A vegetarian diet is healthier.

Eating a hamburger a day can increase your risk of dying by a third.

Raising animals in factory farm conditions is cruel.
Meat production causes more emissions than transportation.
Beef production uses 100 times the amount of water that vegetable production req
uires.
A vegetarian diet is cheaper.
So, basically he is saying that a vegetarian diet is healthier, kinder to animal
s, better for the environment and cheaper.
UK: The shortage in housing has severe social consequences in big cities. Only g
overnments can solve this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
China: Some people think distance-learning programmes can never be as good as co
urses taken in person. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Reshmi Aravind" <reshmi.aumento@gmail.com>
Date: 06/08/2014 9:40 PM
Subject:
To: <reshmi.aumento@gmail.com>
Cc:
2014
The phrase 'consumer society' is a negative one because it suggests that our liv
es revolve around money and possessions.
It is true that many people criticize modern society because it seems to be too
materialistic. I agree with this to some extent, but I do not think it is the ca
se that everyone is a victim of consumer culture.
On the one hand, many people do seem to focus too much on money and possessions.
Wherever we go, we are bombarded with advertising to sell us products and servi
ces, many of which we do not need. For example, people may be persuaded to purch
ase the latest model of iPhone, when their old phone is still perfectly function
al. This could be seen as a demonstration that we are obsessive consumers; we bu
y things based on fashion and branding, and shopping has become a hobby or even
an addiction.
describe a visit from a family member during a festival, or you could talk about
a visit from a friend who is interested in the same hobby as you.
Throughout history, people have dreamed of living in a perfect society. However,
there is still no agreement about what a perfect society would be like. What, i
n your opinion, would be the most important element of a perfect society? What c
an people do to help create an ideal society?
Describe an old object which your family has kept for a long time
1. The clock is very old.
= The clock is an antique; it's probably a collector's item.
2. It is big and made of wood.
= It is housed in a large wooden cabinet that stands nearly two metres tall.
(The kind of clock I'm describing)
3. It has been in my family for a long time.
= It has been in my family for several generations.
4. Everyone in my family likes the clock.
= We've all become quite attached to the clock; it's like part of the family.
5. I hope my parents will give it to me one day.
= The clock is a real family heirloom, so hopefully I'll inherit it one day
Is it better to get advice from a friend or from a family member?
What would you say are the characteristics of a good adviser?
Should people make their own work and career decisions, or is it a good idea to
ask for advice about this?
1. Do you like reading?
Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including novels, newspap
ers, magazines, and online articles.
2. Do you usually read for leisure or for work purposes?
Well, I have to do a certain amount of reading as part of my job, but I probably
read more for enjoyment. I pick up a newspaper most days, and I usually have a
book on the go.
3. What was your favourite book or story when you were a child?
The first book that I remember really enjoying was '..........'. It only took me
a few days to read because I liked it so much that I couldn't put it down.
4. Do you think it's important that children read regularly?
Definitely. I think reading is possibly the most important skill that children l
earn. The ability to read opens the door to all aspects of education.
In some parts of the world it is becoming popular to research the history of one
's own family. Why might people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative de
velopment?
1: Just write 2 sentences
- introduce the topic
- give an overall answer to both questions
Paragraph 2: Why might people want to research family history?
- various different reasons
- to know more about themselves and their roots, where they come from, whether t
heir
ancestors had similar personality traits
- because the Internet makes it easier to do this research, we hear about others
who have
done it, there are even advertisements to encourage us
- out of curiosity e.g. we might secretly hope that we have a famous or wealthy
ancestor
Paragraph 3: Is it positive or negative?
- positive in my view
- a fascinating hobby, a nice way to spend free time, a good talking point with
family and
friends e.g. if we discover a particularly interesting ancestor
- a good way to teach children about history, how earlier generations lived
- we may even find long-lost family members, distant relatives that we might have
the
chance to meet
Paragraph 4:
- conclude by repeating (paraphrasing) the overall answer to both questions
Describe a family celebration that you remember. You should say
- what you were celebrating
- who was present
- what you and your family did to make the celebration special
- and why you enjoyed the occasion.
Here's my sample answer:
Im going to describe my sisters wedding day, which took place a few years ago in t
he town where I grew up. For my sister it was the biggest and most important day
of her life.
I think there were around 100 people at the marriage ceremony, which was held in
a church. Even more people came to the party, or the wedding reception as we ca
ll it, after the ceremony. Of course, most members of my family were there, as w
ell as the grooms family and a collection of the bride and groom's friends and co
lleagues.
To make the celebration special, we did what families normally do. My mother mad
e sure that the church and the reception venue were nicely decorated - there wer
e flowers everywhere! Obviously we all dressed for the occasion, and there were
bridesmaids, gifts, a huge wedding cake, and so on.
I enjoyed the occasion because it was great to see my sister so happy on her big
day. The ceremony was perfect, and we all had a fantastic time at the reception
. Its rare for me to see all of my family and friends together in one place, so t
hats probably what made the day so memorable for me.
Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pa
y taxes that support the state education system.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should n
ot need to contribute to state schools through taxes. Personally, I completely d
isagree with this view.
For a variety of reasons, it would be wrong to reduce taxes for families who pay
for private education. Firstly, it would be difficult to calculate the correct
amount of tax reduction for these families, and staff would be required to manag
e this complex process. Secondly, we all pay a certain amount of tax for public
services that we may not use. For example, most people are fortunate enough not
to have to call the police or fire brigade at any time in their lives, but they
would not expect a tax reduction for this. Finally, if wealthy families were giv
en a tax discount for sending their children to private schools, we might have a
situation where poorer people pay higher taxes than the rich.
In my opinion, we should all be happy to pay our share of the money that support
s public schools. It is beneficial for all members of society to have a high qua
lity education system with equal opportunities for all young people. This will r
esult in a well-educated workforce, and in turn a more productive and prosperous
nation. Parents of children in private schools may also see the advantages of t
his in their own lives. For example, a company owner will need well qualified an
d competent staff, and a well-funded education system can provide such employees
.
In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial concessions should be made fo
r people who choose private education.
1) Do you think that it's important for people to go on holiday?
Answer using 'idea, explain, example'
Yes, I think we all need to go on holiday at least once or twice a year. It isnt
healthy to work all year round without some time off to relax; we all need to ta
ke a break and recharge our batteries from time to time. Last summer, for exampl
e, I went on holiday to France for a couple of weeks, and it was great to leave
all of my usual responsibilities behind me. I came home feeling really refreshed
and reinvigorated.
2) Why do you think some people prefer not to go abroad on holiday?
Answer using 'firstly, secondly, finally'
I suppose there are different reasons why some people choose not to go abroad on
holidays. Firstly, its usually more expensive to travel abroad than it is to sta
y at home. A second reason could be that some people find it stressful to spend
time in a foreign country where they dont speak the language, or where they feel
that they cant easily integrate with the locals. Finally, many people just love w
here they live, and dont feel the need to travel abroad.
Describe a positive experience that you had as a teenager. You should say
- what the positive experience was
- where you were
- who you were with
- and explain why you found the experience positive
Im going to describe the first time I visited Englands capital city, London, on a
school trip when I was a teenager. I had never been to London before, and it was
great to share that experience with my school friends.
The positive experience wasnt confined toone particular place in London. As far as
I remember, I enjoyed the whole trip, from the coach journey to the visits to v
arious tourist attractions. We got off the coach near the Houses of Parliament,
and so one of my first memories was seeing the famous Big Ben clock tower. We also
visited the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
As I said earlier, it was a school trip, and I think there were around thirty of
us, including two teachers. I was with a group of close friends, which made the
experience more enjoyable.
What really struck me about London was that it was historic but modern and thriv
ing at the same time. It seemed to me to be a lively, fashionable and cosmopolit
an place. Coming from a relatively small town, the experience made me keen to vi
sit more capital cities in the future.
Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their
achievements, and this sets a bad example to young people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
It is true that some celebrities are known for their glamourous lifestyles rathe
r than for the work they do. While I agree that these celebrities set a bad exam
ple for children, I believe that other famous people act as positive role models
.
On the one hand, many people do achieve fame without really working for it. They
may have inherited money from parents, married a famous or wealthy person, or t
hey may have appeared in gossip magazines or on a reality TV programme. A good e
xample would be Paris Hilton, who is rich and famous for the wrong reasons. She
spends her time attending parties and nightclubs, and her behaviour promotes the
idea that appearance, glamour and media profile are more important than hard wo
rk and good character. The message to young people is that success can be achiev
ed easily, and that school work is not necessary.
On the other hand, there are at least as many celebrities whose accomplishments
make them excellent role models for young people. Actors, musicians and sports s
tars become famous idols because they have worked hard and applied themselves to
develop real skills and abilities. They demonstrate great effort, determination
and ambition, which is required for someone who wants to be truly successful in
their chosen field. An example is the actor and martial artist Jackie Chan, who
has become world famous through years of practice and hard work. This kind of s
elf-made celebrity can inspire children to develop their talents through applica
tion and perseverance.
Describe an object (a gift, something you use etc.)
Describe a person (someone you admire, a family member etc.)
Describe an event (a festival, celebration etc.)
Describe an activity (e.g. a hobby)
Describe a place (somewhere you visited, a holiday etc.)
Describe your favourite (book/film/advertisement/website)
Most questions fit into one of these topics. For example, "Describe a river, lak
e or sea which you like" is number 5 - you could describe a holiday by the sea,
or a city with a river.
Should governments make decisions about people's lifestyle, or should people mak
e their own decisions?
This question seems difficult, but if you take "smoking" as an example of a life
style choice, it becomes a lot easier. Here's my paragraph:
In some cases, governments can help people to make better lifestyle choices. In
the UK, for example, smoking is now banned in all workplaces, and it is even pro
hibited for people to smoke in restaurants, bars and pubs. As a result, many peo
ple who used to smoke socially have now given up. At the same time, the governme
nt has ensured that cigarette prices keep going up, and there have been several
campaigns to highlight the health risks of smoking. These measures have also hel
ped to reduce the number of smokers in this country.
Question:
What kinds of jobs might stop when the season changes?
Answer:
Well, I don't really know much about seasonal jobs because everyone works all ye
ar round where I live, but I suppose that some jobs related to tourism must stop
at the end of the summer holiday period.
1. Where are you from?
I'm from Manchester, which is a city in the north west of England.
2. Do you like your home town? (Why?)
Yes, I like living in Manchester because it's where most of my friends live, and
because there are plenty of things to do there. The only thing I don't like is
the weather.
3. Would you prefer to live somewhere else? (Why?)
For the moment I'm happy living here, but at some point I'd like to live in a co
untry with a warmer climate, and I'd like to live near a beach!
4. Do you think your home town is a good place for young people? (Why?)
Yes, Manchester has lots of things for young people, such as sports facilities,
music and cinemas.
When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. To what ext
ent do you agree or disagree?
Many people choose their jobs based on the size of the salary offered. Personall
y, I disagree with the idea that money is the key consideration when deciding on
a career, because I believe that other factors are equally important.
On the one hand, I agree that money is necessary in order for people to meet the
ir basic needs. For example, we all need money to pay for housing, food, bills,
health care, and education. Most people consider it a priority to at least earn
a salary that allows them to cover these needs and have a reasonable quality of
life. If people chose their jobs based on enjoyment or other non-financial facto
rs, they might find it difficult to support themselves. Artists and musicians, f
or instance, are known for choosing a career path that they love, but that does
not always provide them with enough money to live comfortably and raise a family
.
Nevertheless, I believe that other considerations are just as important as what
we earn in our jobs. Firstly, personal relationships and the atmosphere in a wor
kplace are extremely important when choosing a job. Having a good manager or fri
endly colleagues, for example, can make a huge difference to workers levels of ha
ppiness and general quality of life. Secondly, many peoples feelings of job satis
faction come from their professional achievements, the skills they learn, and th
e position they reach, rather than the money they earn. Finally, some people cho
ose a career because they want to help others and contribute something positive
to society.
In conclusion, while salaries certainly affect peoples choice of profession, I do
not believe that money outweighs all other motivators.
Describe a subject that you think should be removed from school education progra
mmes. You should say
- what the subject is
- why you think it is unnecessary for children to study it
- and explain what you would replace it with.
Here's my sample answer with band 7-9 vocabulary underlined:
Im going to suggest that art could be taken out of the school curriculum. In my e
xperience, art lessons at school tend to include drawing, painting, and the maki
ng of collages using paper, fabric and other household materials.
There are a few reasons why I think that school art lessons are unnecessary. Fir
stly, I dont believe that drawing and painting are essential skills that children
will need when they leave school. Children might find these activities enjoyabl
e, but its unlikely that they will need them in the working world. Secondly, chil
dren can draw, paint and make collages in their own time at home; parents can en
courage this, and they can even join in. Finally, remembering my own art lessons
at school, I dont think we learnt any real art skills; the teachers left us to d
raw or create things, but they didnt provide much technical instruction.
Instead of art lessons, children could do more work on core subjects like maths,
science or language. These subjects are more likely to help children in later l
ife when they enter the job market, and I think both children and their teachers
would benefit if more time were devoted to them.
Early technological developments helped ordinary people and changed their lives
more than recent developments. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In your country, how do people treat visitors from abroad?
Do you think hospitality towards visitors is less important than it was in the p
ast?
What are the advantages of staying with a friend compared to staying in a hotel
when visiting a foreign country?
Some people think that in the modern world we are more dependent on each other,
while others think that people have become more independent. Discuss both views a
nd give your own opinion.
People have different views about whether we are more or less dependent on other
s nowadays. In my view, modern life forces us to be more independent than people
were in the past.
There are two main reasons why it could be argued that we are more dependent on
each other now. Firstly, life is more complex and difficult, especially because
the cost of living has increased so dramatically. For example, young adults tend
to rely on their parents for help when buying a house. Property prices are high
er than ever, and without help it would be impossible for many people to pay a d
eposit and a mortgage. Secondly, people seem to be more ambitious nowadays, and
they want a better quality of life for their families. This means that both pare
nts usually need to work full-time, and they depend on support from grandparents
and babysitters for child care.
However, I would agree with those who believe that people are more independent t
hese days. In most countries, families are becoming smaller and more dispersed,
which means that people cannot count on relatives as much as they used to. We al
so have more freedom to travel and live far away from our home towns. For exampl
e, many students choose to study abroad instead of going to their local universi
ty, and this experience makes them more independent as they learn to live alone.
Another factor in this growing independence is technology, which allows us to w
ork alone and from any part of the world.
In conclusion, while there are some reasons to believe that people now depend on
each other more, my own view is that we are more independent than ever.
1. In your country, how do people treat visitors from abroad?
I think we treat visitors well. People in the UK are very open-minded and welcom
ing, and we enjoy the mix of cultures that immigration and tourism bring. Most U
K cities, for example, are really cosmopolitan, and you can meet visitors from e
very part of the world.
2. Do you think hospitality towards visitors is less important than it was in th
e past?
In my city, maybe its true that hospitality is less important nowadays, but thats
only because we are so used to seeing visitors from different countries, so we t
reat it as a normal part of life and nothing too special.
3. What are the advantages of staying with a friend compared to staying in a hot
el when visiting a foreign country?
If you stay with a friend, you benefit from someone with local knowledge of the
best places to visit. You can also get to know the character and customs of the
local people, and for me, this is one of the most interesting aspects of a visit
to another country. On the other hand, if you stay in a hotel, you are forced t
o discover the new place on your own, so its more of an adventure.
Nowadays it is easy to apply for and be given a credit card. However, some peopl
e experience problems when they are not be able to pay their debts back. In your
opinion, do the advantages of credit cards outweigh the disadvantages?
You might be surprised to see a question about credit cards, but I don't think i
t's as bad as it seems. Let's summarise the advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
A credit card gives you access to money and the facility to pay it back later, l
ike a loan. This could be useful for emergencies or something expensive, like a
holiday. Credit cards are a safe way to pay. Easy access to money means that peo
ple spend, and this benefits the economy.
Disadvantages:
Credit cards encourage people to spend money they do not have. Debts can build u
p and leave people in real financial difficulties. When people cannot pay their
debts back, everyone suffers: those in debt may lose their homes, the banks lose
money, and the whole economy suffers.
1. Do you like cooking? Why / why not?
Sometimes. I like preparing a special meal for family or friends who visit, but
everyday cooking is a bit boring; it's something that has to be done, but it's n
ot really fun.
2. Who did the cooking in your family when you were a child?
My mother almost always did the cooking when I was young. I don't think she trus
ted my father to make a nice meal.
3. Do you think that it's important to know how to cook well?
I'm not sure whether it's important to cook well, but I do think that everyone s
hould know the basics. It definitely isn't healthy to rely on pre-prepared meals
or fast food.
4. Do you think that children should be taught cookery at school?
Yes, that's probably a good idea. If all children knew how to cook a few basic,
healthy meals, that would surely be a good thing.
1) In your opinion, are newspapers important?
2) Do you think that newspapers will disappear as a result of the Internet?
3) What negative consequences might there be if newspapers did disappear?
Question:
In your opinion, are newspapers important?
Example student answer:
Yes, in my opinion newspapers are very important (why?) because they give us inf
ormation about what is happening around the world. (why?) They are a vital sourc
e of knowledge about education, technology, medicine and many other fields.
This is a good start, but let's try to raise the answer to band 9 level.
Example answer with 'alternative' and 'example':
Yes, in my opinion newspapers are very important (why?) because they give us inf
ormation about what is happening around the world. (why?) They are a vital sourc
e of knowledge about education, technology, medicine and many other fields. (alt
ernative?) If newspapers didnt exist, I think the quality of news coverage would
suffer because there would be fewer professional journalists. (example?) We woul
d have to rely, for example, on unpaid bloggers who do not have the budgets to c
arry out detailed research before they write an article.
May 2014
The day will stop loving you is the day when I close my eyes forever...........
Sent from my iPhone
Traffic congestion is becoming a huge problem for many major cities. Suggest som
e measures that could be taken to reduce traffic in big cities.
Nowadays, it is obvious that the congestion in nearly all over the world is on t
he increase and cities are becoming busier. In my opinion, this problem must be
tackled because it is a global issue and most of people, especially who live in
big cities, are suffering from that.
One of the main reasons which causes the traffic jam is that the majority of peo
ple prefer using their own cars instead of public transportation. However, it is
not impossible to find good and effective ways to control the congestion. Publi
c transportation is the easiest way to solve this trouble. If there are comforta
ble and cheap public transportations such as trains and buses, they will make pe
ople like to use them better than drive. For instance, in Manchester, Stagecoach
buses are the most convenient buses that help the city to have comfortable life
in its roads and streets during rush hours. In fact, governments should provide
much better public transportation and charge prices that are affordable for eve
ryone.
Another solution to solve that is to charge the congestion fee for every car tha
t will go into a city centre. It will either discourage people from driving into
that area, or raise more money for public transportation. A good example of thi
s situation is London, which now has a congestion charge. Going to the city cent
re in London costs about 8 per day.
In conclusion, the problem of traffic congestion can be tackled by improving pub
lic transportation and by charging drivers who enter city centres.
What problems do children face in today's world? What should we do to address or
solve these problems?
The lack of closeness in families can have a negative effect on children.
Many parents have no idea how their children spend their time.
Friends, television and the Internet have become the main influences on childrens
behaviour.
Teenagers are influenced by peer pressure.
Juvenile delinquency is on the increase.
Parents should be more involved with their childrens upbringing.
Young people need positive role models.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think that governments should spend money on road systems, while oth
ers think that drivers should pay. Discuss both points of view.
advantages and disadvantages of private healthcare.
State Health Systems: Advantages
Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free.
State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes.
Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment.
Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it.
The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every residen
t. (use this as an example)
Private Healthcare: Advantages
State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run.
Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments.
Patients can benefit from faster treatment.
Many people prefer to pay for a more personal service.
Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities.
Note:
You can use the advantages of state healthcare when discussing the disadvantages
of private healthcare.
You don't need to know anything about space exploration for the first question.
I would just agree that it's a waste of money, and argue that governments should
spend this money on schools, hospitals etc.
Many people believe that parents are not as close to their children as they used
to be. Suggest some reasons why this could be true.
Here is an example paragraph about the above topic:
Parents and their children seem to be less close nowadays. Perhaps the main reas
on for this is that both parents often work full-time and therefore spend less t
ime with their children. Whereas women traditionally stayed at home to cook, cle
an and look after children, many mothers now choose to work or are forced to do
so. This means that children may be left alone, or with nannies or babysitters.
Busy parents have less contact with their children and less energy to enjoy fami
ly activities. Many families no longer eat meals together, and children are give
n the freedom to go out with friends, watch television or chat on the Internet f
or hours.
- Genetic engineering is the practice of manipulating the genes of an organism.
- It is used to produce crops that are more resistant to insects and diseases.
- Some genetically modified crops grow more quickly.
- Some drugs and vaccines are produced by genetic engineering.
- It may become possible to change a person's genetic characteristics.
- Scientists may use genetic engineering to cure diseases.
- Inherited illnesses would no longer exist.
- Genes could be changed before a baby is born.
- It could also be possible to clone human organs.
- We could have replacement body parts.
- Humans could live longer, healthier lives
What is the book you read when you were a child?
Who gave you this book?
What is the book about?
What are the things that interested you in the book and explain why?
IELTS Writing Task 2
Should governments make decisions about people's lifestyle, or should people mak
e their own decisions?
From an economic perspective, immigration can be extremely positive. Many immigr
ants have skills that are needed in the country they move to. For example, count
ries sometimes lack key workers like doctors and nurses, and immigration is ther
efore encouraged. Immigrants who find work contribute to the economy of their ne
w country with the skills they bring and the taxes they pay. At the same time, m
any immigrants send money to help family members in their home country, therefor
e helping to boost that economy too.
From a social perspective,I believe,immigration also provides benefits.New immig
rants always bring their own culture to the new country they lodged.It means tha
t they are trying to introduce their customs to a different society.For example,
we both know that in some Muslim countries women always cover their hair,many pe
ople,from non-Muslim countries,however,do not understand it.There is a cultural
gap between them.But what will happen if a Muslim family immigrate to a non-Musl
im country?They start to communicate with the local people and tend to explain t
heir own customs.Then,the local residents begin to know why Muslim women have to
cover their hair,and gradually accept it,and maybe someone really like the midd
le east culture,and learn them more.At the same time,the muslim family also intr
oduce the new culture to their own country.The cultural gap between the two soci
eties become smaller and smaller and finally melt away.This is culture integrati
on.
Learning a foreign language at primary school is better than learning a language
at secondary school. Do you agree or disagree?
Some students decide to work for a year or two before going to university or col
lege, while others prefer to go straight into higher education. Which decision h
as more benefits?
The burning of oil for transport, especially in private cars, is wasteful and en
vironmentally irresponsible. Taxation on petrol and diesel fuel should be increa
sed to very high levels to discourage the use of private cars. To what extent do
you agree or disagree with this statement?
To answer this question, you first need to decide what your opinion is - do you
agree that the use of private cars is bad for the environment, and do you think
that taxation is a good solution? To make it easy, lets say that we agree:
I'd write a paragraph about the problem of cars causing air pollution in cities.
I'd say that it's wasteful when people travel to work alone because their cars
could carry 4 or 5 people. I'd talk about other forms of transport that are more
efficient and less damaging e.g. trains.
My second body paragraph would be about the positive effects that taxation could
have: people would be forced to use public transport, and the money from taxati
on could be used to improve buses, trains, underground systems etc.
