Mc IELTS

ADVANCED 1
SPEAKING
EDITED BY
Mc IELTS
Mc IELTS’s IELTS ADVICE

Practice your English through the News

The more you listen to or read English news, this is what happens:

You start to recognize more vocabulary words and phrases and in different contexts
(situations in how the word is used)
You start to recognize different sentence structures
You learn more about common topics that are useful for your exam. You learn about
different viewpoints that you can use in writing your essays, or on the speaking test.

Here are some good news websites:

Voice of America and their special 30 minute news report in slow English

=> https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-thinking-about-using-ing-
words/4282670.html
=> https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/uss-carl-vinson-makes-visit-to-
vietnam/4281195.html
=> https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/jeff-bezos-first-100-billion-dollar-
man/4284705.html

BBC Radio

=> http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csvrh8
=> http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0608mnd

Al Jazeera English podcasts and videos

=> https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/teachers-180306133156256.html
=> https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/trump-accepts-invitation-meet-north-korea-
kim-jong-180309050306499.html
=> https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/qa-reality-free-education-ghana-
180219070207774.html

CNN Student News - there are 10-minute commercial free news reports with transcripts
available

=> https://edition.cnn.com/cnn10
=> https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/05/cnn10/ten-content-tues/index.html
=> https://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/30/cnn10/ten-content-weds/index.html

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BBC – Learning English

=> http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/
2014/09/140918_6min_london_skyline.shtml
=> 60+ episodes of practical English at work:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/englishatwork/
=> practice your grammar, set a higher limit on your vocabulary and improve your
pronunciation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/

Time magazine

=> http://time.com/5193818/florida-governor-rick-scott-school-safety-
bill/?xid=homepage
=> http://time.com/longform/donald-trump-immigration-policy-splitting-families/
=> http://time.com/time-health/?iid=HB_time_TFH

Google News retrieves news from numerous newspapers and magazines

=> Google Headlines: https://news.google.com/news/headlines?ned=us&hl=en&gl=US

=> http://wgno.com/2018/03/09/playstation-4-update-lets-parents-boot-kids-from-
playing/
=> http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-water-in-diamonds-20180308-
story.html

National Geographic

=> https://www.nationalgeographic.com/latest-stories/
=> https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/03/animals-dogs-emotions-pets-evolution/
=> https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/japan/sponsor-content-
japan-national-park-adventures/

Breaking News English

=> Main Link: https://breakingnewsenglish.com/

=> Constantly updated reading lessons:
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/speed_reading.html

The Guardian – Learning English

=> https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/mar/26/english-language-support-uk-
schools
=> https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/08/cycling-keeps-your-immune-
system-young-study-finds
=> https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/09/invest-time-as-wisely-as-
money-oliver-burkeman

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Another useful tool is Google Alerts. Set up alerts to specific topics or words/phrases that come
up in the news or blogs and it will send you an email about it.

These are just a few news sites especially catered for English language learners. If you know of
other sites that are useful, please let the class know.

So have a go and make it a habit to read and listen to news every day, even for 10 minutes a day.
Take note of anything new that you‟ve learned. This could be a vocabulary word, or an idea or
viewpoint about a popular topic as you might be able to use that idea in your essay writing

WRITE OTHER GOOD ENGLISH LEARNING WEBSITES OR OTHER SOURCES BELOW

FOR YOUR RECORD

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Mc IELTS

What’s the most important category of criteria on the speaking test for most Vietnamese?

As you probably know by now, there are four categories of criteria to judge your speaking score
that are on the speaking band descriptor sheet. They are Fluency and Coherence, Lexical
Resource (vocabulary), Grammar, and Pronunciation.

You may wonder if one category is more important than the others in Vietnam. My answer is
YES.

Although each category is equally weighted at 25% of your score and you are supposed to be
judged separately and equally in each area, nonetheless, one area is still more important than the
others. That area is PRONUNCIATION.

That is because all the language you produce comes through pronunciation. You can imagine
that pronunciation is a type of filter that all the language must pass through. If the filter is clean
(good pronunciation) then anything and everything that comes through it, be it good or bad (e.g.
error free-grammar or grammar with lots of mistakes), sounds a little bit better (cleaner).

However, if the filter is dirty (bad pronunciation), then anything and everything that comes
through it, even good grammar or vocabulary, sounds a little worse (dirty).

No doubt, a dirty filter lowers your overall IELTS speaking score more than any other criteria.

And let‟s be aware of something else about the importance of English pronunciation and how it
relates to jobs with English speaking companies:

Having a high IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC score is good and will „get you the interview,‟ but it
won‟t get you the job. Once you are in the interview, it‟s your ability to speak and be understood
(pronunciation), and your ability to understand what the interviewer is saying (listening), that
will truly help you get the job.

Mc IELTS management and teachers have met with countless foreign company owners and
managers who are looking for competent Asian staff. And no doubt, the one thing we have
heard over and over again from these company owners/managers is that they want to find a
candidate that they can understand when they speak, and they want that candidate to understand
them when they speak (ask questions or give directions). Too often in Vietnam foreign
managers get frustrated because they have some trouble finding a qualified candidate who can
speak English clearly.

We assure you that Vietnamese who can speak English clearly (or mostly clearly) have a
distinctive edge over others.

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Therefore, we strongly recommend working hard at improving your pronunciation for both a
potentially higher IELTS score and a better chance at a job with a foreign company.

GOOD LUCK from the Mc IELTS TEAM

USEFUL PRONUNCIATION LINKS:

Marsh Chan is great. She is an American born (from California) Ph.D in linguistics and an
expert in teaching pronunciation. Read the Marsh Chan article titled English Pronunciation for
Chinese and Vietnamese Speakers on her blog at
https://marshaprofdev.blogspot.com/2017/03/english-pronunciation-for-chinese-and.html (and
follow her links in the article).

Also, go to professor Chan‟s YouTube channel -- you can join an online course of hers for a fee
or watch a lot of her free videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/PronunciationDoctor
Dictionary.com is easy – just type in a word to get the definition and click the speaker symbol if
you want to hear it pronounced. www.dictionary.com

Forvo allows you to simply type in a word and hear how a native speaker would say it.
www.forvo.com

Sounds of Speech is an invaluable app for anyone learning phonemes. It animates the different
mouth movements required to make each sound. http://soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu/

British Council Phonemic Chart allows you to see and listen to all of the sounds of English.
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/phonemic-chart

Or go to the first post pinned ([MATERIALS] IELTS BOOKS COLLECTION) at the top of the
Mc IELTS FB Group Page named Học IELTS cùng chuyên gia at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/643559425737713/ There are dozens of useful links in this
post, including pronunciation
You can also scroll down to the bottom of the Mc IELTS website main page and see dozens
more options for free English material and links at www.mcielts.com
Also, go to the Mc IELTS YouTube Channel and watch the 16 useful episodes of STUPID
IELTS STUFF ON THE INTERNET https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChW-
73BTXvXzAeRUomZ2LAw

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 Mc IELTS: https://www.facebook.com/mc.ielts

IELTS Speaking: DOS and DON’TS

What Do You Know? Answer True or False.

