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![USEFUL VOCABULARY :
1) compulsory: [adjective] that must be done because of a rule or law.
Example:In some countries, it is compulsory to attend schooluntil the age of 16.
2) onwards: [adverb] continuing from a particular time.
Example:I will be in my office from 8:00 am onwards, until I leave at 6:00 in the
evening.
3) reputation: [noun] the opinion that people have about someone/something is
like, based on what has happened in the past.
Example:The restaurant enjoys an international reputation for the best Thai
cuisine.
4) countless:[adjective] very many; too many to be counted or mentioned.
Example:The teacher has warned him countless times to pay attention in class.
5) acquainted: [adjective] familiar with something having seen, heard or read it.
Example:The students are already acquainted with the history of our country,
having studied it at elementary level.
6) keepup to date with: [expression] be informed about the latest information.
Example:I watch the news on TV every day, in order to keep up to date with the
political situation.
7) CVs: [noun] short descriptions of your education and qualifications, which you
give to an employer when you go for an interview.
Example:Students should make sure that they write good CVs, to help them when
they apply for a job.
8) firm: [noun] company.
Example:She works for a firm of lawyers in Paris.
9) conduct: [verb] organize or do a particular activity.
Example:The schoolhas decided to conductall its classes in English.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-10-2048.jpg)
![BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
I would like to share with you my impressions of a garden that I visited last
summer, which was full of colour and interest: Claude Monet‟s house and garden
in Giverny, France.
As a big fan of Monet‟s paintings, especially the famous „Water Lilies‟, I had
always dreamed of seeing he scene in real life. So, when some friends suggested a
visit last year, I jumped at the chance. After a journey of about an hour by train
from our hotel, we arrived at Giverny. The garden was exactly as he had painted it
– it was a riot of colour, from the peaceful white of the water lilies to the striking
reds and oranges which filled some of the flowerbeds. The two parts of the garden
complemented each other perfectly. We first admired the array of bright flowers
and fruit trees in the Clos Normand, but my favourite part was the water garden,
and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll, taking in all the colours, perfumes and bird songs.
Monet avidly collected prints of Japanese gardens, and these inspired the Japanese
bridges covered with wisterias, the water lilies in the pond, and the bamboo and
weeping willows which he planted.
For me, it was like a wonderland of colours and a dream come true after so many
years.
USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS:
impression: feeling or feelings (in the plural) about the garden (impressions) “His
impression of the meeting was that it didn‟t go very well.”
fan: although the word is often used in the context of football nowadays, here it
means a person who admires [ Monet‟s paintings]. “She is a huge fan of Maroon
5.”
jumped at the chance: I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to visit the
garden. “He jumped at the chance to go to Las Vegas with his boss.”](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-16-2048.jpg)
![a riot of colour: a collection of many different colours. “Sandra‟s rose garden is a
riot of colour.”
striking: very attractive and unusual. “The woman he was with was wearing a
striking outfit last night.”
flowerbeds: a piece of a garden or park in which flowers are grown. “He loves
digging in his flowerbeds.”
complemented each other: each part of the garden added something different to the
other part, so that the garden as a whole became more attractive. “The wine and the
fish complemented each other to form a perfect meal.”
the array of bright flowers: the large and impressive collection of flowers. “The
array of bright flowers in her garden surprised everybody. They didn‟t realize she
had planted so many varieties.”
a leisurely stroll: a slow, relaxing walk. “We went for a leisurely stroll along the
beach this morning.”
taking in all the colours: our eyes noticed all the colours and features of the
garden. “We were taking in all the colours of his garden, when all of a sudden we
heard a large crash outside the garden gate. Two cars had just bumped into each
other.”
avidly: Monet collected prints of Japanese gardens enthusiastically. “He studied
English avidly, from morning until late in the evening.”
prints: copies of original drawings or paintings. “The artist offered her prints for
$100 each.”
wisterias: white or purple flowers which cover walls, bridges or trees. “The
wisterias in the garden were in full bloom.”
pond: a small area of still water, usually in a garden. “There are many beautiful fish
in the pond.”
bamboo: tall tropical plants which have hollow „stems‟ [the long, thin part of the
plant] used for building or furniture. “Pandas love to eat bamboo.”](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-17-2048.jpg)
![BAND 8.5 SAMPLE ANSWER:
One of my best friends has a 3-year-old baby girl; so every time we went out, she
would take her with us.
Her little girl is such a witty kid, and she is always full of energy. As she begins to
be aware of the outside world, she asks a lot of questions just to satisfy her
curiosity.
It happened one day when we went out shopping. While her mother and I took
turns trying clothes on, she was sitting quietly on the bench. Then she looked at me
and her mother and started to express her opinions on our clothes.
The way she talked was so funny that we couldnt stop laughing. She was so used to
playing with her Barbie doll that she suggested we should dress like one of
her dolls.
She even taught us how to walk like models because she thought that was pretty.
All the customers who walked in the store noticed her, even the store
owner couldn‟t stop laughing at her since she was still a baby girl, but she talked
and acted like a grown-up
That was probably the best part of the shopping trip that I will never forget.
USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS:
witty: [adjective] able to say clever and funny things
Example: Everybody laughed during the lesson, because the teacher was so witty.
satisfy her curiosity: [verb phrase] to have an answer to a strong wish to know
about something
Example: My answer did not satisfy his curiosity, so he asked me for more
details about what had happened.
trying clothes on: [verb phrase] to put on clothes to see if they fit and if they look
good](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-21-2048.jpg)
![Example: Try these clothes on before you buy them to make sure that they are the
correct size.
models: [noun] people whose job it is to wear and show new styles of clothes
Example: The dream of many young people is to become fashion models and
appear in magazines.
grown-up: [adjective] typical of an adult
Example: The child was used to being treated in a grown-up way by his parents.
#7: Topic: An Electronic Equipment
Describe an item of electronic equipment that you would like to have.
You should say:
- What it is where you would get (buy) it from
- What features it would have (or, special features you would like it to
have)
- And explain why you would like to have it.
BAND 8.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
Since I was very small, I have had a special interest in cooking. So, it is no
surprise that, now that I have grown up, I dream of having an oven with rings for
cooking on top, which is in very popular use overseas. In my country, this kind of
oven is only sold at big electronic and appliance centers.
Different from the normal oven, this one provides more stable and
exact temperatures, which is one of the critical factors in baking. Besides, it has
four oven top elements, which is highly convenient because it allows you to cook
and bake at the same time. It also saves a lot of space in your kitchen because it
is free-standing. Another feature that I would like the oven to have is a self-
cleaning system. If you cook frequently, you will definitely appreciate this
facility. It is inevitable that when you cook, your oven/cooker will get dirty. As a
result, with the self-cleaning feature, it is much easier for us to clean.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-22-2048.jpg)
![VOCABULARY:
grow up: [phrasal verb] to develop into an adult. Example: The children have
all grown upand left home now.
appliances: [noun] a machine which is designed to do a particular job in the home,
such as cleaning or preparing food. Example: The store sells a range of household
appliances, including microwave ovens and washing machines.
baking: [noun] the process of cooking something in the oven using dry heat.
Example: My mother loves baking – she makes bread and cakes every week in her
oven.
free-standing: [adjective] not a part of or attached to something else. Example:
The cupboard was free-standing, so it was easy to move it away from the wall.
self-cleaning: [adjective] able to be cleaned without a person having to clean it.
Example: Her new oven was self-cleaning; when it was dirty it cleaned itself
automatically.
facility: [noun] a special feature of a machine that enables it to do something extra.
Example: My computer has a facility for checking spelling.
#8: A Gift You Gave That Took A Long Time To Choose
“Describe a gift you gave that took a long time to choose.”
You should say:
- What it was
- Who you gave it to
- How you chose it
- And explain why you spent a long time choosing it or explain how the
receiver of the gift reacted
- When you gave it to him or her.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-23-2048.jpg)
![Band 8.0 Sample Answer:
Choosing a gift for someone is usually a very difficult task, because you want to
make sure that the person who receives it will like it. For that reason, I always
spend a lot of time picking gifts for my relatives and friends. Today, I am going to
share with you the time when I had to choose a gift for my little sister’s birthday.
It was her 5th birthday and I wanted to give her something memorable and
special. I decided to go to a “Build-a-bear workshop” to buy her a stuffed bear.
At this shop, you actually spend time picking materials to build your furry friend,
from the cotton inside to the clothes outside. You also got to give this teddy bear a
heart and a voice recorder, so that when you squeezed it, it would say whatever
you recorded before. After finishing building the stuffed toy, the store would give
him or her a birth certificate with a name and birthday.
My little sister was so happy when she received the bear. Well, kids always love a
furry friend anyway. However, what was special was that as she grew up, she
understood how much love I had put in the bear when building it for her at the
store, so she came to appreciate the gift even more.
VOCABULARY:
pick: [verb] to choose something from a group of things. Example: The man picked
a blue tie from the collection in the shop.
memorable: [adjective] something special, good or unusual and therefore easy to
remember. Example: I will never forget the memorable holiday that I had in Japan.
workshop: [noun] a place where you can do a practical activity to create
something. Example: As a student, I attended drama workshops, because I had
always loved acting.
stuffed bear: [noun] a toy in the shape of a bear, filled with cloth and made of
some soft material. Example: When I was a child, I had a stuffed bear, which I used
to keep in my bedroom.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-24-2048.jpg)
![furry: [adjective] covered with fur – a soft thick mass of hair that grows on the
body of some animals. Example: People love pandas because they are so furry,
with thick black and white fur all over their body.
get to (+ infinitive): [phrasal verb] to be allowed to do something. Example: When
we visited the football stadium, we got to meet some of the famous players.
teddy bear: [noun] this is just another name for a stuffed toy bear.
squeeze: [verb] to press something firmly, especially with your fingers. Example:
Every time you clean your teeth, you squeeze the tube of toothpaste.
appreciate: [verb] to recognise the good qualities in something or somebody.
Example: At school, I appreciated the help that I received from my teachers.
#9: An Occasion When You Got Up Very Early
Describe an occasion when you got up very early.
You should say:
- When it happened
- Why you got up early
- Who you were with
- And explain how you felt about getting up early.
Describe a long car journey you went on
You should say:
- Where you went
- Why you went there
- Who you travelled with
- What you saw on the trip (on the way)
- And explain why you went by car.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-25-2048.jpg)
![BAND 8.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
Like many other young people, I don‟t have the habit of waking up early every day,
only for special occasions. Last weekend, I and a group of my friends decided to go
on a trip to the mountainous area of my country called [………..]. We had to leave
very early in the morning so that we did not get stuck in the traffic. In addition, we
would have more time to spend there.
It wasn‟t easy to get up early in the morning, because I had been so excited about
the trip that I had barely slept that night. I had never been to this place before. It is
located in the northern part of my country so I knew that we faced a long drive
ahead. We had decided to go by car since, that way, all 5 of us could travel
together. Moreover, everyone reckoned that it would be safer than going by
motorbike. Waking up early did not feel that bad at all, even though it was the first
time I had done so for many months. To begin with, I felt a bit sleepy, but then the
pure morning air freshened me completely.
After 5 hours driving, we arrived at our destination. We were amazed to see a vast
land filled with the yellow color of terraced rice fields, ready to be harvested.
Under the sunlight, these rice fields sparkled like gold. We stayed for one night
with a local host and helped the family with their regular tasks before setting out
for home the next day. It was such an amazing trip, and it helped us to learn more
about the countryside and the way of life of those who live there. I‟d love to make
more trips like that in the future.
VOCABULARY:
get stuck: [verb phrase] to be in an unpleasant situation that you can‟t escape from.
Example:I left work early, because I didn‟t want to get stuck in traffic on my way
home.
barely: [adverb] something that can be achieved, but only with difficulty.
Example:We barely had time to catch the train, so we ran all the way to the station.
faced a long driveahead: [verb phrase] a long car journey.
Example:My advice is to sleep well if you face a long drive ahead the next day.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-26-2048.jpg)
![reckon: [verb] to think or have an opinion about something.
Example:If I want to lose weight, I reckon that I will have to eat less bread.
freshen: [verb] to make something cooler and more pleasant.
Example:The rain freshened the air.
vast: [adjective] very big.
Example:The Amazon is a vast rainforest.
harvest: [verb] to cut and collect a crop, suchas rice.
Example:Every year, bananas are harvested from the trees on my uncle‟s farm.
sparkle:[verb] to shine brightly.
Example:The sky sparkled with thousands of stars.
setting out: [phrasal verb] leaving a place and beginning a journey.
Example:I finished my breakfast and set out for the train station.
#10: An Indoor Game
Describe an indoor game that you liked to play when you were a child
Describe an indoor game that you played when you were a child.
You should say:
- What the game was
- Who you played it with
- How you played it where you played it
- And explain why you liked playing that game.
BAND 8.0 ANSWER:
An indoor game that I liked to play when I was a child was badminton. It started
when I was in 6th grade. At that time, I was living near my uncle‟s house. Every](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-27-2048.jpg)
![morning, he would wake me and my cousins up early and drive us to the sport
center near our house.
It was actually a badminton class, so we had teachers and other students too. We
practiced badminton here for an hour. During the summer holiday, we
even stayed there for another half an hour. Just like tennis, you can play
badminton as a singles match or doubles match. The rules are pretty much the
same as tennis. The only difference is that the badminton shuttlecock is lighter
than the tennis ball, thus, it requires less strength.
Due to my short-sightedness, I was not very good at playing this game but
I enjoyed itanyway. Firstly, it helped keep me fit. In addition, I could train my
eyes to look further and faster, and it quickened my reflexes. Last but not least, it
helped me a lot in improving my teamwork skills.
VOCABULARY:
badminton:[noun] an indoor game. Players hit a small light ball, with feathers
round it, across a high net, using a racket, like tennis.
Example: A net in badminton is much higher than in tennis, and the ball and
rackets are smaller and not as heavy.
singlesmatch: [noun] a game in which one player plays against one opponent.
doublesmatch: [noun] a game in which two players play against two opponents.
Example:She won the women‟s singles gold medal in tennis in the Olympic
Games. Then, playing with her friend, they won the women‟s doubles gold
medal by defeating two American opponents.
shuttlecock: [noun] badminton uses a shuttlecock, not a tennis ball. It is very light
and it has feathers round the edge.
Example:Players hit the shuttlecock acrossthe net in badminton.
short-sightedness: [noun] a person who can only see things if they are very close,
is short-sighted.
Example:I need glasses for reading, because of my short-sightedness.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-28-2048.jpg)
![train my eyes: [verb phrase] I developed my ability to see things quickly and
accurately.
Example:The detective trained his eyes to look for small but important details at
the scene of the crime.
quickened myreflexes: playing badminton improved my ability to move and think
quickly when I played the game.
Example:Many people say that video games quicken your reflexes and you
become more expert.
#11: A Paid Job You/A Friend Enjoyed Doing
“Describe some paid work (or, a paid job) that you or a friend enjoyed
doing.”
You should say:
- What the work was
- Where you did this work
- Who you worked with
- And explain why you or your friend enjoyed doing this work.
ANSWER:
I remembered working as an IT helpdesk assistant while I was in college and
I really enjoyed doing it. – Although I was a business major at that time, I still
applied for a position at the IT helpdesk because it was the best- paid job on
campus. As an IT assistant, I helped other students sort out problems with their
personal laptops. Besides, I assisted professors and faculties to set up projectors,
to fix printers and copy machines on campus, and anything related to technical
matters in general. – There were 5 other students who were in the same position as
me. We usually registered work hours based on our own personal schedule, as
long as the total working hours met the job requirement. For one shift, there were
usually two assistants, so that we could help each other out if necessary. – I loved
working at the IT helpdesk for many reasons. First of all, I learned a lot about
computers and other machines. Secondly, I got a chance to talk withmany people](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-29-2048.jpg)
![around campus and it felt great when you were able to help somebody with their
problems.
VOCABULARY :
helpdesk:[noun] a service in a company or college that gives people information
and help, especially with computer problems.
Example:My university library has a helpdesk, which is very popular with students
who don‟t have much knowledge about using computers.
businessmajor: [noun] I was studying business as the main part of my course.
Example:As she hopes to live in France, my friend is a French major at college.
IT assistant: [noun] a person with a knowledge of information technology, who
uses that knowledge to help others.
Example:As an IT assistant, my job is to help students become more expert at
using their computers.
sort out: [phrasal verb] to deal with your own, or someone else‟s, problems
successfully.
Example:My car would not start, but the mechanic sorted out the problem when he
arrived.
schedule: [noun] timetable, in this case the number of hours that we were required
to work each week.
Example:Chinese will be on the schoolschedule next year.
shift: [noun] a period of time worked by someone or a group of workers, who start
work as soonas another person or group finishes.
Example:My shift begins at 8:00 am, when the assistant who works during the
night goes home
help each other out: [verb phrase] to help somebody, especially in a difficult
situation.
Example:A lot of customers come into the store at lunch hour, but there is always
an extra assistant, so we help each other out.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-30-2048.jpg)
![considerate: [adjective] always thinking of the wishes and feelings of other people.
Example:My mother is very considerate when guests come to visit our house and
she alwaysoffers some food or something to drink.
thoughtful: [adjective] showing that you think about other people and care about
them.
Example:A good teacher should be kind and thoughtful.
take care of: [verb] to provide the things which you need for your protection and
health.
Example:A lot of patience is necessary when you take care of very young or very
old people.
let me out of his sight: [expression] he/she always kept me where they could see
me – they protected me all the time.
Example:She never lets her daughterout of her sight.
be there for: [expression] to be available if somebodywants to talk to you or needs
your help. Example: If I wasin trouble, my parents were alwaysthere for me.
get through: [expression] to successfully deal with a problem or overcome a
difficulty.
Example:I would find it hard to get through the day if I had no friends to talk to.
down:[adjective] sad, unhappy.
moveon: [verb] to make progress by starting something new.
Example:After I pass the exam, I wantto moveon to the next step in my career.
role model: [noun] a personthat you admire and try to copy.
Example:Parents are a child’s most important role models.
follow in the footsteps of: to do the same job or to have the same style of life.
Example:She works as a journalist, followingin her father’s footsteps.
try my best: [expression] to do as much as possible to achieve something.
Example:I will try my best to achieve my goal.
Thanksto: [expression] As a result of/with the help of their advice, I made
progress in my studies and my career.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-32-2048.jpg)
![keep in touch: [expression] to maintain contactwith somebodyso that I know what
is happening.
#13: A PersonSpeak A Second (Foreign) Language
Well
“Describe a person you know who dresses well/ Describe a person you who
know ho speaks a second(or foreign) language well. /Describe a person (you
know) who travels a lot by plane”
Describe a person you know who dresses well
You should say:
- who this person is
- what kind of clothes this person likes to wear (or, wears)
- how you know this person
- and explain why you think this person dresses well.
Describe a person you know who speaks a second(or foreign) language well.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know this person
- what language this personspeaks
- how often they speak it
- and explain why you say they speak it “well”.
Describe a person (you know) who travels a lot by plane.
You should say:
- who this person is
- you know this person](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-33-2048.jpg)
![- where this persontravels to
- and explain why they (= he or she) chooseto travel by plane
BAND 8.5 SAMPLE ANSWER:
Today, I am going to share with you a person I know/ who dresses well/speaks a
second (foreign) language well/ travels a lot by plane/. That person is my
friend/boss/…..
As a typical saleswoman for a multinational company, my friend/my boss has to
meet many people from all over the world. That‟s why she speaks English as
fluently as Vietnamese. In addition, she also dresses well because appearance is
very important in the sales market. She is tall and thin, thus she always chooses to
wear blouses with pencil skirts or midi dresses because such smart clothes not only
complement her figure, but also give her a formal look suitable for business
meetings. Every time she appears in public, she draws everyone‟s attention; people
look at her with admiration. I think that‟s one of the reasons why she is such an
effective salesperson.
Due to the characteristics of her job, she has to travel to [……..]/uses English
quite often because our company has a large customer internationally. As a
result, travelling by plane is the only choice. There are months when she has to go
there once a week to prepare for a client meeting or provide training to new
employees/ Being competent in English helps her a lot in closing the deal with
international clients, since nowadays English is considered to be the most common
language in the business world. She speaks English so well that one of our clients
complimented her on sounding exactly like a native speaker.
VOCABULARY :
typical: [adjective] having all the usual qualities or features that we expect. A
woman whose job is to sell products will usually have to meet a lot of people, and
sometimes these may be international customers. My friend/my boss is no different
– she is a typical saleswoman.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-34-2048.jpg)
![Example:A typical street in the centre of London has crowds of shoppers, and the
roads are full of cars, taxis and buses.
dresses well: [verb+adverb] she wears a particular style or type of clothes and
these give her a good appearance.
Example:In England, people dress formally when they go for a job interview.
appearance:[noun] the way that somebodylooks. If you are selling products,
your ppearance must be tidy and professional.
Example:Photographers always follow famous people, so those people pay a lot
of attention to their appearance – they want to look good !
skirt: [noun] a piece of clothing for a girl or woman which goes from the waist
and covers part of the legs.
pencil skirts: [adjective+noun] a skirt which is narrow and straight.
Example:Pencil skirts are often worn by professional women, such as secretaries
or executives.
midi dresses:[noun] dresses which cover the legs to below the knees.
smart: [adjective] looking clean, new and attractive.
Example:I have to be smart for work.
complement: [verb] to add something in a way that makes it look more attractive
or improves it.
Example:His smart tie complemented his formal suit.
figure: [noun] the shape of the body.
look:[noun] this is another word for appearance – the way that somebodylooks.
Example:My friend has a very professional look when she is at work.
draw attention: [verb+noun] my boss/myfriend attracts the interest of everyone.
Example:In the world of men‟s fashion, David Beckham draws the attention of
the world media.
customerbase: [noun combination] all the people who buy or use a particular
product or service.
Example:We need to appeal to a wider customer base.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-35-2048.jpg)
![closing the deal: [verb+noun] making an agreement with a customer or supplier.
Example:As a professional saleswoman, my friend usually closes the deal and
makes a sale to her clients.
compliment: [verb] to say something which expresses praise or admiration for a
person.
Example:My boss complimented me on the work which I completed last week.
#14: An Experience You Had As A Team Member
“Describe a person you were friendly to, although you did not really like
them (him or her)/Describe an experience you had as a member of a team.”
Describe a person you were friendly to, although you did not really like them
(him or her)
You should say:
- Who this person was
- When and where it happened
- What the situation was
- Why you didn‟t like this person
- And explain why you were (or had to be) friendly to this person
- And explain what the results were after you were friendly to this person
Describe an experience you had as a member of a team.
You should say:
- Where it was
- Who were the members of the team
- What you did together in this team
- And explain why you became a member of this team or explain what
the purpose of the team was
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-36-2048.jpg)
![#16: A Successful Small Business
Describe a successful small business that you know.
You should say:
- Whatthe business is
- Where it is
- Who runs the business / how you know aboutthis business
- And explain why you think it is successful.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
Nowadays, there is a new booming [1] trend of start-ups in my city; however, not
all of them are successful. One of the businesses that I think is the most successful
is the KAfe chain of restaurants and café boutiques.
I remember 2 years ago, they only had one business in our city. It quickly became
one of the favorite [2] spots for the youth to get together. Now they
have expanded with franchises [3] in almost every corner of my city. The fame of
KAfe has spread by word of mouth, and in my case, a friend told me about it. –
The owner of the chain is a young woman, who is only 31 years old at the
moment. Since I have always been [4] interested in opening up a small café/
restaurants of my own, I admire her work a lot. – She has successfully created
a brand nameof real food, in the environment of a modern, energetic and urban
café, introducing the foreign lifestyle to our rustic city.
Every time I have visited this restaurant, it has always been full [4] and this
applies to all other KAfe locations in our city, not just one specific place.
Recently, the group announced that it had [5] raised a 5.5- million-dollar
investment from overseas funds. This proves that the KAfe chain is considered to
have great potential in developing further and becoming even more successful in
the future.
USEFUL VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS :](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-43-2048.jpg)
![booming:[adjective] having a sudden increase in business, wealth and success.
Example:The owner was able to buy new machinery, becausehis company was
booming and he had money to invest.
start-ups: [noun] companies that are just opening.
Example:Many start-ups fail because they do not have enough money to survive
their first year in business.
chain:[noun] a group of businesses owned by the same company.
Example:There are about 6 large chains of supermarkets selling food in the UK.
boutiques: [noun] a small business that sells fashionable products.
Example:A famous street in London is full of small boutiques selling all the latest
styles of clothes.
franchises: [noun] businesses which have been given permission by a company to
sell its products in a particular area.
Example:The largest restaurant franchise in the UK is McDonalds.
word of mouth: [expression] The chain is famous becausepeople have talked about
it to each other.
Example:The news of the accident spread by word of mouth, hours before it was
reported on TV.
brand name: [noun] the name given to a productby the company that produces it.
Example:The brand name of the most famous trainers is NIKE.
rustic: [adjective] simple – typical of the countryside.
Example:It is impossible to see rustic styles of houses in Hanoi nowadays.
investment: [noun] a sum of money that you lend to a business, expecting that you
will make more money over a period of time.
Example:The investment of money by the bank enabled the business to expand.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-44-2048.jpg)
![a presentation on our simulation project. – We decided to meet each other once a
week to work on the project; sometimes we would discuss urgent matters over e-
mails. Despite the fact that we were at daggers drawn many times, we
successfully led our company to the 2nd place overall in our class, so that was not
a bad effort.
For topic “Describe a disagreement that you had with a friend” : If you
have ever had a chance of working in a team to make a decision, you would know
how difficult it was to make sure everyone was pulling together. Running a
simulative company was not as easy as we thought. A wrong decision
on pricing would significantly affect our profit. 3 of us fought for days on pricing
decisions. My friends wanted our products to be sold at a premium while I
preferred a medium price, targeting the mid-end market. After carefully
reviewing the market itself as well as material prices, we weighed the costs and
benefits of each price to come up with a final selling price. – From this experience,
I learned that it was hard to persuade people with
your subjective reasons. However, if your decision is backed up by sound
numbers, it will be more convincing.
USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS :
simulation: [noun] a project in which a situation is created, but is not real.
However, the conditions are similar to those that we could expect in real life.
Example:In class, we studied a simulation on the computer of how dinosaurs used
to live.
be at daggersdrawn:[expression] a dagger is a weapon, like a knife, and if people
are at daggers drawn, they are very angry with each other.
Example:In the debate, the candidates for President were at daggers drawnover
the question of economic policy.
pull together: [phrasal verb] to work together with other people in an organised
way and without conflict.
Example:If we all pull together, we will finish the work on time.
pricing: [noun] the act of deciding how much something should cost.
Example:The pricingpolicy of the supermarket was to offer a discount if you buy
something in a large quantity.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-46-2048.jpg)
![at a premium: [expression] if we talk of a premium price, we mean a price that is
higher than usual.
Example:Shares in the company are selling at a premium, becauseeveryone
thinks that the company will be very successfulthis year.
mid-end:[adjective] I wanted to reach customers who wanted shoes of medium
price and quality.
Example:Although the sales of expensive luxury cars and also cheap second-hand
cars were falling, sales aimed at the mid-end market remained stable.
come up with: [phrasal verb] to find or producean answer to a problem.
Example:The government has come up with a plan to reduce pollution in the city.
subjective: [adjective] based on your own ideas and opinions, not on facts.
Example:Court decisions are based on evidence, not on the subjective opinion of
the judge.
back up: [phrasal verb] to support.
Example:His job application was backedup by a good reference from his previous
employer.
sound numbers: [expression] reliable.
Example:The sound numbers published by the government encouraged more
people to invest in the country.
#18: A Law About Environment
“Describe a change that you think would improve your local
area/Describe a law about the environment that you would like to see.”
Describe a change that you think would improveyour local area
You should say:
- what local area
- what change
- how the change could be made](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-47-2048.jpg)
![However, in order to stay fit, I register for a hip hop class, which is held twice a
week. – Unlike running on the treadmill, dancing is more fun. It helps me burn a
lot of energy. In addition, it enhances my flexibility with a lot of stretching
movements. Dancing also allows me to work on all the parts of my body. You
might look at dancers and think that dancing is light and easy, but you are wrong.
In order to be that flexible and light, dancers have to work on their core
muscles to maintain their stamina. Dancing can help burn as many as 360
calories in just an hour of intensive training.
By maintaining a schedule of dancing twice a week, I successfully manage to keep
fit. Not only that, dancing helps me relax after a busy day at work and my mind is
always fresh and alertduring and after the class.
VOCABULARY :
keep fit [verb phrase] do physical exercises to improve your strength and stay
healthy.
Example:Keeping fit is especially important for people who spend a lot of their
time at their desks, working or studying.
hip hop: [noun] a type of music [usually with words] played with a regular beat on
electronic instruments.
Example:Hip hop is great music for a keep-fit class, because the regular beat is
perfect for repeating physical exercises.
treadmill:[noun] an exercise machine with a moving surface that you can run or
walk on, while remaining in the same place.
Example:You can change the speed on the treadmill in the gym, for running or
walking, fast or slow.
burn a lot of energy/burn calories: [verb phrases] use up the energy that we get
from our food.
Example:Athletes burn a lot of energy, so they need a diet with lots of calories.
flexibility: [noun] the ability to bend easily when we move.
Example:Without regular exercise, older people lose their flexibility and they find
it more difficult to move easily.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-51-2048.jpg)
![stretch: [verb] to put your arms and legs out straight and contract your muscles.
Example:These stretching exercises will strengthen the muscles in your arms and
legs.
core muscles: [adjective+ noun] the most essential muscles in your body.
Example:Dancing is an activity which uses all your core muscles.
stamina:[noun] the physical strength that enables you to do something for a long
time.
Example:The event in athletics which demands the most stamina is probably the
marathon.
#20: An Occasion You Unexpectedly Met Someone
“Describe an occasion when you were surprised to meet someone you
know. Describe an occasion when you unexpectedly met someone you
know.”
You should say:
- Who it was
- Where you met this person
- What you did when you met
- And explain why you were surprised to meet this person.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
Well, it doesn‟t happen a lot when you unexpectedly meet someone you know.
But a couple of days ago when I was out for lunch, I bumped into a high school
classmate whom I haven‟t seen since we graduated.
I was walking along the street when I saw him standing in front of a restaurant.
He hasn’tchanged a bit, so I recognized him right away. I approached him and
said hi; however, it took him a while to realize that I was his high school classmate.
At that moment, I felt very awkward. Luckily, it didn‟t last long and we started to
give each other a quick update about our lives recently, such as where we](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-52-2048.jpg)
![are working currently, our families and, of course, we swapped phone
numbers and promised to keep in touch in future.
Since we were both in a hurry, we didn‟t spend much time chatting to each other.
However, it always feels good when you unexpectedly meet a long-lost friend. If
we had had more time,we‟d probably have reminisced about our high school
memories with all the crazy thingsthat we did back then.
VOCABULARY:
bump into: [phrasal verb] to meet unexpectedly by accident.
Example:To my surprise, I bumped into my English teacher in the supermarket.
he hasn’t changed a bit:[verb phrase] he looks or acts exactly the same.
Example:My uncle looks the same as in the photos of him 20 years ago. It‟s
amazing, he hasn’tchangeda bit.
right away: [adverb] immediately
Example:This message is very urgent, so please send it right away.
awkward:[adjective] making you feel embarrassed.
Example:At the restaurant, my friend had to pay for our meal. It was
an awkwardsituation, because I had forgotten to bring any money !
update: [noun] a report containing the most recent information.
Example:I planned to go to the beach, so I checked on the Internet for
an update on the weather forecast.
swap:[verb] to give something to somebodyand receive something in exchange.
Example:I swappedplaces with a man on the bus, so that I could sit near the front.
keep in touch: [verb phrase] to communicate with somebody, especially
by writing or telephoning.
Example:Most young people nowadays keepin touch by e-mailing or texting their
friends.
chat: [verb] to talk in a friendly, informal way to somebody
Example:I decided to invite my friend for a coffee, so we could chat about our
recent holidays](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-53-2048.jpg)
![a long-lostfriend: [noun] a friend that you have not seen for a long time.
Example:At the bus station, I bumped into a long-lostfriend that I had not seen
since my schooldays.
reminisce: [verb] to think, talk or write about a happy time in your past.
Example:My father often reminisces about his years at university.
back then: [adverb] at a particular time in the past.
Example:I remember when I visited Thailand many years ago. Back then, there
were very few tourists.
#21: A Time You Borrowed Something
“Describe a time when you forgot something important /Describe a time
when you borrowed something.”
Describe a time when you forgot something important.
You should say:
- when it happened
- what you forgot
- who you were with
- what was the result of your forgetting
- and explain why it was important.
Describe a time when you borrowed something.
You should say:
- what you borrowed
- who you borrowed it from
- what you used it for (how it was useful to you) and explain why you
borrowed it.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-54-2048.jpg)
![Today I am going to share with you the time when I forgot something important/ I
(once) borrowed something useful. It happened a few months ago when I had to
attend an important exam for my accounting qualification.
The test strictly required candidates to use black ball point pen to write the paper. I
was sure that morning when I left for the exam that I had put two pens in my
backpack. However, I was not sure of their ink colors. So by the time I reached the
examination hall, I quickly opened my backpack to check. To my surprise, they
were both blue pens.
This could have resulted in my answer booklet being disqualified and I would have
had to re-take the exam. Since the exam was held twice a year only, this mistake
would not only have cost me valuable time but also a lot of money for
the upcoming exams.
In panic, I looked around to see any familiar face to ask for help; however, I did
not see anyone but the examiner. I took a deep breath and decided to ask him if he
had a spare black pen that I could borrow. Luckily, he did. He was willing to lend
me one and did not forget to remind me about the regulation. I was relieved and
ready to sit my exam, thanks to a kind examiner.
VOCABULARY :
disqualified: [verb] prevent somebodyfrom doing something, because they have
broken the regulations.
Example:The police stopped the man in his car. He had been drinking and driving
and he was disqualified from driving for 3 years.
upcoming:[adjective] something which is upcoming is going to happen soon.
Example:Brazil is preparing for the upcoming OlympicGamesin 2016.
panic:[noun] a suddenfeeling of fear.
Example:As the fire spread through the school, the students ran out in panic.
breath: [noun] an amount of air which enters your lungs at one time.
Example:He can count from 1 to 20 in one breath.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-55-2048.jpg)
![USEFUL VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS :
fastfoodchain: [noun] a network of restaurants like McDonald‟s, which you can
find in many different places, serving food such as burgers and fries.
rustic: [adjective] simple and typical of the countryside.
Example:The old church in the small village had a rustic appearance.
go out of their way to: [verb phrase] to make a special effort to do something.
Example:The teacher went out of her way to help the students, giving free
classes before the exams.
show someone around: [verb phrase] to be a guide for somebodywhen they visit
a new place and to show them what is interesting.
Example:We were shown around the schoolby one of the students.
sacred: [adjective] connected with a god, and considered to be holy.
Example:In Islam, Mecca is a sacred city.
opened up: [phrasal verb] possible to be visited.
Example:The railways opened up many remote parts of the country.
globalization: [noun] the process bywhich places become similar to each other all
over the world.
Example:You can now buy burgers in fastfood restaurants like McDonald‟s all
over the world, as a result of globalization.
#23: A Country You Have Not Been To Yet
Describe a situation (or time) when you receivedsome
useful advice./Describe an important conversationthat you had with
someone
Describe a situation (or time) when you receivedsome useful advice](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-57-2048.jpg)
![#24: A Street That You Like To Visit
Describe a streetthat you like to visit. /Describe what you would do if you
had a day off, free from work or study.
Describe a streetthat you like to visit
You should say:
- where is it
- how often you go there
- what you usually do there
- and explain why you like to go there
Describe whatyou would do if you had a day off, free from work or study.
You should say:
- where you would go
- what you would do there
- who you would go with
- and explain how you think you would feel at the end of this day.
BAND 9.0 MODEL ANSWER :
As a full time employee/student, I don‟t have much free time. As a result,
whenever I have a day off, I visit my favorite street in the city. The name of the
street is [….]. It is located near [……] and it is the place where I would always
choose to go. I usually go there in the morning, park my moped in the nearby
parking lot and walk along the street by myself.
Although I am quite a sociable person, I like my own space from time to time.
Living in a metropolitan area with a fast-paced life doesn‟t allow me to have time
for myself that often. This is probably the only time I can escape from my normal
routine, completely free and just breathe, without worrying about my job/my
studies. This street is perfect for my purpose because there are only government
offices around here, hence it is always quiet. Moreover, both side of the streets are
planted with many big trees, their shade covers the whole street. On a sunny day,
you can see the sun‟s rays shining through the leaves.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-60-2048.jpg)
![Every time I come here I feel fresh and less stressed, especially after my busy days
at work/ preparing for exams. At the end of the day, I can refresh my mind and be
ready for a new day.
VOCABULARY :
moped:[noun] a motorcycle with a small engine and also pedals.
Example:I sometimes use the engineon my moped, butmore often I use the pedals,
like a bicycle.
sociable: [adjective] a sociable person is someone who enjoys spending time with
other people.
Example:she’s a sociablechild who will talk to anyone.
myown space: my freedom and time to think and do what I want.
Example:he was tired of being with other people, so he went to his room to get
some space.
metropolitan: [adjective] connected with a large city.
Example:my brother lives in the New York metropolitanarea.
fast-paced: [adjective] very busy
Example:my university course is very fast-paced, so it is difficult to complete all
my assignmentson time.
shade: [noun] an area that is dark and cool under or behind something [like a
tree], where the light of the sun does not reach it.
Example:We sat down in the shade of the wall.
rays: [noun] narrow lines of light.
Example:The rays of the sun entered my window when the sun rose early in
the morning.
refresh: [verb] to refresh somebodyis to make them less tired or less hot.
Example:A cool shower refreshed me after running in the park.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-61-2048.jpg)
![VOCABULARY :
hydrated: [adjective] capable of absorbing or taking in water.
Example:In hot weather, keep your bodyhydrated by drinking lots of water.
buildup: [phrasal verb] to develop.
Example:In business, it is important to build up a good relationship with
customers.
kickingoff your day: [verb phrase] starting your day [like starting a football match
by kicking the ball]
Example:Kick off your day with a good breakfast, before you go to school.
boost your immunesystem: [verb phrase] to make your bodystronger to help it
fight against illness.
Example:A healthy diet of fruit and vegetables, combined with exercise and sleep,
will boostyour immune system by making your body strong.
fight off: [phrasal verb] to resist – in this case, illness.
Example:The soldiers fought off the enemy attack.
ageing: [noun] the process ofbecoming old.
Example:There are some skin care products which claim to stop the ageing
process.
antioxidant:[adjective] removing harmful substances from the body.
Example:Vitamin C has antioxidant properties, so it is good to have it in your diet
to prevent illness.
urinarytract: [noun] the part of the bodythrough which waste liquid passes.
Example:If you have pain when you go to the toilet , it may be a symptom of an
infection of your urinary tract.
detoxify: [verb] to remove harmful or poisonous substances, in this case from your
liver.
Example:As harmful substances can build up during the night, you can clean your
liver and detoxify it by drinking lemon water in the morning.
ward off: [phrasal verb] to protector defend yourself against illness or danger.
Example:She put up her hands to ward off her attacker.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-63-2048.jpg)
![Maybe to many people, being a musician doesn‟t contribute much to our society.
However, I think that any career that we choose to pursue plays an important role
in our lives. If abusiness person is important, so is a musician. Imagine a
world without music, it would definitely be so dull and boring. In addition, music
also helps us soothe our soul and relax our brain after hard days at work.
Although we cannot quantify its benefit, the positive effects that music brings to
our lives are undeniably worth valuing.
VOCABULARY :
saxophonist: [noun] a personwho plays the saxophone.
Example:At the music concert, I thought that the saxophonist and the pianist were
particularly good.
piece: [noun] here we use „piece‟ to mean a „piece of music‟. We usually use it to
refer to classical music or jazz –not modern or rock music.
Example:At the concert, Kenny G played two pieces which he had written himself.
melodious: [adjective] music which is pleasant to listen to is „melodious‟.
Example:The piece was so melodious that I remember it whenever I am feeling
relaxed and comfortable.
on cloud 9: [expression] extremely happy.
Example:When I read that I had passed the exam, I was on cloud 9.
hold a concert: [verb phrase] to have a concert – we also use „hold a meeting/hold
a competition‟ in the same way.
Example:The organisers decided to hold the concert in New York.
once in a lifetime:[expression] used to describe something special that is not likely
to happen to you again.
Example:When my friend invited me to Brazil, I knew that this was a once in a
lifetime chance to visit the Amazon rainforest.
liveconcert: [noun] a concert when people are watching and listening when the
event is actually taking place.
Example:One thousand people attended the live concert to hear the musicians
perform in person.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-65-2048.jpg)
![soothe our soul: [verb phrase] to make us feel relaxed and peaceful.
Example:Rockmusic is loud, but to feel relaxed I prefer to listen to classical music
to soothe my soul.
quantify: [verb] to express something as an amount or number.
Example:The pleasure that we feel when we see or hear something beautiful is
impossible to quantify.
#27: A House/Apartment You Like To Live In
“Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in.”
You should say:
- where this house or apartment would be
- what it would look like
- when you would like to live there
- and explain why you would like to live in such a place
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
Today I am going to share with you a description of my ideal apartment that I
would like to live in. Since I live in a big city, it is probably more convenient to
buy a condo in a building complex.
I prefer a cozy place, so, I would expect it to be not too big, about 90 to 100 square
meters, with 2 bedrooms and 2 balconies. In my opinion, this size is perfect for a
small family of parents and one child. When it comes to cleaning the house, you
would not feel discouraged by all the chores you have to do.
It would be great if my apartment overlooked [1] a river or bridge, and it should be
located on a high floor like the 10th or above. As a person who loves color and
nature, I would decorate my house with a lot of paintings and plants. I would make
a hanging garden in one of my balconies [2] and put small chairs and tables out,
so that I could sit there and enjoy my small garden. I would use yellow -tinted
bulbs and lamps all over the apartment to make it cozier.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-66-2048.jpg)
![If I got the chance [1], I would love to make my dream apartment become a
reality as soon as possible, because I have always wanted to move out of my
parents‟ house. Owning an apartment would allow me to do whatever I
want, whenever I want.
VOCABULARY :
condo: [noun] one apartment that you own in a building with other apartments.
However, the shared areas are owned by everyone.
Example:The owners of the condos share the swimming pooland children‟s play
areas that are part of the apartment complex.
buildingcomplex:[noun] a group of similar buildings of one type in the same
place.
Example:The buildings in the sports complexincluded a gymnasium and a
basketball court.
cozy: [adjective] small, but warm, comfortable and safe.
Example:Although it was cold outside, his small apartment was cozy and so we
stayed overnight.
balcony: [noun] something that is built on the outside wall of a building, like a
small platform with a wall or rail around it for safety.
Example:We had drinks on the hotel balcony, enjoying the view of the sea.
discouraged: [adjective] feeling less enthusiastic about something.
Example:when I looked at all the homework that I had to finish, I felt quite
discouraged. However, I decided to start doing it immediately.
chores: [noun] routine tasks.
Example:I have to do some chores every day, such as cleaning the kitchen and
washing the dishes.
overlook: [verb] if an apartment overlooks a place, this means that you can see that
place from the window or balcony of the apartment.
Example:We had lunch in a restaurant overlooking a lake.
floor: [noun] all the rooms that are on the same level of a building.
Example:On the 10th floor of my apartment block, there are 6 different
apartments.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-67-2048.jpg)
![hanginggarden: [noun] a type of garden on a balcony or roof in which many
plants are in baskets which hang down from baskets fastened to the walls.
Example:Many people in our apartment complex grow flowers in baskets
which hang from the walls of their balconies.
yellow-tinted:[adjective] having a light yellow colour.
Example:The yellow-tinted lights gave our apartment a relaxing and cozy
atmosphere.
#17: A Time When You Waited For Something
“Describe a time when you waited for (or, had to wait for) something (or
someone).”
You should say:
- who or what you waited for
- where you waited
- why you waited (or, had to wait)
- and explain how you felt while you were waiting
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
Having to wait for somebody is a common situation in our daily lives. There was
this one time I had to wait for my friends, which was so special I‟d like to share
the story with you today.
It was my birthday and I had invited a group of friends to a coffee house to
celebrate it. We were scheduled to meet there at 8 that evening. I was so eager that
I came early. Certainly, none of them were there, but it was easy to understand
because I was early. However, I waited for half an hour, but nobody showed up,
and then I started to feel uncomfortable and worried. As I was losing my
patience, I began to call each of them to ask why they had not come yet. To my](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-68-2048.jpg)
![surprise, none of them picked up the phone. I was really fed up, as you can
imagine, because it was my birthday and my friends had treated me like that.
I waited for a couple more minutes until I couldn‟t stand it anymore, and decided
to leave. As soon as I called the waiter for the bill, I heard the “Happy birthday”
song start up in the coffee house. Out of nowhere, all of my friends suddenly
appeared with a birthday cake. They hugged me and wished me happy birthday. It
was such a surprise. My anger quickly gave way to laughter and we had
an unforgettable night chatting until the early hours, drinking coffee and, of
course, eating cake.
VOCABULARY :
show up: [phrasal verb] to arrive where you had arranged to meet somebody
Example:It was getting late when she finally showedup.
lose mypatience: [verb phrase] to become annoyed or angry as a result of a delay.
Example:The train is now 1 hour late, and I am losing my patience.
fed up: [adjective] bored and unhappy, especially with a situation that has
continued for a long time.
Example:The traffic congestion in our city never seems to get better, so people are
really fed up with the time it takes to get to work.
stand [something]: [verb] to dislike – used especially in negative sentences.
Example:I like John, but I can‟t stand his sister, she is very rude.
out of nowhere: [expression] appearing or happening suddenly and unexpectedly
Example:The woman cried for help and, out of nowhere, a policeman arrived.
hug: [verb] to put your arms around someone and hold them tightly, to show that
you like or love them.
Example:The child ran out of the schooland he hugged his mother, who was
waiting at the school gate.
the early hours: [expression] early in the morning, for example about 2, 3 or 4 am.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-69-2048.jpg)
![#29: Someone/Something Made A Lot Of Noise
Describe someone orsomething that made a lot of noise.
You should say:
- who or whatmadethe noise
- whatthe noise was like
- and explain whatyou did when you heard this noise
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
If you live in my country long enough, you will totally agree with me that those
who are driving make a lot of noise, especially during peak traffic hours.
All roads have never been free of the honking noises of all kinds of vehicles from
vans and cars, to mopeds. It is, in my opinion, the most annoying sound you could
imagine. Whenever I heard people honking like angry geese, I felt
very annoyed and frustrated. A majority of people should learn when to use the
horn properly. It seems to me that they push the horn all the time because they
want to be able to drive fast, while everyone else gets out of their way.
Despite the fact that I hate it so much, I cannot give up driving here. So I learned
to ignore it, and use my horn sparingly or just in case of emergency. However, I
still think that the city should have a campaign on educating people to use the
horn in a proper way so that the city is not polluted by noise.
VOCABULARY :
peak traffic hours: [noun phrase] the times when there is most traffic on the roads,
usually when people are travelling to or from work.
Example:Because of all the traffic, it is difficult to cross the road during peak
traffic hours.
honk: [verb] if you honk the horn of a car or other vehicle, it makes a loud noise
like a warning sound.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-70-2048.jpg)
![Example:She knew that the taxi had arrived, becauseshe heard the
horn honking outside the door.
geese: [plural noun] this is the plural form of „goose‟ – a large bird with a long
neck. It makes a loud honking noise.
Example:The geesewere on the lake, with some smaller birds nearby, which were
probably ducks.
horn: [noun] a device in a vehicle for making a loud noise as a warning.
Example:In the traffic jam, some of the drivers were honking the horns of their
cars because they were frustrated with the delay.
get out of the way: [verb phrase] move out of the route which someone else is
taking.
Example:All of the drivers got out of the way, to allow the ambulance to pass.
sparingly: [adverb] in a way that is careful, so that we only use a little.
Example:He spent his money sparingly, because he only had enough for a simple
meal.
#30: A Song That Has Special Meaning
Describe a song that has special meaning for you.
You should say:
- what this songis about
- when and where you first heard this song
- how often you listen to this song
- and explain why it has special meaning for you
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
I love listening to music, so I like many songs. However, one of my favorite songs](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-71-2048.jpg)
![BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
As a frequent moviegoer, I watch a lot of films. One of the movies that I enjoyed
the most recently was The Martian.
The movie was based on a novel of the same title by Andy Weir. Just like many
other sci-fi films, it was about man travelling in space, however, this time, our main
character was stuck on Mars due to a dust storm which nearly killed him. All of
the crewmates thought that he was dead, so they went back to Earth without him.
But fortunately he was still alive, thus two and a half hours of the movie told the
story of how he fought for his life in the brutal environment of Mars, until
NASA devised a plan to rescue him.
My best friend is a big fan of astronomy, so she had read [2] the novel before.
That‟s why she insisted on me going to see the movie with her. After watching
the trailer and reading the plot, I was hooked. It was maybe the best two and a
half hours of my week so far.
After watching the movie, I was amazed at how ingenious and strong humans can
be when it comes to a life and death situation. Mark Watney, the hero of the movie,
was a perfect portrayal of a young, humorous, brilliant and skillful engineer
cum botanist. Although the hostile environment of
Mars threatened his existence many times, he relentlesslyrefused to quit. Instead,
he overcame one problem at a time until he was successfully rescued. The message
that I learned from the film is never to give up, however hopeless things seem to
be.
VOCABULARY:
moviegoer:[noun] a person who goes to the cinema.
sci-fi: [noun] science fiction; based on imagined scientific discoveries of the future,
such as spacetravel or life on other planets.
Example:Sci-fi movies have become more popularsince space travel has
become possible.
stuck on Mars: the man was unable to escapefrom the planet.
Example:we were stuck in traffic and so we arrived late for work.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-74-2048.jpg)
![dust storm: [noun] a storm that carries clouds of dust in the wind over a wide area.
Example:a lot of plantsdie after a duststorm passes through an area.
crewmates:[noun] all the people working on a ship or, in this case, a spacecraft.
fought for his life: [verb phrase] he made a great effort to stay alive.
Example:The man wasbadly injured in the accident, but he fought for his life and
he recovered later in hospital.
brutal:[adjective] if an environment is described as brutal this means that it is very
dangerous and it is difficult for a person to survive.
devised: [verb] NASA invented something new to rescue the man.
Example:a new system has been devised to control traffic in the city.
astronomy: [noun] the scientific study of the sun, moon, stars and planets.
trailer: [noun] a series of short scenes from a film or programme, shown in
advance to advertise it.
Example:after watching an exciting trailer, I decided to go to see the film.
plot: [noun] the events which form the story of a book, play or film.
Example:the book has a plot abouta prisoner who escaped.
hooked: [adjective] enjoying something so much that you want to see or do it.
ingenious: [adjective] very clever at inventing new ideas.