Advantages of studying abroad:
Many students choose to study abroad because there are greater opportunities in
a particular foreign country. Foreign universities may offer better facilities o
r courses. They may also be more prestigious than universities in the students ow
n country and have teachers who are experts in their fields. Therefore, by study
ing abroad, students can expand their knowledge and gain qualifications that ope
n the door to better job opportunities. A period of study abroad can also broade
n students horizons. In the new country, they will have to live and work with oth
er students of various nationalities. Thus, overseas students are exposed to dif
ferent cultures, customs and points of view.
Benefits of studying abroad:
Many students travel abroad to study at a prestigious university.
The best universities employ lecturers who are experts in their fields.
Qualifications gained abroad can open doors to better job opportunities.
Living in a foreign country can broaden students' horizons.
Overseas students are exposed to different cultures and customs.
They can immerse themselves in a language.
Drawbacks of studying abroad:
Living away from home can be challenging.
Students have problems with paperwork such as visa applications.
The language barrier can cause difficulties.
Students have to find accommodation and pay bills.
Many students feel homesick and miss their families.
Some students experience culture shock.
Explain some of the ways in which humans are damaging the environment. What can
governments do to address these problems? What can individual people do?
Humans are responsible for a variety of environmental problems, but we can also
take steps to reduce the damage that we are causing to the planet. This essay wi
ll discuss environmental problems and the measures that governments and individu
als can take to address these problems.
Two of the biggest threats to the environment are air pollution and waste. Gas e
missions from factories and exhaust fumes from vehicles lead to global warming,
which may have a devastating effect on the planet in the future. As the human po
pulation increases, we are also producing ever greater quantities of waste, whic
h contaminates the earth and pollutes rivers and oceans.
Governments could certainly make more effort to reduce air pollution. They could
introduce laws to limit emissions from factories or to force companies to use r
enewable energy from solar, wind or water power. They could also impose green tax
es on drivers and airline companies. In this way, people would be encouraged to u
se public transport and to take fewer flights abroad, therefore reducing emissio
ns.
Individuals should also take responsibility for the impact they have on the envi
ronment. They can take public transport rather than driving, choose products wit
h less packaging, and recycle as much as possible. Most supermarkets now provide
reusable bags for shoppers as well as banks for recycling glass, plastic and pape
r in their car parks. By reusing and recycling, we can help to reduce waste.
In conclusion, both national governments and individuals must play their part in
looking after the environment.
Main body "advantages" paragraph (band 9):
There are several advantages to using computers in education. Firstly, students
learn new skills which will be extremely useful for their future jobs. For examp
le, they learn to write reports or other documents using a word processor, and t
hey can practise doing spoken presentations using PowerPoint slides. Secondly, t
echnology is a powerful tool to engage students. The use of websites or online v
ideos can make lessons much more interesting, and many students are more motivat
ed to do homework or research using online resources. Finally, if each student h
as a computer to work on, they can study at their own pace.
Opp view
On the other hand, I believe it is more beneficial for students to study with te
achers. Classroom interaction with teachers can never be mimicked by a computer
or on-line curriculum. Such interaction allows teachers to solve their students p
roblems in study or research accordingly, which leads to a more effective learni
ng. Also, good teachers will always be necessary to draw out the knowledge and h
elp students develop the skills needed to think critically about the information
they consume, and this will never be achieved by sitting face-to-face in front
of a computer.
Video games
Gaming is a simple addiction keeping generations locked to the screen.
Children are spending time they could have spent on real, actual education or re
warding things such as sports and socialising with people.
A large number of children and teens are playing increasingly violent games.
Various games have been accused of causing addiction and even violent behavior.
Video games increase violent tendencies among youth.
Excessive or compulsive use of computer and video games interferes with daily li
fe.
Game players may focus almost entirely on in-game achievements rather than broad
er life events.
People who paly violent games will have a greater risk for carrying out destruct
ive actions.
Parents need to keep track of how much time their children spend in front of the
screen playing games.
Governments should regulate or even ban the practice of selling or renting viole
nt video games to minors.
Note. I'd change the sentence to "People who play violent games are more likely
to carry out destructive actions".
"Firstly, a significant drawback of globalisation is that labour exploitation of
ten occurs alongside the advent of multinationals in the developing world. In sw
eatshops, where the working conditions are often lack of protections for health
and safety, locally hired employees may have to work for long shifts with an int
ense work pace and a low wage. Also, a white-collar worker working in a bank, a
shop or one of the other service industries is usually put under a lot of stress
and worry. In addition, many multinationals have a high turnover of staff. Thei
r employees thus lack job security and sometimes even get sacked on a weekly bas
is."
Advertising is a very common topic in both the IELTS writing and speaking tests.
Here are some ideas from my ebook that you could learn.
Positives of advertising:
Companies need to tell customers about their products and services.
Advertisements inform us about the choices we have.
The advertising industry employs many people.
Advertisements are often funny, artistic or thought-provoking.
Negatives of advertising:
Advertisers aim to convince us that buying things leads to happiness.
We are persuaded to follow the latest trends and fashions.
Children can be easily influenced by advertisements.
They put pressure on their parents by pestering or nagging.
Opinions:
Advertising should be regulated by governments.
Advertisements that target children should be banned.
Packaging for junk food should display clear health warnings.
Overall, advertising is necessary but it needs to be controlled.
Interesting advertsmnt
It has been said that the world is becoming a global village in which there are
no boundaries to trade and communication. Do the benefits of globalisation outwe
igh the drawbacks?
Business is becoming increasingly international.
A global economy means free trade between countries.
This can strengthen political relationships.
Globalisation can also create opportunities for employment.
It encourages investment in less developed countries.
It could reduce poverty in the developing world.
Negatives of globalisation:
Globalisation can also lead to unemployment and exploitation.
Companies move to countries where labour is cheap.
This creates redundancies, or job losses.
Some companies exploit their employees in developing countries.
Salaries are low and working conditions are often poor.
Global trade also creates excessive waste and pollution.
Some people think that school children need to learn practical skills such as ca
r maintenance or bank account management along with the academic subjects at sch
ool. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Here are some suggestions (this is NOT an essay):
1. Introduce the topic then give your opinion
I would write that it is true that children learn academic subjects at school, b
ut not many practical skills. However, I would then disagree that schools should
teach skills like bank account management and car maintenance.
2. First supporting paragraph
I would write a paragraph about the importance of academic subjects like maths,
science, languages etc. We live in a knowledge-based economy where independent t
hinking and problem solving are the most important skills. With timetables alrea
dy full, schools do not have time to teach children anything else.
3. Second supporting paragraph
I would argue that bank account management is a 'life skill' that anyone can lea
rn by simply opening a bank account. Most adults have no problem managing their
finances without being taught accounting lessons at school. Other skills like ca
r maintenance are not really necessary. Most people take their cars to a qualifi
ed mechanic.
4. Conclusion
Repeat the idea that schools are already doing a good job teaching the tradition
al academic subjects. If they start to teach practical skills, the study of impo
rtant academic subjects will suffer.
In today's world, it is private companies rather than government who pay for and
carry out most on scientific research.
Thought to share my comments:
Firstly,I do not agree that advantages outweigh drawbacks:
Points: Private companies:
Private companies intention is to increase sales, so they carry out research to
generate public interest.
They use this research to endorse their products. For this purpose they pay larg
e sum of money to researchers who conducts research projects.
These companies also have wider network and expertise to carry out research.
On the other hand,
Govt research will be unbiased.
Their intention is to guard public, so they do not have any self interest, unlik
e private companies.
They can also potray to public both positives and negatives of research to make
public their own judgement.
Many criminals re-offend after they have been punished. Why do some people conti
nue to commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures can be tak
en to tackle this problem?
Causes of crime and re-offending:
The main causes of crime are poverty, unemployment and lack of education.
People who commit crimes often have no other way of making a living.
The prison system can make the situation worse.
Offenders mix with other criminals who can be a negative influence.
A criminal record makes finding a job more difficult.
Many prisoners re-offend when they are released.
Possible measures to reduce crime and re-offending:
Prisons should provide education or vocational training.
Rehabilitation programmes prepare prisoners for release into society.
Community service is another way to reform offenders.
It makes offenders useful in their local communities.
They might be required to talk to school groups or clean public areas.
Offenders also need help when looking for accommodation and work.
Some people believe that it is wrong to keep animals in zoos, while others think
that zoos are both entertaining and ecologically important. Discuss both views.
Positives of keeping animals in zoos:
Environmental perspective: Zoos play an important role in wildlife conservation.
They help to protect endangered species. They allow scientists to study animal
behaviour.
Economic perspective: Zoos employ large numbers of people. They provide job oppo
rtunities and income for the local area. The money raised can be used for conser
vation projects.
Personal perspective: Zoos are interesting, educational and fun. They make a gre
at day out for families. Children learn to appreciate wildlife and nature.
Negatives of zoos:
Environmental perspective: Zoos are artificial environments. Animals lose their
instinct to hunt for food. It would be better to save endangered species by prot
ecting their natural habitats.
Moral perspective: Keeping animals in cages is unethical. We have no right to us
e animals for entertainment. Zoos exhibit animals with the aim of making a profi
t.
Some people prefer to live in hot climates, whereas others love the lifestyle in
countries with cold climates.
Discuss both views and explain which climate you prefer.
Some people believe that the range of technology available to individuals today
is increasing the gap between rich people and poor people, while others say that
technology has the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
I'd write a 4-paragraph essay:
Introduction: introduce the topic and give your view
One view
The other view (that you agree with)
Conclusion: repeat your view
Some ideas:
Technology could increase the gap between rich and poor. Rich people have smartp
hones, laptops, wireless broadband Internet etc. People in developed countries c
an now work from home or from anywhere in the world. They can do their shopping
online and have things delivered to their homes. Technology improves their quali
ty of life.
On the other hand, many people in poorer countries, who did not have normal tele
phones, now have mobile phones. Also, the Internet is spreading to all parts of
the world. In the past, only people in developed countries had access to world-c
lass libraries, but now the Internet gives everyone access to the same informati
on. This will lead to greater equality.
Negatives of English as global lang
The expansion of English has also been criticised. Some people worry that if one
language, like English, becomes dominant, other languages may disappear. Langua
ges spoken by small communities could become extinct as people learn English in
order to find work. This would obviously have a negative effect on local culture
s, customs and traditions because the new dominant language would bring its own
culture with it. For example, the expansion of English has happened alongside th
e increasing popularity of American culture. The American film, music and fashio
n industries are as dominant as global American companies and products, such as
Microsoft or the iPod. Some people call this cultural imperialism, meaning that on
e culture has power over others.
Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?
Here are some ideas from my ebook.
Happiness means different things to different people.
It can be described as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment.
People enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Hobbies, sports and games can be a source of fun and enjoyment.
Some people see money as a source of happiness.
Other people define happiness as something deeper.
They need to feel that they are doing something useful with their lives.
Some people get a sense of achievement from their work.
Others find happiness in bringing up their children.
How do you think the Internet will affect our lives in the future?
Personal perspective:
I think the Internet will have a huge impact on our lives. More and more people
are using social websites to keep in touch with friends. I think the Internet wi
ll probably replace TV because most channels are already available online.
Economic perspective:
Also, I think we'll do more online shopping. Web-based companies like Amazon are
already really successful. In the future, there will probably be more companies
that only sell via the Internet, and I expect we'll spend more money online tha
n in traditional shops.
Educational perspective:
Schools and universities might also use the Internet to provide courses, so onli
ne learning will probably become a normal part of life.
Do the benefits of tourism outweigh the drawbacks?
Personal perspective: Tourism is a popular leisure activity. Tourists can relax,
have fun, 'recharge their batteries', experience different customs and cultures
(sight-seeing, sunbathing, visiting monuments, tasting new cuisine). Travel ope
ns our minds. It can broaden our horizons.
Economic perspective: The tourism industry is vital for some countries. People r
ely on tourism for their income. Tourism attracts investment from governments an
d companies. It creates employment due to demand for goods and services (hotels,
entertainment etc.). It helps to improve the standard of living.
Negatives of tourism:
Environmental perspective: Tourism can have a negative impact on the environment
. Excessive building (roads, hotels etc.) destroys natural habitats and spoils t
he landscape. Tourism creates pollution and waste. It puts pressure on local res
ources such as food, water and energy.
Economic perspective: Tourism may cause a rise in the cost of living. Prices of
goods and services go up. Tourists buy second homes. All of this affects local p
eople.
Cultural perspective: Local traditions may be lost. Traditional jobs and skills
die out (e.g. farming, fishing). Local people are forced to work in the tourist
industry.
What technology or equipment is used in most workplaces nowadays?
Does technology help workers, or does it make their lives more difficult?
What effect does new technology have on employment?
1. Advice: give a list of different technologies, then talk about one in detail:
In most workplaces people use equipment such as computers, phones, printers, fax
machines and photocopiers. I think the computer is probably the most essential
piece of equipment because we rely on it for almost everything: communicating by
email, writing reports, organising data, and finding information on the Interne
t.
2. Advice: talk about the positives AND the negatives:
Technology definitely helps workers because it makes many tasks so much easier.
For example, email is such a useful tool for communication between employees in
different offices, or even in different countries. On the other hand, technology
can make life more difficult, especially when it goes wrong. It causes a lot of
stress when the Internet is down or a computer crashes.
3. Advice: give the good effects AND the bad effects:
I think technology is often responsible for people losing their jobs. Machines h
ave replaced people in areas like manufacturing and agriculture, and whenever a
new technology is introduced, there are redundancies. At the same time, jobs mig
ht be created thanks to a new technology; there would be no computer programmers
if the computer hadn't been invented.
Nowadays, many people have an unhealthy diet and do not take enough exercise. Wh
y do you think this is, and what can be done to encourage people to lead a healt
hy lifestyle?
Countries with long average working days are more successful economically, but t
here are also some negative social consequences. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
Despite huge improvements in healthcare, the overall standard of physical health
in many developed countries is now falling. What could be the reason for this t
rend, and what can be done to reverse it?
Here is a paragraph about causes of poor health:
Lifestyle is a major cause of poor health in developed countries. Most people no
w travel by car rather than walking, and machines now perform many traditional m
anual jobs. As a result, people tend to work in offices where little physical ac
tivity is required. At home, people are also less active; most adults relax by w
atching television, while children play video games rather than doing outdoor sp
orts. Technology has therefore made our lives more comfortable but perhaps less
healthy.
As part of your IELTS preparation, you should think about what governments can d
o in relation to IELTS topics. Here are some ideas from my ebook:
Governments provide public services like healthcare and education.
They introduce new laws.
They raise money by taxing working people.
They can spend money on campaigns to educate people.
They can raise people's awareness of issues.
They can create new jobs.
They can provide resources for schools, hospitals etc.
They can support people who are living in poverty or unable to work.
So, if the question asks you to suggest what governments should do to reduce obe
sity, you could write this:
"In my opinion, governments should spend money on campaigns to educate people ab
out the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet. Perhaps they should a
lso introduce new laws to ban the advertising of junk food to children."
More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but cit
y life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in
a city. How can governments make urban life better for everyone?
Here are some band 7 vocabulary ideas from my ebook for describing city problems
:
Life in cities has its drawbacks.
The cost of living is higher than in rural areas.
Housing is usually much more expensive.
Homelessness and poverty are common in cities.
There is a gap between the rich and poor.
Life in cities can be extremely stressful.
There are problems like traffic congestion and crime.
Cities lack a sense of community.
People do not even know their neighbours.
Cities are sometimes described as concrete jungles.
Online shopping is increasing dramatically. How could this trend affect our envi
ronment and the kinds of jobs required?
My advice is to plan your essay with a 4-paragraph structure:
1. Introduction: topic + response (2 sentences are enough)
Introduce the topic of 'online shopping becoming more popular'. Then write that
it will have a significant impact on the environment and on jobs.
2. Paragraph about the environment
Write about simple ideas e.g. people will drive less, so there will be less poll
ution, less destruction from the building of new roads, but perhaps more packagi
ng.
3. Paragraph about jobs
Simple ideas e.g. many shop workers will lose their jobs, unemployment may rise,
but there will be more skilled jobs in IT (computer programmers, web designers)
.
4. Conclusion: repeat your response
Overall opinion: online shopping may have a negative effect on employment, but i
t might be a good thing for the environment.
Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crim
e. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the
motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding
on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Here is my suggested essay outline:
1. Introduction: topic + response
People have different views about whether punishments for crimes should be fixed
. Although there are some advantages of fixed punishments, I believe that it is
better to judge each crime individually.
2. Benefits of fixed punishments
There are some good arguments for having one set punishment for each crime.
IDEAS: easy, fair justice system; everyone is aware of the punishment for each c
rime; fixed punishments could deter criminals.
3. Benefits of not having fixed punishments
However, I would argue that the circumstances of a crime and the criminals motiva
tion should have an influence on the punishment.
IDEAS: judge can decide the best response; a more humane system; example: steali
ng to feed a family compared to stealing for profit.
4. Conclusion: repeat your response
In conclusion, despite the advantages of fixed punishments, it seems to me that
each crime should be judged taking both the circumstances and motivation into ac
count.
Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and possess
ions are given too much importance. Others believe that consumer culture has pla
yed a vital role in improving our lives.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
General ideas:
a consumer society, materialistic, earn money, make money, make a profit, succes
s, material possessions, connect wealth with happiness, status symbols, the powe
r of advertising.
Positives of consumerism:
employment, income, salaries, products that we need, reduce poverty, better stan
dard of living, quality of life, creativity and innovation, trade between countr
ies.
Negatives:
create waste, use natural resources, damage to the environment, throw-away cultu
re, people become greedy, selfish, money does not make us happy, loss of traditi
onal values.
Water is a natural resource that should always be free. Governments should ban t
he sale of bottled water.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Here are some opinions that you could use:
Some people believe that bottled water is healthier than tap water.
They also argue that it tastes better.
Other people believe that we should consume less bottled water.
Plastic water bottles add to litter and waste problems.
Companies should not be able to make a profit from a natural resource.
There is no difference in quality between bottled and tap water.
Governments should ensure that everyone has access to clean tap water.
Despite improvements in vehicle technology, there are still large numbers of roa
d accidents. Explain some of the causes of these accidents, and suggest some mea
sures that could be taken to address the problem.
Here are some ideas from my ebook:
Causes:
Driving while tired or drunk is extremely dangerous.
Mobile phones can be a dangerous distraction for drivers.
They draw the drivers attention away from the road.
Solutions:
The use of phones while driving has been banned in many countries.
Punishments are becoming stricter.
Television campaigns are used to remind people to drive safely.
Speed cameras have become more common.
Marriages are bigger and more expensive nowadays than in the past. Why is this t
he case? Is it a positive or negative development?
A good way to answer this question is:
To a certain extent I agree that... However, I also think that...
By saying that you agree to a certain extent (not completely), you can now talk
about both sides of the argument.
Example question:
People visiting other countries should adapt to the customs and behaviours expec
ted there. They should not expect the host country to welcome different customs
and behaviours. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
My introduction:
To a certain extent I agree that visitors to other countries should respect the
culture of the host country. However, I also think that host countries should ac
cept visitors' cultural differences.
After this introduction, you can write one paragraph about each view.
Eg:-In order for a multiculturism to function, the members of foreign must follo
w the basic culture and laws of the host nation because;
Firstly, if the visitors not accept the basic culture and laws of the host count
ry, its tradition and heritage will be destroyed. This may be like the cancer ce
ll that destroy all other cells and ultimately kill the host.
Secondly, it is the best way by which the visitor knows the culture, behavior an
d tradition of other nations. Unless, the visitor will be unfriendly and does no
t has the best behavior of the local people.
On the other hand, the country should be grateful for people who are visiting it
s land. Tourists are a real lucrative market not only for the government, but al
so for the indigenous. So, the host country should accept the cultural differenc
es to help tourists feel a comfortable.
"Water is a natural resource that should always be free. Governments should ban
the sale of bottled water.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
my answer is:-
It is true that water is the essential part of human being. We can't live withou
t water and it is natural resources that should be free.But I completely disagre
e with this point that Govt should ban the sale of bottled water.
if water is free, people do not aware about the value of water.They do not thing
about how much water they waste. For example, Mostly people leave taps running
while washing, bathing, brushing etc. We all know that there are a lot of water
sources but water is being polluted due to pollution which is very harmful for h
uman body.
If we have to pay for water firstly, we will use it more responsibly. secondly w
e will know the value of water.Bottled water are always be filtered but tap wate
r is not. I give you a real example of Punjab(India). People used tap water and
there was a young snake came out from the tap. So according to me bottled water
is safest in todays life. We can carry bottles of water wherever we go.I believe
that bottled water is much healthier than tap water. It can helpful for reducin
g unemployment because there will more private companies and more jobs.
To sum up,water is indispensable for life and we should use clean, safe drinking
water in order to live. It is possible when we use bottled water instead of tap
water. So govt should not ban for sale of bottled water
Eg:-
home school belongs to the past and is unacceptable in the modern society. to wh
at extent do you agree and disagree with this statement?
to a certain extent i agree that home schooling has become backward and we shoul
d replace it.However, i also think that home schooling has some benefits we shou
ld take into consideration
When and where: my friend's birthday party, last Saturday evening, we went for a
meal in an Italian restaurant.
Who: there were about 10 of us, he invited some close friends and work colleague
s, most of them were people I've known since university.
What happened: we met at the restaurant, I gave my friend a present and a birthd
ay card, we ordered some food, while we ate dinner everyone chatted, after the m
ain course the waiter brought out a cake and we sang 'Happy Birthday', everyone
went home quite late.
Why it made me happy: it was great to get together with old friends, I had some
interesting conversations, it was a good opportunity to catch up with what my fr
iends had been up to, it was a nice way to wind down after a hard week at work,
the food was delicious, I went home feeling full after a fantastic meal.
Benefits of mobile phone
The mobile phone is the most popular gadget in todays world.
We can stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues wherever we are.
Users can send text messages, surf the Internet, take photos and listen to music
.
Mobiles have also become fashion accessories.
Mobile phones have revolutionised the way we communicate.
By linking these ideas (and adding a few things) I can write a paragraph:
The mobile phone has become the most popular gadget in todays world. The reason f
or this is that it is portable and versatile. Mobile phones are now carried at a
ll times by most people, allowing us to stay in touch with family, friends and c
olleagues wherever we are. Furthermore, they now have many more functions than a
standard telephone; mobile phone users can send text messages, surf the Interne
t, take photos and listen to music, as well as making calls. Mobiles have become
fashion accessories, and they have revolutionised the way we communicate.
Advertising
Animal Rights: testing on animals, vegetarianism, zoos
Cities: urbanisation, problems of city life
Crime: police, punishments/prisons, rehabilitation, capital punishment
Education: studying abroad, technology in education, education in developing cou
ntries, higher education, home-schooling, bad behaviour, corporal punishment, si
ngle sex education, streaming (grouping children according to ability)
Environment: global warming, impact of humans on the environment, solutions to e
nvironment problems, waste/rubbish, litter, recycling, nuclear power
Family: family size, working parents, negative effects on children, divorce, car
e for old people
Gender: gender and education, gender and work, womens and mens role in the family
Genetic Engineering: positives, negatives, genetically modified foods
Global Issues: problems in developing countries, how to help developing countrie
s, immigration, multi-cultural societies, globalisation
Government and Society: what governments can do, public services, censorship, vi
deo cameras in public places
Guns and Weapons: gun ownership and possession, police and guns, nuclear weapons
, armed forces
Health: diet, exercise, state health systems, private healthcare, alternative me
dicine, stress
Housing and Architecture: state housing, old buildings, modern/green buildings
International Language: English as an international language
Money: money and society, consumerism
Personal Development: happiness, success, nature or nurture
Sport and Leisure: professional/competitive sport, sport salaries, sport and pol
itics
Tourism: positives, negative effects on environment, future of tourism
Traditions and Modern Life: losing traditional skills, traditional customs
Transport: traffic problems and solutions, public transport, road safety
Television, Internet and Mobile Phones: positives and negatives, Internet compar
ed to newspapers and books
Water: importance of clean water, water supply, water should be free, bottled wa
ter
Work: same job for life, self-employment, unemployment, work/life balance, techn
ology and work, child labour
This is the topic list that I work with when preparing lessons, and it's the bas
is of my ebook. It's a good idea to print this list and try to work through it.