1. Average candidates in Vietnam receive between 5 and 6 in their scores.

2. If candidates ask for repeated questions too much, they will not receive high
scores.
3. It is possible to make an error in every sentence and still receive a 6 as a grammar
score.
4. Most sentences will have to be error-free to receive a grammar score of 7.
5. The examiners do not really care about the content of candidates‟ answers; they
just test your English ability.
6. You have to answer as long as possible (keep talking) to score high.
7. Candidates need to tell the truth from their own experience; they can never
fabricate stories.
8. Candidates should learn less common vocabulary as a priority because doing so
could help them score high.
9. Pronunciation is by far the most difficult part of IELTS Speaking for Vietnamese
candidates.
10. It is not difficult to score a 7, but only those who practice hard and have feedback
from teachers regularly will be able to do it.

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Mc IELTS
How much do you know about the IELTS Speaking module?
Let‟s try the quiz below to test your actual understanding
QUIZ:

1. How long is the Speaking module?

A. 40-45 minutes B. 11-14 minutes C. 15-20 minutes
2. The Speaking module consists of three principal parts. Check whether the below statements
about each part are true or false.
Part 1:
A. This part lasts between four and five minutes
B. The candidate is asked to describe a picture.
C. The candidate answers general questions about themselves, their families, their jobs and other
familiar topics.
Part 2:
A. The candidate is given a minute to prepare to talk about a topic.
B. The candidate is asked to talk about a topic for ten minutes.
C. The candidate must choose what topic they wish to discuss.
Part 3:
A. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
B. This part is a discussion between the examiner and the candidate on a topic related to the
Second Part.
C. This is the easiest part of the module.

GIVING A GOOD ANSWER:

Which examples present better answers in comparison with the others?
A. Examiner: How long have you been studying English?
Candidate: I am very interested in English because it is a world language and I hope it will
help me to do well in my career.

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B. Examiner: Who was your favorite teacher at school? Why did you like their lessons?
Candidate: Mr. Wallis. Because they were easy.
C. Examiner: What do you do?
Candidate: Well, at the moment I‟m studying full time, but back in my country I‟m a doctor
and I hope to be able to find work here as a doctor too.
D. Examiner: Do you live with your family?
Candidate: No.
E Examiner: Tell me about where you are living at the moment.
Candidate: It is a, er, er, what is the word, er, er. maisonette!
F. Examiner: How long have you been in the UK?
Candidate: I will stay three years.
G. Examiner: What are the best things about your job?
Candidate: Oh, definitely the people. I love meeting people from all over the world.
H. Examiner: Do you enjoy travelling?
Candidate: Yes, I‟m really interested in seeing the world. While I‟ve been living in Britain,
I‟ve also taken the opportunity to go to Europe and see France and Spain. I found the people in
Spain really friendly.

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Mc IELTS

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPEAKING TEST

11 to 14 minutes
3 sections (can also be called parts or tasks)
Worth 25% of your IELTS score but much shorter than the other sections

Remember that the examiner is just another ordinary human being living life and trying to do his
job. He wants you to do well but may appear 'strict' because he is taught to follow the protocol
for giving an exam. So just look at him as what he is: a normal guy appearing to be strict, just
doing his job. He should not be feared nor someone who makes you nervous. He's not God; he's
just a foreign guy who‟s living in Vietnam trying to work and feed his family -- same as most
adults.

TASK 1 (4-5 minutes)

The examiner will ask you questions about yourself, home, job, school, likes or dislikes,
opinions and hobbies -- questions you know the answer to! NEVER give a one word answer and
always provide an explanation. Specific topics may include what makes you laugh, your favorite
color, birthdays, singing, bicycles, parties, house plants, children‟s activities, sunshine, visiting
relatives, photography, history, the news, walking or running, other types of exercise, being
polite, rain, television, shopping, clothes, animals, cooking, being on time, music, dictionaries,
languages, and so on. There are four questions per topic.
How often do you take photographs?
Do you like being in photographs?
What‟s your favorite photograph?
Would you like to be a professional photographer as a career?
Did you enjoy learning about history in school?
How often do watch TV programs about history?
Is the Web a good place to learn about history?
Is there a historical figure that interests you?

TASK 2 (3-4 minutes)

You will be given a card with a topic on which you will be asked to prepare a short talk of 1-2
minutes. You have 1 minute to make notes on the topic and then you must speak for up to 2
minutes. You do not need to mention each topic on the card. If somewhere between one and two
minutes you feel you are done talking, make sure to tell the examiner that you are finished – this
will avoid an uncomfortable waiting period because the examiner must wait until 2 minutes is

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up, even if you don‟t talk, unless you tell him you are done. Remember, examiners are looking
for ratable (measurable) language and you will not get a lower score if you talk less than 2
minutes – just make sure it‟s more than 1 minute (but a minimum of one and a half minutes is
better). The examiner will stop you at 2 minutes, so don‟t worry if you are still talking at the 2
minute mark.
1. Describe a memorable journey you have taken
You should say:
Where you went
How long it took
Why you went on it
And explain why it was so memorable for you
2. Describe a subject you studied at secondary/high school
You should say:
What the subject was
How long you studied this subject
Who taught this subject
And explain why you did or did not enjoy this subject

TASK 3 (4-5 minutes)

You will be asked to provide your opinion and insight on a topic related to the Task 2 topic. It is
called a “discussion,” but you will be doing most of the talking. However, it‟s certainly more of a
„discussion‟ than either part 1 or part 2. In part 1 the examiner is instructed to just read/ask
scripted questions, in part 2 you speak from questions that you read without the examiner asking
anything (except the examiner has the option of asking 1 or 2 follow-up questions after you‟re
done speaking), but in part 3, the examiner has flexibility to adjust questions based on your
English level and responses. Remember, in part 3, you are supposed to give your
opinions/speculations about how other people (a culture, a group, etc.) would behave/think/act in
a certain situation. Or, you comment/speculate on situations in general. One major point here is
that the examiner does not want you to answer the questions in the first person. In other words, if
the question is “What‟s the best way to travel around your country?” Do not answer something
like “I like to travel by train because….” But rather answer something like “Trains are a good
way for people to travel because…”
1. What‟s the best way to travel around your country?
Could you compare how people travel today with how they traveled 50 years ago?
Do Vietnamese people tend to travel in groups or individually?

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2. Identify the most popular subjects at secondary/high school in Vietnam
What makes a subject interesting to study at school?
Which subjects should not be taught at school in the future?