Example:manyingeniousresearchersare working on ways to combat cancer
portrayal:[noun] the act of describing or showing something or somebodyin a
book, play or film.
Example:the actor gave a fantastic portrayal of a clever detective in the film.
botanist:[noun] a personwho studies plants.
hostile: [adjective] a hostile environment is unsafe for humans, because there are
many dangers.
Example:in the hostile environment of the desert, you must take a lot of water with
you.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-75-2048.jpg)
![threatened his existence: the many dangers and difficult conditions on Mars were a
danger to his life.
relentlessly: [adverb] in a way that continues strongly, without giving up.
Example:the soldiers relentlessly pursued their enemies after the battle.
hopeless: [adjective] without hope
Example:after searching for the lost planefor manydays, the situation
seemed hopeless and it seemed that the rescuers would never find it
#32: A Time You Looked At The Sky
Describe a (recent) time when you lookedat the sky (either day or night)
You should say:
- what you were doing
- when you looked at the sky
- who you were with
- what you saw and explain how you felt when you looked at the sky.
BAND 9.0 MODEL ANSWER:
Last week, my friends and I decided to go camping on the outskirts for the
weekend.
Living in a big city doesn‟t offer me much of a chance to enjoy the sky at night
because of the pollution, the lights, and the skyscrapers. That‟s the reason why I
liked this short trip so much because I could enjoy looking up at the clear sky,
searching for stars and observing the moon.
Luckily for me, there was a full moon that night. We made a small campfire and
sat around the fire, grilled potatoes and marshmallows, happily chatting with
each other.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-76-2048.jpg)
![#34: A Difficult Decision You Made
“Describe a difficult decision that you made.”
You should say:
- what decision it was
- what difficulties you faced
- how you made the decision and explain why it was a difficult decision.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
It was when I prepared the application form for the university entrance exam that I
had to make an important but difficult decision. At that time, I was at a
crossroads, where I had to decide which university to apply for. Actually, my
interest was in economics, which was taught in two separate universities, one of
which specialized in international trade while the other focused more on
the national economy. Fortunately, my sister, who graduated from an economics
college, gave me some sound advice. Having weighed up the pros and cons of each
school, she encouraged me to choose the university specializing in international
trade. Finally, I applied for this school after thinking carefully about all the
options. At present, I feel so satisfied with the learning environment of this
university that I am always thankful for my decision as well as my sister‟s
advice. Without her guidance, I probably wouldn‟t be as content with my
university life as I am.
VOCABULARY :
at a crossroads: [expression] at an important point in someone‟s life or
development.
Example:His life was at a crossroads – whether to join the army or to continue
studying at university.
sound advice: [adjective and noun combination] sensible and reliable advice.
Example:My parents gave me sound advice about my choice of career.
weighed up the pros and cons: [expression] considered carefully the advantages
and disadvantages of something.
Example:Having weighedup the pros and cons, I decided that it would be more](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-81-2048.jpg)
![useful for me to learn English rather than French.
learningenvironment: [noun phrase] the conditions that affect the behaviour and
development of people who are learning a subject.
Example:The schoolhad the latest technology, the buildings were modern and the
teachers were very helpful – it was the perfect learning environment.
#35: DescribeA PollutedPlace
Describe a polluted place.
You should say:
- What the place is
- What type of pollution it is/ are
- Cause and effect of pollution and explain how can this pollution be
controlled.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
It is regrettable that Hanoi, where I‟m living, is negatively affected
by pollution and the major environmental problems it is facing are water pollution,
air pollution and noise pollution.
There are various reasons why this city is badly polluted. Firstly, due
to modernization, more and more vehicles such as cars and motorbikes are used.
This leads to an increase in exhaust emissions which contaminate the atmosphere,
not to mention the rising level of noisepollution. Secondly, factories and industrial
zones in the city have discharged a huge amount of untreated waste into rivers,
causing death to many fish and other aquatic animals.
In fact, pollution makes people here less healthy, and some even suffer from life-
threateningdiseases such as lung cancer, skin cancer, and so on. Therefore, the
government must deal with this problem right away. Cutting down on vehicle use
is the best way to reduce air pollution and noise pollution. We can do this by](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-82-2048.jpg)
![encouraging people to use public transportation. Besides, those who litter should
pay a heavy fine. Finally, I think the best solution is to raise awareness and
educate people to protect the environment.
VOCABULARY :
regrettable: [adjective] something that you are sorry about and wish that it had not
happened.
Example:It is regrettable that only a minority of people are concerned about the
environment.
exhaust emissions: [noun phrase] waste gases that come out of a car or other
vehicle.
Example:The exhaust emissions from big trucks cause serious air pollution in my
city.
contaminate: [verb] make a place or thing dirty, by adding a substance that is
dangerous or polluting.
Example:Every day, more and more vehicles enter the city centre
and contaminatethe atmosphere with their exhaust emissions.
discharge: [verb] when somebodydischarges a gas or liquid, they release it and it
goes into the water or the air.
Example:The factory was fined for discharging chemicals into the river.
aquatic: [adjective] living in water
Example:Rivers which are clean have a lot of aquaticlife, such as fish and frogs.
life-threatening: [adjective] likely to kill someone.
Example:Aid workers in poorcountries often have to deal with
difficult, lifethreatening situations.
cutting down on: [phrasal verb] reducing the size, amount or number of something.
Example:You will improve your health by cutting down on cigarettes.
awareness: [noun] knowing that something exists and is important.
Example:In schools, campaigns about awarenessofroad safety are essential for
young children.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-83-2048.jpg)
![#36: A Product You Were Happy With
“Describe a product you bought that you were happy with.”
You should say:
- What you bought
- (when and) where you bought it
- Why you bought it and explain why you were happy with it
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER 1:
It was last summer that I bought a new yogurt maker and I am very satisfied with
it.
This machine is quite small and fits conveniently into my kitchen. Interestingly, it
looks like a cooker with six glasses inside. And the most important thing is that it
is very easy to use. You just have to pour the mixture of ingredients to make
yogurt into these glasses, turn the yogurt maker on and leave it for a few hours.
Then, you will have delicious home-made yogurt. Thanks to the simple
instructions, I can make yogurt for my whole family any time I want. As yogurt is
good for our health, eating it daily can make people healthier, it can help to prevent
some potentially fatal diseases and boost the human immune system. Therefore,
the members of my family have all adopted the habit of eating yogurt every day.
Owning a yogurt maker helped me to cut down considerably the amount of time
that it took to make yogurt, not to mention the higher quality as opposed to
the traditional method. At present, I still make yogurt every day for my family
with this machine and I think that this is an indispensable product for preparing
an essential part of our regular diet.
VOCABULARY :
fits: [verb] is the right shape and size for something.
Example:This jacket fits me perfectly, but those shoes don‟t fit at all.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-84-2048.jpg)
![pour: [verb] to make a liquid flow from a container.
Example:Pour some milk into my glass, please.
potentially: [adverb] used to say that something may develop into something.
Example:Smoking will not kill you immediately, but it is potentially harmful for
your health.
fatal:[adjective] causing or ending in death.
Example: Police were called to a fatal accident, in which 3 people were killed.
immunesystem: [expression] the system in your bodythat helps it fight agains
infection and disease.
Example:A strong immune systemis necessary to remain fit and healthy.
adopted the habit: [expression] started to use a particular method of doing
something.
Example:Last month, my friend adopted the habit of running for one hour every
day in order to keep fit.
cut down:[phrasal verb] reduce the amount, size or number of something.
Example:I should cut down my working hours and spend more time just relaxing.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER 2 :
Last summer, I bought a Nokia smart phone that I was really satisfied with.
My cell phonewas the latest product from Nokia, so there were various useful
applications such as video calling, emails, games, music players, and so on. I
intended to use this smart hone to listen to music, make phone calls, send messages
and check emails. I must say that this portable device helps me a lot no matter
where I am.
There were numerous reasons why I took an interest in this product. Firstly, I
wanted to use it for entertainment purposes. I could refresh myself after a hard
day‟s work by enjoying music or watching reality shows on the Internet.
Moreover, thanks to this smart phone, I was ble to keep in touch with my old
friends whom I could not meet in person regularly. Besides, his mobile
phone helped me to handle my workload effectively. For example, I could check
mails when waiting for the bus, which saved a lot of time.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-85-2048.jpg)
![As a final point, I would emphasize that I chose the mobile phone myself. That
was the main reason why I felt so happy with this product.
VOCABULARY :
portabledevice:[noun] an object that is easy to carry or to move.
Example:A lot of people on my flight were using portable devices, suchas their
laptops, during the journey.
took an interest in: [expression] wanted to know more about the product.
Example:My parents took an interest in my grades at school, because they wanted
me to go to university.
entertainment: [noun] for interest and amusement.
Example:The local newspaper gives news about entertainment, with information
on all the latest films, music, shows and events in our city.
refresh myself:[verb] make myself feel less tired and stressed.
Example:After work, I usually refresh myself with a shower and a hot drink.
realityshows: [noun] shows that use real people [not actors]in real situations, in
order to provide entertainment.
Example:Reality shows like „Big Brother‟ are very cheap to make, because there
are no actors to pay.
handlemyworkload: [expression] manage the amount of work that I have to do.
Example:The company has paid me for some extra hours to handle
my increased workload.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-86-2048.jpg)
![VOCABULARY :
role model:[noun phrase] a person that you admire and try to copy.
Example:Parents are usually the most important role models for a child.
in her 50s: [expression] between the ages of 50 and 59.
Example:My mother retired from her job as a teacher when she was in her 50s.
cared about: [phrasal verb] felt that we were important and worth worrying about.
Example:Everybody had a good opinion of the hospital – the doctors and nurses
really caredabout the health of the patients.
thoroughness: [noun] the quality of doing things very carefully and with great
attention to detail.
Example:The report was perfectly organised and included every important detail,
and I had to admire his thoroughness.
lifestyle: [noun] the way in which a person or group of people live and work.
Example:When I moved to the countryside from Hanoi, I had to change
my lifestyle completely.
warm-hearted:[adjective] kind and generous
Example:He often gave money and chatted in the street to poorpeople that he
knew – he was a very warm-hearted person.
#38: A TV Program That Made You Laugh
Describe a television program that makes you laugh.
You should say:
- What program it is
- How often you watch it
- What it is about and explain why you laugh at this program (= explain](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-88-2048.jpg)
![what is funny in this program).
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
A TV program that I found really funny was an American show called “How I met
your mother” which was broadcast every Sunday last summer.
It was a sitcom with 9 series, each of which included about 24 episodes. I watched
all of the episodes and found them absolutely hilarious. The series followed the
main character, Ted, who recounted to his son and daughter the time when he
met and got married to their mother. The special thing was this – all the events
Ted had experienced with his best friends before meeting his wife were illustrated
in a highly amusing way. For example, in one episode, Ted described his dates
with a girlfriend whose name he had forgotten, so Ted and the other characters
had to refer to her as “Blah–blah” all the time.
Because of the characters‟ eccentric humor and natural acting, this show made me
laugh a lot. So, at present, whenever I feel stressed, I replay this series so that I can
just put my feet up and have a good laugh
VOCABULARY :
sitcom: [noun] a regular TV program that shows the same characters in different
funny situations.
Example: In a good sitcom, all the characters who appear regularly make us laugh.
episodes: [noun] parts of a story on TV or the radio which is broadcastin several
parts.
Example: The sitcom finally ended after 200 episodes.
absolutelyhilarious: [adverb+adjective] extremely funny.
Example: At the party, he told me an absolutelyhilarious story, and I couldn‟t
stop laughing.
recounted: [verb] told someone about something that you experienced.
Example: My father sometimes recountedto me stories of his time as a student.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-89-2048.jpg)
![dates: [noun] aromantic meetings with a boy or girl.
Example: Although they had several dates, they decided to remain just good
friends.
eccentric: [adjective] considered by other people to be strange or unusual.
#39: First Time You Used A Foreign Language
Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate.
You should say:
- What the situation was
- Where you were who you communicated with
- And explain why you used a foreign language to communicate on this
occasion.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
I have been learning English for a long time, but I haven‟t had many chances to
practice speaking English with native speakers. To the best of my
recollection, the first time I used it was on Christmas Eve three years ago.
At that time, I was hanging out with my friends. Suddenly, a foreigner came up to
me and asked for directions to a supermarket. Honestly, he spoke too quickly for
me to catch everything. But after he repeated his words, I finally understood and
showed him the way to the nearest supermarket. I used body language a lot to
explain the directions to him, since I didn‟t speak English well then. After that, he
said “Thank you” to me and headed for the supermarket. I realize
that English plays an important role in our life, despite the fact that we don‟t live
in English-speaking countries. It is spoken globally and it‟s becoming the
dominant language. Therefore, I have been trying to practice speaking
English daily so that I can have a good command of this language, and I can
talk confidently with foreigners, whatever the topic of conversation.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-90-2048.jpg)
![VOCABULARY :
to the best of myrecollection: [expression] if I remember correctly.
Example:I was not present at that meeting, to the best of my recollection.
hangingout: [phrasal verb] spending a lot of time in a particular place, but doing
no special activity.
Example:My friends and I enjoy hanging out at our local coffee shop, just chatting
and enjoying a coffee.
cameup to: [phrasal verb] approached.
Example:The manager came up to me and shookmy hand.
catch everything: [expression] hear or understand everything that he said.
Example:At the train station it was too noisy to hear all the information clearly,
and I was unable to catcheverything.
body language: [noun] the way that you show what you feel or think by moving
your body.
Example:Sometimes, our teacher uses body language, notwords, to help to
communicate an idea.
headed for: [phrasal verb] moved in a particular direction.
Example:After the show finished, everyone headed for the exits.
have a good command of: [expression] have a good knowledge of something.
Example:People who apply for this job must have a goodcommand of English, in
order to communicate with our American customers.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-91-2048.jpg)
![#40: Local News People Interested In
“Describe some localnews that people in your locality are interestedin.”
You should say:
- What the news is
- How you know about this news
- Who is involved in this news
- And explain why it is interesting to people.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
I came across this intriguing article in a newspaper I read at my school’s library.
It involved how positive attitudes have greatly affected people‟s success, based on
the story of how a local woman had never given up her dream and had now
become a world-famous novelist.
According to the news story, optimistic people are more likely to be successful.
Since they look at the bright side, their lives are always full of enjoyment.
Therefore, when running into problems, optimists try their best to work
out solutions. This leads them to great achievements. In contrast, pessimistic
people tend to act negatively, which not only puts them under a lot of strain, but
also has a bad impact on their performance and people around them.
Since I read this news, I have tried to maintain positive attitudes about everything.
Whenever I fail to do something, I will not blame myself but work harder to
overcome such failure. I hope that, like this woman, everybody can learn to be
optimistic about whatever situationthey face.
VOCABULARY :
intriguing: [adjective] very interesting, because the news was unusual.
Example:He told me an intriguing story about how a shark had once attacked him
while he was swimming in the sea.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-92-2048.jpg)
![had never given up:[phrasal verb] had never abandoned: she had always continued
to believe in her dream.
Example:The police announced that – after 10 days – they had finally given
up looking for survivors of the air crash.
world-famous:[adjective] known all over the world
Example:McDonald‟s is a world-famous chain of fast-food restaurants.
novelist:[noun] a person who writes novels – fictional stories.
Example:The author of the „Harry Potter‟ books used to teach English, but now
she is a world-famous novelist.
optimistic:[adjective] expecting good things to happen or to be successful.
Example:He was optimistic about his chances of passing the exam, because he had
studied hard.
look at/on the brightside: [expression] to be cheerful about a bad situation, by
thinking of the advantages – not the disadvantages.
Example:Although you have lost your keys, look on the bright side – your brother
has a copyof all of them.
work out (solutions): [phrasal verb] think of (solutions).
Example:Engineers work outsolutions to many technical problems when they
design new buildings.
pessimistic: [adjective] expecting bad things to happen or expecting things to fail.
Example:The patient was very ill, and the doctors were pessimistic about his
chances of recovering.
puts them undera lot of strain: [expression] puts a lot of pressure on them,
because they are worried about being able to solve a difficulty.
Example:The team have lost every match, so this puts them under a lot of
strain when they have to face new opponents.
whatever:any or every (situation)
Example:Whatever the situation about your travel visa, we will work out a
solution together.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-93-2048.jpg)
![#41: A Story/ Novel Interests You
Describe a story or a novel that was particularly interesting to you.
You should say:
- What the story/novel is
- What it is about
- Why you find it interesting
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
I would like to talk about my favorite classic novel called The Godfather, which is
written by a well-known Italian author, Mario Puzo. I came across this novel
when I was trying to find a dictionary at a bookstore. It was published in hard-
cover version and there was a colourful illustration on the front which caught my
eye.
At first, although I was not much impressed by the novel‟s preview, I still bought
it and started to read the story right after getting home. Surprisingly, the more I
read “The Godfather”, the more it appealed to me. This novel told the story of an
Italian imaginary character named
Vito Corleone, who was a mafia boss in America after World War I.
What attracted me in this story was the way the author described
Vito‟s tricks to survive in a chaotic society.
Thanks to this novel, I learned a lot about the course of American history in that
lawless period. After finishing this book, I read some more novels by Mario Puzo
and they were all fascinating. I realize that reading books is a good way to
gain knowledge; therefore, everyone should get into the habit of reading.
VOCABULARY :
classic: [adjective] accepted as being one of the best or most important of its type.
Example:The story of Romeo and Juliet is a classictale of love and revenge.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-94-2048.jpg)
![come across: [phrasal verb] to meet or find somebodyorsomething by chance.
Example:Yesterday, I came across someold photographs in a drawer.
hard-cover: [adjective] with a stiff cover which does not bend.
Example:The hard-coverversion of the bookis expensive, so I am waiting for the
paperbackversion to be published.
caught myeye: [expression] attracted my attention.
Example:As I looked at the shop window, a dark blue jacket caught my eye.
right after: [adverb] immediately after.
Example:Yesterday, I spoketo the teacher right after the class.
appeal to: [phrasal verb] attract or interest someone.
Example:The company‟s new website is designed to appeal to people of all ages.
chaotic: [adjective] confused and without any order.
Example:At busytimes, the traffic situation is chaotic in New York.
lawless:[adjective] where laws do not exist or are not obeyed.
Example:Chicago was known as a lawless city, controlled by gangsters and the
mafia.
fascinating: [adjective] very interesting.
Example:She has written a fascinating bookabout the history of crime in
America.
get into the habitof: [expression] do something regularly, so that you do it almost
without thinking.
Example:My sister has got into the habit of turning on the TV when she arrives
home.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-95-2048.jpg)
![#42: A Goal That You Have
Describe a goal that you would like to achieve.
You should say:
- What the goal is
- How easy or difficult you think it will be to reach this goal
- How you plan to achieve this goal and explain why this is one of your
goals.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
One of my goals in the near future is to improve my proficiency in Japanese.
Actually, I have been studying Japanese for two months; therefore, I can just hold
some simple conversations about daily life. There are various reasons why I want
to study this language.
Firstly, I am keen on Japanese culture, which is so incredibly unique and diverse.
By learning Japanese, I can know more about traditions there. Secondly, I have
always longed to work for a Japanese company. Since people in Japan
are organized and hard-working, collaborating with them gives me a good chance
to improve myself. That‟s why I really want to master this language.
To achieve this goal, I am taking a Japanese course with a native teacher who
gives me the best methods to study Japanese effectively. Besides, I am trying to
practice speaking Japanese with my friends and watch as many Japanese films as
possible, so that my level of Japanese can be improved considerably. I hope that
soon I will have a good command of Japanese and I am sure that I will remain
motivated to achieve my goal.
VOCABULARY :
hold conversations: [expression] have conversations
Example: It is impossible to hold conversations in that place – it is too noisy !](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-96-2048.jpg)
![keen on: [adjective] very interested in an idea or activity
Example: My parents are very keenon visiting my uncle in the US.
diverse: [adjective] very different and varied.
Example: New York is a big city with people from diverse cultures.
longed to: [phrasal verb] wanted to do something very much.
Example: It is just a dream, but I have always longed to be a famous musician.
master: [verb] learn or understand something completely.
Example: In many jobs we have to master new techniques, such as computer skills.
have a command of: [expression] have an ability to do or use something –
especially a language.
Example: You must have a goodcommand of English in order to pass the IELTS
exam.
#43: An Item Of ClothingBought For You
“Describe an item of clothing that was bought for you”
You should say:
what it was who bought it
what it looked like
why it was bought for you and explain how you felt about this item of
clothing.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
I would like to describe a coat my parents gave me as a present on
my 18th birthday. I must say that it is really smart and exactly to my liking.
The coat is made of cotton only and by a Vietnamese clothes brand. It is a knee-
length black coat, which was in fashion at that time. What I like the most is that](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-97-2048.jpg)
![there are two deep side pockets, so in winter, I always put my hands into those
pockets to avoid the cold. Besides, I can button the coat from top to bottom and
it‟s also got a decorative waist belt. I am so fond of this coat that I usually wear it
every winter. It fits me perfectly and makes me feel comfortable and warm, no
matter how cold the weather is. I keep myself warm by wearing the coat with jeans
and boots, which match it well.
In fact, I have never thought whether it will be out of fashion. As this coat is a gift
from my parents, I treasure it a lot and – for sure – I will keep wearing this coat
in the future.
VOCABULARY :
reallysmart: [adjective] very clean, neat and attractive.
Example:If you want to look good on special social occasions, oreven at work, it
is important to dress in really smart clothes.
to my liking: [expression] suitable, and how somebodylikes something.
Example:The smart way in which she has decorated my house is exactly
to my liking.
button the coat: [verbal phrase] fasten the coat with buttons.
Example:Stepping outside my warm house, I quickly buttoned the coat which I
was wearing to try and keep warm.
decorative: [adjective] intended to look attractive, because of the way in which it is
decorated.
Example:Many tourists visit the Temple of Literature becauseof the
many decorative sculptures which they can see there.
fond of: [expression] finding something pleasant or enjoyable, especially
something that you have liked or enjoyed for a long time.
Example:My uncle is an excellent musician, and he is very fond of his hobby.
match: [verb] if things match each other, they have the same colour or style and
therefore look attractive together.
Example:None of these shoes match my jeans – they are all very different and
they are too formal.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-98-2048.jpg)
![treasure: [verb] have or keep something that you love and that is very valuable to
you.
Example:Thank you for e-mailing the photos. They are superb and I will
always treasure them and the memories that they bring.
#44: A Meal You Had With Your Friends
“Describe a meal you had your friends (in someone’s home or in a
restaurant).”
You should say:
- Who organized this meal
- Where you had it
- What you talked about during the meal
- What you ate and drank and explain why you had this meal with your
friends.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
Last month, I had a get-together with some of my high school friends whom I had
not met since we graduated. Then, we decided to have lunch at a well-
known pizza restaurant in the city centre.
Arriving at the restaurant, we were quickly given the menu. What surprised
me the most was that there were various types of pizza and drinks; hence, it took
me quite a long time to choose the food. After that, we talked with each
other while waiting for the dishes. Some of my friends were studying at the same
university, some had decided to get a job. And I was especially impressed by the
decision of one friend to take a gap year. She said that as she had a strong passion
for traveling, she would spend one year visiting lots of places.
Then, the dishes were served. The pizza was out-of-this-world and the
drinks were tasty although they were a bit pricey. We kept talking and enjoyed the
meal and drinks for about two hours. Actually, meeting them reminded me of the](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-99-2048.jpg)
![time when we studied at high school and I realized that now we were all grown-
up, we had our own plans to pursue. But we all promised to meet up regularly.
VOCABULARY :
get-together: [noun] an informal meeting or gathering of friends.
Example:We usually have a family get-togetherduring the New Year
celebrations.
gap year: [noun] the year that a young person spends working and/or travelling
after leaving schooland starting university.
Example:I‟m planning to take a gap year before I start my university course, and I
have decided to go to see India and China.
have a passion for: [expression] have a hobby or activity that you like very much.
Example:He has a passionfor traditional music, and he is learning to play some
traditional musical instruments.
out-of-this-world: [adjective] used to emphasize how good or beautiful something
is.
Example:The variety of Vietnamese food available during the Tet holiday is out-
ofthis-world.
asty: [adjective] having a very delicious flavour.
Example:When I want something tasty to eat, I often buy some chocolates or ice-
cream.
a bitpricey: [adjective] a little expensive.
Example:Although my favourite restaurant serves food that is out-of-this-world, it
is unfortunately a bit pricey, so I can‟t afford to eat there often.
grown-up:[adjective] mentally and physically an adult.
Example:She has a grown-updaughter who works in our local hospital.
meet up: [phrasal verb] to meet someone, usually by arranging a time and place
with them first.
Example:After work, we all met up at the cinema to watch the new James Bond
movie.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-100-2048.jpg)
![#45: An Interesting Animal
“Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal.”
You should say:
- What animal it was
- Where you saw it
- What happened when you saw it and explain why you thought it was
interesting.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
I am raising an Alaska dog, which is a large breed of domestic dog. My dog has
a double coat:the undercoat is soft while the outer one is coarse and water-proof.
Also, his coat has two colors, black and white.
In my opinion, his most attractive feature is the small upright ears which are out of
proportion to the head. Having had this dog for almost a year, I find him intriguing.
He is very smart, so he learns everything quickly. I once taught him how to
fetch. Surprisingly enough, he successfully chased and retrieved the object after I
tossed it for the second time. He acted as if he had intrinsically understood the game.
He is also friendly to everyone, especially children. Whenever someone visits my
house, instead of barking, he welcomes them by licking their feet.
For me, my dog is a friend I can play with after school. I often walk him around the
park at the weekends and he seems to like this, as there are different dogs there. I
also talk with himregularly and I feel that he can understand what I say. As a final
point, I hope that my dog can live with me for a long time.
VOCABULARY :
breed: [noun] an animal such as a dog, horse or cat that has been developed by
people in a controlled way.
Example:The airport police use a breed of dogwhich can smell hidden drugs in
bags and suitcases.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-101-2048.jpg)
![coat: [noun] the fur or hair which covers the bodyof an animal.
Example:Some breeds of cows have a thick winter coatto protect against cold
weather.
coarse: [adjective] rough
Example:As a result of working on a construction site all his life, his hands
were coarse.
upright:[adjective] straight, not lying down or bent.
Example:My dog‟s ears appear to be large, because they are upright and this helps
him to hear everything very well.
intriguing: [adjective] interesting and unusual
Example:It is intriguing to see how my teacher explains things so clearly to the
class.
fetch: [verb] go to where something is and bring it back.
Example:It started to rain, so I went back to the house to fetch the umbrella for me
and my wife.
retrieved: [verb] to bring something back, especially from a place where it should
not be.
Example:The wind blew my hat into the road, so I quickly retrieved it before any
cars came.
tossed it: threw it, but in no special direction.
Example:After he had read the newspaper, he tossedit on to the ground.
intrinsically:[adverb] in a way that was part of his real nature or character.
Example:I believed his story, because he is an intrinsically honest man.
barking: [verb] the sound made by a dog.
Example:When the postman arrived, the dogstarted barking.
licking: [verb] moving its tongue over someone or something.
Example:I saw the cat lickingits whiskers after it had finished eating.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-102-2048.jpg)
![VOCABULARY :
was keenon: [phrasal verb] was eager to/was enthusiastic about
Example:He was keenon fishing when he was a boy, and he still loves to go
fishing at weekends.
pestering: [verb] annoying someone by asking them many times.
Example:In the shop, some children were pestering their mother to buy ice-cream.
stuffed bear: [noun] a toy in the shape of a bear, made of cloth and filled with
soft material.
Example:Stuffed bears have always been popular as toys for young children.
identical to: [adjective] exactly the same as someone or something else.
Example:His sports bag is identical to mine, and as a result one day I took his bag
by mistake.
amusement center: [noun] a center which has a lot of things which you can play
on and many different activities to enjoy.
Example:Our city has a huge shopping mall, and it has a fantastic amusement
centerfor children to play while their parents are shopping.
#47: A Sport You Have Learned
“Describe a sport that you have learned.”
You should say:
- What sportit is
- When you learned it
- What you learned to do and explain how you feel about this sport.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-104-2048.jpg)
![BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
Basketball is the sport which I have been interested in for a long time. Therefore, I
have taken up this sport recently. Basketball is played by two teams
of five members on a rectangular court, where the players of each team try to shoot
the ball through the rival‟s hoop.
As far as I know, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. This is
because of basketball‟s great benefits to our health, such as muscular development,
height growth, and so on. Of course, it‟s also fastmoving and exciting.
Considering its huge advantages, I decided to take up this sport. Actually, I have
been learning it for three months at a sport center. Here, I am taking the beginner
course which provides me with basic skills to play basketball such as dribbling,
jumping and shooting. Also, I have many opportunities to practise these skills with
experienced basketball players, which helps to improve my game a lot.
As a final point, I would emphasize that in the near future, I hope that I will be
able to play basketball skillfully to improve my physical condition and really
enjoy the sport to the full.
VOCABULARY :
take up: [phrasal verb] learn or start to do something.
Example:I decided to take up a new hobby– jogging.
rival:[noun] a person, team or company which competes with another in sportor
business.
Example:Nike and Adidas are rivals in the sportswearbusiness.
hoop: [noun] the ring through which players throw the ball in basketball to score
points.
Example:The best basketball players consistently shootthe ball through the hoop.
musculardevelopment: [expression] the process bywhich your muscles become
stronger.
Example:He uses the equipment at the gym every day in order to increase
his muscular development.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-105-2048.jpg)
![dribbling: [gerund] a way of moving the ball with several short bounces on the
basketball court.
Example:I practice running and bouncing the ball in order to improve
my dribbling for basketball.
to the full: [adverb] to the greatest possible degree.
Example:Staying fit and healthy helps us to enjoy life to the full.
#48: A Family You Know
Describe a family (not your own family) that you like.
You should say:
- Where this family lives
- Who the members of the family are
- How you know them
- What each person in this family does in life
(student/work/retired etc.) and explain why you like this family.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
I would like to talk about a family that I am very close to, it‟s my uncle’s family.
His family has 2 daughters who are around the same age as me; therefore, I
usually drop in to his house to chat with them. At times, we bake some cakes and
take them to our grandparents‟ house; then we have an overnight sleep there.
Besides, we often hang out together, especially at the weekendsjust to take it easy
and enjoy ourselves so as to get ready for a new week.
Their parents, I mean my uncle and aunt, are very warm-hearted, and
they both work as college teachers. So, whenever I run into difficulties with my
homework, I usually turn to them for help. I remember when I was small, I used
to live in my uncle’s house and they looked after me as if I had been their
daughter. Hence, our relationships are out-of-this-world, although we don‟t have](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-106-2048.jpg)
![much time together like before. But on special occasions such as the Tet
holiday, we will gather at my grandparents‟ house to make Chung cake, enjoy
a firework performance as well as wish New year‟s greetings to each other. As a
final point, I hope that we can maintain this close relationship for ever.
VOCABULARY :
close to: [adjective] knowing someone very well and liking them a lot.
Example:I am still very close to my best friend, and we meet up regularly.
drop in:[phrasal verb] pay an informal visit to someone.
Example:I was passing your house, so I decided to drop in and have a chat.
overnight: [adjective] for one night.
Example:All the hotels were full and I could not find
any overnightaccommodation.
hang out: [phrasal verb] spend a lot of time in a place.
Example:During the schoolholidays, a lot of kids hang out at the shopping mall.
take it easy: [expression] relax and avoid working too hard or doing too much.
Example:The doctortold me to take it easyfor a few days until I felt better.
warm-hearted:[adjective] kind and generous.
Example:My parents were very warm-hearted and they always helped other
people with their problems.
run intodifficulties: [expression] experience difficulties.
Example:As I did not understand much French, I soon ran into difficulties when I
visited Paris.
looked after: [phrasal verb] were responsible for and took care of me.
Example:My aunt lookedafterus while our mother was in hospital.
out-of-this-world: [expression] used to emphasize how good something is.
Example:Visitors to Vietnam think that the traditional food is out-of-this-world.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-107-2048.jpg)
![#49: Topic: A Good Friend
“Describe a goodfriend.”
You should say:
- When and how you met
- What kind of personality he/she has
- What makes you like him/her.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER :
I would like to describe my best friend, Huong, whom I have known for
roughly 10 years. I first met her at primary school when she was my classmate. At
first, she was quite shy and did not want to talk with anyone, which made me feel
that she was a bit proud. However, when we became close friends, she was more
sociable and amiable. We have done a lot of things together. Studying at the same
schools, we have variousmutual friends. So, we usually throw parties at the
weekends or have a picnic together.
Besides, whenever I get into trouble, I turn to her for help. For example,
I remember when I got bad marks in the mock university entrance exam,
she consoled me and then we studied together until the official exam took
place. Finally, we had the opportunity to study at our favorite college.
At present, despite the fact that we have different plansand goals to pursue, I
believe that we will be best friends for good and we will try our best to maintain
this relationship.
VOCABULARY :
roughly: [adverb] approximately, but not exactly.
Example:In the exam, I wrote roughly 300 words for my essay.
close friends: [expression] friends who know each other very well and like each
other a lot.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-108-2048.jpg)
![Example:Close friends usually share the same interests and have no secrets from
each other.
amiable:[adjective] pleasant and easy to like
Example:Our form teacher is very amiable and we all enjoy the relaxed
atmosphere in her classes.
mutualfriends: [expression] friends which are shared by two or more people.
Example:Although we had not met before, when we started chatting, we
discovered that we had some mutual friends.
throw parties: [expression] give parties.
Example:Some Hollywood film stars throw parties which hundreds of people
attend.
consoled: [verb] gave sympathy to someone who is unhappy.
Example:After the team lost the match, the coach consoledthe players and told
them that they had played well.
for good: [expression] permanently
Example:I decided to leave New York for goodand move to Europe.
try our best: do as much as possible to achieve something
Example:Although we tried our best, we failed the exam.
#50: A CHARACTER IN A MOVIE/TV PROGRAM
“Describe a characterfrom a story/ film/ TV program.”
You should say:
- Who this character is
- When did you first see/ read about him/ her
- What kind of person this character is](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/99cuecardforieltsspeaking-ieltsfighter-171019140218/75/99-cue-card-for-ielts-speaking-ielts-fighter-109-2048.jpg)
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99 cue card for ielts speaking ielts fighter
- 2. Lời nói đầu: Cácem thân mến, để giúp các em có thể luyện thi IELTS tốt hĄn mà trong thąi gian qua các têp thể giáo viên cûa IELTS Fighter dành rçt nhiều thąi gian để biên soän các bộ tài liệu căc hay và chia sê. Và bộ tài liệu tổng hợp 99 Cue Card này là một trong số đò. Bộ tài liệu này së đþợc biên soän gồm các nội dung: 1. Ląi khuyên dành việc học IELTS – tiếng Anh hiệu quâ 2. Tổng hợp 99 Cue Card cho phæn thi Speaking part 2 Nhþng thăc să, cô (cô Trà My – ngþąi biên soän) rçt tiếc là đåy chî là một tài liệu text đĄn thuæn nhþng läi läi là tài liệu dành cho Speaking. Và điều đáng tiếc nĂa là nó không dành cho tçt câ các bän. Nhþng bän band thçp (< 6.5 IELTS) thì học không hiệu quâ. Nhþng các em đÿng buồn Cô së có phiên bân 2 (cô täm gọi bân này là phiên bân 1 nhé). Nó së rçt đæy đû, bao gồm: 1. Ląi khuyên – lộ trình vô cùng chi tiết giúp học tốt tiếng Anh - chinh phýc 8.0 IELTS (cô së dành thąi gian về học tiếng Anh trþĆc, IELTS sau nhé, khi giói tiếng Anh thì IELTS là Ok mà) 2. Tổng hợp 99 Cue Card đæy đû - chi tiết phân theo level 3. File thu âm dành cho tÿng Cue Card – giọng bân ngĂ - chuèn IELTS – Native Và nó sẽ sớm ra mắt. Các em đón xem tại fanpage nhé! Form cô Trà My with love <3
- 3. Lời khuyên họctiếng Anh hiệu quả Nhþ đã nòi ć trên, trong phiên bân tiếp theo Cô së chia sê đæy đû về phþĄng pháp học tốt tiếng Anh – chinh phýc 8.0 IELTS đæy đû. Nhþng hôm nay cô së chia sê về THAY ĐỔI THÓI QUEN HỌC TIẾNG ANH nhé! Phần 1: Rèn luyện thói quen học tiếng Anh hằng ngày - Täi sao các em dành nhiều thąi gian học tiếng Anh nhþng vén không hiệu quâ? - Täi sao các em thþąng chán nân khi học tiếng Anh? Làm thế nào để khắc phục được điều đó? Để làm đþợc nhĂng điều này, các em hãy bít đæu bìng việc hän chế facebook, Zalo “chat chit”„ đã, đọc tiếp nhé! Đæu tiên, cô muốn phân tích một tí về 4 kï nëng học tiếng Anh bao gồm Nghe – Nói – Đọc – Viết. Trong đò, cò 2 kï nëng mà cô gọi là Kĩ năng vào đò chính là Nghe và Đọc, 2 kï nëng cñn läi đþợc gọi là kĩ năng ra Nói và Viết. Kĩ năng vào: Nghe và Đọc vs Kĩ năng ra: Nói và Viết Sć dï, nò đþợc gọi là kï nëng vào đĄn giân đò là cách mà chúng ta së tiếp thu, không chî tiếng Anh mà các kiến thĀc khác đều nhþ vêy câ.
- 4. Nghe – đọclà cách tiếp nhên thông tin. Và khi cò lþợng thông tin nhçt đðnh thì chúng ta mĆi “ra” đþợc. Đò chính là Nòi và Viết. Nói một cách đĄn giân, chúng ta phâi cò lþợng tþ văng – ngĂ pháp„ thì chúng ta mĆi có thể Nói và Viết đþợc. Và để có 2 các kiến thĀc đò thì chúng ta phâi Nghe và Đọc đúng không nào? Tçt nhiên là 4 kï nëng nò së xuyên suốt vĆi nhau rồi và đặc biệt là để học têp tốt thì không thể ngoài 2 chĂ Luyện têp – luyện têp và luyện têp rồi. Nhþng hôm nay, trong phæn này cô së nòi đến việc đæu tiên – quan trọng nhçt – và theo suốt tên sau này. Đò chính là thay đổi thói quen. Nghe thì có vê là “biết rồi – khổ lím – nòi mãi” nhþng nò läi là một trong nhĂng nguyên nhân chính làm các em không thể học đþợc tiếng Anh đò chính là không cò một thói quen học tiếng Anh mỗi ngày và một nguyên nhån khác mà cô cüng muốn đề cêp trong này đò chính là một môi trþąng học tiếng Anh tốt nĂa. Nguyên nhån, phån tích kï thì chíc dài. Nhþng quan trong hĄn đò là: Làm sao để khắc phục được điều đó? Đầu tiên, sẽ NGHE: - Hãy nghe tiếng Anh mọi lúc, mọi nĄi. - Thay đổi thòi quen “nghe tiếng Việt” trć thành “nghe tiếng Anh” Trong nghe, cò 2 kï nëng chính đò chính là Nghe Chủ Động và Nghe Thụ Động – đò cüng là 2 kï nëng mà cô së hþĆng dén và đề cêp các em trong chia sê này. Nghe chủ động:
- 5. Đò chính làviệc các em dành thąi gian học nghe bìng các bài nghe nhçt đðnh. Có rçt nhiều bài nghe mà các em có thể luyện nghe chû động cüng nhþ các phþĄng pháp luyện nghe khác nhau. Tuy nhiên, đã nghe chû động thì phâi kết hợp vĆi việc học (nói và viết) đi kèm mĆi hiệu quâ. Khi đò, các em cæn phâi đi kèm vĆi să nghiêm túc nĂa. Đối vĆi cách Nghe chû động thì cô khuyên các em là có thể dành thąi gian luyện nghe vĆi IELTS luôn và có rçt nhiều tài liệu để luyện nghe phæn này. Tài liệu: Các em có thể luyện têp vĆi các bộ tài liệu Listening for IELTS (Collins), Listening Strategies for IELTS, Basic IELTS Listening„ Rçt nhiều! (nếu các em cæn tþ vçn có thể inbox cho Cô nhé. Cô së chọn cho các em một bộ tài liệu phù hợp) Tuy nhiên, cô khuyên các em nên CHỈ HỌC MỘT CUỐN DUY NHẤT và theo đuổi nó tÿ đæu đến cuối nhé. Thąi gian: Mỗi ngày cố gíng tối thiểu khoâng 30 phút để học vĆi các tài liệu này. Còn nĂa! Còn có một phþĄng pháp học vô cùng hiệu quâ đò chính là Nghe và Chép Chính Tâ. Nhþng cô së đề cêp tĆi phþĄng pháp cüng nhþ tài liệu phù hợp vĆi phþĄng pháp này sau trong một post khác nhé. Hôm nay chúng ta bàn về thói quen nên nghe và chép chính tâ rçt khó (theo cô) để täo nên thói quen nên cô không bàn.
- 6. Ý cô phænnày là: Mỗi ngày, lôi một vài bài trong các cuốn sách ra và học, ngày nào cüng vêy thì nó së täo thành thòi quen (nhþ các em học cçp 3 – luyện thi Đäi Học vén chëm chî çy). Chî đĄn giân thế thôi! Nghe thụ động: Có một phæn mà các em cæn thay đổi thói quen – cüng là täo một môi trþąng “bân ngĂ” đò chính là Nghe thý động. Hãy chuyển nhĂng thói quen hìng ngày trć thành thói quen học tiếng Anh. Và cô không khuyên các em nghe thąi să - xem BBC, CNN suốt ngày để học nhþ nhĂng ngþąi khác mà cô khuyên các em hãy chuyển các sć thích – thói quen cûa mình nò “Tåy” hĄn mà thôi. Thay vì xem Giọng Hát Việt sao các em không xem The Voice England, sao các em không xem American idol thay cho Việt Nam idol„? Ý cô là vêy đò, các em hãy xem các chþĄng trình nþĆc ngoài, nghe các bài hát bìng tiếng Anh„ mỗi ngày thay cho việc xem các chþĄng trình mà các em yêu thích bìng tiếng Việt. Nó së thay đổi kï nëng nghe cûa các em khûng khiếp sau một thąi gian đçy! Tçt nhiên, XEM KHÔNG SUB nhé. Xem có phý đề nó chî câi thiện kï nëng đọc thôi! Còn một phæn nĂa đò là nghe Radio, Podcast thì cô së đề cêp trong một bài viết chi tiết khác cho các em nhé! Thay đổi thói quen đọc: Cüng giống Nghe, đọc cô cüng chia thành 2 loäi đò chính là Đọc thý động và Đọc chû động.
- 7. Về phæn Đọcthý động thì các em có thể làm bài Reading hoặc chuyển sang đọc bài méu Writing cüng đþợc nhé. Mỗi ngày cüng tối thiểu 30 phút là së thành công. Còn về phæn đọc chû động thì sao? Đò chính là báo chí, tài liệu„ chuyên ngành các em cæn nghiên cĀu„ Thăc ra, nò cüng giống vĆi kï nëng nghe thôi. Các em nghiên cĀu së tă hiểu ra vçn đề và quan trong là các em cæn LÀM NÓ MỖI NGÀY để täo thành NHƯ MỘT THÓI QUEN thì së rçt tuyệt vąi. Tiếng Anh së “tëng nhþ vü bão” các em nhé! Điều cuối cùng mà cô muốn nói đó chính là: Tiếng Anh không chî có một kï nëng, tiếng Anh là một thể thống nhất. Chính vì vêy nên đÿng học mỗi kï nëng một læn mà hãy học têp đồng thąi nó së hiệu quâ hĄn rçt nhiều. Ví dý, khi học Nghe thì các em hãy Repeat theo để luyện phát âm và thā ghi läi ra giçy xem thā mình nghe cò đúng – viết cò đúng không. Học đọc cüng vêy, hãy đọc xem phát âm có chuèn không và chép läi xem mình nhĆ chính xác không chĀ đÿng “đọc bìng mít” nhþ các thòi quen thþąng ngày cûa các em! Thay đổi thói quen – thay đổi thành công! P/s: Nghe nhþ đa cçp nhî ^^
- 8. Và… Cho dù làmgì cüng vêy, thành công nào cüng trâi qua chông gai câ. Nỗ lăc thì së thành tài, học chëm thì së giói. Và để vþợt trội thì tiếng Anh – IELTS là điều mà các em cæn phâi có trong thąi đäi hiện nay. Nò cüng së mć ra cho các em một cánh cāa cuộc sống mĆi – một să khám phá mĆi trong cuộc sống đò! Chính vì vêy, - Hãy học nó bìng một niềm đam mê, tình yêu và să hĀng thú së tốt hĄn nhé các em! Và để mć đæu, - Hãy täo thói quen học têp hìng ngày cho bân thân! Yêu tất cả các em! Cô Trà My và tập thể các giáo viên IELTS Fighter!
- 9. #1: Topic: ACourseYou Like To Study “Describe a course you would like to study (or, do)” You should say: - What courseit is (or, would be) - Where you would do it - What you would learn in that course - And explain why you would like to do this course. Band 9.0 Sample: Well, speaking of the course I‟d like to do, I would say that it‟s an English course. Today, English is considered to be the most important language in the world. That‟s why it became one of the compulsory subjects and we now have to study English from elementary onwards. I‟d like to get admitted to the Foreign Trade University which offers a professional course in Business English. They have a good reputation for teaching this course effectively to a high standard. As I have other classes in the morning, I would like to enroll in the afternoon course. Also, the course fee is both cheap and convenient for me to pay using my bank account. There are so many reasons why I‟d like to enroll in an English course. First of all, English is an international language, hence, having a knowledge of English can help people around the world to communicate better. Second, it also gives us countless opportunities to become more acquainted with other cultures. We depend on English to keep up to date with the latest news from all over the world, since almost all the books and magazines are written in this language. Finally, learning English can really help us in our careers and enhance our CVs, as these days, many firms need good office employees to conduct international business.
- 10. USEFUL VOCABULARY : 1)compulsory: [adjective] that must be done because of a rule or law. Example:In some countries, it is compulsory to attend schooluntil the age of 16. 2) onwards: [adverb] continuing from a particular time. Example:I will be in my office from 8:00 am onwards, until I leave at 6:00 in the evening. 3) reputation: [noun] the opinion that people have about someone/something is like, based on what has happened in the past. Example:The restaurant enjoys an international reputation for the best Thai cuisine. 4) countless:[adjective] very many; too many to be counted or mentioned. Example:The teacher has warned him countless times to pay attention in class. 5) acquainted: [adjective] familiar with something having seen, heard or read it. Example:The students are already acquainted with the history of our country, having studied it at elementary level. 6) keepup to date with: [expression] be informed about the latest information. Example:I watch the news on TV every day, in order to keep up to date with the political situation. 7) CVs: [noun] short descriptions of your education and qualifications, which you give to an employer when you go for an interview. Example:Students should make sure that they write good CVs, to help them when they apply for a job. 8) firm: [noun] company. Example:She works for a firm of lawyers in Paris. 9) conduct: [verb] organize or do a particular activity. Example:The schoolhas decided to conductall its classes in English.
- 11. #2: Topic: ExcitingSport “Describe an exciting sport you know” You should say: - What sportit is - How you know about it - How difficult you think it is - And explain why you think it is exciting Band 9.0 Sample: Of all the different types of sports, I am interested in figure skating the most. I first learned about figure skating when I watched an Olympic competition in 2012. I found this sport very interesting. I don‟t think that figure skating is a sport for everybody since it requires great balancing skills. In addition, the person has to be very flexible and courageous when doing this sport. Coming from a tropical country, I don‟t get to experience ice and snow, thus, figure skating was new to me. Watching the athlete‟s elegant performance on ice amazed me. I couldn‟t imagine how people could do such things since just walking with ice skates is so difficult. These athletes danced on ice without even tripping. They must have spent a great deal of time practicing and preparing for their performances. Also, I found it very beautiful, as their costumes were so elegant. I even enjoyed the background music they used during the performances. In comparison to other sports, figure skating is an amazing feast for both the eyes and the ears. USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS: to be interested in – to like or to enjoy. “She is interested in figure skating and he is interested in soccer.” I found this sport to be very interesting – I thought this sport was very interesting. “He found the work to be too easy for him.”
- 12. It requires –something that needs to be done. In this sentence it means that figure skating can only be done by people who have good balance, and not everyone does. It‟s something necessary to have to do well at figure skating. “This job requires you to work 60 hours per week.” Flexible – in this context it means that the person can do many things with his/her body, like putting your foot above your head while you are skating. “Yoga teachers are very flexible and can get themselves into all kinds of crazy positions.” Courageous – brave. In this case you have to be brave to be a figure skater because itcan be dangerous. “The mountaineers are courageous for climbing so high.” Elegant performance – describing the performance as elegant means that you thought it was very beautiful or gorgeous; it was pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner. “The dancers gave an elegant performance this evening.” Amazed me – surprised or shocked me. In this case it was incredible to see the skaters do such things. “It amazed me that he received a 9 on his first IELTS exam.” To trip – to fall down while you are walking or running or doing something else like dancing or skating. “She tripped and hit her head on the table. Ouch!” A feast for the eyes and ears – something pleasant to watch and listen to. “The Taylor Swift concert was a feast for the eyes and ears. It was incredible to watch the show and I love her music.”
- 13. #3: Topic: ThingsYou Want To Buy In The Future “Describe something you really want to buy (in the future)” You should say: - What it is - When you would like to (= want to / hopeto) buy it - How long you have wanted to buy this - Explain why you would like to buy this Band 9.0 Sample Answer We all have a never-ending wish list of things that we want to buy, so do I. One item that has been on my wish list for a long time is a one-bedroom apartment of my own. I hope to cross this item off my list by the time I turn 30. I know it sounds impossible but it‟d be cool if I could do it. And the most important thing is that I have a longterm goal to pursue. Since I am an independent person, I have always wanted to move out of my parents‟ house. As soon as I graduated college, I wanted to buy a small apartment. where you would like to buy it *: I‟m currently looking for a condo a little further away from the city centre. Despite the fact that it will take longer for me to travel to work, the price will be more reasonable and I will be able to afford it. and Having a flat of my own means a lot to me for several reasons. Firstly, I can decorate the house according to my own tastes and personality. Secondly, I can do whatever I want without interfering in my parents‟ lives. I can invite my friends over for the weekend and I can throw a party anytime I want. Most importantly, I want to show my parents that I am a grown-up woman and that I can take good care of myself. USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
- 14. never-ending – usedto describe something that seems to never end or have an ending. “She had a never-ending list of complaints about her last company.” to cross an item off your list – to mark it as finished or completed. When you have a list of things you want to do, and then you do one, you cross it off your list so that you know it has been finished and you don‟t have to think about it anymore. “Today she was able to cross five things off of her very long to-do list.” it would be cool if… – another way to say… it would be nice if or it would be great if – you are talking about a hypothetical situation. “It would be cool if you could come visit me while I am in Japan.” to purse a goal – to go after something that you want to accomplish or achieve. “She spent the last five years pursuing her goal of becoming a doctor.” an independent person – someone who likes to do things on their own. “Her brother is a very independent person; he moved out of the house when he was only 20 and spent the next five years traveling around the world by himself.” to move out of – to leave the place where you are living now. “He will be moving out of his apartment at the end of the month.” condo – short for condominium, a form of housing where a person owns the unit and then can either live in it or rent it out to others. It is different than an apartment, which is usually owned by a person or company that owns all the apartments in a building. “The price for condos these days has really gone up.” despite the fact that – even though. “Despite the fact that he has already graduated from college, he still has no idea what he wants to do with his life.” to be more reasonable – related to price, it means that you will have an easier time affording it or paying for it with the money you have. If a price is unreasonable, it means that it is too expensive for you and you won‟t buy it at that price. “The housing prices are becoming more reasonable these days than they were 3 years ago.” means a lot to me – to talk about something being meaningful or important to you. “It means a lot to me that you came to dinner with me on my birthday.”