1
Some people believe that robots will play an important role in future societies,
while others argue that robots might have negative effects on society.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Describe something important that you did for someone.
Talk about your favourite TV programme.
- Describe a film
- Describe a hobby
- Describe traditional music in your country
1. Do you think it's important for boys to play with "boys' toys" and for girls
to only play with "girls' toys"?
My answer:
1. Yes, I think it is definitely true. Because it is already proved fact that th
e boys primarily prefer playing with boys toys and girls tend to play with girls t
oys. Also the toys are special tools to form a good behavior and character in ch
ildren. While playing with cars, trucks, aero planes and trains boys will have a
good skill of managing, constructing and even repairing in case of getting brok
en. Similarly girls playing with dolls and kitchen tools will gain a sense of mo
therhood in their later life.
2. Do you think it's good if parents only buy "educational" toys for their child
ren?
No, I don't agree with only giving children educational toys. In my opinion, chi
ldren learn by playing with whatever interests them. Children invent their own g
ames, even if they don't have any toys at all. It's important for children just
to have fun; there will be plenty of time for parents to worry about education w
hen their children get older.
Describe a toy
Describe a modern building.
Describe a TV or radio presenter that you like.
In your country, what possessions show a higher status or position in society?
In my country, people who are wealthy tend to buy big houses and cars. Certain m
akes of car such as Mercedes or Ferrari are status symbols. They let other peopl
e know that you are important or powerful. People who want to give this impressi
on often wear expensive designer clothes, or watches by brands like Rolex.
Do you think we place too much importance on possessions?
Probably, yes. Some people are obsessed with showing off their new mobile phone
or wearing the latest fashions. I think it's a problem for teenagers because the
re's a lot of peer pressure to follow fashion or buy the latest gadget that thei
r friends have got.
Do you think things were different 50 years ago?
Yes, maybe people were less materialistic. I think they bought things that laste
d longer; my grandparents talk about how they repaired things rather than throwi
ng them away. Maybe brands and advertising weren't as powerful as they are now.
Describe something you bought recently.
Describe a gift you gave or received.
Describe something you own which is important to you.
iPod
Helpful advice u recieved?speaking
Describe a time when you helped someone. Who was it? What did you do? Why did yo
u help the person?
Helpful advice u receive??speaking
Describe a person you admire.
You should say:
who the person is
what he or she is like
and why you admire him or her.
I'm going to talk about my father because he has been a major influence in my li
fe.
My father was always a good role model for me as I was growing up. He's hard-wor
king, patient and understanding; he's also got a good sense of humour and seems
to get on well with everybody. Hopefully I've inherited some of these traits.
I admire my father because I think he brought me and my brothers/sisters up well
; he was quite strict but always fair, and he has always been someone I can turn
to for advice. I think my father set a good example by working hard and having
a positive outlook on life. I remember that he used to leave for work early and
come home quite late, but he always made time for me and my brothers/sisters.
Describe a festival: Christmas
Christmas is an annual holiday that, in Christianity, commemorates the birth of
Jesus Christ.
Popular customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeti
ng cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decora
tions; including Christmas trees, lights, nativity scenes, and holly. In additio
n, Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in some areas) is a popular figure in
many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children.
Over the Christmas period, people decorate their homes and exchange gifts. In so
me countries, children perform plays re-telling the events of the Nativity, or s
ing carols that reference the event. Christmas, along with Easter, is the period
of highest annual church attendance.
A special Christmas family meal is an important part of the celebration for many
, and what is served varies greatly from country to country. In England and coun
tries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal includes turkey, p
otatoes, vegetables, sausages and gravy, followed by Christmas pudding, mince pi
es and fruit cake.
Describe an interesting place you have visited.
You should say:
where it is
what you can do there
and why you think it's an interesting place.
Describe a place you have visited.
Describe a historic place.
Describe a holiday.
Describe a place you would like to visit.
Describe somewhere you have lived or would like to live.
My advice is to prepare a description of one place that you could use to answer
all of these questions. Then search the Internet for some good vocabulary.(inclu
positives and negatives)
) Describe something that you collect.
Most students panic because they don't collect anything. But this question is ea
sier than you think. If your hobby is listening to music or reading books, just
tell the examiner that you collect CDs or novels. You could talk about your "col
lection" of clothes or shoes. Everyone has a collection of something, even if yo
u don't call yourself a collector.
2) Describe an important decision that you made.
Easy. Just talk about the subject you chose to study or the career you decided t
o pursue. If you moved to live/study in a different country, you could talk abou
t that.
3) Describe an important letter you received.
Use the answer you gave for number 2 (with a few small changes). Talk about the
letter you received confirming your place on a university course, or confirming
a successful job application.
Describe a foreign person that you like. You should say:
- where you met him/her
- why you like him/her
- and explain what you learnt from him/her
Some advice:
The easy choice would be to describe an English teacher. You could then talk abo
ut your lessons and easily explain what you learnt.
I think it would be acceptable to describe someone you have never met. Just say
"I've never met the person I'm going to describe, but I hope to meet him/her one
day".
If you do number 2 above, choose your hero.
Q.how long have you been learning English?
*where did you learn?
*what is easy/difficult?
*what opportunities do you have to speak?
*is it important?
LEISURE
Q.what you do in your spare time?hobbies and interest?
*when/how did you became interested?
*how do you spend your holidays?
*is there any place you would like to visit?why?
DAILY ROUTINE
Q.are all your days the same?
*typical day?
typical weekend?
what would you like to change?
*what is the balance of work/study? IMPACT ON YOU
Q.describe a story,book or movie that had a big impact on you?
*describe what it was about?
*what effect it had?
*why it was so powerful?
Id like to talk about my mother because she has been a major influence in my life
.
She is an intelligent, hard-working, and active person who still works over 40 h
ours a week, at an age of nearly 60. She is a very well-reputed person in her fi
eld as a medical doctor. She is really strong. Although she grew up in a family
full of problems and conflicts, she never let herself become disappointed or dep
ressed. In contrast, she turned into a very caring and loving person.
I admire her, because she devoted a lot of time and energy for upbringing of my
sister and I. For example, despite working hard, especially as a doctor with nig
ht shifts, she always made time for me and my sister. Since I was a little child
she encouraged me to try to write down about my emotions, feelings, and things
that were bothering me, instead of keeping them inside. So, I started writing fr
om an early age and now, I indebted my success in writing short stories to my mo
ther, as my first and main motivator.
Describe a person you admire.
You should say:
Father
hi sir ,
please give the best response for these questions.
LANGUAGE
Some people think schools should group pupils according to their academic abilit
y, but others believe pupils with different abilities should be educated togethe
r. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Here are some "band 7" (or higher) ideas from my ebook:
For grouping by ability:
Teachers can work at the right speed for their students.
Teachers can plan more suitable lessons.
High-level groups may progress faster.
Lower level groups can benefit from a slower pace.
Against grouping by ability:
Grouping by ability may have a negative impact on students.
Children do not want to be seen as less intelligent than others.
Being in a lower level group could damage their self esteem.
Mixed ability classes encourage children of all abilities to cooperate.
Here are some example introductions for 3 different types of essay. My technique
is to write 2 sentences:
A sentence to introduce the topic
A sentence giving a general response to the question or instruction
Problem & Solution Essay:
It is true that children's behaviour seems to be getting worse. There are variou
s reasons for this, and both schools and parents need to work together to improv
e the situation.
Discussion (& Opinion) Essay:
People have different views about how children should be taught. While there are
some good arguments in favour of teaching children to be competitive, I believe
that it is better to encourage co-operation.
Opinion (Agree / Disagree) Essay:
In recent years it has become more common for women to return to work after havi
ng a child. However, I do not agree that this has been the cause of problems for
young people.
My advice:
Keep your introduction short. Main body paragraphs are more important.
Some people think that in the modern world we have become more dependent on each
other, while others think that people are now more independent.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
First view: we have become more dependent
Life is more difficult and expensive, and we are less self-sufficient
Young people rely on their parents for longer
Unemployed people receive state benefits
Our jobs are much more specialised, and we need to work in teams
Second view: we are more independent
We rely on machines more than we depend on each other
The Internet allows us to solve problems without needing help
Families are more dispersed, and therefore provide less support
Education gives us the freedom to make our own choices
Competitiveness is considered to be a positive quality among people.
How does competitiveness affect individuals?
Is competitiveness a positive or negative quality?
Several languages are in danger of extinction because they are spoken by very sm
all numbers of people. Some people say that governments should spend public mone
y on saving these languages, while others believe that would be a waste of money
.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
It is true that some minority languages may disappear in the near future. Althou
gh it can be argued that governments could save money by allowing this to happen
, I believe that these languages should be protected and preserved.
There are several reasons why saving minority languages could be seen as a waste
of money. Firstly, if a language is only spoken by a small number of people, ex
pensive education programmes will be needed to make sure that more people learn
it, and the state will have to pay for facilities, teachers and marketing. This
money might be better spent on other public services. Secondly, it would be much
cheaper and more efficient for countries to have just one language. Governments
could cut all kinds of costs related to communicating with each minority group.
Despite the above arguments, I believe that governments should try to preserve l
anguages that are less widely spoken. A language is much more than simply a mean
s of communication; it has a vital connection with the cultural identity of the
people who speak it. If a language disappears, a whole way of life will disappea
r with it, and we will lose the rich cultural diversity that makes societies mor
e interesting. By spending money to protect minority languages, governments can
also preserve traditions, customs and behaviours that are part of a countrys hist
ory.
In conclusion, it may save money in the short term if we allow minority language
s to disappear, but in the long term this would have an extremely negative impac
t on our cultural heritage.
Women should have an equal role alongside men in both police and armed forces. T
o what extent do you agree or disagree?
Here is my plan for a 4-paragraph essay:
1. Introduction: topic + response
- Introduce the topic e.g. "Increasing numbers of women are choosing to..."
- Respond to the question e.g. "I completely agree that women should be able..."
2. First reason why I agree: equal opportunities
Explain why women should have the same right as men to choose their profession.
People should be chosen for jobs according to their skills, qualifications, char
acter etc.
3. Second reason why I agree: women's capabilities
I would disagree with the view that women are less able than men to do certain j
obs. Also, I would argue that policewomen, for example, may be better at control
ling a situation by communicating more effectively. Police and military work req
uires more than just physical strength. Teamwork, leadership and communication c
an be much more important.
4. Conclusion: one sentence
Repeat your response in a different way.
Describe an important conversation you had.
IELTS Speaking Part 3:
What are the differences between men's and women's conversations?
What do you think are the characteristics of a good speaker?
For the first question in part 3, my advice is to use 'stereotypes':
"I think it depends on the people who are having the conversation, and it depend
s on the situation, but most people would say that men talk more about sport or
cars, whereas women talk about their friends, family and relationships. Women ar
e supposed to be better at expressing their feelings, while men prefer not to ta
lk about themselves."
For the second question in part 3, use adjectives and examples:
"I think good speakers are confident and passionate about the subject of their s
peech. They need to be interesting and engaging. I think a speaker's body langua
ge is also really important. A famous example of a great speaker is Barack Obama
; he seems to be a naturally inspiring speaker, but I'm sure that practice and p
reparation are more important than natural talent."
Ideas: why should the ownership of guns be limited/controlled?
In many countries, gun ownership is strictly controlled.
Supporters of this policy point out the risk of accidents with guns, especially
when children can gain access to them.
They also argue that the number of violent crimes increases when guns are availa
ble, and that police are forced to use guns to combat armed criminals.
Furthermore, suicide rates have been shown to rise in places where guns are lega
l.
All in all, gun control advocates believe that guns create violent societies wit
h high murder rates.
Part 2: Describe a law in your country.
Advice: Choose a typical IELTS topic like "guns". Explain why people in your cou
ntry can/can't own a gun, and talk about the pros and cons of this law. There is
a chapter on this topic in my ebook.
Part 3: What new law would you introduce to improve life in your country?
Advice: Choose an easy topic like "environment". Explain that the government cou
ld introduce new laws to reduce pollution from factories, cars etc. Explain how
this would improve people's lives.
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to
a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straigh
t after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or c
ontinue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight
after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.
The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons
. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way
, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house o
r start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work
, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have
the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their c
hosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.
On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue
their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many profession
s. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without h
aving the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more
and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those
with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly com
petitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a c
ompany. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college
will not be able to compete.
For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to
be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school lev
el.
Describe newspaper or magazine
Describe something naughty you did when you were a child. Say
- what you did
- when you did it
- why you did it
- and explain how your parents felt about it.
I cheated in a test at primary school by looking at the answers in my book under
the table.
I was about ... years old, it was a ... lesson. Give some more background about
the lesson, the test, the teacher etc.
I hadn't studied for the test, I didn't want to fail and have to retake the test
at lunchtime. Give reasons why you didn't have time to study.
The teacher caught me and told my parents. Explain their feelings: disappointed,
angry, embarrassed. Explain the punishment e.g. they 'grounded' me for a week (
informal expression, meaning 'they didn't allow me to go out or see friends').
As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction
is an important element of individual well-being.
What factors contribute to job satisfaction?
How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?
The following paragraph answers the second part of the question (How realistic..
)
It is difficult to imagine a world in which everyone is truly satisfied with the
ir job. Most people work in order to earn a salary, and they would probably not
choose to spend eight or more hours each day doing their jobs if they did not ne
ed the money. The need to earn money to pay mortgages, bills and everyday living
costs is of much greater concern than job satisfaction. In fact, I would argue
that the majority of people dislike their jobs and are unhappy about their salar
ies, working hours, workloads, or their bosses.
Do you like your job / course? Why / why not?
Yes, I really like my job because it's interesting and I work with a great team
of people. OR: Yes, I enjoy studying English, but my real aim is to do a Master'
s and then find a job in an international company.
All high school students should be encouraged to take part in community service
programmes.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Describe a practical skill that you have learnt (e.g. cooking, driving).
You should say
what the skill is
how you learnt it
why you learnt it
and how this skill has helped you.
Cooking
Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a questionnaire.
Advice: Say that your were given a questionnaire at the end of one of your schoo
l or university courses. Say that the questions asked for your opinions about th
e teaching, materials, facilities, level of difficult, how much you enjoyed the
course etc.
IELTS speaking part 3:
What kinds of organisation regularly conduct questionnaires?
All kinds of organisations and companies use questionnaires to find out what peo
ple think about them. For example, university lecturers often ask their students
to answer questions about their courses. Someone from a Starbucks cafe stopped
me in the street yesterday to ask me about my coffee drinking habits.
Do you think schools should ask children for their opinions about lessons?
On the one hand, it might be useful for teachers to get feedback from children a
bout how much they learnt and how enjoyable they found the lessons. However, chi
ldren don't necessarily know what's best for them, and it might do more harm tha
n good to allow them to give opinions about their teachers.
Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, w
hile others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate.
Discuss both views and give you own opinion.
People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my opinio
n, museums can and should be both entertaining and educational.
On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to entertain
. Museums are tourist attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a collection of i
nteresting objects that many people will want to see. The average visitor may be
come bored if he or she has to read or listen to too much educational content, s
o museums often put more of an emphasis on enjoyment rather than learning. This
type of museum is designed to be visually spectacular, and may have interactive
activities or even games as part of its exhibitions.
On the other hand, some people argue that museums should focus on education. The
aim of any exhibition should be to teach visitors something that they did not p
reviously know. Usually this means that the history behind the museums exhibits n
eeds to be explained, and this can be done in various ways. Some museums employ
professional guides to talk to their visitors, while other museums offer headset
s so that visitors can listen to detailed commentary about the exhibition. In th
is way, museums can play an important role in teaching people about history, cul
ture, science and many other aspects of life.
In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum should be able to offer an inte
resting, enjoyable and educational experience so that people can have fun and le
arn something at the same time.
1. How well do you know your next-door neighbours?
I know my neighbours quite well. They're really nice people, and I always stop t
o talk whenever I see them. I think it's important to get on well with the peopl
e who live next door.
2. How often do you see them?
I see my neighbours at least a few times a week. We usually see each other when
we're leaving for work in the morning or coming home in the evening.
3. What problems do people sometimes have with their neighbours?
I think the most common problem is probably noise. It's difficult to live next t
o people who have a dog that barks at night, or who play loud music or have too
many parties.
Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a questionnaire.
Advice: Say that your were given a questionnaire at the end of one of your schoo
l or university courses. Say that the questions asked for your opinions about th
e teaching, materials, facilities, level of difficult, how much you enjoyed the
course etc.
IELTS speaking part 3:
What kinds of organisation regularly conduct questionnaires?
All kinds of organisations and companies use questionnaires to find out what peo
ple think about them. For example, university lecturers often ask their students
to answer questions about their courses. Someone from a Starbucks cafe stopped
me in the street yesterday to ask me about my coffee drinking habits.
Do you think schools should ask children for their opinions about lessons?
On the one hand, it might be useful for teachers to get feedback from children a
bout how much they learnt and how enjoyable they found the lessons. However, chi
ldren don't necessarily know what's best for them, and it might do more harm tha
n good to allow them to give opinions about their teachers.
Describe an interesting lesson that you attended.
You should say
where you attended this lesson
what it was about
and why you found it interesting
Here are some ideas for a description of a science lesson:
I'm going to talk about an interesting science lesson that I attended at seconda
ry school when I was 14 or 15 years old.
It was quite a long time ago, so I can't remember every detail, but the lesson w
as about respiration. We learnt about how the lungs work, how we breathe, and ho
w oxygen passes into the blood. The science teacher also talked to us about the
effects of smoking on the lungs.
I found this lesson interesting because my science teacher, Dr. Smith, always in
troduced new topics by showing us a video. We watched a short film about how res
piration works, and I found this much easier to understand than a science textbo
ok. The film showed diagrams of the lungs to explain the breathing process. Late
r in the lesson we saw real photos of healthy lungs and lungs that had been dama
ged as a result of smoking; they had turned black. I think the image of a smoker
's lungs is the reason why I remember this lesson.
Here's my full essay using last week's plan:
Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every su
bject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities. How
ever, I do not agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender
in every university subject.
Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply unrealis
tic. Student numbers on any course depend on the applications that the instituti
on receives. If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of males
and females, it would need enough applicants of each gender. In reality, many c
ourses are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be prac
tical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to attract
more female applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fift
y per cent of the places needed to go to males.
Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would
be unfair to base admission to university courses on gender. Universities should
continue to select the best candidates for each course according to their quali
fications. In this way, both men and women have the same opportunities, and appl
icants know that they will be successful if they work hard to achieve good grade
s at school. If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course,
it would be wrong to reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or
fewer qualifications.
In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, an
d it would be both impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure bas
ed on gender.
(265 words, band 9)
1) Do you have a favourite number or a number that is special to you?
Yes, my favourite number is... because it's the day I was born on, and it's my l
ucky number.
2) Do any numbers have special importance in your country?
Yes, certain ages are special. For example, your 18th birthday is important beca
use it's when you are considered to become an adult.
3) Are you good at remembering numbers? Why / why not?
No, I'm not very good at remembering numbers. I don't think it's necessary to le
arn them by heart; I just save them on my phone.
4) What numbers do people often have to memorise?
The most important number to remember on a daily basis is the pin number for you
r bank card. Without this you can't pay for anything or get cash out.
Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every su
bject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
I did a lesson about this question with my students. Here are our ideas:
Introduction: We decided to completely disagree with the question statement. You
don't need to explain both sides of the argument. Just give your opinion in the
introduction, then support it in the main body paragraphs.
Paragraph 2: One reason why we decided to disagree is that it would not be pract
ical or realistic to have exactly the same number of males and females on every
course. Some courses have mainly male applicants, while others are more popular
with females.
Paragraph 3: Another reason we disagreed is that it would not be fair to base ad
mission to courses on gender. Universities should select candidates based on the
ir qualifications, skills, experience etc.
Conclusion: Repeat the idea that selecting according to gender is not the best w
ay to ensure equal opportunities for men and women at university.
Describe something that was recently reported in the news.
You should say:
what happened
who was involved
and why you found this news interesting
Example topic choices for the question above:
My strong topic could be "education", so I'd say that I read a news article abou
t universities using the Internet. Click here to see a recent article about this
topic.
If you like football, you could talk about the news that Barcelona won the Champ
ions League.
If you have studied the "health" topic for IELTS writing, you could talk about s
chools banning junk food. I did a quick search and found this article about scho
ols in Dubai.
The money given to help poor countries does not solve the problem of poverty, so
rich countries should give other types of help instead.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
I'm going to describe a modern building in Manchester. It's called the Beetham T
ower, and it's the tallest building in the city, with about 50 floors.
Although it's called the Beetham Tower, most people know this building as the Hi
lton Hotel. In fact, the bottom half of the tower is the hotel and the top half
is apartments. The apartments are expensive because the location and views make
them very desirable.
I'm not sure if I like the design of the building, it's just a huge glass tower,
but it definitely stands out. It has become a famous landmark in the city. You
can see it as you approach Manchester, and it's an easy place to meet people bec
ause it's so distinctive and easy to find. The most interesting thing about the
Beetham Tower is that there is a bar/restaurant on the 23rd floor which has spec
tacular views of the city; it's definitely the best vantage point in Manchester
because there are no walls, only huge windows, so you can look out over the city
in any direction. I'd recommend anyone who visits Manchester to go there and ex
perience the view.
Some people believe that the salaries paid to professional sportspeople are too
high, while others argue that sports salaries are fair.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
View 1: sports salaries are too high
Sports professionals earn too much money.
They do not provide a vital service.
Football players earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball.
We could all live happily without professional football.
We should value professionals such as nurses and teachers more highly.
View 2: sports salaries are fair
It is fair that the best sportspeople earn a lot of money.
Sport is a multi-million-pound industry.
There is a large audience of sports fans who are willing to pay.
Televised games or events attract many viewers.
Being a top sportsperson requires hours of practice.
Describe an artist or entertainer you admire
You should say
who they are and what they do
how they became successful
how you found out about them
and why you admire them
I've tried to write a general example description that might help you with some
ideas. In your description you must give the name of the person.
Im going to talk about a musician that I admire, called... Hes a singer who also p
lays the guitar and writes his own songs. I think he recorded his first album ab
out 10 years ago, and hes released several other CDs since then.
He became successful after many years of writing songs and performing live in sm
all venues all over the country. Gradually he built a following of people who li
ked his music. I think the key to his success was one of his songs that was used
on a TV advertisement. This meant that more people became aware of his music.
I found out about... because one of my friends got tickets to see him in concert
. I hadnt heard any of his music before, but I went along to the gig and really e
njoyed it. After that I bought the first CD, and now Ive got all of them.
The reason I admire... is that he has worked hard for his success: it takes year
s of practice to become a good singer and guitarist, and he spent several years
playing to very small audiences before he became successful. I also like the fac
t that he writes his own music. I admire people who have worked hard to get wher
e they are.
Differences between countries become less evident each year. Nowadays, all over
the world people share the same fashions, advertising, brands, eating habits and
TV channels.
Do the disadvantages of this trend outweigh the advantages?
Correction needed:-
Globalization have prodigious effects on the entire planet today. People are com
ing on the same platform, where food, clothes, habits and entertainment are conc
erned. In my opinion, it has more adverse effects on the indivitual societies th
an positive effects.
