Speaking

Sample 1:- Friends

Part 1 – sample questions

 Have you got a lot of friends or do you prefer to have just a few good friends?
 Do you keep in touch with any childhood friends?
 Do you find it easy to make friends?
 How often do you see your friends?
 What do you usually do with your friends?
 Has a friend ever let you down?
 Have you made any friends over the Internet?
 How do you maintain a good friendship?
 Do you ever fight with your friends?
 Would you tell a friend everything?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe one of your closest friends

You should say:

 how you met

 how long you have been friends
 why you think you became friends and explain why you like this person

Part 3 – sample questions

 How are friendships different now than they were when you were a child?
 Why do people need friends?
 What are the qualities needed to be a good friend?
 Is it common in your country to have friendships across different generations?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of these kinds of friendships?
 What kinds of places are good to meet friends in your country?
 What kinds of things should friends never do?
 Do you think ‘friendship’ is the most important kind of relationship?
 Do you think the internet is a good way to make new friends?
 How can technology help friendships?
 In what way do friendships formed on the internet differ?
 How can friends influence a person’s life in a positive way?
 What kinds of things can people learn through their friends?

Useful Vocabulary - friend(s)

Verb + Noun Collocations (verb + friends)

 become friends
 make friends
 remain friends
 stay friends
 break up with friends

Adjective + Noun Collocations (adjective + friend)

  best friend
 close friend
 true friend
 firm friend
 childhood friend
 school friend
 lifelong friend
 fair-weather friend
 mutual friend
 toxic friend

Useful Vocabulary - friendship

Adjective + Noun Collocations (adjective + friendship)

 close friendship
 long-standing friendship
 (ever)lasting friendship
 loving friendship
 intimate friendship
 strong friendship

Verb + Noun Collocations (verb + friendship)

 strike up a friendship
 develop a friendship
 build up a friendship
 form a friendship
 break up a friendship
 destroy a friendship
 renew a friendship
 rekindle a friendship

Useful phrases

 a friend for life

 a circle of friends
 a friend in need (is a friend indeed)
 friendship bonds/ties
 in the spirit of friendship
 a token of friendship

Useful linkers / discourse markers

 well
 but
 and eventually
 so
 as well
 however
 like

Sample answer

Do you think the internet is a good way to make new friends?

Well, I think it can be. The internet has opened up new possibilities, but there are disadvantages too of course. If you
use social media a lot, there is plenty of opportunity to get to know people you might never meet face to face and
eventually some of these might become good friends. These people might be from different cultures, so you can
learn a lot as well. However, you have to remember that there’s no way of knowing someone that well, just via the
internet, and the usual ‘safety’ aspects like being with a group of friends and getting to know someone don’t apply,
so you have to be very careful.

Sample 2:- Family

Part 1 – sample questions

 Do you have a small or large family?

 Tell me about someone in your family you like spending time with.
 What do you enjoy doing with your family at weekends?
 Were your parents strict when you were a child?
 How often do you have family get-togethers?
 Which member of your family are you most similar to?

Part 2 – sample questions

Describe the member of your family who has had most influence on you

You should say:

 who this person is

 how he/she has influenced you
 what effect this has had on you

and explain how you feel about the person

Part 3 – sample questions

 In what ways is family life different now to the past?

 Who plays a vital role in bringing up children, men or women in the society? Why do you think so?
 What are some of the pressures on family life today?
 Do you think parents discipline children enough these days?
 What values should parents teach their children?
 What’s the most important thing parents can teach their children?
 Do you agree that children should help with housework?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of both parents working?
 Where is the best place to raise a family, in the city or the countryside?

Useful Vocabulary - family

Family members

 sibling (brother or sister)

 spouse (husband or wife)
 parent (mother/mum or father/dad)
 grandparent (grandmother / grandfather)
 niece / nephew
 aunt / uncle
 cousin
 in-laws (family of spouse)
Adjective + Noun Collocations (adjective + family

 nuclear family (two parents / two children)

 immediate family (parents/grandparents/siblings)
 extended family (aunts/uncles/cousins etc)
 close family
 close knit family (very close)
 single-parent / one-parent family

Noun + Noun Collocations (family + noun)

 family member
 family unit
 family tree
 family man
 family name (surname)
 family values
 family bond / ties
 family gathering / get-together
 family tradition
 family crisis

