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1
Speaking Pack
Part 1 topics
1. Let’s talk about the place where you live now.
-Do you like the place where you live now?
-Do you know many people who live near you?
-Is your area a good place for families with children?
2. Let’s talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student?
(work)
-What kind of work do you do?
-Why did you choose this kind of work?
-Did you enjoy your first day in this job?
(study)
-Where are you studying?
-Why did you choose to study there?
-Did you enjoy your first day there?
3. Street markets
Let’s talk about street markets.
-Do you like going to street markets?
-Are street markets common in your country?
-Would you find it interesting to visit a street market in a foreign country?
-Why do you think some people prefer street markets to shops and supermarkets?
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4. Maps.
Let’s talk about maps.
-How often do you use a map?
-Did you learn how to use a map when you were younger?
-Which is better: a paper map or an electronic map?
-In a city, do you ever ask people for directions?
5. Birthdays
Now let’s move on to talk about birthdays.
-What do people usually do on their birthdays in your country?
-What did you do on your last birthday?
-Do you think it’s important to do something special on birthdays?
-Do you think birthdays are more special for children or adults?
6. How you spend your week
Let’s talk about how you spend your week.
-Which is your favourite day of the week?
-Do you do the same things on the same days every week?
-Which day of the week is the busiest for you?
-If you could change something you do every week, what would you change?
7. Weather
Let’s talk about the weather.
-What kind of weather do you generally prefer?
-Do some kinds of weather make you feel different?
-Do you ever talk about the weather with your friends?
-Would you like to visit a place that is extremely cold or extremely hot?
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8. Food
Let’s go on to talk about food.
-What is your favourite type of food?
-When do you normally eat this type of food?
-Do you like the same food now as when you were a child?
-Did you learn to cook when you were a child?
9. Concentrating on studying
Let’s talk about concentrating on studying.
-Do you find it easier to concentrate on studying in the morning or in the evening?
-Do you work better when the room is silent or when there is some noise?
-How can you help yourself when you’re studying for a long time?
-Did you find it easier to concentrate on your studies when you were younger?
10. Taking photos
Let’s talk about taking photos.
-Do you prefer to use a phone or a camera to take photos?
-What kinds of thing do you like to take photos of?
-What do you do with your photos after you’ve taken them?
-Would you like to learn more about photography in the future?
11. Relaxing
Let’s move on to talk about relaxing.
-Do you find it easy to relax?
-What is your favourite way to relax?
-Do you think that physical activity can help people to relax?
-Do you find holidays are the best way to relax?
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12. Museums and art galleries
Let’s talk about museums and art galleries
-Do you like visiting museums and art galleries?
-What can you learn from visiting a museum or art gallery?
-Tell me about any museums or art galleries you visited as a child.
-Do you think schools should take children to visit museums and art galleries?
13. Gifts
Let’s talk about gifts.
-What sort of gifts do you prefer to receive?
-What sort of gifts did you like when you were younger?
-Do you enjoy giving people gifts?
-Do you think the internet is a good place to find gifts?
14. Travelling by car
Let’s talk about travelling by car now.
-Do you often travel by car?
-When was the last time you travelled by taxi?
-Is there a lot of traffic in your town or city?
-Do you think everyone should learn to drive a car?
15. Parks and gardens
Let’s talk about parks and gardens
-Do you often go to parks and gardens?
-When did you last go to a park or garden?
-Do you prefer parks with open space or with leisure facilities?
-How would you improve the parks where you live?
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16. Let’s talk about your home.
-Tell me about the house or apartment you live in.
-How long have you lived in your house/apartment?
-Which room in your house/apartment do you like best?
17. Friends
Now let’s talk about friends.
-How much time do you spend with your friends?
-What do you like to do with your friends?
-Where did you first meet your best friend?
-Would you prefer to have a lot of friends or a few special friends?
18. Shoes
I’d like to talk about shoes.
-Do you prefer shoes that are comfortable, or shoes that are fashionable?
-Do you have a favourite pair of shoes?
-How often do you buy new shoes?
-Have you ever bought any shoes on the internet?
19. Nature
Let’s talk about nature and places of natural beauty.
-Do you enjoy spending time in natural places?
-What is the best way to learn about nature?
-Have you ever been camping by the sea or in the mountains?
-Is the countryside a good place to live?
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20. Advertisements
Let’s talk about advertisements.
-Do you watch advertisements on TV or the internet?
-Would you prefer to watch TV without advertisements?
-Have you ever bought anything because of an advertisement?
-Do you like seeing advertisements in the street?
21. Seasons and times of year
Let’s talk about seasons and different times of year now.
-What is your favourite season or time of year?
-How does the weather change during the year in your country?
-What free-time activities do you do at different times of the year?
-Would you prefer to live in a place with different seasons or in a place with the same weather all the time?
22. Handwriting
Let’s talk about handwriting and writing by hand.
-Do you enjoy writing by hand?
-Is your handwriting easy or difficult for other people to read?
-Do you like receiving handwritten cards and letters?