The negative impact is very huge on the long lasting cultural values. In one par
t of the world, which are highly influenced by the western civilization are more
pron to loose their historical identity. For instance in my country, where most
of the inhabitants can be found wearing western attires gives the strong messag
e to the international audience that, indigenous people are forgetting their cul
tural dresses. Another example is the type of food, which can be called as the m
ixture of native, and of other countries. People can find numerous junk food eat
eries which are galvanizing huge adolescents. The same are impacting younger gen
eration, which are repelling them from the traditional dishes. Habits like sport
s activites, shopping and television programs all are influenced and hampering t
he image and cultural values of the nation.
However, there are positive effects of the globalization also. People can get ac
quainted with other societies also. Because of the dramatic empowerment of telec
ommunication and transportation, people have multitudinious choice from differen
t parts of the world, where cloths, foods and entertainment are concerned. For i
nstance without going to another place, we can enjoy delicious cuisines, can try
different clothes according the the comfort. People can learn new things from t
heir on air programs, which can give conspicuous picture about their tradition a
nd culture.
I would like to conclude that, negative influence of sharing common things is th
e cultural loss, which overpower the benefits.
It is right that university graduates should earn more money than less well educ
ated people, but they should pay the full cost of their education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
There is a proposal suggested that university tuition fees should be refunded by
the beneficiaries graduated from the institutions . nevertheless, the salaries
of these graduates is higher than their peers who do not have a university degre
e. Although some people might disagree about the proposal for their specific rea
sons , I do agree with the proposal in terms of finance and investments in other
sectors , and, independency
The fact that the wages of the new graduates from university is not as high as o
ther graduates who are studying the same degree because these new employees are
still in the primary stage of the career ladder. Paying these fees may not be a
problem because these fees are taken from individuals salaries by instalments and
therefore the proportions taken from salaries are unnoticeable and minor. This
will boost the governments budgets and help to improve other sectors in the coun
try. For example, if the government invests the money that was allocated to refu
nd the educational bodies of their students into cancer research in the health s
ector , more people may obtain the chance to recover from this disease in long t
erm.
It is crucial to be acknowledged by the admission department of the university d
uring the study in the university that the government is not responsible for the
ir study. This may motivate the students to work harder and encourage them that
the life is not easy and they should depend on themselves when they graduate. Fo
r example, if a student is studying science in one of the universities that has
very good reputation in the country and he knows that he does not have to worry
about tuition fees in the university because it would be paid for by the governm
ent , he would not be enthusiastic about passing and might take a longer time to
finish his study.
To conclude, it is important to bring up our generations with the fact that it i
s our responsibility to help the government in all sectors and contribute to mit
igate the financial issues that may they may encounter , such as the education s
ector.
Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?
Happiness plays a pivotal role in our life.It brings moments which one could che
rish for life time.It is as important as other amenities of life.
It is certainly true that defining happiness is just next to impossible because
perception of happiness is different for different people. I think it is a react
ion of mind to the outer situation based on inner condition of thoughts.
Happiness can be transformed from state of being. This state of being happy is s
tate of eternal happiness. For instance, for some people money brings sense of s
ecurity and physiological gratification in life and such people associate materi
alistic things like social status, luxury, and comfort with happiness. For other
s finding spiritual peace and tranquility bring happiness and for many being sur
rounded by friends, family and people brought happiness. I personally feel if yo
u are personally and professionally satisfied in life you will be able to be hap
py and if you are busy in quest of more you could led a stressful life as for me
happiness is directly proportional to our health and who would know the importa
nce of happiness better than me as being a dentist, i always work with aesthetic
s and smiles of people and making those smile perfect makes me happy.
Though happiness is a momentary response and any reaction of mind cannot sustain
for longer period of time, we should always try to find reasons for being happy
and let others to remain happy as well.
Some ideas: Explain that happiness means different things to different people; t
he same situation can make one person happy but another person sad/bored etc. Gi
ve examples of what makes different people happy (money, success, family, friend
s, hobbies). Give an example from your experience e.g. a hobby that makes you ha
ppy but that your friend hates.
3. Paragraph - give your opinions about how to achieve happiness
Some ideas: Try to organise your ideas logically - you could begin with humans'
basic needs (in order to be happy we need to be healthy and have somewhere to li
ve, food to eat etc.) then talk about the importance of family and friends. You
could then write about career, money, success, status etc. - maybe you could exp
lain that these things mean nothing if we do not have family and friends to shar
e our experiences with. Give an example from your own life - what will make you
happier than you are now?
4. Conclusion - repeat/summarise the main ideas
Question:
Why do you think friendship is important?
Answer:
I think friendship is important for all sorts of reasons. (why?) We need friends
to share experiences with, to talk to, and for support. (example?) In my case,
I like to meet up with friends at the weekend to do something enjoyable, like se
e a film or go out for dinner. I like chatting with my friends about what we've
been doing during the week, or about what's happening in the world. (alternative
s?) Without friends to talk to, life would be dull and boring; we would only hav
e our families to talk to.
Early technological developments helped ordinary people and changed their lives
more than recent developments.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The aim of technology has always been serving people through making their lives
easy. It is true that technical innovations took place long ago assisted people
to change their live for better; it dose not indicate that current technical adv
ancements left behind its original goal.
The fact is that emergence of machines revolutionized peoples lives. With the inv
ention of steam engine, for example, travellers could travel extremely faster th
an using conventional means, and arrival of tractor reduced the duration of mont
hs works of farmers to days, which were significant moments in human routine. In
terms of communication, telephone and telegraph also brought people closer, whic
h are entirely understandable events.
At the same time, it cannot be denied that the impact of the current technology
has been by far fundamental in changing todays world. Take computer for example.
This invention not only shocked people, but entered them to a new era of Compute
rized World means petite. Now, a large library and a gigantic administrations are
converted into a pocket box, which not only saved space for other activities, bu
t it also minimized the unnecessary consumption. Enhancements in genetics can be
another domain, which realized long-standing dreams to reality in the fields of
medicine and agriculture. Tens of previously killer ailments are now diagnosabl
e and curable, food quantity and quality is not comparable even to its one decad
e before situations.
It is therefore does not seem logic to ignore the significance of new technical
developments, and it is better to bring to a close that science and technology c
onstantly serve humanity.
1. What do you think makes a good lesson?
I think a good lesson is one that is interesting and engaging. By 'engaging' I m
ean that the students should feel involved in the lesson; they should feel that
they are learning something new that is relevant to them. In my opinion, a lot d
epends on how the teacher delivers the content of the lesson in a way that stude
nts like. My favourite teacher at university used to involve the students by mak
ing us teach some of the lessons ourselves.
2. Do you think it's better to have a teacher or to teach yourself?
Well, there's no substitute for a good teacher. I think you can teach yourself,
but you can learn a lot more quickly with the guidance of a teacher. For example
, when learning a language, you really need someone to correct your mistakes; yo
u can get the grammar and vocabulary from books, but books can't tell you where
you're going wrong.
3. Do you think the traditional classroom will disappear in the future?
I don't think it will disappear, but it might become less common. I think more p
eople will study independently, using different technologies rather than sitting
in a classroom. Maybe students will attend a lesson just once a week, and spend
the rest of their time following online courses or watching video lessons.
Behaviour in schools is getting worse. Explain the causes and effects of this pr
oblem, and suggest some possible solutions.
1. Why do you think sport is important?
I think sport is important for different reasons. For me, doing a sport is about
having fun. When I play football, for example, I forget about everything else a
nd just enjoy myself. Also, doing a sport helps you to keep fit and healthy, and
it's a good way to socialise and make friends.
2. Do you think famous sportspeople are good role models for children?
I think that sportspeople should be good role models. Children look up to their
favourite football players, like David Beckham for example, so I think that thes
e people have an enormous responsibility. They should try to be a good influence
, and behave in the right way.
3. Do you agree that sports stars earn too much money?
In my opinion, it's fair that the best sportspeople earn a lot of money. Being a
top sportsperson requires hours of practice, and there are millions of sports f
ans who are willing to pay to see them play. If we don't want sportspeople to ea
rn so much money, we shouldn't go to watch them.
Describe a problem that affects the environment in the area where you live.
You should say
- what the problem is
- what causes it
- and explain what you think could be done to solve it
Remember, the question asks you to talk about a problem in your local area, so d
on't choose 'global warming'. These topics would be better:
Air pollution caused by traffic and factories.
Building new roads, houses, factories etc. destroys natural areas.
Increasing amounts of litter and household waste.
Some people think the main purpose of schools is to turn children into good citi
zens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Here are 3 different introductions. Notice that the opinion is clear in each one
.
Agree:
People have different views about what the main purpose of schools should be. Pe
rsonally, I agree that a school's role is to prepare children to be productive m
embers of society.
Disagree:
Many people argue that the main role of schools is to prepare children for their
future jobs. However, I believe that the purpose of education should be to help
children to grow as individuals.
Balanced view:
To a certain extent I agree that the role of schools is to prepare children to b
e productive members of society. However, I also believe that the education proc
ess has a positive impact on us as individuals.
For example, do you have an opinion about whether governments should protect old
buildings?
Historic buildings are part of a countrys heritage.
Old buildings are often considered to be works of art.
They give character to cities, and attract tourists.
We identify countries by architectural symbols, like the pyramids in Egypt.
Governments should spend money on looking after historic buildings.
They need regular repairs and maintenance.
Childhood obesity is becoming a serious problem in many countries. Explain the m
ain causes and effects of this problem, and suggest some possible solutions.
1. What form of transport do you prefer to use? Why?
I prefer to travel by car because it means that I have my own space. Also, the b
uses and trains in my city are usually overcrowded; my car is much more comforta
ble.
2. How much time do you spend travelling on a normal day?
I probably spend about an hour and a half travelling to and from work. I travel
during the rush hours, so there is quite a lot of traffic.
3. What do you do while you are travelling?
I usually listen to the radio or a CD. In the morning I like to listen to the ne
ws to find out what is happening in the world.
4. Do you ever have problems with transport?
Yes, as I said, I get stuck in traffic on my way to and from work. I used to get
annoyed by traffic jams, but now I'm used to them.
In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move
to regional areas outside the big cities.
Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
Here are some ideas:
Introduce the topic by paraphrasing the statement, then give a clear opinion abo
ut whether there are more advantages or disadvantages.
Advantages - e.g. costs are lower in regional areas; there is more space; provid
e jobs to boost deprived areas; avoid further overcrowding in cities.
Disadvantages - e.g. greater availability of skilled workers in big cities; bett
er transport and infrastructure; companies based in regional areas are further f
rom their clients, providers and other contacts.
Conclude by summarising your opinion in a different way.
In the last century, the first man to walk on the moon said it was "a giant leap
for mankind. However, some people think it has made little difference to our dai
ly lives.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
For this question, I would write that "I partly agree" or that "I agree to some
extent". Then I would write one main paragraph about each side of the argument:
Introduction: I partly agree. Make it clear that you have a balanced opinion.
One side: In practical terms, sending a man to the moon has not changed most peo
ple's lives. We have not benefited in terms of our standard of living, health et
c. In fact, governments have wasted a lot of money that could have been spent on
public services.
Other side: On the other hand, putting a man on the moon was a huge achievement
that still inspires and interests people today. It showed us that we can achieve
anything we put our minds to.
Conclusion: The fact that man has walked on the moon might not have had a direct
effect on our daily lives, but it was an inspiring achievement.
What effects do you think humans have on wild animals?
Humans have a huge impact on wild animals. We have destroyed a lot of natural ha
bitats, and many animals are in danger of extinction. Tigers and rhinos, for exa
mple, are endangered species because of humans. The pollution and waste that we
produce also have an effect on animals. In some places there are no fish in the
rivers.
What measures could we take to protect wildlife?
I think we need stricter rules to protect natural areas and the wild animals tha
t live there. For example, we should stop cutting down trees in the rain forest.
National parks are a good idea because they attract tourists while protecting w
ildlife.
Is it the responsibility of schools to teach children about protecting wildlife?
Yes, schools can play a big part in educating children about this issue. Childre
n should learn how to look after the natural environment. I think schools alread
y teach children about endangered species and the destruction of rain forests, s
o hopefully future generations will do a better job of protecting wildlife.
Describe a situation that made you angry. You should say
- when it happened
- what happened
- how you felt
Here are some ideas. Notice that I answer by telling a story, and that my ideas
are not 'academic' or 'formal' because it isn't an academic topic. Study my answ
er carefully - it's full of good words and phrases.
Band 9 answer:
A recent situation that made me angry was getting stuck in a traffic jam on the
way to meet some friends. It was last Sunday lunchtime, and I didnt expect there
to be much traffic; people dont work on Sundays, so the roads arent usually very b
usy.
Everything was going well until suddenly I saw a queue of cars on the road in fr
ont of me. I had no choice but to join the queue and wait to get past whatever w
as causing the delay. It turned out that it was caused by some roadworks, and it
took me an extra 30 minutes to get past them.
Getting stuck in traffic congestion doesnt usually make me angry, but this time i
t did, mainly because I wasnt expecting it and I knew that my friends were waitin
g to meet me for lunch. I felt frustrated and powerless because there was nothin
g I could do to change the situation, and I had no idea how long I would be sitt
ing there waiting. When I finally saw the reason for the congestion, I was relie
ved that I was close to getting past the roadworks, but I still felt a bit stres
sed knowing that I was half an hour late.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the relationship between equ
ality and personal achievement. Some people believe that individuals can achieve
more in egalitarian societies. Others believe that high levels of personal achi
evement are possible only if individuals are free to succeed or fail according t
o their individual merits.
What is your view of the relationship between equality and personal success?
Faced with this question, here are 3 tips:
Have a strong opinion (e.g. I completely agree that people can achieve more in e
galitarian societies.) You can ignore the other view.
Focus on the last line of the question (What is your view of...?). This line sum
s up the whole question very clearly. Just answer this question.
Use examples as the basis of your argument e.g. free university education ensure
s equality of opportunity, and therefore allows individuals to achieve more.
Note: 'egalitarian' refers to the principle that people are equal, and deserve e
qual rights and opportunities.
1. What kinds of thing make you laugh?
I laugh most when I'm with friends talking about funny things that have happened
to us. I also like watching comedians and comedy films.
2. Do you like making other people laugh?
Yes, it's a nice feeling when you can make someone laugh because you can see tha
t you've made them happy. It's great to share a funny moment with someone.
3. Do you think it's important for people to laugh?
Yes, of course. It's important to see the funny side of things; humour helps us
not to take life too seriously. I think that laughter is good for our health.
4. Is laughing the same as feeling happy?
It's not exactly the same because you can be happy without laughing, and sometim
es we laugh when something bad has happened; a sense of humour can help us to co
pe with difficult situations.
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to
a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straigh
t after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Here's my full introduction and conclusion, as well as some ideas for the main b
ody paragraphs:
Introduction
When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or c
ontinue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight
after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.
Paragraph 1: benefits of getting a job
The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons
.
(IDEAS: start earning money, become independent, gain experience, learn skills,
get promotions, settle down earlier, afford a house, have a family)
Paragraph 2: benefits of higher education (my opinion)
On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue
their studies.
(IDEAS: some jobs require academic qualifications, better job opportunities, hig
her salaries, the job market is very competitive, gain knowledge, become a usefu
l member of society)
Many people believe that sports professionals earn too much money. They argue th
at sport is a form of entertainment rather than a vital public service. We could
easily live without sportspeople, yet other professionals who contribute much m
ore to society are undervalued and underpaid. For example, football players can
earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball, while doctors, nurses and teach
ers earn a fraction of the money despite being essential for our health and pros
perity. From this perspective, sports stars do not deserve the salaries they cur
rently earn.
In part 2 of the speaking test you might be asked to describe a party. Here are
some part 3 questions that could follow that topic:
1. What types of party do people have, and why are parties important?
People have parties to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or
the beginning of a new year. I think it's important to celebrate these things be
cause they are landmarks in our lives. Parties are a good way to bring people to
gether, and they're an opportunity to let off some steam.
2. Why do you think some people like parties but others hate them?
Most people like parties because they have a good time at them - eating a nice m
eal, chatting to friends, or having a dance. People who don't like them might fi
nd social situations difficult because they are shy, or maybe they don't enjoy h
aving to make small talk with people they don't know.
3. Do you think parties will become more popular in the future?
No, I don't think anything will change. People have always had parties, and I'm
sure they always will in the future. Humans need to socialise and enjoy themselv
es, and parties are one of the best ways to do that.
We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be conce
rned with our own communities and countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Let's plan an essay for this question.
Introduction - I don't think there is a "middle" opinion for this question. You
either agree that we should only be worried about our own communities and countr
ies, or you think that we should also help those outside our own countries. The
best response might be to disagree - then you can say that we should try to help
everyone.
Paragraph 2 - I agree that it is important to help our neighbours and fellow cit
izens. (Explain this idea)
Paragraph 3 - At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help tho
se who live beyond our national borders. (Explain)
Conclusion - Repeat the idea that we can help people both at home and abroad.
People have different views whether we should be concerned about our own communi
ties and other countries when a calamity arises. However, I strongly disagree th
at we should not try to help everyone and merely worry about our own society.
It is important to help our neighbors and fellow citizens. This way they will be
able to recovery quickly from a tragic calamity and also could significantly re
duce the number of casualties. Additionally, helping
other nations could bring some benefits: It could create a strong bond between c
ountries and have somebody to rely on when a disaster strikes in one's nation.
I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond our national
borders. We live in the same world and everyone experience inevitable calamities
annually. Therefore, it is better if every countries should work together and p
rovide aids in order to solve the problems easily. It would be very hard for a c
ountry to get back on its own feet after a catastrophe if nobody cares to help.
In conclusion, the world will be a better place to live in if every nations shou
ld be willing to provide an assistance to its neighbors.Indeed, we can surpass w
hatever obstacles and hardships that comes in our way as long as we show and giv
e cooperation to one another.
Do you think its good to show your emotions when youre angry?
I think it depends on the situation and how you show your emotions. I find that
if Im angry with a friend or someone in my family, its best to tell them what the
problem is and try to express how I feel. However, I dont think it helps to argue
with people when youre angry; its better to control the anger and explain whats wr
ong.
In your opinion, do women show their emotions more than men?
The stereotypical view is that women are more emotional, and in my experience th
ere is some truth in this; my mother, for example, tends to show her feelings mu
ch more readily than my father. However, Im sure that there are exceptions to the
stereotype.
Why do you think men tend to show their emotions less than women?
Maybe its because of the way we are brought up. I think that boys are often taugh
t from an early age not to cry. Also, boys are aware that their friends might se
e it as a sign of weakness if they show their feelings. Perhaps girls are brough
t up to be more sensitive to their friends' feelings.
Do you think people had easier lives 50 years ago?
Yes, maybe life was simpler and less stressful 50 years ago. The mobile phone di
dnt exist, so I suppose it was easier to forget about work at the end of the day
because people couldn't contact you so easily.
Do you think life will be more stressful in the future?
Yes, it probably will be more stressful. As the world gets smaller, employees wi
ll probably have to travel to different countries more often and stay in touch w
ith colleagues and clients all over the world. There will also be more competiti
on for jobs and the cost of living will keep going up.
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to
a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straigh
t after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or c
ontinue their education. While there are benefits to getting a job straight afte
r school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.
The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons
. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way
, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house o
r start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work
, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have
the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their c
hosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.
On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue
their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many profession
s. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without h
aving the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more
and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those
with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly com
petitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a c
ompany. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college
will not be able to compete.
For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to
be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school lev
el.
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to
a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straigh
t after school.
Discuss both views.
When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or c
ontinue their education. While there are benefits to getting a job straight afte
r school, there are also good reasons why it might be beneficial to go to colleg
e or university.
The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons
. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way
, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house o
r start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work
, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have
the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their c
hosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.
On the other hand, it is also understandable that many students choose to contin
ue their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professi
ons. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without
having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to mo
re and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than thos
e with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly c
ompetitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a
company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or colle
ge may not be able to compete.
In conclusion, there are convincing arguments for starting work straight after s
chool, but higher education can also lead to a successful career.
1. What is the relationship between leisure and the economy?
Well, people spend a lot of money on all sorts of leisure activities nowadays, s
o I think leisure is a very important part of the economy of most countries. Lei
sure could be anything that people do in their free time, such as eating out, go
ing to the cinema, watching a football match, or staying in a hotel. Millions of
people are employed in these areas.
2. How does the economy benefit from people's leisure activities?
The leisure industry makes a huge contribution to the economy. As I said before,
it keeps millions of people in employment, and all of these employees pay their
taxes and have money to spend on other goods and services. At the same time, mo
st people spend some of their earnings on leisure activities, and this money the
refore goes back into the economy.
3. Do men and women enjoy the same type of leisure activities?
Yes and no. I think both men and women enjoy things like eating in restaurants o
r going to the cinema, but I'm sure there are other activities that are more pop
ular with one gender. For example, I think more men than women go to football ma
tches.
People nowadays work hard to buy more things. This has made our lives generally
more comfortable, but many traditional values and customs have been lost and thi
s is a pity.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
I can see two clear ideas in this question: 1) buying things has made our lives
more comfortable. 2) traditional values and customs have been lost. I agree with
both of these points, so I'll write one paragraph explaining why I agree with t
he first point, and another paragraph explaining the second point.
Idea: buying things has made life more comfortable. Explain/Examples: we buy app
liances like microwave ovens and dishwashers; we use computers to shop online; m
ore people own a car.
Idea: traditional values and customs have been lost. Explain/Examples: people bu
y microwave meals rather than cooking traditional dishes; traditional local shop
s disappear and are replaced with online shopping; people are more independent,
but lack a sense of community.
One thing that was spread during globalization was the intense consumism, to sup
port capitalism, the current economic system in many countries. However, this un
controllable need for material goods may not be the path for a better life.
Technology developed very rapidly during the last century and great changes were
made in our everyday lives, like computers with internet and affordable vehicle
s. But attached to theses improvements is the social level associated to possess
ing certain items, that are not needed, in the proper meaning of the word. Socie
ty usually judges one not for their personality or character, but by their car,
or clothes. This is an especially strong tendency among teenagers, who are const
antly under pressure to be accepted on their social group, and have to indirectl
y show a good financial status. Adults normally have this urge more associated w
ith themselves rather than with other people, where material good are not only a
secondary thing just to bring comfort, but they are made into personal life goa
ls.
This is a change of paradigm, as now family and personal relationships are somet
imes left aside for the sake of consuming. And time that was spent on outdoor re
crations, or a mere family dinner is now taken by shopping at malls and eating i
n front of the TV. Family values are lost, as TV is the main educator instead of
the parents. For example, children nowadays on Christmas are just expecting an
iPhone or video games, but they dont learn the true meaning of love and compassio
n that originated this holiday.
In conclusion, consuming is intrinsic of our society, and we must enjoy the bene
fits of the technological improvements, but we must set clear boundaries and pri
orities in order not to fall dependent on unnecessary material goods.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the relationship between equ
ality and personal achievement. Some people believe that individuals can achieve
more in egalitarian societies. Others believe that high levels of personal achi
evement are possible only if individuals are free to succeed or fail according t
o their individual merits.
What is your view of the relationship between equality and personal success?
In my opinion, an egalitarian society is one in which everyone has the same righ
ts and the same opportunities. I completely agree that people can achieve more i
n this kind of society.
Education is an important factor with regard to personal success in life. I beli
eve that all children should have access to free schooling, and higher education
should be either free or affordable for all those who chose to pursue a univers
ity degree. In a society without free schooling or affordable higher education,
only children and young adults from wealthier families would have access to the
best learning opportunities, and they would therefore be better prepared for the
job market. This kind of inequality would ensure the success of some but harm t
he prospects of others.
