, I have to do a certain amount of reading as part of my job,
but I probably read more for enjoyment. I pick up a newspaper
most days, and I usually have a book on the go.
3. What was your favorite book or story when you were a child?
The first book that I remember really enjoying was The Hobbit.
It only took me a few days to read because I liked it so much
that I couldn't put it down.
4. Do you think it's important that children read regularly?
Definitely. I think reading is possibly the most important skill
that children learn. The ability to read opens the door to all
aspects of education.
Do you believe people should read book?
Yes, I definitely believe that people should read books. I have
two reasons for saying this, first the books give us tremendous
amount of knowledge and the second reason is that we can
improve language skills by reading books.

weather

Reading is more informative than televisions


I find wet weather rather dull and depressing

Technology more stress


Laugh

. 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;
humor helps us not to take life too seriously. I think that
laughter is good for our psychological health. Laughter is a
natural antidepressant that anyone can have for free.
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 humor can help us to cope with difficult
situations. And sometimes you can be really sad and upset and
you laugh to hide it .

free time
What do you like to do in your free time?
I do quite a lot of sport actually. I play football mostly - on
Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoon with a local team. I
also play tennis and squash when I can but I don't really get the
time to do them as well every week. I work quite hard at the
moment, so I don't get a lot of free time unfortunately.

Have your leisure activities changed since you were a


child?
Not a great deal actually. I used to love playing football when I
was young as well - I played a lot at sch ool.

Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with


other people?
It depends on my mood really. I think most people need some
time on their own. Sometimes my work is quite stressful and I
spend a lot of time there with others, so it's good to just get
home and relax and read a book or something, but I like to go
out with friends on the weekends.
Time

Are you good at managing your time?


Actually I'd say I'm not too good! I don't really have a system in
place to organize things. I know some people have an electronic
organizer or use some device to plan what they are doing but I
don't do that. But I always make sure I am on time for
appointments and things like that, and I meet deadlines and get
things done.
How do you manage your time?
I use smart phones to manage time and schedule my
appointments and meetings
When is it most important for you to manage your time?
I think it is probably when you are at work. it might cause
problems if you don't manage your time effectively because you
could miss deadlines or miss appointments and You could lose

your job. So at work is when it is most important to manage


your time.

Books

What kind of books do you like to read?


I like reading fiction , but I often find it difficult to get hold
of a book that I really like. I also like reading about books to
do with current affairs.
Do you read the same kind of books now that you read
when you were a child?
Actually I didn't read that much when I was a child, but my
parents used to tell me stories.
As a child I preferred reading short stories, Now, I can read
novels and plays. I also like to read political books .
When do you think is the best time to read?
I like to concentrate while I am reading , hence I prefer to read
in the early mornings, in addition to that I like reading in the
weekends

Sports

Keeping them mentally and physically fit and for safety reasons
You should say:

What kind of sport it is

Who you play it with

Where you play it

and explain why you enjoy playing it

possessions
What kinds of possessions give status to people in your
country? Thats a good question. Let me thinkId say it
depends on where you are and who you are with. If you are out
in public, its things like the car you are driving. If you have the
latest Mercedes Benz model, then in my country that is a sign of
status, as most people cant even afford a car at all, whatever
the make. Property, or the house you own, and the possessions
you have in it are also a sign of status. If you have a nice house
in a nice area, then this shows you have money and are
someone important.
Also what you wear reflects your status. If you wear expensive
brands as Gucci for instance. Also if a women wears gold and
diamonds that also gives a say about her status
Has it always been the same or were different possessions
thought of as valuable in the past?

Why do you think people need to show their status in society?


I believe that this is because it's important in society to show
you have money or are successful Another reason is possibly for
respect. In many cultures, if someone has high status, then they
will be respected by others and they may receive preferential
treatment.
Also I believe some people find satisfaction in showing off with
things they own, which actually reflects that they have an
inferiority complex or low self esteem They try to feel that void
within them by showing off with the materialistic stuff they own.

Advertising
Now we'll discuss the role of advertising.
Do you think advertising influences what people buy?
Definitely yes. It makes the product look attractive and
encourages you to buy it.
Is advertising really necessary in modern society?
In modern society competition between companies and
products is increasing. And so yes, advertising at that point
would be a very beneficial tool in delivering your message to
clients and marketing for your products.

