Tài liệu luyện thi IELTS - Topics for IELTS speaking practice

Introduction
Welcome to IELTS!
This material for Speaking skill area, are compiled from a variety of sources, but the special feature
of this material is providing the best comprehensive of speaking test in IELTS based on the real
experience of a group of students when they study.
To get started, please take some time to read tips and tricks and each part of speaking test. You will
also find many model answers, which may be of assistance to you. In this guideline you will:
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become familiar with the structure of the Speaking Test
talk about your likes and dislikes
practice extending your answer
paraphrase vocabulary from examiner questions
practice your pronunciation of new language

Thank you once again for your interest in this material. Your success is our motivation to continue
gather and find out more strategies to help you achieve your desirable score in your IELTs exam.
We look forward to getting along with you on the journey of conquer IELTs.
Your IELTS fighter team.


Table of Content
PART 1: Some common topics
PART 2 & 3
A PLACE: where you like/favorite/enjoy
where you don’t like/unusual
where just opened

1
A building where you like
2
A favorite park
3
A shop just opened in your hometown
4
A café/restaurant you enjoy
5
A quiet place you enjoy
6
A place people do sport
A THINGS: you like/favorite/enjoy/happy
you don’t like/don’t happy/unusual
1
A product you bought and feel happy
2
A favorite Song
3
A piece of furniture
4
A piece of cloth you like
5
A TV drama series
6
An interesting Book
7
An English lesson
8
Money

A PERSON: you like/favorite/enjoy/happy
you don’t like/don’t happy/unusual
1
A business person you admire
2
A famous person you admire
3
A neighbor you like
4
A person who solved a problem in a clever way
AN EXPERIENCE: you like/favorite/enjoy/happy
you don’t like/don’t happy/unusual
1
A car trip
2
A time where you not allowed to use phone
3
A time you friendly with someone you didn’t like
4
A time you had good experience in countryside
5
A wedding ceremony
6
A Foreign/new food you tried
7
A positive experience when you were a teenager
8
An unusual food
9
An Experience you spent time with a child

10 Achievement


PART 1: SOME COMMON TOPICS
Tips and Tricks:
1. Focus on Grammar: likes and dislike
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Examiner: Do you enjoy watching sports?
Candidate: No, I’m not really a fan of sports to be honest. I prefer going to concerts or
seeing a good film at the cinema.

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Examiner: What kind of food do you like most?
Candidate: I absolutely love fresh seafood. Especially lobster and prawns.

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Examiner: Are there any types of food that you dislike?
Candidate: Well, I’m not very keen on red meat actually. I’m not a vegetarian, but I just
don’t like the taste of beef very much.

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Examiner: What do you like about living in your hometown?
Candidate: Well, there’s a lovely park near where I live, which I absolutely love
especially in spring when the flowers are so beautiful. I go for a walk there most
weekends.

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Examiner: Are there any types of films that you do not enjoy?
Candidate: Yes, I’m not really into war films. All that violence and killing just makes me
feel ill. I went to see Saving Private Ryan at the cinema because I’d heard it was very
good, but I had to leave after only half an hour or so. It was just too violent.

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Examiner: What do you like about your work?
Candidate: Well, because we sell our products all over the world there are a lot of
opportunities for travel and that really appeals to me. I may be going to China next year
for a sales conference.

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Examiner: Do you enjoy visiting museums?
Candidate: To be honest, I’m not that keen on going to museums. All those old, dead
things just don’t appeal to me very much. I’d rather watch a film about dinosaurs than
look at some old bones in a museum.

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Examiner: Do you like the national costume worn in your home country?
Candidate: Yes, I’m very fond of it actually. I think it looks really nice to see people
wearing it, and it’s a traditional part of our culture that I think we should keep.

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Examiner: Would you like to have a pet?

Candidate: No, I’m not that fond of animals really. They’re quite expensive to look
after. My apartment is tiny so I could fit in a goldfish, I suppose, but I certainly couldn’t
keep a dog or a cat.


2. Focus on Fluency: extent your answer
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Pattern 1
Say (how much) you like it
Give the reasons why you like it and/or Give the examples

For examples:
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Examiner: What kind of weather do you like?
Candidate: I’m really fond of weather that is warm and sunny because in my free time I
enjoy spending time outdoors. (give reasons)

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Examiner: What kind of food do you like?
Candidate: I like trying many different kinds of foods, but in particular, I’m really into
Thai and Vietnamese’s cuisines (give examples)

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Examiner: Now let’s talk about your study. What do you enjoy about the course you are
taking?

Candidate: Well, I’m studying design and I absolutely love the work experience we do as
part of our course. We each work one day a week in a real design company and I actually
get to design furniture there, which is the area I want to specialize in. I’m learning so much
from the other designers that I could never learn from just studying from books.
•
•
•

Pattern 2
Say you don't like it
Give the reasons why you don't like it
Give your preference for something else

For examples:
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Examiner: Do you enjoy watching sports?
Candidate: To be honest, I’m not really a sport fan. I prefer going to concerts or going
to the cinema to see a good film.

-

Examiner: Do you enjoy cooking?
Candidate: No, it doesn’t really appeal to me that much. It just takes too long to prepare
a nice meal and since I live alone, I’d only be cooking for myself anyway, I prefer to eat
out or just get take away on my way home from work.

Notes: - Try to use both patterns an equal number of times but answer the questions honestly
about yourself.
- Record your answer each time and listen to it, check your accurate use of grammar.