-Do you think you can find out about someone’s personality from their handwriting?
23. Teachers
Now let’s talk about teachers.
-Did you have a favourite teacher at school?
-How have teachers helped you?
-Are you still in contact with any of your teachers?
-Would you like to be a teacher?
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24. Colours
Let’s talk about colours now.
-Do you have any favourite colours?
-Did you wear bright colours when you were younger?
-What colours would you choose for the walls of your room?
-Is the colour of a car important to you?
25. Taking a break
Let’s talk about taking a break.
-Do you often take short breaks when you’re working or studying?
-What do you usually do when you take a break?
-Have you ever had a short sleep when taking a break?
-How do you feel after taking a break?
26. Where you come from
Now let’s move on to where you come from.
-Which part of your country do you come from?
-Has your family always lived in the same home town or village?
-Do you think your home town or village was a good place to grow up?
-What would you recommend a visitor to see in your home town or village?
26. Buying things
Let’s talk about buying things now.
-When did you last go shopping?
-What time of day do you prefer to go shopping?
-Do you prefer to buy things in big shops or small shops?
-Is there any kind of shopping that you don’t like?
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27. Public holidays
Let’s talk about public holidays in your country.
-Are there many public holidays in your country?
-Which is your favourite public holiday?
-What do you usually do on a public holiday?
-Do you think there should be more public holidays in your country?
28. Household tasks
Let’s talk about household tasks.
-Do you enjoy doing any household tasks?
-How can you make household tasks more interesting?
-Did you help with household tasks when you were a child?
-In the future, will it be good if machines do all household tasks?
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Part 2 and 3 topics
1. Describe a time when you to share something with another person or other people.
You should say:
-what you had to share
-who you had to share with
-why you had to share
and explain how you felt about sharing something with another person or other people.
Children sharing things
-what are the types of things children sometimes don’t like sharing with others?
-how do you think that parents can teach children to share their things?
-what are the benefits for children of learning to share things?
Things and places we often share
-why is sharing food with others an important part of celebrations or parties?
-how can cities or businesses encourage people to share transport?
-do you think that people need clear rules when they share accommodation?
Sharing information
-do you think that the internet can lead to people sharing too much of their personal information?
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of researchers sharing their results freely?
-do you think that countries must share information in order to build good international relations?
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2. Describe a good law in your country.
You should say
-what the law is
-how you know about this law
-who the law affects
and explain why you think this law is good
People who work with the law
-is being a police officer a popular job in your country?
-what are the characteristics that a person needs to be a good police officer?
-why do you think that people prefer to become lawyers rather than police officers?
Law and society
-do you think most of the people in your country obey the law all the time?
-are there any situations when breaking the law might be acceptable?
-why do you think a society needs laws?
International law
-what are kinds of situation where it is necessary to have international laws?
-what difficulties are there in establishing international laws?
-do you think that in the future all countries will share the same laws?
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3. Describe a time when you stayed somewhere away from home.
You should say
-what type of place you stayed in
-how long you stayed there
-why you stayed there
and explain how you felt about staying away from home
Staying with friends and relatives
-what are the reasons why people go to stay with friends or with relatives?
-do you think guests should help in the house when they stay with relatives?
-what’s the difference between staying in a friend’s house and being at home?
Staying in hotels
-how common is it for people to stay in hotels nowadays?
-what are the qualities that people look for in a hotel?
-how important is friendly service compared to luxury facilities in a hotel?
The hospitality industry
-how desirable is a career in hotels and restaurants in your country?
-do you think that the hospitality industry needs to be strictly regulated?
-what contribution does the hospitality industry make to a country?
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4. Describe a time when you had a problem with a piece of equipment (e.g. a TV, a washing machine).
You should say
-what the equipment was
-what the problem was
-how you felt at the time
And explain what you did about the problem
Equipment in everyday life
-what equipment is most useful in everyday life?
-how do people feel when they buy a new piece of equipment?
-do you think that having so much equipment in everyday life makes people lazy?
Repairing things that are broken
-what are the common reasons why things break?
-do you think it is always better to repair something than throw it away?
-do you think that teaching children to repair things would help them to learn about science?
Inventing new things
-do you think that people were more inventive in the past?
-do you think people have a natural ability to invent or whether it is learned?
-how important are inventors to a country’s economy?
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5. Describe a school friend you remember well.
You should say:
-what he or she looked like
-how you became friends
-what things you enjoyed doing together
and explain why you remember this school friend well
The importance of having friends
-what are the main benefits of having friends?
-what’s the difference between the friendships people make as children and those they make later in life?
-do you think it is better to have one or two very close friends than many different friends?
Meeting people
-what are the best ways to make new friends?
-do you think it is more difficult to make friends in today’s world than in the past?
-why has there been an increase in the number of people looking for friends through the internet?
Influence of friends
-do you think that parents should choose their children’s friends?
-in what situations do you think that people may feel that friends are more important than family?
-how important is honesty in maintaining friendships?
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6. Describe a family celebration that you attended.