Now we'll move on to the influence of the internet.


Do you think people take notice of advertisements on the
internet?

Tremendous amount of time people spend surfing the


internet

How do you think it will change people's buying habits in the


future?

Online shopping where goods and product are delivered


to your door

Are there any disadvantages to shopping on the internet?

adventurous person

Security and you cannot try out clothes

Describe an adventurous person who you know.

who the person is

he is my best friend name tawfik

how you know this person

I have known him since the age of seven where we met at the
first day in school and then our parents became friends and
we became best friends

He is really smart, tall, competitive, he has green eyes and


yellow hair

what this person does that is adventurous

he decided one day that he is going to climb the highest


mountain in Sinai which is located in the north east part of
Egypt, so he booked a flight to Sinai and started doing some
physical exercises in order to keep fit, then finally he
managed to climb the mountain in three days carrying his
sleeping bag and climbing gear

and explain why you think this person likes to take risks

I believe that is because he doesnt believe anything is impossible


and he wanted to test his physical limits.
television program

Describe a television program you watched and did not enjoy.


You should say:
what this program was
it is a reality show called the thief

where and when you watched it


I watched it in my house last Saturday with my younger brother
evening and actually it is a very popular TV show

what it was about and explain why you did not enjoy it

it is about crimes and how do policemen arrest the criminals and


solve crimes in reality and there are two reasons why I dint like that
show first of all, there were a lot of violence and offensive language
which should have been censored.
Secondly, I believe that the program includes lots of unnecessary
details which got me really bored.

A wedding
Describe a wedding you attended
You should say
when it was
who got married

what happened at the wedding


And explain whether it was a typical wedding ceremony
I am going to describe the wedding of my best friend which I
have known since the age where I have met her at the day in
school and then we went also to university together and
became best friends , her wedding took place in a hotel in el
ein el soukhna last Saturday evening, it was a beach
wedding where all the guests were wearing white shirts and
shorts, she was getting married to a nice business man
called Bishoy, they got engaged a couple of years ago and I
believe he is her soul mate, at the wedding I used my
camera to take some amazing shots for the bride and groom
and our friends and we started dancing on the beach, it was
an amazing day and I believe it was not a typical wedding by
all means because it was a beach wedding and the weather
was amazing that day and all people were dressed in a
unified outfit (dress code), it was a remarkable day that I
wont ever forget
News

Describe some interesting news that you have recently read about
or heard about
You should say:

what the story was

who was involved in the story

where you read or heard about this story

and explain why this news story was interesting to you.

celebrity

The story was about Cristiano Rolando which is one of the


greatest and most famous football players, he is Portuguese
but he is playing for real Madrid in Spain, I read that he
donated half his salary last year for poor people in the
developing countries in Africa, he met the ambassadors of
these countries in person to assure that the money is
delivered to the less fortune people in Africa, I have read
about the story in the weekly edition of the new York times
magazine which is a trusted and reliable source of news and
information as it is one of the largest newspapers worldwide,
it was interesting because it shows how this player is down to
earth ,in addition to that he is trying to collect money from
other players to found a charity organization to help all the
poor children across the world and he is really concerned

about the world poverty, I believe he is a great role model.

Fund different project in developing countries in Africa.

Describe a scientific development that has benefited mankind:


What kind of development it is
Why it was needed
How it has been used
And explain why this scientific development was so benefical
I am going to talk about the invention of transistors where it is
considered as a technological development or breakthrough, it
was invented 50 years ago in the united states, it was needed
because the electronic devices were enormously large and not
reliable, but after the invention of the transistor, you can barely
find a single electronic equipment that doesnt have one or
more transistors embedded in it, like for instance you can
clearly notice how computers are getting smaller along the past
twenty years and the invention of smartphones and all other
electronic equipment used for different purposes.
It was so beneficial because it contributed in the progress of
mankind and it impacted the economic growth for a large
number of countries
PART 2:
The piece of electronic equipment that I find useful is my mobile
phone. I have used it for about 3 years. It was my 19th birthday
present from my mother. Therefore, it is really vital to my life.
When I began to learn to use it, I found it quite complicated
because it had too many functions.
I find this piece of electronic equipment useful in many aspects.
Firstly, it is tiny and portable. Therefore, I can bring it in my
pocket everywhere. Secondly, I can connect to others by
making phone calls or leaving messages whenever I want,
especially when I am in jeopardy. Therefore, it helps me feel
safe and sound when I go out alone. And last but not least,
apart from original functions, it also contains other essential
extra functions such as taking photographs; I can enjoy my
favorite songs or practice my IELTS listening skill. Therefore, I
can not only wind down but also enhance my skills. Besides,
this mobile phone also has other benefit like surfing websites,
recording voice, listening to radio and awaking. In