3. Focus on Vocabulary: showing a variety of ranges
One of the things that the examiner will be listening for in your speaking test is whether you
have a wide range of vocabulary. This is known as lexical resource.
Let’s look at these examples to show that you know and can use a wide variety of different
English words.
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Examiner: What do you like to do in your free time?
Candidate: ok, well, I don’t have a lot of spare time at the moment because I’m quite busy
with my study but when I do have time off, l like to get outside and do something active. I
enjoy outdoor pursuits like hiking and camping, I love going to wild and beautiful places.

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Examiner: Do you think it’s important for people to have hobbies?
Candidate: Yes, I do. Everyone needs them.
When we are working or studying, free time activities are vital for relaxation
and relieving stress.
Then later in life when we retire, having interests will become crucial.
Suddenly, we will have lots of leisure time, so we will need to have things we
enjoy doing to stay active and enjoy our retirement.
Comments: the candidate use a wide range of vocabulary, such as:
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Free time = spare time, time off, leisure time
Important = vital, crucial
Hobbies = pursuits, free time activities, interests, things that we enjoy doing

4. Focus on Pronunciation: Essential aspects
The most important aspect of good pronunciation is not to sound like a native speaker.
The most important things are that you speak clearly and that you are understood.
In your speaking test, the examiner will be listening to your pronunciation. Let’s see what
this involved:
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Pay attention to how you pronounce in individual sound. For example: “Pear” or “bear”

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Place stress correctly in words or sentences. For examples:
+ In the word “University”, the stress is on the third syllable “uniVERsity”
+ In the sentence: “I teach at the University of Queensland”, the stress is on these words: I,
teach, University, Queensland because these are content words, they contain meaning.

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Don’t usually stress little grammar like: “at”, “the”, and “of” …

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It’s ok to PAUSE between each idea but try to not PAUSE in the middle of an idea,
INTONATION is also important. It’s useful for emphasizing keywords. If you are telling
the examiner about an exciting experience, try to make this apparent in your voice.

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Speaking in phrases rather than in individual words

These following are some common topics that could be apparent in your Speaking test. The model
answers have just meant to give you the ideas for each question, it doesn’t focus on giving you the
best answer with the strategies that we show you as above because our purpose is that giving you
a chance to make your own answer based on the ideas and the useful words and idioms that we
give you to broaden your variety wide range of your vocabulary. Knowing exactly what the
examiner will be looking for in the Part 1 of Speaking Test to re-answer these questions.
Make you own answer and practice that is the best way to learn!

Working
Are you a student or are you working?
Well, for the past couple of years, I’ve been working as an auditor at KPMG, which is among the
top 4 auditing firms in the world. I love my job, and I think it’s a very interesting line of work.
Line of work (phrase) the work that a person does regularly in order to earn money
What do you like about your job?
Well I guess the thing I like most about my job is the salary. I make what I’d consider is a lucrative
income, which means not only is it enough to cover my bills, but there’s also some extra to spend
on whatever I want. So, on payday, I often treat myself to a meal at a high-end restaurant
or splurge on a nice shirt.
Lucrative income (phrase)
High-end (adj) the most sophisticated, and typically the most expensive product in a line
Splurge on something (phrase) to spend a lot of money on someone or something
What do you dislike about your job?
You know, I’d have to say the overwhelming workload is something I am not a fan of. I mean,
I’ve got a very hectic schedule, which means I’m always up to my ears in deadlines. That leaves
me with very little quality time for family and friends. In the future, I might look into another job
that is a bit less stressful.
Overwhelming (adj) very intense
Hectic (adj) busy
Up to my ears in something (phrase) busy doing something

Quality time (phrase) time during which one dedicates oneself to a person or activity
What do you do after work?
Well, when we get off work, my colleagues and I usually hit the bar and grab a couple of
drinks and maybe a bite to eat if we’re feeling up to it. It’s great fun, and a fantastic way
to unwind.
Hit the bar (phrase) to go out, to go for a few drinks
Grab a bite to eat (phrase) get something to eat
Up to (doing) something (phrase) well enough, or good enough to do something
Unwind (verb) relax


Do you miss being a student?
I surely will miss my student life once I get involve in the workplace. For me I think when I’m a
student, at least I have someone guide me, whereas at work mostly you must guide yourself. The
academic environment appears to be a comfort zone for me, while I’m sure I’ll struggle with fitting
in the working environment.
To get involve in (v) to become a part of (an organization)
To fit in (v) to become suitable or appropriate for something or someone

Studying
Are you a student or are you working?
I’m currently a senior at X University, which is one of the top schools in the nation. Admission is
incredibly competitive so I’m very proud of being a student here.
Senior (noun) final year university student
What are you studying?
Well, I’m majoring in Accountancy, so as you can guess, I deal a lot with numbers and
figures day in, day out. It can be overwhelming at times, but I’d like to think that I have a knack
for mathematics and calculations so it’s okay.
Day in, day out (phrase) continuously or repeatedly over a long period of time.
Have a knack for (phrase) to be exceptionally proficient at (doing) something

Why did you choose to study that major?
There are many reasons for my choice. As I’ve already explained about my long-term interest in
Accountancy, another reason could be because of accountancy itself, since I’ve found my
personalities have changed in a positive way, you know, like I’ve become more patient and skillful.
What’s the most difficult part of your study?
Well, for the most part, I’d say it’s the workload. I mean there are so many assignments and students
are always under a lot of pressures from deadlines. But on the other hand, exams are a piece of
cake. They are quite predictable, and I can pretty much breeze through them with a bit of revision.
pretty much = almost
A piece of cake (idiom) very easy
Breeze (through) (verb) to easily complete or win something
What do you like most about your school?
I guess the aspect I find most enjoyable is the environment. I mean, I get to study in Englishspeaking classrooms and the facilities are top-notch; I mean, all the classrooms are airconditioned and equipped with projectors. My friends and teachers are all very nice as well, so all
in all it’s a great place to study.
top-notch (adj) excellent


Your family
How do you spend time with your family?
We’ll have a delicious big dinner together with scrumptious food prepared by my mom. After we
have dinner at around 7 o’clock, we’ll watch the news, have some chat with each other or huddle
together to play cards. It’s a precious time when we can momentarily get away from the hectic
whirlwind of daily activities.
Scrumptious (adj) delicious
Hectic whirlwind (expression) a busy schedule
Huddle together (phrase) gather together
Do you want to live with your family in the future?
I think probably not. It’s better for me to try to start an independent life as a grown-up. However,
I still have the responsibility to take good care of my parents that I’ll make time to visit them at
least twice a week.

