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PART 1:

Choose ONE of the two boxes below. (These are very common topics – practice them with your friends!)

Let?s talk about your home/home town or village. What kind of place is it? What?s the most

interesting part of your home area?

What kind of jobs do the people in your town/village do?

Is your home town changing?

Would you say it is a good place to live? Why?

What changes would you like to make to your home town?

What’s your favourite part of your house?

What would you like to change in your house?

 or

Let’s talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student?Work What’s your job? Why did you choose that

kind of work? How long have you been

doing it? What is a typical day like at

your work? Are there things you don?t

like about it? What are they?

Study What subjects are you

studying? Why did you choose those

subjects? How long have you been studying them?

Do you enjoy them? Why? Are there many job

opportunities for you? What is the best thing

about studying?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Now, let’s talk sports.

Do you play any sports? Which sports do you play?

Which sports are most popular for watching in your country?

Is this the same for men and women?

AND

C

Let’s move on to talk about languages.

What languages do people in your country usually speak? Do you think it is important to speak more than one language? Why?

What languages do you think will be most important in the future?

B

Now, let’s talk about animals.

Do you have a pet? What animal is most popular in your country? Why?

Do you like visiting zoos? Why/why not?

AND

C

Let’s move on to talk about buildings.

Is there a building you particularly like in your country?

Do you prefer to see new buildings or traditional buildings? Why? Is there enough housing in your country?

Want a new topic, or the topics are the same? Press F5 or Ctrl F5 to refresh your browser

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Let’s move on to talk about engineering.

Do you study engineering at school in your country? Do you think engineers are important for your country? Why?

Do you think engineering will still be important a hundred years from now?

AND

C

Let’s move on to talk about health.

Are there many hospitals where you live?

Do you think smoking should be prohibited in public? Why/why not?

What kinds of exercise do you think are the best for your health?

Want a new topic, or the topics are the same? Press F

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Let’s talk about libraries.

Do you have public libraries in your countries?

Do you think libraries will be different in the future? In what ways?

Should children be

AND

C

Let’s move on to talk about free time.

What do people in your country most enjoy doing in their leisure time?

Do you have enough, too much or just the right amount of free time? What

allowed in libraries? Why/why not?

did you do in your free time when you were a child?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Now, let’s talk about the media.

Do most people listen to the radio where you live?

Which newspaper do you most like reading? Why?

Do you think television provides good news coverage compared to newspapers? Why/why not?

AND

C

Now, let’s talk about hotels.

Do people often go to hotels where you live?

What do you think is the most important quality in a hotel?

Do you think it is more fun to stay in a hotel or to go camping? Why?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Let’s move on to talk about history.

Do you study history at school in your country?

Which historical person do you identify with most? Why?

Do you think children should learn about the history of other countries? Why/why not?

AND

C

Let’s move on to talk about technology.

Do you use a computer? Which age-group do you

think finds technology most difficult?

Do you think technology only helps us, or are there some disadvantages too?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Now, let’s talk about physical activity.

AND

C

Now, let’s talk about shopping.

Do you play any sports? Which sports do you play?

Which sports are most popular for watching in your country?

Is this the same for men and women?

Where do you go shopping?

In your country, is shopping a popular pastime?

What time of day is best for shopping, in your opinion?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Moving on to talk about food…

What kind of food do you like?

What are typical foods in your country?

Is cooking a man’s or woman’s job?

How do you like foreign food?

AND

C

Moving on to talk about food…

What kind of food do you like?

What are typical foods in your country?

Is cooking a man’s or woman’s job?

How do you like foreign food?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Now, let’s move on to talk about seasons.

What seasons do you have in your country? Which season do most people go away on holiday in your country? Why?

Which season do you like the most? Why?

AND

C

Let’s move on to talk about museums.

Do you enjoy visiting museums? Do you think museums have an important role to play in society?

Are museums important in your culture?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Let’s move on to talk about the sea.

Have you ever made a

AND

C

Let’s talk about libraries.

Do you have public libraries in your

journey by boat? Is the seaside a popular

destination for people in your country?

What do you think should be done to prevent pollution of the oceans?

countries? Do you think libraries will

be different in the future? In what ways?

Should children be allowed in libraries? Why/why not?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

I’d like to talk about your daily routine.

Are all your days the same?

Typical day? Typical weekend? What would you like to

change? What is the balance of

work/study?

AND

C

I’d like to talk about your daily routine.

Are all your days the same?

Typical day? Typical weekend? What would you like to

change? What is the balance of

work/study?

Now talk about BOTH of these green boxes, B and C.

B

Let’s move on to talk about the environment.

What kind of threats are there to the environment in your country?

Do you think your country is protecting the environment enough? Is the environment very important to you? Why/why not?