You should say
-what the celebration was for
-where it took place
-what people did at the celebration
and explain whether you enjoyed this family celebration.
Celebrations in general
-what are the most common occasions for family celebrations in your culture?
-do you think everyone enjoys family celebrations?
-do you think most people enjoy family celebrations more than national celebrations?
Wedding traditions
-how important are weddings in your culture now compared to the past?
-who is responsible for organising wedding celebrations in your culture?
-is too much money spent on wedding celebrations nowadays?
Marriage
-why do you think some people nowadays are marrying later in life?
-do you think it is increasingly important to marry someone with a similar level of education?
-how much are male and female roles in marriage changing?
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7. Describe a country you would really like to visit for the first time.
You should say:
-which country you would like to visit
-how long you would like to stay there
-what time of year you would like to go
and explain why you would really like to visit this country for the first time
Foreign travel
-what are the most popular foreign holiday destinations for people from your country?
-why do people choose to travel abroad?
-what are the advantages of travelling abroad with travelling in your own country?
Tourism and its effects
-what advantages can tourism bring to a country?
-can tourism have any negative effects?
-how might tourism have to change in the future due to environmental problems?
Living in a different country
-what’s the difference between visiting another country for a short time to going to live there?
-do you think that people going to live in another country should adapt to its culture and traditions?
-what effect is globalisation having on cultural differences?
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9. Describe what difference your first mobile phone made to your life.
You should say:
-when you got the phone
-how you got it
-why you wanted it
and explain what difference your first mobile phone made to your life.
Mobile phones in your country
-at what age do parents usually give their children a mobile phone?
-how popular are mobile phones with people of different ages?
-what are the disadvantages of mobile phones?
Different ways people use mobile phones
-why is text messaging popular?
-why are more and more people using mobile phone apps?
-what are the advantages of being able to connect to the internet from a mobile phone?
Modern technology and interpersonal communication
-do you think that technology will soon make international business travel redundant?
-do you think that computer translation will ever make it unnecessary to speak foreign languages?
-do you think modern technology is changing interpersonal communication for the better or worse?
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10. Describe a person you know who has an interesting job.
You should say:
-who this person is
-what this person does in the job
-how this person got the job
and explain why you think this person’s job is interesting.
Choosing a job
-what are the most popular kinds of job nowadays in your country?
-why do people choose to work for a large or a small company?
-do you think that most people find it difficult to choose a career?
Work and study
-what is the difference between being a full-time student and working at the same time?
-how important is it to be well-qualified in order to get a job nowadays?
-why do some companies pay for their staff to get more qualifications?
The labour market
-how important is it to be willing to move to another region for work?
-what impact does a mobile workforce have on families and communities?
-do you think it will be more common in the future to change careers?
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11. Describe something special you took home from a holiday.
You should say:
-where and when you went on holiday
-what special thing you took home
-why you wanted to take this thing home
and explain what you did with this special thing when you arrived home
Souvenirs
-what are the kinds of things people buy to remind them of the places they have visited?
-why do many people like to collect souvenirs?
-do you think that selling souvenirs is a good way for local people to make money from tourism?
Taking photographs
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of taking a camera on holiday?
-why do people like to show friends and family photos of their holiday?
-what’s the difference between recording a holiday in a written diary with photographs?
Remembering past events
-how useful is technology in helping people remember the past?
-do you think that technology can ever replace human memory?
-which memories are most important for people as they get older?
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12.Describe something you did to help a neighbour.
You should say:
-how you helped the neighbour
-when you helped the neighbour
-where you were living at the time
and explain how you felt about helping your neighbour
Helping neighbours
-how do people help their neighbours?
-what are the advantages of neighbours helping each other?
-why do you think some people do not like to ask their neighbours for help?
Urban neighbourhoods
-why do you think people living in cities often do not know their neighbours?
-do you think that big cities can be lonely places for some people?
-how can people in cities get involved in community life?
Volunteering at home and abroad
-what are the ways in which people volunteer to help others at home and abroad?
-how do governments support volunteer organisations in the community?
-who benefits more, volunteers or the people they help?
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13. Describe a language (not English) you would like to start learning.
You should say:
-what the language is
-why you would like to learn it
-what you could do to learn it
and explain how difficult you think it would be to learn this language
Learning languages
-should everyone learn a foreign language?
-why are some people better at learning languages than others?
-how could language lessons be more attractive?
An international language
-what are the benefits of having an international language such as English?
-what are the negative effects of having one major world language?
-which languages may become major world languages in the future?
Language and culture
-do you think your language has been influenced by other languages and cultures?
-how much can be learned about a culture without knowing its language?
-how important is language to cultural identity?
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14. Describe a magazine you enjoy reading.
You should say:
-what type of magazine it is
-why you started reading it
-what kinds of articles it contains
and explain why you enjoy reading this magazine
Popular magazines
-what types of magazines are most popular in your country?
-do you think that you can learn a lot from reading magazines?
-what are the reasons for reading magazines and the reasons for reading newspapers?