To make time to do Sth (n) to try to spend time doing Sth that is not just for fun like hobbies
How has your family influenced you?
Although my parents are traditional, they try to become my friends, by helping me and encouraging
me without forcing me to live up to their expectations. They also imprinted on me proper
principles like moral values, respect, humbleness, patience, diligence, etc. I think my family shaped
who I am now. I’m deeply thankful for having such a wonderful family.
To live up to SO’s expectations (v) to try to please others
Imprint (v) to establish securely, as in the mind or consciousness
Diligence (n) careful and persistent work or effort
Do you watch a lot of TV?
Well, not really. I mean we have a TV set and cable subscription and all, but we don’t really watch
the box all that much. I guess something that we still watch from time to time is The Voice, a
singing competition. It’s all the rage in our country right now, and supposedly has really
high viewership.
From time to time (idiom) sometimes
All the rage (phrase) to be very popular at a particular time
What programs do you like to watch?
I’m a fan of competitions on TV like, as I was saying, The Voice. I also find quiz shows quite
interesting. I feel like I really broaden my horizons and learn a wealth of knowledge about the
world around me.


Your Country/Hometown
Tell me about the part of your country where you live
Well, it’s located in the south of the city so it isn’t as noisy as the downtown area. My living area
has lots of trees and parks so I feel really comfortable when living in my hometown.
What do you like about the place where you live?
I think it’s a peaceful and tranquil place, which always gives me peace of mind. The people in my
hometown also have a strong sense of community. They live close together and always give
others a hand when they are in need.

How far is it from here to your current place of residence?
Our place is situated in the heart of the city, so it is approximately 6km from there to here and
can take probably 15-minute drive if the traffic is not too heavy.
What do you think about your hometown?
Well, I think my hometown is one of the best places to live. It is well known all over the
country for its amazing history, architecture, and food. What makes my hometown more
special is the fact that the highest mountain in our country is located there, which
offers breathtaking views of the white, fluffy sea underneath.

School
How was your first day at high school?
Well, the first day at high school left an profound impression on me. It was the first time I rode
a bike to my high school which is 3km from my house. Also, I met 2 new friends at the same class
and from then on they became my best friends forever.
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
I had so many favorite teachers so it’s a bit difficult to pick one. But I would say my math teacher
in high school was the one who had the most influence on me in a positive way. Math used to
be my least favorite subject but he had his own way of making the lessons fun and engaging. He
was definitely my go-to teacher whenever I got a math problem.
Have you ever been a teacher?
I have some experience tutoring my two brothers in English, if that counts as teaching. Both of
my brothers used to be afraid of this subject and find it “dry, difficult and dull”. I had to spend a
lot of time persuading them otherwise. Every evening I would spend one or two hours helping
them out with their homework and talk to them in English.
Would you like to work as a teacher?
I find the idea very attractive, to be honest. You know, in my country, teaching is considered one
of the most noble professions and those who teach get so much respect in our society. It
would take a lot of patience and skills to work with children, though. I’m not exactly a patient
person or someone who’s patient enough with kids.

Leisure time
Do you have any hobbies?
Well, everyone has their own leisure pursuits, and mine is reading. The book I’m reading at the
moment is The Godfather by renowned author Mario Puzo. It’s a classic, really, and I’d really
recommend it.
Leisure pursuit (noun) hobby
Is it important to have a hobby?
Definitely! I mean nowadays life is getting more and more hectic, so people are constantly under
an enormous amount of stress. That’s why it’s necessary to get into some recreational activities
to unwind and just forget about life for a minute, you know?
Is it harmful to spend too much time on a hobby?
Yes, I believe spending excessive time on a hobby may have an adverse effect on people. You
may end up having not enough time for your priorities like family or work. For example, it’s easy
for me to lose myself in books and neglect the deadlines at work.
End up doing something (phrase) to be in a particular place or state after doing something
or because of doing it
What free-time activities would you like to try in the future?
I would love to have a crack at extreme sports in the future, maybe ski-diving. It looks like
a blast and I think I will get a real kick out of free falling from enormous heights.
Have a crack
at (phrase) to try to do something although you are not certain that you will succeed
Blast (noun) a thrill
Get a real kick out of (doing) something (phrase) it means to enjoy something very much

Travel
Do you like to travel?
Yes, definitely! I think seeing the world, from great historical monuments to white sandy
beaches, is what life is all about. It’s a very interesting way to learn about new cultures and
explore new places.

or
Yes, definitely! I think seeing the world, from great historical monuments to white sandy beaches, is
what life is all about. It’s a very interesting way to learn about new cultures and explore new places.
Who do you often spend holiday with?
It depends on what kind of holiday it is. If it’s Christmas vacation, I prefer hang out with my friends
here and there and have a chit-chat. If it’s New Year holiday, I just want to celebrate the holiday
with my family and relatives in a cozy ambiance.