I would argue that equal rights and opportunities are not in conflict with peopl
es freedom to succeed or fail. In other words, equality does not mean that people
lose their motivation to succeed, or that they are not allowed to fail. On the
contrary, I believe that most people would feel more motivated to work hard and
reach their potential if they thought that they lived in a fair society. Those w
ho did not make the same effort would know that they had wasted their opportunit
y. Inequality, on the other hand, would be more likely to demotivate people beca
use they would know that the odds of success were stacked in favour of those fro
m privileged backgrounds.
In conclusion, it seems to me that there is a positive relationship between equa
lity and personal success.
Describe a popular meal from your country that you like to eat.
You should say
1. Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?
I think teachers use competitions to motivate the children in their classes. I'm
sure that teachers try all kinds of activities to engage their pupils, and comp
etitions might be one of the best ways to keep children interested or get them e
xcited. Children love winning things.
2. Is it a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?
It might be a good idea to encourage children to do well in games or sports, but
I don't think we should give children prizes for their academic work. Children
need to learn that the reason for studying is to learn useful things that will h
elp them in their lives. I don't like the idea of children thinking that they wi
ll only work hard if there is a prize.
3. Would you say that schools for young children have become more or less compet
itive since you were that age? Why?
I'd say that they have become more competitive since I was young. Children now h
ave to take exams from a much younger age, so I think there is more of a focus o
n doing well in tests. Parents also seem to be getting more competitive; I think
that many parents push their children to do extra homework rather than letting
them play with friends.
We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be conce
rned with our own communities and countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people believe that we should not help people in other countries as long as
there are problems in our own society. I disagree with this view because I beli
eve that we should try to help as many people as possible.
On the one hand, I accept that it is important to help our neighbours and fellow
citizens. In most communities there are people who are impoverished or disadvan
taged in some way. It is possible to find homeless people, for example, in even
the wealthiest of cities, and for those who are concerned about this problem, th
ere are usually opportunities to volunteer time or give money to support these p
eople. In the UK, people can help in a variety of ways, from donating clothing t
o serving free food in a soup kitchen. As the problems are on our doorstep, and
there are obvious ways to help, I can understand why some people feel that we sh
ould prioritise local charity.
At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live be
yond our national borders. In some countries the problems that people face are m
uch more serious than those in our own communities, and it is often even easier
to help. For example, when children are dying from curable diseases in African c
ountries, governments and individuals in richer countries can save lives simply
by paying for vaccines that already exist. A small donation to an international
charity might have a much greater impact than helping in our local area.
In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion nation
al boundaries should not stop us from helping those who are in need.
1. What do you think are the functions of rivers nowadays?
Rivers have various functions. In the UK, they were probably more important in t
he past because they were used for the transportation of goods, but I suppose th
is is still the case in many parts of the world. Rivers can be used as a source
of renewable energy in the production of hydro-electric power, and they are also
a source of fresh water for drinking and irrigation. Leisure activities are ano
ther function: fishing, canoeing, swimming, bathing... I'm sure there are many o
ther things I haven't thought of.
2. What do you think of boats and ships as forms of transportation?
I'm not really a fan of boats and ships. If I'm going abroad, I like to get to m
y destination quickly, so I prefer travelling by plane. Of course, ships are vit
al for the transportation of oil and other heavy cargo.
3. Why do some people like to live near rivers, lakes or the sea?
Well, the view is probably a major factor; most people like to look out to sea,
or across a river or lake. I'd much prefer to look out of my window onto a natur
al landscape than an apartment building in a city. Then there's the lifestyle: i
f you live by the sea, for example, you can lie on the beach, go for a swim, or
do water sports like surfing or waterskiing. I definitely wouldn't mind living n
ear a beach at some point in my life!
ny people decide on a career path early in their lives and keep to it. This, the
y argue, leads to a more satisfying working life.
To what extent do you agree with this view?
What other things can people do in order to have a satisfying working life?
It is true that some people know from an early age what career they want to purs
ue, and they are happy to spend the rest of their lives in the same profession.
While I accept that this may suit many people, I believe that others enjoy chang
ing careers or seeking job satisfaction in different ways.
On the one hand, having a defined career path can certainly lead to a satisfying
working life. Many people decide as young children what they want to do as adul
ts, and it gives them a great sense of satisfaction to work towards their goals
and gradually achieve them. For example, many children dream of becoming doctors
, but to realise this ambition they need to gain the relevant qualifications and
undertake years of training. In my experience, very few people who have qualifi
ed as doctors choose to change career because they find their work so rewarding,
and because they have invested so much time and effort to reach their goal.
On the other hand, people find happiness in their working lives in different way
s. Firstly, not everyone dreams of doing a particular job, and it can be equally
rewarding to try a variety of professions; starting out on a completely new car
eer path can be a reinvigorating experience. Secondly, some people see their job
s as simply a means of earning money, and they are happy if their salary is high
enough to allow them to enjoy life outside work. Finally, job satisfaction is o
ften the result of working conditions, rather than the career itself. For exampl
e, a positive working atmosphere, enthusiastic colleagues, and an inspirational
boss can make working life much more satisfying, regardless of the profession.
In conclusion, it can certainly be satisfying to pursue a particular career for
the whole of ones life, but this is by no means the only route to fulfilment.
On the one hand, having a defined career path can certainly lead to a satisfying
working life. Many people decide as young children what they want to do as adul
ts, and it gives them a great sense of satisfaction to work towards their goals
and gradually achieve them. For example, many children dream of becoming doctors
, but to realise this ambition they need to gain the relevant qualifications and
undertake years of training. In my experience, very few people who have qualifi
ed as doctors choose to change career because they find their work so rewarding,
and because they have invested so much time and effort to reach their goal.
On the other hand, people find happiness in their working lives in different way
s. Firstly, not everyone dreams of doing a particular job, and it can be equally
rewarding to try a variety of professions; starting out on a completely new car
eer path can be a reinvigorating experience. Secondly, some people see their job
s as simply a means of earning money, and they are happy if their salary is high
enough to allow them to enjoy life outside work. Finally, job satisfaction is o
ften the result of working conditions, rather than the career itself. For exampl
e, a positive working atmosphere, enthusiastic colleagues, and an inspirational
boss can make working life much more satisfying, regardless of the profession.
Last week I described a famous garden
Today I'd like to describe my home garden, which I think is a beautiful one and
which I like very much. The garden is part of my home's backyard, and my house i
s located in the suburbs, about a 1-hour drive from the city of San Francisco. T
here is a big tree right in the middle of my garden, which is surrounded by a ho
t tub, a small water fountain, several bushes, a section for vegetables, and dif
ferent kinds of flowers.
This garden was actually one of the reasons why my wife and I chose to buy our h
ouse because it had been beautifully maintained by the previous owners gardener a
nd landscaper. Its been only 1 year since we bought the house and now we are taki
ng care of the garden ourselves. Even though we are not experts in gardening, we
still try our best to plant things that we like, such as roses and tulips, and
we even grow our own tomatoes.
Whenever family and friends come to visit us, we invite them to have a relaxing
time in our hot tub, and enjoy the view. So in other words, our garden has also
become a kind of resort! It definitely requires lots of hard work to properly ma
intain the garden, but it gives us a great sense of accomplishment to decorate it
the way we like.
All in all, the garden is one of the best features of my home and it is a place
where I can relax after a long day of work or during the weekends.
Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of tec
hnology.
In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make
? Has this been a positive or negative development?
It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between
people. Technology has affected relationships in various ways, and in my opinion
there are both positive and negative effects.
Technology has had an impact on relationships in business, education and social
life. Firstly, telephones and the Internet allow business people in different co
untries to interact without ever meeting each other. Secondly, services like Sky
pe create new possibilities for relationships between students and teachers. For
example, a student can now take video lessons with a teacher in a different cit
y or country. Finally, many people use social networks, like Facebook, to make n
ew friends and find people who share common interests, and they interact through
their computers rather than face to face.
On the one hand, these developments can be extremely positive. Cooperation betwe
en people in different countries was much more difficult when communication was
limited to written letters or telegrams. Nowadays, interactions by email, phone
or video are almost as good as face-to-face meetings, and many of us benefit fro
m these interactions, either in work or social contexts. On the other hand, the
availability of new communication technologies can also have the result of isola
ting people and discouraging real interaction. For example, many young people ch
oose to make friends online rather than mixing with their peers in the real worl
d, and these virtual relationships are a poor substitute for real friendships.
In conclusion, technology has certainly revolutionised communication between peo
ple, but not all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.
These days people pay more attention to artists (writers, painters and so on) an
d give less importance to science and technology.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Describe a business that you would like to own or set up.
Advantages / disadvantages of books:
The main advantage of books is that they are usually considered to be reliable s
ources of information. People tend to refer to books when they want to research
a subject in depth, and for this reason they continue to play an important role
in education. On the other hand, books quickly go out of date, and therefore the
y are not the best medium for communicating news stories.
Advantages / disadvantages of radio:
Radio is a much more effective medium than books for the communication of up-to-
date information. We can listen to news broadcasts about events as they happen,
and a key benefit of radio is that we can listen to it while doing other activit
ies, such as driving or working. The main drawback of radio, when compared to bo
oks or television, is that there is no visual element; we cannot see what the br
oadcaster is describing.
Advantages / disadvantages of TV, and my opinion:
In my opinion, television is the most effective of these three media because it
brings us closer to reality than a book or radio programme ever can. For example
, we can watch events as they take place on the other side of the world, or we c
an see the body language of a politician who is being interviewed. The disadvant
ages of television are that programmes tend to be short and interrupted by adver
tisements, meaning that information is presented in limited depth.
At work or in your studies, do you often write things?
Yes, I write a lot of emails as part of my job. I work for a company that has of
fices in several countries, so we use email to communicate.
How often do you send e-mails?
I probably write between 5 and 10 work emails every day, and I send emails to fr
iends or family a few times a week.
Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
It depends what Im doing. I prefer the computer for most things because its faster
and you can save or copy things, but I still like making notes or writing ideas
down by hand.
Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
No, I think we will always write by hand as well. I think its an important skill,
and schools will continue to teach children to write by hand before they learn
to type.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the following as media for
communicating information. State which you consider to be the most effective.
comics
books
radio
television
film
theatre
Introduction: state which 3 media you are going to write about (e.g. books, radi
o, TV), and say which you think is most effective (e.g. television).
Advantages and disadvantages of books.
Advantages and disadvantages of radio.
Advantages and disadvantages of TV (mention again that you consider this the mos
t effective).
Conclusion: summarise and repeat your opinion.h
father was always kind to me when I was a child, and he still helps me whenever
I need something. I'm sure he will always be there for me."
Some people think that the only purpose of working hard is to earn money. To wha
t extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Some people believe that punishment is the only purpose of prisons, while others
believe that prisons exist for various reasons. Discuss both views and give you
r opinion.
The number of plants and animals is declining. Explain this problem and suggest
some solutions.
Many people around the world are choosing to move to live in cities. What proble
ms do people experience in big cities? Should governments encourage people to mo
ve to smaller towns?
Do you prefer home-cooked food or food from restaurants?
I prefer home-cooked food because I think it's healthier and you know exactly wh
at you're eating. I also enjoy cooking for family and friends.
Facebook is a social networking website. It's a free website that allows you to
keep in contact with friends or find people you've lost touch with. It's one of
the most popular websites in the world, with millions of users in different coun
tries.
All of my friends use Facebook. One of my friends sent me an email inviting me t
o join. I signed up and I've been using it ever since.
Facebook allows you to keep up to date with what friends are doing. You have a p
rofile page with information and status updates so that you can tell everyone wh
at you're doing. You can post messages to other people's pages. You can upload p
hotos and videos. I find Facebook most useful for organising my life, keeping in
touch with friends and storing photos. I think social networking websites have
become part of everyday life.
Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some hobbies are relatively easy, while others present more of a challenge. Pers
onally, I believe that both types of hobby can be fun, and I therefore disagree
with the statement that hobbies need to be difficult in order to be enjoyable.
On the one hand, many people enjoy easy hobbies. One example of an activity that
is easy for most people is swimming. This hobby requires very little equipment,
it is simple to learn, and it is inexpensive. I remember learning to swim at my
local swimming pool when I was a child, and it never felt like a demanding or c
hallenging experience. Another hobby that I find easy and fun is photography. In
my opinion, anyone can take interesting pictures without knowing too much about
the technicalities of operating a camera. Despite being straightforward, taking
photos is a satisfying activity.
On the other hand, difficult hobbies can sometimes be more exciting. If an activ
ity is more challenging, we might feel a greater sense of satisfaction when we m
anage to do it successfully. For example, film editing is a hobby that requires
a high level of knowledge and expertise. In my case, it took me around two years
before I became competent at this activity, but now I enjoy it much more than I
did when I started. I believe that many hobbies give us more pleasure when we r
each a higher level of performance because the results are better and the feelin
g of achievement is greater.
In conclusion, simple hobbies can be fun and relaxing, but difficult hobbies can
be equally pleasurable for different reasons.
How is life different in cities compared to rural areas?
How do you think life in big cities could be made easier?
What do you think cities will be like in 50 years time?
In my answers below I've underlined a few 'markers' that show comparisons, opini
ons and future predictions.
Firstly, the cost of living in cities is much higher. Housing is much more expen
sive in cities compared to rural areas; everything costs more. I think life in c
ities is more difficult. There are more people, so there's more competition for
jobs. Life is a lot slower in rural areas, everyone knows each other and there's
a sense of community. I don't think rural areas experience the social problems
that you find in cities, like crime and homelessness.
In my opinion cities need to be well-planned. Good public transport can definite
ly make life easier because there are so many people and it can be really stress
ful just to move around. Public areas like parks are also important because peop
le need space to relax, and I think cities should be made into healthier places
to live and work.
I imagine cities will be less polluted because we'll have electric cars and bett
er public transport. More people might work from home so maybe cities won't be s
o busy. But I think there will probably still be problems because more and more
people are migrating to cities. So I'm not so optimistic about issues like crime
, homelessness and unemployment.
The range and quality of food that we can buy has changed because of technologic
al and scientific advances. Some people regard this change as an improvement, wh
ile others believe that it is harmful.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Positives of advances in food technology:
Farmers can produce crops that grow bigger and faster.
Genetically modified crops may be more resistant to disease or insects.
This could be important for food production in developing countries.
Faster growing cereals, fruit and vegetables will mean more profit.
Foods can be modified to look perfect and last longer.
They may be more attractive to customers.
Negatives of advances in food technology:
Many people distrust foods that have been modified or processed.
They prefer organic foods which are produced without chemicals.
Farming without fertilisers or pesticides is more environmentally friendly.
There may be risks involved in the genetic engineering of foods.
Genetically modified crops might change whole ecosystems.
Food chains could be broken if crops are resistant to predators.
1. Which culture and how I know about it
I'm going to talk about France and French culture. I know France quite well beca
use it was the first foreign country that I visited as a child. I've been on sev
eral family holidays there, and I lived and worked in Paris for a while after fi
nishing university.
2. Cultural differences
The first thing that comes to mind when I think about France is the bread! I lov
e the fact that French people buy fresh baguettes every morning, usually from sm
all local bakeries or 'patisseries'; it makes a change from the loaves of sliced
bread that most of us buy from the supermarket here in the UK. One slightly neg
ative difference I noticed in Paris is that Parisians don't seem to make friends
with their work colleagues to the same extent as we do here.
3. What I like about it
I really like the caf culture in France. You can always find somewhere interestin
g to sit and have a coffee and chat to friends or just watch the world go by. I
actually put on a bit of weight when I lived in France because I got into a habi
t of having a croissant or a cake in every nice caf that I found. Another thing I
could mention is that the last time I went to France on holiday, I played a gam
e called boules every day. The game consists in throwing metal balls as close to a
target ball as possible. Its the perfect game for a relaxing afternoon when the
weathers hot.
1. Tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in.
I live in a house that has a living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom an
d a small garden. It's not a very big house, but it's just right for me.
2. How long have you lived there?
I've lived there for about five years. It's the first house that I've owned; bef
ore that I was renting an apartment.
3. What do you like about living there?
I like living there because I think the house reflects my personality: I decorat
ed it myself, I chose all the furniture, and everything is where I want it to be
.
4. What sort of accommodation would you most like to live in?
If I could, I'd buy a bigger house near a beach or in the mountains, preferably
somewhere with a warm climate.
Paragraph about the purpose of prisons:
On the one hand, criminals do need to be punished in some way. A person who comm
its a crime must learn that unlawful actions have consequences. Prison sentences
punish offenders because they lose their freedom, and are separated from family
and friends. In this way, prison acts as a deterrent to make people think caref
ully before breaking the law. Last year in the UK, many people were given a pris
on sentence for rioting, and hopefully this punishment will deter them from simi
lar behaviour in future.
Describe something you bought recently.
Describe a gift you gave or received.
Describe something you own which is important to you.
I'm going to describe my mobile phone. I bought it online / in a mobile phone sh
op / it was a present from...
I use the phone to keep in touch with friends and family, for communication by v
oice, text and email. It has various features like video, MP3 player, wireless I
nternet, digital camera and games. It's easy to share photos and music. I use it
for almost everything, it even has a calendar that reminds me about appointment
s.
My phone is an essential part of my life. It holds my contacts, my photos, my mu
sic collection. I've got instant access to my favourite websites. It's like havi
ng my whole life in my pocket. I couldn't live without it.
Describe a recent event that made you happy.
You should say:
when and where it was
who was involved
what happened
and explain why it made you happy.
The following description contains the kind of phrases that native speakers (lik
e me) really use. I've underlined the best vocabulary.
When and where: my friend's birthday party, last Saturday evening, we went for a
meal in an Italian restaurant.
Who: there were about 10 of us, he invited some close friends and work colleague
s, most of them were people I've known since university.
What happened: we met at the restaurant, I gave my friend a present and a birthd
ay card, we ordered some food, while we ate dinner everyone chatted, after the m
ain course the waiter brought out a cake and we sang 'Happy Birthday', everyone
went home quite late.
Why it made me happy: it was great to get together with old friends, I had some
interesting conversations, it was a good opportunity to catch up with what my fr
iends had been up to, it was a nice way to wind down after a hard week at work,
the food was delicious, I went home feeling full after a fantastic meal.
Describe a place you have visited.
Describe a historic place.
Describe a holiday.
Describe a place you would like to visit.
Describe somewhere you have lived or would like to live.
Adjectives: it's exciting, busy, hectic, cosmopolitan, multicultural, unique. It
's historic but modern at the same time, it's a thriving, prosperous city, it's
fashionable, lively, fun...
Activities: London is famous for its history, culture, art, museums. Tourists go
there to see Big Ben, The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square
etc. You can get a fantastic view of the city from the 'London Eye'. It's also f
amous for its theatres and shows in the West End, its shops, restaurants and nig
htlife. There are endless things to see and do.
Negatives: London is expensive, crowded, stressful, polluted. The underground sy
stem is dirty, travel is overpriced and unpleasant. The cost of living is high (
shopping, house prices etc.), the locals are always in a hurry and can be unfrie
ndly, there are social problems (like you can find in most big cities).
Describe a time when you received some money as a gift. You should say:
who gave it to you
what the occasion was
how you felt
and explain what you did with the money.
You could say that you received money for your birthday and took your friends ou
t for a meal. Take some ideas from this lesson.
You could say that you bought yourself a new phone (see this lesson).
You could say that you used the money to pay for a holiday or trip, and use idea
s from this lesson.(above 3 sp topics)
Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge
and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a uni
versity should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of wh
ether the course is useful to an employer.
What, in your opinion, should be the function of a university?
The burgeoning number of students attending university has led some people to th
ink twice about the purpose of university courses. The question is whether stude
nts should be taught about the workplace or whether the teachings should be abou
t a particular subject, not so much related to the work environment. As regards
to the purpose of University, I firmly believe that it should prepare one for th
eir future job. However, at the same time I am of the opinion that knowledge abo
ut a particular subject should also be taught at degree level.
For many people university courses are ll about preparation for their future job
. Of course it is important that people are prepared as much as possible before
they start work. Some courses achieve this criteria,for example Business Managem
ent can be practiced in the real world. This can mean extremely beneficial for s
tudents, because later in their future job they can apply their classes manage t
heir own business. As this example shows, a degree that prepares students for th
e workplace is more beneficial over a degree that exists solely for the purpose
of knowledge.
On the other hand, courses that aim to dig deeper into a specific subject are be
neficial in their own way. Take for example Psychology, it is widely argued that
this degree is pointless if not practised.However, this is not always true, psy
chology can be a very productive course, for instance the knowledge learned from
the course can be used to help an individual strengthen their relationship with
their colleagues.On top of this, it helps one to understand other peoples cultu
res and values. Thus, as this example shows every degree has its own benefits, e
ach of which can be applied to our day to day life in its own way.
My conclusion is that this is a well balanced issue, and that the purpose of und
ergraduate courses should be to both gain knowledge and prepare people for their
future jobs.
Describe a situation in which you were very polite. You should explain
where the situation took place
how you showed that you were polite
and why you needed to be so polite?
I always tried to be polite in most situation of my life. But the most remarkabl
e situation is related to the last summer when my
Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in the
ir free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both t
he individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?
Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for
both the individual and society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we sho
uld therefore force all teenagers to do unpaid work.
Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without
being given the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is j
ust as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their students to do ho
mework and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day. When young peopl
e do have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friend
s or to spend it doing sports and other leisure activities. They have many years
of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.
At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obligi
ng young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against t
he values of a free and fair society to force a group of people to do something
against their will. Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst young people,
who would feel that they were being used, and parents, who would not want to be
told how to raise their children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and
this is surely the best system.
In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my
opinion we should not make this compulsory.
1. Do you work or are you a student?
Im a qualified doctor, but at the moment Im studying English so that I can work in
this country.
2. Do you enjoy your job?
Yes, I really enjoy my job. Ever since I was a child I have always wanted to be
a doctor; Ive always wanted to be able to help people.
3. What's the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is that I can make a difference in peoples lives. Its
a great feeling to see someone recover after an illness because my colleagues an
d I were able to help.
4. Do you prefer working alone or with others? Why?
In a hospital you have to work as part of a team. Ive got used to working with ot
hers, and I think you can achieve a lot more as a team than you would alone.
Why do you think some people prefer to buy products from their own countries rat
her than imported items?
(idea) I suppose its because those people want to support the economy of the coun
try they live in. (explain) If they buy something that was made in their own cou
ntry, they know that they are contributing to the salaries of workers within the
same country, (alternative) whereas if they buy imported items, a foreign compa
ny and its employees will benefit. (example) For example, if I buy some meat tha
t originates from a local farm rather than a farm in another country, Im helping
one of my fellow citizens to carry on in business. (another idea) Also, I think
that trust is an issue; people might feel that they can trust domestically produ
ced items more than imported ones.
Many people believe that an effective public transport system is a key component
of a modern city. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of public transport.
Officials in many cities are keen to develop efficient public transport systems.
While public transport has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks which a
re worth considering.
Crime rates tend to be higher in cities than in smaller towns. Explain some poss
ible reasons for this problem, and suggest some solutions.
Cities generally experience higher levels of criminality than towns or villages.
There are various reasons for this, but measures could be taken to tackle the p
roblem.
It is right that university graduates should earn more money than less well educ
ated people, but they should pay the full cost of their education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
I tend to agree that that the academic qualifications are necessary to improve y
our career and get more income especially in those jobs need well-educated staff
. However, tuitions could be either fully covered or subsidized by governments o
r civil institutions.