Journalists
-do you think writing for a magazine or newspaper would be an exciting job?
-what skills do journalists need in their work?
-do you think that journalists always report the news accurately?
Keeping up with the news
-how important is it to keep up with local news and to keep up with international news?
-do you think that the internet will completely replace printed newspapers and magazines?
-how effective is social media in spreading news?
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15. Describe a school you went to when you were a young child.
You should say:
-where the school was
-what the classrooms looked like
-what you remember about your teachers
and explain how much you enjoyed being at this school
Teaching young children
-why do people want to teach young children?
-what qualities are needed to be a good teacher?
-do you think that teachers make young children work too hard today?
Large and small schools
-why do you think that it’s better for children to be taught in small classes?
-do you think that it’s easier to make friends in a small school or a large school?
-what are the possible educational advantages of going to a large school?
A socal education
-what are the functions of a school in addition to teaching academic subjects?
-how can schools teach pupils appropriate social skills?
-do you think that schools have a more important role than parents in teaching children how to behave when they become adults?
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16. Describe something you bought that you have not used very much.
You should say:
-what you bought
-whene and where you bought it
-why you bought it
and explain why you have not used it very much
Buying things
-how popular is shopping in your country?
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping in a large shopping centre?
-do you think that quality is more important than price when buying something?
Recycling products or materials
-what are some products or materials that are commonly recycled?
-how important is it to recycle products or materials?
-why do you think that people’s attitudes to recycling have changed in recent years?
Power of advertising
-how important is advertising on television and how important is it in magazines?
-how can advertisements make people buy things they don’t need?
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of government regulation of advertising?
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17. Describe a situation in your life when you received some good advice.
You should say:
-what the situation was
-who gave you the advice
-what the advice was
and explain why this advice was good
Personal advice
-is it better to get advice from someone in your family or from a friend?
-do you think teachers should advise students about their personal lives or only about their education?
-what are the qualities someone needs to be good at giving advice?
Careers and advice
-who usually gives advice to young people about their future choice of work?
-is it better to make careers decisions alone or to ask for advice?
-what sort of information would a person need to advise someone about a choice of career?
Advice about consumer goods
-how can people find reliable information about products?
-should harmful consumer products be banned?
-who should be most responsible for people’s health and safety: individuals, companies or governments?
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18. Describe an animal that you think is interesting.
You should say:
-what type of animal it is
-where it lives
-how you first learned about it
and explain why you think this animal is interesting.
Learning about animals
-why do you think schools should teach children about animals?
-what are the benefits of watching programs about wild animals on television?
-what can young children learn from looking after pets?
Saving rare animals
-do you think that keeping rare animals in zoos is the best way to save them?
-how can governments help protect rare animals in the wild?
-what can ordinary people do to help save rare animals?
Our relationship with animals
-is it right to use animals in a work context?
-to what extent should humans be concerned when an animal species dies out?
-what is the future of humankind’s relationship with the natural world?
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19. Describe a famous person –who is not fro your country-that you would like to meet.
You should say:
-who this person is
-why this person is famous
-what you know about this person
and explain why you would like to meet this person.
Being famous
-how do some people become famous?
-why do some people continue to be famous for a long time?
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of being famous?
Fame and influence
-how do famous people influence young people’s behaviour?
-how do some people use their fame to help others?
-do you think that celebrities can help solve the world’s problems?
Benefits of fame to countries
-how do countries benefit from having internationally famous people?
-why do businesses use celebrities in international advertising?
-do you think people will be less aware of the nationality of celebrities in the future?
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20. Describe an important letter or email you have written.
You should say:
-who you wrote this letter or email to
-when you wrote this letter or email
-what the letter or email was about
and explain why this letter or email was important.
Letters and emails in general
-what are the types of letter people receive today?
-do you think that some things are better communicated by phone than by email?
-do you think that letters have been replaced by other forms of communication?
The power of communication
-what makes someone a good communicator?
-what are the advantages of communicating face-to-face with people?
-do you agree that the written word is often more powerful than the spoken word?
Different ways of communicating
-how important are pictures in communicating a message?
-how will technology change communication in the future?
-do you think that in the future the whole world will communicate in the same language?
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21. Describe a city that you visited.
You should say:
-what city it was
-why you visited this city
-what you did there
and explain what you liked or disliked about your visit.
People living in cities
-what type of person enjoys city life?
-what are the main benefits of living in cities for families with children?
-why do more people choose to live in cities now than in the past?
City problems
-what are some of the most important problems that affect cities?
-how do city problems affect people’s lives?
-do you think that people living in the countryside have fewer problems?
City planning and development
-what factors make cities develop from small towns?
-do you think that city growth needs careful planning?
-how do you think that cities in the future may be different from cities now?
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22. Describe an indoor game you enjoyed as a child.
You should say:
-where and when you played the game
-who you played it with
-what you needed to play the game
and explain why you enjoyed playing this game as a child.
Children’s games
-what are the most popular games for children nowadays?
-how important is it for children to play games outside?
-do you agree that games help children to develop their imagination?