How much traveling have you done?
Well for a start I’m an international student, so my life can be counted as travelling. I’ve been on a
road trip to USA, a vacation to Japan, and Korea when I was younger thanks to my father meeting
sales goals, and most recently Australia – a splendid country.
What kind of places have you visited in your life?
I am a working person. Therefore, I prefer to visit the places which elevate my mood and energize
me. I have been to some of the most beautiful beaches and lakes in my country. These places bring
me closer to nature and rejuvenate me.
When you visit new places, what do you like to do?
It seems to me that there’re a lot of stuff to do when visiting a brand-new places. At first, I would
love to take photographs to bookmark my travel experience as well as share with my best mates.
Culture vulture seems to be my another character when I feel like discovering the places of great
aesthetic appeal everywhere I set foot in.
Do you prefer traveling alone or in a group?
Well, it depends on my current mood. A trip to the off-the-beaten-track destinations, mountainous
or forested place for instance will be my initial choice if I feel devastated. On the contrary, I will
congregate with my companions and sign up for guided tours as it’s a chance to be shown around
and take photograph – one of my hobbies when feel overjoyed.
In which seasons do you prefer to travel?
I guess it would be autumn. This season has little rain, clear skies and temperate conditions. It’s
really the best season when most places are at their best at that time.

What places would you like to visit in the future?
If I have the chance to visit one famous place, it will be Paris, a must-see place to me. I would love
to visit the Eiffel Tower, to tuck into French delicacies in prestigious restaurants. In addition, it’d
be great for me to visit the Louver Museum and discover history as well as La Sorbonne University
– the oldest educational institution in modern France.
Or:
If the choice is in my hands, I’m yearning for travelling to Paris on Christmas vacation when the
weather is neither too cold or too hot. There I can contemplate the picturesque scenery.

Weather
Do you like rainy days?
Yes, absolutely! I love all the freshness around, the cool breeze after a heavy rain. It’s wonderful!
What do you do on rainy days?
Well, rainy days are the best days to watch movies I have been longing to watch or catch up on
my unfinished reading. Movies and books will make up my whole rainy day. Sometimes, I would
rather spend with my pet and teach it new tricks.
Does it rain much in your country? (Where? When?)
As it is entirely located in the tropical belt, it receives quite a great amount of precipitation every
year. However, the part that records the highest rainfall is the northern part. This region can also


be affected by the typhoon season in the Western Pacific, which can see severe storms lashing the
coast from August to November.
Is there any part of your country where it doesn’t rain much? (Where?)
In general, I guess the driest place might possibly be X, which is situated on the south-central
coast. The weather there is quite extreme with a lot of wind as well as a hot and dry atmosphere
during the year. Also, there is no winter here, and the average temperature is considerably higher
than most other parts of the country.
Can you remember any time when it rained particularly heavily in your hometown? (When?)
Yes, of course. I suppose it was about a year or so ago, when we had several days of torrential

rain, almost non-stop, and so the whole of my neighborhood got flooded. You know, the water
was, like, up to my knees, and so the traffic came to a complete standstill. So, yeah, that was
probably the worst time I can remember.
Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown? (How?)
Yeah, for sure. As a matter of fact, rain often causes severe traffic congestion, especially when
there is heavy downpour. People should expect to be stuck for hours in a traffic jam. I’m not
exactly sure why, but it’s possibly because vehicles tend to move slower in the rain.

Eating out
Do you like to eat at home or eat out?
To be honest, I lead a busy lifestyle and I think cooking requires a lot of time and effort, so I usually
eat out. However, I really enjoy eating at home because I can spend quality time with my loved
ones.
How often do you go out with your friends?
Well, I’d say that I hang out with my friends on a weekly basis. Every time we have days
off, we grasp the chance to gather at a coffee shop and chit-chat about this and that.
When was the last time you went out with your friends? & What did you talk about?
Well, it was last week when we threw a party at my close friend’s house to celebrate her
birthday. We had a whale of time at the party and didn’t want to go home at all. So, we decided
to stay and had a chit-chat all night about our favorite topics like shopping, traveling, etc.
What will you bring when you go out?
Oh, this is such an interesting question to me. Being a girl means that being neat and beautiful is
her top priority. Hence, whenever I go out, I often carry a black leather backpack which contains a
comb, a pack of tissues, a bottle of water and a jacket that would protect me from
the severe sunlight of the sun during a day.
Neat [a] A neat person likes to keep themselves, their house and their possessions tidy and in
good order
Priority [n] something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things
Contain [v] to have something inside or include something as a part
Tissue [n] soft paper which is used for cleaning, especially your nose, and is thrown away after

use, or a small rectangular piece of this
Severe [a] causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious


Did you ever forget to bring things?
I’m kind of absent-minded so I sometimes forget to bring the keys. I tend to toss keys everywhere
so I have lost them several times.
Absent-minded (adj) forgetful
Will you bring different things in the daytime or at night?
I would say that most of the time when I go out during the daytime or night, I always bring along a
purse which contains my credit and debit cards, small money, and driving license. However, I will
bring some make-up and skin-care products like sunscreen in my vintage bag when I go out in
the daylight hours.
Bring along (phrasal verb) to bring someone or something while going somewhere
Skin-care (phrase) things that you do and use to keep your skin healthy and attractive
How would you remind yourself of something you need to bring?
Well, I have never ever thought about it. Such an interesting question, though. I think that I
can refresh my memory by taking note of every single thing I should bring along during the day
shortly after I get up. This is because in the morning, I can recharge enough energy after a healthy
sleep, thereby being able to avoid forgetting things to carry along.
Never ever (expression) an emphatic way of saying never
Take note of (phrase) to give attention to something
Refresh my memory (phrase) to help you to remember something
When you go to different places, do you carry different kinds of things?
Well, I’m a kind of person who prefers the same things all the time, so it’s not very easy for me to
change my stuff. Whenever I go out, I hardly carry a lot of things. Hence, when I arrive at different
places, I still bring my favorite backpack with the same personal objects, such as: a pack of tissues,
a bottle of water and a jacket.
Stuff [n] used to refer to a substance or a group of things or ideas, etc., often with a description
of their general type or quality or saying who they belong to, without saying exactly what they

are
Hardly [adv] only just; almost not
Personal object [phrase] things that belong to someone