Verb + Noun Collocations (verb + family)

 to start a family
 to have a family
 to bring up a family (to look after children)
 to raise a family (to take care of children)
 to split up a family

Expressions with 'get'

 to get / be engaged
 to get / be married
 to get / be divorced
 to get back together

Other expressions with 'family'

 to follow the family tradition

 keep it in the family
 to be one of the family (like a family member)
 a family of 4/5/6 etc)
 in the family way (to be pregnant)

Useful Linkers / Discourse Markers

 because
 for example
 in terms of
 however
 in this respect
 if you think about
 likewise
 actually
  personally speaking

Sample answer

Where’s the best place to raise a family, the city or the countryside?

I think that's a difficult question nowadays because it depends on which aspect you're considering. For example, in
terms of quality of life, I might say that living in the countryside is the better option because there is more space for
children to play, they are in contact with nature, there is more freedom and they are probably safer too. However,
there is also a lack of facilities and in this respect the city may be the better choice. Also, if you think about
employment, it’s mostly city-based. Likewise, opportunities to go to interesting cultural events as there is
undoubtedly much more on offer in the city. Public transport and other services are also more available, so things
like after school activities are easier to attend. Actually, there are a lot of things to take into consideration and for
most families, it’s probably not an easy decision, but personally speaking, I'd prefer the countryside.

Sample 3:- Holiday & Festivals

Part 1 – sample questions

 What kinds of places do you like visiting on holiday?

 Would you ever try an adventure holiday?
 What would be your dream holiday?
 Do you usually go on holiday with family or friends?
 What kinds of celebrations are there in your country?
 Do you often go to Festivals?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a festival that is important in your country

You should say:

 when the festival occurs

 what you did during it
 what you like or dislike about it

and explain why this festival is important

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Why do you think festivals are important events in the working year?
2. Do you think the significance of some festivals is lost today? Is this a good or bad thing?
3. Do you think new festivals will be made in the future? What kinds of festivals might these be?
4. How may globalisation affect different festivals around the world?
5. Do you think it is good to watch festivals on TV?
6. How do festivals today differ from those in the past?

Useful Vocabulary

Different types of holiday

 activity
 adventure
 camping
  cruise
 skiing
 beach
 summer
 winter
 package / all-inclusive
 self-catering
 city break
 mini break

Verb + Noun Collocations (verb + holiday)

 go on (a)
 spend a holiday
 have a holiday
 take a holiday
 book a holiday
 cancel a holiday
 need a holiday
 be entitled to a holiday

Noun + Noun Collocations (holiday + noun)

 holiday destination
 holiday resort
 holiday home
 holiday cottage
 holiday rental
 holiday camp
 holiday brochure
 holiday insurance
 holiday arrangements
 holiday plans
 holiday romance
 holiday photos / snaps
 holiday season / period

Adjective + Noun Collocations (adjective + holiday)

 annual holiday
 Christmas holiday
 Easter holiday
 national holiday
 public holiday
 religious holiday
 enjoyable holiday
 exciting holiday
 fun-packed holiday
 luxurious holiday
 relaxing holiday
 lovely holiday
 fantastic holiday
 unforgettable
 awful holiday
 disastrous holiday
  nightmare holiday

Prepositions

 during the holidays

 in the holidays
 to be on holiday
 for/on my next holiday
 on my last holiday

Useful phrases

 a holiday of a lifetime
 a dream holiday
 a holiday to remember

Useful Vocabulary - festivals

Verb + Noun Collocations (verb + festival)

 have a festival
 hold a festival
 attend a festival
 go to a festival
 visit a festival
 organize a festival
 take part in a festival

Noun + Noun Collocations (festival + noun)

 a festival event
 a festival venue
 a festival programme
 festival food
 a festival organizer
 a festival-goer

Adjective + Noun Collocations (adjective + festival)

 huge
 mega
 important
 major
 annual
 Summer
 Winter
 International
 local
 arts
 dance
 film
 beer
 jazz
 literary
 folk
  flower
 rock
 music
 theatre

Useful linkers / discourse markers

 well, the first thing

 whereas
 so
 nowadays
 also, another difference
 even if
 by and large
 although

Sample answer

How do festivals today differ from those in the past?