Initially, when you study in a university that means you will lose job opportuni
ties to assist you in the life. Whereas, you are suffering from time pressure to
meet study requirements with a part time job to earn some money to cover the un
iversity tuition. Therefore, Years of study should be accounted when employers o
ffer a work for who has a university degree. In addition, the changing and the d
evelopments in the life have made jobs and works more and more complicated parti
cularly in certain areas medical, engineering, or accounting to name but a few.
Those led us to carry on our study after school to be able to fill the positions
even they take a long period. So their efforts and difficulties they faced shou
ld be compensated through higher benefits.
In contrast, Students need to help by society to pay all of study cost. If we do
n't assist them, we will lose huge energies of talented can change our future. C
onsequently, governments have responsibilities against citizens towards their ed
ucation taking into account its investment in the coming generation. From other
side, After financial crisis , in particular, people can't afford more living ex
penses which affects on their decision to enroll universities or not.
To conclude, there are vital factors supporting the statement that qualified peo
ple should be paid more wages because of their efforts in studying at university
. As well as, many critical jobs need skilled and educated workers which mean pa
ying more money to attract them. On the contrary, alumni should not put up with
highly cost of study when governments or parents could play this role.
The number of plants and animals is declining. Describe some reasons for this pr
oblem and suggest some solutions.
It is unquestionable that many plant and animal species are losing their natural
habitats and they are becoming extinct in nature. There are several causes of t
his universal issue, but measures could be taken to tackle the problem. This wil
l be proven by looking at some of the causes and effective solutions to the prob
lem.
Firstly, in many countries the trees are being uprooted giving the way to farmla
nd, on which crops are grown and animals are kept on it. This sort of deforestat
ion leads to the loss of natural habitats of these species, and the likely hood
is that the whole species of animals will be at the level of extinction. For exa
mple, Giant panda has become an endangered species because they have lost their
wildlife habitats. As this shows that deforestation of jungles is causing elimin
ation of these animals. Thus, it is clear from this example that animals are dis
appearing because of cutting down of plants.
Secondly, much of the human actions are responsible for the destruction of marin
e life. This, devastation is apparent when the industrial waste and nuclear wast
e is pumped into sea and oceans. This chemical waste kills the aquatic plants an
d animals, and as result of this life cycle gets halted. Overall, this would sig
nificantly affect the production of food. For example, in Bhopal, India, multina
tional fertilizer companies in 1992 throw their chemical waste into the river, a
nd because of this almost all species of fish were killed. Thus, it can be concl
uded from this example that chemical waste kills the fish and plant.
The most effective solution to tackle this problem is the intervention of govern
ment. The authorities should put some sort of levy on the companies who are pump
ing deadly chemical waste into lakes and rivers.
In conclusion, it has been shown that plants and animals are on its last leg. Th
us, it is predicted that the government should make some stricter rules in an at
tempt to safeguard plants and animals.
over-farming, land needed for crops and animals
cutting down trees destroys natural habitats, animals become extinct
industrial waste in rivers, sea
chemicals kill fish and plants, interrupt natural cycles / food chain
It seemed that we had 2 main ideas, so we wrote a 2-idea paragraph:
There are two main reasons why plants and animals are disappearing. Firstly, in
many parts of the world trees are being cut down to make way for farmland on whi
ch to grow crops and keep animals. The result of this is that natural habitats a
re being destroyed, and in some cases whole species of animals are becoming exti
nct. Secondly, human activity is also responsible for the destruction of aquatic
life as domestic and industrial waste is pumped into rivers and seas. This chem
ical waste kills plants and fish, interrupting natural cycles and having a devas
tating effect on food chains.
Describe a piece of advice that you gave (or that someone gave you)
In your countrys culture, how do you show that you are being polite?
We really value politeness and good manners in the UK, and there are many types
of polite behaviour. One of the first things we learn as children is to say "ple
ase" and "thank you". As adults, I think we are careful not to be too direct in
the language we use. For example, we would never say "Bring me the bill" in a re
staurant because this kind of direct instruction would sound rude. It would be m
uch more polite to say "Could we have the bill, please?".
Are we less polite with members of our families than with people we dont know?
I suppose it's normal to be a bit more relaxed about politeness with family memb
ers. Most people tend to speak in a more informal way at home; in the UK, we sti
ll say "please" and "thanks", but it's fine to use colloquial language and thing
s like nicknames that you would never use with someone you didn't know.
The main reason people go to work is to earn money.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Ideas for one main paragraph:
agree that money is the main reason people work
people look at salary first, they rarely take a salary cut
need to live, pay bills, food etc.
look after our families, save for the future
otherwise, most people would probably choose not to work
Full paragraph using the ideas above:
I agree that the majority of people work in order to earn money. Before taking a
ny other factors into account, it is normal to first consider the salary that a
particular post offers, and it is rare to hear of a person who happily takes a c
ut in pay when beginning a new job. We all need money to pay for our basic neces
sities, such as accommodation, bills and food. Many adults also have families wh
o depend on the wages they earn, and at the same time they are conscious of the
need to save for the future. If we no longer needed money, I doubt most of us wo
uld choose to continue in our jobs.
After writing "Dear..." it's a good idea to establish the main purpose of the le
tter straight away in your opening sentence. Here are some examples:
1. Formal letter (e.g. complaining to a manager)
I am writing to complain about the unacceptable state of the room I was given, a
nd the unhelpful attitude of certain members of staff at your hotel.
2. Semi-formal letter (e.g. inviting a neighbour)
My wife and I would like to invite you to a dinner party at our home next Saturd
ay evening.
3. Informal letter (e.g. thanking a friend)
I hope you're well. I'm just writing to say thanks for letting me stay over at y
our house while I was in London last week.
Are there any differences between the types of people who were seen as celebriti
es in the past and those who are celebrities nowadays?
Yes, I think there have been some big changes in the types of people who become
famous. In the past, before the invention of television, I suppose there were ve
ry few national or international celebrities; maybe kings and queens, military,
political and religious leaders were the only household names. With the advent o
f TV and radio, performers such as actors and musicians became more well-known.
However, we now seem to have a completely new breed of celebrity as a result of
'reality' television programmes; these are people who don't really have any spec
ial skills as performers, but who are famous for just being themselves.
Many people prefer to rent a house rather than buying one. Describe the advantag
es and disadvantages of renting.
Buying and owning home is more complicated than just having money for the down p
ayment and monthly mortgage payments. Owning a home requires tremendous commitme
nt of funds, time and attention. This makes people prefer the rented houses rath
er than buying house. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of rented house.
For some, renting can be the best option. Considering the high cost of a down pa
yment on a home, financial considerations are of top priority. Renting can be vi
ewed as temporary solution while you plan your future. Rental houses does have s
everal benefits. Firstly, tenants are excused from the bulk of home ownership re
sponsibilities. Such as landscaping, trash and recycling pickup, appliance repai
rs, home improvements and property taxes. Secondly, rental many include amenitie
s like pool, tennis courts, security, parking and social activity rooms. Finally
, there is no large down payment, only a security deposit. Also, many of your ex
penditures are fixed making budgeting easier. In addition, if you do not like wh
ere you live, moving is relatively simple and it is easier, especially if you tr
avel or commute often. Another advantage is, close proximity of neighbors often
create a sense of security.
On the other hand, for tenants, there is no special tax deductions and there is
equity gains in the rising value if property. Space and storage is usually less
than a home. Also, changes to accommodate your life or growing family cannot be
made or limited in scope. Another disadvantage is, rents can rise with inflation
and or supply and demand in the rental market. Furthermore, tenants will probab
ly have restrictions on noise level, pet ownership or children.
In conclusion, these advantages over disadvantages make people prefer rented hou
ses rather than buying house
Describe a vehicle you would like to buy in the future. You should say
what kind of vehicle it is
what you would use it for
and why you would like to buy it.
Not a car
1. Do you like reading?
Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including novels, newspap
ers, magazines, and online articles.
2. Do you usually read for leisure or for work purposes?
Well, I have to do a certain amount of reading as part of my job, but I probably
read more for enjoyment. I pick up a newspaper most days, and I usually have a
book on the go.
3. What was your favourite book or story when you were a child?
The first book that I remember really enjoying was The Hobbit. It only took me a
few days to read because I liked it so much that I couldn't put it down.
4. Do you think it's important that children read regularly?
Definitely. I think reading is possibly the most important skill that children l
earn. The ability to read opens the door to all aspects of education.
1. Do you like reading?
Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including novels, newspap
ers, magazines, and online articles.
2. Do you usually read for leisure or for work purposes?
Well, I have to do a certain amount of reading as part of my job, but I probably
read more for enjoyment. I pick up a newspaper most days, and I usually have a
book on the go.
3. What was your favourite book or story when you were a child?
The first book that I remember really enjoying was The Hobbit. It only took me a
few days to read because I liked it so much that I couldn't put it down.
4. Do you think it's important that children read regularly?
Definitely. I think reading is possibly the most important skill that children l
earn. The ability to read opens the door to all aspects of education.
In many countries nowadays, young single people no longer stay with their parent
s until they are married, but leave to study or work somewhere else.
Do you think this trend has more advantages or disadvantages?
It is irrefutable that young generation has to leave their families in order to
pursue higher studies and satisfactory jobs.I strongly believe that leaving home
before getting marriage is beneficial in terms of financial as well as personal
growth. My statement is detailed further.
Focusing on the advantages, Staying far away from parents give tremendous opport
unity to explore the world and get valuable experience of life.Moreover, youth c
an learn value of money by earning and spending on their own and managing the al
l financial aspects.This kind of management skill is necessary for everyone. Apa
rt from this,they can get good job opportunity and earn good salaries. Young gen
eration can provide financial support to their beloved family members.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages which are not ignorable. Mainly,
homesickness which sometimes discourage youth and become a hindrance in their c
oncentration towards career.another thing, as they do not have any one to keep a
n eye on their activities, sometimes they fall in bad habits and get involved in
illegal activities. due to this they spoil their career and waste their parents
priceless money and break their faith.
Finally, I would say that not leaving with parents for career perceptive and get
ting better job is good decision . It can be said that advantages outweigh the d
isadvantaged.
Some people feel that the design of newly constructed buildings in big cities sh
ould be controlled by Governments. Others contest those who finance the construc
tion of a building should be free to design it as they see fit. What is your pos
ition? Discuss both sides in your response.
Many people believe that the plan of newly prepared buildings in mega cities sho
uld be monitored by authorities. However, others think that individuals who back
up the construction of a house or a shop should have a privilege to design these
independently. This will be proven by analyzing both positions before a well re
asoned conclusion is drawn.
On the one hand, It is argued that government should interfere in planning the l
ately build buildings. There are some merits to government interference towards
designing the recently constructed houses or shopping malls. Developing authorit
ies always ensure to provide all ultra modern facilities and technologically adv
anced options. The government is aimed to see these buildings to be equipped wit
h all safety and emergency tools. For example, these days, all the buildings reg
ulated by government in Bombay, India are equipped with emergency exit doors, an
d these buildings are also earth quick prone. As this shows that government inte
rvention is a positive aspect towards planning the cities. Thus, it can be concl
uded from this example that regulation of these buildings by planning authoritie
s is certainly beneficial to the population as a whole.
On the other hand, there is an opposing view to the argument. Builders who inves
t the money to build a building should be allowed to plan a building as they fin
d in shape. Nowadays architects are introducing some interesting innovated featu
res during the construction of a building. They are introducing some of the life
entertaining features such as Gym, swimming pool and a movie theatre. There is
a good illustration of this is the house of a famous Indian cricketer, Sachin Te
ndulkar has a gym, swimming pool, conference Hall and a small theatre. As this s
hows that the people who back up the construction process can be seen as a great
advantage.
After looking at this discussion, it has been shown that the controls of plans b
oth by local authorities and builders who are developing these buildings have th
eir own varied point of view. Thus, it is predicted that a balanced course of ac
tion will continue to be followed in the foreseeable future.
Describe an object (a gift, something you use etc.)
Describe a person (someone you admire, a family member etc.)
Describe an event (a festival, celebration etc.)
Describe an activity (e.g. a hobby)
Describe a place (somewhere you visited, a holiday etc.)
Describe your favourite (book/film/advertisement/website)
There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music
? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international mu
sic that is heard everywhere nowadays?
It is true that a rich variety of musical styles can be found around the world.
Music is a vital part of all human cultures for a range of reasons, and I would
argue that traditional music is more important than modern, international music.
Music is something that accompanies all of us throughout our lives. As children,
we are taught songs by our parents and teachers as a means of learning language
, or simply as a form of enjoyment. Children delight in singing with others, and
it would appear that the act of singing in a group creates a connection between
participants, regardless of their age. Later in life, peoples musical preference
s develop, and we come to see our favourite songs as part of our life stories. M
usic both expresses and arouses emotions in a way that words alone cannot. In sh
ort, it is difficult to imagine life without it.
In my opinion, traditional music should be valued over the international music t
hat has become so popular. International pop music is often catchy and fun, but
it is essentially a commercial product that is marketed and sold by business peo
ple. Traditional music, by contrast, expresses the culture, customs and history
of a country. Traditional styles, such as ...(example)..., connect us to the pas
t and form part of our cultural identity. It would be a real pity if pop music b
ecame so predominant that these national styles disappeared.
In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human existence, and I believe that
traditional music should be given more importance than international music.
Describe a TV programme or channel that you enjoy watching regularly.
What it is called
and what is it about?
When do you usually watch it
?
Why do you prefer it to other programmes or channels?
Here's a sample description with the best vocabulary underlined:
I rarely watch traditional television channels nowadays; I much prefer searching
for interesting programmes or videos online. So, although its not a normal TV ch
annel or programme, Id like to talk about a website which I think is kind of a mo
dern version of a TV channel. Its called TED, which stands for Technology, Enterta
inment, Design, and its a great place to watch short talks and presentations about
all sorts of interesting topics.
The good thing about the videos on TED is that I can watch them whenever I want.
I have ted.com saved as one of my favourites on my laptop, and I tend to visit
the website every few days to check whether there is anything new. I often watch
TED videos on my phone while Im travelling to work on the train.
The reason I like watching online videos on TED is that I learn something new ev
ery time I watch one. The tagline for the TED website is ideas worth spreading, an
d this really sums up the appeal of the site for me. Instead of watching meaning
less soap operas and talk shows on TV, Id much rather spend 10 minutes watching s
omeone talk about a breakthrough in technology, science or healthcare.
If I had the money, Id like to buy my own helicopter. I recently saw a TV program
me about someone who flew around in his own helicopter, and I remember thinking
that it would be great to have one. The helicopter on the programme was a small,
blue, two-seater and it seemed quite easy to fly - that's the kind of thing I'd
like to buy.
Ideally, Id use my helicopter instead of a car. First, Id need to learn to fly it,
but then Id use it to go on short trips or holidays. It would be fantastic to be
able to avoid traffic jams, and get everywhere in a fraction of the time it nor
mally takes. Id take friends and family sightseeing, over cities or mountain tops
, and maybe I could even use it to do the shopping!
The reason Id like to buy a helicopter is that you can park one almost anywhere.
You dont need to find a runway or an airport like you would for a plane. So Id be
able to park my helicopter in my garden - if I had a bigger garden. Also, Ive alw
ays been intrigued by those helipads on the tops of tall buildings - I think it
would be fun to land on top of a building. A helicopter probably isnt a realistic
choice of vehicle, but you never know - I might win the lottery!
More houses are needed in many countries to cope with increasing populations. Wo
uld it be better to build houses in existing towns and cities, or to develop new
towns in rural areas?
How often do you watch television?
How have television programmes changed since you were a child?
Describe a television programme that you enjoyed.
Which TV channel or channels do you prefer to watch? Why?
Do you think governments should control what TV programmes show?
Describe a law in your country.
Many students think they don't know anything about laws. However, there are some
easy examples that they could choose:
In many countries it is now illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. You cou
ld start by talking about the popularity and benefits of mobile phones, and expl
ain that people want to be able to answer calls wherever they are. Then you coul
d explain the dangers of being distracted while driving; this law could reduce t
he number of road accidents, and therefore save lives.
1. Do you like dancing?
No, I don't like dancing. I'm not a big music fan, and dancing just makes me fee
l uncomfortable and self-conscious.
2. Has anyone ever taught you to dance?
No, I've never been interested in learning to dance, so I've never taken any les
sons or asked anyone to show me how to do it.
3. Do you think that traditional dancing will be popular in the future?
I'm afraid I have no idea because I don't follow what's happening in the dancing
world! I suppose it will always be popular with some people.
1. How do you usually keep in touch with members of your family?
I mostly keep in touch with my family by phone, and I've started using the Inter
net to make video calls. I also try to visit members of my family in person as o
ften as I can.
2. Do you prefer to speak to people by phone or by writing emails?
It depends on the situation. I use email and text messages to communicate with f
riends, but my parents prefer it if I phone them.
3. Do you ever write letters by hand? (Why / Why not?)
No, I don't write letters by hand because it's so much easier to send an email t
hat will arrive immediately.
4. Is there anything you dislike about mobile phones?
Well, I don't like listening to other people's conversations in public places, a
nd I don't like it when someone's phone rings in the cinema or during a lesson.
1. What do you think we can learn by studying events of the past?
I think we can learn a lot by studying history. Just as individual people learn
from their mistakes, societies can learn from the mistakes made by previous gove
rnments or leaders. For example, from what I've read in the newspapers, many eco
nomists are looking back to the time of the Great Depression, around 80 years ag
o, in order to understand the financial crisis that is currently affecting many
countries around the world. Even if we don't always learn from mistakes, I think
it's fascinating to study history because it gives us an insight into who we ar
e and where we come from.
2. What important events do you think might take place in the future?
It's really difficult to predict what will happen in the future; most of the big
, historic events of the past would have been impossible to foresee. For example
, I don't think that anyone living 100 years ago could have imagined that people
would one day walk on the moon! If I had to guess what might happen in the futu
re, I'd like to think that scientists will invent cures for diseases like cancer
, and we'll all live longer.m
Describe an important event in history. You should say
when it happened
what the event was
and what effect you think this event had.
Don't talk about a personal event - that would be considered 'off topic'.
Choose something that you know about - a recent event might be easier. For examp
le, you could choose the invention of the World Wide Web or the election of Bara
ck Obama.
More houses are needed in many countries to cope with increasing populations. Wo
uld it be better to build houses in existing towns and cities, or to develop new
towns in rural areas?
Here's my 2-sentence introduction:
It is true that the populations of many countries are growing, and that new hous
ing is therefore needed. In my opinion, it would be better to increase the provi
sion of housing by creating new towns, rather than by further developing existin
g towns and cities.
Describe an old building that you like. You should say:
where it is
what it is used for
and why you like it.
I'm going to describe a very famous building in New York: the Empire State Build
ing. People might not think of it as an old building, but the Empire State Build
ing was built in 1931, so I don't think it can be classed as new. It's located o
n Manhattan island and it's probably the most distinctive and recognisable build
ing when you look at New York's skyline.
As far as I know, the Empire State Building is an office building, but visitors
can go up to an observation deck on the top floor, which is the 102nd floor. The
re's also a 360-degree observation area on the 86th floor. Apparently, the build
ing makes more money from the sale of tickets to the observation floors than it
does from office rentals.
I think the Empire State Building is still one of the most impressive skyscraper
s in the world. It's such an iconic structure, and it's amazing to think that it
was built around 80 years ago. The best thing about the building is the viewing
deck on the top floor, which offers spectacular views of the city; it's definit
ely the best vantage point in New York. I'd recommend anyone who visits the city
to go there and experience the view.
1. Are clothes and clothing fashions important to you? (Why/Why not?)
No, clothes and fashions are not really important to me. I tend to wear clothes
that are comfortable and practical rather than fashionable.
2. What different clothes do you wear for different situations?
Well, I have to dress quite formally for work, so I wear a shirt and trousers. A
t home I prefer to wear jeans and a T-shirt, and on special occasions I might we
ar a suit.
3. Do you wear different styles of clothes now compared to 10 years ago?
No, not really, because I don't follow fashion. I think I have dressed in a simi
lar way for the last 10 years.
4. Do you think the clothes we wear say something about who we are?
Yes, they probably do. Some people are really careful about what they wear becau
se they want to be seen as stylish. Other people wear clothes that show wealth o
r status, such as clothes by famous designers.
Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and poll
ution problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
What other measures do you think might be effective?
Traffic and pollution are growing problems in todays society. Personally, I disag
ree with the idea that higher petrol prices could solve these problems, and I be
lieve that various other measures would be more constructive.
Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational
tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on
the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outw
eigh the benefits?
Many people, and children in particular, enjoy playing computer games. While I a
ccept that these games can sometimes have a positive effect on the user, I belie
ve that they are more likely to have a harmful impact.
On the one hand, video games can be both entertaining and educational. Users, or
gamers, are transported into virtual worlds which are often more exciting and e
ngaging than real-life pastimes. From an educational perspective, these games en
courage imagination and creativity, as well as concentration, logical thinking a
nd problem solving, all of which are useful skills outside the gaming context. F
urthermore, it has been shown that computer simulation games can improve users mo
tor skills and help to prepare them for real-world tasks, such as flying a plane
.
However, I would argue that these benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks. Gami
ng can be highly addictive because users are constantly given scores, new target
s and frequent rewards to keep them playing. Many children now spend hours each
day trying to progress through the levels of a game or to get a higher score tha
n their friends. This type of addiction can have effects ranging from lack of sl
eep to problems at school, when homework is sacrificed for a few more hours on t
he computer or console. The rise in obesity in recent years has also been linked
in part to the sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise that often accompany ga
ming addiction.
In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential dangers of video games are more
significant than the possible benefits.
Describe the ideal home that you would like to live in. You should say
what your ideal home would look like
where it would be
and why you would like to live there.
In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems wil
l this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be ta
ken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.
It is true that people in industrialised nations can expect to live longer than
ever before. Although there will undoubtedly be some negative consequences of th
is trend, societies can take steps to mitigate these potential problems.
As people live longer and the populations of developed countries grow older, sev
eral related problems can be anticipated. The main issue is that there will obvi
ously be more people of retirement age who will be eligible to receive a pension
. The proportion of younger, working adults will be smaller, and governments wil
l therefore receive less money in taxes in relation to the size of the populatio
n. In other words, an ageing population will mean a greater tax burden for worki
ng adults. Further pressures will include a rise in the demand for healthcare, a
nd the fact young adults will increasingly have to look after their elderly rela
tives.
There are several actions that governments could take to solve the problems desc
ribed above. Firstly, a simple solution would be to increase the retirement age
for working adults, perhaps from 65 to 70. Nowadays, people of this age tend to
be healthy enough to continue a productive working life. A second measure would
be for governments to encourage immigration in order to increase the number of w
orking adults who pay taxes. Finally, money from national budgets will need to b
e taken from other areas and spent on vital healthcare, accommodation and transp
ort facilities for the rising numbers of older citizens.
In conclusion, various measures can be taken to tackle the problems that are cer
tain to arise as the populations of countries grow older.
1. Which musical instrument do you like listening to most? (Why?)
My favourite musical instrument to listen to is the guitar. I like the fact that
there are different types of guitar, like classical, acoustic and electric. I l
ove the variety of sounds a guitar can make.
2. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?
I took some guitar lessons when I was younger and still have a guitar at home. I
don't play it much nowadays. I wish I had more time to practise.
3. Do you think children should learn to play an instrument at school?
Yes, I think it's a great skill and it's really enjoyable to be able to play a m
usical instrument. All children should be given this opportunity.
4. How easy would it be to learn to play an instrument without a teacher?
It would probably be more difficult without a teacher. You need someone to show
you what to do and correct your mistakes. You need a lot of discipline to teach
yourself.
IELTS Speaking: describe a piece of furniture
Here are some ideas for last week's question:
I'm going to talk about my favourite chair. It's a big, leather armchair that si
ts in my living room at home, just under my living room window.