General Questions and tricks:

Do you enjoy watching English films?

Oh yes. I like English films and I watch them mostly for the special effects
What places should foreigners visit in your hometown? Why?
They should visit the pyramids and the Egyptian museum, in addition to enjoying the phenomenal
It is such a huge structure.
Part 2
Take one minute to prepare a talk on the following subject.
Take notes if you like and remember to include reasons and examples.
You should then speak for between one and two minutes.

Describe the person in your family who you most admire.


You should say:
what their relationship is to you
what they have done in their life
what they do now
and explain why you admire them so much.

You should say:


How this person is related to you
What this person looks like
What kind of person he/she is
and explain why you like this person

Sample IELTS Speaking Response:


The person in my family I really like and also love is my mother. She is a very special person and I cannot
imagine what I would be without her.
Physically, my mother is petite. She is only about 5 feet tall, and weighs about 110 pounds. She has fine,
black hair and a fair complexion. One thing people often notice is that my mother always takes pride in her
appearance. Even now, at the age of 80, my mother is a well dressed, well-groomed and elegant woman,
with her fine choice of clothes and matching accessories, jewelry and shoes.
Intellectually, my mother always loves learning. Even after her busy day, she won't go to bed without
reading the newspaper. She was one of the few members of her family that completed university. She also
has many creative and cultural interests such as literature, music and dance. Through her own enjoyment,
she passed on this love of culture to all her children, including me.
Emotionally, my mother has a heart of gold. All her life, she has been ready, willing and able to help
anyone who needs anything, with a smile on her face. She is of the old school - she remembers to wish
friends and relatives on their birthdays and anniversaries, she attends their weddings, dinners and parties,
and she visits them when they're hurt, unwell or in mourning. In fact, my mother has always been a kind
soul and people of all ages love her as soon as they meet her. I think this is because she is good-hearted
from her core, and her authenticity is what everyone relates to. She has taught me the meaning of being
compassionate, loving, kind, helpful, supportive and so much more. In fact, thanks to the unconditional
love of both my wonderful parents, I feel I've been truly blessed in this lifetime.

Who is your favorite person in the family?

My favorite person in my family is my brother.

Is this person important for the family?

He is very important for the family because he loves everyone and he also provides guidance to the family

members.

What impact does this person have on you?

My brother has a great impact on my personality. My brother is a very honest person and after being
inspired from him, I have also become an honest man. My brother is also a very soft hearted person. I
have also started taking care of other people, and I have also started feeling the pain of other people
What important events do you think might take place in the future?
It's really difficult to predict what will happen in the future; most of the big, historic events of the past
would have been impossible to foresee. For example, I don't think that anyone living 100 years ago could
have imagined that people would one day walk on the moon! If I had to guess what might happen in the
future, I'd like to think that scientists will invent cures for diseases like cancer, and we'll all live longer

In your countrys culture, how do you show that you are being polite?

We really value politeness and good manners in the UK, and there are many types of polite behavior. One
of the first things we learn as children is to say "please" and "thank you". As adults, I think we are careful
not to be too direct in the language we use. For example, we would never say "Bring me the bill" in a
restaurant because this kind of direct instruction would sound rude. It would be much more polite to say
"Could we have the bill, please?".

Are we less polite with members of our families than with people we dont know?

I suppose it's normal to be a bit more relaxed about politeness with family members. Most people tend to
speak in a more informal way at home; in the UK, we still say "please" and "thanks", but it's fine to use
colloquial language and things like nicknames that you would never use with someone you didn't know

Describe a happy childhood event.