ASSESSMENT
You will be assessed on several criteria:
• Fluency -- do you speak smoothly, without long pauses? In other words, can you speak
naturally, without unnecessary repetition or hesitation? Are you able to keep talking without
noticeable effort?
• Coherence -- does what you say make logical sense (logical interconnection)? Are you on
topic? In other words, are your responses organized in a way that the examiner/listener can
follow and understand? Are you using connectives and discourse markers?
• Vocabulary/ Lexical Resource -- do you make appropriate word choices? What is the range of
your vocabulary? In other words, how well and how often do you use idiomatic phrases and
collocations? Also, how well do you paraphrase?
• Grammatical range and accuracy – how well do you use articles, verb tenses, and subject/verb
agreement? Also, do you use a variety of complex sentence structures and not just simple
sentences? How many of your sentences are error-free?
• Pronunciation – how clear and intelligible are you when you speak? Can you be easily
understood? How well do you speak with appropriate intonation, stress, and rhythm?

GOOD LUCK FROM THE Mc IELTS TEAM

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www.mcielts.com

Mc IELTS
Common and Necessary Fluency Markers

Remember, you need a range of fluency markers during the speaking test to score well under
F&C. Make sure most (does not need to be all) of your answers start with a fluency marker.
You can use the same one a few times but do not overuse one (overuse would be 6-8 or more
times of the same one).

To be honest / I’m afraid / Honestly

Use to show you are not proud of what you will say or that you will give a negative response:
To be honest, I don‟t really like swimming.

Fortunately / Unfortunately
Use to signal a positive or negative situation or condition:
I remember it rained heavily that day. Fortunately, I had my umbrella with me.

Actually / In fact / As a matter of fact

Use to express specific ideas or details:
I think Maroon 5 is really cool. In fact, I saw them in concert when I was a teenager.

However / But
Use to signal a different idea or opinion:
Going to the beach is a lot of fun. However, I would rather explore a big city.

I suppose / I guess
Use to indicate a thoughtful, but quick answer to a subject not thought of before:
I guess people watch TV because it is affordable and relaxing.

Supposedly / Supposed to be … I’ve heard that / Some people say that

Use to express what you have heard to be true, but do not know yourself:
Vietnamese food is supposed to be delicious. I‟ve heard Vietnamese food is delicious.

Time and Frequency Expressions

Nowadays / These days

Use for current actions and habits (generally used to show something has changed from the past):
I never use to watch TV. But nowadays, I often watch cartoons. I especially like Tom &
Jerry.

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Used to + Verb / When I was X
Use for past actions and habits:
I used to go to the library. I used to cook for my brother when I was a teenager.

Never … Seldom / Rarely / Hardly ever … Sometimes … Often / Frequently / Nearly

always … Usually/ Typically / Normally … Always
Adverbs of Frequency. Use to tell how often something is done:

Every once in a while / Every so often / Every now and then / Every now and again
Adverbs of Infrequency. Use in place of “sometimes” and “seldom”:

GOOD LUCK FROM THE Mc IELTS TEAM

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Authentic IELTS Speaking Test – Full Interview -- What the
Examiner Actually Says
As you know, the IELTS Speaking session is divided into three parts. Here’s a sample of what
you would expect to hear from the examiner. Of course, the number of questions they ask
will depend on the time spent (based on the overall length of your answers) – most likely they
will ask less than the number asked below. The examiner is free to select any of the questions
from the examiner‟s booklet. Below is one authentic test with real questions. Try to practice
your own answers to these questions and record yourself. See where you can improve and try
again.

Part 1 – Introduction & Interview (4 -5 minutes)

1. Good morning. My name is John Smith. Can you tell me what your full name is please?
2. And can you tell me where you‟re from?
3. Can I see your identification, please? {You give them your passport} … OK. Thank you,
that‟s fine. Now, let’s talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student?
(or the examiner will ask about where you live now).
4. What kind of work do you do? / What subjects do you study?
5. And why did you choose this kind of work? / Do you study best in the morning or
afternoon?
6. What kind of work would you like to do in the future? / What would you like to do with
your degree in the future?
7. Why?
8. Now, let’s talk about the weekend. What do you usually do at the weekend?
9. What do you think you‟ll do next weekend?
10. Do you enjoy your weekends now more than you did when you were a child?
11. How important is it for you to relax at the end of the week?
12. Let’s talk about music. What sort of music do you usually enjoy listening to?
13. Has the kind of music you like changed over the years?
14. Do you prefer listening to live music or recorded music?
15. Why?

Part 2 – Individual Long Turn (3 -4 minutes)

1. Thank you. Now, I’m going to give you a topic and I’d like you to talk about it for
one to two minutes. Before you talk, you will have one minute to think about what
you’re going to say. You can make some notes if you wish. Do you understand?
Here’s some paper and a pencil to take notes. And here’s your topic. I’d like you to
describe a special gift you gave to someone.

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Task Card given:

Describe a special gift you gave to someone.

You should say:

Who you gave it to

Where you got the gift from
When and why you gave it to them

And explain why you feel it was special to give to them

1. {One minute has passed} Now remember you have one to two minutes for this, so
don’t worry if I stop you. I’ll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking
now please? { you speak for one – two minutes}
2. (rounding off question) Do you enjoy giving gifts?
3. Thank you. Can I have the booklet and paper back please?

Part 3 – Two-way Discussion (4 – 5 minutes)

1. We’ve been talking about a special gift that you‟ve given to someone. And I’d like to
discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this. Let’s consider
this first of all, giving gifts in families. What occasions do family members give gifts to
others in your country?
2. Do people spend a lot of money?
3. So what sort of gifts do children give to adults in their families?
4. Do you think adults appreciate gifts children made themselves more than gifts they‟ve
bought in a shop?
5. So how important do you think it is for family members to give gifts to each other?
6. Let’s move on now and talk about giving gifts in society in general. In what situations
would people give gifts in business?
7. So in your country, do you think companies spend a lot of money on gifts?
8. So it‟s important for the company. But what about gift-giving for the economy of the
country in general. Is your country is buying gifts an important part of the economy do
you think?
9. Alright now some people say that it would be better for society if all the money that was
spent on gifts was given to help poor people instead. What do you think about that?
10. Thank you very much that is the end of the speaking test.

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Part 1 Speaking Practice Questions

Study

What are you studying?

What‟s your major?
Why did you choose that subject?
What do you find most interesting about your course?
What is your favorite subject?
What do you dislike about your study?
What do you hope to do after your graduation?
What are your ambitions for the future?
Do you hope to gain any qualifications?
What are the advantages of studying instead of working?

Work

Can you describe your job to me?

What do you do for a living?
How long have you been doing it?
Can you describe one of your typical working days?
What‟s your daily routine on a working day?
Why did you choose to do that job?
What things do you enjoy about your work? Why?
What do you think is the attraction of your work?
What is your ideal job?
Do you want to change your current job? Why or why not?
Are you willing to keep your job permanently?
What are your plans for the future?

Your town

Can you describe your town or village to me?

Tell me something about your hometown.
Where are you from?
Where is your hometown?
Where do you come from?
What is the name of the street you live on?
What kind of street do you live on?
What do you like about your town?
What is the weather like in your town?
What building is considered famous in your town?
What jobs do people in your town do?
How has your town changed over the last twenty years?
What changes have taken place in your city in recent years?