- 15. to decorate –to put up decorations such as paintings, curtains, wall-hangings, art and other things in a home or apartment or office. “People decorate their spaces with things they like.” according to – in agreement or accord with – in this case, she will decorate her apartment based on her own tastes (what she likes) and her personality (with stuff that represents her). “He will do his job according to his manager‟s instructions.” to interfere with – to get in the way of, to be in the middle of something or others. “He doesn‟t like it when his father interferes with his work by telling him what to do.” to throw a party – to give or host a party, to be the person who invites others to the party and provides drinks and food. “She is throwing a big party for her 50th birthday this Saturday.” a grown-up woman – a mature or adult woman, not a kid. Used to express that you can be responsible and take care of yourself. “She wanted to prove that she was a grown-up woman by purchasing a new condo all by herself. #4: Topic: A Place Full Of Colo “Describe a place you went to that was full of colour.” You should say: - What place it was - Why you went there - What you did there - And explain why you think it was full of colour Describe a garden or park you visited and liked. You should say: - Where it was - What it looked like - What you did (or, were doing) there [or, what people were doing there - And explain why you liked it.
- 16. BAND 9.0 SAMPLEANSWER: I would like to share with you my impressions of a garden that I visited last summer, which was full of colour and interest: Claude Monet‟s house and garden in Giverny, France. As a big fan of Monet‟s paintings, especially the famous „Water Lilies‟, I had always dreamed of seeing he scene in real life. So, when some friends suggested a visit last year, I jumped at the chance. After a journey of about an hour by train from our hotel, we arrived at Giverny. The garden was exactly as he had painted it – it was a riot of colour, from the peaceful white of the water lilies to the striking reds and oranges which filled some of the flowerbeds. The two parts of the garden complemented each other perfectly. We first admired the array of bright flowers and fruit trees in the Clos Normand, but my favourite part was the water garden, and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll, taking in all the colours, perfumes and bird songs. Monet avidly collected prints of Japanese gardens, and these inspired the Japanese bridges covered with wisterias, the water lilies in the pond, and the bamboo and weeping willows which he planted. For me, it was like a wonderland of colours and a dream come true after so many years. USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS: impression: feeling or feelings (in the plural) about the garden (impressions) “His impression of the meeting was that it didn‟t go very well.” fan: although the word is often used in the context of football nowadays, here it means a person who admires [ Monet‟s paintings]. “She is a huge fan of Maroon 5.” jumped at the chance: I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to visit the garden. “He jumped at the chance to go to Las Vegas with his boss.”
- 17. a riot ofcolour: a collection of many different colours. “Sandra‟s rose garden is a riot of colour.” striking: very attractive and unusual. “The woman he was with was wearing a striking outfit last night.” flowerbeds: a piece of a garden or park in which flowers are grown. “He loves digging in his flowerbeds.” complemented each other: each part of the garden added something different to the other part, so that the garden as a whole became more attractive. “The wine and the fish complemented each other to form a perfect meal.” the array of bright flowers: the large and impressive collection of flowers. “The array of bright flowers in her garden surprised everybody. They didn‟t realize she had planted so many varieties.” a leisurely stroll: a slow, relaxing walk. “We went for a leisurely stroll along the beach this morning.” taking in all the colours: our eyes noticed all the colours and features of the garden. “We were taking in all the colours of his garden, when all of a sudden we heard a large crash outside the garden gate. Two cars had just bumped into each other.” avidly: Monet collected prints of Japanese gardens enthusiastically. “He studied English avidly, from morning until late in the evening.” prints: copies of original drawings or paintings. “The artist offered her prints for $100 each.” wisterias: white or purple flowers which cover walls, bridges or trees. “The wisterias in the garden were in full bloom.” pond: a small area of still water, usually in a garden. “There are many beautiful fish in the pond.” bamboo: tall tropical plants which have hollow „stems‟ [the long, thin part of the plant] used for building or furniture. “Pandas love to eat bamboo.”
- 18. weeping willows: treeswhich grow near water and have „branches‟ which hang downwards. “There are two weeping willows on the property, but we should cut one down.” wonderland: an imaginary place in children‟s stories. “The amusement park was a wonderland for both children and adults. #5: Topic: Ambition You Have Not Yet Achieved Describe an ambition that you have not yet achieved. You should say: - What your ambition is - When you first had this ambition (or, how long you have had this ambition) - How you plan to achieve it (possibly) what you have done towards achieving this ambition - And explain why you have not achieved it yet Band 9.0 Sample Answer: One of my ambitions that I have not yet achieved is to be able to communicate in Japanese. I just thought about this idea a year ago because I realized that nowadays, knowing more foreign languages is an advantage not only in our daily lives but also in work environments. In order to achieve this, I registered for a Japanese class for beginners, twice a week. I also downloaded an application on my iPhone which helps people study foreign languages named Duolingo, so that I can study on my own at home. For the first two months, I did not skip any classes, and spent at least 30 minutes every night studying Japanese on Duolingo at home. Unfortunately, I could not keep up with the schedule for long since I was working full time, not to mention that I had many other social activities that distracted me
- 19. from studying. Therewere days when I was so busy that I had to work overtime to finish my job. As a result, I wasn‟t able to go to class and I definitely didn‟t have any time to study at home. Moreover, my friends complained that I had been ignoring them, so I needed to arrange time to hang out with them. Just like that, I gradually lost my ambition to study Japanese and until now, I can only remember one alphabet table, even though Japanese uses three types of alphabets. USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS: ambition – a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. “Her ambition to become CEO of the company amazes her boyfriend.” not yet achieved – to not yet reach a goal or to succeed in doing something that you really want to do. “He has not yet achieved his goal of getting an 8 on the IELTS writing exam.” to realize that – to become aware of something, to know or come to understand something for the first time. “His mom didn‟t realize that she wouldn‟t be able to visit him while he was studying in Germany.” to be an advantage – something that offers you a better opportunity at something is an advantage or benefit to you. “As an employee, it is an advantage to be fluent in English these days.” to register for – to sign up for something like a class or workshop; to put your name on the list and pay your money. “He has only five days left to register for the conference.” to skip classes – to miss a class or not go to a class for some reason. “His teacher said that if he skipped any more classes, he wouldn‟t receive any credit for the course.” to keep up with – to be able to perform at a certain level or to be able to continue to do something as planned. “She had a difficult time keeping up with all of the homework that her English professor gave her.” not to mention that – used to add additional information when you are explaining why something did or didn‟t happen, used to introduce an additional fact or point that reinforces the point being made. “She can‟t go to the meeting on Friday
- 20. because she isill, not to mention that she has already put in twice as much time as everybody else has this week.” distracted me from – used to talk about when you go off task or stop working on something because your attention goes elsewhere. “Her funny jokes distracted me from getting my homework done.” they complained – to complain means to tell someone that you don‟t like something for some reason. His friends didn‟t like that he wasn‟t spending time with them, so they complained to him. “His wife complained that he was working too many hours.” to ignore someone – you ignore someone when you don‟t respond to their phone calls, messages, emails, etc., you don‟t pay attention to them. “He thought I was ignoring him because I didn‟t answer his text, but I was just in a meeting and couldn‟t text him back.” to arrange – to organize or to schedule something. “She needed to arrange a time to meet with the accountant.” to hang out with – to spend time with someone. “They liked to hang out with their friends on weekends. #6: Topic: A Child Made You Laugh Describe situationwhen a child made you laugh You should say: - Who the child was - (when and) where it happened - What he or she did to make you laugh - And explain why you laughed.
- 21. BAND 8.5 SAMPLEANSWER: One of my best friends has a 3-year-old baby girl; so every time we went out, she would take her with us. Her little girl is such a witty kid, and she is always full of energy. As she begins to be aware of the outside world, she asks a lot of questions just to satisfy her curiosity. It happened one day when we went out shopping. While her mother and I took turns trying clothes on, she was sitting quietly on the bench. Then she looked at me and her mother and started to express her opinions on our clothes. The way she talked was so funny that we couldnt stop laughing. She was so used to playing with her Barbie doll that she suggested we should dress like one of her dolls. She even taught us how to walk like models because she thought that was pretty. All the customers who walked in the store noticed her, even the store owner couldn‟t stop laughing at her since she was still a baby girl, but she talked and acted like a grown-up That was probably the best part of the shopping trip that I will never forget. USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS: witty: [adjective] able to say clever and funny things Example: Everybody laughed during the lesson, because the teacher was so witty. satisfy her curiosity: [verb phrase] to have an answer to a strong wish to know about something Example: My answer did not satisfy his curiosity, so he asked me for more details about what had happened. trying clothes on: [verb phrase] to put on clothes to see if they fit and if they look good
- 22. Example: Try theseclothes on before you buy them to make sure that they are the correct size. models: [noun] people whose job it is to wear and show new styles of clothes Example: The dream of many young people is to become fashion models and appear in magazines. grown-up: [adjective] typical of an adult Example: The child was used to being treated in a grown-up way by his parents. #7: Topic: An Electronic Equipment Describe an item of electronic equipment that you would like to have. You should say: - What it is where you would get (buy) it from - What features it would have (or, special features you would like it to have) - And explain why you would like to have it. BAND 8.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: Since I was very small, I have had a special interest in cooking. So, it is no surprise that, now that I have grown up, I dream of having an oven with rings for cooking on top, which is in very popular use overseas. In my country, this kind of oven is only sold at big electronic and appliance centers. Different from the normal oven, this one provides more stable and exact temperatures, which is one of the critical factors in baking. Besides, it has four oven top elements, which is highly convenient because it allows you to cook and bake at the same time. It also saves a lot of space in your kitchen because it is free-standing. Another feature that I would like the oven to have is a self- cleaning system. If you cook frequently, you will definitely appreciate this facility. It is inevitable that when you cook, your oven/cooker will get dirty. As a result, with the self-cleaning feature, it is much easier for us to clean.
- 23. VOCABULARY: grow up: [phrasalverb] to develop into an adult. Example: The children have all grown upand left home now. appliances: [noun] a machine which is designed to do a particular job in the home, such as cleaning or preparing food. Example: The store sells a range of household appliances, including microwave ovens and washing machines. baking: [noun] the process of cooking something in the oven using dry heat. Example: My mother loves baking – she makes bread and cakes every week in her oven. free-standing: [adjective] not a part of or attached to something else. Example: The cupboard was free-standing, so it was easy to move it away from the wall. self-cleaning: [adjective] able to be cleaned without a person having to clean it. Example: Her new oven was self-cleaning; when it was dirty it cleaned itself automatically. facility: [noun] a special feature of a machine that enables it to do something extra. Example: My computer has a facility for checking spelling. #8: A Gift You Gave That Took A Long Time To Choose “Describe a gift you gave that took a long time to choose.” You should say: - What it was - Who you gave it to - How you chose it - And explain why you spent a long time choosing it or explain how the receiver of the gift reacted - When you gave it to him or her.
- 24. Band 8.0 SampleAnswer: Choosing a gift for someone is usually a very difficult task, because you want to make sure that the person who receives it will like it. For that reason, I always spend a lot of time picking gifts for my relatives and friends. Today, I am going to share with you the time when I had to choose a gift for my little sister’s birthday. It was her 5th birthday and I wanted to give her something memorable and special. I decided to go to a “Build-a-bear workshop” to buy her a stuffed bear. At this shop, you actually spend time picking materials to build your furry friend, from the cotton inside to the clothes outside. You also got to give this teddy bear a heart and a voice recorder, so that when you squeezed it, it would say whatever you recorded before. After finishing building the stuffed toy, the store would give him or her a birth certificate with a name and birthday. My little sister was so happy when she received the bear. Well, kids always love a furry friend anyway. However, what was special was that as she grew up, she understood how much love I had put in the bear when building it for her at the store, so she came to appreciate the gift even more. VOCABULARY: pick: [verb] to choose something from a group of things. Example: The man picked a blue tie from the collection in the shop. memorable: [adjective] something special, good or unusual and therefore easy to remember. Example: I will never forget the memorable holiday that I had in Japan. workshop: [noun] a place where you can do a practical activity to create something. Example: As a student, I attended drama workshops, because I had always loved acting. stuffed bear: [noun] a toy in the shape of a bear, filled with cloth and made of some soft material. Example: When I was a child, I had a stuffed bear, which I used to keep in my bedroom.
- 25. furry: [adjective] coveredwith fur – a soft thick mass of hair that grows on the body of some animals. Example: People love pandas because they are so furry, with thick black and white fur all over their body. get to (+ infinitive): [phrasal verb] to be allowed to do something. Example: When we visited the football stadium, we got to meet some of the famous players. teddy bear: [noun] this is just another name for a stuffed toy bear. squeeze: [verb] to press something firmly, especially with your fingers. Example: Every time you clean your teeth, you squeeze the tube of toothpaste. appreciate: [verb] to recognise the good qualities in something or somebody. Example: At school, I appreciated the help that I received from my teachers. #9: An Occasion When You Got Up Very Early Describe an occasion when you got up very early. You should say: - When it happened - Why you got up early - Who you were with - And explain how you felt about getting up early. Describe a long car journey you went on You should say: - Where you went - Why you went there - Who you travelled with - What you saw on the trip (on the way) - And explain why you went by car.
- 26. BAND 8.0 SAMPLEANSWER: Like many other young people, I don‟t have the habit of waking up early every day, only for special occasions. Last weekend, I and a group of my friends decided to go on a trip to the mountainous area of my country called [………..]. We had to leave very early in the morning so that we did not get stuck in the traffic. In addition, we would have more time to spend there. It wasn‟t easy to get up early in the morning, because I had been so excited about the trip that I had barely slept that night. I had never been to this place before. It is located in the northern part of my country so I knew that we faced a long drive ahead. We had decided to go by car since, that way, all 5 of us could travel together. Moreover, everyone reckoned that it would be safer than going by motorbike. Waking up early did not feel that bad at all, even though it was the first time I had done so for many months. To begin with, I felt a bit sleepy, but then the pure morning air freshened me completely. After 5 hours driving, we arrived at our destination. We were amazed to see a vast land filled with the yellow color of terraced rice fields, ready to be harvested. Under the sunlight, these rice fields sparkled like gold. We stayed for one night with a local host and helped the family with their regular tasks before setting out for home the next day. It was such an amazing trip, and it helped us to learn more about the countryside and the way of life of those who live there. I‟d love to make more trips like that in the future. VOCABULARY: get stuck: [verb phrase] to be in an unpleasant situation that you can‟t escape from. Example:I left work early, because I didn‟t want to get stuck in traffic on my way home. barely: [adverb] something that can be achieved, but only with difficulty. Example:We barely had time to catch the train, so we ran all the way to the station. faced a long driveahead: [verb phrase] a long car journey. Example:My advice is to sleep well if you face a long drive ahead the next day.
- 27. reckon: [verb] tothink or have an opinion about something. Example:If I want to lose weight, I reckon that I will have to eat less bread. freshen: [verb] to make something cooler and more pleasant. Example:The rain freshened the air. vast: [adjective] very big. Example:The Amazon is a vast rainforest. harvest: [verb] to cut and collect a crop, suchas rice. Example:Every year, bananas are harvested from the trees on my uncle‟s farm. sparkle:[verb] to shine brightly. Example:The sky sparkled with thousands of stars. setting out: [phrasal verb] leaving a place and beginning a journey. Example:I finished my breakfast and set out for the train station. #10: An Indoor Game Describe an indoor game that you liked to play when you were a child Describe an indoor game that you played when you were a child. You should say: - What the game was - Who you played it with - How you played it where you played it - And explain why you liked playing that game. BAND 8.0 ANSWER: An indoor game that I liked to play when I was a child was badminton. It started when I was in 6th grade. At that time, I was living near my uncle‟s house. Every
- 28. morning, he wouldwake me and my cousins up early and drive us to the sport center near our house. It was actually a badminton class, so we had teachers and other students too. We practiced badminton here for an hour. During the summer holiday, we even stayed there for another half an hour. Just like tennis, you can play badminton as a singles match or doubles match. The rules are pretty much the same as tennis. The only difference is that the badminton shuttlecock is lighter than the tennis ball, thus, it requires less strength. Due to my short-sightedness, I was not very good at playing this game but I enjoyed itanyway. Firstly, it helped keep me fit. In addition, I could train my eyes to look further and faster, and it quickened my reflexes. Last but not least, it helped me a lot in improving my teamwork skills. VOCABULARY: badminton:[noun] an indoor game. Players hit a small light ball, with feathers round it, across a high net, using a racket, like tennis. Example: A net in badminton is much higher than in tennis, and the ball and rackets are smaller and not as heavy. singlesmatch: [noun] a game in which one player plays against one opponent. doublesmatch: [noun] a game in which two players play against two opponents. Example:She won the women‟s singles gold medal in tennis in the Olympic Games. Then, playing with her friend, they won the women‟s doubles gold medal by defeating two American opponents. shuttlecock: [noun] badminton uses a shuttlecock, not a tennis ball. It is very light and it has feathers round the edge. Example:Players hit the shuttlecock acrossthe net in badminton. short-sightedness: [noun] a person who can only see things if they are very close, is short-sighted. Example:I need glasses for reading, because of my short-sightedness.
- 29. train my eyes:[verb phrase] I developed my ability to see things quickly and accurately. Example:The detective trained his eyes to look for small but important details at the scene of the crime. quickened myreflexes: playing badminton improved my ability to move and think quickly when I played the game. Example:Many people say that video games quicken your reflexes and you become more expert. #11: A Paid Job You/A Friend Enjoyed Doing “Describe some paid work (or, a paid job) that you or a friend enjoyed doing.” You should say: - What the work was - Where you did this work - Who you worked with - And explain why you or your friend enjoyed doing this work. ANSWER: I remembered working as an IT helpdesk assistant while I was in college and I really enjoyed doing it. – Although I was a business major at that time, I still applied for a position at the IT helpdesk because it was the best- paid job on campus. As an IT assistant, I helped other students sort out problems with their personal laptops. Besides, I assisted professors and faculties to set up projectors, to fix printers and copy machines on campus, and anything related to technical matters in general. – There were 5 other students who were in the same position as me. We usually registered work hours based on our own personal schedule, as long as the total working hours met the job requirement. For one shift, there were usually two assistants, so that we could help each other out if necessary. – I loved working at the IT helpdesk for many reasons. First of all, I learned a lot about computers and other machines. Secondly, I got a chance to talk withmany people
- 30. around campus andit felt great when you were able to help somebody with their problems. VOCABULARY : helpdesk:[noun] a service in a company or college that gives people information and help, especially with computer problems. Example:My university library has a helpdesk, which is very popular with students who don‟t have much knowledge about using computers. businessmajor: [noun] I was studying business as the main part of my course. Example:As she hopes to live in France, my friend is a French major at college. IT assistant: [noun] a person with a knowledge of information technology, who uses that knowledge to help others. Example:As an IT assistant, my job is to help students become more expert at using their computers. sort out: [phrasal verb] to deal with your own, or someone else‟s, problems successfully. Example:My car would not start, but the mechanic sorted out the problem when he arrived. schedule: [noun] timetable, in this case the number of hours that we were required to work each week. Example:Chinese will be on the schoolschedule next year. shift: [noun] a period of time worked by someone or a group of workers, who start work as soonas another person or group finishes. Example:My shift begins at 8:00 am, when the assistant who works during the night goes home help each other out: [verb phrase] to help somebody, especially in a difficult situation. Example:A lot of customers come into the store at lunch hour, but there is always an extra assistant, so we help each other out.
- 31. #12: A FamilyMemberYou Spend The Most Time With “Describe the member of your family who you spend the most time with.” You should say: - Who it is - When you are usually together - What you do together - And explain why you spend the most time with this member of your family BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER Today, I am going to share with you a family member who I spend most of my time with. That is my / father / mother / older sister/brother/cousin… My father / mother / older sister / brother /cousin… is a very considerate and thoughtful person. When I was small, he/she usually took goodcare of me; taught me good lessons and never let me out of his/her sight. Even now, whenever I have a bad day, he/she has always been there for me, and helps me getthrough it. As I have got older, my father/mother/older sister/brother/cousin… has become my best friend. I can share my interests, my career plans or even things about my love life with them – in fact, anything at all. Especially when I am down, he/she gives me the encouragement that I need to move on. To me, he/she is a role model whom I always look up to/admire/and follow in his/her footsteps. He/she constantly reminds me that I have to try my best in everything I choose to pursue so that I can achieve my goal in this life. Thanks to his/her advice, I have made significant progress in my personal life in general. Although, of course, I love all my family, because he/she is so special to me, I think that we will always keep in touch, just as we do now almost every day. USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS :
- 32. considerate: [adjective] alwaysthinking of the wishes and feelings of other people. Example:My mother is very considerate when guests come to visit our house and she alwaysoffers some food or something to drink. thoughtful: [adjective] showing that you think about other people and care about them. Example:A good teacher should be kind and thoughtful. take care of: [verb] to provide the things which you need for your protection and health. Example:A lot of patience is necessary when you take care of very young or very old people. let me out of his sight: [expression] he/she always kept me where they could see me – they protected me all the time. Example:She never lets her daughterout of her sight. be there for: [expression] to be available if somebodywants to talk to you or needs your help. Example: If I wasin trouble, my parents were alwaysthere for me. get through: [expression] to successfully deal with a problem or overcome a difficulty. Example:I would find it hard to get through the day if I had no friends to talk to. down:[adjective] sad, unhappy. moveon: [verb] to make progress by starting something new. Example:After I pass the exam, I wantto moveon to the next step in my career. role model: [noun] a personthat you admire and try to copy. Example:Parents are a child’s most important role models. follow in the footsteps of: to do the same job or to have the same style of life. Example:She works as a journalist, followingin her father’s footsteps. try my best: [expression] to do as much as possible to achieve something. Example:I will try my best to achieve my goal. Thanksto: [expression] As a result of/with the help of their advice, I made progress in my studies and my career.
- 33. keep in touch:[expression] to maintain contactwith somebodyso that I know what is happening. #13: A PersonSpeak A Second (Foreign) Language Well “Describe a person you know who dresses well/ Describe a person you who know ho speaks a second(or foreign) language well. /Describe a person (you know) who travels a lot by plane” Describe a person you know who dresses well You should say: - who this person is - what kind of clothes this person likes to wear (or, wears) - how you know this person - and explain why you think this person dresses well. Describe a person you know who speaks a second(or foreign) language well. You should say: - who this person is - how you know this person - what language this personspeaks - how often they speak it - and explain why you say they speak it “well”. Describe a person (you know) who travels a lot by plane. You should say: - who this person is - you know this person
- 34. - where thispersontravels to - and explain why they (= he or she) chooseto travel by plane BAND 8.5 SAMPLE ANSWER: Today, I am going to share with you a person I know/ who dresses well/speaks a second (foreign) language well/ travels a lot by plane/. That person is my friend/boss/….. As a typical saleswoman for a multinational company, my friend/my boss has to meet many people from all over the world. That‟s why she speaks English as fluently as Vietnamese. In addition, she also dresses well because appearance is very important in the sales market. She is tall and thin, thus she always chooses to wear blouses with pencil skirts or midi dresses because such smart clothes not only complement her figure, but also give her a formal look suitable for business meetings. Every time she appears in public, she draws everyone‟s attention; people look at her with admiration. I think that‟s one of the reasons why she is such an effective salesperson. Due to the characteristics of her job, she has to travel to [……..]/uses English quite often because our company has a large customer internationally. As a result, travelling by plane is the only choice. There are months when she has to go there once a week to prepare for a client meeting or provide training to new employees/ Being competent in English helps her a lot in closing the deal with international clients, since nowadays English is considered to be the most common language in the business world. She speaks English so well that one of our clients complimented her on sounding exactly like a native speaker. VOCABULARY : typical: [adjective] having all the usual qualities or features that we expect. A woman whose job is to sell products will usually have to meet a lot of people, and sometimes these may be international customers. My friend/my boss is no different – she is a typical saleswoman.
- 35. Example:A typical streetin the centre of London has crowds of shoppers, and the roads are full of cars, taxis and buses. dresses well: [verb+adverb] she wears a particular style or type of clothes and these give her a good appearance. Example:In England, people dress formally when they go for a job interview. appearance:[noun] the way that somebodylooks. If you are selling products, your ppearance must be tidy and professional. Example:Photographers always follow famous people, so those people pay a lot of attention to their appearance – they want to look good ! skirt: [noun] a piece of clothing for a girl or woman which goes from the waist and covers part of the legs. pencil skirts: [adjective+noun] a skirt which is narrow and straight. Example:Pencil skirts are often worn by professional women, such as secretaries or executives. midi dresses:[noun] dresses which cover the legs to below the knees. smart: [adjective] looking clean, new and attractive. Example:I have to be smart for work. complement: [verb] to add something in a way that makes it look more attractive or improves it. Example:His smart tie complemented his formal suit. figure: [noun] the shape of the body. look:[noun] this is another word for appearance – the way that somebodylooks. Example:My friend has a very professional look when she is at work. draw attention: [verb+noun] my boss/myfriend attracts the interest of everyone. Example:In the world of men‟s fashion, David Beckham draws the attention of the world media. customerbase: [noun combination] all the people who buy or use a particular product or service. Example:We need to appeal to a wider customer base.
- 36. closing the deal:[verb+noun] making an agreement with a customer or supplier. Example:As a professional saleswoman, my friend usually closes the deal and makes a sale to her clients. compliment: [verb] to say something which expresses praise or admiration for a person. Example:My boss complimented me on the work which I completed last week. #14: An Experience You Had As A Team Member “Describe a person you were friendly to, although you did not really like them (him or her)/Describe an experience you had as a member of a team.” Describe a person you were friendly to, although you did not really like them (him or her) You should say: - Who this person was - When and where it happened - What the situation was - Why you didn‟t like this person - And explain why you were (or had to be) friendly to this person - And explain what the results were after you were friendly to this person Describe an experience you had as a member of a team. You should say: - Where it was - Who were the members of the team - What you did together in this team - And explain why you became a member of this team or explain what the purpose of the team was BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
- 37. I would liketo describe a person who I had to be friendly to, although I did not really like her. I think this situation is quite common in our lives, especially when we have to act as part of a team. A couple of months ago, I was assigned to a team at my workplace in order to tackle a big project. As part of the team, I had to cooperate closely with this person. However, we had never really liked each other for several reasons. Firstly, she is much older than I am, so she always thinks she is right and disregards the opinions of others. I would describe her as both bossyand officious, although she did not have a more senior position than I did in the company. Secondly, I considered her irresponsible because she did not appear to me to pay serious attention to the project. So, although it was supposedly a group project, I ended up working all on my own as much as possible in order to see the task through. As the work was vital for our company, we had to be successful. I therefore had no choice except to collaborate with her in order to finish the job. I would rather have done all the work alone, but if I had refused to work with her as part of the team, then the evaluation of my job performance would have been affected at the end of the year. So, knowing her personality as I did, I swallowed my pride and tried to be patient. Despite our many arguments, we completed the task on time. I learned that sometimes people can work together, even though they don‟t get on with each other. It just needs a little bit of time and patience to work things out, and each person has to compromise to achieve a common goal. USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS: disregard = to pay no attention to something or someone. bossy = a bossypersonis someone who is always telling other people what to do. officious = an officious personis someone who uses their authority or position to give orders to others – another word would be domineering. irresponsible= an irresponsible personhas no feeling of responsibility for something. supposedly= according to what most people think. end up = to find yourself in a situation that you did not expect to be in.
- 38. on my own= alone. see…..through = if we see something through, we do not give up until it is finished. collaborate= to work together with others to achieve something. swallowed mypride = to hide my feelings, even though I wanted to express what I was thinking. get on with= to get on with someone is to have a friendly relationship with them. work thingsout = to find a solution. compromise= to give up some of your ideas in order to come to an agreement with someone. #15: Describe A Place Where You Often Go To Relax “Describe a place where you read and write (not your home) / Describe a café restaurant that you like (to go to)./Describe a place where you (usually / often) go to relax (Not your home)” Describe a place where you read and write (not your home) You should say: - Where it is - How often you go there * - What you read and write there / who else goes there - And explain why you read and write at this place. Describe a café/restaurant that you like (to go to). You should say: - Where it is - How often you go there - What types of food it has - And explain why you like it.
- 39. Describe a placewhere you (usually / often) go to relax. (Not your home) You should say: - Where this place is - When you go there - Whatyou do there - Who is usually there with you - And explain why you choose to go to this place to relax. Band 8.5 Sample Answer: Today, I‟m going to share with you a place where I usually/often go to relax/read and write/ hang out with my friends, which is a small café/restaurant near my company/my house named “ABC” As a full-time employee/student, I have to go to work/ school 5 days a week; therefore, the only time that I can visit this place is on weekends. I always try to make time for my little trip to “ABC” café every Saturday or Sunday. The coffee house is located on a quiet street with a lot of trees planted on both sides. Additionally, it has a patio with hanging gardens which I like very much; it makes me feel like I‟m sitting in a garden of my own. Separated from the hustle and bustle of the city life in Hanoi, this place allows me to sit quietly and reflect, relaxing after a week of hard work. I can concentrate on a personal project such as reading or writing in my journal without being interrupted by other people. It serves great coffee, tea, and cakes, thus, the place always smells very nice. In addition, the employees are also friendly and helpful. Sometimes, I go there with my friends. Over a nice cup of coffee/tea, we share our storiesand smell the beautiful scent of the flowers. At that moment, we can escape from reality for a little while and enjoy ourselves even more.
- 40. USEFUL VOCABULARY &EXPRESSIONS: to share with you: in this context, to share with someone means to tell someone about something, you are going to share some information or a story with another person; in another context you could share an actual thing with someone, like share a meal with another person or share something that you have, like some fireworks, with another; “I”d like to share a story with you about my grandmother when she was a young girl.” “He doesn‟t want to share the fish he caught with us.” hang out with my friends: to spend time with friends, talking, relaxing, visiting; “He likes to hang out with his friends at the pizza place after school.” therefore: used when you want to give more information or explain the reason for something; consequently; for that reason; “I am going to be in New York next week; therefore, I‟d like to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art.” on weekends: use the preposition on when talking about things you do on Saturday and Sunday, the weekend; in this case we use the plural because you are talking about weekends in general, rather than a specific weekend; “He likes to play golf on weekends.” British English prefers to say at the weekend or at weekends. to make time for: to prioritize things so that you have time to do a certain thing that you want; you have to make time for something in order to ensure that you do it, if you don‟t make time for something, you won‟t do it; “He wants his father to make more time for him on weekends.” located on a quiet street: when we are talking about the location of something we use the preposition on, something is located on the corner, on the right or left side, on a hill, on a mountain; you can also use in for things located in another area, like the office is located in the building on the left side of the street or the video store is located in the mall, as in inside the mall; “Our new restaurant is located on one of the busiest streets in San Francisco.” Additionally: used to give more information; “Additionally, the scientists found that there were two more species in the area that had never been discovered.” hanging gardens: plants and flowers that are hanging in pots from the ceiling; “The hanging gardens in the train station made the place feel very warm and welcoming, unlike most train stations.”
- 41. Separated from: apartfrom, away from; in a different part of a place; “The children‟s play area is separated from the main part of the building; it is a great place where families can take their children to play outside.” hustle and bustle: describes the noise and high level of activity; “My grandfather hates the hustle and bustle of the city; he prefers the calm and quiet of the countryside.” city life in: used to describe the activity, noise, movement of people and traffic in a city; use the preposition in or of; “The city life in New York is famous for the variety of things you can do while there: Broadway shows, concerts, restaurants, bars, museums and so much more.” to reflect: to think deeply about something; “After the meeting, he needed time to reflect on his options before making a final decision.” concentrate on: to think about something in a focused way, without distractions; “He found it hard to concentrate on his homework while his friends were playing video games in his room.” writing in my journal: you use the preposition in when talking about writing in a journal or notebook; “I like to write in my journal right before I go to bed.” serves: in this context it is referring to what is offered at the café; it‟s what a food establishment offers to their customers; “They don‟t serve meat at this restaurant because it is a vegetarian restaurant.” the employees: the people who work at the café or restaurant; “The employees were upset with their boss and didn‟t want to go to work.” Over a nice cup of coffee/tea: in this context, using the word over means that you are doing something, like visiting, while you drink a cup of tea; “We finalized our joint business venture over dinner last night.” (This means that we finished talking about our joint business venture while we ate dinner together.) escape from reality: to leave the reality of something, like your life or a specific situation; you want to escape from reality especially if reality is something that is difficult for you to handle, like a difficult job, having lots of work to do, etc. “Many people drink alcohol to escape from reality, though this strategy has its own problems.”
- 42. enjoy ourselves: tohave fun, to have a pleasant time; “We enjoyed ourselves last kend at our friend‟s beach house.”
- 43. #16: A SuccessfulSmall Business Describe a successful small business that you know. You should say: - Whatthe business is - Where it is - Who runs the business / how you know aboutthis business - And explain why you think it is successful. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: Nowadays, there is a new booming [1] trend of start-ups in my city; however, not all of them are successful. One of the businesses that I think is the most successful is the KAfe chain of restaurants and café boutiques. I remember 2 years ago, they only had one business in our city. It quickly became one of the favorite [2] spots for the youth to get together. Now they have expanded with franchises [3] in almost every corner of my city. The fame of KAfe has spread by word of mouth, and in my case, a friend told me about it. – The owner of the chain is a young woman, who is only 31 years old at the moment. Since I have always been [4] interested in opening up a small café/ restaurants of my own, I admire her work a lot. – She has successfully created a brand nameof real food, in the environment of a modern, energetic and urban café, introducing the foreign lifestyle to our rustic city. Every time I have visited this restaurant, it has always been full [4] and this applies to all other KAfe locations in our city, not just one specific place. Recently, the group announced that it had [5] raised a 5.5- million-dollar investment from overseas funds. This proves that the KAfe chain is considered to have great potential in developing further and becoming even more successful in the future. USEFUL VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS :
- 44. booming:[adjective] having asudden increase in business, wealth and success. Example:The owner was able to buy new machinery, becausehis company was booming and he had money to invest. start-ups: [noun] companies that are just opening. Example:Many start-ups fail because they do not have enough money to survive their first year in business. chain:[noun] a group of businesses owned by the same company. Example:There are about 6 large chains of supermarkets selling food in the UK. boutiques: [noun] a small business that sells fashionable products. Example:A famous street in London is full of small boutiques selling all the latest styles of clothes. franchises: [noun] businesses which have been given permission by a company to sell its products in a particular area. Example:The largest restaurant franchise in the UK is McDonalds. word of mouth: [expression] The chain is famous becausepeople have talked about it to each other. Example:The news of the accident spread by word of mouth, hours before it was reported on TV. brand name: [noun] the name given to a productby the company that produces it. Example:The brand name of the most famous trainers is NIKE. rustic: [adjective] simple – typical of the countryside. Example:It is impossible to see rustic styles of houses in Hanoi nowadays. investment: [noun] a sum of money that you lend to a business, expecting that you will make more money over a period of time. Example:The investment of money by the bank enabled the business to expand.
- 45. #17: A DisagreementYou Had With A Friend “Describe an experience you had as a member of a team/Describe a disagreement that you had with a friend.” Describe an experience you had as a member of a team You should say: - where it was - who were the members of the team - what you did together in this team - and explain why you became a member of this team or explain what the purposeof the team was Describe a disagreement that you had with a friend. You should say: - who you disagreed with - what the disagreement was - how it happened and explain - how this disagreement was resolved BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: Today, I am going to share with you my experience I had as a member of a team/of the time when I disagreed with my friend. As a student, I have to engage in a variety of teamworkprojects. As a result, having disagreements with other team members is inevitable. For topic “Describe an experience you had as a member of a team“: We were supposed to gather a team of 3 to 4 people to work on a simulation project in our management class. The simulation worked like this: each group in our class would run a shoe production company on the internet. We had to make decisions as the simulation market changed and each group‟s performance would be compared weekly. At the end of the semester, we would have to prepare
- 46. a presentation onour simulation project. – We decided to meet each other once a week to work on the project; sometimes we would discuss urgent matters over e- mails. Despite the fact that we were at daggers drawn many times, we successfully led our company to the 2nd place overall in our class, so that was not a bad effort. For topic “Describe a disagreement that you had with a friend” : If you have ever had a chance of working in a team to make a decision, you would know how difficult it was to make sure everyone was pulling together. Running a simulative company was not as easy as we thought. A wrong decision on pricing would significantly affect our profit. 3 of us fought for days on pricing decisions. My friends wanted our products to be sold at a premium while I preferred a medium price, targeting the mid-end market. After carefully reviewing the market itself as well as material prices, we weighed the costs and benefits of each price to come up with a final selling price. – From this experience, I learned that it was hard to persuade people with your subjective reasons. However, if your decision is backed up by sound numbers, it will be more convincing. USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS : simulation: [noun] a project in which a situation is created, but is not real. However, the conditions are similar to those that we could expect in real life. Example:In class, we studied a simulation on the computer of how dinosaurs used to live. be at daggersdrawn:[expression] a dagger is a weapon, like a knife, and if people are at daggers drawn, they are very angry with each other. Example:In the debate, the candidates for President were at daggers drawnover the question of economic policy. pull together: [phrasal verb] to work together with other people in an organised way and without conflict. Example:If we all pull together, we will finish the work on time. pricing: [noun] the act of deciding how much something should cost. Example:The pricingpolicy of the supermarket was to offer a discount if you buy something in a large quantity.
- 47. at a premium:[expression] if we talk of a premium price, we mean a price that is higher than usual. Example:Shares in the company are selling at a premium, becauseeveryone thinks that the company will be very successfulthis year. mid-end:[adjective] I wanted to reach customers who wanted shoes of medium price and quality. Example:Although the sales of expensive luxury cars and also cheap second-hand cars were falling, sales aimed at the mid-end market remained stable. come up with: [phrasal verb] to find or producean answer to a problem. Example:The government has come up with a plan to reduce pollution in the city. subjective: [adjective] based on your own ideas and opinions, not on facts. Example:Court decisions are based on evidence, not on the subjective opinion of the judge. back up: [phrasal verb] to support. Example:His job application was backedup by a good reference from his previous employer. sound numbers: [expression] reliable. Example:The sound numbers published by the government encouraged more people to invest in the country. #18: A Law About Environment “Describe a change that you think would improve your local area/Describe a law about the environment that you would like to see.” Describe a change that you think would improveyour local area You should say: - what local area - what change - how the change could be made
- 48. - and explainhow this change would be an improvement to your local area. Describe a law aboutthe environmentthat you would liketo see. You should say: - what the law would be about - how the law would work - what effects this law would have (= what changes would result from this law) - and explain why you would like to see this law in existence or why you think this law is needed. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : I was born and raised in Hanoi and have been here for 27 years. I have watched the city develop from a small town and grow into a modern metropolitan area in the new era. With the skyrocketing population of recent years, the city‟s environment has become significantlypolluted. As a result, I think environmental laws should be enacted immediately to solve this problem. First of all, Hanoi‟s mayor should consider putting more trash bins out in the streets so that people won‟t throw rubbish anywhere anytime. In addition, the city police should heavily fine those who are caught littering the streets. By doing so, not only could we save a lot of money on cleaning costs but we could also improve the surrounding public scenery. Secondly, the city should run a campaign to educate people on how to classify and separate garbage before throwing it out. This is necessary because unsorted garbage contributes to the pollution of underground water and the earth. In my opinion, although these above actions are minor, they would contribute to diminishing the impacts of pollution in our local area if they were done on a collective level. USEFUL IELTS VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS :
- 49. born and raisedin: to describe that you were born in a certain place and that you grew up there with your parents; “He was born and raised in New York but moved to California when he was 35.” skyrocketing: increasing, to describe when something goes up rapidly by a lot; “The skyrocketing airline prices have hurt the tourist towns, as fewer people are traveling.” significantly: in a sufficiently great or important way as to be worthy of attention, “Our profit was significantly less this month than we had predicted.” enacted: to put a law into place; “New laws have been enacted to keep people safe from gun violence.” rubbish: trash, garbage waste; “There is too much rubbish in this yard. Let‟s clean it up!” heavily fine: to fine someone heavily means to charge them a lot of money because they have violated a law or regulation; “The companies were heavily fined for polluting the river.” littering: throwing trash on the ground rather than putting it in the bin; “Littering is against the law and you can be fined $1000.” scenery: what you see in the natural environment; a beautiful scenery usually includes beautiful nature scenes, but ugly scenery would have trash and pollution; “The scenery in the Turkish countryside is beautiful.” run a campaign: to organize and work on a program to reach a goal, such as a campaign to educate people about pollution or teenage pregnancy or alcohol abuse; “He is in charge of running the campaign to save dogs in our rural areas.” to classify and separate: in the context of recycling, to classify means to figure out what bin each item belongs in, such as glass, plastic, paper and then to put them into the appropriate bins; “He is lazy and doesn‟t like to classify and separate his garbage.” to throw something out: to get rid of something; to put it in the trash; “My mother threw out all my boyfriend‟s old letters.”
- 50. unsorted: not separated;“The shirts were unsorted, so all the colors were mixed together and it made it hard to find all the red ones.” minor: small or insignificant; “We had a minor accident in our car today.” diminishing: going down, lessening; “The pain has been diminishing since I took the aspirin.” impacts of: the effects of something on something else; “The impact of the storm has yet to be fully understood.” collective level: a collective is a group of people, so in this context if you are working at a collective level, it means that people are working together to solve a problem; “This problem will only be solved if we work at it on a collective level, not an individual level.” #19: Something You Do That Keeps You Fit “Describe something you do that keeps you fit. (or, that helps to keep you fit)” You should say: - whatit is - how often you do it - how you do it (or, how easy or difficult it is to do) and explain how it helps to keep you fit. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: Nowadays, keeping fit is everyone’s concern and I am no exception. Since I am a full time employee, I can‟t arrange time to go to the gym as often as when I was a student.
- 51. However, in orderto stay fit, I register for a hip hop class, which is held twice a week. – Unlike running on the treadmill, dancing is more fun. It helps me burn a lot of energy. In addition, it enhances my flexibility with a lot of stretching movements. Dancing also allows me to work on all the parts of my body. You might look at dancers and think that dancing is light and easy, but you are wrong. In order to be that flexible and light, dancers have to work on their core muscles to maintain their stamina. Dancing can help burn as many as 360 calories in just an hour of intensive training. By maintaining a schedule of dancing twice a week, I successfully manage to keep fit. Not only that, dancing helps me relax after a busy day at work and my mind is always fresh and alertduring and after the class. VOCABULARY : keep fit [verb phrase] do physical exercises to improve your strength and stay healthy. Example:Keeping fit is especially important for people who spend a lot of their time at their desks, working or studying. hip hop: [noun] a type of music [usually with words] played with a regular beat on electronic instruments. Example:Hip hop is great music for a keep-fit class, because the regular beat is perfect for repeating physical exercises. treadmill:[noun] an exercise machine with a moving surface that you can run or walk on, while remaining in the same place. Example:You can change the speed on the treadmill in the gym, for running or walking, fast or slow. burn a lot of energy/burn calories: [verb phrases] use up the energy that we get from our food. Example:Athletes burn a lot of energy, so they need a diet with lots of calories. flexibility: [noun] the ability to bend easily when we move. Example:Without regular exercise, older people lose their flexibility and they find it more difficult to move easily.
- 52. stretch: [verb] toput your arms and legs out straight and contract your muscles. Example:These stretching exercises will strengthen the muscles in your arms and legs. core muscles: [adjective+ noun] the most essential muscles in your body. Example:Dancing is an activity which uses all your core muscles. stamina:[noun] the physical strength that enables you to do something for a long time. Example:The event in athletics which demands the most stamina is probably the marathon. #20: An Occasion You Unexpectedly Met Someone “Describe an occasion when you were surprised to meet someone you know. Describe an occasion when you unexpectedly met someone you know.” You should say: - Who it was - Where you met this person - What you did when you met - And explain why you were surprised to meet this person. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: Well, it doesn‟t happen a lot when you unexpectedly meet someone you know. But a couple of days ago when I was out for lunch, I bumped into a high school classmate whom I haven‟t seen since we graduated. I was walking along the street when I saw him standing in front of a restaurant. He hasn’tchanged a bit, so I recognized him right away. I approached him and said hi; however, it took him a while to realize that I was his high school classmate. At that moment, I felt very awkward. Luckily, it didn‟t last long and we started to give each other a quick update about our lives recently, such as where we
- 53. are working currently,our families and, of course, we swapped phone numbers and promised to keep in touch in future. Since we were both in a hurry, we didn‟t spend much time chatting to each other. However, it always feels good when you unexpectedly meet a long-lost friend. If we had had more time,we‟d probably have reminisced about our high school memories with all the crazy thingsthat we did back then. VOCABULARY: bump into: [phrasal verb] to meet unexpectedly by accident. Example:To my surprise, I bumped into my English teacher in the supermarket. he hasn’t changed a bit:[verb phrase] he looks or acts exactly the same. Example:My uncle looks the same as in the photos of him 20 years ago. It‟s amazing, he hasn’tchangeda bit. right away: [adverb] immediately Example:This message is very urgent, so please send it right away. awkward:[adjective] making you feel embarrassed. Example:At the restaurant, my friend had to pay for our meal. It was an awkwardsituation, because I had forgotten to bring any money ! update: [noun] a report containing the most recent information. Example:I planned to go to the beach, so I checked on the Internet for an update on the weather forecast. swap:[verb] to give something to somebodyand receive something in exchange. Example:I swappedplaces with a man on the bus, so that I could sit near the front. keep in touch: [verb phrase] to communicate with somebody, especially by writing or telephoning. Example:Most young people nowadays keepin touch by e-mailing or texting their friends. chat: [verb] to talk in a friendly, informal way to somebody Example:I decided to invite my friend for a coffee, so we could chat about our recent holidays
- 54. a long-lostfriend: [noun]a friend that you have not seen for a long time. Example:At the bus station, I bumped into a long-lostfriend that I had not seen since my schooldays. reminisce: [verb] to think, talk or write about a happy time in your past. Example:My father often reminisces about his years at university. back then: [adverb] at a particular time in the past. Example:I remember when I visited Thailand many years ago. Back then, there were very few tourists. #21: A Time You Borrowed Something “Describe a time when you forgot something important /Describe a time when you borrowed something.” Describe a time when you forgot something important. You should say: - when it happened - what you forgot - who you were with - what was the result of your forgetting - and explain why it was important. Describe a time when you borrowed something. You should say: - what you borrowed - who you borrowed it from - what you used it for (how it was useful to you) and explain why you borrowed it. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:
- 55. Today I amgoing to share with you the time when I forgot something important/ I (once) borrowed something useful. It happened a few months ago when I had to attend an important exam for my accounting qualification. The test strictly required candidates to use black ball point pen to write the paper. I was sure that morning when I left for the exam that I had put two pens in my backpack. However, I was not sure of their ink colors. So by the time I reached the examination hall, I quickly opened my backpack to check. To my surprise, they were both blue pens. This could have resulted in my answer booklet being disqualified and I would have had to re-take the exam. Since the exam was held twice a year only, this mistake would not only have cost me valuable time but also a lot of money for the upcoming exams. In panic, I looked around to see any familiar face to ask for help; however, I did not see anyone but the examiner. I took a deep breath and decided to ask him if he had a spare black pen that I could borrow. Luckily, he did. He was willing to lend me one and did not forget to remind me about the regulation. I was relieved and ready to sit my exam, thanks to a kind examiner. VOCABULARY : disqualified: [verb] prevent somebodyfrom doing something, because they have broken the regulations. Example:The police stopped the man in his car. He had been drinking and driving and he was disqualified from driving for 3 years. upcoming:[adjective] something which is upcoming is going to happen soon. Example:Brazil is preparing for the upcoming OlympicGamesin 2016. panic:[noun] a suddenfeeling of fear. Example:As the fire spread through the school, the students ran out in panic. breath: [noun] an amount of air which enters your lungs at one time. Example:He can count from 1 to 20 in one breath.
- 56. #22: A CountryYou Have Not Been To Yet “Describe a foreign country you would like to go to. ( A country you have not been to yet)” You should say: - What country it is (including where it is in the world) - What this country is like - What people can do in this country - And explain why you would like to go to this country. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: There are so many countries that I have not had a chance to go to, but one of those that I would like to visit in my upcoming trip is Myanmar. It is located in South East Asia. The country is like Thailand 25 years ago, before shopping malls, and fastfood chains expanded in the country. Thus it remains rustic and traditional compared to the modern world. The people here are said to be friendly; they are willing to go out of their way to show you around and they are very keen on practicing their English skills. Myanmar is famous for its ancient city named Bagan, with more than 3,000 temples which date back to the 11th century. I would particularly love to see the Shwedagon Pagoda. It is considered to be the greatest and most sacred Buddhist temple in the country. The entire structure, which dates back 2,500 years, is covered with hundreds of gold plates. Since the country has just been opened up to the outside world, it still keeps the originality of its culture. That‟s why I want to go there, to experience the country and the people before globalization changes everything.