Learning through play
-what skills can children learn through playing games?
-should children only play games that teach them something?
-do you agree that competitive games have no place in school classrooms?
Being competitive
-what re the advantages to an individual of being naturally competitive?
-do you think that competitiveness between colleagues should be encouraged in the workplace?
-do you think that it’s possible not to be competitive yet still be successful in life?
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23. Describe a member of your family who you would like to spend time with.
You should say:
-who the family member is
-how often you spend time together
-what you do together
and explain why you like to spend time with this member of your family.
Spending time with family
-how important is it to spend time with family in your country?
-why is it good for young people to spend time with older relatives?
-do you think that young people should spend all of their free time with family?
Family relationships
-do you think that family relationships become more or less important as people grow older?
-why do you think that some families are closer than others?
-do you think that the family unit will be very different in the future?
Online relationships
-why have social media become so popular in recent years?
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of having friends on social media?
-how will increased use of social media affect relationships?
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24. Describe a film you enjoyed that was made in another country.
You should say:
-what kind of film it was
-why you chose to watch it
-how easy it was to understand
and explain why you enjoyed this film
Watching films in English
-how easy is it in your country to watch films in English?
-do you think that watching films in English is a good way to learn the language?
-what’s the difference between watching a film in English and reading a book in English?
Films from other countries
-what are the most popular types of foreign films in your country?
-what can people learn about daily life in other countries by watching their films?
-do you agree that films cannot really express what it is like to live in another country?
Aspects of the film industry
-why is cinema such a popular art form around the world?
-how important are international film stars to the success of a film?
-how can the investment of huge sums of money in film production be justified?
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25. Describe a beautiful place where you would like to have a home.
You should say:
-where this place is
-what the place looks like
-how you know this place
and explain why you’d like to have a home in this place
Types of homes
-what kinds of homes do most people in your country live in?
-what type of home is best for a family?
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of living in an old house?
Choosing where to live
-how important is it to live near other family members?
-why can small homes be better than large homes for some people?
-why are some areas more popular to live in than others?
Living in the countryside
-what could governments do to encourage people to live in rural areas?
-do you think that people should be able to build homes wherever they wish in the countryside?
-do you think that people who live in the countryside benefit from a greater sense of inner harmony?
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26. Describe a time when you felt proud of a friend’s success.
You should say:
-who the friend was
-what success he/she achieved
-how important this success was for your friend
and explain why you felt proud of your friend’s success.
Being successful at school
-what kinds of ways can a student be successful at school?
-how can students be rewarded for their success?
-do you think that doing well in academic subjects is more important than doing well in practical subjects?
Success at work
-what are the different ways people can be successful at work?
-do you think that money is the main factor that motivates people to achieve success at work?
-what difficulties might people experience while trying to achieve success at work?
Success in life
-do you think that success in life always leads to happiness?
-do you think that success has more to do with opportunity than ability?
-do you think that it is impossible for people to feel successful without receiving public recognition?
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27. Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone.
You should say:
-who you talked to
-when and where you had the conversation
-what the conversation was about
and explain why it was an interesting conversation
Speaking face-to-face
-how different are the topics that men and women like to talk about?
-what are the differences between speaking to someone on the phone and face-to-face?
-do you think it is polite to agree with other people’s opinions?
Giving presentations for work or study
-why are some people nervous about giving oral presentations?
-how important are visual aids when giving oral presentations?
-do you think people should use humour when giving oral presentations?
Speaking to the wider public
-in what situations is public speaking important in modern society?
-what makes an effective public speaker?
-how does the media influence public speaking today?
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28. Describe a person you have met who you think is beautiful or handsome
You should say
-who this person is
-where and when you met him/her
-what his/her personality is like
and explain why you think this person is beautiful or handsome.
Looking beautiful
-how important are clothes in making a person look beautiful?
-do you agree that it’s necessary to have beautiful models to sell clothes?
-do you think being beautiful is always a good thing?
Beauty in nature
-what landscapes are considered beautiful in your country?
-do you think that a city can never be as beautiful as a natural landscape?
-do you think that words or pictures are better at showing the beauty of nature?
Beauty and society
-do you think that society is too focused on physical appearance?
-do you think that perceptions of beauty remain the same over time?
-how necessary is it for people to conform to the current perception of beauty?
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28. Describe an app which you find very useful.
You should say:
-what the app is
-how long you have had this app
-how easy it is to use
and explain why you find this app so useful.
Technology in everyday life
-what things do people do every day that technology has made easier?
-do you agree that technology always saves time?
-do you think that people depend too much on technology now?
Keeping up with technological change
-why do some people always want to have the newest technology?
-how do different age groups cope with rapid changes in technology?
-do you think changes in technology are always necessary?
Effects of technology
-what is the growing impact of technology on social relationships?
-what are the possible effects of people believing everything they read on the internet?
-do you think that technology has had a negative effect on all aspects of culture?