Well, the first thing I would say is probably the size. Nowadays, festivals tend to be very big even if they start small
they usually grow into events for thousands of people whereas in the past festivals were generally more local affairs
held in the community, so they were much smaller in nature. Also, another difference is in the past people celebrated
events to do with nature and the seasons. I’m thinking of things like harvests and May celebrations where in my
country people used to dance with ribbons around a pole. This may have been linked to earlier Pagan fertility rites.
By and large, although there are still national celebrations today, an increasing number of festivals are music-related
and these attract huge numbers of people.

Sample 4:- Health

Part 1 - sample questions

 In what ways do you try to stay healthy?

 Is it easy to keep fit where you live?
 What do you think is more important, eating healthily or doing exercise?
 What are the health benefits of playing a sport?
 Have you ever had any habits which you consider to be unhealthy?
 Do you think more about your health now than when you were younger?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe something you do to keep healthy.

You should say:

 what this activity is

 when you do it
 and how often you do it and explain why you think it’s a good way to look after your health.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country?
2. Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get older?
3. Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that they are damaging to their health?
 4. How can children be encouraged to adopt healthy eating habits?
5. Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years?
6. Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?

Useful Vocabulary

Healthy activities / habits

 taking regular exercise

 playing sport(s)
 (going) swimming / cycling / jogging
 going to the gym
 walking to work / the dog
 doing yoga / pilates / tai chi
 eating fresh fruit and vegetables / organic food
 eating regular meals
 having a balanced diet
 drinking lots of water

Unhealthy habits

 smoking
 binge drinking / drinking alcohol excessively
 taking drugs
 eating too much salt / fat / sugar
 eating too much greasy food / fried food / junk food / fast food
 eating too many ready meals / pre-prepared meals
 being overweight

Health Collocations

 a health farm / centre / club

 a health service
 a health risk / hazard
 a health check
 a health problem
 a health visitor
 a health inspector
 health food
 health insurance
 healthcare
 health and safety (rules / regulations / guidelines)
 a healthy lifestyle
 a healthy diet
 a healthy appetite
 a healthy economy
 a healthy bank balance
 a healthy profit
 a healthy attitude
 a healthy respect

Verb + Noun Collocations

 to look after your health

 to take care of our health
  to maintain your health
 to be in good / poor health
 to regain your health

Verb + Adjective Collocations

 to feel healthy
 to look healthy
 to be healthy
 to keep / stay healthy

Useful linkers for adding more detail

 In (actual) fact…
 Actually…
 More to the point…
 Indeed…
 To be more precise / exact…

Sample Answer

Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?

Yes, in my opinion the government has a big responsibility to try to persuade people to live more healthily. I think
they could provide more education in schools to teach children how to eat more healthily and show them the
importance of taking physical exercise. In fact, it’s the parents too that also need to be re-educated on these issues.
Another thing, I think there should be more government warnings on TV showing people the dangers of obesity and
poor diet, for example. Actually, they do have some that show the health risks of smoking and drinking, which are
quite powerful, but not really about healthy eating. Finally, there could be more public facilities to help people keep
fit, like swimming pools, gyms and sports centres. More to the point they need to be affordable so that everyone has
the opportunity to use them.

Sample 4:- Work

Part 1 - sample questions

 Do you work full-time or part-time?

 What's your job / What do you do (for a living)?
 What do you enjoy most about your work?
 What are the main tasks/duties in your job?
 Is there anything you would like to change about your job?
 What would be your ideal job?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe the job you would most like to have.

You should say:

 what this job would be

 where you would work
 which qualifications you would need

and explain why you would like to have this job most.
Part 3 – sample questions

1. Which jobs would you say are most respected in your country?
2. Some people say it's better to work for yourself than be employed by a company. What's your view?
3. Do you agree that some jobs are still more suited to either men or women?
4. Do you think schools provide enough advice and support to students about their future careers?
5. What changes in employment have there been in recent years in your country?
6. Do you think more people will work from home in the future?
7. Can you think of any disadvantages of working from home?