- 57. USEFUL VOCABULARY ANDEXPRESSIONS : fastfoodchain: [noun] a network of restaurants like McDonald‟s, which you can find in many different places, serving food such as burgers and fries. rustic: [adjective] simple and typical of the countryside. Example:The old church in the small village had a rustic appearance. go out of their way to: [verb phrase] to make a special effort to do something. Example:The teacher went out of her way to help the students, giving free classes before the exams. show someone around: [verb phrase] to be a guide for somebodywhen they visit a new place and to show them what is interesting. Example:We were shown around the schoolby one of the students. sacred: [adjective] connected with a god, and considered to be holy. Example:In Islam, Mecca is a sacred city. opened up: [phrasal verb] possible to be visited. Example:The railways opened up many remote parts of the country. globalization: [noun] the process bywhich places become similar to each other all over the world. Example:You can now buy burgers in fastfood restaurants like McDonald‟s all over the world, as a result of globalization. #23: A Country You Have Not Been To Yet Describe a situation (or time) when you receivedsome useful advice./Describe an important conversationthat you had with someone Describe a situation (or time) when you receivedsome useful advice
- 58. You should say: -what the situation was - who gave you the advice - what the advice was - and explain how this advice was useful to you. Describe an important conversationthat you had with someone. You should say: - when you had this conversation - who you had the conversation with - what the conversation was about and explain how this conversation influenced you. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : It was 5 years ago when I was in my junior year of college, I was struggling to find out what career would I follow in the future. As juniors, we had to choose courses related to our business concentration such as marketing, finance, human resources or management. At that moment, I was confused since I did not specifically like any of them. As the deadline closely approached, I had to quickly make my decision. I decided to talk with my father, a wise man, about my problem. Different from many other parents who always make decisions for their children; my father guides me to the answer and lets me choose what I want. He asked me what I would like my life to be like when I graduated, then analyzed my personality, discussed my strengths and weaknesses. He also showed me some career paths I could follow if I chose certain options. After an hour of talking to him, everything had become clearer and I finally made my decision to follow a career in finance. Thanks to the conversation that day, I understood more about myself. Five years have passed, I am now a financial analyst for an entertainment company and I have never regretted my decision.
- 59. VOCABULARY : career: yourprofession, the type of employment you will likely have for a long period of your life or perhaps your entire life; “She was happy to have chosen a career that suited her personality perfectly.” related to: having to do with, having an association with; in this context the student needs to take courses that are related to business; “She is tired of taking courses related to her major; now she just wants to take classes for fun.” deadline: a time when something is due, when it has to be done; “I am hoping that we will finish this project by our deadline.” closely approach: to get closer and closer to a certain point or destination in a short amount of time; when something is closely approaching it means you are very near to that time; “The baby’s due date is closely approaching and we still aren’t prepared.” guides me: to guide is to help someone by showing them a way or by giving specific information or assistance without actually doing the task for them; “The teacher guides us in how to learn proper study techniques.” analyzed my personality: to examine, assess or evaluate your personality from different points of view; you can take a personality test like the Meyers-Briggs to help see your patterns and propensities; “My mother is a psychologist and she loves to analyze people’s personalities to see what makes them tick.” regret: to feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity). “He regretted not having attended college sooner.”
- 60. #24: A StreetThat You Like To Visit Describe a streetthat you like to visit. /Describe what you would do if you had a day off, free from work or study. Describe a streetthat you like to visit You should say: - where is it - how often you go there - what you usually do there - and explain why you like to go there Describe whatyou would do if you had a day off, free from work or study. You should say: - where you would go - what you would do there - who you would go with - and explain how you think you would feel at the end of this day. BAND 9.0 MODEL ANSWER : As a full time employee/student, I don‟t have much free time. As a result, whenever I have a day off, I visit my favorite street in the city. The name of the street is [….]. It is located near [……] and it is the place where I would always choose to go. I usually go there in the morning, park my moped in the nearby parking lot and walk along the street by myself. Although I am quite a sociable person, I like my own space from time to time. Living in a metropolitan area with a fast-paced life doesn‟t allow me to have time for myself that often. This is probably the only time I can escape from my normal routine, completely free and just breathe, without worrying about my job/my studies. This street is perfect for my purpose because there are only government offices around here, hence it is always quiet. Moreover, both side of the streets are planted with many big trees, their shade covers the whole street. On a sunny day, you can see the sun‟s rays shining through the leaves.
- 61. Every time Icome here I feel fresh and less stressed, especially after my busy days at work/ preparing for exams. At the end of the day, I can refresh my mind and be ready for a new day. VOCABULARY : moped:[noun] a motorcycle with a small engine and also pedals. Example:I sometimes use the engineon my moped, butmore often I use the pedals, like a bicycle. sociable: [adjective] a sociable person is someone who enjoys spending time with other people. Example:she’s a sociablechild who will talk to anyone. myown space: my freedom and time to think and do what I want. Example:he was tired of being with other people, so he went to his room to get some space. metropolitan: [adjective] connected with a large city. Example:my brother lives in the New York metropolitanarea. fast-paced: [adjective] very busy Example:my university course is very fast-paced, so it is difficult to complete all my assignmentson time. shade: [noun] an area that is dark and cool under or behind something [like a tree], where the light of the sun does not reach it. Example:We sat down in the shade of the wall. rays: [noun] narrow lines of light. Example:The rays of the sun entered my window when the sun rose early in the morning. refresh: [verb] to refresh somebodyis to make them less tired or less hot. Example:A cool shower refreshed me after running in the park.
- 62. #25: An ArticleAbout Healthy Living Describe an article you read in a magazine or on the internet about healthy living. You should say: - what the article was about - where you read it (which magazine or website) - and explain what you learned/thought from the article BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: Recently I came across an interesting article on the internet about the benefits of drinking warm water with lemon in the morning. The website name is bodyandsoul.com.au. You would normally think that lemon water is just one kind of drink that helps keep your body hydrated, however, it brings you many other benefits that you can‟t imagine. – The article says that if you build up a habit of kicking off your day with a glass of warm waterwith the juice of half a lemon, you will do your body and mind a great favor. Firstly, lemon juice is a great source of Vitamin C, thus it helps boost your immune system in fighting off colds and flu. Moreover, lemons are great for combating skin ageing because they are rich in antioxidant properties. Lemon also helps clean our urinary tract and detoxify our livers. The list of benefits doesn‟t end there. The high level of potassium in lemons can help brain and nerve functioning and control blood pressure. Lemon water can also ward off stress and depression, which have been linked to low levels of potassium. As a result, the article suggests if you continue drinking warm water with lemon first thing in the morningfor at least 21 consecutive days, you will notice the difference in your skin and general healthimmediately.
- 63. VOCABULARY : hydrated: [adjective]capable of absorbing or taking in water. Example:In hot weather, keep your bodyhydrated by drinking lots of water. buildup: [phrasal verb] to develop. Example:In business, it is important to build up a good relationship with customers. kickingoff your day: [verb phrase] starting your day [like starting a football match by kicking the ball] Example:Kick off your day with a good breakfast, before you go to school. boost your immunesystem: [verb phrase] to make your bodystronger to help it fight against illness. Example:A healthy diet of fruit and vegetables, combined with exercise and sleep, will boostyour immune system by making your body strong. fight off: [phrasal verb] to resist – in this case, illness. Example:The soldiers fought off the enemy attack. ageing: [noun] the process ofbecoming old. Example:There are some skin care products which claim to stop the ageing process. antioxidant:[adjective] removing harmful substances from the body. Example:Vitamin C has antioxidant properties, so it is good to have it in your diet to prevent illness. urinarytract: [noun] the part of the bodythrough which waste liquid passes. Example:If you have pain when you go to the toilet , it may be a symptom of an infection of your urinary tract. detoxify: [verb] to remove harmful or poisonous substances, in this case from your liver. Example:As harmful substances can build up during the night, you can clean your liver and detoxify it by drinking lemon water in the morning. ward off: [phrasal verb] to protector defend yourself against illness or danger. Example:She put up her hands to ward off her attacker.
- 64. #26: Someone InThe News You Like To Meet Describe a person you know whose job is important to society/Describe someone in the news who you would like to meet. Describe a person you know whose job is importantto society You should say: - who this person is - how you know this person - what job they do (= he or she does) - and explain why you think their job is important or why you think their - work contributes to society. Describe someone in the newswho you wouldliketo meet. You should say: - who this person is - why they are in the news - and explain why you would like to meet this person. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: Today, I am going to talk about a person whose job is important to society/ in the news whom I would like to meet. It is Kenny G, the saxophonis I first listened to his music when I was very small, starting with the well-known piece “Forever in Love”. It was so melodious and relaxing that every time I listened to it, I felt like I was on cloud 9. – Recently, Kenny G decided to hold a concert in Vietnam and it quickly became a major news story, covered in all of our media from newspapers to TV, and most radio channels. For people like me, who have been used to listening to his saxophone recordings since we were young, this was a once in a lifetime chance to meet him in person and listen to his music at a live concert, not on a music CD or online playlist.
- 65. Maybe to manypeople, being a musician doesn‟t contribute much to our society. However, I think that any career that we choose to pursue plays an important role in our lives. If abusiness person is important, so is a musician. Imagine a world without music, it would definitely be so dull and boring. In addition, music also helps us soothe our soul and relax our brain after hard days at work. Although we cannot quantify its benefit, the positive effects that music brings to our lives are undeniably worth valuing. VOCABULARY : saxophonist: [noun] a personwho plays the saxophone. Example:At the music concert, I thought that the saxophonist and the pianist were particularly good. piece: [noun] here we use „piece‟ to mean a „piece of music‟. We usually use it to refer to classical music or jazz –not modern or rock music. Example:At the concert, Kenny G played two pieces which he had written himself. melodious: [adjective] music which is pleasant to listen to is „melodious‟. Example:The piece was so melodious that I remember it whenever I am feeling relaxed and comfortable. on cloud 9: [expression] extremely happy. Example:When I read that I had passed the exam, I was on cloud 9. hold a concert: [verb phrase] to have a concert – we also use „hold a meeting/hold a competition‟ in the same way. Example:The organisers decided to hold the concert in New York. once in a lifetime:[expression] used to describe something special that is not likely to happen to you again. Example:When my friend invited me to Brazil, I knew that this was a once in a lifetime chance to visit the Amazon rainforest. liveconcert: [noun] a concert when people are watching and listening when the event is actually taking place. Example:One thousand people attended the live concert to hear the musicians perform in person.
- 66. soothe our soul:[verb phrase] to make us feel relaxed and peaceful. Example:Rockmusic is loud, but to feel relaxed I prefer to listen to classical music to soothe my soul. quantify: [verb] to express something as an amount or number. Example:The pleasure that we feel when we see or hear something beautiful is impossible to quantify. #27: A House/Apartment You Like To Live In “Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in.” You should say: - where this house or apartment would be - what it would look like - when you would like to live there - and explain why you would like to live in such a place BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: Today I am going to share with you a description of my ideal apartment that I would like to live in. Since I live in a big city, it is probably more convenient to buy a condo in a building complex. I prefer a cozy place, so, I would expect it to be not too big, about 90 to 100 square meters, with 2 bedrooms and 2 balconies. In my opinion, this size is perfect for a small family of parents and one child. When it comes to cleaning the house, you would not feel discouraged by all the chores you have to do. It would be great if my apartment overlooked [1] a river or bridge, and it should be located on a high floor like the 10th or above. As a person who loves color and nature, I would decorate my house with a lot of paintings and plants. I would make a hanging garden in one of my balconies [2] and put small chairs and tables out, so that I could sit there and enjoy my small garden. I would use yellow -tinted bulbs and lamps all over the apartment to make it cozier.
- 67. If I gotthe chance [1], I would love to make my dream apartment become a reality as soon as possible, because I have always wanted to move out of my parents‟ house. Owning an apartment would allow me to do whatever I want, whenever I want. VOCABULARY : condo: [noun] one apartment that you own in a building with other apartments. However, the shared areas are owned by everyone. Example:The owners of the condos share the swimming pooland children‟s play areas that are part of the apartment complex. buildingcomplex:[noun] a group of similar buildings of one type in the same place. Example:The buildings in the sports complexincluded a gymnasium and a basketball court. cozy: [adjective] small, but warm, comfortable and safe. Example:Although it was cold outside, his small apartment was cozy and so we stayed overnight. balcony: [noun] something that is built on the outside wall of a building, like a small platform with a wall or rail around it for safety. Example:We had drinks on the hotel balcony, enjoying the view of the sea. discouraged: [adjective] feeling less enthusiastic about something. Example:when I looked at all the homework that I had to finish, I felt quite discouraged. However, I decided to start doing it immediately. chores: [noun] routine tasks. Example:I have to do some chores every day, such as cleaning the kitchen and washing the dishes. overlook: [verb] if an apartment overlooks a place, this means that you can see that place from the window or balcony of the apartment. Example:We had lunch in a restaurant overlooking a lake. floor: [noun] all the rooms that are on the same level of a building. Example:On the 10th floor of my apartment block, there are 6 different apartments.
- 68. hanginggarden: [noun] atype of garden on a balcony or roof in which many plants are in baskets which hang down from baskets fastened to the walls. Example:Many people in our apartment complex grow flowers in baskets which hang from the walls of their balconies. yellow-tinted:[adjective] having a light yellow colour. Example:The yellow-tinted lights gave our apartment a relaxing and cozy atmosphere. #17: A Time When You Waited For Something “Describe a time when you waited for (or, had to wait for) something (or someone).” You should say: - who or what you waited for - where you waited - why you waited (or, had to wait) - and explain how you felt while you were waiting BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : Having to wait for somebody is a common situation in our daily lives. There was this one time I had to wait for my friends, which was so special I‟d like to share the story with you today. It was my birthday and I had invited a group of friends to a coffee house to celebrate it. We were scheduled to meet there at 8 that evening. I was so eager that I came early. Certainly, none of them were there, but it was easy to understand because I was early. However, I waited for half an hour, but nobody showed up, and then I started to feel uncomfortable and worried. As I was losing my patience, I began to call each of them to ask why they had not come yet. To my
- 69. surprise, none ofthem picked up the phone. I was really fed up, as you can imagine, because it was my birthday and my friends had treated me like that. I waited for a couple more minutes until I couldn‟t stand it anymore, and decided to leave. As soon as I called the waiter for the bill, I heard the “Happy birthday” song start up in the coffee house. Out of nowhere, all of my friends suddenly appeared with a birthday cake. They hugged me and wished me happy birthday. It was such a surprise. My anger quickly gave way to laughter and we had an unforgettable night chatting until the early hours, drinking coffee and, of course, eating cake. VOCABULARY : show up: [phrasal verb] to arrive where you had arranged to meet somebody Example:It was getting late when she finally showedup. lose mypatience: [verb phrase] to become annoyed or angry as a result of a delay. Example:The train is now 1 hour late, and I am losing my patience. fed up: [adjective] bored and unhappy, especially with a situation that has continued for a long time. Example:The traffic congestion in our city never seems to get better, so people are really fed up with the time it takes to get to work. stand [something]: [verb] to dislike – used especially in negative sentences. Example:I like John, but I can‟t stand his sister, she is very rude. out of nowhere: [expression] appearing or happening suddenly and unexpectedly Example:The woman cried for help and, out of nowhere, a policeman arrived. hug: [verb] to put your arms around someone and hold them tightly, to show that you like or love them. Example:The child ran out of the schooland he hugged his mother, who was waiting at the school gate. the early hours: [expression] early in the morning, for example about 2, 3 or 4 am.
- 70. #29: Someone/Something MadeA Lot Of Noise Describe someone orsomething that made a lot of noise. You should say: - who or whatmadethe noise - whatthe noise was like - and explain whatyou did when you heard this noise BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : If you live in my country long enough, you will totally agree with me that those who are driving make a lot of noise, especially during peak traffic hours. All roads have never been free of the honking noises of all kinds of vehicles from vans and cars, to mopeds. It is, in my opinion, the most annoying sound you could imagine. Whenever I heard people honking like angry geese, I felt very annoyed and frustrated. A majority of people should learn when to use the horn properly. It seems to me that they push the horn all the time because they want to be able to drive fast, while everyone else gets out of their way. Despite the fact that I hate it so much, I cannot give up driving here. So I learned to ignore it, and use my horn sparingly or just in case of emergency. However, I still think that the city should have a campaign on educating people to use the horn in a proper way so that the city is not polluted by noise. VOCABULARY : peak traffic hours: [noun phrase] the times when there is most traffic on the roads, usually when people are travelling to or from work. Example:Because of all the traffic, it is difficult to cross the road during peak traffic hours. honk: [verb] if you honk the horn of a car or other vehicle, it makes a loud noise like a warning sound.
- 71. Example:She knew thatthe taxi had arrived, becauseshe heard the horn honking outside the door. geese: [plural noun] this is the plural form of „goose‟ – a large bird with a long neck. It makes a loud honking noise. Example:The geesewere on the lake, with some smaller birds nearby, which were probably ducks. horn: [noun] a device in a vehicle for making a loud noise as a warning. Example:In the traffic jam, some of the drivers were honking the horns of their cars because they were frustrated with the delay. get out of the way: [verb phrase] move out of the route which someone else is taking. Example:All of the drivers got out of the way, to allow the ambulance to pass. sparingly: [adverb] in a way that is careful, so that we only use a little. Example:He spent his money sparingly, because he only had enough for a simple meal. #30: A Song That Has Special Meaning Describe a song that has special meaning for you. You should say: - what this songis about - when and where you first heard this song - how often you listen to this song - and explain why it has special meaning for you BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: I love listening to music, so I like many songs. However, one of my favorite songs
- 72. that I wantto talk about today is “Hall of Fame” by The Script and Will.i.am. This song was written for the 2012 Olympic Games. When it came out, it quickly became a hit on every single music chart throughout the world, not just becauseof its catchymelody, but also for its meaningful lyrics. The song talks about how each of us can be a champion or anything we want to be as long as we dedicate our time and efforts to doing what we are passionate about. The song is played at big athletic events to pump up the crowd, but you can easily relate to the song at other times as well, especially when you are about to give up. I think this song has such a powerful message that whenever I was tired or had decided to quit, it would lift me up right away. It made me think about why I had started in the first place and that I needed to finish the job that I was currently doing. VOCABULARY: became a hit: when a song becomes a hit, it means that it is super popular and that people are listening to it on the radio and buying it on iTunes or elsewhere. Example:Taylor Swift‟s song “Bad Blood” became a hit instantly. catchy melody: the melody is the part that you sing along with and if it is catchy, it means that it is easy to sing along with and people like it, you easily remember it and it sticks in your mind. Example:The song “Uptown Funk” has a catchy melody that people love to sing. meaningful lyrics: lyrics are the words in a song and if they are meaningful, it means that they actually mean something or have some sort of importance or significance; they aren‟t just silly, meaningless words. Example:His sister writes meaningful lyrics for her songs. champion: someone who wins, a winner. Example:He didn‟t see himself as a champion until he had reached his goals. dedicate:to commit your time to doing something; to make a promise to yourself to do something. Example:You were able to get a high scoreon the test because you dedicated 2 hours every day to studying and preparing yourself.
- 73. effort: the workthat you put into doing something. Example:The time and effort he spent improving his English paid off when he got a $10,000 raise. passionate:if you are passionate about something it means you have a strong desire to do something or a strong interest in something. Example:Elite athletes are passionate about their sportand want to becomethe best. played at: to play a song at an event means to broadcastit over loudspeakers so everyone can hear it. Example:They always play the song “We Are the Champions” at basketball games. to pump up the crowd:to get the people excited about the game or event. Example:The cheerleaders tried to pump up the crowd during the football game. relate to: to see yourself in something or to understand it in a personal way. Example:She can relate to the lyrics of that song about love and loss. give up: to quit; to stop doing something. Example:He decided to give up smoking after 10 years. quit: to stop doing something; to give up. Example:She convinced her sonnot to quit the soccerteam. lift me up or lift someone up: to make someone feel better. Example:His brother is good at lifting others up when they are feeling down. #37: A Film You WatchedAt Home Or In A Cinema Describe a film you watchedat home or in a cinema. You should say: - whatfilm it was - whatit was about - why you chose to watch that film who you watched it with and explain if you learned anything importantfrom the film
- 74. BAND 9.0 SAMPLEANSWER : As a frequent moviegoer, I watch a lot of films. One of the movies that I enjoyed the most recently was The Martian. The movie was based on a novel of the same title by Andy Weir. Just like many other sci-fi films, it was about man travelling in space, however, this time, our main character was stuck on Mars due to a dust storm which nearly killed him. All of the crewmates thought that he was dead, so they went back to Earth without him. But fortunately he was still alive, thus two and a half hours of the movie told the story of how he fought for his life in the brutal environment of Mars, until NASA devised a plan to rescue him. My best friend is a big fan of astronomy, so she had read [2] the novel before. That‟s why she insisted on me going to see the movie with her. After watching the trailer and reading the plot, I was hooked. It was maybe the best two and a half hours of my week so far. After watching the movie, I was amazed at how ingenious and strong humans can be when it comes to a life and death situation. Mark Watney, the hero of the movie, was a perfect portrayal of a young, humorous, brilliant and skillful engineer cum botanist. Although the hostile environment of Mars threatened his existence many times, he relentlesslyrefused to quit. Instead, he overcame one problem at a time until he was successfully rescued. The message that I learned from the film is never to give up, however hopeless things seem to be. VOCABULARY: moviegoer:[noun] a person who goes to the cinema. sci-fi: [noun] science fiction; based on imagined scientific discoveries of the future, such as spacetravel or life on other planets. Example:Sci-fi movies have become more popularsince space travel has become possible. stuck on Mars: the man was unable to escapefrom the planet. Example:we were stuck in traffic and so we arrived late for work.
- 75. dust storm: [noun]a storm that carries clouds of dust in the wind over a wide area. Example:a lot of plantsdie after a duststorm passes through an area. crewmates:[noun] all the people working on a ship or, in this case, a spacecraft. fought for his life: [verb phrase] he made a great effort to stay alive. Example:The man wasbadly injured in the accident, but he fought for his life and he recovered later in hospital. brutal:[adjective] if an environment is described as brutal this means that it is very dangerous and it is difficult for a person to survive. devised: [verb] NASA invented something new to rescue the man. Example:a new system has been devised to control traffic in the city. astronomy: [noun] the scientific study of the sun, moon, stars and planets. trailer: [noun] a series of short scenes from a film or programme, shown in advance to advertise it. Example:after watching an exciting trailer, I decided to go to see the film. plot: [noun] the events which form the story of a book, play or film. Example:the book has a plot abouta prisoner who escaped. hooked: [adjective] enjoying something so much that you want to see or do it. ingenious: [adjective] very clever at inventing new ideas. Example:manyingeniousresearchersare working on ways to combat cancer portrayal:[noun] the act of describing or showing something or somebodyin a book, play or film. Example:the actor gave a fantastic portrayal of a clever detective in the film. botanist:[noun] a personwho studies plants. hostile: [adjective] a hostile environment is unsafe for humans, because there are many dangers. Example:in the hostile environment of the desert, you must take a lot of water with you.
- 76. threatened his existence:the many dangers and difficult conditions on Mars were a danger to his life. relentlessly: [adverb] in a way that continues strongly, without giving up. Example:the soldiers relentlessly pursued their enemies after the battle. hopeless: [adjective] without hope Example:after searching for the lost planefor manydays, the situation seemed hopeless and it seemed that the rescuers would never find it #32: A Time You Looked At The Sky Describe a (recent) time when you lookedat the sky (either day or night) You should say: - what you were doing - when you looked at the sky - who you were with - what you saw and explain how you felt when you looked at the sky. BAND 9.0 MODEL ANSWER: Last week, my friends and I decided to go camping on the outskirts for the weekend. Living in a big city doesn‟t offer me much of a chance to enjoy the sky at night because of the pollution, the lights, and the skyscrapers. That‟s the reason why I liked this short trip so much because I could enjoy looking up at the clear sky, searching for stars and observing the moon. Luckily for me, there was a full moon that night. We made a small campfire and sat around the fire, grilled potatoes and marshmallows, happily chatting with each other.
- 77. When the moonhad risen high up in the sky, we all looked up, and started counting stars. I had never seen so many stars in the sky as I did that night. They twinkled while the moon shone brightly. At that moment, I felt at peace. My mind was blank; I wasn‟t thinking of anything else, all my sadness and disappointments disappeared. All I thought of was that I was content in that moment. VOCABULARY: outskirts: the part of town that is far away from the center. Example:We lived on the outskirts of town for about 10 years and then finally moved closer to the center last year. offer: in this context to offer you something means to make it available to you. Example:Living in the city offers many exciting activities like going to the theater, attending concerts and lots of different types of restaurants. pollution: harmful substances in the air or water. Example:The air pollution in the city is getting worse every year. skyscrapers: tall buildings that can be used for offices or residential units. Example:New York City has many tall skyscrapers. clear sky: a sky that is clear of any pollution or other things (like clouds)that make it hard to see the stars and the moon. Example:Tonight, when I looked up at the clear sky, I saw millions of stars. observing: watching, looking at, seeing. Example:The scientist will be observing the monkeys this afternoon. full moon: The phase of the moon at which the moon, as viewed from Earth, appears to be fully illuminated by the sun. The full phase marks the half-way point of a single revolution of the moon around the earth. Example:Did you see the full moon last night? campfire:a fire that is made while camping and around which you sit to cookfood, roast marshmallows and talk. Example:My sonis always in charge of making the campfire.
- 78. grilled/togrill: a wayof cooking something on a grill over a fire. Example:We grilled some hamburgers and hot dogs last night for dinner. marshmallow: A light, spongy, very sweet confection made of cornsyrup, gelatin, sugar, and often vanilla. Example:Kids love to roast marshmallows while camping. chatting:talking. Example:They have been chatting for over two hours already. to twinkle: to shine and sparkle, flicker, glimmer – what stars do. Stars twinkle. Example:The stars twinkled in the clear night sky. to feel at peace: to be peaceful or feel peaceful, without any worries or concerns. Example:He felt at peace when he was meditating. mindwasblank: to have nothing in your mind, to not be thinking about anything at all. Example:After staying up all night studying, my mind was blank during class. disappointment:frustration, something that you feel disappointed or dissatisfied about. Example:His grandmother has suffered many disappointments throughout her lifetime, but now she is living the good life. #33: A Recent Event Made You Happy Describe a recent event (or something you did) that made you happy. You should say: - what you did - where you were - who you were with and explain why it made you happy.
- 79. BAND 9.0 SAMPLEANSWER: Today, I am going to share with you a recent event that made me happy. A month ago, my friend and I attended a hip-hop and contemporary dance performance sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center, Goethe Institute, and L‟Espace Center called “Europe Meets Asia”. The tickets were free so we did not see any reason for not going; we both like dancing a lot. The performance was given by artists from Japan and Israel. It was a combination of hip-hop and contemporary dance. With their talents, they created such an amazing performance. We were surprised to see how flexible they were while performing. The dance also delivered a message which could be interpreted differently by different people. To me, it was about young people in the modern world, bored with the daily routine of life and trying to escape from this boredom in order to do something spectacular or at least pursue their passions. After a 40-hour workweek, this event was like a fresh breeze in my life. It was a new experience that I had rarely had before, because in Hanoi, we don‟t get to see art performances by foreign artists that often. VOCABULARY : hip-hop: a style of music usually based on rap and often including elements of other styles such as funk or rhythm and blues. Example:My best friend is an awesome hip-hop artist who performs all around the world. contemporary: current, modern, nowadays. Example:As an art collector, he focuses on contemporary artists from Asia and Europe. sponsored by: an individual or organization that puts something on, that supports an event financially. Example:This evening‟s event was sponsored byApple, Microsoft and Dell computers.
- 80. given by: inthis context the artists give a performance or perform and so we say it was given by them. Example:The keynote presentation was given by Mark Zuckerberg, speaking Chinese. combination of: when two or more things are combined to create something new. Example:The combination of science and art classes helps students learn in a creative way. talent:a special skill that one has. Example:He has a talent for making movies and will likely becomea director some day. flexible: to be able to bend your bodyin all sorts of ways. Example:Ballet dancers and yoga instructors are very flexible. interpret: to understand something in a certain way. Example:The two people interpreted the performance in two completely different ways. dailyroutine: that which you do every day, like get up, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, clean up, watch TV, go to bed. Example:His daily routine starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m. spectacular:amazing, fantastic, super special. Example:His new bookis spectacular. Have you read it yet? pursue their passions: to follow your interests and desires. Example:He wants to pursue his passion for chemistry by getting a PhD. fresh breeze: used in this context to describe something that is new and refreshing. Example:Spending a day out in the woods was like a fresh breeze, compared to my usual boring daily routine. rarely: not very often. Example:I rarely go downtown due to the traffic.
- 81. #34: A DifficultDecision You Made “Describe a difficult decision that you made.” You should say: - what decision it was - what difficulties you faced - how you made the decision and explain why it was a difficult decision. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: It was when I prepared the application form for the university entrance exam that I had to make an important but difficult decision. At that time, I was at a crossroads, where I had to decide which university to apply for. Actually, my interest was in economics, which was taught in two separate universities, one of which specialized in international trade while the other focused more on the national economy. Fortunately, my sister, who graduated from an economics college, gave me some sound advice. Having weighed up the pros and cons of each school, she encouraged me to choose the university specializing in international trade. Finally, I applied for this school after thinking carefully about all the options. At present, I feel so satisfied with the learning environment of this university that I am always thankful for my decision as well as my sister‟s advice. Without her guidance, I probably wouldn‟t be as content with my university life as I am. VOCABULARY : at a crossroads: [expression] at an important point in someone‟s life or development. Example:His life was at a crossroads – whether to join the army or to continue studying at university. sound advice: [adjective and noun combination] sensible and reliable advice. Example:My parents gave me sound advice about my choice of career. weighed up the pros and cons: [expression] considered carefully the advantages and disadvantages of something. Example:Having weighedup the pros and cons, I decided that it would be more
- 82. useful for meto learn English rather than French. learningenvironment: [noun phrase] the conditions that affect the behaviour and development of people who are learning a subject. Example:The schoolhad the latest technology, the buildings were modern and the teachers were very helpful – it was the perfect learning environment. #35: DescribeA PollutedPlace Describe a polluted place. You should say: - What the place is - What type of pollution it is/ are - Cause and effect of pollution and explain how can this pollution be controlled. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : It is regrettable that Hanoi, where I‟m living, is negatively affected by pollution and the major environmental problems it is facing are water pollution, air pollution and noise pollution. There are various reasons why this city is badly polluted. Firstly, due to modernization, more and more vehicles such as cars and motorbikes are used. This leads to an increase in exhaust emissions which contaminate the atmosphere, not to mention the rising level of noisepollution. Secondly, factories and industrial zones in the city have discharged a huge amount of untreated waste into rivers, causing death to many fish and other aquatic animals. In fact, pollution makes people here less healthy, and some even suffer from life- threateningdiseases such as lung cancer, skin cancer, and so on. Therefore, the government must deal with this problem right away. Cutting down on vehicle use is the best way to reduce air pollution and noise pollution. We can do this by
- 83. encouraging people touse public transportation. Besides, those who litter should pay a heavy fine. Finally, I think the best solution is to raise awareness and educate people to protect the environment. VOCABULARY : regrettable: [adjective] something that you are sorry about and wish that it had not happened. Example:It is regrettable that only a minority of people are concerned about the environment. exhaust emissions: [noun phrase] waste gases that come out of a car or other vehicle. Example:The exhaust emissions from big trucks cause serious air pollution in my city. contaminate: [verb] make a place or thing dirty, by adding a substance that is dangerous or polluting. Example:Every day, more and more vehicles enter the city centre and contaminatethe atmosphere with their exhaust emissions. discharge: [verb] when somebodydischarges a gas or liquid, they release it and it goes into the water or the air. Example:The factory was fined for discharging chemicals into the river. aquatic: [adjective] living in water Example:Rivers which are clean have a lot of aquaticlife, such as fish and frogs. life-threatening: [adjective] likely to kill someone. Example:Aid workers in poorcountries often have to deal with difficult, lifethreatening situations. cutting down on: [phrasal verb] reducing the size, amount or number of something. Example:You will improve your health by cutting down on cigarettes. awareness: [noun] knowing that something exists and is important. Example:In schools, campaigns about awarenessofroad safety are essential for young children.
- 84. #36: A ProductYou Were Happy With “Describe a product you bought that you were happy with.” You should say: - What you bought - (when and) where you bought it - Why you bought it and explain why you were happy with it BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER 1: It was last summer that I bought a new yogurt maker and I am very satisfied with it. This machine is quite small and fits conveniently into my kitchen. Interestingly, it looks like a cooker with six glasses inside. And the most important thing is that it is very easy to use. You just have to pour the mixture of ingredients to make yogurt into these glasses, turn the yogurt maker on and leave it for a few hours. Then, you will have delicious home-made yogurt. Thanks to the simple instructions, I can make yogurt for my whole family any time I want. As yogurt is good for our health, eating it daily can make people healthier, it can help to prevent some potentially fatal diseases and boost the human immune system. Therefore, the members of my family have all adopted the habit of eating yogurt every day. Owning a yogurt maker helped me to cut down considerably the amount of time that it took to make yogurt, not to mention the higher quality as opposed to the traditional method. At present, I still make yogurt every day for my family with this machine and I think that this is an indispensable product for preparing an essential part of our regular diet. VOCABULARY : fits: [verb] is the right shape and size for something. Example:This jacket fits me perfectly, but those shoes don‟t fit at all.
- 85. pour: [verb] tomake a liquid flow from a container. Example:Pour some milk into my glass, please. potentially: [adverb] used to say that something may develop into something. Example:Smoking will not kill you immediately, but it is potentially harmful for your health. fatal:[adjective] causing or ending in death. Example: Police were called to a fatal accident, in which 3 people were killed. immunesystem: [expression] the system in your bodythat helps it fight agains infection and disease. Example:A strong immune systemis necessary to remain fit and healthy. adopted the habit: [expression] started to use a particular method of doing something. Example:Last month, my friend adopted the habit of running for one hour every day in order to keep fit. cut down:[phrasal verb] reduce the amount, size or number of something. Example:I should cut down my working hours and spend more time just relaxing. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER 2 : Last summer, I bought a Nokia smart phone that I was really satisfied with. My cell phonewas the latest product from Nokia, so there were various useful applications such as video calling, emails, games, music players, and so on. I intended to use this smart hone to listen to music, make phone calls, send messages and check emails. I must say that this portable device helps me a lot no matter where I am. There were numerous reasons why I took an interest in this product. Firstly, I wanted to use it for entertainment purposes. I could refresh myself after a hard day‟s work by enjoying music or watching reality shows on the Internet. Moreover, thanks to this smart phone, I was ble to keep in touch with my old friends whom I could not meet in person regularly. Besides, his mobile phone helped me to handle my workload effectively. For example, I could check mails when waiting for the bus, which saved a lot of time.
- 86. As a finalpoint, I would emphasize that I chose the mobile phone myself. That was the main reason why I felt so happy with this product. VOCABULARY : portabledevice:[noun] an object that is easy to carry or to move. Example:A lot of people on my flight were using portable devices, suchas their laptops, during the journey. took an interest in: [expression] wanted to know more about the product. Example:My parents took an interest in my grades at school, because they wanted me to go to university. entertainment: [noun] for interest and amusement. Example:The local newspaper gives news about entertainment, with information on all the latest films, music, shows and events in our city. refresh myself:[verb] make myself feel less tired and stressed. Example:After work, I usually refresh myself with a shower and a hot drink. realityshows: [noun] shows that use real people [not actors]in real situations, in order to provide entertainment. Example:Reality shows like „Big Brother‟ are very cheap to make, because there are no actors to pay. handlemyworkload: [expression] manage the amount of work that I have to do. Example:The company has paid me for some extra hours to handle my increased workload.
- 87. #37: An OlderPerson Who You Admire Describe An Older PersonWho You Admire You should say: - Who this personis - How long you have known him/her - What qualities he/she has BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: I would like to describe one of my teachers who taught me at high school. She had a great influence on me and was a role model whom I look up to. Her name is Yen and she taught me Math for 3 years of high school. She was in her 50s, and so she had a lot of teaching experience. Actually, we met each other almost everyday as she was also my form teacher. She cared about us as if we had been her sons and daughters. For example, she always brought some kinds of medicines so that whenever her students got a cold, coughed or something like that, she would give them the medicines immediately. Above all, I was most influenced by the way she taught us in class. Her thoroughness in teaching inspired me to study Math, even though I had not been interested in the subject before. Thanks to her effective teaching method, I was able to pass the university entrance exam with a high Math grade. Besides, I was also influenced by her lifestyle, which was so simple and worthy of respect that I really wanted to copyher. As she is a warm-hearted person, she always gave us advice about any problems we faced. At times, I felt that she was like my friend who I could share everything with. Although we have now all graduated from high school, my friends and I often visit her at the weekends to tell her about our daily life at university.
- 88. VOCABULARY : role model:[nounphrase] a person that you admire and try to copy. Example:Parents are usually the most important role models for a child. in her 50s: [expression] between the ages of 50 and 59. Example:My mother retired from her job as a teacher when she was in her 50s. cared about: [phrasal verb] felt that we were important and worth worrying about. Example:Everybody had a good opinion of the hospital – the doctors and nurses really caredabout the health of the patients. thoroughness: [noun] the quality of doing things very carefully and with great attention to detail. Example:The report was perfectly organised and included every important detail, and I had to admire his thoroughness. lifestyle: [noun] the way in which a person or group of people live and work. Example:When I moved to the countryside from Hanoi, I had to change my lifestyle completely. warm-hearted:[adjective] kind and generous Example:He often gave money and chatted in the street to poorpeople that he knew – he was a very warm-hearted person. #38: A TV Program That Made You Laugh Describe a television program that makes you laugh. You should say: - What program it is - How often you watch it - What it is about and explain why you laugh at this program (= explain
- 89. what is funnyin this program). BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: A TV program that I found really funny was an American show called “How I met your mother” which was broadcast every Sunday last summer. It was a sitcom with 9 series, each of which included about 24 episodes. I watched all of the episodes and found them absolutely hilarious. The series followed the main character, Ted, who recounted to his son and daughter the time when he met and got married to their mother. The special thing was this – all the events Ted had experienced with his best friends before meeting his wife were illustrated in a highly amusing way. For example, in one episode, Ted described his dates with a girlfriend whose name he had forgotten, so Ted and the other characters had to refer to her as “Blah–blah” all the time. Because of the characters‟ eccentric humor and natural acting, this show made me laugh a lot. So, at present, whenever I feel stressed, I replay this series so that I can just put my feet up and have a good laugh VOCABULARY : sitcom: [noun] a regular TV program that shows the same characters in different funny situations. Example: In a good sitcom, all the characters who appear regularly make us laugh. episodes: [noun] parts of a story on TV or the radio which is broadcastin several parts. Example: The sitcom finally ended after 200 episodes. absolutelyhilarious: [adverb+adjective] extremely funny. Example: At the party, he told me an absolutelyhilarious story, and I couldn‟t stop laughing. recounted: [verb] told someone about something that you experienced. Example: My father sometimes recountedto me stories of his time as a student.
- 90. dates: [noun] aromanticmeetings with a boy or girl. Example: Although they had several dates, they decided to remain just good friends. eccentric: [adjective] considered by other people to be strange or unusual. #39: First Time You Used A Foreign Language Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate. You should say: - What the situation was - Where you were who you communicated with - And explain why you used a foreign language to communicate on this occasion. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : I have been learning English for a long time, but I haven‟t had many chances to practice speaking English with native speakers. To the best of my recollection, the first time I used it was on Christmas Eve three years ago. At that time, I was hanging out with my friends. Suddenly, a foreigner came up to me and asked for directions to a supermarket. Honestly, he spoke too quickly for me to catch everything. But after he repeated his words, I finally understood and showed him the way to the nearest supermarket. I used body language a lot to explain the directions to him, since I didn‟t speak English well then. After that, he said “Thank you” to me and headed for the supermarket. I realize that English plays an important role in our life, despite the fact that we don‟t live in English-speaking countries. It is spoken globally and it‟s becoming the dominant language. Therefore, I have been trying to practice speaking English daily so that I can have a good command of this language, and I can talk confidently with foreigners, whatever the topic of conversation.
- 91. VOCABULARY : to thebest of myrecollection: [expression] if I remember correctly. Example:I was not present at that meeting, to the best of my recollection. hangingout: [phrasal verb] spending a lot of time in a particular place, but doing no special activity. Example:My friends and I enjoy hanging out at our local coffee shop, just chatting and enjoying a coffee. cameup to: [phrasal verb] approached. Example:The manager came up to me and shookmy hand. catch everything: [expression] hear or understand everything that he said. Example:At the train station it was too noisy to hear all the information clearly, and I was unable to catcheverything. body language: [noun] the way that you show what you feel or think by moving your body. Example:Sometimes, our teacher uses body language, notwords, to help to communicate an idea. headed for: [phrasal verb] moved in a particular direction. Example:After the show finished, everyone headed for the exits. have a good command of: [expression] have a good knowledge of something. Example:People who apply for this job must have a goodcommand of English, in order to communicate with our American customers.
- 92. #40: Local NewsPeople Interested In “Describe some localnews that people in your locality are interestedin.” You should say: - What the news is - How you know about this news - Who is involved in this news - And explain why it is interesting to people. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: I came across this intriguing article in a newspaper I read at my school’s library. It involved how positive attitudes have greatly affected people‟s success, based on the story of how a local woman had never given up her dream and had now become a world-famous novelist. According to the news story, optimistic people are more likely to be successful. Since they look at the bright side, their lives are always full of enjoyment. Therefore, when running into problems, optimists try their best to work out solutions. This leads them to great achievements. In contrast, pessimistic people tend to act negatively, which not only puts them under a lot of strain, but also has a bad impact on their performance and people around them. Since I read this news, I have tried to maintain positive attitudes about everything. Whenever I fail to do something, I will not blame myself but work harder to overcome such failure. I hope that, like this woman, everybody can learn to be optimistic about whatever situationthey face. VOCABULARY : intriguing: [adjective] very interesting, because the news was unusual. Example:He told me an intriguing story about how a shark had once attacked him while he was swimming in the sea.
- 93. had never givenup:[phrasal verb] had never abandoned: she had always continued to believe in her dream. Example:The police announced that – after 10 days – they had finally given up looking for survivors of the air crash. world-famous:[adjective] known all over the world Example:McDonald‟s is a world-famous chain of fast-food restaurants. novelist:[noun] a person who writes novels – fictional stories. Example:The author of the „Harry Potter‟ books used to teach English, but now she is a world-famous novelist. optimistic:[adjective] expecting good things to happen or to be successful. Example:He was optimistic about his chances of passing the exam, because he had studied hard. look at/on the brightside: [expression] to be cheerful about a bad situation, by thinking of the advantages – not the disadvantages. Example:Although you have lost your keys, look on the bright side – your brother has a copyof all of them. work out (solutions): [phrasal verb] think of (solutions). Example:Engineers work outsolutions to many technical problems when they design new buildings. pessimistic: [adjective] expecting bad things to happen or expecting things to fail. Example:The patient was very ill, and the doctors were pessimistic about his chances of recovering. puts them undera lot of strain: [expression] puts a lot of pressure on them, because they are worried about being able to solve a difficulty. Example:The team have lost every match, so this puts them under a lot of strain when they have to face new opponents. whatever:any or every (situation) Example:Whatever the situation about your travel visa, we will work out a solution together.
- 94. #41: A Story/Novel Interests You Describe a story or a novel that was particularly interesting to you. You should say: - What the story/novel is - What it is about - Why you find it interesting BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: I would like to talk about my favorite classic novel called The Godfather, which is written by a well-known Italian author, Mario Puzo. I came across this novel when I was trying to find a dictionary at a bookstore. It was published in hard- cover version and there was a colourful illustration on the front which caught my eye. At first, although I was not much impressed by the novel‟s preview, I still bought it and started to read the story right after getting home. Surprisingly, the more I read “The Godfather”, the more it appealed to me. This novel told the story of an Italian imaginary character named Vito Corleone, who was a mafia boss in America after World War I. What attracted me in this story was the way the author described Vito‟s tricks to survive in a chaotic society. Thanks to this novel, I learned a lot about the course of American history in that lawless period. After finishing this book, I read some more novels by Mario Puzo and they were all fascinating. I realize that reading books is a good way to gain knowledge; therefore, everyone should get into the habit of reading. VOCABULARY : classic: [adjective] accepted as being one of the best or most important of its type. Example:The story of Romeo and Juliet is a classictale of love and revenge.
- 95. come across: [phrasalverb] to meet or find somebodyorsomething by chance. Example:Yesterday, I came across someold photographs in a drawer. hard-cover: [adjective] with a stiff cover which does not bend. Example:The hard-coverversion of the bookis expensive, so I am waiting for the paperbackversion to be published. caught myeye: [expression] attracted my attention. Example:As I looked at the shop window, a dark blue jacket caught my eye. right after: [adverb] immediately after. Example:Yesterday, I spoketo the teacher right after the class. appeal to: [phrasal verb] attract or interest someone. Example:The company‟s new website is designed to appeal to people of all ages. chaotic: [adjective] confused and without any order. Example:At busytimes, the traffic situation is chaotic in New York. lawless:[adjective] where laws do not exist or are not obeyed. Example:Chicago was known as a lawless city, controlled by gangsters and the mafia. fascinating: [adjective] very interesting. Example:She has written a fascinating bookabout the history of crime in America. get into the habitof: [expression] do something regularly, so that you do it almost without thinking. Example:My sister has got into the habit of turning on the TV when she arrives home.
- 96. #42: A GoalThat You Have Describe a goal that you would like to achieve. You should say: - What the goal is - How easy or difficult you think it will be to reach this goal - How you plan to achieve this goal and explain why this is one of your goals. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: One of my goals in the near future is to improve my proficiency in Japanese. Actually, I have been studying Japanese for two months; therefore, I can just hold some simple conversations about daily life. There are various reasons why I want to study this language. Firstly, I am keen on Japanese culture, which is so incredibly unique and diverse. By learning Japanese, I can know more about traditions there. Secondly, I have always longed to work for a Japanese company. Since people in Japan are organized and hard-working, collaborating with them gives me a good chance to improve myself. That‟s why I really want to master this language. To achieve this goal, I am taking a Japanese course with a native teacher who gives me the best methods to study Japanese effectively. Besides, I am trying to practice speaking Japanese with my friends and watch as many Japanese films as possible, so that my level of Japanese can be improved considerably. I hope that soon I will have a good command of Japanese and I am sure that I will remain motivated to achieve my goal. VOCABULARY : hold conversations: [expression] have conversations Example: It is impossible to hold conversations in that place – it is too noisy !
- 97. keen on: [adjective]very interested in an idea or activity Example: My parents are very keenon visiting my uncle in the US. diverse: [adjective] very different and varied. Example: New York is a big city with people from diverse cultures. longed to: [phrasal verb] wanted to do something very much. Example: It is just a dream, but I have always longed to be a famous musician. master: [verb] learn or understand something completely. Example: In many jobs we have to master new techniques, such as computer skills. have a command of: [expression] have an ability to do or use something – especially a language. Example: You must have a goodcommand of English in order to pass the IELTS exam. #43: An Item Of ClothingBought For You “Describe an item of clothing that was bought for you” You should say: what it was who bought it what it looked like why it was bought for you and explain how you felt about this item of clothing. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER: I would like to describe a coat my parents gave me as a present on my 18th birthday. I must say that it is really smart and exactly to my liking. The coat is made of cotton only and by a Vietnamese clothes brand. It is a knee- length black coat, which was in fashion at that time. What I like the most is that
- 98. there are twodeep side pockets, so in winter, I always put my hands into those pockets to avoid the cold. Besides, I can button the coat from top to bottom and it‟s also got a decorative waist belt. I am so fond of this coat that I usually wear it every winter. It fits me perfectly and makes me feel comfortable and warm, no matter how cold the weather is. I keep myself warm by wearing the coat with jeans and boots, which match it well. In fact, I have never thought whether it will be out of fashion. As this coat is a gift from my parents, I treasure it a lot and – for sure – I will keep wearing this coat in the future. VOCABULARY : reallysmart: [adjective] very clean, neat and attractive. Example:If you want to look good on special social occasions, oreven at work, it is important to dress in really smart clothes. to my liking: [expression] suitable, and how somebodylikes something. Example:The smart way in which she has decorated my house is exactly to my liking. button the coat: [verbal phrase] fasten the coat with buttons. Example:Stepping outside my warm house, I quickly buttoned the coat which I was wearing to try and keep warm. decorative: [adjective] intended to look attractive, because of the way in which it is decorated. Example:Many tourists visit the Temple of Literature becauseof the many decorative sculptures which they can see there. fond of: [expression] finding something pleasant or enjoyable, especially something that you have liked or enjoyed for a long time. Example:My uncle is an excellent musician, and he is very fond of his hobby. match: [verb] if things match each other, they have the same colour or style and therefore look attractive together. Example:None of these shoes match my jeans – they are all very different and they are too formal.
- 99. treasure: [verb] haveor keep something that you love and that is very valuable to you. Example:Thank you for e-mailing the photos. They are superb and I will always treasure them and the memories that they bring. #44: A Meal You Had With Your Friends “Describe a meal you had your friends (in someone’s home or in a restaurant).” You should say: - Who organized this meal - Where you had it - What you talked about during the meal - What you ate and drank and explain why you had this meal with your friends. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : Last month, I had a get-together with some of my high school friends whom I had not met since we graduated. Then, we decided to have lunch at a well- known pizza restaurant in the city centre. Arriving at the restaurant, we were quickly given the menu. What surprised me the most was that there were various types of pizza and drinks; hence, it took me quite a long time to choose the food. After that, we talked with each other while waiting for the dishes. Some of my friends were studying at the same university, some had decided to get a job. And I was especially impressed by the decision of one friend to take a gap year. She said that as she had a strong passion for traveling, she would spend one year visiting lots of places. Then, the dishes were served. The pizza was out-of-this-world and the drinks were tasty although they were a bit pricey. We kept talking and enjoyed the meal and drinks for about two hours. Actually, meeting them reminded me of the
- 100. time when westudied at high school and I realized that now we were all grown- up, we had our own plans to pursue. But we all promised to meet up regularly. VOCABULARY : get-together: [noun] an informal meeting or gathering of friends. Example:We usually have a family get-togetherduring the New Year celebrations. gap year: [noun] the year that a young person spends working and/or travelling after leaving schooland starting university. Example:I‟m planning to take a gap year before I start my university course, and I have decided to go to see India and China. have a passion for: [expression] have a hobby or activity that you like very much. Example:He has a passionfor traditional music, and he is learning to play some traditional musical instruments. out-of-this-world: [adjective] used to emphasize how good or beautiful something is. Example:The variety of Vietnamese food available during the Tet holiday is out- ofthis-world. asty: [adjective] having a very delicious flavour. Example:When I want something tasty to eat, I often buy some chocolates or ice- cream. a bitpricey: [adjective] a little expensive. Example:Although my favourite restaurant serves food that is out-of-this-world, it is unfortunately a bit pricey, so I can‟t afford to eat there often. grown-up:[adjective] mentally and physically an adult. Example:She has a grown-updaughter who works in our local hospital. meet up: [phrasal verb] to meet someone, usually by arranging a time and place with them first. Example:After work, we all met up at the cinema to watch the new James Bond movie.