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29. Describe a situation when you had to spend a long time in a traffic jam
You should say:
-when and where the traffic jam happened
-what you did while you were in the traffic jam
-how you felt about having to spend time in the traffic jam
and explain what problems the delay caused you.
Traffic in cities
-what are the times of day when traffic is heaviest in most cities?
-what is the difference between being stuck in a traffic jam in a car and in a bus?
-do you think that traffic in cities will get worse in the future?
Traffic management
-do you think that highways make traffic flow more smoothly?
-how can public transport reduce traffic congestion?
-do you think that traffic problems can only be solved by government action?
Traffic and the environment
-what is the impact of traffic on the environment?
-do you think that there should be higher taxes on large cars?
-do you think that to reduce global warming, people will have to travel less?
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30. Describe a good habit a friend has that you would like to develop.
You should say:
-who the friend is
-what the habit is
-what made you notice this good habit
and explain why you would like to develop this habit
Habits in children
-what are good habits children need to learn?
-how can parents help children learn good habits?
-why do children learn bad habits?
Habits in adults
-how do the habits of adults change as they grow older?
-what are the benefits of having a daily routine?
-do you think that people who have fixed routines are not creative?
Social customs
-why do you think that social customs are often different from one culture to another?
-how necessary are social customs to a society?
-what are likely to be the effects of globalisation on social customs?
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31. Describe a long journey which you enjoyed and would like to make again.
You should say:
-when the journey took place
-which type of transport you used
-what you saw and did during the journey
and explain why you would like to make this journey again
Making long journeys
-what are the problems people may have when travelling long distances?
-how can we make long journeys more comfortable?
-what are the benefits of travelling with someone compared to travelling alone?
Travelling to other countries
-what preparations should people make before travelling abroad?
-how do young people decide which country or region to visit?
-what are the attitudes to overseas travel now and in the past?
Travel as education
-what can travellers learn about a country when they travel abroad?
-what can people learn about themselves when they travel?
-do you think that increased international travel is the best way to increase intercultural understanding?
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32. Describe a time when you had to wait for someone.
You should say:
-who you had to wait for
-where you waited
-what you did while you were waiting
and explain how you felt while you were waiting
Waiting for people
-what are the situations when it is necessary to wait for people?
-what is the difference between waiting for a friend and waiting for service?
-why are some people more patient than others while waiting?
Waiting for things
-why do people today find it hard to wait for something they want?
-do you think that people appreciate something more if they have to wait or save up for it?
-do you think that modern technology has decreased the amount of time people wait for things?
Effective use of time
-why do you think that industrial societies value the effective use of time?
-how does the pressure to use time effectively alter relationships between people at work?
-do you think that workplaces can continue improving time-efficiency into the future?
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33. Describe a historical place that interests you.
You should say:
-where this place is
-what you know about this place
-how you learned about it
and explain why you find this historical place interesting.
Visiting historical places
-what are the kinds of historical place in your country that many people visit?
-how interested are people in visiting historical places nowadays?
-do you think that people should pay to visit places of historical interest?
Finding out about history
-what are the different ways people can find out about history?
-how does watching films about history make people more interested in the past?
-do you think that the makers of historical films have a responsibility to show the past accurately?
Reflecting on the past
-how important is it for individuals to know about their country’s history?
-why do you think that interpretations of the past may change over time?
-how do you think that people in the future may describe the early 21st century?
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34. Describe a sportsperson who did very well at an event.
You should say:
-who the sportsperson was
-what the sports event was
-why the sportsperson did well
and explain how you felt when the sportsperson did very well.
Sport and young people
-which sports are popular with young people in your country?
-do you think that most people enjoy taking part in sports competitions?
-how important is it for children to do a number of sports?
Successful sportspeople
-what skills and qualities do people need to be good at sport?
-why do you think it is difficult to be a top sports professional today?
-how is technology becoming more important in sports?
Sportspeople-recognition and money
-do you think that professional sportspeople deserve the high salaries they receive?
-why do you think that some sports do not receive much global recognition?
-do you think that governments or private companies should fund major sporting events?
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35. Describe the last book you read.
You should say:
-what it was about
-when you read it
-why you read it
and explain what you liked and disliked about this book.
Children and reading
-what kinds of book are popular with children in your country?
-how can parents interest children in books?
-do you think that parents, not teachers, should teach children to read?
Changes in adult reading habits
-what are some of the reasons why adults read?
-what are the effects of modern technology on adult reading habits?
-what will be the role of books in society in the next generation?
The benefits of reading
-what are the benefits of reading compared to watching television or films?
-what are the difficulties faced by people who have never learned to read?
-do you think that people should be encouraged to read more?
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36. Describe something that you did with a group of people that you really enjoyed.
You should say:
-what you did
-who the people were
-where and when you did this
and explain why doing this thing with a group was so enjoyable.
Interaction in childhood
-what kinds of thing do young children most enjoy doing with adults?
-how can a child learn to interact well with other people?
-do you think that it is important for boys and girls to play together as children?
Interaction in the workplace
-why do you think that some groups of people do not work well together?
-which kinds of work are best done alone, or in a group?