AND

C

Let’s move on to talk about the sea.

Have you ever made a journey by boat?

Is the seaside a popular destination for people in your country?

What do you think should be done to prevent pollution of the oceans?

PART 2:

Describe a time when you helped someone with a problem.

You should say:what the problem was what you didwhat the result was

and say why you remember this problem

Describe a film that influenced you:

You should say:

what it was aboutwhen you saw itwho you saw it with

and say why it had a strong effect on you 

Describe an important historical event in your country:

You should say:when it happenedwhat happenedwho were the most important people involved

and say why it was important to your country 

Describe a technological item that you have that is important to you:

You should say:what it iswhen and where you got ithow it helps you in your life

and say what you would do if you didn’t have one of these 

Describe a party that you have been to that you enjoyed:

You should say:who gave the partywhy you were invitedwho was at the party

and say why you really enjoyed that party

Describe a time when you heard some good news .

You should say:what it was aboutwhen you heard the newswho else heard this news

and say why it had a strong effect on you 

Describe a favourite item of clothing:

You should say:

what it iswhen and how you got itwhen you wear it

and say why you like it more than your other clothes 

Describe a book that influenced you:

You should say:what it was aboutwhen it was writtenwhy you decided to read it

and say why it had a strong effect on you 

Describe a teacher that you remember from school:

You should say:what the teacher taught youwhat was good about the teacherwhat you didn’t like about the teacher

and say if you think this teacher changed your life in any way

Describe a photograph that means a lot to you:

You should say:what it showswho took the photographwhen it was taken

and say why this photograph is so important to you

Describe a child that you know that is special for you:

You should say:who the child iswhat the child is like as a personwhat the child looks like

and say why this child is so important to you 

Describe an old person outside your family that influenced you:

You should say:who it was how you knew him or her if you met them

and say why they had a strong influence on you

Describe a friend that you really like to spend time with:

You should say:when and how you methow often you see this friendwhat kind of personality your friend has

and say why you like spending time with this particular person 

Describe someone in your family that you really admire:

You should say:what relation this person is to youwhat are your first memories of this personhow often you see this person

and say why you really admire this member of your family

Describe a typical festival or celebration in your country:

You should say:what is the celebration aboutwhat people do during this celebrationwhat you usually do at this time

and say what this celebration means to you 

Describe something you own that means a lot to you.

You should say:what it is where or when you got ithow often you use it

and say it means so much to you 

Describe a child that you know:

You should say:who it is how you know this childwhat you do together or how often you see him or her 

and say what this child means to you 

Describe a gift you bought for someone recently :

You should say:what it waswho you bought it forwhy you bought it

where the gift is now

and say how giving this gift made you feel

Describe a typical day in your life when you were a child: You should say:some of the people you saw what you ate who looked after you 

and say what you most enjoyed doing

Describe a place where you feel happy: 

You should say:where it iswho you like to go there with what you enjoy doing there 

and say what makes this place special for you

Describe a place you go to in order to relax in your country:

You should say:where it iswhat you do therehow often you go there

and say what this place means to you 

Describe a wedding you have been to:

You should say:who got married what happened during the ceremony something that you remember very well about the day

and say what you most enjoyed about the wedding

Describe an important email or letter you had to write recently :

You should say:what the email or letter waswho it was towhat the result of this email or letter was 

and say why it was so important

Describe a holiday you have had:

You should say:how you travelled what activities you did on holidaywho you went with

and say if you would recommend that holiday to a friend 

Describe a photograph or picture that means a lot to you.

You should say:what the picture or photo shows where you got itwhen you got it

and say why it is so important

Describe a time when you helped someone with a problem.

You should say:what the problem was what you didwhat the result was

and say why you remember this problem

Describe an important historical event in your country:

You should say:when it happenedwhat happenedwho were the most important people involved

and say why it was important to your country

PART 3: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 about 3-4 minutes. The examiner will help you and move the conversation along.

ExamplesSo if your Part 2 (Long Turn) topic was "Describe something you bought recently," Part 3 might be about buying habits in the UAE, consumers, 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 abouteducation, training, the internet and education, changes in education in the last twenty years, the importance of training, etc.

Examples of Part 3

Topic in Part 2 Possible Related Topic in Part 3

Describe a place you visited recently

How does tourism affect a country? Does it have some advantages? Can cultures learn from each other?

Describe a friend

Is friendship important in your culture? How many close friends can you have? Are friends more important than family?

Describe a child you know

What is the role of parents in raising children? Has the role changed in recent years? Who is responsible for discipline?

Describe an object you like

Do possessions make people happy? Why do people buy things? Are people in your country wise consumers?

Describe a photograph

Are images important in your culture? What is the role of advertising? Do films and television influence our decisions?