- 101. #45: An InterestingAnimal “Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal.” You should say: - What animal it was - Where you saw it - What happened when you saw it and explain why you thought it was interesting. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : I am raising an Alaska dog, which is a large breed of domestic dog. My dog has a double coat:the undercoat is soft while the outer one is coarse and water-proof. Also, his coat has two colors, black and white. In my opinion, his most attractive feature is the small upright ears which are out of proportion to the head. Having had this dog for almost a year, I find him intriguing. He is very smart, so he learns everything quickly. I once taught him how to fetch. Surprisingly enough, he successfully chased and retrieved the object after I tossed it for the second time. He acted as if he had intrinsically understood the game. He is also friendly to everyone, especially children. Whenever someone visits my house, instead of barking, he welcomes them by licking their feet. For me, my dog is a friend I can play with after school. I often walk him around the park at the weekends and he seems to like this, as there are different dogs there. I also talk with himregularly and I feel that he can understand what I say. As a final point, I hope that my dog can live with me for a long time. VOCABULARY : breed: [noun] an animal such as a dog, horse or cat that has been developed by people in a controlled way. Example:The airport police use a breed of dogwhich can smell hidden drugs in bags and suitcases.
- 102. coat: [noun] thefur or hair which covers the bodyof an animal. Example:Some breeds of cows have a thick winter coatto protect against cold weather. coarse: [adjective] rough Example:As a result of working on a construction site all his life, his hands were coarse. upright:[adjective] straight, not lying down or bent. Example:My dog‟s ears appear to be large, because they are upright and this helps him to hear everything very well. intriguing: [adjective] interesting and unusual Example:It is intriguing to see how my teacher explains things so clearly to the class. fetch: [verb] go to where something is and bring it back. Example:It started to rain, so I went back to the house to fetch the umbrella for me and my wife. retrieved: [verb] to bring something back, especially from a place where it should not be. Example:The wind blew my hat into the road, so I quickly retrieved it before any cars came. tossed it: threw it, but in no special direction. Example:After he had read the newspaper, he tossedit on to the ground. intrinsically:[adverb] in a way that was part of his real nature or character. Example:I believed his story, because he is an intrinsically honest man. barking: [verb] the sound made by a dog. Example:When the postman arrived, the dogstarted barking. licking: [verb] moving its tongue over someone or something. Example:I saw the cat lickingits whiskers after it had finished eating.
- 103. #46: A SpecialToy “Toy you had in your childhood.” You should say: What it was Who gave it to you How often you played with it (or, how you played with it) and explain why it was special for you. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : I remember that when I was young, I was keen on watching the cartoon called “The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh”, so much that I kept pestering my father for the stuffed bear Winnie the Pooh. Finally, my father gave me one as a present for my 6th birthday. When I got this toy, I jumped for joy and even paid no attention to my other presents. This stuffed bear was, incredibly, identical to the character in the cartoon I had watched. He also had a short red shirt and was holding a jar of honey which was his favorite food. Therefore, I felt as if he had come from the movie. Since then, I considered him my closest friend and I couldn‟t go anywhere without him, even when I went to sleep. Every day, I talked with the bear and told him about my daily routine. Unfortunately, I lost the bear at an amusement center, which made me cry for almost a week. At that time, I felt like I had lost a good friend who I could share everything with. At present, whenever I watch this cartoon or see any photos of Winnie the Pooh, all the wonderful memories about him are brought back. Thanks to the bear, I experienced a happy childhood.
- 104. VOCABULARY : was keenon:[phrasal verb] was eager to/was enthusiastic about Example:He was keenon fishing when he was a boy, and he still loves to go fishing at weekends. pestering: [verb] annoying someone by asking them many times. Example:In the shop, some children were pestering their mother to buy ice-cream. stuffed bear: [noun] a toy in the shape of a bear, made of cloth and filled with soft material. Example:Stuffed bears have always been popular as toys for young children. identical to: [adjective] exactly the same as someone or something else. Example:His sports bag is identical to mine, and as a result one day I took his bag by mistake. amusement center: [noun] a center which has a lot of things which you can play on and many different activities to enjoy. Example:Our city has a huge shopping mall, and it has a fantastic amusement centerfor children to play while their parents are shopping. #47: A Sport You Have Learned “Describe a sport that you have learned.” You should say: - What sportit is - When you learned it - What you learned to do and explain how you feel about this sport.
- 105. BAND 9.0 SAMPLEANSWER : Basketball is the sport which I have been interested in for a long time. Therefore, I have taken up this sport recently. Basketball is played by two teams of five members on a rectangular court, where the players of each team try to shoot the ball through the rival‟s hoop. As far as I know, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. This is because of basketball‟s great benefits to our health, such as muscular development, height growth, and so on. Of course, it‟s also fastmoving and exciting. Considering its huge advantages, I decided to take up this sport. Actually, I have been learning it for three months at a sport center. Here, I am taking the beginner course which provides me with basic skills to play basketball such as dribbling, jumping and shooting. Also, I have many opportunities to practise these skills with experienced basketball players, which helps to improve my game a lot. As a final point, I would emphasize that in the near future, I hope that I will be able to play basketball skillfully to improve my physical condition and really enjoy the sport to the full. VOCABULARY : take up: [phrasal verb] learn or start to do something. Example:I decided to take up a new hobby– jogging. rival:[noun] a person, team or company which competes with another in sportor business. Example:Nike and Adidas are rivals in the sportswearbusiness. hoop: [noun] the ring through which players throw the ball in basketball to score points. Example:The best basketball players consistently shootthe ball through the hoop. musculardevelopment: [expression] the process bywhich your muscles become stronger. Example:He uses the equipment at the gym every day in order to increase his muscular development.
- 106. dribbling: [gerund] away of moving the ball with several short bounces on the basketball court. Example:I practice running and bouncing the ball in order to improve my dribbling for basketball. to the full: [adverb] to the greatest possible degree. Example:Staying fit and healthy helps us to enjoy life to the full. #48: A Family You Know Describe a family (not your own family) that you like. You should say: - Where this family lives - Who the members of the family are - How you know them - What each person in this family does in life (student/work/retired etc.) and explain why you like this family. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : I would like to talk about a family that I am very close to, it‟s my uncle’s family. His family has 2 daughters who are around the same age as me; therefore, I usually drop in to his house to chat with them. At times, we bake some cakes and take them to our grandparents‟ house; then we have an overnight sleep there. Besides, we often hang out together, especially at the weekendsjust to take it easy and enjoy ourselves so as to get ready for a new week. Their parents, I mean my uncle and aunt, are very warm-hearted, and they both work as college teachers. So, whenever I run into difficulties with my homework, I usually turn to them for help. I remember when I was small, I used to live in my uncle’s house and they looked after me as if I had been their daughter. Hence, our relationships are out-of-this-world, although we don‟t have
- 107. much time togetherlike before. But on special occasions such as the Tet holiday, we will gather at my grandparents‟ house to make Chung cake, enjoy a firework performance as well as wish New year‟s greetings to each other. As a final point, I hope that we can maintain this close relationship for ever. VOCABULARY : close to: [adjective] knowing someone very well and liking them a lot. Example:I am still very close to my best friend, and we meet up regularly. drop in:[phrasal verb] pay an informal visit to someone. Example:I was passing your house, so I decided to drop in and have a chat. overnight: [adjective] for one night. Example:All the hotels were full and I could not find any overnightaccommodation. hang out: [phrasal verb] spend a lot of time in a place. Example:During the schoolholidays, a lot of kids hang out at the shopping mall. take it easy: [expression] relax and avoid working too hard or doing too much. Example:The doctortold me to take it easyfor a few days until I felt better. warm-hearted:[adjective] kind and generous. Example:My parents were very warm-hearted and they always helped other people with their problems. run intodifficulties: [expression] experience difficulties. Example:As I did not understand much French, I soon ran into difficulties when I visited Paris. looked after: [phrasal verb] were responsible for and took care of me. Example:My aunt lookedafterus while our mother was in hospital. out-of-this-world: [expression] used to emphasize how good something is. Example:Visitors to Vietnam think that the traditional food is out-of-this-world.
- 108. #49: Topic: AGood Friend “Describe a goodfriend.” You should say: - When and how you met - What kind of personality he/she has - What makes you like him/her. BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : I would like to describe my best friend, Huong, whom I have known for roughly 10 years. I first met her at primary school when she was my classmate. At first, she was quite shy and did not want to talk with anyone, which made me feel that she was a bit proud. However, when we became close friends, she was more sociable and amiable. We have done a lot of things together. Studying at the same schools, we have variousmutual friends. So, we usually throw parties at the weekends or have a picnic together. Besides, whenever I get into trouble, I turn to her for help. For example, I remember when I got bad marks in the mock university entrance exam, she consoled me and then we studied together until the official exam took place. Finally, we had the opportunity to study at our favorite college. At present, despite the fact that we have different plansand goals to pursue, I believe that we will be best friends for good and we will try our best to maintain this relationship. VOCABULARY : roughly: [adverb] approximately, but not exactly. Example:In the exam, I wrote roughly 300 words for my essay. close friends: [expression] friends who know each other very well and like each other a lot.
- 109. Example:Close friends usuallyshare the same interests and have no secrets from each other. amiable:[adjective] pleasant and easy to like Example:Our form teacher is very amiable and we all enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in her classes. mutualfriends: [expression] friends which are shared by two or more people. Example:Although we had not met before, when we started chatting, we discovered that we had some mutual friends. throw parties: [expression] give parties. Example:Some Hollywood film stars throw parties which hundreds of people attend. consoled: [verb] gave sympathy to someone who is unhappy. Example:After the team lost the match, the coach consoledthe players and told them that they had played well. for good: [expression] permanently Example:I decided to leave New York for goodand move to Europe. try our best: do as much as possible to achieve something Example:Although we tried our best, we failed the exam. #50: A CHARACTER IN A MOVIE/TV PROGRAM “Describe a characterfrom a story/ film/ TV program.” You should say: - Who this character is - When did you first see/ read about him/ her - What kind of person this character is
- 110. BAND 8.0 SAMPLEANSWER : Considering the fact that I am a movie – nerd, I have adored so many characters so far. And today I want to share about one person that makes great impressionon me in terms of appearance and characteristics – Juliet. She is a remarkable Shakespeare‟s earlier play – Romeo and Juliet. In fact, she is a very well – developed characters with real emotions and personalities. The story of Romeo and Juliet happened in Verona, Italy and is a very sad love story due to the hatred between two important families: the Montague and the Capulet. At first, I was really astonishedto see how strongly she loves Romeo, Juliet even goes againsther whole family to protect her love. But then I notice that Juliet doesn‟t start off as this strong young women, she changes in the story. When we first met Juliet, she was a 13 year – old girl, she was quiet and usually does what her parents want her to do. But by the end of the film, she moves from being this young girl to a mature, young women who dare to stand up for her own happiness. It‟s my opinion that the strong and beautiful Juliet is the character who makes this love story so popular. VOCABULARY : - Movie – nerd (slang): a person who like watching movies very much - Adore (verb): to like or desire something very much - Make impression on SO (Expression): impress SO - In terms of (Expression): about - Remarkable (Adjective): striking, worthy of attention - Well – developed (Adjective): advance, good - Due to (expression): because of - Hatred (n): deep and extreme dislike
- 111. - Astonish (verb):surprise - Go against (phrasal verb): oppose - Start off (phrasal verb): begin - Stand up for (phrasal verb): protect something - Mature (adjective): behaving in a sensible and thoughtful way #51: A Person Influences You “Describe a person who has influence on you.” You should say: - Who this personis - How/ When you met him/her - How he/she has made impact on you/ your life/ your study… BAND 8.0+ SAMPLE ANSWER : So far, I always consider myself lucky to meet lots of wonderful teachers throughout the academic years, one of them is my English teacher, Mr. Son. Indeed, meeting him is an essential turning point on my path of conquering English. I had the opportunity to work with him when I was a freshman at university. At first sight, I was truly impressed by his well- mannered eloquence and behavior. His unique way of teaching in fact provokedmy passion for this language. To be more specific, Mr. Son altered my perspective of learning English. Before I met him, for me, English is just the matter of reading, grammars or writing and I barely paid any attention to the other factors. However, he showed me the vital role of sounds and intonation.
- 112. Since then, underhis guidance, I concentrated more on the way native speakers create their sounds and exerted myself to imitate that. Over a few months, my speaking and listening were upgraded a lot and I became addicted to English. It is my teacher that lighted up my study journey and inspired me to continuously practice for a better me. VOCABULARY: Turning point (noun phrase): an important change Conquer (v): achieve, take control Freshman (n): first year student Eloquence (n): way of talking, delivering messages At first sight (expression): At first moment To be more specific (expression): to be more detailed Passion (n): strong love Alter (v): change Perspective (n): view Vital (a): important Concentrate on (v): focus on Upgrade (v): improve Addicted to ST (phrase): like something very much without control #53: A TV Program Inspires You “Describe a TV program that inspires you a lot.” You should say: - What type of program it is? - What is it about? - How often you watch it? - Is it popular in your country?
- 113. BAND 8.0+ SAMPLEANSWER : Well I guess I could start – off by pointing something about the type of the program. Actually nowadays I don‟t watch television that often but I used to be a couch potato in high school years. I remember sitting in front of the TV and channel surfed until I sound something interesting. One day, a documentary on Discovery Channel named “The Sacrifice of Genius” caught my entire attention. I really have to add that this program was a serial that consists of 10 episodes. It mainly emphasized on telling the sacrificing life stories of some well – respected scientists in the world such as Louis Pastuer and Marie Curie. By their great passion in researching, those incredible people had gone through so many adversities in order to devote themselves to science. With reference to how often I watched it, as far as I remember, this documentary was broadcasted every Thursday. I was so passionateabout it that no matter how busy I was, I managed to watch the box at 9 pm on Thursday. Although it is a really interesting program, it was not very prevalent during that time. I guess this is because people are often more fond of entertaining programs, rather than academic ones. But after all, this program inspired me a lot and provoke my persistence sense especially when I encounter difficulties in life. VOCABULARY: Couch potato (idiom): a person who spend a great deal of time watching TV Channel surf (expression): change frequently from one channel to the other Catch someone’s attention (expression): attracts someone Emphasize (v): play special importance on something Adversity (n) Difficulty Broadcast (v): transmit by Radio or TV Passionate (a) have a strong feeling for something Watch the box (idiom): watch TV Provoke (v): stimulate something Encounter (v): meet or contend against
- 114. #53: A TVProgram Inspires You “Describe a TV program that inspires you a lot.” You should say: - What type of program it is? - What is it about? - How often you watch it? - Is it popular in your country? BAND 8.0+ SAMPLE ANSWER: Well I guess I could start – off by pointing something about the type of the program. Actually nowadays I don‟t watch television that often but I used to be a couch potato in high school years. I remember sitting in front of the TV and channel surfed until I sound something interesting. One day, a documentary on Discovery Channel named “The Sacrifice of Genius” caught my entire attention. I really have to add that this program was a serial that consists of 10 episodes. It mainly emphasized on telling the sacrificing life stories of some well – respected scientists in the world such as Louis Pastuer and Marie Curie. By their great passion in researching, those incredible people had gone through so many adversities in order to devote themselves to science. With reference to how often I watched it, as far as I remember, this documentary was broadcasted every Thursday. I was so passionateaboutit that no matter how busy I was, I managed to watch the box at 9 pm on Thursday. Although it is a really interesting program, it was not very prevalent during that time. I guess this is because people are often more fond of entertaining programs, rather than academic ones. But after all, this program inspired me a lot and provoke my persistence sense especially when I encounter difficulties in life.
- 115. VOCABULARY: Couch potato(idiom): a person who spend a great deal of time watching TV Channel surf (expression): change frequently from one channel to the other Catch someone’s attention (expression): attracts someone Emphasize (v): play special importance on something Adversity (n) Difficulty Broadcast (v): transmit by Radio or TV Passionate (a) have a strong feeling for something Watch the box (idiom): watch TV Provoke (v): stimulate something Encounter (v): meet or contend against #54: Something You Make By Yourself “Describe something you make by yourself.” You should say: - What the thing is? - How do you make it? - Why do you like it? Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : I guess I could begin by saying something about what this thing is. In fact, I am not that meticulous and patient therefore the things that I have created by myself can be counted on the fingers of one hand. However one thing that made me really proud of is the kite that I made when I was 7 years old. In fact, it was also the very first thing that I created all the parts from scratch. Another part worth mentioning is the making process of this toy. Well, my
- 116. kite had theshape of a diamond and was made mainly of paper. Considering the fact that I had never done anything like this before, it‟s not astonishing to say that I spent almost three days in a row to complete just the fundamental parts. The first step was attaching paper to a bamboo frame. Although this sounds quite simple, it was absolutely not as easy as a piece of cake since I had to keep the balance for the kite. After that, it came to the issue of assembling lots of colorful light weight pieces in order to make the tail. The thorny part was ensuring the flying ability of the kite even when it was attached with a long tail. Until now, I still remember the gorgeous feeling when I completed the toy which was considered as a treasure back then. I guess this was mainly because it gave me a sense on own achievement and pride whenever I played with it or talked about it to my friends. In my childhood, the whole world was just as simple and funny as a party to be thrown – like a famous singer said. Vocabulary: Meticulous (a): showing great attention to detail Count something on the fingers of one hand (idiom): say that something is really scarce Start from scratch (idiom): start from the very first part Fundamental (a): basic and important In a row (idiom): continuously Assemble (v): put together Piece of cake (idiom): easy and not requires lots of effort Thorny (a): very difficult Ensure (v): to make sure Gorgeous (a): very pleasant, beautiful and attractive Throw a party (idiom): to hold, to arrange a party.
- 117. #55: A SONGYOU ENJOY LISTENING “Describe your favorite song.” You should say: – What is the song about? – When did you first hear the song? – Why is it your favorite? Band 8.0+ Sample Answer: Honestly speaking, for the most part, I would probably say that I have a great passion for listening to music and indeed I have listened like thousands of songs so far. However, if I have to pick out a song that I like the most, I would probably choose the song Million Years Ago by Adele. By gorgeous lyrics and melody, it‟s like a piece of cake for Adele to make me addicted tothis song. A significant feature that I should mention is the song‟s meaningful content. It is a regretful callinginside an adult who has born his soul on the way of growing up and earning his stripes. Every now and then I feel he is so desperate that he could do anything to escape the cycle of his life but after all he can‟t afford to do so. The reason why I am so fond of this song has something to do with the fact that it provokes so many beautiful memories from my childhood. Although this song is a sad song, it opens my eyes to many things in life, one of them is that you should not take anything for granted, even the simplest one, try to live to your fullest so that one day you would not have to regret that much about the journey that you have been through. Fairly speaking, Million Years Ago is a really good songs for self – reflecting especially when you find yourself lost in the super busy world nowadays. Vocabulary: Passion (n): strong and intense emotion, love Pick out (phrasal verb): to choose Piece of cake (idiom): something very easy
- 118. Be addictedto something (expression): be devoted to a particular activity or thing Calling (n): a strong urge to a particular way of life Earn someone’s stripes (idiom): Do something to show you deserve a particular rank or position Every now and then (expression): occasionally, from time to time Provoke (v): stimulate or give rise to something Open one’s eyes to Something (idiom): make someone understand something Take something for granted (idiom): fail to properly appreciate ST Reflect (v): think deeply and carefully about something. #56: A VEHICLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO OWN “Describe a vehicle you would like to own or something expensive you would like to buy.” You should say: - What it is? - Why do you want to own it? - When are you going to buy it? Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : Regarding the fact that I am crazy about exploring the spaces, I have to say if I was a billionaire and had an enormous amount of money, I would probably buy a spaceship for my own exploration adventures. The main reason accounting for this intention is that ever since I was a kid, I have always held a strong yearning for becoming an astronaut.
- 119. Therefore, having myown personal spacecraft would give me the opportunity to fulfill my childhood‟s dream. There is a myriad of purposes for my spacecraft, one of them is that I would use my spacecraft to visit other planets in the outer space and maybe one day I could find a habitableplace for people. This certainly would be a great discovery for human being especially when The Earth is currently flooded by trash and contaminants. In addition, since photography is one of my hobbies, it would be fantastic to take pictures of different celestial bodies from the space. Although this may sound crazy, I think with remarkable innovations in science, a spacecraft would become affordable for people in the years to come. Vocabulary: Regarding to (exp): about Crazy about (a): like something very much Enormous (a): huge, very large Account for (phrasal verb): explain Yearning (n): a feeling of intense longing for something Fulfill (v): to complete, to achieve A myriad of something (exp): a huge number/ amount of something Habitable (a): suitable or good enough to live Contaminant (n): pollutants Celestial (a): positioned or relating to the sky Remarkable (a): striking, worthy of attention Affordable (a): inexpensive, reasonably priced.
- 120. #57: SOMETHING YOUBOUGHT BUT YOU WERE NOT HAPPY WITH “Describe something you bought but you were not happy with.” You should say: - What this thing is? - When did you buy it? - Why were you not happy with it? - How did you react? Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : Actually in my life, I have performed many differenttransactions which give me both sense of satisfaction and discontent. However if I have to pick out one item that really let me down, I would name the birthday cake that I bought for my sister 2 years ago. Now with reference to why I were not content with is, I suppose there was a combination of reasons here. One of them was its exorbitant price. On my sister‟s birthday, I had an emergency at work and it took me almost all day till 11 pm to resolve it. Although it cost me an arm and a leg to buy the cake, I still decided to take it since it was the only bakery shop stayed open that late. Everything would be fine if it tasted good but unfortunately the cake was of terrible quality. It tasted way too sweet and was not appetizing at all. Thus, I was kind of regretful, choosing to purchase the cake instead of any other present for my sister. Actually as I had to splash out on the cake and received almost nothing back, I tended be more careful to make really sensible buying decision from that on.
- 121. Vocabulary : Transaction(n): an instance of buying or selling something Discontent (n): dissatisfaction, lack of contentment Pick out (phrasal verb): to choose Let someone down (expression): fail to support or help someone as they expected With reference to (expression): about Content (a): in a taste of peaceful happiness Exorbitant (a): (price) unreasonably high Cost an arm and a leg (idiom): be extremely expensive Appetizing (a): delicious Splash out (phrasal verb): to spend a lot of money on something Sensible (a): in accordance with wisdom and prudence #58: A PERSON WHOCAN SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE “Describe a personwho can use or speak a secondlanguage.” You should say: – Who this person is? – What language can he/she use? – How often does he/she use it? Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : Initially, I think I can start off by pointing out something about who this person is. Actually, I know quite a lot people who are bilingual, however I‟d like to share
- 122. about my bestfriend who is fluent in Japanese. Her name is Nguyen and she is currently working in a Japanese corporate. In fact, she is the one who has inspired me a lot to learn the second language. The factor that makes her unique to me is the fact that despite acquiring Japanese on her own, she managed to become excellent at it with gorgeous intonation like a native speaker. The chief reason encouraging her to learn this language is indeed quite simple. When she was in university, she fell in love with a Japanese person and gradually became addicted to this country‟s culture and language. Therefore, she exerted herselfand put a lot of effort in Japanese with the first target of being able to communicate with her boyfriend in his mother tongue. Time went by and her passion for this language grew so strong that she committed herself to conquer it, no matter how hard it is when it comes to the matter of self – study. However at the end of the day, she achieved it with flying colors and lots of opportunities come to her after graduation from university. It is my friend who gives me a precious lesson in life: Do the thing you are truly passionate about and you will rock it. Vocabulary : Bilingual (a): speaking two language fluently Corporate (n): a company or a group Acquire (v): obtain, to get Chief (a): most important Fall in love with (idiom): to begin to love someone Exert oneself (expression): put oneself to strenuous effort Conquer (v): overcome and take control of something At the end of the day (idiom): finally With flying colors (idiom): successfully.
- 123. #59: A COUNTRYYOU HAVE VISITED “Describe a country you have visited.” You should say: - Where is this country - When did you visit it? - What were the interesting things about this country BAND 8.0 SAMPLE ANSWER : I suppose I should begin by highlighting the point of where this country is. In actual fact, the countries that I have visited so far can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Among those, India is the one that truly amazed me by many factors. India has a very long history, the country is very big and has the second largest population in the world. I guess this is why there are so much to see. For me, one of the most interesting places in India is The Ganges River, which is well – known as the longest and holiest river in India. While most rivers around the world are for recreation or sports, the Ganges has many other functions. As the Indians believe, that the river is holy, people come here to pray and wash themselves in its water. In addition, the river also has thousands of people who wash their clothes by beating them on rocks. The other thing that often impresses tourist is the unique architect of Hindu temples all over India and visitors can enter at any time. The temples are usually immense and have antique statutes that are thousands of years old. Visitors are also welcome to eat and sleep in the temples at night if they have no place to go. After all, I have to say that paying this beautiful country the second visit in future is one of the prioritized items on my bucket list.
- 124. Vocabulary : Highlight(v): to pick out and emphasize Count on the fingers of one hand (idiom): to express that ST is very scarce Amaze (v): surprise someone strongly Recreation (n): entertainment Holy (a): sacred Immense (a): very large Antique (a): old Pay a visit (expression): visit Prioritize (v): treat something as more important than the other things #60: Describe An Old Friend “Describe anold friend you enjoy talking with.” You should say: – Who this personis – How you knew him/her – What you usually talk about – And explain why you want to talk to this person. Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : I have always been lucky enough to be surrounded by a large circle of friends who are incredibly supportive, compassionate and open-minded. And everybody knows how precious it is to have such a gift and I, of all people, know better than taking that for granted. That is why I always make effort to keep in touch
- 125. with people I‟vebecome close with and one of whom is my ex-boss, aka my mentor – Eli. Admittedly, it‟s far from an ordinary relationship for most people, but to Eli and I, it came naturally. We first met during the training course we both attended for a luxurious soon-to-be-open restaurant in town roughly 2 years ago. Eli was our Filipino manager and I was about to be a hostess for the very first time. Every concept, every rule and every etiquette when working in hospitality industry just overwhelmed me and if it hadn‟t been for Eli, a patient teacher as well as a dedicated friend, I wouldn‟t have managed to complete my training and achieved high performance at our workplace. However, thanks to those hard times we‟ve been through together, we became closer and our conversations would last endlessly ranging from family, career, happiness to setbacks in life. As a predecessor, Eli usually offers me valuable advice and emotional support whenever I confine in him. No lecturing. No “I told you so”. Just pure compassion. He always tries to bring out the best in people instead of being Mr. Know-it-all and patronizing, which is one of million things I admire about him. Even though we are no longer working together and hanging out more often than we should, our strong bond has never got loose. We keep each other in the loop about everything significant happening around us and provide mutual support if needed. Once in a while, we would meet over coffee or dinner to catch up if our schedules allow and still, I truly, deeply treasure every moment together. Vocabulary & Useful expression: a large circle of friends: a number of friends who usually do things together take something/ someone forgranted: fail to appreciate the value of something/ someone Example:He has always taken her for granted, which is the main reason why they split up. make effort to do something: do something even though you find it hard to do Example:Her parents made effort to reconcile their relationship but it didn‟t work out. keep/remain/stayin touch with: maintain communications with
- 126. come naturally: tobe naturally easy to someone Example:Josh‟s ability to play guitar came naturally when he was young. roughly: approximately achieve high performance:do an excellent job Example:They spend hours practicing everyday to achieve high performance in a play-off round. hard time: difficulty that can be overcome with effort Example:2017 is going to be a hard time for real estate market. offer (valuable/ practical/useful…) advice (offer/ provide…) emotional support confide in someone:to trust someone with one‟s secret or personal problem Example:Jack always has difficulty confining in anyone but his twin. bring out the best/ the worstin someone:cause someone to behave in the best/ worst manner Example:Susan is a bad influence. She always brings out the worst in me. Mr. Know-it-all (informal) (disapproving): someone who acts as if he/ she knows everything Example:We can‟t get along with Steve, who plays Mr. Know-it-all every time someone raises a question as if we asked for his opinion. no longer = not anymore: Example:Tom no longer smoked since his wife was pregnant. keepsomeone in the loop: keep someone informed about something Example:We keep you in the loop if we have any update about the contract.
- 127. #61: Describe ASkill “Describe a skillyou would like to learn” You should say: – What the skill is – Why you want to learn this skill – Whether you think it would be difficult – Whether you think you will learn it in the near futur Band 8.0+ Sample Answer: Digital technology has reshaped the world in more than one way during the last decade. As a result, a new way of living and working has also prevailed among people, especially Millennials. If you‟ve heard about “digital nomad” – a work- from-anywhere kind of employee, you already know how a specific digital skill set can improve and simplify your life, which is why I take great interest in and set Photoshop – one of the most powerful graphic design tool to be my next challenge to conquer. Being known as an incredible image editing program, Photoshop has earned its reputation for good reasons. Created and maintained by Adobe, Photoshop provides users with a complete and advanced tool set tomaximize their creativity. It can do anything regarding online media, for example, creating 3D images, resizing, color correction and even editing video. Fancy as it sounds, to acquire Photoshop skill would be a painstaking process. Due to complex features and even more complex applications, Photoshop is not for those without patience and constant practice. Furthermore, the program usually gets upgraded with more usages, therefore, you would have to keep learning to avoid being obsolete. Graphic design is a critical skill in this digital era which affords anyone flexibility as well as attractive income. Therefore, it would definitely be on top of my must-learn skill in the near future. Actually, I have already scheduled my timetable and squeeze in some hours for Photoshop 101 class next month and I hope it would go as well as it could be.a
- 128. Vocabulary & UsefulExpression : prevail (v): exist or be very common at a particular time or in a particular place Millennials (n): people who became adults around the year 2000 digital nomad: people who use telecommunications technologies to earn a living simplify (n): make something easier to do or understand take interest in: become concerned or interested in someone or something conquer (a challenge) (v): succeed in dealing with or controlling something earn reputation/ respect (collocation) provide someone with something/ provide something for someone: maximize (v): increase something as much as possible acquire a skill/ an accent…: gain something by your own efforts, ability or behaviour painstaking (a): needing a lot of care, effort and attention to detail feature (n): a distinctive attribute or aspect of something constant practice get upgraded obsolete (a): out of date afford (v) (formal): provide attractive income: schedule (v): arrange that an event or activity will happen at a particular time squeeze in: manage to make room or time for someone or something in a tight space or schedule
- 129. #62: Describe ANatural Landscape Describe a natural landscape of your country that you would suggest to foreign visitors. You should say: – Where the landscape is; – How people can get there; – What special things that foreigners would like to learn; – And explain why it is an interesting place for international tourists Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : Vietnam is blessed with a variety of astonishing landscapes, many of which have been recognized as UNESCO‟s heritages and national treasures. From Northern mountainous areas to Mekong delta, you can come across hundreds of signature tourist attractions and if you‟re into exploring local mountainous lifestyle and breathtaking scenery, Sapa is destined for you. Sapa might not be a familiar name to travelers around the world, but it‟s a must-go destination for those who enjoy fresh air and unique practices of a large circle of ethnic minority groups residing here. Sapa is an incredibly picturesque town in northern Vietnam, along the border with China. Visitors can get there either by bus or train from Hanoi and because there are quite many schedules for tourists to choose from, you can be active in planning ahead your journey. More interesting, Sapa also can be reached by motorcycle from Hanoi by variety of routes; so if you don‟t mind 10 hours being on the road, go for it. One of the most intriguing features of Sapa is its weather. It is said that you can experience four seasons in one day. Chilly winter in early morning, spring time after sunrise, summer in the afternoon and cold winter at night. Sapa is home to many ethnic minorities like H‟mong, Muong, Thai, Hoa, to name a few, with rich cultural diversities. Best way to learn and explorelocal customs is to live like a local. I would recommend homestay if you love authentic mountainous lifestyle. People are so hospitable that they would introduce you to
- 130. everyone within vicinityand welcome you with open arms. Traditional markets on weekend is another thing you can‟t miss where handicrafts, ethnic style clothing, fresh produce, medicinal herbs and other tribal artworks are on display. All those things make Sapa an exceptional attraction for foreign travelers who wish to discover Asia‟s, especially Vietnam‟s culture. Vocabulary & Useful Expression : astonishing (a): very surprising; difficult to believe picturesque (a): pretty, especially in a way that looks old-fashioned intriguing(a): very interesting diversity (n): variety authentic (a): true and accurate hospitable (a): generous and friendly to visitors vicinity (n): the area around a particular place exceptional (n): very unusual #63: Describe The Best Experience “Describe the best experience of your school/university life you have had.” You should say: - What it was, - When it was, - Why it happened,
- 131. Band 8.0+ SampleAnswer : It was almost 8 years since I competed in an English Speaking Contest, standing on a big stage in front of a hundred-strong crowd to deliver one of the best speeches I‟ve ever given with the support of my friends. That was something you can never forget in your whole life and the most magnificent moment, bar none, of my high school highlights. Never had it crossed my mind that one day I would be on stage talking about the thing I treasured most in my life – my family and friends or just be qualified enough to represent the entire school compete at such competition. If it hadn‟t been for my English teacher‟s constant encouragement, I wouldn‟t have participated in the contest in the first place. Students were free to choose their topics and were asked to present it in front of a panel of judges and audience. It soundedintimidating for so many reasons but I had managed to subdue my anxiety and learned to believe in myself. Preparation for D-day was tough for everyone, both emotionally and physically. We kept practicing nonstop for 4 hours straight, every single day; me trying to perfect my pronunciation and acquire that American accent, my friends singing their heart out Miley Cyrus‟s song “True Friend” since we wanted to kick our performance up the notch by featuring some musical element. Our hard work had finally paid off with us bringing home the Champion Cup as well as Best Performance Award. It brought me to tears as I realized at that moment it wouldn‟t have mattered if we hadn‟t won because we already won when we got over ourselves, stepped out of our comfort zone and kept going till the end. That was our true victory. Until now, the lesson I‟ve learnt 8 years ago still has its own value and will always be there to remind me of those good old days. Vocabulary & Useful Expression : deliver a speech: give a speech magnificent (a): extremely attractive and impressive bar none: with no exceptions cross one’s mind: to come into your thoughts as a possibility represent (v): act or speak officially for somebody constant encouragement in the first place: in the beginning panel of judges: a group of persons selected to act as a team to judge a contest
- 132. intimidating (a):frightening in a way which makes a person feel less confident subdue(v): calm or control your feelings sing one’s heart out: to sing with vigor or intensity kick something up the notch: to do somethingwith vigor or intensity pay off: yield good results, succeed bring someone to tears: to bring someone to thepoint of crying step out of comfort zone: do things that you don‟t feel comfortable with doing #64: Describe An Interesting Thing You Did Describe an interesting or unusual thing you did recently (in your free time) You should say: - What you did - When and where you did it - Who you did it with - And explain why you think it was interesting or unusual Band 8.0+ Sample Answer: In all seriousness, between school and the office where I am working as an intern, I barely have time for entertainment. Though, when I do, I take it seriously. Once or twice, I managed to get out of the city andindulged myself in secluded areas where Internet service and its distracting minions like social media and advertising emails ceased to exist. My latest sweet escape was my trip to Binh Ba island last summer. Binh Ba was one of the four deserted, yet beautiful islands located in Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam due to little exposure to tourism. This, however, would change drastically within the next few years since Binh Ba had been drawing lots of attention thanks to positive feedbacks from those who had wandered there. I went to Binh Ba alone just to take a break from the fast-paced city life and to
- 133. have time tocontemplate myself, which I rarely did with people around. It had been an intriguing 2-day journey full of surprises. That was the first time I traveled alone, first time riding on a speedboat, first time scuba diving and first time having dinner with a life jacket on my back and crystal clear water as my dining room. Additionally, seafood here was a bomb which came in different kinds and varieties. People I met during my stay at a villager‟s house were ultra- friendly and helpful, both locals and visitors whom shared their stories as though you were their long-lost friend stopping by to catch up. And there was nothing better than enjoying great company over a nice meal and bonfire. Binh Ba left an unforgettable impression on me where I learnt to appreciate precious moments with those I cared about and be grateful for whatever life had to offer. Life is tough but it would be lifeless without it toughness. Vocabulary & Useful Expression : in all seriousness = very serious In all seriousness, I don‟t take it well when people give rude comments without a sound reason. barely = rarely: almost not Ex: Jim barely knows anyone when first moving to the new city. cease (+to): bring to an end: Ex: Those talented artists never ceased to amaze the world with their masterpieces. take something/ someone seriously: regard someone or something as important and worthy of attention Ex: Nowadays, people are taking environmental issue more and more seriously. manage to do something: succeed in doing something, especially something difficult Ex: Alex managed to close the deal with XYZ company after several times of rejection.
- 134. indulge in:allow yourself to have or do something that you like, especially something that is considered bad for you Ex: She got herself indulged in some serious unhealthy diet after her latest breakup. secluded = deserted: quiet and private; not used or disturbed by other people Ex: That secluded island is suitable for those who need to get away from busy life in big city. (little) exposure to: the state of being in a place or situation where there is no protection from something harmful or unpleasant Ex: Local tribes in those mountainous area have little exposure to civilization. drastically (adv): extremely Ex: The weather has changed drastically within the last few years. draw someone’s attention: attract someone to notice Ex: Ally‟s amazing transformation has finally drawn Tim‟s attention, whom she always has had a huge crush on since forever. (positive/ constructive/ negative) feedback: advice, criticism or information about how good or useful something or somebody‟s work is Ex: I usually receive constructive feedback from my boss about how to improve my work or productivity, which I find very appreciative. take a break (from): to rest or cease temporarily from something Ex: He took a break after 4 consecutive hours working on the project. contemplate: to think deeply about something for a long time Ex: Everyone should have sometime to contemplate and reflect themselves once in a while to truly understand who they are as a person. intriguing = interesting long-lost friend: friend you haven‟t met for a long time Ex: She is my long-lost cousin whom I haven‟t seen for ages.
- 135. good/ greatcompany: someone who people enjoy spending time with Ex: Nick was a great company when we met during my trip to Sapa last year. unforgettable impression: a feeling/ opinion one gets which is hard to forget Ex: She left an unforgettable impression on me at the party last night. #65: Describe An Advertisement “Describe an advertisement you have seen/heard recently” You should say: - When and where you saw it - What was advertised - What the contents of the advertisements were - And explain how you felt about it Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : We have been bombarded with an array ofinformation every single day. Whether it is newspaper, television or social media like Facebook or LinkedIn, news always has their own way to reach us. One of the most frequent pieces of news I have encountered these past few days was about Echelon Vietnam 2016 – Discover Asia‟s Next Dragon. As an avid Facebook user, I scroll down my newsfeeds board practically every 30 minutes to stay abreast ofevery latest action within my social network. Admittedly, there are some better things I can do but I just can’t help myself. Therefore, the fact that Echelon Vietnam 2016 repeatedly popped up on my newsfeed really caught my attention. Some of my friends were already “interested” in Echelon official page, others were even “going”. It piqued my interest so much that I paid a visit to their website to figure out what their gig was.As far as I am concerned, Echelon Vietnam 2016 this November is a 2-day
- 136. international technology andinvestment event for entrepreneurs and business leaders within and outside Vietnam. It is appealing not only to big tech companies but tech savvy individuals as well. The event aims to reach out to foreign investors, raising funding opportunities and developing the tech and startup community in Vietnam in the era where tech disruptions are leading almost every industry. With some of the most brilliant and world-class speakers, attendees are going to get some food for thought and inspiration during and after the event. I personally believe that this could be a golden opportunity for Vietnam to shine as a promising landwhere young and talented engineers, developers and entrepreneurs are thriving non-stop toward a better future, a better life within Vietnam and beyond. If I am able to schedule my time and afford the tickets, I will definitely be there to enjoy the vibe and explore many potentials in this rising industry. Vocabulary & Useful Expression : be bombarded with: to be attacked (with too much information, criticism…) stay abreast of: keep up-to-date pique someone’s interest: to arouse interest; to arouse curiosity pay a visit to: visit somewhere what one’s gig is (informal): what is special, interesting… about something tech savvy (a): well informed about or proficient in the use of modern technology food for thought: issues to be considered vibe (n): a mood or an atmosphere produced by a particular person, thing or place tech disruptions: newest innovations in technology #66: Describe An Bike/ Car Trip “Describe a bicycle/motorbike/cartrip that is interesting” You should say:
- 137. - Where youwould like to go - How you would like to go there - Who you would like to go with - And explain why you would like to go there by car, motorbike or bike Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : There is a thing that troubles me more often than notwhen living in Vietnam is the majority of people are riding motorbikes rather than cars. As a result, most people don‟t know how to drive a car, I included, which also itches me since I have always wanted to take a road trip across the country. A road trip by car from the south to the north of Vietnam would be tough and adventurous because hundreds of marvelous destinations are awaiting to be explored. However, it is worth taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone to truly experience what life has to offer when your legs can still carry you rather than to regret in your later life. “If you wanna go fast, go alone. If you wanna go far, go together.” It might be fun if you were a lone travelerand didn‟t enjoy getting lagged behind your schedule. Still, the adventure could be more colorful and unexpected, hopefully in a good way, when you got company, especially during a long journey like the one I prefer. Hence, picking up a close friend or two who share the same vision, the same eagernessto capture the beauty of Vietnam would be my choice. We would start from the south where we are living and move north on the go, stopping at our favorite beaches like Phu Quoc, Nha Trang… a little longer than other places because there ain‟t nobody don‟t have time for juicy coconuts and white sand paradise. Vietnamese cuisine would also be our utmost priority whenever we reach a new place as the best way to live like a local is to eat like a local. A car is our best choice because it would give us room tocomfortably converse with each other and shelterfrom inclement weather during our journey, if any. It is not only about the destinations but also about the time I would love to spend with my dear friends as we would share the same space in a four-wheel vehicle along the road; and at the end of the day, it‟s the people that matters.
- 138. Vocabulary & UsefulExpression : more often than not: usually take risks: to do something that might be dangerous have to offer: have something available to be used or appreciated get lagged behind: get fallen behind cuisine (n): style of cooking utmost (a): greatest; most extreme inclement (a): (of the weather) not pleasant; cold, wet, etc. at the end of the day: in the end, finally shelter (v): protect or shield from something harmful, especially bad weather #67: Describe A Language “Describe a language otherthan English that you would like to learn.” You should say: – What the language is – Where it is spoken – What you think would be difficult And what would be easy about learning the language and explain why you would like to learn it. Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : Learning a second language not only adds up your skills but also offers enormous benefitsfor your brain and personal growth. Additionally, being bilingual or multilingual expands your knowledge across the country‟s border and provides you
- 139. easy access tothe understanding of other cultures. Therefore, beside English, Spanish sits high in my must-learn list due to its wide application and beautiful culture. Needless to say, Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world and one of the six official languages used in United Nations conferences and statements. Spanish is spoken in most countries in South and Central America and in the US, over 50 million people are using Spanish either as their mother tongue or second language. As a result, knowing Spanish would absolutely widen your horizon, develop your sense of appreciation for Hispanic culture as well as transform your travel experience as who knows when you would bump into some Spanish friends on your adventure. Many have said that Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn thanks to its phonetic pronunciation and its similarity with English, in terms ofvocabulary. However, it‟s easier said than done. No matter how simple and intriguing that may sound, without full commitment and self-discipline, being able to speak Spanish would be a far-fetched idea. Therefore, in order to meet my goal and not to get demotivated along the way, I would have to find a learning partner and we would fight this tough war together. Vocabulary & Useful expression : application (n): practical use of something mother tongue (n): the language that you first learn to speak when you are a child appreciation (n): pleasure that you have when you recognize and enjoy the good qualities of somebody/something in terms of: used to show what aspect of a subject you are talking about or how you are thinking about it commitment (n): the willingness to work hard and give your energy and time to a job or an activity self-discipline (n): the ability to make yourself do something, especially something difficult or unpleasant far-fetched (a): very difficult to believe demotivated (a): feeling that it is not worth making an effort #68: Describe A Family Member
- 140. “Describe a familymember you are closestto” You should say: - Who this personis; - Describe some things you have done together; - And explain why you like this person. Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : I‟m grateful to have such a supportive and caring family who are always there for me no matter what. We have 5 members in the house that‟s always full of laughter: my parents, my two sisters and me. Even though I love them all to the moon and back, my younger sister, Jade, is the one that‟s closest to me. Jade is seven years younger than me, which might create some sense of generation gap, yet, we still get along well, or at least most of the time. She is in high school now and has a dream of becoming a doctor one day. In term of appearance, we have little in common. By that I mean while I‟m kind of tall, she‟s relatively short; while I take after my father, she‟s my mom‟s splitting image. Same thing with our characteristics. I am people-oriented and a true free spirit, Jade, on the contrary, is quite introverted and into stability. Hence, it came as a huge surprise when others acknowledge our strong bond. We‟re like 2 sides of the same coin. No matter how different we are, we have never neglected or abandoned each other. In fact, we are partners in crime in so many impulsive and silly acts that our family has lost count. Once, I tried to play the victim with my uncle as I accidentally broke a crystal vase that my aunt adored, Jade backed me up as we put the blame on our poor cousin. What a shamefulact! But that was years ago and we learnt our lesson the hard way.
- 141. Another time whenmy sister‟s teacher asked to meet our parents because Jade had ditched class. In her defense, that subject was boring and I was the one who talked to her teacher. In the end, Jade had to serve more time at the library and we kept this from our parents and so were many other things. We got each other’s back and we always will because that‟s what sisters do and simply because I love her. Vocabulary & Useful expression : love someone/ something to the moon and back: love someone/ something more than anything get along well: have a harmonious or friendly relationship have … in common: to share interests or characteristics take after: resemble (a parent or ancestor) splitting image: a person who bears a strong physical resemblance to another, esp to a relative 2 sides of the same coin: very closely related although they seem different partners in crime: good friends who get in trouble together or get each other in trouble impulsive (a): acting suddenly without thinking carefully about what might happen because of what you are doing lost count: to fail to be able to count someone or something, especially because there are so many play the victim: the act of pretending to be the one who has been done wrong to manipulate others or seek attention back someone up = have one’s back: support or help someone
- 142. put theblame on = blame something on someone = blame someone for something: say that someone or something has done something bad learn something the hard way: learn something by experience, especially by an unpleasant experience in someone’s defense: used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate that the subsequent statement will justify some action or decision one made #69: Topic: Describe A Game/ Sport “Describe a game or sport that you enjoy playing” You should say: - What kind of sportthat is; - Who you play it with; - Where you play it; Band 8.0+ Sample Answer : I‟m not a great swimmer in any sense but swimming is like my religion. It is truly refreshingand literally, washes away every disturbing thought I have whenever I dive into cold water. No matter how tight my schedule may get, I usually pay at least one visit to a local swimming pool to work myself up and get rejuvenated.
- 143. Sometimes, I havea partner or two, who have been my best friends since high school. We live in the same neighborhood so it‟s not too stressful when we have to set a schedule for our swimming session. We carpool more often than not and it takes us roughly 15 minutes to get to the local recreation center where it provides the locals with a variety of facilities for training purpose such as gym class, stadium, swimming pool, tennis court and so on, which is extremely convenient for those who practice more than one activity. The only thing better then swimming itself is swimming with your besties, which is one of hundreds of things I love about my weekly ritual. Hardly do we have time to meet each other during week days as we‟re all up to our neck at work and totally stressed out. Therefore, having such a healthy way to catch up with my friends and recharge battery after an exhausting week never sounds better. Just like any other sports, swimming helps maintain your health, keep you fit as well as build your endurance. However, unlike others, it‟s a very relaxing and peaceful form of exercise, you don‟t even sweat for hours – a supreme advantage. Therefore, if you‟re looking for a kind of sport that brings you comfort and relaxation, swimming should be your first choice. Vocabulary & Useful expression : refreshing (a): making you feel less tired or hot literally (adv): in a literal manner or sense; exactly disturbing (a): making you feel anxious and upset or shocked work up: make yourself or another person excited or upset rejuvenate (v): make somebody/something look or feel younger, more lively or more modern more often than not: usually
- 144. recreation center:a building that is open to the public where meetings are held, sports are played, and there are activities available for young and old people ritual (n): something that is done regularly and always in the same way be up to neck: to be very busy endurance (n): the ability to continue doing something painful or difficult for a long period of time without complaining #70: Describean app you use in your mobile phone Describe an app you use in your mobile phone. You should say: What it is How you use it What benefits do you get and explain why this mobile app is important to you. Model Answer 1: 'Mobile phone' is one of the greatest inventions of the modern science. It appears that without the mobile phone life would not be as easier as it is today. The use of mobile phone is everywhere and it has become an important part of our daily life. We cannot do without it. I have an iPhone and there is a built-in application named compass. But I have also installed another compass which is more functional and attractive than the built-in one of my iPhone. The compass is a great thing for me. It is used to navigate and get directions. I use the compass fornavigational purpose. The compass is my favourite application on the phone. As I like travelling much, I visit different places in the country but it is not possible for me to know about the directions of the areas I am travelling in. Then I unlock the phone and use the compass to navigate and get the
- 145. best direction towardsmy destination. The compass is highly useful for a traveller and hiker like me. It helps me to recognise the directions to my objective and the most important issue is that I do not get lost wherever I go. I could get a direction to get out of the unknown roads and areas using the compass and a map of the area. It is also helpful to navigate at night times when there are no lights. I could also use the compass with the association of stars and get the right direction even in the darkest night when there is no light or directive measures to guide the travellers. I have some very important gears to travel from place to place. All of those are necessary for my survival when I set out for a travel. But without a compass, they are nothing. If I fail to get the right direction of my destination, I could not be able to use the gears. The hiking and travelling gears will be of no use if I could not get out of my home and if I have a compass working well, I will be able to start the journey. Earlier, I had a physical compass butI broke that on my last trip. Then I decided to install a suitable compass app on my iPhone despite the built-in one as I cannot do my travelling without the virtual tool. Cue Card Answer 2: I use a Sony Xperia series smartphone which has Android operating system. The Gmail android application is one of the applications I use very frequently. As it is an email application I mostly use it to check my emails and to send emails to others. On an average, I check my emails three to four times and send around 5-7 emails per day. As a senior employee in a multinational company, I have to track the project status I work on and thus communicating with my team members and Chief Operating Officer is essential for me. The nature of projects I work on demands me to keep in touch virtually every hour – be it at office or home. Thus this application has immense importance for me. Our office rule makes it mandatory to use the Gmail as our primary official email address. Hence I am kind of obliged to use this application. Personally, I prefer Gmail over the Yahoo and Hotmail. Gmail is owned by the Google Incorporation and in my opinion, this is the best email client application for email users. The simple and user-friendly design, the ease of access and the convenience of receiving and sending attachments with this email client make it stand out of the crowd.
- 146. I use Gmailapplication for my personal communication with my friends and family members as well. The advanced spam filter of this application filters the spam and junk emails and thus I feel quite comfortable using this email application. The convenient notification system of this application alerts me whenever I get a new message and I can flag them or forward them very quickly. The tab based email categorising of this application, which was very recently introduced, makes it easier to find out the important emails whereas it is quite hard in other email applications. In fact, Gmail mobile application has an immense importance to me. Each morning I check my emails and can plan my day ahead. I can update my team members about any important change from anywhere and can keep in touch with my family members and friends. Thus this is an application I cannot do without personally and professionally. Idea Generation for this Cue Card topic: This should be a fairly easy topic for you to describe. You can talk about any mobile application you use like Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, FacebookMessenger, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts or even a simple utility application like 'SuperTorch' or 'Alarm Clock'. Make sure you can give some details about the application you are talking about like how popular it is, who is the publisher of this apps and what benefits it has for you and whether it is a free or paid application. A web browser like Google Chrome, Opera mini or Firefox for mobile can also be described. Avoid talking about any games like Angry Birds as they are often treated as a game rather than a utility application. You must mention the mobile phone you are using (iPhone, Samsung, Nokia, HTC etc.) and then mention the type of OS it has. Here we are picking the Android application "Instagram" and writing down some notes to properly talk about this application, as an example. You are advised to pick one of your most favourite mobile applications and do the same in the comment section. What it is = Android application "Instagram".