You should say:

When it happened
Who was involved
How you felt at the time

Explain why you remember this particular occasion

Childhood is most magical and beautiful part of our lives, I remember in specific my tenth birthday which
took place 15 years ago, where my parents organized a surprise birthday party and invited all my school
friends back then to the party, the party had a Mexican theme where everyone was wearing the big
Mexican hats and holding guns, also they bought me a huge birthday cake, also they invited all our family
members, I felt really happy, and blessed and was really excited especially when Knew that they bought
me a dog as a gift, I remember this particular occasion because they bought me a dog and they taught
how to be responsible by taking care of the dog but unfortunately the dog passed away a couple of years
ago and I still feel sad whenever I remember it.
Nice link
http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-speaking-examples.html
http://www.goodluckielts.com/IELTS-speaking-samples.html
http://www.dcielts.com/speaking/ielts-speaking-topics-part-2/
http://www.myieltsteacher.com/ielts-speaking-part-1-practice.html

Starting-off
Ok, then; actually; alright; well, you know;
Point 1
The first thing Id like to mention is
The main thing you need to know is
Id like to begin by highlighting the fact
Point 2
In addition I suppose I should say
Another interesting point
Not only that, but _______is also
exceedingly/remarkably ..
Point 3
And I shouldnt forget to mention that
I guess I could also say that (its) sort-of ..
Finally Id also like to mention ..

3. DISLIKING (Strategy: General to


specific)
Rephrasing Disliking
Im not really satisfied with
Im not much of a fan of
Im not really fond of
I really cant stand
Simply gets on my nerves.

2. LIKING (Strategy: General to specific)


Rephrasing liking
Im pretty fond of
Im really keen on
Im a big fan of
Im passionate about
Structure
1. Well in general I would say
2. To be more precise/specific
3. And I guess this is probably because

Its hard to say but in my own experience


I think it depends on the type of person
Thats an interesting question
Oh, let me think a bit.

Example: http://www.ielts-exam.net/ielts_speaking_samples/712/
Analytical Writing Assessment

Analysis of an Issue:
1) The issue of _________________ is a controversial one. On the one
hand___________________. On the other hand _________________________. However, in the
final analysis, I believe that ________________.
2) One reason for my belief is that _____________________.
3) Another reason for my belief is ________________________.
4) Perhaps the best reason is _______________________.
5) For all these reasons, I therefore believe that _________________________.

THE IELTS SPEAKING TEST

Introduction and questions


4-5
Part
on familiar topic areas such
minute
1
as work, study, hobbies,
s
holidays
3-4
Part
2 minute talk on a familiar
minute
2
topic
s
4-5
Two-way discussion on
Part
minute issues related to the topic in
3
s
part 2

PART 1
Time: 4-5 minutes

Before the part one questions start, there is a brief introduction. The examiner will introduce
him/herself and you will need to tell the examiner your name and show your identification such as a
passport or ID card.
The questions will then begin. This part of the IELTS speaking test is the easiest part. The examiner
will ask you general questions about yourself.
Common topics are on your home, family, job, studies, interests, and a range of similar familiar topic
areas.
The examiner will choose three topic areas and you'll have about four questions on each. So you'll
have around 10-14 questions, depending on how long you speak for on each.
Here is an example:
Id just like to ask you some questions about your work.
1.
2.
3.

What job do you do?


Why did you choose that particular job?
What do you do every day?

4.

What other work would you consider doing?

Id like to move on and ask you some questions about relaxing.


1.
2.
3.
4.

What type of activities help you relax?


Do you like to do these activities alone or with other people?
Why do you think it is important for people to relax?
Do you think people have enough time for relaxing?

Lets change the topic and talk about your family.


1.
2.
3.
4.

Do you have a big or a small family?


Do you live together or nearby?
What activities do you like to do together?
Who is your favourite family member?

PART 2
Time: 3-4 minutes

In the IELTS speaking part 2 you will have to talk on a topic that the examiner gives you for two
minutes. It is designed to test your ability to speak for an extended period without hesitation or
repetition.
You will be given a card that asks you to 'describe' something. They are topics that you should have
some experience of or know something about.
You may, for example, be asked to describe a person you know, a place you've been to, or a
possession you have, but there are many different topics so you have to be prepared for any topic.
On the card there will also be three sub-points that you should cover when you are speaking.
You will have one minute to prepare what you are going to say, and you'll be given a paper and a
pencil to make notes if you want to.
Here is an example:

You may then be asked one or two short follow up questions:

Do your friends like to wear this type of clothes?