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Do you think it is better to live in the center of town or outside in the country? Why?

Free time

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

How much time do you have each week for doing these things?
Why do you like doing these activities?
How did you start doing this activity at first?
Is there some other hobby or sport you would like to try? Why?
How has the way people spend their free time changed over the years?

Holidays

What do you do when you have a holiday?

Who do you usually spend holiday with?
Where do you like to spend your holidays? Why?
Can you describe a typical day in your holidays?
Why are holidays and important to you?
If you could take a holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
What do people usually do during holidays and in your town?

Places to go in your free time

What do people do in your town in their free time?

Where can they go out for entertainment, or to enjoy themselves?
Which do you prefer: eating in restaurants or eating at home?
Which are the best places to eat out?

Transport

How did you come here today?

What is public transport like in your town?
How do you think it could be improved?
Do you think people should use public transport more? Why (not)?

Shopping

How much time do you spend shopping every week?

Do you enjoy going shopping? Why (not)?
What is your favourite shop and why do you like it?
What problems are there with shopping in your area?

Your neighborhood

Can you describe the house where you live to me?

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What is there to do in the area where you live?
What do you like about the area where you live?
How do you think it could be improved?
Do you think it is better to live in the center of town or outside in the country? Why?

Reading

Do you enjoy reading? Why?

What sort of things do you read?
Tell me something about your favorite book.
What are the advantages of reading instead of watching television or going to the cinema?

Sports and games

What sports are most popular in your country?

What sports and games did you most enjoy playing when you were a child?
Do people take as much exercise as in the past?
Why is exercise good for you?

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 Mc IELTS

INTRODUCTION TO TASK TWO SPEAKING

1. Candidate must give a 1-2 minute ‘speech’ on a topic provided
2. Candidate has 1 minute to think about what to say and may take notes to use during speech
(also called your “long turn”)
3. Must talk about the topics on card, but actually are free to extend answers – extensions should
be related to prompts. Off topic answers will result in maximum 7 on F&C
4. If you want to stop somewhere between 1-2 minutes, make sure to tell the examiner you are
done so he can move on

Describe your favorite book

You MUST say:

What the title is and who wrote it

What happens in the book
When you read it
And explain why it is your favorite book

CHALLENGES
Ideas – you have to think relatively fast – fabrications are OK, just say something

Note taking and using notes – make sure you use your 1 minute to take notes

Lack of questions (but you have 4 prompts) so you should have enough material (remember, you
don’t have to address all 4 prompts)

Signaling and pausing – learn your signal phrases; long pauses are bad; short, natural pauses are good

Getting started I would like to tell you about X (or use other signaling phrases)

Eye contact – yes, make a little, but you’re not marked for body language

EXERCISE

Talk about ______________________________________________________

You should say:

And say ______________________________________________________________________________

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 Mc IELTS IELTS SPEAKING
Worksheet-PPF Strategy-Speaking Part 2
You can use the PPF strategy to help you think of what to say in Part 2 of the Speaking test.
Look at the task card below and some extracts from how a candidate answered the question.
What do you think PPF stands for?
Describe a memorable trip you took.
You should say:
when you took the trip
where you went
what you did
And explain why this trip was memorable for you

P “it was definitely far more exciting than any holiday I’d been on before. I’d
only been to Europe so Asia was a completely different experience for
me…”
P “I’ve got some photos from the trip on my computer. They come up as
screensavers after my computer hasn’t been used for a while, so I look at
them and start dreaming about going back there…”
F “Actually, I’m planning to take my girlfriend there next year but we’re
going to stay at a beach resort this time because I’ve heard there are some
lovely places by the sea. We’ll probably just take day trips to cities and
temples. I can’t wait!...”
Now answer the question and make some notes about what you could say for each category
below:

P ……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
P ……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
F ……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….

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More Part 2 Speaking Questions
Question 1

Describe a major decision you have taken in your life

You should say:
– What the decision was
– What other choices were available to you
– Why you made the decision you did
And explain if you think the decision was a good one

Question 2

Describe something you do to forget about work or study

You should say:
– What the activity is
– How often you do it
– How it helps you forget
And say whether you would recommend other people try the same thing

Question 3

Describe a language you would like to learn

You should say:
– What the language is
– Where it is spoken
– Why you are interested in this language
And say if you think you will ever actually have the chance to learn it

Question 4

Describe a child that you know

-- You should say:
-- Who the child is
-- How you know the child
-- When you see the child
And explain why you like/dislike the child

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www.mcielts.com

Mc IELTS

IELTS Speaking: Part 3 (Advanced band 7+ approach)

This lesson teaches you to use a more advanced way to begin your answers to questions in
Part 3 of the speaking test. Remember, a mix of the traditional discourse markers mixed
with the suggestions below would be great.

In Part 3, you and the examiner discuss some topics related to the topic you spoke about in
Part 2. The time limit for Part 3 is 4-5 minutes. The examiner will help you and move the
conversation along. This is the only part in which the examiner has the flexibility to adjust
questions based on your language level and responses. Part 3 is the only section that somewhat
simulates a „dialogue.‟

So if your Part 2 (Long Turn) the topic was "Describe something you bought recently," Part 3
might be about buying habits in your country, consumers, consumerism, materialism, shopping,
consumer protection, or differences between shops now and in the past, or a prediction about
shopping in the future.

If your Part 2 (Long Turn) topic was "Describe a teacher you had in school," Part 3 might be
about education, training, the internet and education, changes in education in the last twenty
years, the importance of training or education, etc. The relationship between the part 2 and part 3
questions is not always easy to see, but it exists.

Examples of Part 3

Topic in Part 2 Possible Related Topic in Part 3

How does tourism affect a country? Does it have

Describe a place you visited recently some advantages? Can cultures learn from each
other?
Is friendship important in your culture? How many
Describe a friend close friends can you have? Are friends more
important than family?
What is the role of parents in raising children? Has
Describe a child you know the role changed in recent years? Who is responsible
for discipline?

Do possessions make people happy? Why do people

Describe an object you like buy things? Are people in your country wise
consumers?

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 Are images important in your culture? What is the
Describe a photograph role of advertising? Do media forms such as TV and
movies influence peoples‟ decisions?

Who are the most influential people in your society?

Describe an historical figure
Are there many heroes or role models today? What
are the qualities of a good leader?
How do different cultures celebrate events? What is
Describe an important event in your
the importance of festivals? How have special
culture
occasions such as weddings changed in your culture?

Successful students will:

Comment on the question

Relate the question to their own experience but not „personalize‟ the answer as in part 1
Divide up their answers
Use modals (could, might, may, etc.) the past perfect, and future tenses correctly

Comment on the question

That‟s interesting. I was watching a program about that last week.

That‟s a big problem today. I heard the prime minister talk about that in a speech in
Hanoi.
Oh, that‟s very difficult to predict! I don‟t think anybody really knows what is going to
happen.
Wow, that‟s a tough question. It depends on your point of view.
Yes, I‟ve often thought about that.