Useful Vocabulary

 to apply for a job / post / promotion

 to get / have a part-time/full-time job
 to work in [field / place]
 to work for [a company]
 to specialize in [field]
 to be a qualified [job]
 to work shifts / unsociable hours
 to get / have an interview
 to be shortlisted for an interview/job/post
 to be demoted / promoted
 to be transferred / to put in for/request a transfer
 to be fired / sacked / dismissed
 to be made redundant
 to get/take voluntary redundancy
 to retire / to be retired
 to get a pension / to be a pensioner
 the perks of a job (benefits)
 to work from home (home-working)
 to be self-employed / to work for yourself
 to work/do flexi-time / overtime

Useful linkers for sequencing ideas

 firstly / first of all…

 secondly…
 thirdly…
 then…
 another point / reason / example is…
 lastly / finally….
 overall…

Sample Answer

What changes have there been in recent years in employment in your country?

I think there have been many changes in the types of jobs that people do nowadays compared to 20 or 30 years ago.
First of all there are much fewer jobs related to heavy industry such as mining or ship-building or even
manufacturing. Secondly, there has been a big increase in the number of jobs in the service and leisure industries
like shops, gyms, and hotels. And finally, since the launch of the internet there has been a big surge in the number of
jobs related to IT, such as web development and design.
Sample 4:- Travel
Part 1 – sample questions

 Which form(s) of transport do you usually use?

 What is the easiest way to get around your town/city?
 Do people use public transport where you live?
 Are there any problems with the public transport system in your town/city?
 How do you prefer to travel on long journeys?
 What is the most unusual method of transport you've ever used?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe an interesting journey you have been on.

You should say:

 where you went

 how you travelled there
 who you went with

and explain what was so memorable about the journey.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What methods of transport are most popular in your city / country?

2. What are some of the problems of long-distance travelling?
3. Has the way people travel changed much in the last few decades?
4. Do you agree that governments should do more to encourage greener methods of transport?
5. What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities?
6. Do you think that transport problems are worse in urban or rural areas?

Useful Vocabulary

Typical methods of transport in cities

 to take/catch the metro / underground / subway

 to take/catch a tram
 to take/catch a bus
 to take/catch a taxi
 to go by car
 to go by motorbike/scooter/moped
 to go by bike/bicycle / to cycle
 to go on foot / to walk

Other methods of transport

 to go by plane / to take/catch a flight

 to go by / to take/catch a train
 to go by / to take a coach
 to go by / to take/catch a boat/ferry
Transport problems

 long delays = my flight/plane was delayed

 cancellations = my flight was cancelled
 to lose your luggage
 to miss your connection
 to be stuck in traffic-jams / traffic congestion
 to be held up by road works / diversions / accidents
 to break down = my car broke down
 bad weather conditions
 thick fog / icy roads / heavy rain / strong winds / heavy storm

Solutions to inner-city congestion

 road access charges in city centres

 car share schemes / incentives
 bypasses / ring roads
 park and ride schemes
 free rental of city bikes
 more cycle lanes
 more frequent buses / extended network of buses
 cheaper public transport
 more pedestrianised streets
 more electric trams
 more accessible metro system

Useful linkers for giving examples

 for example
 for instance
 such as
 like / as
 another example / way is

Sample Answer

What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities?

There are many ways that congestion could be reduced in big cities. In my city, for example, they have introduced a
bike rental system where members can pick up a bike at one point and drop it off at another. It’s proving to be very
popular and as a result more cycle lanes are also being provided.

Another example, which unfortunately doesn’t exist in my city, is a park and ride scheme where you leave your car
outside the city in a car park and then take a free bus into the centre. Another way to prevent people bringing their
cars into the city would be to charge a special fee to access the centre, like they do in London, though I guess this
wouldn’t be quite so popular with the residents.

Sample 5:- Tourism

Part 1 – sample questions

 Are there many public or national holidays in your country?

 Do you think there are enough public holidays?
 Do you like going away on holidays?
  Tell me something about your last holiday?
 Do you always like to go to the same place for your holiday?
 Where would you like to go for your next holiday?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a holiday you would like to go on.

You should say:

 what place you would like to go to

 how you would like to get there
 what you would like to do while you were there

and explain why you would like to go on this holiday.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Which places in your country do visitors enjoy visiting most?

2. What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday?
3. Have there been any recent changes in the types of holiday that are popular in your country?
4. What kinds of benefits might a significant increase in tourist numbers bring to a location?
5. What are some of the negative effects of a dramatic increase in tourism?
6. What developments affecting international travel might there be in the future?