Do you wear other styles of clothes as well?

PART 3
Time: 4-5 minutes

In the final part of the IELTS speaking test the examiner will have a discussion with you about some
issues that will be related to the topic that you talked about in part 2. The questions in this part are of
a more abstract nature and so are more difficult than the questions in part one and two.
It's a two-way discussion but you will still be expected to do most of the speaking.
Here is an example:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Is buying clothes a popular activity for teenagers in your country?


How much money should parents spend on their children's clothes?
What types of fashion do teenagers like to wear in your country?
What influence has the fashion industry had in your country?
Are the fashions of today different from those when your parents were young?
What do you think will be the effects of the fashion industry in the next ten years?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hometown
Where is your hometown?
My hometown's in Hanoi, which is the capital city of Vietnam. It's located in the north of the country,
not really that far from the southern Chinese border.
Is there much to do in your hometown?
Oh yes, there's certainly lots to do there as it's a fairly big city. If you like going out in the evening
there are a lot of good restaurants and bars. If you prefer cultural activities there are museums and
art galleries. But if you like nature there are lots of other things outside of the city which are easy to
reach.
What are the people like in your hometown?
They are mostly quite friendly, but as with most big cities everyone is often busy so it may seem as if
they are not interested in speaking or having a chat. But if you live there you know that most people
are quite happy to have a chat if they have time and will help you if needed.
___________________________________________________

Studies
What are you studying at the moment?
I'm studying history at university. It's a four year course, and I started it three years ago, so I have just
one year left. I'm enjoying it a lot so it will be sad to finish.
What do you like most about your studies?
We learn about many things from the past such as politics and wars, but I like learning about how
people lived in the past the most. It's amazing to see how our lives have changed so much from the
past up until now. In some ways our lives have got much easier now, but in other ways the simplicity
of life in the past made people much happier. Learning about all that is fascinating.
What do you hope to do in the future when you have finished?

I'm not sure at the moment, but I may go into teaching. This is why I'm doing the IELTS, as I intend to
carry on and do a Masters in a specific area of history. I'll probably decide for sure what to do when I
have completed that.
___________________________________________________

Work
What is your job?
I currently work as an office manager at a large marketing company. I've been in the job for about five
years now. I'm usually assigned to work with a specific business in order to improve their sales
through various marketing strategies.
Do you have to work with other people?
Oh yes, all the time. It's a big office and we all have to work as a team if we want to achieve results. I
have colleagues I need to liaise with such as the graphic designers and I also have administration
staff who work under me. And of course I also have to work alongside the companies that we provide
marketing for. So yes, I definitely have to work with other people.
Do you think you will change jobs in the future?
Well, that's not something I'm thinking about at the moment as I really enjoy what I do and it's a really
good company to work for. The pay is good and they have other good benefits such as flexi-time and
end of year bonuses. But that said, change is always a good thing, so I can't see me being there
forever. I'm sure I will change one day.
___________________________________________________

Leisure time
What do you like to do in your free time?
I do quite a lot of sport actually. I play football mostly - on Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoon
with a local team. I also play tennis and squash when I can but I don't really get the time to do them
as well every week. I work quite hard at the moment, so I don't get a lot of free time unfortunately.
Have your leisure activities changed since you were a child?
Not a great deal actually. I used to love playing football when I was young as well - I played a lot at
school. Though of course I did all the other things kids loved to do such as going out on bike rides
after school and things.
Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people?