Begin by relating the question to your own experience

That‟s very important because I am getting married next month.

That‟s an interesting question because I work in computers, so I often wonder what the
future of technology will be.
That‟s a tough question because I am not an economist.
That‟s funny, I was just thinking about that the other day and…
Wow, that question‟s right up my alley because I‟ve experienced something similar
before.
The other day I was in Diamond Plaza and someone asked me the same question.
My kids often ask me the same question.

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Divide up your answer

Basically, there are three ways to look at this problem. One way is to imagine….
I think there are several ways to solve this problem. I think one way would be to…
It depends on how you look at it. For example, if you were a parent, you would have one
opinion, and if you were a student, you might have another perspective.
I think two very different things will happen. First of all, there might be…
There have been several effects. One effect is that…
I suppose you could break it up into two or three areas. First…

Use Modals

Generally speaking (again, „generally, not exactly) in the IELTS speaking test, Part 1 focuses on
the present tense, Part 2 on the past, and Part 3 on the future and modals (can, could, might, may,
etc.) You are expected to predict, guess, analyze, relate, suggest and evaluate (give your opinion)
in this part. If you can incorporate the above language, you will do well.

GOOD LUCK FROM THE Mc IELTS TEAM

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Face the IELTS Speaking Exam with Confidence

IELTS Education Vocabulary

You‟re likely to be asked questions about your studies during Part 1, you might have to talk
about a class, a teacher or a school memory in Part 2 or give your opinions on education in Part
3. Therefore, being able to call on a wide range of vocabulary to talk about education is very
important. Actually, the topic of education is he most common theme in all parts of the IELTS.

Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in
bold. Use the „Definitions‟ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases
you don‟t understand.

Part 1-style questions

Examiner: Are you studying English at a school?

Michel: Actually, I am happy to say yes I am … I‟m taking an intensive course at a local
private language school … I attend classes three times a week for three hours each time. Thank
God I finally made the advanced level -- man, it seems like it took me forever...

Examiner: Would you say you are a good student?

Susan: I‟m OK I think … I‟m pretty good at meeting deadlines and I‟m keeping up with my
studies -- I‟ve never been much of a procrastinator ... knock on wood … plus I find it quite easy
to learn things by heart which obviously is useful when learning a language.

Examiner: When you were younger did you enjoy your time at school?

Theo: So ... you want to know about my life as a kid... OK ... Yes … I liked school when I was a
boy … it was an ordinary state school … nothing special in some ways but it was a single-sex
school … which I‟m not sure I liked ... you know, no access to the opposite sex … but the
teachers were great … I had lots of friends and I never played hooky like some of the kids there.

Part 2-style task

Describe a time during your education that you really enjoyed. You should say:

when this period was

where you were

what you were studying at the time

and say why you were so happy.

Caroline: I‟d like to tell you about my time at university … I was a mature student … I didn‟t
go to university until I was 25 … and it was my first time away from my parents so it was very

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exciting … I was doing a Bachelor’s Degree and it was a bit of a challenge … some people take
a year off after high school but I‟d been away from education for eight years … plus I had to
work my way through university so I was very busy … and sitting exams at the end of each
year was a new experience for me as well but I really enjoyed higher education learning about
a subject I loved … history … and the social life was great as well … I don‟t think I‟ve ever had
so many friends ... thank goodness I was older though and my party animal days were over … I
had my graduation ceremony last year in the local cathedral and I know my parents were really
proud … so yes … that was a really happy time … I‟m thinking of doing a Master’s Degree
soon … though that might be through distance learning as I have a full-time job now.

Part 3-style questions

Examiner: What qualities do you think a good teacher has?

Anna: First, a good teacher should like what they do, you know, actually find meaning in parting
knowledge -- in seeing that proverbial light bulb go off. They should also be patient -- not get
upset too easily… and they should be subject specialists and be able to explain the material at
hand clearly … and they should give feedback quickly … for example not hang on to essays for
ages like some of my teachers do …

Examiner: What are the advantages of studying a distance learning course?

Florence: Well, It‟s a more flexible way of studying especially if you have a job … tuition fees
are usually cheaper … but you have to be very motivated … and I would imagine more people
fall behind with their studies compared to face-to-face classes. No, not imagine. Actually,
now I remember reading a report saying that a much higher percentage of on-line students don‟t
complete their courses... I suppose we would have to dig deep to start looking for the reasons...

Examiner: Do all children get equal opportunities in education?

Julie: Man, that‟s certainly not the easiest question ... Um ... Let me think ... in my country I
think it is quite equal but in the UK I‟ve heard that most people who go to the top universities
have studied at private schools … you have to be very rich to study in a school like that … and
they‟re usually boarding schools as well so the fees are enormous. Also, I know that in some
countries students go to public schools for free, but if they live in nicer neighborhoods, the
property ta is higher so the kid goes to a better school than in the poor areas...

Definitions

at hand: the object/thing or idea you‟re dealing with at the present moment

bachelor’s degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years

boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time

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dig deep: to think carefully and clearly (research) an issue

distance learning: a way of studying over the Internet

face-to-face class: the traditional way of studying in a classroom with peers and a teacher

to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others

to give feedback: to offer guidance on a student‟s work

higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high
school or secondary school

an intensive course: the same amount of course material delivered in a much shorter time

to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind

knock on wood: said to maintain good luck

to learn something by heart: to memorize it

light bulb go off: a learner has a sudden facial expression that they understand something

a mature student: a student who is older than average either in reality or in spirit

master’s degree: study which usually follows the completion of a bachelor‟s degree

to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed

party animal: a person who drinks a lot (and maybe does drugs too)

to play hooky/cut class/be truant): to stay away from classes without permission

private language school: an independent school run as a business concern

a single-sex school: a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a mixed-sex)

to sit an exam: to take an exam

state school: a school paid for by public funds and available to the general public

subject specialist: a teacher possessing significant knowledge of the subject they teach

to take a year off/gap year: a year working or traveling before starting university

to work your way through university: to have a paid job while studying to support
yourself financially

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Face the IELTS Speaking Exam with Confidence

IELTS Work Vocabulary

If you‟re employed, getting the necessary qualifications for a job, or still trying to decide what
kind of career you‟re interested in -- you‟ll need to be able to tell the examiner about this and
other related questions if you‟re asked about work.

Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in
bold. Use the „Definitions‟ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases
you don‟t understand.

Part 1-style questions

Examiner: What do you do?

Sasha: Actually right now I do a job-share with a friend in a cool little boutique … I enjoy it …
I like working with customers … unfortunately it‟s only temporary work but one of the perks
is that I get a discount on the clothes … 25% off anything my little heart desires ...

Examiner: Do you have any career plans yet?

Carly: Forgive me if I sound presumptuous but to be honest, I‟d like to be my own boss one
day … I‟m interested in programming and I‟d like to create apps for myself or for other
companies … I know being self-employed would be a challenge but the idea of doing a nine-to-
five job just kills me ... I can‟t imagine getting locked in to the daily grind for someone else...