Useful Vocabulary

Personal benefits of going on holiday

 a chance to unwind
 to spend quality time with family / friends
 to get away from work / stressful environment
 to have a change of routine / scenery
 to visit new places / experience new things / cultures
 to broaden your horizons
 to visit family or friends abroad

Commercial benefits of tourism

 creates new jobs in the tourist industry

 boosts the local economy
 attracts media attention to the resort
 'puts a place on the map'
 ensures good level of infrastructure
 improves services & facilities for local residents
 provides revenue to protect /maintain local heritage

Negative aspects of going on holiday

 loss of earnings (if self-employed)

 can be stressful (to be out of your comfort zone)
 can be difficult to cope in a foreign country / unfamiliar place
 may encounter travel problems (plane/train delays / traffic jams)
 may not have access to health facilities/services
 may lose your luggage
  may not be able to speak the local language

Disadvantages for local community

 can cause overcrowding

 tourists may not respect local customs/traditions
 can cause excess of litter / noise
 may cause damage to local environment / possible vandalism
 area becomes too built-up due to increase of hotels/shops etc
 natural landscape/beauty may be spoilt
 may cause increase in prices of local services and goods

Useful linkers for adding more ideas

 in addition (to that)

 apart from (that)
 as well as (that)
 besides (that)
 also
 not only (that) … but also
 both … and …

Sample Answer

What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday?

There are many benefits of going on holiday. Besides giving you a chance to unwind and relax, it also allows you to
spend some quality time with your family, not only in a different environment but more importantly, away from the
routine pressures of work and daily life. In addition to this, it also gives you the opportunity to broaden your
horizons by visiting new places and experiencing a different way of life.

Sample 6:- Environment

Part 1 – sample questions

 What is the climate like in your country?

 Are there any problems with the climate in your country?
 What is your favorite type of weather?
 What kind of weather do you dislike?
 Would you prefer to live in a hot or cold country?
 What is the best/worst weather for travelling in?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe an environmental problem. You should say:

 what it is
 how long it has existed
 how it affects people’s lives

and explain how you think the problem will develop in the future.

Part 3 – sample questions

 1. Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?
2. What are the main causes of these environmental problems?
3. Do you think it is the responsibility of governments alone to protect the environment?
4. What measures can individuals take to protect the environment?
5. Do you think large companies and business organizations should be more environmentally friendly? Why?
How?
6. How can we teach children about the importance of protecting the environment?

Useful Vocabulary

Environmental Problems

 destruction of the rainforests (deforestation)

 melting of the icecaps
 extinction of many species (loss of biodiversity)
 destruction of the ozone layer
 global warming / the “greenhouse effect”
 rising sea levels
 pollution of land, sea and air
 increase of natural disasters eg, earthquakes, landslides, floods

Causes of Environmental Problems

 excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, eg carbon dioxide

 chemical and industrial waste
 emissions from cars and planes
 improper dumping of household waste
 overuse of non-renewable fossil fuels
 genetic modification
 over-consumption
 over-urbanisation

Solutions to Environmental Problems

 recycling
 using renewable sources of energy, eg solar heating, wind-farms
 replanting trees
 cutting carbon emissions
 cleaner waste disposal
 sustainable consumption and development
 buying products with less packaging
 buying organic products
 buying products made from recycled material / renewable sources
 using natural remedies as alternative medicine

Useful linkers for explaining cause & effect

 caused by
 due to
 because of
 as a result of
 leads to
 results in
 causes
Sample Answer

Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?

I think people in my country are most concerned about future shortages of fresh drinking water, which I suppose is
both a result of poor water management and general global warming. I think everyone is feeling the effects of the
latter problem which is causing us to experience more extreme temperatures, for example, much colder winters and
much hotter summers. The long hot summers are particularly worrying in the south of the country where there is a
real risk of drought due to the consistent lack of rainfall.

Sample 7:- Technology

Part 1 – sample questions

 How much time do you spend using a computer at work or at home?

 What do you mainly use a computer for?
 Did you learn how to use a computer at school?
 Have you ever taken a course to improve your computer skills?
 Has the internet made your job / studies easier?
 Which device do you prefer to use for browsing the internet?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a piece of technology that you find useful.

You should say:

 what it is
 what you can do with it
 how often you use it

and explain why you find it so useful

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What are some of the main uses of technology for communication?