Public holidays
What public holidays do you have in your country?
My country has a great range of public holidays but to me the most important one is the
Independence Day. It is considered as a national holiday, which is annually celebrated on July 4.
These day are to celebrate the day the US secured independence from the British Empire after the
Revolutionary War and usher in a new era of peace and reunification.
Usher in (v) to make an activity or process begin
Era (n) a period of time that has a particular quality or character


Do people in your country celebrate foreign festivals?
Of course, we do. We celebrate Christmas with extraordinarily colorful lights and decorations
similar to those found in Western countries. It is a grand party when the fun-loving and sociable
citizens, whether being a Christian or not, celebrate with gusto. Besides, there are also sparkling
lighting decorations on the streets and in front of houses, turning particular places into Christmas
area. Usually the shops will have their signs advertising sales for Christmas seasons, and
the piercing cold is a wonderful chance for people to get dressed up.
With gusto (phrase) if you do something with gusto, you do it with a lot of enthusiasm
What do you usually do during public holidays?
Well, I often spend my time gathering with my beloved family and friends. Maybe go shopping
and take advantage of the sales which my favorite shops are offering or hanging out with friends
and having a whale of time at some entertaining places.
Take advantage of (phrase) to use an opportunity to achieve results
Have a whale of time (n) to have an exciting or fun time; to have a big time
Do you like short holidays or long holidays?
Both options have their own merits, but if I have to choose one, I would pick short holidays. The

reason for this is that I can feel more prepared to go back to study and feel less fatigued than
spending a week for playing or travelling. The purpose of holiday should be to give people a
temporary rest and help them recharge the batteries for a fresh period ahead. Therefore, it is
not recommended that people turn their days off into a long holiday, indulge
themselves and neglect their study and work.
Fatigued (a) feeling extremely tired, either physically or mentally
Indulge (v) to have or eat something that you enjoy but that you should not have much of

Watches
Do you like to wear watches?
Well, I am more a cosmetics girl than clothing and accessories, hence, there are not many watches
and jewelries in my possession. However, I have nothing against wearing a beautiful piece of art
on my wrist and do own a few exclusive timepieces which suit perfectly with my clothing on some
special occasions, giving me a sense of identity and uniqueness.
In someone’s possession: if something is in someone’s possession, they have it
Have nothing against: to dislike or not approve of someone or something for a particular reason
On (special) occasions: from time to time; now and then
Why do people like expensive watches?
Just like any other accessories, the more luxurious a timepiece looks, the higher social status the
owner may hold. Watches are widely used by either gender and one of the
visual indicators presenting how professional, smart and attractive a person is. Therefore, if one
wants to be acknowledged and taken seriously, he/she will prefer a high-end watch rather than a
collection of low-end ones.


Timepiece (n): a clock or watch
Social status (n): a person’s standing or importance in relation to other people within a society
Indicator (n): a sign that shows you what something is like or how a situation is changing
Acknowledge (n): to accept that somebody/something has a particular authority or status
High-end (a): expensive and of high quality

Low-end (a): at the cheaper end of a range of similar products

Music
Do you like to listen to music?
So far, I haven’t met anyone who dislike music. However, when the workload is too heavy that
requires me to stay highly focus, music is a huge distractor. Unlike many people who
likes listening to instrumental music because it highly benefits for their concentration and study, in
my case the music makes me feel instantly sleepy.
Workload (n) the amount of work that person has to do
Distraction (n) something that gets your attention and prevents you from concentrating on
something else
Do you listening to music when you are studying or working?
Well I’m a type of person whose mood is easily influenced by what I’m listening to. When music
changes, my mood also fluctuates. Therefore, most of the time I don’t listen to music to be able to
concentrate on my tasks.
How is music important to you?
Well, music is crucially important to human beings in the whole world and I’m no exception. I
usually listen to cheerful music when I need motivation while sad music is my go-to choice during
emotional days.
Do you like to listen to live music?
Unless it’s live at a coffee shop, whereby literally only you and the music, then yeah, I would love
to go enjoy myself. But I would change my mind if it’s a concert. That place is too crowded and too
messy that most of the case I end up having serious dizzy and headache.
What kind of music do you like?
- I don’t have a particular taste in music. I can pretty much listen to everything as long as it sounds
good to me. Still, I can hardly listen to traditional music, some countries’ folk songs and several
tracks belonging to the classical genre.
- My music taste varies widely from West to East and from the 90s to modern EDM. But pop
music is my all-time favorite. More than half of my playlists are pop songs and I always keep
myself updated with the news related to pop music and pop singers.

To keep updated (v) to follow a celebrity by frequently reading news about them
How much time do you spend listening to music every day?
- It depends. I often listen to music when I’m doing the housework or when I’m on the bus. At
that time, I feel like I can immerse myself in my own world. When I need to really concentrate
on school work, I don’t really listen to music as it can cause some distraction.