- 147. How you useit = Forphoto-sharing, video-sharing and social networking. It enables me to take pictures and videos and then share them on a variety of social networking platforms. What benefits do you get = I can take and save precious moments via images and videos, I can share them over other popular social networking platforms, It gives a various of options to add effects to the images I take and finally it saves my photos and videos for later use. And explain why this mobile app is important to you = I love to capture photos and videos with my handheld mobile phone and this application is one of the best one for taking photos on the go. I can share my photos and videos in a low internet bandwidth, update my profile and get in touch with my friends and family members. The photos and videos uploaded by me are stored in their server and I can retrieve those anytime I want. This application is fast and usages low resources of my cell phone. One of the most popular android applications, Instagram, is an application I can't do without. Part 3: Details Discussion: Q. How cantechnologymake our life easier? A. Technology is the use of invented science and the uses of technological tools and that have made our life easier. For example, we are using watches to get time, watching television for different reasons, and using telephones for communication purposes etc and thus our life is made easier than before. But if there were no clock, television or telephone invented, certainly we should have stayed in the primitive age. The current advancement would not have been possible. Technology has changed that way we study, work or even spend our leisure time. With the help of the technology, we can have a better life standard with much more efficient tools and devices to help us in every way possible. Q. What are some greatestinventions you know about? A. There are a large number of inventions have been done so far, but the most important invention appears to me is the invention of electricity. Then I should consider the invention of wheels which truly has made the communication system and travelling easier to us. Thirdly I should consider the invention of Internet, which has radically changed the world. Apart from that light bulbs, aeroplane, penicillin, telephone are some other greatest inventions of all time in my opinion.
- 148. Q. Why shouldwe restrictthe use of mobile phone in public places? A. Mobile phone, undoubtedly, is an important invention but it has some detrimental impacts too. Using mobile phones at public places may appear indecent. Mobile phone users talk about countless issues but sometimes the speeches may cause irritation to others existing on the public spots. Moreover, the speakers may also reveal their secrets inadvertently that may hamper their privacy. Moreover, since the public places are always crowded, the chance of accidents is more while talking on mobile phones. Q. Why mobile phones are gaining its popularity? A. Mobile phones are gaining popularity as those are easy to carry. Moreover, someone can buy a mobile phone at an affordable costand without any legal complexities. Besides, the tariffs are also economic. It is far more convenient that other means of communication system and faster to deliver the message. So, the mobile phones are gaining popularity gradually. Q. Canyou do without your mobile phone? A. In the current days, it is impossible for me to do without a mobile phone for a single day. I need the phone not only for communication purpose, but I also use the phone for passing my time by playing games, using internet applications and more other necessary issues. So it would be quite difficult for me not to use the mobile phone. #71: Person in your family who you most admire Describe the personin your family who you most admire. You should say: What his/her relationship is to you What s/he has done in your life What s/he does now and explain why you admire this personso much.
- 149. Model Answer 1: 'Family'is the most precious thing for everyone. One cannot live without a family, and even if we notice deeply, we could see that familial bonding is also found among animals. Thus, the importance of having a family cannot be ignored to live on the planet. A family is a place where anyone could expect to get anything without the promise of return in exchange. In my family, I admire my father most. He is the key personin our family and maintains the family in a solid way. He is my hero in my life. My father is truly an admirable personfor his outstanding qualities. He has guided me to the right path so that I could shine in my career and personal life. When I was a kid, he helped me in all possible ways, when I turned a bit matured he showed me the ways to choose. The most important thing is that he never forced me in doing something or performing after his will. He always left the issues on me, showed the ways, and I decided the right road. With his advice, currently, I am an established photographer in the society. He bought me the first camera of my life by cutting his costs in half when he came to know that I would like to be a photographer. My father has retired from his job and now passing his days with the family and friends. Most of his friends have also retired like him and together they pass their moments by recalling their olden days. Sometimes my father takes my mother for outing too. They spend all the day outside and return at night as they used to do in the first hours of their marriage. I like the romanticism between my parents. Moreover, my father loves gardening, and he takes care of the garden before our house. Frequently he buys flowers of different categories and asks me to get his photos with the plants. I admire my father and will continue doing so for his honesty, his sincerity and the sense of responsibility. I have never seen him ignoring his responsibilities to my family. The most important feature of my father is sympathy to others regardless of relations. When someone of the family turned ill, he rushed to take care of the patient amid his thousands of responsibilities. He also used to help the destitute relations and also hide the events to us. I am truly lucky to have a father like him. Alternative Cue Card Answer 2:
- 150. The personI admiremost in my family is my mother. Why? She is always there for me and never turns her back on me. She gave birth of me and because of her, I came to this world. She loves me even when I disagree with her or do something wrong! Her love for me is unconditional and I have countless reasons to admire and love her the most. She is the most loving personI could possibly meet in my life. She taught me the basic values of life and she put a great effort to teach me to distinguish the right from wrong. She is a virtuous and benevolent women and I have a great admiration for her. She took care of my elementary education and inspired me to read books outside of my academic booklist. In my childhood, she was always near me. She took me to schools and playgrounds and waited patiently for a long so that she could look after me. She never hesitates to inspire me whenever I do something good. She is the best critic I can possiblyhave and because of her, I have learned computer programming, art and other important skills. She is a hard working woman who has devoted her entire life for her family. I learned the importance and necessity of a close family from her. I have only a younger sister who is 12 years old and my mum was always my best friend. In my teen ages she advised me about many things and always supported me and that helped me a lot to come out from the depression I had at that time. She inspired me to take part in the outdooractivities and motivated me to play cricket with other children of my age. She took great care of me when I was ill and I can remember many sleepless nights she had spent to look after me. She still does that whenever I get sick. She inspired me to get admitted in the best university of our country and she is the one who contributed the most to help me becomethe man I am. She was a schoolteacher for about 5 years but she left her career and became a full- time mum when I was born. Who else would make such great sacrifice for me except my mother? She is my inspiration and idol in my life. I admire her for everything she has done for me and everything she still does for me. Her sacrifices and love for me are unparalleled to anyone or anything in the whole world. Other family members in your family you might describe:
- 151. Your mother. Your elder brother or sister. If you are living in a joint family, you can also describe your grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt or any elder cousin. Do not describe the whole family as the cue card asks you to talk about a single family member whom you admire the most. Part 3: Details Discussion: Attitudesto family: Q. In what ways have families in your country changedin recent years? A. The families have changed greatly in my country for different reasons and situations. Earlier the families were united but currently they have been shaped into nuclear families. When people used to live the in the country areas, the families were large but with the advancement of time, the families have broken and took their own shares and formed small families instead of the large ones with the excuse of extensive maintenance cost, misunderstanding and more other issues. Q. Should husbands and wives have different roles within the family? Why / why not? A. A husband and a wife should play different roles for different reasons. From time immemorial, males are considered as the bread earners while the females are the homemakers. But the ideas have changed massively in the current days. Now, both the husband and wives are seen engaged in money-earning activities. Moreover, they are sharing their responsibilities between them and thus they are playing different roles in the family. Familyor friends: Q. Which are more important to you - your family or your friends? A. My family is the most important thing to me than friends. A Family is a place where you will have everything. The family members will try to supportyou reasonably; both in good and bad situations and in return, they do not expect anything. It is the most important feature of a family. The family members will never leave you forever, but the scenario is just the oppositewith the friends. When there are no benefits in helping you, the friends will be nowhere to be found! They will avoid you in every possible manner. So, my family is my top priority. Q. What conflicts can arise betweena person's family and a person's friends?
- 152. A. There aredifferent issues that can create trouble between you and your family or you and your friends. Regarding the familial issue, your family members may guide you to the right way but due to your lack of knowledge, you may get involved into arguments over the guidance. You may prefer following the one which appears better to you (although in reality that is not meant for you). On the other hand, conflicts with friends may range from any trifling matter to a major issue like business loss or life or death situation. Family members are always with the well-wishers or try to make better but the friends are not always with the same thought to make you feel good unless they have any hidden benefit with the issue. The common conflict can arise when someone spends mostof his/her time with friends and family members starts complaining about it. Familyresponsibilities: Q. What responsibilities do parents have towards their children? A. Parents naturally love their kids. However, the parents are responsible for everything of their kids from rearing their kids well, educate them, and allow picking the right things for them or their career or even their marriage. Q. What responsibilities do children have towards their parents? A. The most important responsibility the children have towards their parents is to abide by all the directives they get from the parents. There are no parents who want to have their kids in distress. So, the children should pay attention to their parents, take care of them in their old age and overall they should respect the parents always. #72: Describe your favourite movie/film
- 153. Describe your favouritemovie/film. You should say: what it is when you watched it what it is about and explain why this is your favourite movie. Model Answer: I love to watch movies in my leisure hours and have watched a wide number of movies. It is a kind of addiction to me and usually, I watch at least one movie a day. The Gods Must be Crazy is the best movie I have ever seen and I like it most for many reasons. I have watched the movie for many times and each of the time the pleasure was different to me. It never becomes old with me. The natural reactions against the modernization of the protagonist - Xi makes me amused. His reactions against the modern civilisations are quite natural and funny as well. But the other installments (part two and three) of the same movie appear as those are not up to the mark. Many of the events have been exaggerated which has damaged the real beauty of the movie. So, considering all the aspects, the first part of the series is my favourite movie and I think many of the audiences will agree with my opinion. I watched the movie first when I was a teen and it might be the 1990s when I watched that. My father brought the movie that was played on a VCR connected to our television. At that time, watching movies had two ways only. The first one is to go to the cinemas while the second one was to bring the video cassettes at home. My father also loved watching movies and he brought the video tape of the movie. But since I was a kid, I could not derive much pleasure in the beginning. When I grew up, I started understanding the inner meaning of the movie. Sometimes I have watched the movie alone and in some cases, I played the movie at home when someone came to visit us. In my 30s today, still I am fond of the movie as I was in my teenage.
- 154. The movie isall about a tribal population (bushman) who live in a remote part of Kalahari Desert in African continent. Life goes on for them but the trouble occurred when they received a piece of Coca-Cola bottle which was thrown by an airplane pilot. The bottle was received by Xi, the lead character of the movie. It brings a change in his family. The family members started quarrelling among themselves. The peace of life was broken for the bottle. So, Xi wants to return the bottle. He believed that since the bottle has fallen from above, it might be the Gods who have thrown it. He starts his epic journey to return the bottle to the Gods and experiences different strange events of his life. The movie is the bestmovie to me for some specific reason. It was made in the 1980s and the plot conceptis clear. It wants to give a message to the modern people that everything they are doing is not fair. This is a comedymovie but the message it provides in guise of comedy is strong. The movie shows that Xi is praying before killing an animal while the modern people do not perform so. Moreover, every blessing of the modern world was unfamiliar to him and he could not copeup with the complexities of life in the city. He knew how to survive in the desert and jungle but survival in the city becomes difficult for him. In fact, modernization has made life more complex than the uncivilised life. Besides, political turmoil (depicted in the movie) also shows the unstable situations of the modern era. Xi, now wants to go back in his tribe but due to the complicated system, he cannot get back easily. The movie actually shows the simplicity of life. So, like the movie best. #73: Describe a journey that you remember well Describe a journey that you remember well. You should say: where you went how you travelled why you went on the journey and explain why you remember this journey well.
- 155. Model Answer 1: Ajourney is always pleasant to me. It not only gives us entertainment, it is helpful to teach over different unknown issues as well. The most important benefit of travelling is the excellent opportunity to gather knowledge. The knowledge earned in first hand experienced cannot be found on books or any other place. So, people like to travel and it has been continued from a long past. But sometimes the journeys are not pleasant and the travellers have to undergo different unexpected situation during the trips. Recently I have made a train journey and it was the most thrilling event in my life as I have never ridden on trains before. I went to join at the marriage ceremony of one of my intimate friends who has passed his childhood days with me. The area where the friend is getting married is at the farthest part of the country and requires trains to reach there. Fourteen on our childhood friends planned to reach the village marking the marriage and accordingly we bought fourteen train tickets for the purpose. My friends and his family members had started for the village earlier before our journey. On the planned night of the journey, we got out of home reached the railway station to catch the train. But interestingly the train was half an hour late due to an accident on its way to the railway station. We all rode on the train and finally the journey at night on a train begins. It was the most thrilling experience in my life I have ever made so far. It was highly enjoyable to me due to the nature of the journey. I used to hear experiences of people attentively when they described their experiences about the train journeys but could not make chances to ride on due to different reasons. So, when the other childhood mates made the plan, I was the only one of them who jumped out of joy. The journey is truly substantial one for me. It was a moonlit night when the train started and my seat was just beside the window. I looked at the full moon and it appeared that I am floating on the heaven with a great speed. The trees were passing us fast and the illuminated distant localities appeared like stars to me, shining on the large sky. The deep emotions that I felt on the night journey are inexpressible.
- 156. Alternative Answer 2: Well,the journey I still remember very vividly is the one I took to Nha Trang, a coastal resort city in southern Vietnam, where my sister lives with her husband. It was probably early February 2014 when I got a call from my brother-in-law that my sister has given birth of a beautiful babygirl. We were expecting the baby a few days later but that was indeed a very good news as this was the first baby in our family and both the mother and child were doing fine as my brother-in-law informed me. I immediately returned home from my university to give this wonderful and happy news to my parents. My parents were quite excited and they planned to visit the newborn and my sister on the following day. It was more than 10 hours‟ journey and we started in the early morning next day. We went to the local train station and luckily got three first-class seats on the train. I am very fond of train journey as it gives me the freedom to walk in different compartments of the train, read books pleasantly, enjoy the meal in the train cafeteria, buy books and magazines, use the lavatory if needed and enjoy the scenic beauty of the countryside, unlike the monotonous long bus journey. The journey was a very pleasant one and I finished a bookthat I took with me. Besides, I read two magazines and a daily newspaper that I bought from the station. I specifically remember the journey becausemy parents were with me and they also enjoyed being out of home after a long. The longing and waiting to see the new baby also made it a pleasant journey and a memorable one. My mother told me some stories of my childhood that she never shared with me before and my father told about his first experience in a train and that was so funny that we laughed quite loudly! Idea Generation for this Cue Card: The model answer provided with this Cue Card could be followed to understand how you should answer this topic. However, it is advised that you use your own experience and sentences to answer any cue card topic. Following are some of the ideas that you can borrow and match with your own to properly answer the questions. Whileansweringthe cue card topic, alwaysfocus on the accompanying questions. Focus more on the forth question and givemoredetailsaboutthis.
- 157. Part 3: DetailsDiscussion: Reasons for dailytravel Q. Why do people need to travel every day? A. People need to travel in their everyday life for a large number of reasons. The most important thing is their job – they need to attend their office and thus they need to travel using different transportation mode. But not only the service holders, people of all strata in a society needs to travel for many other purposes. They need to shop, need to visit relatives, friends or others for important matters, need to go for learning at schools or educational institutions and many other issues. Q. What problems can people have when they are on their journey, for example to work or school? Why is this? A. A few troubles may occurduring their travel to schoolor office and the most common trouble is the traffic congestion on a busy road. It mostly happens when the traffic rules are violated, vehicles are parked on here and there on the roads, non-motorized vehicles occupythe important streets, and mostly the narrow roads where the traffic is large. It is also responsible for the law violation competition among the public vehicle drivers, pedestrians crossing the roads etc. These are the common problems and the regular commuters are to adjust with the situations. Q. Some people say that daily journeys like these will not be so common in the future. Do you agree or disagree? Why? A. After passing a certain time, daily journeys will not be necessary but that should be applicable in some specific areas. When online presence is required for a formal meeting, someone does not need to be physically present there. If you work digitally, you always do not need to be at your workplace and there is no travel required. But if you are driving your own car, you cannot do that sitting on your writing desk at home. So, I partly agree that in near future journeys will be reduced for the advancement of the technology. Benefits of internationaltravel Q. What do you think people canlearn from travelling to other countries? Why? A. Travelling to a foreign country is one of the best ways to learn about that country and gain direct knowledge. When travellers are on a foreign trip, they try to get information about the culture and customs of the specific geographical location. They also do not miss the foods ofthe nation, visits the popular spots, ride on the
- 158. common vehicles getpictures and have much fun. In fact, they learn about the country by their own attempt which is unavailable on books. Q. Cantravel make a positive difference to the economyof a country? How? A. Definitely, travel can bring a positive change in the economy of a country. When the travellers go for a trip in a foreign country, they spend money after their desires. As a result, the travelling spots‟ economygets boosted. Forinstance, if you are travelling in France, certainly you will buy the miniature model of the Eiffel Tower for your collection. If the tourists start buying the miniatures, its demand is on the rise, then its production will also go up and the production requires employment, while the employed people will have a decent living with the wages they get and thus the economy of the entire locality will go up. It is happening for your travel in the country. Q. Do you think a societycanbenefit if its members have experience of travelling to other countries? In what ways? A. A society could be benefited if the travelling experiences are used in a proper manner. When the travellers will return in their native lands, they may share their experiences with their families or in any formal or informal discussions. As a result, the knowledge is shared. The travellers may establish a profitable model that they have seen in their foreign trips and that could employ people or the models could be used for the benefits of the society. Thy can also find some exemplary social works in foreign countries and might start practising that. Thus the knowledge and experience the travellers gather from their visit to others countries can positively contribute to establish a better society in their home country.
- 159. #74: Describea pieceof electronicequipment that you find useful Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find useful. You should say: What it is How you learned to use it How long you have had it and explain why you find this piece of electronic equipment useful. Model Answer: Science has made human life comfortable. With the advancement of age, we have started reaping the benefits of the past inventions and discovered technology, and marching towards an advanced and digitised world. Thereby, we are surrounded by electronic equipment almost everywhere regardless of home or working stations. I have a desktop computer at my home with the latest configuration. It is the most important and valuable thing for me when I am at home. It helps me in different ways. When I get back home from work, I play songs on the computer. Sometimes I and my wife watch thrilling movies too on the computer. It has becomean essential part of my life. I also use the electronic equipment for many other purposes and use the sophisticated applications made for various purposes. Mostly
- 160. I play differentvideo games on the computer during my holidays and y wife uses it for editing photographs. It is truly useful equipment for me and my family. But learning to run the applications were not so easy for me as it is today. Now I can perform some extraordinary tasks with the computer. I can edit photos using photo editing software, write anything on the word writing applications like Ms Word, make presentations for my office using PowerPoint, analyse numerous data using data analysis software and more others tasks. I took admission at a training schoolwhere I mastered the skills. Now I am also able to edit photos orcreate images and give them shapes after needs with the editing applications. All I learnt from the training schooland took a six-month training there. In the beginning, I made silly mistakes to run the applications but now I am highly skilled in running those and even I do not need to check the keyboard if I am pressing the right key. I had to buy the computer for my wife in 2014 as she is a wildlife photographer, captures still pictures of the animals and needs to edit those before submitting to different agencies. Although she has a small laptop, she is uncomfortable to work with the equipment and thus I had to buy the computer. The computer owns a higher configuration and allows running almost all the heavy, available and complicated applications. It works at an unimaginable speed. Moreover, after having the computer, I have learnt its use which I was ignorant before. By the span of a year, I have turned into an expert. The computer is greatly helpful for me and my wife as well. Both of us use the electronic equipment to meet our daily needs. Most of the time of the day, my wife uses the machine to edit her captured wildlife images from different parts of the
- 161. earth. Besides, Imake logical and beautiful presentations to be presented before my office while taking any important decisions. Thereby, I am highly beneficial by the applications. Sometimes I am assigned from the office to design some logos or banners over specific events to be printed, I make them at home which has a great role in my career development. Moreover, this is the age of communication and I browse social networking websites using the computer to reach my other family members or friends. I prefer computer rather than cellular phones to browse the internet. The large screen is really enjoying. Idea Generation for this cue card topic: You can describe any electronic equipment you have and used. Some most commonly used electronic equipment are listed below so that you can pick one and develop your own cue card. A computer. A laptop. A printer. A scanner. A vacuum cleaner. A washing machine. An electric razor. A table lamp. A hair dryer. A refrigerator. A microwave oven. A copier machine.
- 162. A television. A wireless router. A fax machine. An Electric Toothbrush. An MP3 player. An e-book reader. A Coffeemaker. A Toaster. No matter what electronic device or equipment you select, first say what it is and what you use it for. Then mention how you learned to use it. Some tools are very easy to use and for that do not give more details about how you learned to use it. For the third question 'how long you have it' mention an approximate month or year. Put more emphasis on the fourth question i.e. 'and explain why you find this piece of electronic equipment useful.' Give more details about how this toolhas made your life easier and how much it means to you. Also give details what it would have been without it. Finally, mention the importance of this equipment in your life. If you feel that we have missed an important electronic device or equipment that you use, do not hesitate to mention it in the comment section. Part 3 - Detail discussion / Two-way discussion: Technology in housework: Q. What kinds of machines are used for housework in modern homes in your country? A. In the modern age, different tools and equipment are used now for housework. There are several types of electric machines available to complete the household chores. For example, to clean the floor, people use vacuum cleaner which absorbs all the dirt and other unwanted particles inside its container. But earlier, people had
- 163. to clean orswipe their floors manually which was also a tiring job. To clean clothes, washing machines are introduced in the modern age. You just need to pour the water, soap and place the clothes inside the machine, it will automatically clean the clothes, and it was manual too in the previous days. To make the clothes smooth and good looking, modern people use electric irons. To heat foods or prepare cakes, people apply microwave ovens, another electric equipment of the modern day. Now we have refrigerator that has made preserving foods easier than ever before. With the passing of days, newer technologies are being invented and applied for the household works. Q. How have these machines benefited people? Are there any negative effects of using them? A. The machines like refrigerators, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, electric iron, blenders; television sets etc. have made life easier and pleasant. In the past days, people had to do the works manually investing hard labor. Take example – people had to clean their clothes manually. They had to apply soap, water and then thrash the clothes on floor or ground. But now, the scenario is hardly found anywhere. People had to cookall the available foods on the same day when they collected, but now they preserve the remaining foods ona refrigerator. Cooking was difficult and still difficult for males, but now they could easily prepare foods using the electric ovens. But the appliances have few negative impacts too. Since they are made to run with electricity, they may get damaged or may cause fire related incident if not handled with care. For instance –a hot electric iron may burn the clothes if not cared. Q. Do you think all new homes will be equipped with household machines in the future? Why?
- 164. A. As weare marching to modernity, we will see numerous changes in the upcoming days. There are lots of changes in our homes in the present days and those were unimaginable in the past. Now we have automated machines to perform majority of our household chores but the day is appearing when all the activities will be done by machines. There might be robots to perform the household activities or different newer machines will be invented to perform specific tasks. All the new homes will be equipped with the machines and equipment by this way to make living easier. Technology in the workplace: Q. What kinds of equipment do most workers needto use in offices today? A. The offices and the employees of current days mostly need computers. It is a must for each and every office regardless of its type or category to have computers after their needs and employee number. Then they require cleaning machines like vacuum cleaner, refrigerators for preserving foods etc. For their official work, they need photocopiers, digital dictionaries, printers to print documents, overhead projectors for presenting important documents during meeting and discussion, and for communication purposes they need telephone, fax machines etc. Q. How have developments in technologyaffectedemployment in your country? A. My country depends on technology more than any other thing. Internet is a must and without it we cannot do for a single second. The majority of the important places are under Wi-Fi coverage and the speed is smoother. The advanced technology has occupied all the country in different other forms too and even we do not carry hard cash with us when we are out of home, instead we have credit or debit cards for transaction or trading purposes. Everything has been controlled by
- 165. technology and thuslife turns easier for us. Q. Some people think that technologyhas brought more stress than benefits to employed people nowadays. Would you agree ordisagree? Why? A. I do not think that technology has invited stress rather it has lessened the working load. To make the issue clearer, computer is one of the latest technological advancement and could do a large number of works within a few seconds.It is also used to count and analyze data and information. If there were no computer, it would be too difficult for the employees to count numerous accounts manually and thus, they would be more stressed. If there were no computer, people would have to analyze the available data on any specific issue using their own intelligence and the result would not be so perfect as it is doneby the computer. So, it is clear that technology has reduced the stress and increased the comfort level to the employees. #75: Describe a competition that you took part in Describe a competition (e.g. TV, college/work orsports competition) that you took part in. You should say: what kind of competition it was and how you found out about it what you had to do what the prizes were and explain why you chose to take part in this competition.
- 166. Model Answer: Sports competitionsare one the great sources of joy and enjoyment. Both the participants and the spectators enjoy the competitions and sometimes the events are telecast live on television channels and even some multinational and corporate companies sponsorfor the program in exchange of their advertisements. When I was in college in Massachusetts, I used to play basketball for my college team. Actually, I was fond of the sports due to its nature and mostly the dribbling attracted me most. When I watched the sports ontelevision, I started nurturing the dream to be a basketball player like the players on the television. After my admission at the college, I joined the basketball team and suddenly the team was invited to participate an inter-college basketball championship competition. So, accordingly, our team started preparing for the upcoming competition. At first, I was advised to play at the point guard and then was shifted to the centre for my extraordinary height (I am 6‟3”) among the other players of the college team. Basketball is an interesting sportand the players are assigned to hit the basket of the opposition to make scores. So, I was assigned to shootthe basket of the opposition as much time as I could. I also took assistance from the other mates of my college team. But it was not easy for us to make scores. Mostof the players of the opposition team were highly skilled too like us. They defended almost every attempt of us in the first half of the game. But we finally scored 15 points while they were only nine. But they tried their best to win the competition and made some fouls in favour of us. Forthe fouls, we got three free shots at the basket which ensured our victory. Interestingly, I took the free shots and scored three goals within one and a half minute which inspired my teammates greatly. As a result, we were the champion of the competition. The prizes of the competition were the most attractive things in the entire event. Each of the participants was awarded a classic basketball medal made with gold and other material while the champion team was awarded a large trophy and that is kept in a caring condition at our college compound. Moreover, the participants were awarded gift vouchers worth $200. The prize giving ceremony was held in a festive mood and the participating college authorities delivered their speeches and also vowed to hold such competitions again and again. I have kept my medal at my home, safely, and even in my current days I check the medal and remember the happy moments I had in my college days.
- 167. Basketball was acharming sportfor me from my early days and I started playing the game with my friends in my school. Since the schoolhad no such team to play basketball, papa told me that he will allow joining at the basketball team when I will be at college. When I joined at the college team, the instructor was happy seeing me and he liked me most for my height and capability to dodgethe opponents with the ball. So, when the invitation for participating at inter-college competition arrived, I did not miss the chance. Idea Generationfor this cue card topic: This cue card asks you to describe a competition you took part in either in a television programme, in your college, office or a sporting competition. So do not talk about a competition that you only watched. You should start the cue card answer by saying that "Whenever I think about a competition that I tookpart in, the inter-college debate competition pops up in my mind. It was so important for us to win this competition and the struggle that I had to went through is the main reason I will never forget it." Then say a bit more about the competition like when you took part in it, what type of competition it was, why it was important for you to win, who were with you, what challenges you had to face to take part in this competition, what was your part in the competition and about the prizes of this competition. Finally give more details about why you took part in this competition and how you felt about it. Part 3 - Detail discussion / Two-way discussion: Competitionsin school: Q. Why do you think some schoolteachers use competitions as class activities? A. Competition is the process to move ahead from the contemporary situations. It helps to inspire people on performing something very special so that they could be the best or the winners. Luck has nothing to do here. Sometimes the schoolteachers use competitions as a class activity for their students with the view to improve them in their studies. When there is a competition, the students will be more eager to study and the hard labour will bring their victory. They will be considered as special students than others. Competition among the students helps to bring a positive change inside them. A competitive attitude is a must to shine in future and if the sense could be grown from the tender age, undoubtedly they will be
- 168. successfulin the upcomingdays. Therefore, competition is considered as a part of teaching. Q. Do you think it is a goodidea to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why? A. Prizes are always inspiring. It is a kind of recognition for someone‟s work or labour. It helps to get encouragement to perform better. Prizes build confidence among the winners. When the winners do not get something after their hard work, they gradually start losing interest over the issue. Consequently, their performances fall to a great extent. By the same way, when there is a competition at school, the children should be given prizes. The prizes help to raise their confidence level and they could get inspiration too for winning the next competition. By this way, they will be getting stronger day after day to battle and survive in the future days. Q. Would you say that schools foryoung children have become more or less competitive since you were that age? Why? A. Currently, the schools in different areas try to beat one another in term of good scores performed by the students. In my days, the competition was not so available because the number of schools for the young children was few. But in the current days, with the advancement of time, commercialization has taken place in the schools and thus the authorities are trying to attract students and motivating the parents to admit their kids into the school. But if the overall performances of the schoolare not considerable, the parents turn reluctant to seek admission of their kids. So, commercialization is a potential ground for the schools for the young and they try to compete with the other institutions. But in my childhood days, we did not experience such competition rather the schools tried to inspire us in having a better performance than others so that we could build a better future. Sporting Competitions: Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages ofintensive training for young sportspeople? A. Training is a must to master any specific skill or art. It is the gateway to learn and earn skills to be applied in real life. It is the way to make them aware of the certain issue so that they could perform well during the competition. Intensive training helps to perform the skills by closing the eyes and comfortably. When the training is provided, the trainees are armed with the necessary visible and invisible tools and use those when necessary. They achieve the right skills and techniques with the exercise. Moreover, they attain physical flexibility to perform the task which is impossible for the untrained people. But intensive training has some disadvantages too. It does not allow the young sports athletes to go outside of the
- 169. training zone. Thechances of socialisation decreases and sometimes they may get a serious injury during the training. Q. Some people think that competition leads to a better performance from sports stars. Others think that it just makes players feel insecure. What is your opinion? A. Competition helps to build confidence among the sports star and thus they get more inspiration to win the next match or event. Moreover, when they are inspired, they perform better. It arouses the inside spirit among the sports star to gain in the competition and earn fame in their specific sporting arena. But there are some other schools that are on the view that competition leads the players to insecurity. This idea is not a worthy one to pay attention. If a player has enough training and practice over his/ her respective sport, it is not supposed to feel insecure during the competition. The issue of insecurity may arise only if there is the lack of practice or training of the player. But usually, the players practice more than before during the beginning of a competition. Q. Do you think that it is possible to become too competitive in sport? In what way? A. Competition is part and parcel of sports and sporting events. If there were no competition, the sporting events would have lost their appeal. So, a player needs to be competitive. But I do not think that a player has to be too competitive in sports. Sometimes the willingness of higher competition creates rivalry which leads to damage of career. So, being too competitive is not the way to be the best; rather practising more and more will help in gaining the best skills to be the best in the sport. When people take preparation for a competition, they lose the common sense to behave naturally and thus the enmity begins which may lead to real life issue too. So, I think it is not possible to be too competitive and if there are chances to be so, one should leave it for a growing career. #76: Describea museum you have visitedand liked
- 170. Describe a museumyou have visited and liked. You should say: what kind of museum it was when you first went there what you saw and did there and explain why you liked this museum. Model Answer: Museum is an exciting place to learn about the past and histories of numerous issues. A few weeks ago, I went to the War Remnants Museum with some of my friends. The War Remnants Museum is located in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. This museum is a place of wonderful collections of Vietnam War. The museum also contains relics and collection of the first Indochina war where the participation of the French Colonialists was a notable issue. The museum is currently operated by the state. The museum exhibits mostly the relics of the war associated with the Americans and the French. In the 1970s, the relics were exhibited on the temporary basis and were termed in a different name. Such exhibitions were also held in different parts of Vietnam to let people know about the war crimes which Vietnam has suffered. The exhibition name was changed in the 1990s. When I was a teen, I went to the museum with my high schoolmates. It was an educational trip for us and we visited the museum from our school. The school authority organised for the tour and all the students of the high schoolhad to participate in the trip. I learnt a lot of information during the trip but it was not that much popular as it in the current days. Around one million visitors come to see the war relics in this museum and it has turned into one of the most attracting places both for the natives and global travellers. But the foreign visitors are more in number than the local visitors and the opinions are different among the travellers. Some of them cannot bear the horrors of the Vietnam wars during the visit. The museum bears the wounds of war and it is a kind of insult to the Vietnamese people. Thereby, the anti-USA elements are more visible than any other historical
- 171. elements. The relicsare highly sensitive for the local people and the nation as well. There are series of rooms themed with a different period. Military tools and various equipment are also kept in care inside the museum. There are some unexploded ordnances also stored inside the museum yard as the war relic. The photographs are the best thing to see in the museum and they exhibit the horrific events of the war days. I walked through the rooms and the buildings to see all the relics and deeply felt sad for the departed souls in the war. I like the museum for its extraordinary decoration, war relic collections and mostly the photographs. The photographs were captured by photojournalists of different countries and some of them have donated the photos for common exhibition. Though in the beginning, the museum was the house of propagandaagainst the USA, different changes have taken place in past years and such words or posters marking the propaganda have been removed. Besides, the museum allows the visitors to write their own thought about the entire Vietnam War issue and I liked that much as the visitors can freely write down their own thoughts and compliments. #77: Something you borrowed from your friends or family Something you borrowed from your friends or family. You should say: what it was when you borrowed it and from whom why you borrowed it and explain why it was important for you to borrow it. Model Answer: Due to my wicked nature, I was admitted to a boarding schoolwhere I lived with my friends of similar nature. I had to borrowa tie from one of my friends to attend
- 172. a presentation inthe class. It was a blessing for me that the friend did not have the course that I took in the high schoolgrade. So, I was able to borrowa tie for the presentation of my group in the class. The teacher ordered us all to be formal in attires during the presentation day and accordingly all of us planned to put on a black suit with a white tie. But unfortunately my tie was red in colour and I started seeking one. The teacher also said that if he sees someone in informal attires, he would not allow the student to appear in the presentation. It means he is to stay in the same grade for another year. The presentation was set on 10am and my classroom was just beside the dormitory - it took a 3-minute walk to reach the classroom. So, I used to get up late and get prepared for the classes in the regular days and it turned into a habit for me. So, the events were repeating even on the presentation day. When it was 9.45am, I noticed that I need a tie. So, I asked the other roommates and all of them said that they are going with me for the presentation, and accordingly they cannot offer me their tie. I was upset and the race against time began. Then I moved to the next room of mine and found that Robin, one of my batch mates is sleeping on his bed as he does not have any presentation on that day. Although there were dress codes in my school, but the presentation day attire was our creation. Some of the intelligent (!) students, I was one of them, set the dress codeas black and white. The colour combination was great but I forgot to mention them that I do not have any white tie. The one I have is red in colour and I do not use it frequently except any special occasion. When I found that the colour is red, it was like a bolt from the blue on me. I started seeing a white tie and had to borrow it from Robin to appear in the presentation. The presentation was important to me as it was the year ending presentation over a special assignment that we did for last quarter. If I failed to appear before the teacher and my classmates with the assignment, my promotion to the next grade would have been halted by the schoolauthority. In line with the written examinations, we are to present some specific topics before the teachers and fellow classmates which are counted like an exam. So, absence in the presentation refers absent in the exam. My promotion will be stopped, and I have to study in the same grade again. I had everything except a white tie. Usually, I do not borrow anything from anyone; I had to do so on that day due to lack of time and my negligence. So, it was highly important for me to borrow the tie from Robin and later I thanked him generously.
- 173. Part 3 –Details Discussion: Q. How often you borrow something from others? A. Borrowing is not in my nature but when I am in extreme need of something and I cannot manage alone getting that, I borrow. But it is a rare event to me and my surrounding people that I am borrowing something from them. However, I do not bother in lending. Q. In which situation people usually borrow things? A. When people have nothing to do with any specific issue, they are to borrow from others. For instance, you are standing in a bus queue to get the ticket for returning your home and suddenly realised that someone took your wallet (I mean you are experiencing a pickpocket) but you have to go home, what will you do? This is an emergency for you. The first thing you will do is that you will look for any familiar people who can help you in that situation by paying your ticket fare. In such a situation, you will not mind in borrowing and also will return the favour in the next day or when it is possible. Q. Is it goodto borrow apart from the emergencysituations? A. If you make it a habit of borrowing things in every situation it will be considered as a bad habit. Moreover, it will reduce your credibility and a help building a negative image of you among your surrounding people. You can borrow anything you need if it is an emergency for you. Besides, the people will extend their helping hand towards you without any condition or second thought when they will realise that truly you are in danger. But if you abuse their generosity, at the end of the day you will get no help from any of them. In this case, you can recall the moral story of the cowboyand tiger. Q. Is it okayto borrow money from neighbours? A. You can take anything if you truly need them. It may be money, it may be any favour or even it may be any sort of physical and mental support. But it should be necessary and you need to be unable right that moment to gather the things you are borrowing. You can borrowmoney from your neighbours too but you need to be honest in this case. You are to return the money within the promised returning time. If you miss the deadline, the neighbour may not say you something due to courtesy but you may not get any further help from him/ her in future. Q. What problems canoccurwhile collecting return money from people?
- 174. A. Usually, peoplelove to forget the favours. Many people do not care about the favours once they receive those in their emergencies. As a result, they ignore to acknowledge the favours and do not refund them and even if they return, the break several deadlines. It mostly happens for money. If you loan someone an amount of money, you will never get that back in time. It happens everywhere. The beneficiaries start showing different excuses against the return. You are to run after them to collect the money and they, in fact, do not care about the importance of your favour. These are the common problems for lending money and getting that back. Q. Why sometimes it is difficult to ask somebodyto return the money they borrowed? A. Sometimes people cannot ask the money that was borrowed to someone mostly for the inter-personal relationship. Sometimes the relationships are so warmer that the borrower does not return the money in time and the person who offered cannot also ask for that. It becomes difficult for him/ her to ask the money. It may also happen that the borrower is still in distress and thus the loan provider cannot ask to return the money. Besides, it may also happen that the loan provider has become irritated by running after the borrower, and in that case, it becomes difficult as well to ask for the money return. #78: An item of clothing you purchased that you didn’t like Describe an item of clothing you purchased that you didn’t like. You should say: what the clothing is where and why you bought it what color and style it is and explain why you didn’t like it. Model Answer: Travelling to overseas is always fun for me and I do not miss the chance of shopping during the trips. Last summer I went to Singapore for an official visit and had bought a faded jeans pant that I did not like.
- 175. I went toSingapore from my office to train up the local employees. The training issues were diversified and I was stressed after the day-long training. Thereby, I went at Bugis Street to get some knickknacks and clothing for my family. A Singapore office staff accompanied me. This was a street market and pretty nice. So, I got some essentials for my family according to their list and also bought a faded light white-coloured jeans pant for me. The pants looked gorgeous and the style was different too. Moreover, the price was reasonable too. The seller wanted to sell another piece of the same colour pants but my wallet vetoed there. When I arrived at Singapore, my colleagues were saying that the street markets are the place to get the good things at a reasonable price. Since it was my first visit to the country, I did not have any clear idea of shopping here and accordingly went to the Bugis Street, one of the largest local street markets selling a good number of things. A local of the city and our office Singapore branch employee guided me through the market and helped me cordially to get the desired things. I bought the pants from the clothing section and I also bought some other attire too for my family members after their demands on the list. The jeans pant was light white and in colour with a fade shade and importantly it was the right fit for me. Usually, I wear tailor made attires but regarding jeans, I have a specific choice. I prefer the slim fitting pants and if the pants do not get fit with my bodyshape, I do not get them. The jeans pant was of the classic style and fitted me perfectly. But there were some designs on the hip pockets and few fabrics were twisted on the front side which attracted me. There were some other colours available at the shop like light blue, medium blue, dark blue, faded jeans and more. The light white faded jeans received my attention. The jeans pant was fine for me until it was taken to have a wash. It was the first time I gave the pant with other clothes to be washed at the hotel I was staying in Singapore. When they delivered the clothing, it was a sad event for me. The faded jeans pant turned more fade. Besides, the designs in front and back lost their beauty for the cleaning and some of the fabrics were torn too. When asked about the worst condition, the cleaners replied that the fabric turned weak after it was washed with soap water. They also pointed that the fabric quality was not up to the mark and thereby it was sold in an extremely cheaper rate. In fact, I should have been careful in buying the jeans pant.
- 176. Part 3: Two-way-discussion Let'stalk about clothes... Q. What kind of clothes do people in your country usually wear? A: Fashion primarily depends on dresses and attires in Australia and there is no national costume for the country. But the fashion style is quite different from the other nations like Europeans or Western. Australian dresses are mostly causal. People usually prefer clothes based on their climatic conditions, identity and lifestyle and the dresses are designed so. Women prefer short sleeve dresses, jumpers, maxis, wrap dresses, collarless shirts, tops, skirts etc. with different styles and they vary on occasions while the males put on polo shirts, jeans, formal shirts and pants, suits, tie, jackets, trousers etc. Q. How important is it to wear fashionable clothes in your country? A: People here prefer comfort than fashion. The climatic conditions are one the best determiner for your dress. Forinstance, if you are in winter, you cannot wear a half sleeve dress and get out for any event, rather you are to take full sleeve dresses with propercold preventing attires. When it is hot in the summer, you are to wear light coloured dresses for your comfort. But the dresses are fashionable and let you express yourself amid others. Q. Do older people and younger people weardifferent colouredclothes? A: Commonly the older people start preferring the light coloured dresses while the younger people prefer the dark. It is a popular culture when people turn older, they start using light coloured dresses to mark their superiority, and like the other youths of the world, and they use dark and deep coloured attires. Now let's talk aboutspending money on clothes... Q. Are clothes expensive in your country? A: The reasonable price has made the fashion in Australia a common fact for all to participate. Almost all the people use clothes with different styles and designs and it is supported by the lower price of attires comparing the other countries. You can get a fine quality pant and a shirt for men spending around 200 dollars while it is less for the females. Q. Do people wearmore expensive clothes to work in your country? A: Australian people are at work use casual dresses for comfortable working hours. Women in Australia mostly wear skirts and tops with heeled sandals during their work unless there are any special instructions issued by their respective offices.
- 177. Males, in Australia,also follow the similar fashion with comfortable full sleeve shirts, tucked in with formal pants and shoes. Some professionals wear expensive dresses in work places but a majority of Australian professionals wear casual dressed that are not too much expensive. Q. Do you think people spend too much money on clothes nowadays? A: Currently people spending money for their clothes but it is not in an excessive amount. The expenses in Australia are moderate comparing the income level of the citizens. There are many other things to do for a standard living and the earnings are distributed to meet the daily needs of the citizens. During the shopping, most of the people try to have the required things first and then invest on their luxury. Similarly, if they need to have new garment, they seek the options to have the best one within their estimated budget. So, there are fewer chances to spend more for clothes as it is thought. #79: Describe an old person you admire Describe an old person you admire. You should say: Who this personis Where did you meet with him/her What characteristics you most like on him/her and explain why you admire this person. Model Answer 1:
- 178. I have asenior friend. He is much older than I am and even he is senior to my parents. He is almost in his 60s and passing the retirement days. He is Mr Rodrick – a neighbour living our next doorapartment. He is a former police official and now living his retired life with his family. I first met with Mr Rodrick at the elevator when we newly bought the apartment many years ago. I was in a rush to attend a social programme and thus was running to catch the elevator but unfortunately, the elevator was going to be closed. Suddenly I noticed an older man smiling inside the elevator while he was pressing the waiting button, for me. We got down together and talked a little. He did not forget to invite me to his apartment. Mr Rodrcik is the man of natural intelligence. He has very good observation quality. He has developed the observation power when he was in the police force and that has helped him greatly to succeed in the profession. His sharp intelligence is still helping him to enjoy his retirement days. I mostly admire him for his friendly behaviour which is currently unavailable among the senior citizens like him. He has the ability to make friends within a few minutes. I have learnt many important aspects from him and he shared his knowledge with me whenever I wanted to know from him. He never turned irritated and the most important thing for my admiration on him is his pleasant behaviour to all. Cue Card Answer 2: My grandmother is about 65 and I admire her a lot for the amiable and benevolent nature she possesses. Her name is Samantha and she is a well educated and wise woman. I have a daughter of 6 years old and I wish her to become a great personas my grandmother is. I know my grandmother from the day I came to this world. In fact, she was there when I was born. I grew up and passed my adolescent and young age with the love and affection of my grandmother. In fact, after my grandfather died, she started living in our house. My grandmother is a highly talented personand a great mentor. Her affable characteristics and helpful mentality are most attractive. Even a stranger can feel her great heart in few minutes. I can recall several occasions when she took great risks to help others. She was a schoolteacher until she retired and there are still so
- 179. many students whowrite to her to show their respects and affections. Personally, I like her firm belief in humanity and an unquenchable thrust for learning and reading. My father became a voracious reader only because of her. She is caring and emotionally open. Above all, she is an ideal and successful mother. The other qualities she possessesare also exemplary. These other qualities include truthfulness, confidence and fairness. I was quite amazed in my early teenage when I found her taking the side of a neighbour against his own son in a dispute. I have not met so many incorruptible, straight and morally upright humans. I admire her from the deep down of my heart. I love to spend time with her because she is intelligent and can give proper guidance. She is a reliable critic who often inspired me to work harder. Her affection and caring is probably the main reason I admire and love her so much. Tips for Idea generating for this cue card / candidate task card: You can describe any old person you know about and respect. This can be your grandfather, a neighbour or a teacher who is old. Some of the ideas are given below to help you generate your own ideas to talk about this cue card topic: Your grandfather. Your grandmother. A senior citizen who lives nearby. An aged relative. A senior teacher in your college or university. A famous politician or writer in your country who is over 50 years old. A relative of your friend who is a senior citizen. A family member of a joint family who is old. Useful Vocabulary to use while talking about this Cue Card Topic: 'Old person' Synonyms: Elderly person, senior citizen, old folk, senior person.
- 180. 'Admire' Synonyms:Adore, respect, esteem, commend, revere, idolise, honour, hail. 'Characteristics' Synonyms:Quality, personality trait, aspect, feature, Some good characteristics of a human: Integrity in character, Sense of Humor, Intelligence, Wisdom, Compassion, Empathy, Courageousness, Kindness, Generosity, Emotionally openness, Benevolence, Discipline, Humanity, Amiable, Good behaviour, Cooperative, Patience, Caring, Truthfulness, Commitment, Open minded, Affable, Courteous, Forgiving, Impartial, Loving, Logical, Polite, Realistic, Strong-willed, Wisdom, Prudence, Conscientious, Fairness, Charming, Encouraging & Nobility. Part 3 : Details Discussion Q. What average age is normal for retirement in your opinion? A. I think the normal retirement age should be 65 years because the average life cycle in my country is over 70 years and the people who got retired by their 60s may be able to contribute for five years more if the age is increased. When they got retired, they have nothing much to instead of remembering the past. But their hard earned expertise and experience might be used for the further development of the society. Q. What are the goodthings about being retired? A. When someone is retired, there are few good things. Firstly they have enough time to think over any issue to bring a positive change as most of the employed people are routine-bound and rarely have time to ponder. Secondly, they are the poolof experience and they could use them to meet their individual needs. Thirdly, the retired people have plenty of time and thus they could use them in different productive activities. Q. How does the government in your country treat the retired people? A. The government of my state provides the retired people with different incentives. They have health and medical allowance and special facilities in hospitals, they are awarded with different other incentives like senior citizens allowance, priority and assistance in every task; for instance, they get assistance even if they are in a queue of tickets for a bus ride and more other similar issues. Q. Can young specialistsubstitute the old ones who are in retirement in the workplace? A. I do not think that the young specialist can substitute the skilled retired
- 181. workforce. The youngare still in a learning process and lacks the maturity and expertise to execute a task smoothly. On the other side, the retired people have performed that tasks probably hundred thousand times and thus they have achieved excellence at their respective workplaces. So, it needs more time for the young specialists to substitute the retired hands and in fact, it is not possible for the young to beat the old in terms of executing respective tasks. Q. What do you think is it necessaryto give retirement to people? Why/ Why not? A. In my individual opinion, it appears that the senior people need retirement after a certain age. As human being, we have many limitations and thus we need to take rest. It is applicable for the retired people too. They may make accidental mistakes in their workplace if they are not retired after a specific period. With the advancement of age, people start losing their working ability and when they reach the limit, there are mistakes and accidents. So they need to go for retirement but that should be done after a certain age. Q. What are the pros and cons of being retired? A. The most important benefit of retirement is that you will have plenty of time and no tension to pass the remaining life, but people who are habituated to work cannot sit idle. There are some people who do not work for earning their living only rather they need to work to remain alive. They need to work for their mental stability and when they get retired, they suffer from mental stress. #80: A ProjectAt WorkOr Homework Assignment Describe a project that you were once involved in (for example, a project at work or a homework assignment at school or university). Model Answer 1: During my student life, I had to participate in numerous team work projects, and having disagreements with other team members was unavoidable. I would like to talk about a team project that I was involved in during the junior year at university/to share with you my experience when I disagreed with my friend.
- 182. There were twoof us on the team, and our task was to invest in the simulation stock market. We had to make decisions on choosing which stocks were profitable and worth our investment. Each group‟s performance would be compared weekly and at the end of the semester, we would have to present our project in front of the whole class. The project was vital as it contributed 50% to our final results of that semester. Besides, being an investor is really a challenging task, especially when the Vietnam stock market is volatile and unpredictable. Two of us fought for days to decide which companies had showed the best performance and promised a bright future on the stock market. My friend wanted to invest in a real estate company while I thought that an investment in real estate at that time was an unwise choice. Despite our arguments, we completed the task on time and had an excellent group presentation. From this experience, I learned that it is very hard to be a good team member. You would have to know how to present yourself while fitting in the group and each person has to compromise to achieve a common goal. Preparedby Nhung (8.5 speaking IELTS) Sample Answer 2: Let me talk about the project I did in a team in the second year of my graduate school. Our tutor gave us an assignment to review the server log of an international trade website and give a brief analytics using the data warehouse and data mining technology. We had three people in the team, and I was the team leader. I allocated different tasks to different classmates, one was responsible to extract the data from the database to the data warehouse, and the other one was to set up the data model for analyzing. I was to analyze the final data set with a data mining software and prepare the presentation. The job was quite tough as this was our first time to do such assignment and we needed to overcome various technique problems. For example, we had to use the Microsoft database software to restore the data and write codes to manipulate the data transferring. Besides, the data mining software was also new to us; we had to get ourselves familiar with it. Our team spent three weeks to finish the work which we reckoned it as an authentic project in corporation. Therefore we tried to learn the entire process of doing project, the demand analysis, project design and implementation, and the
- 183. documents. As wellas that, we learned some useful software and gained some coding experiences. #80: Picture Or Photography “Describe a picture or photograph in your family” You should say: - What is in the photo - Where this photo is in your home - How this picture was taken Model Answer 1: As I am interested in photography, I have taken thousands of photos. However, the most meaningful photograph to me is the big one of my family. The picture is hung on the wall of my living room and it is the first thing that everyone notices since the moment they walk into my house. The photograph was taken one year ago on an occasion of summer holiday. It was the first time that my family enjoyed the summer vacation together. We decided to go on a trip to Sam Son beach which is one of the most popular destinations for summer holiday in my country. The photo was probably the first picture of my whole family with my parents, my older brother, my little sister and me. It is such a brilliant photo, with every one standing on the beach and smiling. The one behind the camera was a professional photographer who has a great eye for photography. You can even see the crystal clear water sparkling under the sunlight and the seashore in the background. It was a scorching hot day, and the sky was blue with no clouds, making it a perfect scene to take a photo.