2. Do you agree that some people use technology for communication too much?
3. What differences are there between the attitudes of older and younger people to technology for
communication?
4. Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools?
5. Would you agree that the rapid development of digital technology has had a positive impact on the world of
work?
6. Do you think that the rate of technological expansion will slow down in the years to come?

Useful Vocabulary

Uses of internet for communication

 sending emails
 sending text messages
 tele-conferencing
 video conferencing
 online chatting
 social networking
  blogging
 posting messages on forums
 using an intranet system

Advantages

 offers immediate communication

 cheaper than telephone calls / face-to-face meetings
 allows global communication without the need to travel
 more convenient / people can communicate on-the-move
 allows friends and family overseas to stay connected
 gives everybody the chance to have a public voice

Disadvantages

 people may lose “real” social skills

 people may spend less time socializing face-to-face
 people may become more introverted
 people may become addicted to social network sites
 people spend too much time in front of a screen

Technology and Education

 interactive whiteboards
 e-learning courses /e-books
 online degrees
 self-access centres / study
 online teaching / tutoring / training
 blended learning (online + face-to-face)

Advantages

 offers more flexibility for the learner

 allows people in rural areas the same study opportunities
 cheaper for students (no travel / accommodation costs)
 students & teachers are less bound by time and space

Technology and Work

 automated processes
 automated manufacturing
 automated customer services
 high-tech computer systems
 computerized filing / administrative systems
 huge databases
 intranet system / internal emailing

Disadvantages

 has made some jobs redundant

 gives customers less personal service
 requires staff to be technically skilled
 may cause security issues / files may be lost
 requires a lot of investment
 breakdowns in the system may cause severe problems
Useful linkers for giving reasons

 due to (the fact that)

 because of
 because
 as a result of
 that’s (the reason) why

Sample Answer

Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools?

I think the growth of the internet has had a major impact on current teaching methods and I’m sure general standards
have improved as a result. I strongly believe that the motivation for both learning and teaching has increased because
of the phenomenal amount of information now available to both students and teachers. On the other hand, due to a
danger of information overload, some people may be put off using technology in the classroom, wishing for a return
to more traditional methods.

Sample 8:- Free time

Part 1 – sample questions

 How much free time do you have per week?

 How do you like to relax at the end of the day?
 What kinds of things do you enjoy doing at the weekends?
 Do you have any plans for next weekend?
 Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people?
 Do you have enough free time to do all the things you enjoy?
 What would you do if you had more free time?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a leisure activity you like doing in your free time.

You should say:

 what kind of activity it is

 how often you do it
 what equipment you need to do it

and explain why you enjoy doing it.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What kind of free-time activities are typical in your country?

2. Have there been any recent changes in the types of leisure activities that people find popular?
3. Do you agree that it’s important for people of different ages to do leisure activities together?
4. In your opinion, who is responsible for encouraging children to take up different leisure pursuits?
5. Do you think people have less time for leisure activities now compared to the past?
6. Do you think that technology has changed the types of leisure activities we enjoy these days?

Useful Vocabulary

Outdoor Leisure Activities

  to play / practice / do sport(s)
 to go rambling / hiking / trekking
 to go running/ jogging
 to go for a walk / stroll
 to go cycling
 to go fishing
 to go horse riding
 to go surfing / sailing
 to go rollerblading / ice-skating / skateboarding
 to go canoeing / kayaking
 to go skiing / snowboarding
 to hang out / meet up with friends
 to eat out / go to restaurants or cafes

Indoor Leisure Activities

 to go to the gym / keep fit / do exercise

 do yoga / Pilates / aerobics
 do martial arts (karate/judo/taekwondo)
 to go swimming
 to go to the cinema / theatre / shopping mall/centre
 to listen to music
 to watch TV / films
 to read books / novels / newspapers / magazines
 to play computer/video games
 to surf/browse the internet
 to play a musical instrument
 to sing in a choir
 to go dancing (ballet / tap / ballroom / hip-hop / freestyle / latin)
 to cook / bake
 to play board games / do puzzles
 to sew / knit
 to draw / paint / do crafts

Useful filler expressions

 I suppose / I guess...
 Let me think / see...
 Well, I would say…
 I’m not sure, but…
 You know what I mean
 You know, like...
 I don’t know/I'm not sure exactly, but…

Sample Answer

Do you agree that it’s important for people of different ages to do leisure activities together?