Examiner: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years‟ time?

Marie: I‟d hope to be working … not a high-powered job … but I‟m quite a creative person
so something where I can work with my hands would be nice … as long as I‟m not stuck
behind a desk doing something boring in a dead-end job, I‟ll be happy …

Part 2-style task

Describe your ideal job. You should say:

what this job is

whether you would need any qualifications

whether it would be easy to find work

and say why you would enjoy this job in particular

Max: Oh, great question ... my ideal job ... I think about that all the time ... you know, I‟ve
always loved watching wildlife programs on TV and often thought about how much I‟d enjoy
working with animals … perhaps in a safari park somewhere in Africa or maybe even in that
land down under ... you know, Australia ... something like that. You‟d probably need a related

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degree to have any chance of being called for an interview and whether or not there are many
full-time jobs I don‟t know … I‟m sure a lot of parks rely on voluntary work so it might not be
easy … and it probably wouldn‟t be well-paid either but money isn’t everything. I just know
I‟d get so much job satisfaction … I can‟t imagine it being the kind of job where you‟d
get stuck in a rut and I‟m certain I‟d be good at it as well ... I‟ve always been a quick learner
so picking up on whatever they were teaching -- whatever I needed to know -- would be one of
my strengths. Also, I enjoy manual work ... you know, working with my hands ... and I‟m a
good team player … so even though the working conditions might not be the best I think that
would be my ideal job …

Part 3-style questions

Examiner: If there are a limited number of jobs available who should be given priority, young
people or older people with more experience?
Anna: Well, things are very different these days … a few years ago older employees would often
take early retirement or go onto part-time contracts and there were almost always
opportunities for younger people -- so there wasn‟t much of a dichotomy between jobs being
available for mostly only one side ... but now jobs are much more scarce. Therefore, I think
younger people take priority and need to be given the chance whenever possible …

Examiner: What are some of the important things a candidate should find out before accepting a
job?
Ali: Good question. Well, I think that depends on how desperate you are for a job. If you‟re
broke then basically find out your responsibilities and when you get paid... But, if you have a
little time and looking for something more permanent, you‟d need to know about your area of
responsibility … and your salary of course and then there are things like holiday entitlement
(vacation pay) … maternity or paternity leave … if you‟re thinking of having children … and
what the situation is regarding sick leave … that kind of thing

Examiner: What are the advantages of having your own business rather than working for
someone else?
Julie: Well … unfortunately being an employee at the moment is very stressful … people have
very heavy workloads … they‟re always under pressure to meet deadlines. And running your
own business isn‟t easy … but I do think it would be far more satisfying … especially because
you can make your own rules and not have to put up with other people‟s psychological
nonsense and inappropriate behavior ... you know, just fire them if they give you any trouble ...

Definitions

anything/whatever my little heart desires: to get something you truly like or want

broke: have no money (do not say „broken‟ when you mean „broke‟)

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to be called for an interview: to be invited to attend an interview

to be your own boss: to have your own business

the daily grind: the everyday routine of life, especially when we feel it‟s monotonous

a dead-end job: a job with no promotional opportunities

dichotomy: to break into two parts

to do a job-share: to share the weekly hours of work with another person

a good team player: somebody who can work well with other people

fire (someone): no longer allow someone to work; get rid of an employee

full-time: the number of hours that people usually work in a complete week

a heavy workload: to have a lot of work to do

a high-powered job: an important or powerful job

holiday entitlement/vacation pay: the number of holiday days allowed (usually with
pay)

I can’t imagine: something a person really doesn‟t want to do or be involved in

job satisfaction: the feeling of enjoying a job

kills me: something a person really doesn‟t like, or doesn‟t want to do

land down under: Australia

locked in: committed to a binding agreement

make your own rules: do what you want; act as you choose

manual work: work that requires physical activity

maternity leave: time off work given to a woman about to have a baby

to meet a deadline: to finish a job by an agreed time

money isn’t everything: there are other factors to consider rather than only money

a nine-to-five job: a normal job that consists of an 8 hour day (approximately)

one of the perks of the job: an extra benefit you get from a job

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one of my strengths: something a person is really good at

part-time: working less than full-time

picking up: successfully learning or understanding something

to put up with: tolerate someone

quick learner: someone who learns/understandings things faster than average

to run your own business: see „to be your own boss‟

to be self-employed: see „to be your own boss‟

sick leave: time allowed off work when sick

sound presumptuous: a readiness to presume in conduct or thought, as by saying or

doing something without right or permission; or to be bold or forward

to be stuck behind a desk: to be unhappy in an office job

to be/get stuck in a rut: to be in a boring place or position that is hard to leave

to take priority: to be selected or given the advantage to go first; to precede others

to take early retirement: to retire early (retire: to reach an age when you are allowed to
stop working for a living)

temporary work: work done for a limited time only

to be well paid: to earn a good salary

working conditions: the hours, salary and other entitlements that comes with the job

to work with your hands: to do manual work

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Face the IELTS Speaking Exam with Confidence
IELTS Accommodation Vocabulary
The examiner may ask you to talk about the place you live, would like to live, or related
questions during the exam.
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in
bold. Use the „Definitions‟ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any
phrases you don‟t understand.

Part 1-style questions

Examiner: Do you live in a house or an apartment?
Jack: Actually I live on campus … in a single room in in the dorms … all first year students
are encouraged to do that as they‟re close to the university. Next year though I plan to move into
student housing in town …
Examiner: Tell me about where you live.
Nguyen: Well, I live with my parents on the outskirts of Saigon … we only moved in recently
… in fact we had a house-warming party just a few weeks ago -- nothing too wild as you know,
my mom and dad were there ...
Examiner: What kind of accommodation do most people live in in your city?
Duc: In the city itself a lot of people live in apartment complexes or blocks but I think the
majority live in what the Brits call terraced houses and the Americans say sharing a common
wall. In any case, it‟s basically old-style French architecture with long rows of connected houses
... pretty noisy sometimes ...