- 184. The photo isvery special to me. Whenever I feel unhappy, just looking at the picture cheers me up right away. I believe that no matter what happens, my parents and my siblings will always stand by me and support me. Model Answer 2 : The photograph that was taken when I was only 4-5 years old with my parents, grandfather and grandmother is one of my very favourite photographs. I do not have clear memory regarding the event when the photograph was taken but I have seen it thousands times and still I look at it with a delight and sadness. The photograph is a black-and-whiteone and later I have enlarged it and framed it in my living room. My grandparents and parents make the picture a really significant one to me. I look with amazement into the picture and sometimes can’t believe I was so small and different looking at that time. The picture gives me a gloomy feelings as my grandfather and mother are no longer with us. In the picture they seems so lively but I can’t be with them anymore! This photograph is probably is my most favourite one as it conveys my grandparents’ memory and depicts a happy family. Every time I look at this particular picture, it gives a different sensation – mixture of happiness and sadness. This is a priceless possession to me and I would like to keep it with me for the rest of my life. Related Cue Cards - Describe a picture you took using your camera or mobile phone. - Describe your favourite photograph. - Describe a photo or painting you took or drawn yourself. - Describe a picture or photo you like very much. - Describe an important photographyou have. - Describe a photograph that has a lot of memory of yours. - Talk about a photograph you have in your home.
- 185. #81: A SubjectAt School “Describe a subjectthat you did not like in the past, but now you like it.” You should say: - What it was - When you studied the subject - Why you didn‟t like it before - And explain why you have interest in it now. Model Answer 1: As a high school student, I learned a number of subjects. Among them, I was not really into history at the first time. The reason was really simple: I disliked the teaching method of my teacher. It was boring, and I will tell you why. He was a lazy teacher, I thought. He just copied words, facts and figures from the book to the board and made us to write down what he wrote. Then he told us to memorize all information if we did not want to receive a low score for this subject. This made me and my classmates sick. Later when I grew older, I had a chance to watch a movie about Vietnamese history. The movie is about King Ly Cong Uan relocating the capital city from Ninh Binh to Hanoi more than a thousand years ago. I really liked the film and realized that history is not as boring as I thought. After that I managed to read more historical articles and watched more historical movies, and now I am really interested in history. I think the Ministry of Education should adjust the school curriculum or train teachers how to deliver history lessons more successfully and attractively. Without any action, many Vietnamese pupils still hold a negative attitude towards history. Model Answer 2:
- 186. Well, I‟m afraidthat the subject that I didn‟t like in my high school was physics. But I had to learn it because of the exams, you know, it was one of the compulsory courses during the entire middle school for six years. My physics teacher always tended to be demanding with us, he seemed like making the abstract theory more obscure, and sometimes I didn‟t understand what my teacher had said, and he also left endless homework to us, which really made me frustrated. I felt that physics was the most challenging subject in the world. Another reason was that there were too many abstract formulas I had to remember. You know, I was not good at memorising things, so I often used the incorrect formula in the exams, and made lots of mistakes and got low marks as a result. But after I grew up, I found that physics was a really indispensable curriculum in the school education because it could help me develop the logical and rigorous thinking pattern so that I sometimes found myself a critical thinker. Besides, with the knowledge of physics, I‟m aware of many physical phenomenon round me, such as optics, mechanism, which helps me understand the intrinsic principle of many devices. #82: A Person You Admire/Love “Describe a personyou love/like/admire” You should say: - What relation this person is to you - What are your first memories of this person - How often you see this person - And explain why you really admire this person.
- 187. Band 9.0 ModelAnswer : Generally, people may have admiration for a celebrity like a singer or an actor… but for me, there is a person who is considered my role model… and now I would like to talk about my manager. About our relationship, as a student with little experience in tourism industry, it is lucky for me to have a talented mentor at work… who keeps an eye on my professional training as well as daily life matters. I still remember the first time we got to know each other in the interview, when the conversation was started in a formal manner, but ended up being just like an intimate chat between old friends, because we shared so many common things in our interests and background. She struck me with her politeness and a bright smile, by which my stress was slowly released. Regarding the frequency that we keep in touch, due to my internship schedule that requires daily presence at the office, I‟ve got plenty of chances to work with my mentor. She motivates me to strengthen my skills, and never beats about the bush when it comes to criticism, so that my performance can be enhanced. Specifically, she advises me never to let my English out of practice, so that I can maintain my English at advanced level. Lastly, I should also mention the reason why I admire my manager, well… she has many years of experience in the industry…and deep understanding of my country‟s history, culture, and geography… that may take aback anyone in the first meeting. With her passion in promoting Vietnam‟s tourism, she is the perfect example of a diligent and passionate employee. VOCABULARY AND COLLOCATIONS : Role model: a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated. Intimate: familiar, close Diligent: hardworking
- 188. Passionate: showingor caused by strong feelings or a strong belief. Formal manner: when sth is done seriously To keep an eye on: to keep under careful observation. To keep in touch: to communicate To strike sb with sth: to cause someone to feel a strong emotion suddenly IDIOMS AND PHRASAL VERBS : To beat about the bush: to discuss a matter without coming to the point. Out of practice: not currently proficient in a skill due to not having exercised or performed it for some time. The sky is the limit: no limit End up: finally Take aback: make sb surprised #83: Describe a teacher from your past that you remember Describe a teacherfrom your past that you remember. You should say: who the teacher was what class the teacher taught you and how old you were what the teacher‟s special qualities and characteristics were and explain why you remember this teacher. Model Answer 1: When I was in my teenage, I had met one of the best personalities and the very best teachers in my entire life. I was in the tenth grade of my secondary education at the high school. I was fifteen when I met him first at my class. One day he entered into
- 189. the class andwe greeted the man with the warmth of our heart as we heard many good stories about him earlier. He was our geography teacher and gradually all of the students started being more attentive in the class. I consider him as the best teacher in my life because of some specific reasons. Firstly, he was highly punctual. I have not seen him making late for the classes. Secondly, he is like a friend to the students. Each of the students considers him as their friends. Thirdly and finally the teaching method he followed was outstanding. He rarely used books to teach us any topic. Frequently he used graphical images to make the students‟ concepts clear over the geography. Still in my middle age, I remember the teacher with great respect. He has shown me the way to be successfulin life. He advised me about some important facts of life and still I follow the advice. I never make late for my office, I am sincere enough to execute the responsibilities assigned to me, and the most important fact is that I do not lie to others. I was advised to follow the instruction by my teacher and accordingly I have turned successfulin my career and life. Cue Card Answer 2: I must have been very lucky to have some exemplary and influential teachers in my schooland college levels. Deciding whom I should describe was a tough choice for me as I recall many of them who helped me a lot throughout my academic years. I would like to talk about Mr Stephen who was one of the greatest teachers I have ever met and had been taught by. Mr Stephen was our history teacher when we were in our 9th grade. I was around 14 years old when I first met this teacher. He taught us our history subject in our schooland he was quite a brilliant teacher who inspired me a lot. He was tall - around 6 feet 2 inches and was quite amiable. The most important characteristics he had was his exceptionally brilliant way of grabbing students‟ attention in his classes. I would not be ashamed to say that there were some teachers who had higher degrees from very prestigious universities but had been less successfulto grab our attention or to make the lesson interesting. While Mr Stephen was one of the teachers who made the time flies. He was quite affable to us but he never allowed stubbornness of students. He was a living example of discipline and good behaviours. I particularly remember him becauseof his way of teaching and attention-grabbing
- 190. quality. He taughtus history as if he was telling us some interesting stories. I was not that much interested in history subject until I met this teacher. He taught us the important lessons we should learn from the history and how this lessons should be utilised in our life. He made me curious to read history books outside the academic syllabus and doing online research to learn more about the significant historical events and figures. The knowledge I have about our history and our past is due to Mr Stephen and that is why I will always be grateful to him. Though teaching is not a professionthat attracts me, but if I ever pick this profession, I would like to be a teacher like him. Rounding off questions: Q. Do you want to be a teachersomeday? A. Umm! not really. I have not given it that much thought. But among my many career plans, entering in the teaching profession is not the one that ever attracted me. Q. Why do we remember some people differently than others? A. Well, in our life we come in contactwith many people who affect us in many ways. I guess we remember people whom we either like or dislike more than others. For instance, an unexpected help from an unknown people might make us think about that personor event and as a result, we remember him. The amount of time we spend with certain people, the things we do with them and how they behave are in my opinion the determining facts for our memory either to remember or forget them. Idea Generation for this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card Topic: For this cue card topic, you can talk about any teacher that you can remember from your school, college or university. You can also describe a home tutor who used to teach you. Useful Vocabulary for describing this Cue Card: Synonyms of 'Teacher':Instructor, master, tutor, mentor, educator, mistress (female), lecturer, professor, coach, faculty member.
- 191. Synonyms of 'Remember':Recall, recollect, think of, recognise, commemorate, remind. Some specialqualities and characteristicsofa goodteacher: Punctuality, commitment, friendly, understanding each and every students in the class, an engaging personality, supportive and encouraging, a great mentor, loud and clear while lecturing, promote positive behaviors among students, sense of respect for others, open communication with parents and students, helpful, attention grabber, encourage students, motivating, sense of humor, sound knowledge of the school‟s curriculum, subject matter knowledge, invites questions and feedback from students, establishes trusting relationships with students, adaptability, creative, patient and empathetic. Part 3 – Two-way discussion: Q. What kind of person makes a goodteacher? A. Teaching is considered as the best profession in the world. The teachers help the students to grow. So, to be a good teacher, one needs to be sincere and punctual. Moreover, vast subject knowledge is also required or you cannot share knowledge with your students. Behaving gently with the students is also a standard to be a good teacher. Q. Why people choose to become teachers? A. People mostly chooseto be teachers becausethis is the professionwhich is praised across the world. People always pay properrespect to a teacher regardless of geographical location. Moreover, when the knowledge is spread among the students, the teachers receive an unimaginable pleasure. Q. Do you think education will change in the future? How? A. We are in an advanced world and everything is changing. By the course of time education may get gradual changes. The course curriculum and the text have already been changed comparing to the texts of a decadeback. Newer texts are included on the list and the range and the numbers of textbooks are on the rise. So, I think that in near future education will experience a notable change. Q. How does technologyaffecteducation? A. Education is affected by the use of technology, in some positive terms. Earlier, people had to read books written on different sorts of paper. For some of the
- 192. student, it wastroublesome. But the technological advancement, they now can read e-books and the teachers can use multimedia tools for their classrooms where they teach the text using numerous graphical images or examples and this method is easier for the students to learn. #84: Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help people Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help people. You should say: who this person is/was where this personlives/lived what he/she has done to help people and explain how you know about this person. Model Answer 1: Humanity is a highly admired virtue across the globe. Unfortunately, most of the people are not possessed bythe virtue rather most of them prefer to be busy with their own. But there were some people who sacrificed their lives for the betterment of humankind selflessly. Mother Teresa is one of the holy souls that have spent the entire life for the improvement of the impoverished section of the society. Born in Macedonia, Mother Teresa was a missionary in India. She was a Roman Catholic religious sister. She passed her early days in Yugoslavia and consequently turned into a nun to serve the destitute. Mother Teresa, the youngest child of Nikollë and Dranafile Bojaxhiu was born with the name - Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, meaning little flower, in Skopje and she lived with her family in the locality before all of them moved to Tirana in 1934. Her father was involved in local politics but he died when she was of eight years old.
- 193. Mother Teresa, fromher early life, was kind to the destitute people. It is also known that she loved reading stories of missionaries and was amazed particularly for the service in Bengal. Gradually she developed a determination to be a missionary and she was only 12 then. She decided to lead a life for the others and follow the religious views to walk on the chosen path. When she turned 18, she left her home to be a sister and join with the Sister of Loreto which served as a missionary. She left her home forever and never met with her mother and sister again in her life. She learnt the English language to be applied in the continent she is travelling for helping the people with the missionaries. Initially, she arrived in India as a teacher and she had to learn Bengali too. She started teaching the Bengali speaking people. Observing the famine, misery and religious violence among the people in Calcutta, she determined to change the situation. She founded Missionaries of Charity, a religious institution to serve the destitute plying on the streets of Calcutta. „Missionaries of Charity‟ has different initiatives for the poor, homeless, disease-affected people and the most important information is the services it offers are free of costs. Mother Teresa is a globally admired figure and even after her death, she is remembered with deep respect. Numerous news and events have been created for her remembrance and I live adjacent to her organisation – Missionaries of Charity. I have seen the good initiatives undertaken by the organisation. So, Mother Teresa and her institution are more familiar to me than any other thing in the town. Model Answer 2: China is one of the largest and most populated countries of the world but health services are not accessible equally for everyone in the country. On the contrary, some people are relentless to provide medical facilities to the impoverished people, and Mr. Gui Junjie is one of those great personalities. Mr. Juinjie is a doctorbyprofession and loves to serve the people of all classes. But the majority of his patients are poorand they cannot even pay his fees as well. He loves to serve them and when asked about this habit, he has a simple reply that it was his moral duty to serve the people who are in need of health care. Sometimes he arranges for necessary medications of his patients who are unable to buy them.
- 194. Mr. Juinjie livesin a corner of the main street in the city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province located in east China. I am quite familiar with his simple living and lifestyle for long. He is solvent enough to lead a luxurious life but his day to day life is so simple that he even does not have a car and instead uses a bicycle to move in the city. On the other sides, all of his mates have started leading fascinating lifestyle as they charge their patients more and more. But Mr. Juinjie is completely different and the only man I have seen ever that did not run after money. Basically, Mr. Juinjie is an M.B.B.S doctorand has some special training in surgery and dentistry together. So, he is able to deal with almost all types of diseases and if he fails to treat the patients, he refers them to some other places where they could have the treatment at a reasonable cost. He has a two-storied building that he inherited from his father and has launched a small nursing centre at the ground floor of the building where he performs the minor surgeries and usually meets with the patients at his chamber which is located just aside the surgery room on the same floor. He has donea varied number of things for the local people and the most important issue is that he is available for everyone and at any time of the day which has made him unique. His prescriptions contain comparatively fewer medicines and are filled with more advice. When I was a kid of seven or eight, I had fallen ill and my parents took me to Mr. Juinjie for treatment. I recovered the illness shortly and came to know that he prescribed me some simple medicines. Since his chamber is just in the opposite direction of my residence, I have the chance to meet him twice or thrice in a day while returning home from my colleges and listen to different stories – how he helped saving lives, served lots of people in different parts of the city and much more of his pastexperiences. I believe he is one of the greatest persons I have ever met in my life. Part 3: Detail Discussion: Helping other people in the community Q. What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? Which is most important? A. There are many other ways to help people living in a community or society. The notable helping ways are showing kindness to others, assist in doing something regardless of the task shape or size, behaving in a courteous manner, provide supportin mental distress, be with them during their sorrowful events, sharing the
- 195. joys, offering voluntaryservices to the social organizations or during social events, arranging employment for the unemployed (if possible), lending money in soft- terms during distress or supporting with foods, help to get justice etc. But the most important thing, I believe, is to arrange for an employment. There is a proverb – Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Q. Why do you think some people like to help other people? A. People who are kind and soft-hearted usually love to help others. They find a sort of good feelings inside their mind when they could help someone in danger or misery. They are on the view that they are performing some good deeds and in return, they will get that back. There are theories that everything is round. If you do well of others it will come to you unexpectedly, and if you do bad things that will hurt you too, unexpectedly. But most of the people who do well to others are not the theory-believers. They do it selflessly and enjoy the satisfaction of sacrifice. Q. Some people saythat people help others in the community more now than they did in the past. Do you agree or disagree?Why? A. The range of good deeds has increased in the society comparing the past. Earlier, people had not the necessity to mix with people as they are socialising now with the demand of time. So, as they are socialising more, they are experiencing the necessity of others and accordingly providing supportto the distressed. But, a few decades back, people lived in a constricted loop and their life was limited to specific people or community consisted of very few members. So, they did not have the chance to help others in the community as they have today. CommunityServices Q. What types of services,suchas libraries or health centres, are available to the people who live in your area? Do you think there are enough of them? A. In my area, we do have health centres but we need libraries more. We have a single library and the books are insufficient for the increasing readers. At times it appears that the number of patients is on the rise and people are forgetting to meet their thirst for knowledge in the fast-paced age. Thereby, the health centres are on the rise while the libraries are on a decline. Mostly the young people, in the evening, pass their time on the library by reading books. So, the number of libraries needed to be increased and the existing one should b enriched with books and other reading materials. Q. Which groups of people generallyneed the most support in a community?
- 196. Why? A. Women, childrenand the old people are the most vulnerable section of a society or community. They need more supportin a community than other for their vulnerable nature. For instance, if there is an earthquake, the aforesaid section should be prioritised regarding escape or taking shelter to a safer place as they cannot move like men. Besides, disease resistance power is lower among them comparing the male members of a society. So, they should be allowed to get advantages in hospitals or other health-related services. The feeble nature has made them dependent on others and the issue should always be kept in mind regarding behave with them. Q. Who do you think should pay for the services thatare available to the people in a community? Should it be the government or individual people? A. Only the government or any individual cannot run a community service alone. The expenses are increasing rapidly and thus the maintenance costis turning higher day by day. So, the people who are taking the services should also contribute on the sectors so that everyone could get smooth services. For instance, the health centers provide different vaccines and it may happen that a certain vaccine price has gone up which is beyond the budget. So, if the other service receivers contribute a portion of the annual of monthly budget of the health center, the vaccine will be affordable to all. So, I think the government, the individuals and the beneficiaries should pay for the services. #85: Describe a friend of your family you remember from your childhood Describe a friend of your family you remember from your childhood. You should say: who the person was how your family knew this person how often this personvisited your family and explain why you remember this person.
- 197. Model Answer 1: Ihad to grow up in a large family with my parents and their intimate relatives living an entire apartment block in New York. My father had a friend who was like a family friend in my family and I was the dearest one for him in my childhood. He used to visit our house frequently. John Richardson, the man with long black hair and a tall figure is the family friend of my family. He had long hairs and he loved to keep the hairs long, and sometimes made a ponytail with a rubber band, and lived near of our apartment located in a corner of Manhattan in New York City. He was highly welcomed when he arrived at our home and even my grandpa also admired him in his absence if he needed to provide any example of intelligence. Mr John Richardson was the man whom every one of my family sought for supportduring their distress, sometimes I also had to take his supportfor my academic purposes, and he was truly an intelligent, smart and attractive personI have ever seen with an adventure seeker look. His smartness was a divine gift, I guess. I do not have the exact idea how he was related to our family as after my birth I have seen him meeting the people in our house regularly. Therefore, I tried to discover the fact and finally came to know this that uncle John‟s father was my grandpa‟s intimate friend and their friendship started when the two were at school in their childhood in Minnesota. Uncle John‟s father lived the next house to my grandpa‟s house there. Thus, two of the kids of the two families (my father and Uncle John) started close interactions together. Gradually they grew matured, shifted in New York, got married, started their family, and have their own kids. Interestingly they formed a deep sense of friendship from their childhood and they are maintaining the relation very well. As a result, the older boyJohn Richardson of Roland Nathan becomes the most intimate friend of Jack Rozario (my father), the older sonof Abel Rozario. It is the brief history of his being intimate with my family. Uncle John uncle was a businessman and has engaged himself in the same activities for long years. The most interesting thing about Uncle John is that he does not have a schedule to visit our home. He has become like a family member of our family who lives the next doorfrom us. Moreover, whenever someone of my family needs his help or suggestion, s/ he informs him about the issue over the telephone and then he comes at the same day or night with an attractive solution. If he needs a secret meeting with my father over any of his internal issues, he comes at midnight, sits at the living room talks as long as they need and goes away silently without disturbing anyone. I have counted that he visits our house over 15 times in a week
- 198. in an average. Nowtime has changed and I have been matured while my parents are turning older gradually. All of their hairs have turned grey with the advancement of age and it is similar to Uncle John. In my 30s, I still remember Uncle John most for his extraordinary intelligence, kindness and simple ways of living. He used to come at our house mostly to resolve the issues we could not mitigate by ourselves. But I was the dearest thing for him in the entire house and he never forgot to bring something for me, especially chocolates and cookies each of the time he arrived at the house. As he had no kids, I was like his own kid to him. However, the solutions he provided were simple and everyone was happy with the solutions. Even I also had to contacthim for one of my personal issues in my schoollife (I had a bad figure in math during my 9th grade) and he directed me a way that saved me from being lectured badly from my parents. Sample Answer 2: Alia Nur is my mother‟s best friend and I am familiar with her since my birth. She is one of the most familiar individuals whom I have been observing since my childhood at the family. She has turned like a family member as well. Aunt Alia Nur is the woman of around 40 and she has three kids. She loves to meet people and share her feelings and emotions with them. But she is also a woman of great heart and comes forward in the distress of her surroundings. During my birth, she was the leading individual who did everything for my mum. She is a teacher in her professionand teaches history in a local school. As far I came to know about aunt Alia that she was my mother‟s schoolfriend. The friendship between by mother and her grew up long ago and they have been maintaining it even today. Whenever it is any occasionor festival in Malaysia, my mum sends gifts for her and at the same time, she also sends gifts and other necessary stuff for my family. In fact, she has become one of the most prominent members of my family that my parents took her recommendations even before taking any minor decisions. On the other side, she also invites us at her residence frequently to attend in her family functions. Her husband is also an amicable person and is nice with us like her. My mother keeps regular contact with aunt Alia. In fact, she (aunt Alia) visits our residence at least twice in a day. When she sets out for her school, she does not
- 199. miss the chanceto have a cup of tea with my mum and in the evening, after her return from the school, she comes to share the events of the day with mum. My mum, being a traditional housewife, is not connected with the outer world and aunt Alia is probably the only source for her to get to know the world. Both of the friends share a large number of things and they enjoy a lot. I have seen that both of them share a very strong bond between them and the relation is unbreakable. I remember her even today as she is still keeping contacts with us. Now she is in the USA with her family but the bond with her is still the same. When she left the country, it was really a pathetic event for us all. It appeared that we are losing the dearest one of our family. But the geographical distance has not separated her from us rather the bond is strengthening gradually. Now my mum and aunt Alia communicates using the social networking sites and exchange their views and opinions. I, with my sisters also take part in the communication and make lots of fun. Now, all of my family members are eagerly waiting for their annual visit in the country. Part 3 - Detail discussion / Two-way discussion: Friendship: Q. What do you think makes someonea goodfriend to a whole family? A. Friendship is the bonding between people who are not related with blood. But friendship is an eternal bondage and been being practised from time immemorial. To be a good friend, one need to possesssomespecific and special qualities and if someone tries to be a family friend, they need to demonstrate the qualities like honesty, sincerity, generosity, respecting others‟ feelings etc. The most important thing is that the person should be well behaved and mannered and have to adjust with the people of all classes in the society. To be the friend of a whole family, one has to observe the attitudes and behaviours of the family members and has to reflect the behaviours and attitudes accordingly. Q. Do you think we meet different kinds of friends at different stagesofour lives? In what ways are these types of friend different? A. Life has different stages and we have to meet different people in the stages we experience. But all the people we meet are not the same always. It is quite natural to be different. All the people do not belong to the same class or category and their backgrounds are different. So, it is wise not to expect the same behaviour from all the people. Forinstance, when we are at schoolin a particular locality, we meet with kids having almost the similar background of us. When we are at college or
- 200. university goers, wemeet different sorts of people who came from a diversified background. Moreover, when we are at work, the scenario is different. The people are different in terms of nature, behaviour and attitudes. The senses for common use are not the same for all of them. Q. How easyis it to make friends with people from a different age group? A. Usually, friendship is built on the early days of life and the range of making friends is almost closed when the academic learning is finished. But friendship could also be built in workplaces too if there are suitable minds. But mostof the times friendship could not be made after the teenage but it may happen that you have a nice and friendly relation with the other people but friendly relations never refers that they are your friends. It is very easy for the young people to make friendship in their early days but it is difficult for the adults to make friendship with the people of their similar age. Influence of friends: Q. Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person? A. This is advanced age and many of our real life tasks are done virtually and using few mouse clicks. To be a friend, one does not need to be physically present with the other part to make a friendship. Using different social communication platforms, we could easily make friendship with the other people living in different parts of the world. They do not need to meet every day in personto share their feelings and emotions. Rather they are communicating easily using the social communication platform features like chatting or messaging, sharing their pictures etc. As a result, the necessity of meeting physically every day or after a specific period appears to be less important. Q. Is this real friendship? A. Real friendship is the thing that is not available everywhere. A real friend is a friend who is always with friends regardless the situations being good or bad. Now a day the number of real friends has been limited. The friend who will be with you in your sufferings is your real friend. It may happen that a friend of your social networking site has appeared during your stressful moments to supportyou then the friend should be considered as a real one. It also happens that the people with whom you have grown up leaves you in your danger, they are not real. So, the issue of real friendship is similar to the theory of relativity.
- 201. Q. What kindof influence canfriends have on our lives? A. Friends are the part and parcel of our lives. We cannot actually do without them in different situations of our life. We need their supportand sometimes we support them in their needs. Sometimes people are highly influenced by the friends. They adoptdifferent attitudes and behaviours regardless of the quality of their friends and exercise in their everyday life. Moreover, a friend owns the ability to show the way to prosperity to the other friends. Both the positive and negative impacts could be imposed by the friends and it is the duty of us to pick the right one to march ahead in our life. Q. How important would you sayit is to have friends from different cultures? A. Friends from different cultures are invaluable wealth for us. It is impossible for an outsider to learn about any specific ethnic group or about their culture unless the group or community allows (in fact achieving such permission is one of the daunting and toughest tasks). So, if someone has a friend from different cultures, it becomes easier to know about the rules and regulations of the culture. People usually trust their friends much. If you ask your friend about the norms and trends of their societies based on your usual curiosity, s/ he will describe the issues without any hesitation as you are a friend of him or her. But it is almost impossible for a stranger to collect the information so easily. #86: Describea restaurantthat you enjoyed going to Describe a restaurant that you enjoyed going to. You should say: where the restaurant was why you chosethis restaurant what type of food you ate in this restaurant and explain why you enjoyed eating in this restaurant. Model Answer 1: Food is the key element for every human being for the survival on the earth but not every food is that much tasty or applicable for all ages of people. Besides, preparation of the foods is also another issue for consideration. In my city, Mumbai, I have a favourite restaurant that offers different types of prepared food.
- 202. As I ama food-lover, I like to taste foods from different parts of the city and every weekend I start peeping at different restaurants. I taste all types of foods and finally I turn into a regular client for the best one. The restaurant named Zodiac Grill is located at the lobby level of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai. It is located almost at the centre are of the city and thus easily accessible for all. I liked the restaurant most for different reasons. The first and important cause is its decoration. The entire restaurant is decorated with zodiac signs (the sign also belongs to me) and the sitting arrangement was superb. Moreover, I was in love when I had the delicious smoked salmon before me. In other restaurants, I did not have the fish in a smoked form and the taste was excellent. Besides, the service was also fantastic. I had experienced delays and other sorts of problems in other places where I went to have my meals, but here I had no such troubles. Everything was in order and I was served with the necessary services even before asking for help. The best thing about the restaurant is its multi-national cuisine. The foods are truly superb! When I first went to the restaurant, I ordered a tasting menu. It was a smoked salmon and caviar. The preparation of the foods tookshort moments than the regular hours and the serving method was praiseworthy too. I also ordered for tiger prawn and also took some vegetables too. When I ordered a chicken menu, I found that nothing could be compared to the item and it was prepared as the way that the meats were melting immediately I took them into my mouth. Foods are the keys to our life. For a healthy life, we need to have foods and it should be tasty too. I have taken foods almost all of the restaurants in Mumbai but none of those could be compared to the foods I have had at the Zodiac Grill. When I entered the restaurant, I was welcomed and treated like a King of the state. When I ordered the items, they arrived within 15 minutes of the order placement which amazed me most. The surrounding decoration of the restaurant is adorable and the foods belong to the finest quality and the prices are reasonable. Thereby, I enjoyed eating at the restaurant. Cue Card Answer 2: I am a food-lover and most of the time spend my evening leisure hours in different restaurants in the city with my buddies. As a result, I have visited almost all the restaurants but I find the Diners‟ Café as the bestone.
- 203. The restaurant waslocated in the centre of the city and half an hour journey from my residence. Generally, people visited the restaurant as this was located at a prime location of the city and there was a bus stand adjacent to it as well. As a result, it always remained crowded. The key attractive matter for the restaurant was that it offered some of the most delicious foods of the city like tasty kebabs, parathas, biriyani, tikka, zarda, jelabi, mutton paya, chicken tandoori, dosa, daal chana, soft beverages, tea and coffee, and much more. Foodie people have a sharp sense of smell and they could figure out event the ingredients used in the preparation of the meals. I am blessed with that extraordinary smelling power and most of the times I have found that the foods I took in other restaurants were prepared by wasted materials. Sometimes I had found that the foods were rotten as well. So, I made a list of restaurants to be avoided and added those on the list. But when I came here to participate at a party, I found the foods are up to the mark and the service was outstanding. Besides, there were a wide variety of foods here and within a reasonable price. Sitting arrangement inside the restaurant is also smart. The restaurant provides almost all the common foods of the region and some of them are the most popular ones. The restaurant is opened from morning till late night and caters the needs of the customers all the time of the day. I went in the evening and had some foods like chicken tikka kebab with ruti and also enjoyed their breakfast. They sell tandoor rutis with nehari, beef, mutton paya and daal during breakfast while they also have some other types of dishes for breakfast like hotchpotch, chicken soups etc. I have not taken any lunch at the restaurant as I prefer to take lunch at home but they have some mouthwatering dishes for lunch. The fish fries are charming and they provide fresh fishes and other meats to the customers. I think the crowd increases in the evening and the rooftop ofthe restaurant gets filled with food aromas. Saying goes that foods are the fuels for our body. If there are no or less fuel, the bodywill shut down, shortly. So, to provide the fuel, we need the best foods so that the body gets the right nutrients. By the same time, the foods should also be prepared in cleaner and healthy environment. the majority of the restaurants in the country have disgusting kitchen scenarios. But the kitchen of this particular restaurant is cleaner and the chefs are well equipped with tools and cooking materials. They know how to cookand thus the tastes turn absolutely exceptional. So, I enjoyed eating here and often come back to test the juicy kebabs!
- 204. Part 3 -Detail Discussion / Two-way discussion: Restaurants: Q. Why do you think people go to restaurants when they want to celebrate something? A. A celebration of something requires lots of preparations and the people who are to celebrate remains busy all the time of the celebration only for the preparation purposes. So, it is a very common issue that they cannot have the moments to enjoy the events. The most important thing of any celebration is its foods and those need to be prepared in huge amount which is almost impossible to make at home. Thereby, the idea to hold the events at restaurants has emerged. Restaurants are the places where foods are prepared for a large number of people and accommodatea notable number of guests at the same time which is, in fact, impossible at home. So, people are tending to go to restaurants during their celebration. Q. Which are more popular in your country: fastfood restaurants or traditional restaurants? A. Currently, the countrymen are preferring foods out of home mostly because of their business and most of the time they are to remain out of the home. But they are health conscious and do not prefer taking foods at the fast food restaurants. Thereby, they take foods from the traditional restaurants. Moreover, the adult people are habituated with the traditional foods and they go for the traditional restaurants but a part of the young generations take foods from the fast food restaurants. Q. Why do you think that is? A. It happens mostly due to the business of the people and sometimes people want to change their tastes. Besides, people are at times influenced to take foods at any specific restaurants by the advertisements or recommendations of other people. Q. Some people saythat food in an expensive restaurant is always better than food in a cheap restaurant – would you agree? A. It is an important fact that foods at restaurants are sometimes expensive but there are some cheap restaurants are available too. But there is a basic difference between the foods. The foods ofthe expensive restaurants are of the finest quality and the culinary is neat and clean. Moreover, the serving is also praiseworthy at those restaurants. But none of the facilities is available in the cheap restaurants and the foods are prepared in an unhealthy environment. So, it is imperative to take
- 205. foods at astandard restaurant considering the food quality and environment even if you are charged more. Producing Food: Q. Do you think there will be a greaterchoice offood available in shops in the future, or will there be less choice? A. Foodsare available everywhere but all of the elements are not edible for all ages of people. However, to meet the needs of the growing population and diversified demand, nowadays different foods are invented and processed.The newly invented foods are yummy too. So, in near future, the range of foods will be increased and the shops will start selling different types of foods for the customers. Q. What effects has modern technologyhad on the way foodis produced? A. Earlier, foods were produced at home using hands. But in the current days, there are different devices available to produce foods without the touch of hands. Moreover, the restaurants also use the tools to improve the food quality. People use to bake cakes using different cooking pots and placed them on cooking ovens, but now the electric oven has solved the complexities. Besides, much other technological advancement has been made in cooking and as a result, the foods are produced in a short time. Q. How important is it for a country to be able to grow all the food it needs, without importing any from other countries? A. Usually, a country cannot grow all the necessary food elements to meet the needs of its citizens for different reasons and the geographical feature is the prominent one. As a result, the state needs to import from the world market or from any specific country. It requires lots of time and investment and sometimes the imported foods do not belong to the desired quality and may also get damaged during transportation. So, if the country could grow all the food stuff, it would be able to save money and labour, and the foods and grains will remain fresh and edible. #87: Describe an open-air or street market Describe an open-air or streetmarket which you enjoyed visiting.
- 206. You should say: Where the market is What the market sells How big the market is and explain why you enjoyed visiting this market. Model Answer 1: Vietnam has numerous tourists‟ spots to visit by the global people and thus the number of markets has also increased to meet the increasing demands. But the open markets (commonly known as outdoormarkets) are the traditional marketplaces in the country for shopping. It is like a culture to shop under the open air. There are few open air markets available in Saigon (officially known as Ho Chi Minh City) and those are different from the other contemporary markets. Both the natives and the global tourists come here to buy their essentials at a reasonable cost. The markets of Saigon are well organised and the products are flawless. This open-air market sells a large variety of stuff including goods produced in local factories and imported goods. Theavailable products ofthis market are clothing, belts, bags including large and small such as handbags, electronic products, shoes, cell phones, food stores, hairdressing, branded attires, suits, dresses made by the finest silk and other valuable materials and more other stuff. But most of the time the prices are more than the actual price even in the shopping malls, so the buyers need to bargain with the sellers to get the products at a lower price. The markets are considerably bigger in size and houses numerous shops and stalls. In Saigon city, there are several districts and each of the districts has one openair market. The markets are stretched in lines and one cannot see the end of the line due to the crowd and goods-laden shops. But there are some categories among the shops and you have to go to a specific lane to get your essentials. Usually, I buy my daily essentials and important knick-knacks from the open air markets. I like the markets as they have many varieties to provide with and the most important feature of the markets is the bargaining option with the sellers. At times, I bargain with them and purchase the finest quality productfor me at a very
- 207. lower and unimaginablecostwhich would costme over thousands of bucks at the shopping malls. Besides, the goods sold in the market belong to top-class in terms of quality and producing materials. Moreover, the sellers are friendly with me as I have turned into a regular client for some of the specific shops like electronic gadgets, covers for my iPhone etc. Alternative Answer 2: 'Nakamise Shopping Street' is an excellent street market in Tokyo, Japan that I visited 3-4 years back and I enjoyed my shopping and the traditional shops located there. I went there with my husband and 8 years old daughter and my daughter loved this place so much that she tookmany photos ofthis market and still tell her friends about her experience there. This beautiful and lively pedestrian street has numerous gorgeous looking shops which sell various items including wooden sandals, wooden dolls, Japanese clogs, colored papers, postcards, all sorts of Japanese souvenirs, traditional snacks such as kaminari-okoshi, kind of foods that are associated with festivals, various classic Japanese food and many more items that mainly targets the tourists. When I was there, I noticed a huge crowd of foreign tourists who were shopping or dining there. As I heard from a local shop owner, this market is about 250 meters long and the front approachto Senso-ji Temple and this is one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan with attracts a great number of tourists each year. My whole experience of my visit to this street market was stirring and full of surprises. Especially my daughter‟s excitement made this place worth visiting. We bought some traditional goods from this market, took lots of photos and ate our dinner there. The traditional meal that we ate was totally exotic to us and indeed very tasty. The Senso-ji Temple that we visited was also very exciting and it revealed a past Japanese history in front of us. As a tourist, I had lots to see and do there and that‟s the main reason the experience was so happy and exciting. The prices of items we bought were reasonable and we had a whole picture of Japanese history and tradition from this market. Though it‟s been over 3-4 years, many items that we bought from this market are still kept in our house.
- 208. Part 3: Discussiontopics: Shopping atmarkets Q. Do people in your country enjoy going to open-air markets that sellthings like food or clothes or old objects? Which type of market is more popular? Why? A. The people of my country usually shop their necessaries from the open-air markets. It is like a culture for them to visit the markets oncea day. So, it seems they enjoy much in shopping in those markets more than shopping at the concrete- build shopping malls. The shopping malls are popular among the top class people but most of the ordinary people like to visit the open markets for some specific reasons. The first cause is that a large variety of a single productis available there which is not found at the attractive shopping malls. Besides, the sellers in the shopping malls have no bargaining policy which is practised and the common feature at the open markets. Q. Do you think markets are more suitable places for selling certain types of things? Which ones? Why do you think this is? A. The markets are visited by most of the commoners and they are on their way to home. So, those places are suitable to sell certain types of things like small electronic gadgets, hair cut facilities, clothes for common use etc. The things are sold in the open markets as the products and things are frequently used and thus get damaged soon, but the people do not care about using those with care as they are less expensive comparing to the shopping malls and available in the open markets. Q. Do you think young people feel the same about shopping at markets as older people? Why is that? A. In fact, the feelings of shopping differ from generation to generation in the country. The feelings of the old and adults are not the same for several reasons over using any product. When they are at the market, the adults may start recalling their past over any specific product – how it was, how they used the productetc. But it is entirely different for the younger people because they have no memories to recall any productas they are the fresh users of the products. Moreover, the choices may also differ from the older people for the age-group distance and gap. Shopping in general Q. What do you think are the advantages ofbuying things from shops rather than markets? A. If you buy something from a shop, it could be easier for you to check the thing
- 209. rightly before youfinally purchase that. But in markets, you might not have that chance to check the thing properly and the sellers at the markets may turn reluctant to change the productor service. Moreover, if you want hassle-free shopping and without bargaining, shops are the best places for you rather than markets. Another difference between these two places is the prices of the products. Q. How does advertising influence what people choose to buy? Is this true for everyone? A. Advertisements have great influences on the people. If someone is looking for any specific productat a shop or a market, s/he will look for the thing that they had seen on advertisements in different media. The advertisements subconsciously influence people to buy specific products. There is none who could avoid the influence. Q. Do you think that any recentchanges in the way people live have affected generalshopping trends? A. Yes, definitely the lifestyle, socioeconomic conditions and advertising have greatly changed people's habit of shopping. Currently, the people have started for branded products and thus the markets are also providing them with the desired items. The changes are notable and it is done by advertisements. While people in the past mostly purchased products and goods they needed, people nowadays purchase more than they actually need. The range of necessity has also enhanced to a great extent. #88: Describea placeyou went to which was full of colours Describe a place you went to which was full of colours. You should say: Where it was Why you went there What you did there and explain why you think that place was made so colourful.
- 210. Model Answer: I livenear the Skagit Valley and the place remains colourful almost round the year, and the colours change with the seasonal changes. But the colours are more flamboyant and attractive during the Tulip Festival in fall. The Skagit Valley is a highly charming attraction and located in a prominent place between Seattle and Washington in the USA. Skagit River is the life of the valley and has crossed the locality in a snake-like shape. It is in the north-west corner of Washington, a few kilometres away from my residence. The valley takes different colours in different seasons. To observethe valley perfectly, you are to visit during the winter. Hiking or riding a ferry is the best way to enjoy the colourful valley. Migrant birds of different types and colours visit the valley during the season. During the spring season, the tulips bloom across a long-filed which is another colourful attraction for the tourists. April is the best month to observethe tulips in their brightest colour and I hope to visit the valley in the next fall to observe the tulips only. Skagit Valley is an eye-catching place and many of the global tourists visit the place only to enjoy its natural beauty. I also went there to enjoy the natural scenes and beauties of the valley. The valley is a unique one and filled with different colours. The environment is highly colourful that attracts the mind and the activities undertaken at the valley are incredible and remarkable as well. Many of my friends have paid their visits at the valley but I could not manage time with them to be there. So, I planned my visit the Skagit Valley with my family members and the trip also aimed to make the other junior members of the family aware of this natural beauty spotin the state. There are many things to do for the tourists and we made lots of fun. We participated in both the indoor and outdooractivities and particularly the kids were the key participants in all the events. We started hiking in the valley. Then we watched the wildlife of the valley and the kids were truly contented with the animals and birds under the open sky. Moreover, some of my family members rode on beach bikes and the other rode on canoe. I preferred fishing most but could not catch a single fish within the fishing time. One of the kids wanted to have skiing but I did not allow him to do that as he is too young to go with the ski board. We also visited the museum during our return from the valley and truly it was an awesome experience for us all. The place was too colourful. The environment was charming and the natural
- 211. colours were eyesoothing. The birds were of different colour, the tulips were attractive for their extraordinary shades and the people visiting the valley also worn dresses of different attractive and unusual colours. Everything formed a sense of exceptional and sensual colour around. The trees in the National Park were breathtaking green, the deep blue water on the beach, the flowers, birds and small animals, lighting of different colors at the shopping centers, ripe and green crops at the fields everything is merged with the nature and thus the nature has created a colorful environment at the valley. Idea Generation for this IELTS Cue card topic: For this cue card topic, you can talk about a place you know/ visited which is naturally colourful/ colourfully decorated. Sometimes a colourful appearance is given to a place for a festival and you can also talk about it. Some ideas are given below and you should be able to pick one of it and develop your own answer: Colourful places: India: Valley of Flowers National Park, India. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, India. The Tulip Garden, Srinagar, India. China: Five Flower Lake, China. Yuanyang County, China. Red Sea Beach, China. Luoping, China. Canola Flower Fields - Yunnan, China. Guilan Rice Fields - Longji, China. Zhangye Danxia, China. Panjin Red Beach, China. Japan: Hitsujiyama Park, Japan. Kawachi Fuji Gardens, Japan. Hokkaido, Japan. Hitachi Seaside Park - Japan.
- 212. Mount FujiBase - Japan. Australia: The Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Shark Bay, Australia. Lake Hillier in Australia. Canada: Alberta, Canada. Montreal Botanical Garden - Canada. Netherlands: Tulip fields in the Netherlands. Keukenhof Park - Netherlands. De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands England: Cornwall, England. Switzerland: Braunwald, Switzerland. Russia: Saint Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia. Norway: Longyearbyen, Norway. Bergen, Norway. France: Lavender fields in France. Provence, France. Colombia: Caño Cristales River, Colombia. Namibia: Namaqualand, Namibia. Scotland: Glen Brittle - Scotland. Greece: Santorini, Greece. Italy: Cinque Terre, Italy. Burano, Italy. Vietnam: Cao Dai Cathedral, Vietnam.
- 213. Argentina: Hornocal Mountains,Argentina. La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. South Africa: Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa Colourful Festivals: Holi festival, India and worldwide. Yi Peng Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carnival, Venice, Italy. #89: Describe a trip which was not up to your expectations Describe a trip which was not up to your expectations. You should say: where you went what you did what happened and explain why it was not up to your expectations. Model Answer 1:
- 214. A study touris one of the bestways to make students learn about the real life scenarios and issues. It is the best way to earn knowledge practically. During my college tenure, I went for a study tour in Agra in India to visit the Taj Mahal, one of the World Heritage sites of the world. Agra, located in Uttar Pradesh, is a great tourist spotin India and mostly famous across the globe for the legendary Taj Mahal. We went to the spotfor the purposeof learning about the structure and histories behind the beautiful marble made building and Mughal Empire in India. It is in fact, a tomb and made in the remembrance of the memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Located at the western bank of Yamuna River, the structure is the considered as the mausoleum of love. We entered the compound following a queue and gazed amazingly towards the finest structure of the world. But some of the issues were unpleasant to me. First of all the colour of the building was faded and seemed a bit of yellowish too for the pollutions in the surrounding areas. I thought that the surrounding locations will be clean and free from hawkers but the view was just oppositeto my thought and it seemed that the ideas of a calm environment mocked me in the crowd. Most of the people were engaged into clicking their images instead of enjoying the beauty of the Taj. Moreover, the number of guides to help visit the area properly was inappropriate. The authority is taking a higher price for entrance tickets but not paying attention to make the compound clean and clear. I also expected that I might find Taj Mahal in its best state as the Indian government is taking care of the structure, but the care was limited by some sign posts ignored by the visitors. People spat here and there, threw waste materials on the walking paths and some other similar activities made me frustrated. Cue Card Answer 2: Last year I went to visit Tower of London and it was a long and monotonous tour for me. I had to wait a couple of hours to barely catch a glimpse of the famous Crown Jewels. It was a study tour and our college authority decided to take us to the Tower of London as part of the yearly excursion. Tower of London is actually a Royal Palace and Fortress which is a historic castle situated on the north bank of the River Thames in central London.
- 215. The tour wentwrong from the very beginning. One of our teachers got sick and he could not join us and my best buddydid not show up and I could not reach him on his cell phone. Some of the students complained about the proper planning of the tour as the number of students were far more than the available reserved seats on the train. The train arrived late and we had to wait in the station. Our lunch was delayed - not sure what was the reason and when we reached our destination, I was quite exhausted. Probably delayed lunch and unexpected rain caused this. I waited in the long queue before I could see the main attraction – Crown Jewel and then I had to move very quickly as I was feeling the pressure from the back of the queue. TWorstpart of this tour was that the tour guide did not show up at all. We had to Google for some information regarding this place and got bored in less than an hour. At a time I was expecting to return home as soonas possible. If I compare it with the other fascinating tour experiences I had, I must confess that it was far worse than my previous tours. That must have been a bad hair day – as many things went wrong and I had to return home with an overall bad experience though I had a very high expectation from this tour. Idea Generation for this Cue Card /Candidate Task Card: This cue card asks you to describe any tour you had that you did not like. Maybe that was because of a bad journey experience you had or because you did not like the place you went to. It could also be for other reasons like your sudden sickness, hassle in the airport, bad weather, unprofessional service from the tour service provider, hostile behaviour of the local people, an accident on the road, unattractive destination and many more. Usually, you find a tour worse than your assumption when you cannot visit the place becauseit is not open that day, do not like the place or have any negative experience from that place. You should be able to remember such a journey or tour that went wrong and you wish that did not happen. Sometimes famous tourists destinations are overrated and you possessavery high expectation from your visit. In such cases, the reality strikes you hard and you feel that your experience of the tour does not meet your expectation at all. Useful Vocabulary for describing this Cue Card: Synonyms of 'Trip': Travel, Tour, Journey, Expedition, Excursion, Outing, Visit.
- 216. Synonyms of'Expectation':Assumption, Supposition, Forecast, Prediction, Hope, Prospect. Words to express your dissatisfaction: Frustrating, unhappy, disappointing, mediocre, unpleasant, unfriendly, unsatisfying, tiresome, bitter. Part 3: Details Discussion: Q. What are some famous tourist spots in your country? A. In my country, we have plenty of famous destinations. But the most famous tourist spots are: Cox's Bazar sea beach – the largest sea beach in the world in association with Saint Martin Island, Rangamati, Bandar ban, Sylhet and Dhaka city. Most of the tourists gather on the spots forthe attractive locations and modern communication system. Q. What are the impacts of tourism in your country? A. Although the Bangladeshi economy is not tourism based, it has a notable impact on the economic growth of the country. The national economy increases and the local economy also receive a boostfor the arrival of the tourists. Q. What are the positive impacts of tourism in your country? A. There are few positive impacts of tourism in the country. The most important issue is that the tourism board takes steps to make the locations attractive and thus the spots turn more beautiful. As the tourists regularly visit the places, it also creates employments for different people which help contribute to the national income. It is also beneficial in terms of cultural exchange and exposure to international level. Q. What are the negative impacts of tourism in your country? A. Unfortunately, some of the locals in the spots get engaged into misdeeds which defame the country and entirely unwanted. Such issues should be taken care of properly by the authority strictly. The tourism negatively affects the environment in some cases and the waste production on such areas are comparatively high. The foreign cultures also threaten some of our old and traditional ways of life. Q. What do you think are the reasons people visit new places? A. People mostly visit new places to get fascinated and learn something newerTravellingng increases the knowledge and also makes familiar with the culture and customs of different places. So, people who are willing to learn about
- 217. newer customs andmanners, they go for travel. The busy life we have often becomes monotonous and people often seek for relaxation and relief from their stress. That‟s another reason people travel to new places to refresh themselves. Q. What can you tell about the future of tourism industry in your country? A. Tourism future in Bangladesh is prospective. The business could flourish if the minor problems are solved. Security is an important issue and if the safety and security of the tourists is ensured rightly, I think tourism will be a great sourceof income for the country. #90: Describea party that you enjoyed Describe a party that you enjoyed. You should say: whose party it was and what it was celebrating where the party was held and who went to it what people did during the party and explain what you enjoyed about this party. Model Answer 1: A party usually refers to a social gathering where some selected or invited people make fun, take foods and talk over issues of varied range. At times the parties are held marking any special occasionto remember or celebrate. There are different types of parties are available and bachelor party is one of them. Usually, the bachelor with hid friends attends the party to celebrate the last day as a bachelor. Few of his intimate friends are invited to attend the program and the parties are held outside the home as the activities performed in the party are not allowed inside the home. In last year, a friend of mine invited me to a bachelor party in Las Vegas. It was the night before he gets married. So, he wanted to have a blast among his closestfriends with the acts of what we did in our academic life.