- As I’ve mentioned I prefer working in silence. To put it simply, no music is allowed during
my working hours. After a long day at school, I probably want to chill out for like half an hour
with music to help me stay energetic so I can get back to work later.
To put it simply (expression) used for saying that you are explaining something in
a clear and simple way
Chill out (phrasal verb) to relax
When do you listen to music?
Well, music is essential to human in the whole world so I’m no exception. I usually listen to
cheerful music when I need motivation while sad music is my preference if I’m in a bad mood.
To be no exception (adj) if someone or something is no exception, they are the same as all
others so they can be included in a general statement
To be in a bad/good mood (phrase) sad or happy

Boat
Have you ever been on a boat?
To be honest, I was really lucky growing up because my parents travelled quite a lot & they
really instilled the travel bug in me. I remember going to Mexico with them a few times and we
did have a whale of time on a fishing boat.
Travel bug: is an illness or a disease which compels the infected person with the desire to
travel.
Would you take a vacation on a boat?
Well, I have to say that I am not a boat person. I’m happy to go out for the occasional afternoon and
float around here and there, maybe have a drink on board and take in some scenery. But I am

always happy to be back on solid ground.
Would you like to own a boat?
For sure! Owning a cruise has been one of my dreams for a while. You know, having a boat can
offer the most unique way to travel and take in the local culture.

Jewel
Do you like jewel?
I love collecting tiny pieces of art like jewelries since they are not only accessories but
perfect complements to your whole look. There are thousands of types and designs of jewelries for
you to choose from so I bet everyone, regardless of genders, can find at least one item they love,
from earrings, bracelets, necklaces to watches. The materials of which they are made also varied
from luxurious ones such as silver, gold, diamond to more affordable and street-style ones like
artificial stones, copper or other metals. Thus, they can go with different kinds of styles and if you
do it right, they will make your outfit less boring and livelier.
complement (n): a thing that adds new qualities to something in a way that improves it or
makes it more attractive


regardless of: paying no attention to something/somebody; treating something/somebody as
not being important
Do you wear any jewelry?
Even though I have a whole jewelry collection at home, I’ve never attempted to put on more than
five pieces since I live with a motto “simplicity is the best”. I have a habit of picking up eyecatching accessories whenever I come across one but always consider carefully before matching
them with my costume. For example, if I dress in an off-shoulder top, a simple choker is good
enough to highlight my long neck. Other times when I tie my hair in a messy bun, I prefer a pair of
sophisticated earrings such as hoop or feather ones to add more feminine and romantic vibes. But
all in all, never exceed five at the same time.
motto (n): a short sentence or phrase that expresses the aims and beliefs of a person, a group,
an institution, etc. and is used as a rule of behavior
come across (phrasal verb): meet or find by chance

Do people in your country ever wear jewelry, such as rings or neckless? Why do people like to
wear those things?
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, most people show a big preference for accessories like jewelry in
the belief that they beautify the body. It’s a common sight that women wear necklaces or
bracelets made of gold every time they are present at a special occasion like weddings or parties.
Besides, such pricey accessories symbolize people’s social status as well, so it is used as a means
to show off things people have.
Beyond/ without a shadow of a doubt (phrase) used for saying that you are completely certain
of something
Show a (big) preference for something (phrase) a feeling of liking or wanting something more
than someone or something else
Make of (phrasal verb) to produce or construct from
How often do you wear jewelry?
Once in a while, especially when there is a special event. On that occasion, I often have my bracelet
or necklace on so that I can feel more confident in myself.
Once in a while (idiom) sometimes
What kind of jewelry do you like to wear/see on other people?
If I were to choose, I’d opt for gold necklace or bracelet. The reason behind this is that they are
eye-catching and a girl would look gorgeous with some accessories on such body parts. For me, any
piece of jewelry has its own beauty, depending on the beholders and the appropriateness of the
situation.
opt for (verb) make a choice from a range of possibilities
Eye-catching (adj) immediately appealing or noticeable; striking
Beholder (n) a person who sees or observes someone or something.
Why some people wear a jewel for a long time?
I suppose each has their own reasons. In most cases, if people get attached to a certain piece of
jewelries, there might be a story behind it. It could be a family heirloom that has been passed down
generations to generations so it has a special meaning to the owner. Or it may belong to someone

they hold dear such as their spouse, parent or soul mate which can explain why they don’t want to
take it off. Another reason is that they keep wearing the same jewel just out of habit. They get
accustomed to it after a while and are too lazy to change the new one so there it stays.
get attached to: attach
heirloom (n): a valuable object that has belonged to the same family for many years
hold dear (idiom): be fond of; be attached to | cherish, treasure, care for
out of habit (idiom): habitually
get accustomed to: to think/start to think that something is normal or natural because you
have experienced it regularly over a period of time

Animal/Pets
What is your favorite animal?
I would call myself a dog person. I really adore dogs. They are so cute & loyal to their owners.
That’s why they are one of the most popular kinds of pets in the world.
Do you have any pet?
Although I really love dogs, I can’t manage to have a dog because I travel quite often & hardly
have spare time to stay at home & look after my dog. But I really hope that when I settle down, I
can have a dog who always bounds up to me and start licking my hands every time I am back
home.
Settle down (phrasal verb) to start living in a place where you intend to stay for along time,
usually with your partner

Hand Writing
Do you usually write by hand?
Not really anymore. These days I find myself typing a lot on computers and texting on my phone,
so I rarely use paper and a pen anymore. That said, I still have to jot down notes in class because
laptops are not allowed. I think it’s a pain, really.
jot down (phrasal verb) write
Do you think handwriting will be replaced by computers?
Well, you know, in this day and age, modern technologies have largely marginalized handwriting,

and you don’t see people writing by hand as much as they did in the past. However, I still think
some things need to be handwritten. For example, you should always handwrite a wedding
invitation to show respect to the guests.
marginalize (verb) to make someone or something seem not important or relevant