It depends on my mood really. I think most people need some time on their own. Sometimes my work
is quite stressful and I spend a lot of time there with others, so it's good to just get home and relax
and read a book or something. But I get bored if I am alone too much so I like to go out and meet
friends in the evening or play football.
___________________________________________________

Trains
Do you like to travel by train?
Yes, I quite like them. If you are on a train you can relax and look out the window, read, use your lap
top - it's all quite comfortable. On the bus it's more difficult to do those things because there is less
space and the movement can make you travel sick too. The only problem with trains in my country is
that they are often delayed or late. That can ruin your journey.
Where do you usually go by train?
It's usually on long trips across the country if I want to visit friends or I have an appointment
somewhere. For short journeys around where I live or to work it's much easier to drive or take the
bus. As I said before, you can do things such as read on the train so it's good for long journeys.
When was the last time you travelled by train?
Er....I'm not quite sure, let me think. It was a while ago now. I think the last time was last year when I
went up to see some friends I had not seen for a while in the north of the country. Yes, that was it. It
was a journey of about 3 hours and I had to change trains once during the journey. The first train was
a bit crowded and noisy as I think there were people on there going to a football match, but it was an
ok trip most of the way..
___________________________________________________

Time
Are you good at managing your time?
Actually I'd say I'm not too good! I don't really have a system in place to organize things. I know some
people have an electronic organizer or use some device to plan what they are doing but I don't do
that. But I always make sure I am on time for appointments and things like that, and I meet deadlines
and get things done.
How do you manage your time?
As I said, I don't have any specific system in place to manage my time. For example, if I am at work
and I have a lot of cases, I just go through them each day and decide which I need to tackle first. At

work we do have an online diary which I guess I use, so in that sense I do manage my time to an
extent.
When is it most important for you to manage your time?
I think it is probably when you are at work. When out of work, it's not really going to affect things too
much, or at least only yourself, if you are late to meet friends or for an appointment, or if you are
getting things done in your house. But at work, it will cause problems if you don't manage your time
effectively because you could miss deadlines or miss appointments. You could lose your job. So at
work is when it is most important to manage your time.
___________________________________________________

Books
What kind of books do you like to read?
I mostly like to read biographies. I'm not sure why but it is interesting to read about people's real lives,
especially when they have had interesting lives and have had to deal with many problems. I do read
fiction as well, but I often find it difficult to get hold of a book that I really like. I also like reading about
books to do with current affairs.
Do you read the same kind of books now that you read when you were a child?
Not really, no. Actually I didn't read that much when I was a child, but if I did it was mainly fiction
books, such as fairy tales. Things like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Fantasy things.
When do you think is the best time to read?
I think any time is ok, but when I read I like to concentrate, so I can't read for a short time like on a
bus ride like some people do. I like to put time aside to enjoy it. So if I have some free time at the
weekend I might read for a few hours. And I nearly always read before I go to bed - this really helps
me to sleep.
___________________________________________________

Art Galleries
Are there many art galleries where you live?
No, not that I know of. I live in a small town so I don't think there are any, though we do have a few
museums and other cultural institutions. In our capital city there are quite a few art galleries, however.
Did you like to go to art galleries when you were a child?

I've never been that interested in art to be honest, so not really. We were taken to one as part of a trip
when I was at school. It has a lot of paintings from famous artists from our country. It was quite
interesting to see I guess but I've not been to any since.
Should people have to pay to go to art galleries?
I think it depends really. If possible they should be free because if people do have to pay they are less
likely to go and see it. But on the other hand these things cost money so a small fee may be
necessary if it can keep the art gallery going and keep it open. Ideally though the government should
pay for this as I believe this kind of thing is paid for by our taxes.
___________________________________________________

Swimming
Can you swim?
Yes I can. I learnt at school when I was about 7 years old. Swimming lessons were compulsory at our
school, like most schools I think.
Are there many places to swim near you?
Yes, there are a few public swimming pools. There is the main indoor one at a big sports complex in
the center of town. There are also a couple of outdoor ones, but you can only use them in summer as
it is be too cold in winter. One is a big one in a park, the other is a much smaller one.
Do you think everyone ?
Of course, I think it's very important. Firstly, you spend much of your life on holiday by water, for
example, when you go to the beach on holiday, so you won't be able to enjoy yourself with your
friends if you can't swim. Also, for safety reasons it's very important. You often hear about sad
accidents involving young children so it's very important

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IELTS Speaking : Hobby


http://w w w .ielts-exam.net/index2.php?option=com_content&task=emailform&id=234&itemid=71

IELTS Speaking Tip

Be prepared to talk about your hobbies and how often you do them. Search online or in language books for texts
describing your pastimes. Note down and learn any useful words, phrases or collocations, and then practise talking about
your hobbies with a friend.