Part 2-style task

Describe a house or an apartment you would like to live in. You should say
what kind of accommodation it would be
where it would be
who would live there with you
and say why you would enjoy living in this place.
John: I think most people when answering this question would say they‟d like to live in a large
detached house with spacious rooms and a front and back yard -- a place for your dogs to run
around ... views of the countryside and so on … but actually my ideal home would be a lot
different … I‟ve always loved the idea of having a mobile home … a really expensive one with
all the mod cons … so I could live wherever I wanted or at least have lots of holidays and be
able to take all my home comforts with me whenever I travelled … I realize this would have to
be a second home as I‟d need a base … a permanent address, you know, to get important mail
and stuff ... but the mobile home would be the accommodation I‟d find it exciting to live in. I
suppose once I settle down and have children I‟ll want to get on the property ladder … I‟ll be

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like everyone else … saving up to put down a deposit on a house or an apartment … I don‟t
think my family would want to live in a mobile home … but I like to think I‟ll still keep that
dream home in mind …

Part 3-style questions

Examiner: Is it better to own your own home or to rent?
Ana: I think both have their advantages … living in rented accommodation isn‟t necessarily a
bad thing … you don‟t have a huge debt like you do when you take out a mortgage but I
suppose the property market offers you an investment for the future … I‟m sure that‟s a major
reason why most people prefer to own their own home … Anyway, regardless of any positives
renting might give you, I‟m shooting to be independent and a proud homeowner by the time I‟m
30.
Examiner: What options are available to young couples looking for accommodation in your
country?
Toni: If they want to buy their own home it isn‟t easy for first-time buyers … mortgages are
hard to get so most people live with their parents or in rented accommodation … but that can
also be very expensive … you often have to pay rent in advance … and if the accommodation
isn‟t fully furnished you have the expense of buying furniture …
Examiner: What are some of the pleasures involved in making a home for ourselves?
Suki: I suppose it starts with house-hunting … finding your ideal home … some people enjoy
doing up an old property … giving a property that‟s old and tired a new lease on life … others
like making wherever they live feel like home with some home comforts …

Definition

a new lease on life: a new chance to begin life again after a difficult time

(all the) mod cons—modern conveniences: technology at home that makes jobs easier
such as a washing machine, dishwasher, air conditioning, hot water, etc.
apartment block: a large building made up of smaller units of apartments
apartment complex:
back garden: a garden at the rear of the house
detached house: a house that is not physically connected to another property
to do up a property: to repair an old building
dream home: a home you regard as perfect
first-time buyer: someone buying a property for the first time, especially when taking out
a loan (mortgage)
fully-furnished: a rented property with all furniture included

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to get on the property ladder: to buy a property with the aim of buying another bigger or
more expensive one later in life
dormitory (dorms): a college or university building where students live
home comforts: things that make a home feel comfortable to live in
house-hunting: looking for a property to live in
house-warming party: a party to celebrate moving into a new home
ideal home: a perfect home
to live on campus: to live on the university or college grounds
mobile home: a home that can be moved by a vehicle or one that has its own engine
to move into: to begin to live in a property
on the outskirts of: the suburbs or a residential area on the edge of towns or cities
to own your own home: to have bought the property you live in
to pay rent in advance: weekly or monthly rent paid at the beginning of the week or
month
permanent address: a fixed address
property market: the buying and selling of land or buildings
to put down a deposit: to pay an amount of money as the first in a series of future
payments
rented accommodation: property owned by someone else and for which a person pays a
fixed amount to live
share a common wall: two buildings that are connected at some point by the same wall
single room: a room for one person
spacious room: a large room
student housing: student accommodation
shooting to: trying for
to take out a mortgage: to borrow a large amount of money, paid back over several years,
in order to buy a house
terraced house: a house connected on both sides by other properties

34
The 50 idioms and expressions below are some of the most common in English.
The example sentences show how idioms are used in context. Have fun!

1. as easy as pie means "very easy" (same as "a piece of cake")

Example: He said it is a difficult problem, but I don't agree. It seems as easy as pie to
me!

2. be sick and tired of means "I hate" (also "can't stand")

Example: I'm sick and tired of doing nothing but work. Let's go out tonight and have
fun.

3. bend over backwards means "try very hard" (maybe too much!)
Example: He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never seemed
satisfied.

4. bite off more than one can chew means "take responsibility for more than one can
manage"
Example: John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and
works at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew.

5. broke means "to have no money"

Example: I have to borrow some money from my Dad. Right now, I'm broke.

6. change one's mind means "decide to do something different from what had been
decided earlier"
Example: I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. I'll do extra work
on the weekend instead.

7. Cut it out! means "stop doing something bad"

Example: That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!

8. drop someone a line means "send a letter or email to someone"

Example: It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other again. Drop me a
line when you have time.

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9. figure something out means "come to understand a problem"
Example: I don't understand how to do this problem. Take a look at it. Maybe you can
figure it out.

10. fill in for someone means "do their work while they are away"
Example: While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for me.

11. in ages means "for a very long time"

Example: Have you seen Joe recently? I haven't seen him in ages.

12. give someone a hand means "help"

Example: I want to move this desk to the next room. Can you give me a hand?

13. hit the hay means "go to bed" (also "hit the sack")
Example: It's after 12 o'clock. I think it's time to hit the hay.

14. in the black means "the business is making money, it is profitable"

Example: Our business is really improving. We've been in the black all year.

15. in the red means "the business is losing money, it is unprofitable"

Example: Business is really going poorly these days. We've been in the red for the
past three months.

16. in the nick of time means "not too late, but very close!"
Example: I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It's a good thing, because I
really need this medicine!

17. keep one's chin up means "remain brave and keep on trying"
Example: I know things have been difficult for you recently, but keep your chin up. It
will get better soon.

18. know something like the back of your hand means "know something very, very
well" Example: If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I know this part of town
like the back of my hand

36
19. once in a while means "sometimes, not very often"
Example: Have you been to the new movie theater? No, only see movies once in a
while. I usually stay home and watch TV.

20. sharp means "exactly at a that time"

Example: I'll meet you at 9 o'clock sharp. If you're late, we'll be in trouble!

21. sleep on it means "think about something before making a decision"

Example: That sounds like a good deal, but I'd like to sleep on it before I give you my
final decision.

22. take it easy means "relax"

Example: I don't have any special plans for the summer. I think I'll just take it easy.

23. to get the ball rolling means "start something, especially something big"
Example: We need to get this project started as soon as possible. I'm hoping you will
help me get the ball rolling.

24. up to the minute means "the most recent information"

Example: I wish I knew more about what is happening in the capital city. We need more
up to the minute news.

25. twenty-four/seven means "every minute of every day, all the time"
Example: You can access our web site 24/7. It's very convenient!

26. all of a sudden means "unexpectedly", used to describe something that happens
very quickly
Example: He had just gone to bed when all of a sudden the phone rang.

27. be all ears means "eager and ready to listen"

Example: Go ahead and speak. I'm all ears!

37
28. be fed up with means "to hate something now, even though I may have liked it
before"
Example: I'm fed up with my job! I think I should start looking for a new one.

29. to bug means "to bother someone". (American English)

Example: Hey, stop tapping your fingers. It's really bugging me!

30. a cinch means something that is very easy to do

Example: I didn't think I could run five kilometers, but with the right preparation, it was a
cinch.

31. cost an arm and a leg means "very expensive"

Example: I'd really like a new car, but they all cost an arm and a leg.

32. to cram means "to study hard a few days before a test"
Example: If you had studied hard for the past four months, you wouldn't have to cram
so much this weekend.

33. fresh out of something means "to have no more of something"

Example: I have to go buy some more milk. It seems we're fresh out now.

34. to get it (often negative) means "to understand"

Example: What did the teacher say? I didn't get it. Did you?

35. got a minute? means "Do you have time right now?"
Example: Hey, Joe, got a minute? I have something to show you.

36. give someone a hand means "help someone"

Example: Could you give me a hand moving this table? It's quite heavy.