Politeness
Do you think you are a polite person?
I do think I’m a polite person. I treat other people nicely and patiently, and I do not insult anyone
unless they truly deserve it. Also, I properly apologize when I make mistakes and I show my
gratitude when other people help me
Do you think people should be polite? Why?
People should always be polite because it shows that they have good manners and it helps them
earn others’ respect. Being polite is like having good social skills – it can help one widen their
social network, and this can positively influence one’s private and professional life.
How do people in your culture show good manners towards others?
Showing good manners is when a junior properly greets a senior and talks to him/her politely with
sufficient and correct honorifics. Politeness also shows during a meal, when people need to wish
the others to have a nice meal and when the younger ones have to wait for the older ones to finish
before cleaning the table.
Have there been any changes in politeness in the past few decades?
I always have this feeling that people start being less and less polite to each other as time passes.
Maybe one of the reasons lies in the etiquette and codes of conduct that have gradually changed
over time. In the past, it was very important to behave according to one’s social class, and those of
a lower rank had to obey those of a higher one. But today’s society is different – you need to work
hard to earn somebody’s respect.
Who taught you to be polite?
This may sound weird but my friends actually taught me to be polite. I wasn’t a very nice person
when I was a kid, and my parents often scolded me for being rude to elders. One day, I remember
watching one of my friends talking really nicely and politely to a senior. She was praised, and so I

started imitating her. My parents were really surprised when I changed my attitude, and they gave
me some sweets as I was “being a good kid”. I have been showing my politeness to everyone ever
since.

Money
How much money is enough?
Well, it’s hard to answer this question as there is no exact measurement to say whether money is
enough or not. It’s up to perspective and goal of different people. Some people want to earn more
money so they can save up but some just need a certain amount of money to sustain their lives.
Why do people care too much about money?
I think the reason is simply because money equals power. The more money you have, the more
things you can do, the more influence you have over people. No one refuses power so that’s why
they give priority to money
Is money important to you?
Absolutely. I can buy things with money and give presents for my family by my own money. It
makes my life more meaningful. It’s like a motivation to push me forward and work harder to


enhance my life. For me, money is just never enough and if I’m satisfied with what I earn, I’ll fall
behind with fellows
What do people in your country save money for?
I suppose it’s up to different purposes. While the young save money for travelling or paying tuition
fees, the elderly tend to keep money for health service and their kids. However, young people have
more desire than the seniors so they often spend more than their savings.

Toy
What was your favorite toy in childhood?
Well, to be honest, I was kind of a spoiled kid. My parents used to pamper me with all kinds of
toys, but my favorite was this Power
Ranger action figure. I am a big fan of the franchise so when I got the toy, I was elated. I still

have it in my living room, actually.
Should parents buy many toys for their children?
Personally I don’t think it’s a good idea. I mean, if parents indulge their children and just buy
whatever toy they like, the kids are likely to develop a habit of pestering their parents for things,
and that’s definitely not a good thing.
What are the benefits of children playing toys?
People often think of toys as being detrimental to kids, but I think they can benefit children’s
development in some ways. Educational toys like building blocks can actually boost the
cognitive development of small kids. For example, my brother used to with Lego a lot when he
was small, and he’s a very creative person.
What are the disadvantages of children playing toys?
Toys can be time-consuming. I mean, children often lose track of time when they play with toys,
and as a result, they may not have enough time for study.

CHOCOLATE
Do you like chocolate?
I’m a big fan of chocolate. I do have my all-time favorite flavor, which is the white chocolate.
Since I have a sweet tooth, dark chocolate would be too bitter for me. Meanwhile, milk chocolate
just isn’t sweet enough. So white chocolate is just a perfect fit.
Did you like chocolate as a child?
I think most of the children at that time were a fan of M&M chocolate and I was no exception. Now
that my taste changed though, I still enjoy having some M&M snacks.
Do you think most people like chocolate? Why?
I think the vast majority of people in my country love to eat chocolate due to its There are a variety
of chocolate brands with different price range and quality available in the market nowadays. Thanks
to the health benefits that it offers for human, consuming chocolate at a suitable level is
encouraged. The sweetness of chocolate also makes it a common present that men choose to give
their beloved women in special days, especially Valentine’s Day or International Women’s Day.

PART 2 & 3 - IELTS Speaking Practice
Part 2 and 3 of IELTs speaking are linked because the topic of the discussion is related to that of
the individual long turn. There are many topics that may occurs in part 2 and 3 but It’s good ideas
to divide these topics into groups such as: places, things, person, experiences and so on, so that you
have the general ideas when you need to talk about the same subject and the model answers in this
material will provide you with a wide range of good vocabulary you need to talk about these topics.
Tips and Tricks:
Part 2 – THE INDIVIDUAL LONG TURN
Making Notes:
They are brief, in English, and cover the bullet points
Beginning your talk:
I’m going to talk about…
I’d like to start by….
I’d like to tell you about….
Saying more:
Focus on Grammar and follow the notes with the bullet points
Ending your talk:
So in the end, ….
All in all, …
Finally,
To finish off, …
Anyway, it was a great day!