Speaking Exam: Part 2


Take one minute to prepare a talk on the following subject.
Take notes if you like and remember to include reasons and examples.
You should then speak for between one and two minutes.

Describe a hobby you enjoy.


You should say:

how long you have been doing it

how often you do it

what benefits you get from it

and explain why you enjoy it.


1. I've joined a club where I can play chess.
(become a member of a club)
2. I'm a philatelist. I collect all sorts of stamps.
(a person who collects stamps for pleasure)
3. I often go camping in the summer.
(to live in a camp or outdoors)
4. I do a bit of / a lot of climbing.
(go mountain climbing)
5. I make my own clothes.
(I make clothes for myself. I don't buy them.)
6. I like photography.
(the skill or process of taking photographs)
7. I'm mad about DIY. I think this is a very good hobby for people who have a house but don't have much money.
(do it yourself; the activity of making and repairing things yourself around your home)
8. I took up golf when I was at school.
(to start a hobby for the first time)
9. I gave up photography.
(to stop doing a hobby)

10. I collect antiques. I really enjoy going round the shops looking for a bargain.
(you collect stamps, coins, antiques)
11. I try to practice playing the guitar every day.
(to make music with a musical instrument)
12. I usually go jogging two or three times a week.
(run slowly, especially as a form of exercise)
13. I took up hiking because I wanted to get more exercise.
(a long walk in the country)
14. I don't really do anything in my spare time.
(time when you are not working)
15. In winter, I do quite a lot of skiing.
(in English you normally do a lot of / a bit of sport)
16. In summer, I play tennis and cricket.
(in English you normally play a game)

Holiday making
17. My aunt is a great traveler: she's been to every country in Europe.
(a person who is travelling or who often travels)
18. We toured / went / were on a tour round the United States last summer.
(to make a journey for pleasure during which you visit many places)
19. I will be going overseas in my new job.
(to travel to another country across the sea)
20. The island's economy is heavily dependent on tourism.
(the business of providing Holidays for people)
21. We went on an excursion to the mountains.
(an organized trip with a group of people)
22. I'm not taking any holiday / vacation
(time when you do not go to work for a special reason)
23. I'm taking a short break and going to my sister's for a few days.
(a short period of time when you do not work)
24. You look exhausted. You should take a few days off and relax.
(not present at work)
25. I can't come I'm afraid. I'm on holiday / off that week.
(to leave your home and go somewhere else for a holiday)

26. We're only going away or a few days.


(to live the place where you leave at least one night)
27. We've booked two weeks in Australia in July.
(to reserve and pay for a holiday before you go)
28. They run a small resort hotel in Vermont.
(a place where a lot of people go on holiday)
29. I brought a model of the Eiffel Tower as a souvenir of Paris.
(something that you buy on holiday [for your friend] as a reminder of that place)
30. We travelled overland to Delhi and then flew on to Singapore.
(by road or rail)
31. The voyage from England to India used to take six months.
(a long journey by sea)
32. We decided to go cruising in the Mediterranean.
(to travel by sea, visiting a number of places as a holiday)
33. We take / get / catch the train / bus, to Leeds and then got a bus to where she lives.
(to travel to a place by train, bus, plane)
34. We headed for / made for (informal) the town centre.
(to travel towards somewhere)
35. We stopped off in Paris en route to Nice.
(on the way to somewhere)
36. The travel agent suggested some changes to my itinerary.
(a plan of a journey, route, etc.)
37. One of the most famous landmarks in London is Nelson's Column.
(an object especially a building, that can be seen from a distance)
38. We had been on the move for twenty four hours and were absolutely exhausted.
(to be travelling)
39. We made a stopover at Frankfurt on the way to Tokyo.
(a short stop on a journey)
40. I'm learning Spanish, just for fun.
(you do something for enjoyment and pleasure)
41. I think I get more pleasure out of doing my garden than anything else.
(the feeling of being happy)
42. Let your hair down (informal) for once!
(to allow yourself to enjoy something freely, without worrying about what other people think)

43. We had the time of our lives.


(to enjoy something very much)
44. There isn't much entertainment for young people in this town.
(things to do that interest and amuse people)
45. I had a great time last night.
(to get pleasure from doing something)
46. I have to amuse myself for a few hours while I waited for her to arrive.
(to keep yourself entertained)

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