Um … well … I think in some cases it could be important for people of different ages to do leisure activities
together. For example, parents or even grandparents can enjoy doing fun things with their children or grandchildren,
like, you know, things that don’t require a lot of physical ability such as playing games, reading or cooking. I guess
that sometimes it is very important for older people to do things with younger ones, especially more difficult skills
that need to be taught like … I don’t know … martial arts or playing a musical instrument.
Sample 9:- Entertainments
Part 1 – sample questions

Cinema

 Do you like watching films/movies?

 What kinds of films do you enjoy?
 Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema?
 Is it easy to get to a cinema where you live?
 How often do you watch films / go the cinema?
 Have you seen any good films recently?
 What kind of movies did you like to watch when you were a child?
 Has your taste in films changed as you've got older?

Television

 How much television do you watch per day/week?

 What time of time do you usually watch TV?
 Who do you normally watch TV with?
 What kind of TV programmes do you like the most?
 Do you have a favorite TV programme at the moment?
 What TV programmes do you remember from your childhood?
 How often do you watch the news on TV?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a film you found interesting.

You should say:

 when you saw this film

 why you decided to see this film
 what happened in the film

and explain why you found this film interesting.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Is cinema a popular form of entertainment in your country?

2. How has the cinema experience changed in recent years?
3. Do you think that films should always have an educational value?
4. Is it important for governments to support film-making in their countries?
5. Do you think the Internet has had a big impact on the entertainment industry?
6. In what ways do you think that entertainment media may develop in the future?

Useful Vocabulary

Advantages of going to the cinema

 the thrill of watching something on the big-screen

 more exciting/intense atmosphere
 surround sound system brings the characters to life / enhances the special effects
 able to appreciate the cinematography
  can enjoy a night out with friends
 the excitement of watching a premiere screening

Advantages of watching TV

 can sit in the comfort of your own home

 can choose what you want to watch
 can play back your favorite parts
 can pause it if you want to stop watching
 can flick through the channels
 can invite your friends round
 can watch a variety of programmes at your own convenience
 can switch it off if you get bored

Film-making

 social responsibility to make educational/informative films

 good media for reaching wide audiences
 has high impact on the public
 can get worldwide recognition
 can deliver social and cultural messages
 can bring widespread attention to social/world problems

Technology & Entertainment

 online gaming / games / gambling

 downloading films / videos
 downloading music
 computer game consoles
 social networking / network sites
 instant chat/photo feeds

Useful linkers for giving more exact information

 in (actual) fact…
 actually…
 as a matter of fact…
 to be more exact…
 to be more precise…

Sample Answer

No, I don’t think that it’s necessary for all films to be educational. In fact, I think people go to the cinema because
they simply want to be entertained, not always educated. Watching a film on the big screen is a form of escapism
and so people want adventure, romance or fantasy. As far as I’m concerned, if I’m looking to be educated I would
choose to read a book or watch a documentary, although actually I do also enjoy historical films which teach me
something about the past.

Sample 10:- Education

Part 1 – sample questions

 Are you a full-time or part-time student?

 What subject(s) are you studying?
  Why did you choose this/these subject(s)?
 Which topic/subject do you find the most difficult/interesting?
 What was your favourite subject when you were at school?
 What do you plan to do when you finish studying?
 Is there anything else you would like to study in the future?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a teacher that had a positive influence on you.

You should say:

 what subject this teacher taught

 how long he/she was your teacher
 what positive attributes this teacher had

and explain why you remember this teacher in particular.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. Some people say that your school days are the best days of your life. Do you agree?
2. Do you think school and university prepares young people adequately for real life?
3. Do you agree there is too much pressure on young people at school these days?
4. Some people argue that end-of-year exams should be replaced by continuous assessment. What do you
think?
5. Have there been significant changes in schooling methods in your country in recent years?
6. Do you think schools and universities provide enough careers advice to their students?