- 218. My friend bookeda suite at the Bellagio in Las Vegas right before inviting us for the party. Johnny Fernandez, the young and energetic man to be married, was one of my closestfriends since childhood and we are a bunch of people who have grown up together. It was a surprise for me that I found everyone at the party and Fernandez never disclosed the identities of the invited guests. Thereby, it was a pleasant event for us all the suite. We were eight in number in the childhood and surprisingly all of us were present although we lived in different parts of the USA. We could not manage time to meet each other in person, but all of us were there to wish luck for our friend, Fernandez. In our college and university days, we used to buck classes, watch movies in theatre halls, played poker and many other interesting things. Sometimes we also used to drink beer and sodabut some of us started consuming alcohol too to prove themselves adult and smart. So, we planned to recall the days amid the activities we did in those days. Fernandez arranged champagne for us with some delicious foods and we started the party by uncorking the champagne bottle. Most of the food items were made of meat like pork, beef, salads, and ended with desserts. Then we started for our night out at different casinos to play poker and participate in other suitable gambles. The party was special for me as I have never attended such a bachelor party although I have heard about it. Moreover, the presence of the childhood friends, whom I meet on social networking websites only, was a blessing for me. All of us went back at the early days of our life, recalled the memories, drank alcoholic beverages, and remembered the old fiancés and their memories, sang songs in harsh voices, walked on the streets of the Las Vegas resort town in Nevada, and did many other things. One of our friends got hooked with another woman in a casino and left to pass the remaining night with the newly introduced woman being possessed by her beauty and alcohol. I mostly enjoyed the walking and remembrance of the olden days. In fact, those were the best days of my life, of our live and all of us still lament for the days and want to go back to our childhood. Cue Card Answer 2: I have recently completed my graduation in Economics from Government College University Faisalabad in Pakistan. My college life is over but to remember the events, I organised a graduation party at my home. In fact, this was not my party alone rather for all the close mates of mine with
- 219. whom I havepassed the college days. This was a party where only the group members were invited who had an intimate relation with me during the college days. All of us gathered to celebrate the graduation and plan for the future days. Some of the mates were planning to leave the country for pursuing higher education while some others planned, like me, to have the post-graduation from the country. My family members also took part in the event. The party was held at my residence. All of us planned to make the party and accordingly contributed for the arrangement. We equally contributed for the foods, beverages and other arrangements so that all of us could enjoy it properly. I planned to have the party around a week before the party day and made a meeting with nine of my mates. We had some other friends as well but they were unable to meet on the planned date. So, we made the plan and materialised it. The party began in the evening and ended with a superb dinner. Everyone, who participated at the party, contributed to make it a successful. Food preparation was done my mum and sister while the food ingredients were brought by two of my friends and I gathered all the money required for the shopping from the participants. It was not a formal party rather we all felt some sort of lamentation inside as we are never going to get the days back again. So, everyone was remembering the old days that we passed in the college. We remembered how we bunked the classes when we were unable to complete the lessons or forget to bring the assignments. Besides, we also discussed the evil things we did hiding from our teachers during the lectures in the classrooms. Most of us were remembering the past days as we all knew it was our last meeting together. When we will enter into our careers, we would not be able to meet together and have chats and fun. Some of them were looking sad. But I inspired them and proposed to remain together in the upcoming days. I also suggested meeting at least once in a week at anywhere in the city. I enjoyed the party and especially the foods were delicious. My mother and sister prepared some of the traditional Pakistani food items like kebabs, chicken tandoori and biriyani. The party began with the serving of light soft drinks and gradually the other items were served. Besides, the moment when we all took pictures together was another important issue. Finally, the moment of departure appeared and it was really difficult for me to say goodbyeto my friends. Fortunately, still, we meet once in a week as per the decision made on that last meeting at my home.
- 220. Part 3 -Detail discussion / Two-way discussion: Family Parties: Q. What are the main reasons why people organise family parties in your country? A. Family parties are the events where the members of a family living in distant places come to meet together and have fun. In my country family parties are arranged for different reasons and the party range varies based on the familial status. If the families are rich and wealthy, the parties last longer than usual. The family parties are mostly organised marking the marriage of any family members and on some other petty issues like observing birthday or marriage anniversary etc. The family members are invited to attend the party with the other members of their family and the moments are pleasant for them during the party. But sometimes the parties do not remain the happier one as it is at the beginning owing to many unwanted and serious incidents that even leads to quarrelling among the members forming two or three groups. Q. In some places people spend a lot of money on parties that celebrate special family events. Is this evertrue in your country? Do you think this is a good trend or a bad trend? A. Like the other countries, the rich and wealthy families in my country organise family parties and they spend a huge sum of money for the parties. Mostly they prefer arranging party during the marriage ceremony or marriage anniversary, but the parties marking marriage ceremony last longer than the marriage anniversary party. When the parties are arranged, special decorative materials are used to decorate the house and almost all the rooms are newly decorated. Besides, catering services are engaged to supply quality foods for the invited guests. The amount of money spend in marriage is less than it is spent to arrange the family party only. Sometimes I think it is the wastage of money and wealth. They could have saved the money for the future use of the newly-wed. Q. Are there many differences betweenfamily parties and parties given by friends? Why do you think this is? A. The parties arranged by family members and those arranged by the friends are quite different for different reasons. The first and important issue about a family party is that you are to abide some rules and regulations in a family party. You cannot do whatever you want to drink alcoholic beverages without the permission from the organiser. But the scenario is the oppositein the parties arranged by
- 221. friends. One candrink as much as s/ he wants or smoke cigarettes in plenty. There is none to forbid over any issue. You can listen to songs at a louder volume, dance together with the friends and could use slangs to your friends and many other things which are considered as indecent in the family parties. The differences happen for the generation gap. Family parties invite guests of all ages while the friends never invite any adult or seniors in their parties. NationalCelebrations: Q. What kinds of national celebrations do you have in your country? A. We have different national celebration days and it begins from the beginning of the year with the celebration of the New Year‟s Day. Besides, the USA citizens observe some other days like Washington's Birthday, the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day etc. All the days remain holiday across the USA and the citizens observe the days according to their will. But it is important to offer gifts or small presents to the other people on the Thanks Giving Day and on Christmas Day. Some of the people also observe the last day of the year - December 31 in every year and exchange greetings to each other marking the beginning of a new year. Q. Who tends to enjoy national celebrations more:young people or old people? Why? A. The days are celebrated nationally and people of all strata participate in the observance. But the majority of the days are observed by young people and the seniors are fond of the days like Independence Day or the Birth Days of national heroes or presidents. It is done by this way due to the nature of the celebration. Christmas Day, New Year‟s Day or Thanksgiving Day has a special charm, and thus the young people make a huge fun on the days. So, they prefer the days more than the older people. On the other side, the older people cannot make such fun due to their age and mental advancements with the age. Q. Why do you think some people think that national celebrations are a waste of government money? Would you agree ordisagree with this view? Why? A. Observing the national days is a must for every country. It helps to let people, particularly the young people about the history of the country and people who made the history. The days tell them about the contributions of the national heroes to make the country into a free and progressive one. But the observancerequires lots of preparations and investment. Some people are on the view that this is wastage of money but is it actually wastage? I do not think so. By spending the money, the knowledge is being shared among the people and the government is paying the
- 222. required charge forthe knowledge. It is a simple issue. There is nothing to be worried about the sense that the money is being wasted. #91: Describe a meeting you remember going to Describe a meeting you remember going to at work, college orschool. You should say: when and where the meeting was held who was at the meeting what the people at the meeting talked about and explain why you remember going to this meeting. Model Answer 1: People meet with the other people over different issues and mostly it is done for socialising or serving some other important purposes. Ialso meet with people for various reasons and before holding the meeting, I usually set a schedule with them so that we do not have any scheduling troubles during the meet. But there is nothing amazing than a sudden meeting with the personyou are looking for in our mind. I also had such a meeting with a friend of mine while I was my way to work and finally the meeting was highly fruitful for me and my office. He has just returned the city from his month-long travel in several countries assigned by his office. I was entering my office and saw he was leaving the building. Although it was the beginning of a hefty day for me and I was too late for the office, I asked him if he could manage few times to spend with me at the coffee shop at the rooftop. He agreed and also took permission from his companions to sit for an informal meeting. Andrew was accompanied with two of his office colleagues who also went for the travel with him. My friend introduced me to his colleagues and they welcomed me
- 223. cordially after hearingabout me. I also showed the right courtesy to them in return. All of us went to the coffee shop located on the rooftop of our office building and gradually I came to know that they were seniors of our schools whom we did not meet in our schooldays. After a few moments, the relationship with them turned intimate and we started discussing different contemporary issues among us. But the most important issue of the meeting was revealed later during the conversation. They were at my office with a proposalto invest in the sectors we are currently working. In a word they wanted to start a new business with us and came to discuss the entire issue with the CEO of my firm. Unfortunately, the CEO had to attend an emergency and left the office right before the moment my friend arrives with his colleagues and meets me at the entrance. So, I made a phone call to the CEO and took permission to discussionthe business proposalwith them as I was assigned to amend the proposalthey submitted to the office previously. Thus, the initial formalities were done. The meeting was held about two years back and still is vivid on my mind for some certain reasons. We have started a joint venture with my friend‟s office. We are producing different raw materials for producing attires like buttons, clothes, packaging papers etc. They supply us with the finest quality raw materials and our office produces the productat our own industry. The profits are plenty and it is heard that the two companies will merge themselves into a single unit to form a large conglomerate. I was one of the persons who established the linkage between the two corporations. Sample Answer 2: I am a student of Daulat Ram College (DRC) in Delhi and love playing football. Accordingly, I do not miss any chances to participate in any of the matches and thus I had to meet with my football mates to discuss on an upcoming football tournament. The meeting was held at the café of the DRC. Each of the team members was present at the meeting as this is was the final day to set everything. In fact, we wanted to win the prize for us like the former year. But we were in a trouble. The key striker of the team got injured in a practice match and that made us worried. Without him, it is almost impossible for us to defeat the rival teams.
- 224. The meeting wasled by the coachand all the other members were present there except the striker – Ranjeet Kumer. Initially, the coachdescribed us the real situations and asked us to suggest the immediate steps to win the match. But none of us could provide any suitable solution for the problem. The possible solution that appeared on the meeting was to hire any external professional player for the team. I suggested to alloting the position to someone else from the team. But none of the solutions was feasible. My college team is unable to hire a professional football player for the match while none of us was capable enough to strike like Ranjeet. So, there were no lights. Finally, a solution came from the discussionthat the team will play without the striker. Though the supporting striker is unable to take the lead role, we all inspired him to play as like him and we, the other members, will provide the best supports from us. He, Rampaal Yadaav, partially agreed with us but he lacked confidence for that role. Now it was our turn to inspire him and everyone including the coach started inspiring him. At last, he agreed to play the role with one condition that if he fails, no one could blame him for the failure. He also opined that he would try his best in the match but cannot guarantee the success. I can remember going to the meeting as this was an important issue for us. My college turned winner in this inter-college for past three years and the college authority wants us to win this time as well. Thereby, a well-preparation was taken for the upcoming match but the suddeninjury of the key striker made us change the plan. In fact, the striker has been playing for last two years and supported greatly winning the matches. So, the match without him was unimaginable. At last, we made a draw in the match and had shared the victory with the opponent. But if we did not have that meeting on the day, we could have lost the match. Part 3 - Detail discussion / Two-way discussion: Going to Meetings: Q. What are the different types of meeting that people often go to? A. Meetings have different categories and applicable for different types of people. Mostly the word – „meeting‟ refers to any formal situations where some people talk together and make decisions on any specific issue. They might be business meetings, institutional meetings, governmental meeting with officials, global meetings etc. But not all the meetings are considered formal; there are informal meetings to decide over any petty matters. But the aim is the same – to decide
- 225. something important. Whenpeople meet together, they are able to discuss many issues, meeting agendas help to raise the issues and analyse the obstacles to march ahead. Then decisions are adopted after the agreement of the members participating in the meeting. Q. Some people saythat no one likes to go to meetings – what do you think? A. There are views that a meeting is boring and only the selected issues are discussed. So, someof the people may dislike attending meetings. But it could not be denied that the typical meetings are truly boring if held over any urgent or important issues. But sometimes the organisers of the meetings try to make the situations as normal as possible. They speak in a manner that people do not feel bored or allow them to break the monotony by entertaining themselves. Usually, people get bored over the long speeches of the members or dislike to sit idly. Participatory, the process is one of the best ways to make the meeting lively. Thus, it appears to me that all the meetings are not boring, they could be enjoyed too. Q. Why can it sometimes be important to go meetings? A. Meeting sometimes is important and requires the presence of all the members of the organisation or the invited guests. So, attending a meeting is important from different sides. The first thing is your presence. If you are present at the meeting, you will be asked to opine and the opinion will be granted as your contribution at the meeting. If you are holding any important position at any organisation, you need to be present at the meeting as it is necessary for you to be there to decide issues under your domination. If you are absent, the issues may not be discussed or you may not prefer the decisions made in your absence. Thereby, sometimes it is very important to be present at the meetings if invited. International Meetings: Q. Why do you think leaders often have meetings together? A. Global leaders often meet together not only for socialising rather they have important issues to discuss with each other. They have numerous issues related to their own countries and those need to be supported from the other countries for implementation. Moreover, they meet frequently to share the latest updates of their socio and economic conditions of their countries to the other leaders. Regular meetings also increase the bonding between the nations. When the other country leaders arrive into a neighbouring country, the locals entertain them with their hearts‟ content. As a result, the international bond turns stronger. Taking decisions over any national issues becomeeasier for the leaders as they could follow the examples of the other countries they have recently visited. Q. What possible difficulties might be involved in organising meetings between
- 226. world leaders? A. Organisingan international meeting is not as easy as it is heard. Most of the global leaders remain highly occupied with their national issues and thus they hardly could manage leisure hours. So, inviting the world leaders into a global meeting requires much time. The most common complexity is having the schedule and travel calendar of the global leaders. All the leaders do not follow the same routine to execute their respective duties and it happens for geographical distances. All of them could not manage time together to meet unless the situation is an emergency. When the schedule matches, the right accommodation and ensuring security is another concernfor the organisers. Therefore, the preparations are to be taken exactly and prior plans should be made to make the meeting happen. Q. Do you think that meetings betweeninternational leaders will become more frequent in the future? Or will there be less need for world leaders to meet? A. The physical presence always bears a great significance. As a result, the international leaders try to be physically present at the meetings. But we are marching towards a virtual world and life where physical presence will be not that much important as it is considered now. The global leaders could meet each other virtually and could have the participation at any international conference by sitting at their own desk. As a result, the need for frequent meetings will be reduced. But the physical meeting may be held infrequently to exchange highly confidential information or mitigate any suchissues which are shocking and threatening for all the nations. #92: An exciting competition or sporting event Describe an exciting competition or sporting event you have witnessed. You should say: what the competition or sporting event was when and where it took place who won and explain why it was exciting.
- 227. Model Answer 1: Participatingin sports is one of the best ways to keep fit both physically and mentally. The necessity of sports is immense in human life. It energises people who participate in the events and the pleasures are inexpressible. It also helps to achieve a specific skill and that is also usable in everyday life. There are different types of sporting events are also organised and the key purposeof the events are to create a friendly atmosphere among the players, increasing their intentions to participate more and inspire them to gain skills, expertise and perfectness on their respective sports. Usually, the corporatebodies are responsible for sponsoring the events in exchange of their advertisements. Basketball is one of the exciting sports and I love participating in the matches arranged in our college. A few months back, I was the witness of an exciting indoor basketball competition. The event was organised among the colleges of our city. Unfortunately, I could not participate in the match for my injury that I got right before the competition day while I was in practice. The inter-college basketball competition was held in the indoor sports courtof our college premise. The final competition held on the evening of the pre-scheduled day. Almost all the students of the city attended to enjoy the competition. The earlier matches were too exciting that they could not resist in joining on the final competition. Our indoor sporting gallery was filled with the audience on the competition day and they started gathering from the morning so that they could have their seats before someone else grab those. The battle was highly attractive. Our team has scored 25 while the opponent had only 17 in their bag. Our college team won the match with a huge difference, and it happened mostly for the outstanding practice of the players, their mutual understanding and overall the united efforts to bag the prize. The competition was too much exciting for me as I was one of the members of the team, and I forgot all my sorrows of my absence on the ground for my injury on the right leg which I got during attempting a jump to throw the ball on the net. It was the victory for us all who were involved with the playing team.
- 228. Alternative Answer 2: Avery exciting competition that I can remember is a cricket match I watched a few years back. It was a one-day cricket match between two mighty cricket teams – India and Australia. The match took place at Melbourne Cricket Ground and I watched the whole game and enjoyed the competition a lot. It was around 9:30 am local time when the match began and there were lots of fans and supporters ofboth teams who came there to enjoy the match and to support their favourite team. It was my first time in the Melbourne Cricket stadium where I went with one of my friends and his wife. The cricket match between India and Australia has a different dimension and contest as these two teams have been competitors from the very early days of cricket history. Their matches ignite some flair and it is quite a spectacular and enjoyable rivalry to watch. The 50 over cricket match was very competitive and fans were shouting and cheering with great enthusiasms. The Indian team did the batting and scored around 280 plus. That was a reasonable scorefor winning but their bowler had to perform their best to restrict the Australian batsmen. I was supporting my country - India and it was the last 3-5 overs of the game that was breathtaking and stirring. Both teams were performing their bestto win the game and the expressions of the viewers were something unheard of. The fate of the game was decided when an Australian batsman got out from a superb spin bowl of an Indian blower and the host team needed 7 runs from last 2 balls. It was the next ball that made the Indian fans to burst out in joys; it was a dotball with no run. The final ball of the match was still to be delivered and we were hoping that it goes without any unexpected outcome like „no ball‟ or „wide ball‟ which might still change the game‟s result. The host team took 2 runs from the last ball and it was a 4 run victory for the Indian Cricket team. The tight competition, my supportfor my team and wish to win the game, the supporters‟ boundless shouting, enthusiasm, the lively stadium and cheering made the game a very memorable one for me and this game was one of the most competitive cricket matches till the last moment. More Ideas to speak about this Cue Card topic/ Candidate Task Card:
- 229. This Idea Generationsection intends to give you more ways of talking about this cue card topic. It is always better to read the sample answer of a Cue card topic and then to brainstorm and collect your own thoughts before preparing an answer for a Cue Card topic. This cue card topic asks you to describe either a competition (any competition and not necessarily a sporting event) or a sporting event which was very amusing and exciting. Again you can talk about either a competition or sporting event in which you took part or witnessed. Following are some other alternative hints to describe the answer for this cue card topic: Part 3: Details Discussion: Q. What do you do to keepfit? A. To keep myself feet, I regularly perform exercises, mostly the free hand exercises, swimming, walking for an hour in a day etc. If I could manage more time, then I swim for an hour and the regular time allotted for swimming is 30 minutes for me. Moreover, I have a private gym where I exercise with instruments but I use the gym for once or twice in a week. Q. Are you goodat sport? A. I am very good at sportand like it very much. I usually participate in sports in the weekends or whenever I get time. Q. What sports do you play? A. I mostly prefer to play basketball and table tennis is another one that I admire most. During the basketball time, I like to be at the attacking position in the front line and also supportthose who are with me during the attack on the opponent court. Q. What is the most popular sport in your country? A. In my country, cricket is the most popular sportand the team has occupied a strong position on the world ranking. The national team has been performing very well in cricket. Q. What are the best ways to keepfit? A. Exercising for at least one hour a day is one of the best ways to keep fit. Moreover, one can also participate in sports too. Sports increase the stamina level and thus they players remain fir for always. Apart from exercise, a healthy diet and positive lifestyles are also two important aspects for remaining fit.
- 230. Q. What isthe most popular form of exercise in your country? A. Walking is the most popular exercise in my country. Many of the people get out for a walk in the morning and the rest who cannot manage time in the morning; they complete the walk at evening or at night. Apart from that jogging and running in the open spaceis also popular in my country as a form of exercise. Q. Do you think people in your country are less healthy than they used to be? A. I do not think that people are less healthy these days; rather they are healthy enough and it has happened as they are taking the right and nutritious foods and having their exercises in regular interval. Q. How canwe encourage young people to stayhealthy? A. Health is considered as the most precious wealth. People should be informed about the detrimental effects of poorhealth and what types of diseases accompany with the deteriorated health conditions. Massive campaigns may be conducted on mass media over the importance of a good health. More sporting and gym should be established from government's fund as well. Q. Should governments intervene to force people to be healthier? A. I believe that if a man is made understood about anything in the right manner, force is unnecessary to be applied on the case. Similarly, the government does not need to form any interventions forcing people to be healthier. When the people will be aware of the negative impact of an ill health, they will try to be healthy by themselves.
- 231. #93: Give youropinionin a questionnaireor survey Describe a time when you were askedto give your opinion in a questionnaire or survey. You should say: what the questionnaire/survey was about why you were asked to give your opinions what opinions you gave and explain how you felt about giving your opinions in this questionnaire/ survey. Model Answer 1: Questionnaire is one of the best ways to collect data over any specific issue to conducta research work or improving the current situations. It helps to collect the real information by asking few similar questions and most of the time the information provided are proved accurate and correct. Once I was interviewed by two people (a male and a female) from a local cell phone operator over the use of cell phone and the facilities I received from my subscribing company. One of the information collectors asked me different questions while the other one wrote down the answers. The survey was also about improving the network facilities, adjusting tariffs, providing free data or Wi-Fi service at any specific zone, allowing the subscribers to change their digits after their will or having any special number for use and more other issues related to the telecommunication sector. I have been using Vodafone for about 15 consecutive years and thus I have turned into an important client for the company in my city. At first, I received a phone call from my cell phone operator that it wants to hear from me and accordingly after my approval, it will send a team for a semi-formal interview of mine. I agreed and set a calendar for the interview. But I had no idea that they are going to use a structured questionnaire to take my answers. I provided positive feedback in favour of Vodafone which I have been using to
- 232. communicate with everyone.They asked me about my basic information in the beginning and also promised to keep the information confidential. Then I said that Vodafone needs to set a few network towers in my area to provide a better signal as sometimes we are to experience sudden call drops. Besides, I also supported their initiative to reduce the tariffs and creating Wi-Fi zones in specific spots. Moreover, I supported their initiative to allow the users to get a special number after their demands and it will be helpful for the young generation users. To be frank over the interview, when I was interviewed, I felt that I am special. Someone cares for my comment and works accordingly. It was a special experience for me although I had to think for a while before answering the questions. The most important issue of the survey was to gather opinion about the popularity of Vodafone in Patras in Western Greece region. Vodafone networks suddenly started unusual behaviours in the entire region and when the problem was solved, the cell phone operator wanted to justify its popularity and selected me as a respondent for the survey. I was amazed at the questions that they have provided were simple and did not require much time to answer. Some of the questions were open-ended. However, it was truly an honour for me that a cell operator has asked me earlier for the interview and has sent people to meet me on the day I proposed. Itake humble pride that my opinions will be reflected in policies of the cell operator in the coming days. Model Answer 2: Recently I participated in a survey conducted by a local train agency in Kuala Lumpur. Since I am a regular passenger of their services, I was selected to express my opinions on their service and how that could be improved. The selection process ofthe survey was interesting. The people engaged with the survey selected people randomly. They selected every 10th ticket holder from Kuala Lumpur station who bought their tickets in early hours of the day. I also came to know that the survey will run around the day and the gathered information will be analysed and used to improve the train services. I gave my opinions and also recommended. The interviewers also informed me that the statements I will deliver will be kept secret and only will be used for research purposes. I was asked to provide my opinions about the overall conditions of the train service. As a large number of people use the train service here in Kuala Lumpur, it is
- 233. impossible to takeopinions from every one of them. So, the surveyors are following some methods and techniques in selecting the respondents. As per their selection method, I was selected to opine on the issue. In fact, they were conducting research on how the service quality could be improved and make the entire system more modernised and in such circumstances, it was important to get information from the commuters to know the real scenario. Such surveys help revealing the real information which could not be accessed orgathered without a survey. I pointed out some of the specific issues about their train service. The top most important issue, that I figured, was the ticket price. In line with the modern world, the ticket price needs a decrease. The other countries are selling train tickets at a lower rate while Kuala Lumpur, the local train tickets are a bit more. Another important issue was comfortability. Presently, the issue of comfortability in train ride is under threat. A large number of people are riding on trains to reach their destinations but the majority of them appear uncivilised. They ride on a train, spit here and there which pollutes the internal environment. So, suchissues should be brought under the scanner and people with such cases should be punished. Besides, the trains make late which causes schedule damage for the passengers. This is happening frequently in the present days. I suggested taking steps to eliminate such delays or at least make people aware of the delays through the public announcement in the stations. It will save their times and labour. It was the very first experience of my life to get interviewed. There were two of them who took my interview. One of them asked me questions from a questionnaire while the second one recorded my speech. Both of them agreed with me in some points and said that they will inform the authority about the matters. In fact, they were not linked with the train company rather hired professionals for such large-scale surveys. However, I recommended some other steps like increasing the routes and issuing lower-priced tickets for students like me etc. It was a nice experience for me indeed. Part 3 - Detail Discussion / Two-way discussion: Asking Questions: Q. What kinds of organisations wantto find out about people’s opinions? A. Surveys are mostly done to bring out the opinions of the commoners to reach any specific goal. The surveys generally are undertaken by research organisations, government bodies and agencies and other similar organisations engaged in different development activities. But a survey may be undertaken at any time by
- 234. any sortof organisationbased on the needs. So, it does not always point that the research agencies are liable for conducting surveys. It may happen that educational institutions are undertaking studies to compare the quality and standard of education in any certain geographical location, or any television channel is undergoing a research to know about its popularity in the state. Q. Do you think that questionnaires or surveys are goodways of finding out people’s opinions? A. To get a clear idea about any specific issue, the survey is one of the most effective tools. It helps to bring out the peoples‟ opinions over any specific situation or matters. The survey questionnaires are designed in such an effective manner that all the necessary information is gathered within the shortest possible time. Moreover, the questions are not repeated in the paper so that the respondents do not feel bored by the repeated questions. Sometimes the questions are asked in a disguise of chatting and the answers are kept in notes to be filled up later if the respondent is seen busy. At the end of the survey, a clear image is discovered and thus, it is helpful to reflect people‟s opinion over any specific issue. Q. What reasons might people have for not wanting to give their opinions? A. Actually, people answer almost all the questions unless the questions appear to be harmful or too personal for them. When they find the questions illogical or unusual, they may not provide any specific or correctreply against the question. Sometimes the questionnaires may contain few confidential issues which may not be preferred by the people. So, when there are such secret or unusual questions, people try to keep away from the questions. Further, if the questionnaire asks to inform about something illegal, people may be reluctant in answering them lest they turn sufferer. Questionnaires in schools: Q. Do you think it would be a goodidea for schools to ask students their opinions about lessons? A. Asking student about their lessons is a good idea for the educational institutions for the betterment of the students. When the students will be asked to provide their opinion on any specific issue or lesson, they will describe their problems with the lesson. It may happen that they are suggesting ways to make the lesson easier. It may seem weird to ask questions about any specific lesson to the students but it is the easiest way to help the students overcoming their lagging. If they discuss a tough lesson at the class with the teacher and set the way to learn the topic, I think it will be nicer for them.
- 235. Q. What wouldthe advantages for schools be if they askedstudents their opinions? A. When the teachers will allow their students to ask questions about any specific topic or lesson of any bookor course, they will share the most difficult topic. Then the teachers in opinion with the students will set a standard way to teach the topic. As a result, the students will have a good scorein the tests which will make the schoolor the institution more popular among the contemporary institutions or schools in the locality. Besides, it will help to raise the standard of education in the schoolwhich is considered as the best criteria by parents regarding admitting their kids into any school. Q. Would there be any disadvantages in asking students’ opinions? A. There are few disadvantages too. It should be taken care that the students are not exploiting the chance of taking their opinion. They should be made aware of the issue that the opinions are accepted only for overcoming any specific issues. It may also happen that the students turn reluctant to study at home as they are getting the answers in the class which has potential negative impacts on them in future. If such attempts are found, those should be taken care of in the very beginning. #95: Topic: A Good Leader “Describe a friend who you think is a goodleader” You should say: – Who this friend is – How you first met – How other people behave towards him or her; – And explain why you think he or she is a good leader. Sample Answer: I‟m going to talk about a friend of mine. His name is Peter. Although he‟s very young – only a year ahead of me, Peter is a co-founder of our school‟s English Club.
- 236. Actually, English isnot my major at university but all of the students are required to take IELTS test as part of the graduation requirements. So I decided to join the English Club and that‟s how I met him. My first impression of this friend was that he had a good command of English and, also, he demonstrated a great passion for this language. He helped me practice making conversations in English for a while before we became close friends. The thing that most people, including myself, find attractive about Peter is that he has such a great sense of humor. I mean, he can make anyone laugh even when they don‟t feel like to. He has a way of making people feel cheerful and comfortable when they are around him. I definitely think Peter is a competent leader because he knows exactly how to connect with people in his network and motivate them to achieve common goals. He‟s incredibly creative as well. Taking part in his English Club is many students‟ favorite activity. He has such a positive influence on people, which I think is what it takes to become a pioneer. #96: An interesting conversation you had An interesting conversationyou and one of your friends recently had. You should say: What the conversation was about Who you had it with Where and how long you had this conversation And explain why you think it was an interesting conversation. Model Answer: I am Silvia Costaand in my school, I have many friends and classmates. All of
- 237. them are dearto me but my best friend is named Emmy and she lives beside my apartment. I had a conversation with her a few days ago about the day out we had in the last month. I had a chat with Emmy for about one hour and I described her about the things we did in the outing. I with some of my schoolfriends and mates went on a day out and travelled different parts of the Paris city. Emmy could not accompany us as she went with her parents. In the conversation, I told her that we went to see the Eiffel Tower and the Musee du Louvre on the day. I talked over the tower and the museum and the things we had seen there. Since she could not go with us, I tried to refill the gap with the descriptions about our visit so that she could also know about what we did in her absence. The conversation (chat suits more than conversation) was held with Emmy Bartholdi. She is also studying with me in the high schooland lives just beside our apartment. I like her most and she is my best friend as we have similarities in different issues. First of all, she loves to read books, and I too. Sometimes we exchange books particularly the thrillers. When we plan to go for a day out, she agreed in the beginning but could not be present at the event as she had to go for a visit to her paternal aunt on an emergency basis with her father. When she returned from her relative‟s place, she asked me to describe the entire event. On an evening and after attending the class, she returned home with me. After around an hour she came to our apartment and started the chat. We talked for an hour over the day out and I also showed her the photos that I captured and shared on my social networking site account. We discussed different issues as well and she told that her paternal aunt suddenly fell ill and was hospitalised and thus she had to
- 238. rush with herfather to meet her immediately. I also described what we did on the day, where we stopped, fromwhere we took our foods, which sortof fun we had and more other issues. Actually, both of us remain busywith our home assignments, studies and other small domestic chores like helping mom in different ways or decorating the apartment and such other tasks. So, we cannot manage time to sit and talk together. In school, we also do not have extra time for the pressure of academic activities. Sometimes she comes at my home or I go to her to exchange books. But we do not talk usually at those moments. So, it was an interesting talking event with my best friend and it was more like a small event of the two. I entertained her with cookies and coffee while she brought a large chocolate for me. In fact, the conversation was great. Part 3 – Details Discussion: Q. What are the differences betweentopics that women and men usually discuss? A. The conversations of males and females are entirely different. They discuss different topics. When the males meet, they talk ab topics like the current political situations, sports, major national and international events etc. But when the females gather together, they usually discuss the issues of cosmetics, clothing, and food recipes, planning for any upcoming events, and more other similar issues. But men mostly talk over issues related to them or their surrounding environment that may affect them while the women seem careless over the issues as their male counterparts are there to take care of them.
- 239. Q. Why aresome people afraid of public speaking? A. Sometimes people are afraid to speak publicly because they lack confidence and sometimes they are shy. It also occurs that some of them have had bitter experience for talking in public. But the lack of confidence is the most important factor in this case and people lose their confidence level when they start to talk before a gathering regardless of formal or informal. A great deal of practice is able to improve the situation. Confidence level, thus, will be increased automatically if someone keeps practising the public speaking. #97: Describesomethingthat is produced in your country Describe something that is produced in your country (e.g., a food, a handicraft, or a car) You should say: what the productis what it is used for how it is made and explain why your country produces this thing. Model Answer 1: This is the age of communication and technology. Vehicles are the most important and necessary mode of communication. There are different sorts of vehicles are available around the world and used for travelling from one place to another for various specific or unspecific reasons.
- 240. Germany is globallyfamous for producing cars and the automotive industry is considered as one of the best and largest industry in the world. The automotive industry is producing different types of cars and has created employment for nearly a million of people across the country. German automobile produces modern, stylish, and well-designed cars, and the features are competitive too in the European countries. The productionof automobiles in Germany boomed after the 1960s and the expansion is still in progress. The most notable cars are Audi, BMW, Ford, Porsche, Volkswagen, Opel, Mercedes-Benz etc. Mostly the cars are used for personal transportation. According to the demand by the buyers, sometimes the cars are customised and special features are added in the vehicles. At times, some special types of sports cars are made to be used in car races across the world. Then the cars are made with special care and prices also go up for the extraordinary characteristics. But the manufacturers also producecars for massive transportation like highway bus that carries passengers from one place to another inside or outside of the country. Interestingly, some of the people place orders for sports cars for their personal use by spending a huge sum of money. Whatever the prices are, the vehicles supportthe users for longer periods. In the early days, the cars were made on hand and using few employees but with the change of time the demands of the cars have increased greatly and thus the making process has also been mechanised. Technologically advanced machines are used to make almost all the parts of a car and some of the workers are used to assemble the parts together. Commonly, some employees are engaged in the assembling of specific parts using a conveyer belt. The car bodystops at different stations on a conveyer belt and then the expert hands join the parts with machines
- 241. and tools. Whenthe assembly in done for any specific part, the bodymoves forward to the next station. The workers are split into several units under a division to assemble the bodyparts and thus the assembly is done. However, the assembly requires a substantial amount of time as a car is made of numerous specialised metal parts, tools and instruments including electronic circuits, plastics materials, rubber tires, glass and many other things. When all the elements are assembled together, the car turns into a full functioning vehicle. Germany has been producing automobile since the 18th century and is considered as the birthplace of this industry. Earlier, the number of produced cars was limited but with the increasing global demand, it has started massive automobile production and the most famous brands are produced in Germany. The most important cause of the German automobile demand is its sustainability and comfort. The cars made by Germany are economic in terms of fuel consumption and could be used for years. In terms of quality, the German cars belong to the top class and provide continuous service to the users and require some routine checks only. The German automobiles are made for luxury and engineered for travelling long distance with a higher speed. Model Answer 2: Rice is one of the main agricultural products in India and considered as the staple food for the majority of the population living in Southeast Asia. This is the only food crop that is found in almost all parts of the world and is preferred as the main
- 242. food item onthe table. India is one of the largest rice growers in the world and the contribution is around 20% comparing the global rice production in different other countries. The rice production level has increased in the present days than the past to meet the hunger of the increased population of the country. India mainly produces the brown and white rice and the demands for both the rice are skyrocketing. Rice is used as the main food for the majority of the Indians though some of them prefer to have bread instead of rice on their meal. But rice is still on the top of the list and been serving the people since time immemorial. Rice is grown from paddy and it needs to be cooked before serving. Usually, the productionlevel remains upwards but due to some natural disasters like droughts or excessive rains help to decline the rice production. Gradually, the lands producing paddies are expanding and in fact, rice covers the largest crop producing lands of the country. There are different sorts of rice is available and they have various purposes. Someof them are used for preparing regular meals while the special ones are used to cookdistinctive foods marking occasions. Rice is basically a food grain grown on a tree known as paddy. It requires fertile lands, plenty of water, and the climate should be humid and moderately hot. Besides, a moderate rainfall is also required for the cultivation of rice. Rice is grown in plenty in India since the climatic features are favourable for rice growth. The hot and comfortable climate helps flourishing the paddies on the land. Traditionally, the fields are ploughed before sowing rice seeds and fertilizers and cow dungs are used to enhance the fertility of the land. When there are scarcities of rain, irrigation is required and that is done by ground water using tube wells or
- 243. deep tube wells.These are the traditional methods for growing rice but some other non-traditional methods are followed as well some of the Indian regions to produce rice. India grows rice not only to meet the increasing food demands, rice is tastier than the other types of food grains as well and could be taken with several types of curries and vegetables. This is the only food grain that delivers special aroma after cooking. Moreover, the preparation process forrice is also simpler and requires no spices at all. Only a cooking pot and a couple mugs of water are enough to cookthe rice. India produces rice as the cultivation needs fewer efforts than other food crops, and the produced rice is exported which brings a good profit for the country. Part 3: Detail Discussion: Food Production Q. What are some of the main food products ("foods")that your country produces? A. Foods, particularly the agricultural products in Germany are different from region to region despite being the country an agricultural land. Cereals are mostly grown across the country and sugar beets are another important agricultural product. Besides, various types of vegetables are also found and sold in marketplaces. Vineyards are located in the river valleys. The foods are produced in such a manner that the prices are lower but the farmers have their profit to a pleasant level. Organic farming is followed across the country to ensure the highest level of production. Q. What are some food products that come from different parts of your country?
- 244. A. Being anagricultural country, it produces different sorts of food items both seasonal and round the year. Vegetable like carrots, potatoes, cabbage, spinach, beans, cauliflowers, tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce, cucumbers, broccolietc. are produced in different parts of Germany. Moreover, there are some fruits like apples, lemons, kiwis, oranges, avocados, peaches, pears, nectarines, strawberries, plums, cherries etc. are also grown across Germany and mangoes, bananas, coconuts and pineapples are also found in German localities. Q. What widely consumedfood products are mainly imported into your country? A. The most consumed food of Germany is meat like beef, pork etc. But pork is the most popular meat across Germany. However, chicken, duck, lamb, rabbit, boar etc. are also consumed in different occasions and available round the year. Fish is another most wanted item in Germany and the most common fishes consumed are trout, carp, pike etc. Vegetables are the part and parcel of German cuisine and it is a must on the food menu. Mostly the vegetables are used to make soups orstews and sometimes are served as side dish. Take away foods are also popular in Germany. Dried foods also have a big demand among the Germans, particularly in some specific locations. Besides, various types of foods are imported to Germany including live animals, beverages, oils – vegetable and animal, oil seeds, citrus, avocados, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, potatoes, apples, broccoli, garlic, pears, bananas, mangoes, mushrooms cauliflowers etc. Q. Do you think it's important that a country is self-sufficient in food? A. A country should be self-sufficient in food productionfor different reasons. The
- 245. first thing isthat import is a complex process and at times the food items get damaged for the transportation process and the pricing goes beyond the budget. As a result, the final consumers are to get the items at a higher rate than usual. Besides, the import process may also get delayed or obstructed for global political disability. If the country is in need of the products, thosebecome unavailable inside of the country and the unscrupulous merchants create a syndicate to extend their illegal profit by storing the available goods. Other Products /International Trade Q. Besides foodand the product you mentioned earlier, what else is made in your country? A. Germany is the country that makes a large number of necessary things. The produced elements are globally delivered for the daily use of global people. The most important products include ships, electronic gadgets and gears, beverages like beer of different types and Fanta, filing cabinets, printers, envelops, papers, cosmetics products like Nivea, medicines like aspirin, branded sportswear products Puma, Faber Castell pencils, electronic cigarettes, grooming brushes, medical products, cartires, sailboats, handicrafts, clothing, perfumes and more other elements. Q. Do you think the globalisationofindustry and commerce is a goodthing? A. Globalisation has made a massive change in the world. The world has turned into a global village for the entire process and as a result, people have the chances to enjoy products or services of foreign countries. The globalisation of industry and commerce has made consumption comfortable to the global consumers. Any specific goods, service or productproduced in a certain part of any geographical location is now available in the remotest part of the world and this has happened for
- 246. globalisation process. Q. Doyou think every country should make everything it needs or should it import some things? A. It is my individual conceptthat every country may not make or produce everything it needs due to various causes and most importantly the lack of available resource. The resources required to make or produceany specific productis unavailable everywhere. For instance, the Middle East countries are selling oil across the world as they have plenty but if they did not have, then they had to import oil from the producing countries. So, I think in some cases a country should import the necessary items. Q. What are the disadvantages ofa country producing everything it needs? A. When a country will produceeverything it needs, the economic situation may turn worse. When the necessary items will be available for all the people the currency value will go down. Moreover, there is a common trend of wasting materials when they are found in abundance. So, the chance of production material wastage like mineral or artificial resources wastage will emerge. People will be unaware of using or applying the produced, and if the products were imported, the people would have used them with care.
- 247. #98: A presentwhich you were given and that you broken accidentally Describe a present which you were given and that you brokenaccidentally. You should say: what is it for what occasionit was presented to you how you broken it how you felt when you broke it. Model Answer 1: When I was a grade-schooler, my father bought me a toy robotmade with plastic and steel. It was nice looking and I liked it most for the movements and noise it created. The toy robot created some noises resembling of handguns and also said some words like – stop or I will shoot. It appears that the toy robotwas made based on any police character. The robotturned into the most intimate companion of mine for next few months. My father presented me the toy roboton my birthday. On my 9th birthday, my father presented me the best gift of my entire life. They earlier had decided to observe the birthday amid joy and accordingly they planned to surprise me. I did not have any idea that they planned to surprise me by inviting the relations and my schoolfriends. I was mostly surprised by the present of my father. I was fond of the toy robotthat even I took it in my school. But unfortunately, one day the robotgot damaged. It required batteries to run and I
- 248. made it fellon the ground during the battery-changing process. Therobotwas kept on a higher place and I board on a chair to get the robot. When I had the robotin my hand, I started changing the batteries and opened the back side of the robot. It was my bad luck that I did not grab the robotstrongly while opening its back. As a result, it fell down and severely one of its hands was damaged. I was feeling down with the accident. I was deeply fond of the robotthat I tookto sleep with me at night. It was the constantcompanion for me. But I was amazed at the attitude of parents when the consoled me with different pleasing words. Cue Card Answer 2: My mother gave me a coffee mug on my 19th birthday and within few weeks that mug was broken unintentionally. The coffee mug was beautifully designed and my mother had my name and her birthday wish written on that mug from a designer‟s shop. This white mug was a very special gift for me as my mother took the time to pick a gift for me and then took it to a designer‟s shop to make it even special. I was living in my university dormitory at that time and my mother sent that present through a parcel service and to my amazement this gift arrived exactly on my birthday. After I received the gift I called my mother and thanked her for the magnificent gift and wishes. I could not be home on my birthday due to my exams. However, I received many wishes and some gifts from my friends and relatives. Interestingly I was drinking more coffee than usual after I got that coffee mug from my mother. First few days I took great care of this mug and cleaned it meticulously. After my exam was over, I needed very few cups of coffee except in the morning
- 249. and that‟s whyI placed the mug just on the right side of my desk where I could easily find it in the morning. On one sad morning, I was talking to one of my friends over the cell phone and I tried to grab the coffee mug from my bed. That must have been a stupid decision as I could not hold the mug firmly from bed and to my surprise the mug dropped onthe floor and it was broken in several prices. I was so sad that I became very angry and rebuked myself for being so careless. That was an exceptional gift for me and I was speechless for few moments. I cleaned the floor and collected the broken pieces from there and started feeling more miserable when I looked at the broken pieces of the beautiful mug. My roommate tried to soothe me but I was feeling very low at that time. It is beyond my ability to describe how sad I really felt. I could easily purchase a new mug or even my mother would love to do that, but nothing would replace the special care and wished this particular mug had. I felt like as if I have lost something very important which is irreplaceable. Idea Generation for this Cue Card / Candidate Task Card topic: You can talk about any gift item which is fragile. First, say who gave you this gift and on what occasion. Then tell how much this gift meant to you. Finally, talk about the incident when it was broken. Forthis cue card you can talk about the following gift items and then generate your own idea to effectively describethe accompanying questions of this cue card topic: A showpiece made of glass. A toy. A household appliance. Tea set. A mobile phone. A wall clock.
- 250. A wristwatch. An alarm clock. A cricket bat. A pot plant. An aquarium. A coffee mug. An electronic device. A blender machine. A trophy. Useful Vocabulary you can use while talking about this Cue Card topic: Synonyms of 'Present':Gift, souvenir. Synonyms of 'Accidentally': Unintentionally, by mistake, unwittingly, fortuitously. Some sad feelings: Unhappy, sombre, sad, distress, gloomy, bleak, sorrowful, wistful, sorry, feeling blue. Part 3 – Two-way discussion: Famousstores in your country: Q. Tell me about any famous stores that sales presents. A. "Gift Box" is one of the famous present selling stores in the 5th Avenue of New York. The store is mostly famous for the knick-knacks and souvenirs. Besides, the refund policy of the store is also praiseworthy. The store sells almost all types of products with a reasonable price and even the customers can also place orders for products which are currently unavailable. Q. Tell me about any famous markets or stores which attract tourists. A. Walmart is global chain store and running its operation in over 20 countries of the world. The store is famous among the tourists in the USA. Usually, the
- 251. Walmart shops sella large number of products ofvaried interest under a reasonable cost. People visiting the USA never miss the chance to peep at the store to have their necessaries. Q. Why are they popular with tourists? A. The multinational shop is mostly famous among the tourists because of reasonable price. Moreover, it sells all types of products and they never compromise with quality. The staffs of all the branches are truly helpful to the customers and particularly for the tourists. They take the right care of them with the right manners. So, the tourists never miss the chance to do shopping in the Walmart. Advantagesand disadvantagesof giving present Q. Would you agree that presents are always advantageous forpeople? A. Nothing in the world has merits only, and similarly giving presents always does not mean it is advantageous. At times it may happen that the presents may not be received cordially or may be misused in different ways. Sometimes the presents may disappoint the receivers too. Q. What kinds of presents are suitable for people in any situations? A. Not all presents are suitable for every situation but there are some frequently used presents like – coffee mug, photo holder or photo albums, paintings, gift cards, attractive showpieces etc. may suit all the occasions. However, the best process to give a present is to learn about the occasionbefore and get a present after the event type.
- 252. Q. How doyou think the way of giving presents will change in the future? A. Time changes everything and the way of giving present will also experience change. In future, people may becomemore dependent on electronic gifts or may also use gift delivery services to deliver the presents from one place to another. There would be more occasions than today for exchanging gifts and wishes. #99: Describe a gift you have receivedthat was importantto you Describe a gift you have receivedthat was important to you. You should say: who gave it to you and for what occasion what it looks like and how you use it when you received it and explain why this gift was important to you. Model Answer 1: When I was a child, I was given a block set on the eve of Christmas as a gift. One of my maternal uncles gave that block set to me because I liked to play with the blocks more in my childhood. I was truly surprised when my maternal uncle came to our home to give me the wonderful gift, although, in the beginning, I did not realise that he was at our home for presenting me the wonderful block set. A medium plastic container wrapped in papers was given to me on the Christmas day and when I opened the container, I found the blocks. I was highly surprised and happy too for the excellent gift from my uncle. The blocks were made of top class plastic and there were no sharp edges. They were of different sizes and some of the block pieces were attached with wheels. The block shapes were not same. I used to make different structures with the block set. I preferred robots, aeroplanes, cars, houses and more other stuff using the block set.
- 253. The block setwas important to me for several reasons. Firstly the blocks looked nice and were handy to use. Secondly, I have learnt many facts of my real life using the blocks. They have taught me patience and perseverance – when I used to fail in making any desired or imagined structure, I waited, took a pause from the making, used to think deeply over the structure and finally made that. Cue Card Answer 2: My grandfather was one of my most favourite personalities and he was a great teacher and mentor. He inspired me to read and I have read a lot of books only because of his inspiration and guidance for me. He died in 2010 (may God bless his soul and rest him in peace) and that was an immense loss for me. He once gave me a booktitled „The Giving Tree‟ written by „Shel Silverstein‟ and I still consider it as the bestgift I have ever received. I was about 10 or 11 years old and a 4th-grade school-going children when I received this gift from my grandfather. I can‟t recall what the exact occasionwas when he gave me the book. All I can remember is that he went to the town for a week for his business and when he returned he gave me a bookwith an excellent cover picture. The bookwas a hard covered average size bookand there was a small boy who was looking upward towards a tree and a fruit was falling towards the boy. My grandfather gave me this gift with some chocolates and a toy car. I kept the bookon my desk for a while and one day he asked me whether I liked the story of the bookhe gave me. I was a bit ashamed to hear that as I have not touched the book at all and I told him that I have not read it yet. He smiled and told me that he loves this story. The next day morning I started reading this bookand to my amazement, I was so engrossed in the story that I forgot to go outside to play with other boys. It took me the whole day to finish the bookand after reading this bookI felt an appetite to read more storybooks like this one for the first time in my life. That was just the beginning and after that, I become a regular reader. This bookhas an excellent story that taught me the importance of loving others. I realised how my parents and other family members are sacrificing for me. Honestly, I becomemore attached to my mother than my playmates after realising her true sacrifice for me. This bookopened a new horizon for me and this was the beginning of a wonderful journey in my life. I read whenever I get time these days and I believe that a reader leads many lives and can think from many different perspectives. All this have been possible only because the gift and blessing my grandfather bestowed me.
- 254. Rounding off questions: Q.Why do we like receiving gifts? A. Well, gifts are always special to us. A gift reminds us a happy event or someone special and thus as a human we have a natural tendency to receive gifts and presents. Apart from that, it is always good to get something that might be useful for us. Possessing something we like and then getting it from someone on a special occasionis desirable to all human. Q. Can we sometimes hate a gift? A. Yes, I think so. Especially when it is given by someone we do not like at allMaybebe the hatred is for that personwhich makes us not to receive his gifts very warmly as well. Sometimes we hate gifts that we personally do not like at all. For instance, if someone does not like chocolate at all and gets a box of chocolates as a gift on his birthday, would most likely hate the gift. Often we may hate a gift if our expectation of the gift was totally different from that person. Idea Generation for this Cue Card / Candidate Task Card Topic: For this cue card, you can talk about any gift, prize or present you received in your life. That could be a simple chocolate that someone dear to you gave or could be a luxurious item like a car. Following are some of the ideas that you can use to prepare your own answer: A birthday gift you got from one of your family members. A computer/ laptop/ mobile phone that you got as a gift from your parents. A gift that a teacher gave you. A gift you received on your graduation day. Any electronic device that you got as a gift. Any toy you were given in your childhood. A book, notebook, pen that you were given by a friend. A household appliance that you were given and you used. A gift you received from a cousin. A present that you could not purchase but was given by someone. A bat, ball, gloves or costume that you received from someone you care. A furniture or an ornament.
- 255. A car,house, prize bond etc. Useful Vocabulary for describing this Cue Card: Gift Synonyms: Present, offering, bequest, endowment, reward, tip. Important Synonyms: Significant, essential, prime, key, vital, crucial, paramount meaningful, considerable. OccasionSynonyms: Event, celebration, party, moment, time, instance, affair, function, Looks like Synonyms: Appearance, resembles. - End -