I didn't actually buy the armchair. One of my friends was moving house and was g
oing to buy some new furniture. I had always liked his leather armchair, so he s
aid I could have it if I managed to move it. The chair wouldn't fit in my car, a
nd it was tricky to get it out of my friend's apartment. I had to hire a small v
an to take the armchair home.
Obviously I use the armchair for sitting! It's my favourite place in the house t
o relax, read a book, watch TV or even do some work; the chair's arms are quite
wide and flat, so my laptop fits nicely on either of them. Last night I fell asl
eep in my armchair while I was watching a film.
The main reasons why I like this piece of furniture are that it's comfortable an
d it's in the perfect position in my living room. The only drawback might be tha
t I enjoy sitting in the armchair too much, and sometimes I think it makes me la
zy!
Arguments for capital punishment:
Supporters say that capital punishment deters crime.
Fear of the death penalty stops people from committing offences.
The death penalty shows that crime is not tolerated.
It is a form of revenge.
The cost of imprisonment is avoided.
The offender cannot pose a threat to others.
Arguments against capital punishment:
Innocent people could be wrongly convicted and executed.
Crime rates are not necessarily reduced.
Many criminals do not think they will be caught.
Capital punishment is not a good deterrent.
Executing prisoners creates a violent culture and encourages revenge.
We have no right to take another human life.
1. Do you live in a house or a flat?
2. What's your favourite room in your home? Why?
3. What would you like to change about your home? Why?
4. Would you like to move house in the future?
Part 2 - speak for 2 minutes
Describe an interesting home that you have visited.
Part 3 - give longer answers
1. What factors do you think are important when choosing where to live?
2. Compare life in a city with life in the countryside.
3. How do you think the design of homes will change in the future?
How do you think the design of homes will change in the future?
Example answer:
I don't think there will be much change in terms of what houses look like from t
he outside. In this country, people still like traditional brick or stone houses
. Having said that, the design of apartment blocks will probably continue to dev
elop, with more and more experimental or futuristic buildings made of glass and
metal. I imagine that it will be the insides of homes that change the most; hous
es will no doubt be full of technological devices to make our lives easier. Mayb
e we'll have things like voice-controlled doors, lights and appliances.
How has technology affected the kinds of music that young people listen to?
However, I suppose that technology must have affected music. Maybe young people
are listening to music that has been made using computer software instead of rea
l musical instruments like the piano or guitar.
After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career t
hat they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you
agree with this statement?
"Describe a team project that you worked on"
I remember that once when I was a student in the school of pharmacy we had to pr
epare a presentation about the novel methods of drug therapy. Our team included
me and three other students. So, as the first step, all four of us did some rese
arch in order to find an interesting topic. After a few days we had a meeting an
d we discussed about different ideas and possible subjects for our project and w
e finally chose one. Then each of us was assigned to perform some specific tasks
and we all concentrated on our duties and worked really hard on them for the fo
llowing weeks. According to my previous experiences using audiovisual materials,
I became responsible for preparing the presentation in Powerpoint software and
also presenting it. We had six weeks to finish our project. So every week we had
a meeting to review the collected data. At the end of the fourth week my team-m
ates explained me everything that was supposed to be presented. At last, our pro
ject was among the best ones in our class. My team-mates used to be just my clas
smates before working on that project but after that teamwork experience we all
became good friends.
Another one:-
Id like to talk about a team project that I was involved in during my final term
at business school. There were four of us on the team, and our task was to work
with a local company to research a new market, in a European country, for one of
their products or services. Our objective was to produce a report and give a pr
esentation.
The first thing we did was split into two groups of two. We had been assigned a
company that produced a range of bicycle accessories, so two of us spent some ti
me getting to know the company while the other two researched the market and the
competitors in the target country, which was Germany. In the end, I think it wa
s a successful project because we managed to identify a possible gap in the mark
et in Germany for one of the companys products. Our group presentation also went
really well.
Until that point, the course had been all about business theory, so it was quite
a learning experience to work with a real company. I felt a real sense of accom
plishment when we handed in our report and delivered our presentation, and I thi
nk all of us were proud of what we had done.
1. Are your friends mostly your age or different ages?
Most of my friends are about the same age as me because we met at school or univ
ersity. I've got one or two friends who are older or younger that I met through
work.
2. Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends?
I tend to meet up with my friends at weekends because everyone's too busy during
the week.
3. The last time you saw your friends, what did you do together?
It was one of my friends' birthday last weekend. Six of us went out for a meal t
o celebrate.
4. In what ways are your friends important to you?
I think it's important to have friends that you can talk to and share experience
s with. My friends make me laugh, but I know I can also rely on them whenever I
need help or support.
After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career t
hat they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you
agree with this statement?
1) Introduction for a strong opinion
Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, wherea
s others place more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I support t
he view that job satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment are much more important
than money.
2) Introduction for a balanced opinion
Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, wherea
s others place more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I believe t
hat both criteria should be given equal consideration.
Question:
Do you think that school children should be encouraged to have their own ideas,
or is it more important for them to learn what their teachers give them?
Answer:
I think that we should definitely allow children to be creative and have their o
wn ideas. (why?) Children need to develop the ability to think for themselves an
d solve problems (why?) because as adults they will not always have somebody to
guide them or tell them what to do. (alternatives?) If we don't allow children t
o have their own ideas, they will be less successful in the adult world; they wi
ll be too reliant on others. (example?) A doctor, for example, might encounter a
situation that he or she hasn't been trained for, but will still be expected to
make a decision that could save someone's life.
Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding chang
e. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these
views and give your own opinion.
Here's one of the main body paragraphs:
There are good reasons why some people feel the need to make significant changes
to their lives from time to time. Firstly, any new situation that a person enco
unters can be an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. A new job, for insta
nce, might present challenges that push the person to adapt, acquire new knowled
ge, or add to their skill set. Secondly, a change can represent a break with the
past and an old routine which has become boring and predictable. Finally, as we
ll as making life more fun and interesting, new experiences can be good for our
physical and mental health
First main paragraph
There are good reasons why some people feel the need to make significant changes
to their lives from time to time. Firstly, any new situation that a person enco
unters can be an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. A new job, for insta
nce, might present challenges that push the person to adapt, acquire new knowled
ge, or add to his or her skill set. Secondly, a change can represent a break wit
h the past and an old routine which has become boring and predictable. Finally,
as well as making life more fun and interesting, new experiences can be good for
our physical and mental health.
Second main paragraph
On the other hand, it is understandable why people might avoid change. Whenever
people are forced to change their lifestyles, jobs or even to move house, they a
re likely to experience stress and worry as they try to adapt to the new situati
on. By contrast, we feel comfortable and confident when we stay with what we kno
w. The decision to persist with a course of action or stick to one chosen path o
ften leads to greater success in life. For example, by staying in the same job f
or many years, a person can become an expert in his or her field, which will lea
d to better opportunities for promotions and career progression.
What do you think are the most important qualities for friends to have?
Maybe the most important things are that friends need to share common interests
and be honest with each other. (why?) Friends are people we spend a lot of time
with, so it definitely helps if they enjoy doing the same activities or talking
about the same topics as we do, and of course we need to be able to trust our fr
iends, so honesty is vital for a good friendship. (alternatives / example?) I th
ink I would struggle to become friends with someone who didnt have anything in co
mmon with me, or who wasnt reliable or trustworthy.
How important do you think it is for a person to spend some time alone?
Id say that its essential to spend a bit of time alone, even if its just a few minu
tes a day. (why?) When you have a few minutes to yourself, its a chance to take s
tock and reflect on things. (why?) Most of us live such busy lives that our brai
ns need time to catch up every now and then. (example / alternatives?) Personall
y, I try to have a bit of me time every day; Ill go for a coffee or find a quiet pl
ace to sit and read the newspaper. If I never had any time alone, I think Id go m
ad!
Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in
other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while oth
ers think it is unfair. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
It is true that the top sports people earn incredibly high salaries. Although re
asons can be given to justify this, I personally believe that sports stars shoul
d be paid much less.
There are several reasons why some people support high incomes in sport. Firstly
, people who reach the highest levels in any sport must be uniquely talented. Fo
r example, it is rare to find someone with the football skills of Messi or Ronal
do, and it can be argued that these players deserve salaries that reflect their
abilities. Secondly, even the most talented sports professionals must undergo ma
ny years of training to develop the skills and fitness required, and this takes
great commitment, dedication and passion. Finally, sports salaries are only high
because audiences and fans are willing to pay to watch their favourite stars.
Describe a funny situation that made you laugh. You should say
- when this situation took place
- what happened
- how you reacted and why you found the situation funny.
Here's my example answer. It's a true story!
I'm going to talk about a funny thing that happened to me a couple of weeks ago.
I think it was a Saturday morning, and I was sitting having a coffee in a caf ne
ar where I live.
I was on my own so I decided to read the newspaper while drinking my coffee. I m
ust have been quite engrossed in what I was reading because the time passed quic
kly, and I suddenly realised that I needed to get going. What I didn't realise w
as that I had been sitting with my legs crossed, and one of my legs had complete
ly gone to sleep. As I stood up to leave the caf, I quickly became aware that my
left leg was 'dead', but it was too late; I started to fall. I thought I could c
atch myself on the table, but the table tipped over and I fell to the floor in f
ront of everyone in the caf!
I can remember being on my knees in the middle of the caf, looking up at the staf
f and customers around me. I felt really embarrassed and I expected the other pe
ople to find it funny, but to my surprise nobody was laughing. They were all wor
ried that something really bad had happened to me! As I got up from the floor, I
had to explain to the whole caf that I was fine. I was embarrassed at the time,
but I laughed about it later!
1. Do you think it's important for people to have hobbies? Why?
Yes, I think people need to have hobbies because we all need to do things we enj
oy in our spare time. In my case, I find that playing football once a week with
some friends helps me to relax, keep fit and forget about work. I think it's the
same for everyone.
2. Can hobbies have any negative effects?
Yes, if you spend too much time on your hobby, it can affect other parts of your
life. I remember that one of my friends spent most of his time at university pl
aying computer games instead of studying. In the end, he failed most of his exam
s.
Describe a library that you visited? You should say
- where the library was
- what facilities it had
- why you went there
- and explain whether you found the library useful or not.
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of th
is outweigh the disadvantages?
Here's our plan for a 4-paragraph essay:
Introduction: Topic = best age to learn a foreign language. Our opinion = better
to learn at primary school age.
Disadvantages of learning languages at primary age: other subjects are more impo
rtant at that age (maths, mother tongue language, science), learning a new langu
age is confusing and wastes time, could delay development of child's first langu
age.
Advantages of learning languages at primary age: young children learn faster, th
ey are less self-conscious or shy, they pick up the pronunciation better, they e
njoy copying and learning through games, nowadays languages are just as importan
t as maths etc.
Conclusion: repeat / summarise our answer.
1. How often do you make telephone calls?
I probably make three or four phone calls every day, usually just to make arrang
ements with work colleagues or to speak to family and friends.
2. Who do you spend most time talking to on the telephone?
I think it would be one of my closest work colleagues. We often call each other
rather than meeting face-to-face.
3. When do you think you'll next make a telephone call?
My family are expecting me to phone them as soon as I finish this exam. They'll
want to know how it went.
4. Do you sometimes prefer to send a text message instead of telephoning?
Yes. I prefer to send a text message when I'm arranging something simple, like a
time to meet someone. In those situations, a phone call isn't necessary.
Describe a recent journey.
Im going to talk about a recent journey to London. It was a couple of weekends ag
o, and I decided to visit the capital with some friends. I had never been before
, so I wanted to go there to do some sightseeing. I dont have a car, but my frie
nd does, so he volunteered to drive. He had done the trip a few times before, so
he knew the way. Maybe it was a bad idea to travel by car because the traffic b
etween Manchester and London was terrible. We spent a lot of time sitting in tra
ffic jams, which were due to roadworks and minor accidents, and it took us the b
est part of an afternoon to get there...
Describe an open-air or street market which you enjoyed visiting. You should say
:
- where the market is
- what the market sells
- how big the market is
- and explain why you enjoyed visiting it.
Im going to describe a street market that Ive enjoyed visiting many times in Manch
ester. Its the Manchester Christmas Market, and it comes to the city for about a
month from the end of November every year. The market stalls are spread across s
everal sites in the city centre, but the centrepiece is the large European marke
t in Albert Square next to the Town Hall.
The Christmas Market stalls sell an array of Christmas gifts and mouth-watering
food and drink from all over Europe. Its a great place to find handmade crafts su
ch as jewellery, ornaments, wooden toys and other souvenirs, but its the food and
drink that seem to be most popular. Probably the biggest seller is the Gluhwein,
a hot, sweet wine which is sold in a souvenir mug.
The market was originally quite small, occupying just one of the central squares
in Manchester, but its grown quickly in recent years, spilling over into maybe f
ive other pedestrian streets and a few other squares. Apparently there are over
200 stalls now, so its become a really big event attracting thousands of visitors
.
The main reason Ive always enjoyed visiting the Christmas Market is the fantastic
atmosphere. When I went there last December, it didnt matter how cold or wet the
weather was, Manchester seemed to come alive when the market opened; the street
s were bustling with people and there was a real festive feel to the city.
1) Did you play with toys when you were a child?
Yes, of course. I loved playing with toys when I was a child; I think all childr
en do.
2) What kinds of toys did you like?
As far as I remember, I mostly played with toy cars, planes and action figures f
rom films or cartoons. I also liked building things with Lego.
3) In your country, do boys and girls play with the same types of toys?
Not really. I think boys like the kinds of toys that I mentioned before, whereas
girls play with dolls. My niece, for example, doesn't like toy cars; she prefer
s dressing dolls in different outfits.
4) Do you think that toys help children to learn?
Yes, I do. All toys encourage children to use their imagination and creativity.
Even with simple toys, children imagine situations and invent games and rules.
Discussion question
Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative art
ists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should
be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion
.People have different views about the funding of creative artists. While some p
eople disagree with the idea of government support for artists, I believe that m
oney for art projects should come from both governments and other sources.
Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are m
any works of art in public spaces, such as streets or squares in city centres. I
n Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and sculptures in the do
cks area of the city, which has been redeveloped recently. These artworks repres
ent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about the city,
and act as landmarks or talking points for visitors and tourists. Governments an
d local councils should pay creative artists to produce this kind of art, becaus
e without their funding our cities would be much less interesting and attractive
.
On the other hand, I can understand the arguments against government funding for
art. The main reason for this view is that governments have more important conc
erns. For example, state budgets need to be spent on education, healthcare, infr
astructure and security, among other areas. These public services are vital for
a country to function properly, whereas the work of creative artists, even in pu
blic places, is a luxury. Another reason for this opinion is that artists do a j
ob like any other professional, and they should therefore earn their own money b
y selling their work.
In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should rely on alternative sou
rces of financial support, but in my opinion government help is sometimes necess
ary.
Opinion question
Some people believe that governments should stop spending money on the arts. Ins
tead, they should use this money to improve vital services such as schools and h
ospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Describe a plant grown in your country. You should say
- what the plant is
- where it is grown
- why you like or dislike it
- and explain why it is important to your country.
The plant I desire to talk about is "Hibiscus". It is a common tropical plant, g
rown in almost every house in my region. It has thick, dark green leaves and gro
ws up to 7 or 8 meters. It requires lots of water and fertile soil to grow
during the first year. After second year, its root will grow long enough take wa
ter from deep down.
A common Hibiscus flower is orange - red in color, with pink stigma and yellow s
tamen. It is not aromatic, however it does have mild flavor.
I love Hibiscus for its medicinal properties.Dried Hibiscus flowers are ground i
nto powder along with gooseberries and used in treatment for hair loss. Hibiscus
flavored tea reduces blood pressure. Hibiscus syrup is administered in Traditio
nal Indian Ayurvedhic medicine against diseases like diabetes and High blood pre
ssure. It is also used in face packs to keep our face oil free and shining.
As Indian traditional medicines are identified and marketed through out the worl
d, by Corporate healthcare companies. Now Hibiscus is recognized by them to have
huge potential to be exported in the form of medicine and can bring more profit
to farmers; foreign exchange to India.
What types of transport are there in your town?
In Manchester I think you can find every form of transport apart from an undergr
ound system. You can drive around the city by car or get on a bus; there are eve
n free buses that take people between the train stations. Manchester also has a
tram system, and of course there are taxis too.
How has transport changed since your grandparents were young?
Well, they had cars, trains and planes back then, and London already had the und
erground system, but I suppose the difference is that technology has moved on. H
aving said that, the transport system is not necessarily better nowadays; people
travel a lot more, and I'm sure we spend more time stuck in traffic.
What types of transport do you think we will use in the future?
I'm not sure, but hopefully we'll have cars that drive themselves and never cras
h. I think we'll probably fly more, and it might become normal to have your own
plane. On the other hand, many cities are building more bicycle lanes, so maybe
we will use cars less for getting around towns and cities.
Describe a picnic or a meal that you ate outdoors.
Describe a situation when you were late.
Example question:
Do you think it's important to find a job that you love, or is it more important
to earn a good salary?
Do say:
"Personally, I'd prefer to do a job that I really enjoy; as long as I earn enoug
h to live comfortably, the salary is less important. However, I can see the bene
fits of doing a job that you don't like if it pays well. With a good salary, you
can probably do more enjoyable things in your free time."
Do you like parks?
Do you think different colours can change our moods?
When do people give flowers in your country?
Yes, I like parks because they are great places to relax. I think all cities nee
d green areas.
Yes, I think bright colours, like red, can make you feel energetic. Some greens
and blues can be more relaxing.
People give flowers on special occasions like birthdays or on Valentine's Day. I
n my country, giving flowers is seen as romantic.
1) Who does most of the shopping in your household?
There isn't one person who does most of the shopping. I'd say it's a shared resp
onsibility because we tend to go shopping together as a family.
2) What kind of shopping do you like doing?
I quite like shopping for presents for people's birthdays or for Christmas. My f
avourite type of shop would have to be a bookshop.
3) Is shopping a popular activity in your country?
Yes, it's very popular. Saturday is the busiest shopping day, and lots of people
treat shopping as a kind of leisure activity, rather than something practical.
4) What types of shops do teenagers like best in your country?
I'm not an expert on teenage behaviour, but I guess they like buying clothes, mu
sic, gadgets... that kind of thing.
Opinion question
The subjects that children are taught in schools are decided by central authorit
ies. Some people say that teachers, not politicians, should be responsible for t
his task. To what extent you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Discussion question
Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest of our lives, while ot
hers believe that adult life brings more happiness. Discuss both these views and
give your own opinion.
2-part question
News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspap
ers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to b
ad news, and would it be better if more good news was reported?
Describe your favourite season in your country. You should say
- when that season is
- what the weather is like at that time of year
- how that season is different from other seasons
- and why it is your favourite season.
My favourite season in England is winter. A typical English winter would last ar
ound 4 or 5 months between November and March, but when I say that I like the wi
nter, Im really thinking about the coldest month or two each year.
During those really wintry months, the temperature drops below zero and it often
snows. Over the last few years weve had periods of quite heavy snowfall, to the
extent that roads have been blocked and schools have had to close. Last winter I
remember looking out of the window one morning and seeing everything covered in
a layer of white.
Obviously the snow is what differentiates winter from the other seasons, but whe
n it doesnt snow there isnt much difference between winter, autumn and spring; win
ter is just a bit colder.
The reason Ive chosen winter as my favourite season is because I like the snow. I
live near the countryside, and the landscape looks beautiful when everything is
covered in white. We also celebrate Christmas and New Year in the winter, and t
hese are my favourite festivals.
Children who are brought up in families that do not have large amounts of money
are better prepared to deal with the problems of adult life than children brough
t up by wealthy parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opini
on?
Example question
Do you think the seasons still influence people's behaviour?
Example answer
Yes, I do think the seasons affect how we behave. (how?) We still wear different
clothes depending on the weather, and clothes shops change what they sell accor
ding to the season. We also adapt our habits and daily routines according to the
time of year. (example) For example, people in my country like to eat outside i
n their gardens in the summer, but we can't do that during the other seasons. (o
pposite) On the other hand, I don't think we notice the change in seasons when i
t comes to food; the big supermarkets import food from around the world, so most
people don't buy seasonal fruit and vegetables any more.
Describe a future plan which is not related to work or study. You should say
- what the plan is
- when you thought of the plan
- who is involved in the plan
- and say how you think you will achieve the plan.
A plan to go on holiday or visit another city / country
A plan to buy a present for someone
A plan to start a new hobby
Im going to talk about a future plan that I have, which is to buy a good camera a
nd to become a better photographer. At the moment Im just using the camera on my
mobile phone, but Ive realised that it has its limitations.
I thought of this plan when I was at a friends wedding a few weeks ago. I got som
e great pictures of the bride and groom and their guests celebrating, but I did
notice that with my phone camera I wasnt able to capture longer range photos, or
photos in darker conditions; the phones zoom and flash arent very good. Next time
Id like to be able to capture a special occasion in higher quality images.
Obviously this plan depends on whether I can save enough money to buy the camera
Id like. Also, before making a decision about which camera to get, Ill probably t
alk to a friend who knows more about photography than I do.
In terms of buying a camera, Ill achieve this plan if I can save some money! In t
erms of becoming a better photographer, I think Ill achieve that goal by experime
nting with my new camera and by learning as I go along.
It's fine to give negative answers in part 1 of the speaking test. Here are some
example negative answers for people who don't like sport:
1. What sports or physical activities do you regularly do?
Unfortunately I don't have time to do any sports or physical activities because
of my work commitments. I'd like to find more time for regular exercise.
2. Which sport or game would you like to be good at?
I'd like to be good at tennis. It must be great to be able to hit the ball as ha
rd as you can and watch it land exactly where you wanted it to.
3. Do you prefer watching or playing sports?
I don't watch much sport on TV and I'm not a big sports fan, so I think I would
probably enjoy doing sports more than watching them.
4. Do you think children should be encouraged to do more sport?
Yes, I think that sport is really important for children. Sports and games teach
children to play together and try their best.
Did people have more free time when your grandparents were young?
Do you think the hobbies people have will be different in the future?
When my grandparents were young, I think they had less leisure time. They didn't
have the gadgets we use nowadays, so they probably spent more time doing simple
things. For example, nowadays we can cook meals in a microwave in less than 5 m
inutes, whereas in the past people had to cook everything themselves.
No, I don't think hobbies will change much in the future. I'm sure people will s
till play games and sports. On the other hand, maybe the Internet is changing th
e way we spend our free time. In the future, more and more people might have onl
ine hobbies.
Economic progress is often used to measure a country's success. However, some pe
ople believe that other factors are more important. What other factors should al
so be considered when measuring a country's success? Do you think one factor is
more important than others?
Here's a plan I wrote with my students:
Paragraph about other factors:
1) Education for development of the country, providing future workforce. 2) Good
health system, living standards, life expectancy. 3) Personal freedom / rights
/ equality e.g. equal opportunities for both genders.
Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and possess
ions are given too much importance.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is sometimes argued that we live in a materialistic world and that we value m
oney too highly. In my opinion, some people are extremely money oriented, but ma
ny of us place more importance on other values.
Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you didn't know. You s
hould say
- who the person was
- where the conversation took place
- what you talked about
- and explain why you found the conversation interesting.
Im going to talk about an interesting conversation that I had a couple of weeks a
go in a music shop. I was walking along one of the main shopping streets in the
city centre, when a large window displaying all sorts of musical instruments cau
ght my eye. Out of curiosity, I decided to go in and have a look around.