Useful Vocabulary

School

 nursery / primary / secondary school / education

 state school / private school / boarding school
 all girls / all boys / single-sex / co-ed school
 to go to / attend school
 the curriculum / syllabus
 extra-curricular activities
 school trips / holidays
 school playground / dinners / uniform
 school pupils / teachers
 schoolchildren / schoolboy / schoolgirl
 to sit / do / take an exam
 to re sit / retake an exam
 to revise / to study (for an exam)
 to pass / to fail an exam
 to get exam results
 to get qualifications / to be qualified
 to leave school / a school-leaver
 to drop out of school / a dropout
 to be academic / to be an all-rounder

University/College

 tertiary / higher / further education

  colleges of higher education / technical colleges / universities
 to apply for a course
 to get an (un)conditional offer
 to do a course in [subject]
 halls of residence / student accommodation
 student union / student body
 a fresher / an undergraduate / a graduate
 a graduation ceremony
 to get a university degree / a Masters / a Doctorate (Phd)
 to graduate from university / to graduate in [subject]
 a postgraduate student / course
 to do / take a postgraduate course / a Masters / a PhD (Doctorate)
 to be a qualified [job title] / to qualify in [subject]
 to take a gap year
 to drop out of university

Useful linkers for contrasting ideas

 However....
 ...whereas / while...
 On the one hand…. but on the other hand…
 Although / Even though…
 Despite (the fact that)…
 But…

Sample Answer

Is there a system of free state education in your country?

In my country there is a state education system offering free education for children from 3-18, although parents still
have to pay for food, materials, school trips and other extra-curricular activities. This is only one part of the system,
however, because there are also private schools and semi-private schools, which are partly funded by the state. So on
the one hand it appears that we do have free state education, but in actual fact it isn’t available to everyone because
places are limited.

Sample 11:- Communication

Part 1 – sample questions

 Which languages do you speak?

 Do you think it’s important for children to learn a foreign language?
 When did you start learning a foreign language?
 Do you enjoy learning languages?
 What activity do you find most useful for learning English?
 What do you find most difficult about learning English?
 Are there any other languages you would like to learn in the future?

Part 2 – sample task card

Describe a conversation you had which was important to you.

You should say:

 when the conversation took place

  who you had the conversation with
 what the conversation was about

and explain why the conversation was important to you.

Part 3 – sample questions

1. What are the main differences between spoken and written communication?
2. To what extent do you think the media influences how people communicate with each other?
3. Do you think there are differences in the way men and women communicate?
4. Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older?
5. Do you agree that education has a strong and positive effect on people’s ability to communicate effectively?
6. What impact has the growth of technology had on the way people communicate and how do you think this
will develop in the future?

Useful Vocabulary

Modern forms of communication

 speaking / talking / chatting face-to-face

 speaking / talking / chatting on the phone / by mobile phone / by skype
 sending a text message/an SMS / texting
 sending / writing an email
 using an electronic messaging service
 social networking
 video-conferencing

Non-verbal forms of communication

 lip-reading
 using body language
 using sign language
 using hand gestures / signals
 using facial expressions

Informal utterances

 Give me a call/ring/bell/buzz
 Call / ring / phone me
 Send me a text / an email / a whatsapp
 Text me / email me
 Drop me a line
 Keep me posted
 Let me know
 Keep / stay in touch
 I’ll be in touch

Other forms of communication

 making / giving a speech

 speaking in public / public speaking
 giving a lecture / lecturing
 giving a seminar / presentation
 giving / having / conducting an interview
 having / maintaining a dialogue/conversation/discussion
  having an argument

Reasons for communicating

 giving a demonstration / demonstrating

 giving instructions / instructing
 asking for/giving directions / directing
 asking for/giving advice / advising
 making a complaint / complaining
 making small talk / building social relations / exchanging pleasantries
 exchanging/defending/challenging views/opinions
 requesting/supplying information
 gossiping / spreading rumours


Effective communication skills

 maintaining eye-contact
 projecting your voice
 varying your intonation
 punctuating your sentences
 emphasizing / repeating key words
 engaging the listener
 asking rhetorical questions
 using discourse markers

Useful linkers for giving opinions

 In my view…
 In my opinion…
 From my point of view…
 In my experience/case…
 As I see it…
 Personally, I think…
 I believe / feel that…
 For me personally…
 As far as I’m concerned…

Sample Answer

Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older?

I think that people’s ability to communicate does improve with age because generally speaking, people get more
confident as they gain more experience of life and I believe that confidence is a major factor. On the other hand,
some people may become more self-conscious as they got older, particularly when they reach certain stages in their
life such as adolescence. For me personally, I feel that I’m a better communicator now than when I was younger.