37. grab a bite to eat means "quickly go get something to eat"

Example: I'm going to go grab a bite. I'll be back in a few minutes.

38
38. drive someone up a wall (or "drive someone crazy") means "to make someone
very angry"
Example: My neighbor practices the piano every night, but he's terrible. It's driving me
up the wall!

39. to hang on means "to wait"

Example: Hang on a few minutes. I have to make a phone call and then I'll be able to
join you for lunch.

40. hard headed means "stubborn" or "unwilling to change an opinion or idea

Example: I can't work with Joe any more. He's so hard headed!

41. have a change of heart means "change a previous decision"

Example: I thought I would change jobs, but now that my boss is treating me with more
respect, I've had a change of heart.

42. have mixed feelings about something means "to be uncertain"

Example: I have mixed feelings about Joe. He's a very good teacher, but he has a
very strange sense of humor!

43. head out for means "to start on a long trip" (but it could be within a big city)
Example: We're heading out for the countryside to pick some apples. Would you like
to join us?

44. How come? means "Why?"

Example: How come we don't go to the movies anymore? I guess we're too busy to
enjoy ourselves these days.

45. keep in touch (or "stay in touch") means "do not stop communicating - send letters
or call sometimes"
Example: Don't forget to keep in touch. I want to know how you're doing while you're
away.

39
46. be kidding means "to joke or tease someone in a playful way"
Example: No, I don't really have three wives - I was just kidding!

47. look down on means "think someone or something is not good enough"
Example: We shouldn't look down on people just because they don't have as much
money as we do.

48. make ends meet (often used negatively) means "to have enough money to buy
everything we need"
Example: Even though I make more money than last year, we just can't seem to make
ends meet.

49. miss the boat means "to miss an opportunity"

Example: The sale ends today at noon. If we don't hurry, we're going to miss the boat!

50. next to nothing means "to cost very little"

Example: I went to the new discount store and bought these new shoes for only five
dollars. That's next to nothing!

40
 Mc IELTS
IELTS Speaking Checklist
Task Requirements Comments

1. Fluency and Coherence

+ Did you speak at a normal speed?
+ Did you vary the speed you spoke?
+ Were there little or no long pauses?
+ Were you coherent? (i.e. easily
understandable)
+ Did you link your ideas together?

2. Lexical Resource
+ Did you use a range of vocabulary?
+ Did these words accurately convey your
meaning?
+ Did you generally use words or expressions
appropriate to the context of a formal
monologue?
+ Did you use topic specific words?
+ Were you able to use circumlocution when
necessary?

3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

+ Did you use a range of grammar?
+ Did these grammatical structures accurately
convey your meaning?
+ Did you use both short and long sentences?
+ Did you generally use structures appropriate
to the context of a formal monologue?
+ Did you self-correct grammatical errors?

41
4. Pronunciation
+ Were other people able to understand what
you were saying?
+ Did you pronounce the end of words?
+ Did you sound interested in what you were
saying?
+ Did you vary your intonation?
+ Did you use stress? For example, important
words?

COMMENTS:

Strengths

Weaknesses

42
 SPEAKING: Band Descriptors (public version)
Band Fluency and coherence Lexical resource Grammatical range and accuracy Pronunciation
9 • speaks fluently with only rare repetition or self-correction; • uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all • uses a full range of structures naturally and appropriately • uses a full range of pronunciation features with precision
• any hesitation is content-related rather than to find words topics • produces consistently accurate structures apart from ‘slips’ and subtlety
or grammar • uses idiomatic language naturally and accurately characteristic of native speaker speech • sustains flexible use of features throughout
• speaks coherently with fully appropriate cohesive features • is effortless to understand
• develops topics fully and appropriately
8 • speaks fluently with only occasional repetition or self- • uses a wide vocabulary resource readily and flexibly to • uses a wide range of structures flexibly • uses a wide range of pronunciation features
correction; hesitation is usually content-related and only convey precise meaning • produces a majority of error-free sentences with only very • sustains flexible use of features, with only occasional
rarely to search for language • uses less common and idiomatic vocabulary skilfully, with occasional inappropriacies or basic/non-systematic errors lapses
• develops topics coherently and appropriately occasional inaccuracies • is easy to understand throughout; L1 accent has minimal
• uses paraphrase effectively as required effect on intelligibility
7 • speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of • uses vocabulary resource flexibly to discuss a variety of • uses a range of complex structures with some flexibility • shows all the positive features of Band 6 and some, but not
coherence topics • frequently produces error-free sentences, though some all, of the positive features of Band 8
• may demonstrate language-related hesitation at times, or • uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary and grammatical mistakes persist
some repetition and/or self-correction shows some awareness of style and collocation, with some
• uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with inappropriate choices
some flexibility • uses paraphrase effectively
6 • is willing to speak at length, though may lose coherence at • has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length • uses a mix of simple and complex structures, but with • uses a range of pronunciation features with mixed control
times due to occasional repetition, self-correction or and make meaning clear in spite of inappropriacies limited flexibility • shows some effective use of features but this is not
hesitation • generally paraphrases successfully • may make frequent mistakes with complex structures sustained
• uses a range of connectives and discourse markers but not though these rarely cause comprehension problems • can generally be understood throughout, though
always appropriately mispronunciation of individual words or sounds reduces
clarity at times
5 • usually maintains flow of speech but uses repetition, self • manages to talk about familiar and unfamiliar topics but • produces basic sentence forms with reasonable accuracy • shows all the positive features of Band 4 and some, but not
correction and/or slow speech to keep going uses vocabulary with limited flexibility • uses a limited range of more complex structures, but these all, of the positive features of Band 6
• may over-use certain connectives and discourse markers • attempts to use paraphrase but with mixed success usually contain errors and may cause some comprehension
• produces simple speech fluently, but more complex problems
communication causes fluency problems

4 • cannot respond without noticeable pauses and may speak • is able to talk about familiar topics but can only convey • produces basic sentence forms and some correct simple • uses a limited range of pronunciation features
slowly, with frequent repetition and self-correction basic meaning on unfamiliar topics and makes frequent sentences but subordinate structures are rare • attempts to control features but lapses are frequent
• links basic sentences but with repetitious use of simple errors in word choice • errors are frequent and may lead to misunderstanding • mispronunciations are frequent and cause some difficulty
connectives and some breakdowns in coherence • rarely attempts paraphrase for the listener

3 • speaks with long pauses • uses simple vocabulary to convey personal information • attempts basic sentence forms but with limited success, or • shows some of the features of Band 2 and some, but not
• has limited ability to link simple sentences • has insufficient vocabulary for less familiar topics relies on apparently memorised utterances all, of the positive features of Band 4
• gives only simple responses and is frequently unable to • makes numerous errors except in memorised expressions
convey basic message
2 • pauses lengthily before most words • only produces isolated words or memorised utterances • cannot produce basic sentence forms • Speech is often unintelligble
• little communication possible

1 • no communication possible
• no rateable language
0 • does not attend

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