-do you think that every successful group in the workplace needs a leader?
Interaction in society
-why do you think that humans feel the need to be part of groups?
-how can group behaviour affect the way individuals behave?
-do you think that the choices that individuals make often conflict with the interests of society?
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37. Describe a prize you know about that you would like to win.
You should say:
-what the prize is
-how you know about this prize
-what you would have to do in order to win it
and explain why you would like to win this prize.
Prizes for children
-what are the kinds of school prizes that children can win in your country?
-what are the benefits of giving children prizes for things they do at school?
-are there any disadvantages if parents push their children to try to win prizes?
Giving rewards to good employees
-what are some ways of rewarding employees who work particularly hard?
-how can companies benefit from offering rewards to good employees?
-do you think that the best reward is doing the job well?
Achievements in sport
-are there any differences in attitude to winning between amateur and professional sportspeople?
-do you think there are any risks in being too focused on achieving success in sports?
-how important are international sporting competitions in a global world?
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38. Describe a regular radio or television program that you often talk about with your family or friends.
You should say:
-what the program is
-what it’s about
-what you like or dislike about it
and explain why you talk about it with your family or friends.
Radio and television as entertainment
-what are the kinds of program that are the most popular your country?
-do you agree that watching television is more enjoyable than listening to the radio?
-do you think there should be controls on the types of program on radio and television?
Radio and television as education
-how can radio and television help people to learn?
-what are the disadvantages to using radio and television for educational purposes?
-do you think that other technologies are replacing radio and television as educational media?
Issues that affect broadcasting
-are there any developments that are taking place in broadcasting in your country now?
-what are the ways radio and television programs can be funded?
-what factors influence the quality and content of radio and television programs?
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39. Describe something that you made by hand to give to a friend or a relative.
You should say:
-what you made
-why you decided to make it
-how easy or difficult it was to make
and explain how your friend or relative felt about this handmade gift.
Handmade gifts
-what are the kinds of things that some people make as gifts?
-why do you think it takes too much time to make gifts by hand?
-why do you think people enjoy receiving homemade gifts more than gifts from shops?
Developing creativity
-do you think that little girls enjoy making things more than little boys do?
-do you think that schools should teach creative subjects like art, drama or music?
-why do you think that computer games help to develop creativity?
The benefits of creativity
-how do individuals benefit from creating things themselves?
-are there any commercial benefits from using the word ‘handmade’ to advertise a product?
-what are the benefits to society of encouraging people to be creative?
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40. Describe a time when you invited friends or family to a meal (either at home or in a restaurant).
You should say:
-who you invited
-why you decided to organise this meal
-where and when you had this meal
and explain how everybody felt about this meal.
Eating in restaurants or at home
-how common is it for people to eat in restaurants in your country?
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of eating in restaurants?
-do you think that in the future nobody will cook at home?
Food for celebrations
-what is the difference between everyday meals and celebration meals?
-do you think that food is the most important part of most traditional celebrations?
-do you think that too much money is spent on food at times of celebration?
Producing food
-what is the difference between the way food is produced nowadays with the way it was produced in the past?
-how is climate change affecting food production?
-how might science and technology affect food production in the future?
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41. Describe a project (or some homework) you did as part of your studies.
You should say:
-what it was about
-how long it took you
-how easy or difficult it was
and explain what you learned from doing it
Homework for schoolchildren
-how does doing homework help schoolchildren?
-do you think that young children should be given homework?
-do you think that children in high school have too much homework?
Learning outside the classroom
-why do you think some parents might decide to educate their children at home (instead of sending them to school)?
-what are some other ways (apart from homework) for students to extend their learning outside the classroom?
-do you think it’s possible to learn a subject properly without attending a class?
Technology and university learning
-do you think that university students who don’t have a computer of their own are at a disadvantage?
-how reliable is the internet as a source of information for university?
-do you think that computer-based learning will replace class-based teaching in universities?
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42. Describe a job that you think is important in your country.
You should say:
-what the job is
-what sort of people do the job
-what sort of training is necessary to do this job
and explain why you think this job is important.
Work in your country
-what is the best age for people to start full-time work?
-how easy is it for people to find work in your country?
-do you think working conditions are better today than in the past?
Work and education
-what are the ways in which school and education can prepare children for working life?
-what skills do employers look for in young people?
-do you think that it would be a good thing for a country if every young person went to university?
Attitudes to work
-what things make a job attractive to young adults today?
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of putting work first and family second?
-how do you think that social changes may affect attitudes to work in the future? (e.g. ageing workforce, migration)
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43. Describe an old person that you know and respect.
You should say:
-who this person is
-what you know about his/her younger life
-what you usually do together
and explain why you respect this old person.
Grandparents
-what are the benefits for young children of spending time with their grandparents?
-what can grandparents learn from contact with teenage grandchildren?
-do you agree that grandparents should play an active part in helping young parents with child-care?
Caring for the elderly
-what are the qualities needed by people who take care of the elderly?
-in what ways can neighbours help elderly people?