Part 3 – THE DISCUSION
•
•
•

Focus on Vocabulary: practice extending your answers with the
Focus on Grammar: practice using correct tenses

Focus on Comparison language: practice talking about comparisons such as
- I like…. More than….
- … is better/ more interesting than…
- Both, in contrast, similarly, the main difference is, one of differences is, on the
other hand, is totally different, is slightly different, whereas, while, ….
- I’d prefer to… / I prefer V-ing or Noun / I’d rather…
• Focus on Pronunciation: learn how to speak more clearly


A PLACE


Topic: A Building
Part 2
Describe a building you like. You should say:
Where this building is
What it looks like
What it is used for
And explain why you like it
Sample Answer
I’m going to describe a high-rise building in my neighborhood. It’s called Green Paradise located
in the northern region of our country.
Unlike other modern blocks, which are usually huge glass towers, the building is painted yellow,
although it’s named Green Paradise. The structure of Green Paradise is not dissimilar to that of most
buildings in Canada nowadays, with the bottom half used as a shopping center and the top half
occupied by apartments.
One feature that makes the building unique is that its trade center offers Canadian products only,
with a view to promoting domestic products to the visitors and also to supporting national
manufacturers. At the entrance of the building, if you look to the right, you can easily find a store
named Master chef bread, which serves traditional bread to people who just do not have enough

time to go inside, so they line up waiting to pay.
Green Paradise is not only in a prime location, but it also offers a reasonable price for its apartments,
which are affordable for many middle-income families. From the building, we can enjoy the
breathtaking scenery. So, if you are planning to find a place with a beautiful and peaceful view, or
simply want to buy something traditional, Green Paradise may be a good choice.
Part 3
What role do you think the old and modern buildings play in the society?
Well, I think modern buildings are for us to live and work, while old buildings are great for tourism
and research.
Compare the differences between the constructions in your city with those in 20 years ago?
The traditional buildings are made of the red brick and always have curved eaves. Thousands of
buildings look the same. But now, various buildings with different colors and styles have been going
up in my hometown. In addition, room is equipped with kitchen and bathroom. This is very
convenient.
Compare the differences between house and apartment?
In my country, there is a big yard beside house, where we can plant some flowers and trees etc. But
house is more expensive. Apartment is convenient and cheap but small.


Topic: A favorite Park
Part 2
Describe a public park you went to. You should say
– Where is the park located?
– Why did you go to that park?
– Who was there with you?
– How did you feel in that park?
Sample 1
Well, I am a sporty man, so I usually go jogging in the public parks in the vicinity of my house.
Today, I’m goanna tell you about the nearest park I went to just a couple of weeks ago which is
Botanical Park.

This large park was established decades ago with many different areas for different age groups
and interests. The last time I was there, I saw people do all kinds of things there like playing
badminton, having picnics, etc.
At the top of the hill in the park, there is a beautiful old house which is a great place for just sitting
and contemplating while looking at the beautiful flowers. Also, there is a children’s paddling
pool where families can safely take their kids to cool down in the height of summer.
Living in a vertical city where millions of high-rise buildings were constructed, I felt really
relaxed every time I went to the park. The last time I visited this park I luckily had chance to join a
inspiring event there and it really lifted up my spirit because I just went through a nerve
wrecking period and was buried with a tons of deadlines and projects. I truly hope that down the
road I can spend more time at the park to get back to nature, or just simply sit on the grass
and chill out without being disturbed by noise or other trivial things.
Sample 2
I’m a regular jogger (collocation) who visits various parks (collocation) for different
running (collocation) experiences. Last month I visited New York and had an opportunity to run for
five kilometers in The Kennedy Park which (cohesion) is the largest park in that city.
Since (cohesion) I was there for a scientific conference (collocation), another colleague from the
conference joined me.
Running in the park was an exciting and refreshing experience (collocation). There were a large
number of people from different age groups who were either exercising or running.
This (cohesion) was truly motivational (collocation). Moreover (cohesion), the park was well
maintained (collocation) and had no litter. Also (cohesion), jogging for more than an hour was
made more wonderful by fresh cool breeze of New York’s early morning of October month.

Part 3
– What should the government do to protect the environment?
– Do you think these measures will help protect the environment?
– Do you think people now have better awareness of environmental protection?
– Do you think that the sense of natural beauty is changing over time?

Topic: A shop just opened
Part 2
Describe a shop just opened in your hometown. You should say
▪ where the shop is
▪ what items it sells
▪ how often you go there
▪ why you go there
Sample Answer
Well, a new shop in my city? I think I would choose “ABC”, which was just opened 2 months ago
near my house. Though it’s still new to the citizens in the area, a lot of people visit it all the
weekends. This shop mainly focuses on a variety of household appliances which are
a necessity for everyone. Therefore, it usually sells TV, washing machine, refrigerators and other
cooking machine like ovens, cookers or stoves. Since the day it was opened, life in
my neighborhood has been very joyful. People don’t have to travel for a long way to buy TV or
cookers anymore since there is a very big shop which offers them a lot of good electronic devices.
Besides, this shop, which can seat up to 1000 people, is very spacious and modern with welltrained staff and good service. Hence, these are also some reasons why I enjoy this new shop a lot
as there is no need to wasting time on travelling to a faraway place.
▪

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▪
▪
▪
▪
▪

citizen [n] a person who is a member of a particular country and who has rights because of
being born there or because of being given rights, or a person who lives in a particular town
or city

variety [n] many different types of things or people
household appliance [phrase] a machine that is designed to do a particular thing in the
home, such as preparing food, heating or cleaning
necessity [n] something that you need, especially in order to live
neighborhood [n] the area of a town that surrounds someone’s home, or the people who live
in this area
seat [v] (of a building, room, table or vehicle) to have enough seats for
well-trained [a] having the qualities that you connect with trained and skilled people, such as
effectiveness, skill, organization and seriousness of manner

PART 3
What type(s) of shop would you recommend a visitor to your country should go to? (Why?)
If travelers ever want to have an authentic and unforgettable experience during their journey, I
would highly recommend they pay a visit to traditional markets or food stands on the street to have
a taste of true street foods, which are diverse in types and flavors. Street vendors will also offer
visitors a wide range of delicious dishes and true dining experience.
Authentic (adj) genuine
Do you ever buy anything on the internet?
I reckon that most of clothing items I have ever bought are from ABC, an online fashion shop where
you can find basically everything you need to become a stylish lady. From sexy little black dresses
for partying to formal blouses for day life at office, ABC won’t let you down. Since e-