The person I ended up speaking to was a shop assistant on the second floor, in t
he area of the shop dedicated to acoustic guitars. I hadnt intended to speak to a
nyone, but the assistant approached me in a friendly way and asked whether I had
any questions.
I explained to the assistant that I hadnt played the guitar for years, but that I
wondered what the differences were between the various acoustic guitars on show
. He talked to me about the different makes and models, whether they were factor
y or hand made, the woods and varnishes used, the variation in sound quality, an
d of course the price range.
I found the conversation fascinating because the shop assistant was so knowledge
able. It was obvious that he had a passion for the guitar, and he didnt mind talk
ing to me even though I had made it clear that I didnt intend to buy anything. He
even picked up and played three or four of the instruments to demonstrate the d
ifferences in their sound.
Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical
attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
It is sometimes argued that tourists from overseas should be charged more than l
ocal residents to visit important sites and monuments. I completely disagree wit
h this idea.
The argument in favour of higher prices for foreign tourists would be that cultu
ral or historical attractions often depend on state subsidies to keep them going
, which means that the resident population already pays money to these sites thr
ough the tax system. However, I believe this to be a very shortsighted view. For
eign tourists contribute to the economy of the host country with the money they
spend on a wide range of goods and services, including food, souvenirs, accommod
ation and travel. The governments and inhabitants of every country should be hap
py to subsidise important tourist sites and encourage people from the rest of th
e world to visit them.
If travellers realised that they would have to pay more to visit historical and
cultural attractions in a particular nation, they would perhaps decide not to go
to that country on holiday. To take the UK as an example, the tourism industry
and many related jobs rely on visitors coming to the country to see places like
Windsor Castle or Saint Pauls Cathedral. These two sites charge the same price re
gardless of nationality, and this helps to promote the nations cultural heritage.
If overseas tourists stopped coming due to higher prices, there would be a risk
of insufficient funding for the maintenance of these important buildings.
In conclusion, I believe that every effort should be made to attract tourists fr
om overseas, and it would be counterproductive to make them pay more than local
residents.
1. Where are you from?
2. Do you like the place where you live?
3. Do you work or are you a student?
4. What job do you do?
5. Do you like walking?
6. Do you think walking is important?
7. Do you think walking in the countryside is better than walking in the city?
8. What could be done to improve the experience of walking in cities?
PART 2
Describe an occasion when someone visited ur home
PART 3
1. In your country, how do people treat visitors?
2. Do you think hospitality is less important than it was in the past?
3. What are the benefits of staying with a friend when visiting a new place?
4. What are the advantages of staying in a hotel instead?
Governments should not have to provide care or financial support for elderly peo
ple because it is the responsibility of each person to prepare for retirement an
d support him or herself.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Introduction (strong opinion):
People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior
citizens. I completely disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive
no support from the state.
Introduction (more balanced opinion):
People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior
citizens. Although I accept that we all have a responsibility to save money for
retirement, I disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no suppo
rt from the state.
1. Do you like walking?
I'm not one for going on really long walks in the countryside, but I don't mind
walking when I'm in a town or city, for example when I'm sightseeing in a new pl
ace.
2. Do you think walking is important?
Yes, I think it's important to be active, and walking is the most basic physical
activity that we can do.
3. Do you think walking in the countryside is better than walking in the city?
Personally, no. As I said before, I like walking in the city, especially if it's
somewhere with a lot of history like London or Paris. I've done quite a lot of
walking in those cities.
4. What could be done to improve the experience of walking in cities?
I suppose the main issues are space and safety. Pavements need to be wide enough
to accommodate lots of pedestrians, and we need safe places to cross the street
.
The phrase 'consumer society' is a negative one because it suggests that our liv
es revolve around money and possessions.
It is true that many people criticize modern society because it seems to be too
materialistic. I agree with this to some extent, but I do not think it is the ca
se that everyone is a victim of consumer culture.
On the one hand, many people do seem to focus too much on money and possessions.
Wherever we go, we are bombarded with advertising to sell us products and servi
ces, many of which we do not need. For example, people may be persuaded to purch
ase the latest model of iPhone, when their old phone is still perfectly function
al. This could be seen as a demonstration that we are obsessive consumers; we bu
y things based on fashion and branding, and shopping has become a hobby or even
an addiction.
describe a visit from a family member during a festival, or you could talk abou
t a visit from a friend who is interested in the same hobby as you.
Throughout history, people have dreamed of living in a perfect society. However,
there is still no agreement about what a perfect society would be like. What, i
n your opinion, would be the most important element of a perfect society? What c
an people do to help create an ideal society?
Describe an old object which your family has kept for a long time
1. The clock is very old.
= The clock is an antique; it's probably a collector's item.
2. It is big and made of wood.
= It is housed in a large wooden cabinet that stands nearly two metres tall.
(The kind of clock I'm describing)
3. It has been in my family for a long time.
= It has been in my family for several generations.
4. Everyone in my family likes the clock.
= We've all become quite attached to the clock; it's like part of the family.
5. I hope my parents will give it to me one day.
= The clock is a real family heirloom, so hopefully I'll inherit it one day.
Describe a subject that you think should be removed from school education progra
mmes. You should say
- what the subject is
- why you think it is unnecessary for children to study it
- and explain what you would replace it with.
In your opinion, are newspapers important?
Yes, in my opinion newspapers are very important (why?) because they give us inf
ormation about what is happening around the world. (why?) They are a vital sourc
e of knowledge about education, technology, medicine and many other fields. (alt
ernative?) If newspapers didnt exist, I think the quality of news coverage would
suffer because there would be fewer professional journalists. (example?) We woul
d have to rely, for example, on unpaid bloggers who do not have the budgets to c
arry out detailed research before they write an article.
) Do you think that newspapers will disappear as a result of the Internet?
3) What negative consequences might there be if newspapers did disappear?
1. Do you like cooking? Why / why not?
Sometimes. I like preparing a special meal for family or friends who visit, but
everyday cooking is a bit boring; it's something that has to be done, but it's n
ot really fun.
2. Who did the cooking in your family when you were a child?
My mother almost always did the cooking when I was young. I don't think she trus
ted my father to make a nice meal.
3. Do you think that it's important to know how to cook well?
I'm not sure whether it's important to cook well, but I do think that everyone s
hould know the basics. It definitely isn't healthy to rely on pre-prepared meals
or fast food.
4. Do you think that children should be taught cookery at school?
Yes, that's probably a good idea. If all children knew how to cook a few basic,
healthy meals, that would surely be a good thing.
Nowadays it is easy to apply for and be given a credit card. However, some peopl
e experience problems when they are not be able to pay their debts back. In your
opinion, do the advantages of credit cards outweigh the disadvantages?
A credit card gives you access to money and the facility to pay it back later, l
ike a loan. This could be useful for emergencies or something expensive, like a
holiday. Credit cards are a safe way to pay. Easy access to money means that peo
ple spend, and this benefits the economy.
Disadvantages:
Credit cards encourage people to spend money they do not have. Debts can build u
p and leave people in real financial difficulties. When people cannot pay their
debts back, everyone suffers: those in debt may lose their homes, the banks lose
money, and the whole economy suffers.
1. In your country, how do people treat visitors from abroad?
I think we treat visitors well. People in the UK are very open-minded and welcom
ing, and we enjoy the mix of cultures that immigration and tourism bring. Most U
K cities, for example, are really cosmopolitan, and you can meet visitors from e
very part of the world.
2. Do you think hospitality towards visitors is less important than it was in th
e past?
In my city, maybe its true that hospitality is less important nowadays, but thats
only because we are so used to seeing visitors from different countries, so we t
reat it as a normal part of life and nothing too special.
3. What are the advantages of staying with a friend compared to staying in a hot
el when visiting a foreign country?
If you stay with a friend, you benefit from someone with local knowledge of the
best places to visit. You can also get to know the character and customs of the
local people, and for me, this is one of the most interesting aspects of a visit
to another country. On the other hand, if you stay in a hotel, you are forced t
o discover the new place on your own, so its more of an adventure.
Some people think that in the modern world we are more dependent on each other,
while others think that people have become more independent.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about whether we are more or less dependent on other
s nowadays. In my view, modern life forces us to be more independent than people
were in the past.
There are two main reasons why it could be argued that we are more dependent on
each other now. Firstly, life is more complex and difficult, especially because
the cost of living has increased so dramatically. For example, young adults tend
to rely on their parents for help when buying a house. Property prices are high
er than ever, and without help it would be impossible for many people to pay a d
eposit and a mortgage. Secondly, people seem to be more ambitious nowadays, and
they want a better quality of life for their families. This means that both pare
nts usually need to work full-time, and they depend on support from grandparents
and babysitters for child care.
However, I would agree with those who believe that people are more independent t
hese days. In most countries, families are becoming smaller and more dispersed,
which means that people cannot count on relatives as much as they used to. We al
so have more freedom to travel and live far away from our home towns. For exampl
e, many students choose to study abroad instead of going to their local universi
ty, and this experience makes them more independent as they learn to live alone.
Another factor in this growing independence is technology, which allows us to w
ork alone and from any part of the world.
In conclusion, while there are some reasons to believe that people now depend on
each other more, my own view is that we are more independent than ever.
Describe a subject that you think should be removed from school education progra
mmes. You should say
- what the subject is
- why you think it is unnecessary for children to study it
- and explain what you would replace it with.
Here's my sample answer with band 7-9 vocabulary underlined:
Im going to suggest that art could be taken out of the school curriculum. In my e
xperience, art lessons at school tend to include drawing, painting, and the maki
ng of collages using paper, fabric and other household materials.
There are a few reasons why I think that school art lessons are unnecessary. Fir
stly, I dont believe that drawing and painting are essential skills that children
will need when they leave school. Children might find these activities enjoyabl
e, but its unlikely that they will need them in the working world. Secondly, chil
dren can draw, paint and make collages in their own time at home; parents can en
courage this, and they can even join in. Finally, remembering my own art lessons
at school, I dont think we learnt any real art skills; the teachers left us to d
raw or create things, but they didnt provide much technical instruction.
Instead of art lessons, children could do more work on core subjects like maths,
science or language. These subjects are more likely to help children in later l
ife when they enter the job market, and I think both children and their teachers
would benefit if more time were devoted to them.
When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. To what ext
ent do you agree or disagree?
Many people choose their jobs based on the size of the salary offered. Personall
y, I disagree with the idea that money is the key consideration when deciding on
a career, because I believe that other factors are equally important.
On the one hand, I agree that money is necessary in order for people to meet the
ir basic needs. For example, we all need money to pay for housing, food, bills,
health care, and education. Most people consider it a priority to at least earn
a salary that allows them to cover these needs and have a reasonable quality of
life. If people chose their jobs based on enjoyment or other non-financial facto
rs, they might find it difficult to support themselves. Artists and musicians, f
or instance, are known for choosing a career path that they love, but that does
not always provide them with enough money to live comfortably and raise a family
.
Nevertheless, I believe that other considerations are just as important as what
we earn in our jobs. Firstly, personal relationships and the atmosphere in a wor
kplace are extremely important when choosing a job. Having a good manager or fri
endly colleagues, for example, can make a huge difference to workers levels of ha
ppiness and general quality of life. Secondly, many peoples feelings of job satis
faction come from their professional achievements, the skills they learn, and th
e position they reach, rather than the money they earn. Finally, some people cho
ose a career because they want to help others and contribute something positive
to society.
In conclusion, while salaries certainly affect peoples choice of profession, I do
not believe that money outweighs all other motivators.
Teleworking, or the use of telecommunications to allow people to work from home,
should be adopted by all employers in order to improve the quality of life of th
eir staff.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Here's my introduction:
The current trend towards teleworking is a positive one in many respects. Howeve
r, I strongly disagree with the idea that it should be introduced in all work co
ntexts.
Should governments make decisions about people's lifestyle, or should people mak
e their own decisions?
This question seems difficult, but if you take "smoking" as an example of a life
style choice, it becomes a lot easier. Here's my paragraph:
In some cases, governments can help people to make better lifestyle choices. In
the UK, for example, smoking is now banned in all workplaces, and it is even pro
hibited for people to smoke in restaurants, bars and pubs. As a result, many peo
ple who used to smoke socially have now given up. At the same time, the governme
nt has ensured that cigarette prices keep going up, and there have been several
campaigns to highlight the health risks of smoking. These measures have also hel
ped to reduce the number of smokers in this country.
What kinds of jobs might stop when the season changes?
Answer:
Well, I don't really know much about seasonal jobs because everyone works all ye
ar round where I live, but I suppose that some jobs related to tourism must stop
at the end of the summer holiday period.
1. Where are you from?
I'm from Manchester, which is a city in the north west of England.
2. Do you like your home town? (Why?)
Yes, I like living in Manchester because it's where most of my friends live, and
because there are plenty of things to do there. The only thing I don't like is
the weather.
3. Would you prefer to live somewhere else? (Why?)
For the moment I'm happy living here, but at some point I'd like to live in a co
untry with a warmer climate, and I'd like to live near a beach!
4. Do you think your home town is a good place for young people? (Why?)
Yes, Manchester has lots of things for young people, such as sports facilities,
music and cinemas.
Describe a positive experience that you had as a teenager. You should say
- what the positive experience was
- where you were
- who you were with
- and explain why you found the experience positive
Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their
achievements, and this sets a bad example to young people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their
achievements, and this sets a bad example to young people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Here's my introduction. Notice that I use a "while" sentence to express my balan
ced opinion.
It is true that some celebrities are known for their glamourous lifestyles rathe
r than for the work they do. While I agree that these celebrities set a bad exam
ple for children, I believe that other famous people act as positive role models
It is true that some celebrities are known for their glamourous lifestyles rathe
r than for the work they do. While I agree that these celebrities set a bad exam
ple for children, I believe that other famous people act as positive role models
.
On the one hand, many people do achieve fame without really working for it. They
may have inherited money from parents, married a famous or wealthy person, or t
hey may have appeared in gossip magazines or on a reality TV programme. A good e
xample would be Paris Hilton, who is rich and famous for the wrong reasons. She
spends her time attending parties and nightclubs, and her behaviour promotes the
idea that appearance, glamour and media profile are more important than hard wo
rk and good character. The message to young people is that success can be achiev
ed easily, and that school work is not necessary.
On the other hand, there are at least as many celebrities whose accomplishments
make them excellent role models for young people. Actors, musicians and sports s
tars become famous idols because they have worked hard and applied themselves to
develop real skills and abilities. They demonstrate great effort, determination
and ambition, which is required for someone who wants to be truly successful in
their chosen field. An example is the actor and martial artist Jackie Chan, who
has become world famous through years of practice and hard work. This kind of s
elf-made celebrity can inspire children to develop their talents through applica
tion and perseverance.
(Add your own conclusion)
Describe a positive experience that you had as a teenager. You should say
- what the positive experience was
- where you were
- who you were with
- and explain why you found the experience positive.
Here's my sample answer, taking some of the ideas from this lesson.
Im going to describe the first time I visited Englands capital city, London, on a
school trip when I was a teenager. I had never been to London before, and it was
great to share that experience with my school friends.
The positive experience wasnt confined to one particular place in London. As far
as I remember, I enjoyed the whole trip, from the coach journey to the visits to
various tourist attractions. We got off the coach near the Houses of Parliament
, and so one of my first memories was seeing the famous Big Ben clock tower. We al
so visited the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
As I said earlier, it was a school trip, and I think there were around thirty of
us, including two teachers. I was with a group of close friends, which made the
experience more enjoyable.
What really struck me about London was that it was historic but modern and thriv
ing at the same time. It seemed to me to be a lively, fashionable and cosmopolit
an place. Coming from a relatively small town, the experience made me keen to vi
sit more capital cities in the future.
Do you like learning languages?
How did you learn the languages that you know?
Why do people learn more than one language?
Do you think that all children should learn foreign languages at school?
Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pa
y taxes that support the state education system.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should n
ot need to contribute to state schools through taxes. Personally, I completely d
isagree with this view.
For a variety of reasons, it would be wrong to reduce taxes for families who pay
for private education. Firstly, it would be difficult to calculate the correct
amount of tax reduction for these families, and staff would be required to manag
e this complex process. Secondly, we all pay a certain amount of tax for public
services that we may not use. For example, most people are fortunate enough not
to have to call the police or fire brigade at any time in their lives, but they
would not expect a tax reduction for this. Finally, if wealthy families were giv
en a tax discount for sending their children to private schools, we might have a
situation where poorer people pay higher taxes than the rich.
In my opinion, we should all be happy to pay our share of the money that support
s public schools. It is beneficial for all members of society to have a high qua
lity education system with equal opportunities for all young people. This will r
esult in a well-educated workforce, and in turn a more productive and prosperous
nation. Parents of children in private schools may also see the advantages of t
his in their own lives. For example, a company owner will need well qualified an
d competent staff, and a well-funded education system can provide such employees
.
In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial concessions should be made fo
r people who choose private education.
1) Do you think that it's important for people to go on holiday?
Answer using 'idea, explain, example'
Yes, I think we all need to go on holiday at least once or twice a year. It isnt
healthy to work all year round without some time off to relax; we all need to ta
ke a break and recharge our batteries from time to time. Last summer, for exampl
e, I went on holiday to France for a couple of weeks, and it was great to leave
all of my usual responsibilities behind me. I came home feeling really refreshed
and reinvigorated.
2) Why do you think some people prefer not to go abroad on holiday?
Answer using 'firstly, secondly, finally'
I suppose there are different reasons why some people choose not to go abroad on
holidays. Firstly, its usually more expensive to travel abroad than it is to sta
y at home. A second reason could be that some people find it stressful to spend
time in a foreign country where they dont speak the language, or where they feel
that they cant easily integrate with the locals. Finally, many people just love w
here they live, and dont feel the need to travel abroad.
Describe a family celebration that you remember. You should say
- what you were celebrating
- who was present
- what you and your family did to make the celebration special
- and why you enjoyed the occasion.
Here's my sample answer:
Im going to describe my sisters wedding day, which took place a few years ago in t
he town where I grew up. For my sister it was the biggest and most important day
of her life.
I think there were around 100 people at the marriage ceremony, which was held in
a church. Even more people came to the party, or the wedding reception as we ca
ll it, after the ceremony. Of course, most members of my family were there, as w
ell as the grooms family and a collection of the bride and groom's friends and co
lleagues.
To make the celebration special, we did what families normally do. My mother mad
e sure that the church and the reception venue were nicely decorated - there wer
e flowers everywhere! Obviously we all dressed for the occasion, and there were
bridesmaids, gifts, a huge wedding cake, and so on.
I enjoyed the occasion because it was great to see my sister so happy on her big
day. The ceremony was perfect, and we all had a fantastic time at the reception
. Its rare for me to see all of my family and friends together in one place, so t
hats probably what made the day so memorable for me.
1. Do you like reading?
Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including novels, newspap
ers, magazines, and online articles.
2. Do you usually read for leisure or for work purposes?
Well, I have to do a certain amount of reading as part of my job, but I probably
read more for enjoyment. I pick up a newspaper most days, and I usually have a
book on the go.
3. What was your favourite book or story when you were a child?
The first book that I remember really enjoying was '..........'. It only took me
a few days to read because I liked it so much that I couldn't put it down.
4. Do you think it's important that children read regularly?
Definitely. I think reading is possibly the most important skill that children l
earn. The ability to read opens the door to all aspects of education.
1. What games are popular in your country?
Well, if we can consider sports as games, then football is definitely the most p
opular game in my country, but we also love board games like chess.
2. Do you play any games?
Not regularly these days. I play the occasional game of tennis with my brother-i
n-law, and I recently played a bowling game on the Nintendo Wii with my nephew.
I wasn't very good at it.
3. How do people learn to play games in your country?
I think children teach each other to play games. I remember a friend at primary
school teaching me to play chess, for example.
4. Do you think it's important for people to play games?
Yes, it's really important, especially for children. I think research has shown
that play can improve brain development, intelligence, creativity, and the abili
ty to cooperate with others.
Imagine that the question asks "to what extent do you agree or disagree?". Can y
ou see the problem in the type of essay outlined below?
.....
Paragraph 1
Introduce the topic, then answer that you completely disagree
Paragraph 2
Give the other side of the argument e.g. "On the one hand, many people believe..
."
Paragraph 3
Give your side of the argument e.g. "On the other hand, in my opinion..."
Paragraph 4
Summarise the reasons why you disagree
Describe a school that you went to when you were a child. You should say
- where the school was
- when you went there
- what the school and the teachers were like
- and explain whether you enjoyed your time there.
Here's my sample (band 9) answer:
Im going to talk about my primary school. The school was called ..... and it was
in the town of ..... . The location of the school was great because it was withi
n walking distance of our family home at the time. The route to school was all d
ownhill, which made it an easy walk in the morning, but a tiring journey on the
way home in the afternoon!
I was a pupil at ..... school between the ages of 5 and 11 - the full 6 years of
primary education. From age 11 onwards, I went to a nearby secondary school.
My primary school seemed like a big place at the time, but it was actually quite
a small school, with only six classes. I remember there being a large room call
ed the assembly hall, where the whole school gathered every morning to hear mess
ages from the headmaster. I also remember spending a lot of time on the playgrou
nd and on the sports field. I liked all of my teachers; they were caring but str
ict at the same time, and I think they fostered a positive and fun atmosphere in
the school.
I have really fond memories of my primary school years, mainly because of the fr
iends I made and the fun I had. One of my most vivid memories is of performing i
n the school play in my final year. I had to learn lines and play the part of a
character in a traditional childrens story. It was a nerve-racking experience, bu
t it felt like my first real achievement.
1. Is it better to get advice from a friend or from a family member?
I think it depends on the kind of advice that you need. Parents and grandparents
probably have more life experience than a friend, and so you might get a wiser
or more sensible answer from them. On the other hand, friends are less likely to
become too worried if you go to them with a problem. For example, I probably wo
uldnt want to burden my parents with a financial problem.
2. What would you say are the characteristics of a good adviser?
Well, firstly, a good adviser should be a good listener, someone who takes the t
ime to understand the situation before offering advice. Secondly, an adviser sho
uld try to be objective, and avoid judging the person who is seeking help. Final
ly, I think the best advisers have the ability to ask the right questions and en
courage others to find their own answers.
3. Should people make their own work and career decisions, or is it a good idea
to ask for advice about this?
Id say that its a mixture of both things. Most of us talk to family, friends, teac
hers or colleagues before we make career choices. However, I believe that the fi
nal decision should rest with the individual; we all need to take ultimate respo
nsibility for the big life choices that we make.
Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?
It is no doubt true that the majority of people would like to be happy in their
lives. While the personal nature of happiness makes it difficult to describe, th
ere do seem to be some common needs that we all share with regard to experiencin
g or achieving happiness.
Happiness is difficult to define because it means something different to each in
dividual person. Nobody can fully understand or experience another persons feelin
gs, and we all have our own particular passions from which we take pleasure. Som
e people, for example, derive a sense of satisfaction from earning money or achi
eving success, whereas for others, health and family are much more important. At
the same time, a range of other feelings, from excitement to peacefulness, may
be associated with the idea of happiness, and the same person may therefore feel
happy in a variety of different ways.
Although it seems almost impossible to give a precise definition of happiness, m
ost people would agree that there are some basic preconditions to achieving it.
Firstly, it is hard for a person to be happy if he or she does not have a safe p
lace to live and enough food to eat. Our basic survival needs must surely be met
before we can lead a pleasant life. Secondly, the greatest joy in life is usual
ly found in shared experiences with family and friends, and it is rare to find a
person who is content to live in complete isolation. Other key factors could be
individual freedom and a sense of purpose in life.
In conclusion, happiness is difficult to define because it is particular to each
individual, but I believe that our basic needs for shelter, food and company ne
ed to be fulfilled before we can experience it.