-is it always better for old people to live with their families?
The elderly in the modern world
-in what ways are technological changes bringing benefits to old people?
-what are the possible benefits to companies of employing older workers?
-what are aspects of modern lifestyles that elderly people may find difficult to accept?
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44. Describe something you can’t do now but would like to learn to do.
You should say:
-what you would like to learn to do
-how you would learn to do it
-who could teach you or show you how to do it
and explain why you would like to learn to do this.
Children learning skills at home
-what things do children generally learn to do at home rather than at school?
-do you think that it is good for children to learn from their parents as well as from their teachers?
-do you think that parents today are too busy to teach their children life skills?
Learning to use technology
-what are the best ways of learning how to use a computer?
-why do younger people generally learn computer skills more easily than older people?
-do you think that to use a computer effectively involves continuous learning?
Technology for education
-what are the advantages and disadvantages of getting information from the internet?
-how have computers changed the way people are taught?
-do you think that classrooms and teachers will not be necessary in the future?
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45. Describe a singer or band that you enjoy listening to.
You should say:
-what you know about this singer/band
-what kind of songs this singer/band performs
-when and where you listen to this singer/band
and explain why you enjoy listening to this singer/band.
Singing and voices
-which types of singer are popular in your country?
-is it possible for everyone to learn to sing well?
-are there any advantages of having a good singing voice?
The music industry
-what can make a particular song successful?
-do you agree that the music industry is more interested in making money than producing good music?
-what developments do you think we will see in the music industry in the future?
Music and society
-what are the reasons for teaching children about the traditional music of their country?
-do you think that children have to be brought up in a culture to appreciate its music?
-to what extent should governments fund the teaching and development of music?
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46. Describe an occasion when you received very good service from a company or shop.
You should say:
-what kind of company/shop it was
-what you needed from the company/shop
-who in the company/shop helped you
and explain why you thought the service was very good.
Dealing with the public
-what are the kinds of job which involve dealing with the public?
-what personal qualities are needed by staff who deal with the public?
-do you think that companies should offer training for all staff who deal with the public?
Dealing with problems
-do you think that most companies respond quickly to problems reported by customers?
-what should companies do if a product is faulty?
-how can companies avoid having problems with their products or services?
Successful companies
-what are the challenges big companies can face when operating in different countries?
-how important are happy staff to the success of a company?
-do you think that a successful company must be innovative?
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47. Describe a person you wanted to be similar to when you were growing up.
You should say:
-who the person was
-how you knew about this person
-what kind of person he or she was
and explain why you wanted to be similar to this person.
Children and famous people
-who are the kinds of famous people who are popular with children in your country?
-do you think that famous people have a responsibility to be good examples for children?
-do you think that companies should use famous people to advertise goods for children?
Growing up
-what is the difference between growing up today and growing up in the past?
-how independent do you think children should be from their parents?
-at what age do you think young people should be regarded as adults?
Child welfare
-what are the most important needs of children?
-do you think that parents should receive training to bring up children?
-what is the role of governments in promoting children’s welfare?
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48. Describe something you do that is good for your health.
You should say
-what you do
-why you started to do this
-whether you enjoy doing it
and explain why you think this is good for your health.
Healthy lifestyles
-what are the kinds of activity that are good for people’s health?
-why do many people today not do enough healthy activities?
-what changes could people make to their lifestyles to improve their health?
Health and education
-how should schools teach children to look after their health?
-what is the influence of the media on people’s knowledge about health?
-do you think that doctors have a responsibility to educate people about their health?
Health and society
-what is the role of employers in looking after the health of their employees?
-do you think a government should make laws to protect people’s health?
-how is the general health of the population important for society?
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49. Describe something you did that you felt was a waste of your time.
You should say
-what you did
-where you were when you did this
-why you did this
and explain why you felt that what you did was a waste of time.
Wasting time
-what are some of the most common ways that people waste time nowadays?
-what are some ways people can avoid wasting time?
-do you think that doing nothing is not always a waste of time?
Managing time
-what are some of the things that people can do to manage their time better?
-why is it useful to learn time management skills?
-do you think that it’s important for parents to manage their children’s time?
Planning
-do you think that success is only possible through careful planning?
-how important is planning for the immediate future compared with planning for the long term?
-how concerned should governments be with planning for the future of the next generation?
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50. Describe something you borrowed from a friend or family member.
You should say
-what you borrowed
-who you borrowed this thing from
-when you borrowed it
and explain why you borrowed this thing from a friend or family member.
Borrowing things
-what are things which people in your culture often borrow from neighbours?
-why do you think that people often borrow rather than buy some things?
-do you agree that it’s never a good idea to borrow money from friends?
Problems with borrowing
-what problems can occur when people borrow things?
-what should be done when something borrowed is not returned?
-why is it sometimes difficult to ask for something to be returned?
Shared ownership or pooling
-what do you think of schemes where people pay to use communal cars or bicycles?
-why do you think more people are not willing to share ownership of houses or cars?
-do you think that there will have to be more shared ownership in the future?