Describe an historical figure

Who are the most influential people in your society? Are there many heroes or role models today? What are the qualities of a good leader?

Describe an important event in your culture

How do different cultures celebrate events? What is the importance of festivals? How have special occasions such as weddings changed in your culture?

Successful students:

Comment on the question Relate the question to their own experience Divide up their answers Use modals (could, might, may) the past perfect, and future tenses correctlyComment on the question That’s interesting. I was watching a program about that last week That’s a big problem today. I heard Sheikh Mohammed talk about that in a

speech in Dubai.

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.Relate the question to their 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 -  the other day I was in Al-Ain and someone asked me the same

question. My kids often ask me the same questionDivide 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 ModalsIn the IELTS speaking test, Part 1 focuses on 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, analyse, relate, suggest and evaluate (give your opinion) in this part.

IELTS Speaking Test

Part 1: Introduction and Interview on Familiar Topics

Good morning/afternoon. My name is _____________. Can you tell me your full name please? Thank you.Can I see your identification, please?

4-5 min

s

Thank you, that’s fineNow I’d like to ask you some questions about yourself.

The examiner will now choose two of the following boxes. These are examples

Part 2: Individual Long Turn

Now I’m going to give you a topic and I’d like you to talk about it for one or two minutes. Before you talk, you will have one minute to think about what you will say. You can make some notes.

Let’s talk about your home town or village.

What kind of place is it? What’s the most interesting part

of your home area? What kind of jobs do the people in

your town/village do? Would you say it is a good place to

live? Why?

Let’s talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student?

Work What’s your job? Why did you choose

that kind of work? How long have you been doing it? Are there things your don’t like about

it? What are they?

Study

OR

Family

Can we talk about your family?

Do you have a small or large family? How much time do you spend with them? What things do you do together?

Language Learning

Let’s talk about learning English.

How long have you been learning English? Where did you learn? What is easy/difficult? What opportunities do you have to speak? Is it

Accommodation

Let’s move on to talk about accommodation.

Where do you live? How long have you lived there? What

Leisure

Let’s move on to what you do in your spare time.

Hobbies and interests? When/how did you become interested? How do you spend your

Daily Routine

I’d like to talk about your daily routine.

Are all your days the same? Typical day? Typical weekend?

Festivals

Let’s talk a little about the festivals in your country

What are some festivals in UAE? Any special food or activities? What do

Food

Moving on to talk about food…

What kind of food do you like? What are typical UAE foods?

Is cooking a man’s or woman’s job? How

Visitors

Now I’d like to talk about visitors to your country.

What should visitors to UAE see and do? What kind of tourists visit UAE? How has

Please note these are examples only. The question in the exam may be different!

Please note these are possible questions. Practise these, as they may come up in the

3-4 min

s

Here is a paper and pencil for you to make some notes if you wish, and here is your topic.

Describe a teacher who has influenced you. Say where you met them, what subjects they taught, why they were special and how they influenced you.

Describe a family member who has influenced you. Say how long you have known them them, why they were special, how they differ from the other family members, and how they influenced you.

Describe a story, book, or movie that had a big impact on you. Describe what it was about, what effect it had and why it was so powerful.

Describe a place you visited that had a big impact on you. Say when you went and how long you stayed. Describe the impact the place had on you and why.

Describe an event in your life that had a big impact on you. Say when it happened and what the circumstances were. Describe how it affected you and why.

Describe a friend in your life that had a big impact on you. Say how long you have known him or her and how he or she affected you.

Describe a person you would most like to meet. Describe this person and state why you would most like to meet him or her. What effect would the meeting have on you? What would you say.

Describe a time in your life that was difficult. What was the problem? What were some of the things that helped you to overcome this problem? What did you learn from this experience, and what advice would you give others.

Describe a time in your life when you helped someone else with a problem. What was the problem? How did you help the other person? What did you learn from this experience, and what advice would you give others? Would you help in the same way?

Part 3: Two-Way Discussion

We’ve been talking about a teacher who influenced you and I’d like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this

Development in Education Describe developments in

education in your country Compare the experience

of your parents What changes are coming?

National Education What are your countries aims for education What is the importance of extra-curricular activities

Styles of Teaching Describe different styles of teaching What is your preferred method of learning? Should learners be grouped by ability?

Other examples

Part 2 Part 3

Describe a parent What is the role of parents in today’s societyDescribe a friend Is friendship the same in every country?Describe a place Should we spend money on national parks?Describe a book Are writers respected in your country?Describe a movie Is censorship of movies a good idea?Describe a problem Is modern life becoming easier or more complicatedDescribe a happy event How can we increase the role of the family?

The topic in Part 3 is related to the topic in Part 2. So if, for example, Part 2 was about a teacher, then Part 3 might be about Education

4-5 min

s