SIMON-SPEAKING-ADVICES_PART1_2_3
IELTS Speaking: Basic Information
The IELTS Speaking Test is the final part of the exam. Your test will be at some time between 1.30pm and 5.00pm. You can take only your ID document into the exam room.
The test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes. You will be interviewed by an examiner who will record your conversation. Timing is strictly controlled by the examiner, so don't be surprised if he or she interrupts you during an answer.
There are 3 parts to the Speaking Test:
1.Introduction/ interview: around 10 questions in 4 to 5 minutes.
2.Short presentation: talk for 2 minutes with 1 minute to prepare.
3.Discussion: around 5 questions in 4 to 5 minutes.
Preparation is the key to a good score in IELTS Speaking. Different skills are tested in each part, so you need to know exactly what to do.
We can predict the kinds of questions that the examiner will ask. We'll prepare ideas, possible answers and good vocabulary for each part of the test.
IELTS Speaking: advice
Here are a few simple tips that could make a difference to your score:
1. Be confident
Although you might be nervous, try to speak clearly and confidently. Smile, be friendly, and make eye contact with the examiner. As you go into the exam, tell yourself that you have prepared well and that you're going to enjoy the challenge.
2. Know that you are prepared
You will feel much more confident if you know that you have prepared and practised for the test. You should know exactly what to expect. For example, have you prepared some common topics (e.g. describe a place, a person, a hobby) for the short presentation? Are you ready for a past and a future question in part 3?
3. Imagine the examiner is your friend
Try to enjoy a normal conversation with the examiner. Instead of worrying about your grammar, listen carefully to the questions and try to give natural answers. Most of the
questions are about you, your life and your opinions, so it's best to be open. I used to be an examiner, and I always found the job more interesting when students spoke openly about their opinions and experiences.
IELTS Speaking: informal expressions
Yesterday I wrote about 'an event' for IELTS Speaking Part 2. Some of the expressions I used were informal:
?we chatted (talked)
?to get together with (meet)
?to catch up with (talk to someone you haven't seen for a while)
?what my friends had been up to (had been doing)
?to wind down (relax after something tiring)
The examiner would consider these phrases to be "less common vocabulary". In other words, a few phrasal verbs or informal expressions can help you to get a high score in IELTS Speaking.
IELTS Speaking: using the 1-minute preparation time
Martin asked a great question: "What's the best way to use the 1-minute preparation time in part 2 of the speaking test?"
I must admit, I don't have a good answer to this question (yet). I'm going to try some different approaches with my students this week - hopefully I'll find some answers.
If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to share them in the "comments" area. I'll share my ideas on Friday.
IELTS Speaking: if you don't know the answer
How do you answer a question when you don't know anything about the topic? There are 2 things you can do:
1.Be honest and explain why you don't know
2.Guess, and tell the examiner that you are guessing
Example question:
How has technology affected the kinds of music that are popular with young people? My answer, using both tips above:
(1) To be honest I don't really know the answer to that because I'm completely out of touch with what young people are listening to, and I'm not a fan of pop music.
(2) However, I suppose that technology must have affected music. Maybe young people are listening to music that has been made using computer software instead of real musical instruments like the piano or guitar.
Note:
Can you see any "band 7 vocabulary" in my answer?
IELTS Speaking: work or study
These are common questions at the start of the speaking test:
1.Do you work or are you a student?
2.Do you like your job / course? Why / why not?
Example answers:
1.Before I came to England I was working as an accountant, but at the moment
I'm studying English because I hope to do a Master's here.
2.Yes, I really like my job because it's interesting and I work with a great team
of people. OR: Yes, I enjoy studying English, but my real aim is to do a
Master's and then find a job in an international company.
Note:
Don't ask the examiner: "Do you mean in my country or here in England?" - it doesn't matter. Don't worry if you have a job and study at the same time - you can mention both.
IELTS Speaking: use what you know
In parts 2 and 3 of the IELTS speaking test, you need to make quick decisions about what to talk about. Always try to talk about a topic you have prepared or something you know about. Here are some examples:
Part 2: Describe a law in your country.
Advice: Choose a typical IELTS topic like "guns". Explain why people in your country can/can't own a gun, and talk about the pros and cons of this law. There is a chapter on this topic in my ebook.
Part 3: What new law would you introduce to improve life in your country? Advice: Choose an easy topic like "environment". Explain that the government could introduce new laws to reduce pollution from factories, cars etc. Explain how this would improve people's lives.
IELTS Speaking: an important conversation
IELTS Speaking Part 2:
Describe an important conversation you had.
IELTS Speaking Part 3:
What are the differences between men's and women's conversations?
What do you think are the characteristics of a good speaker?
For the part 2 question:
My advice is to speak about a conversation you had with your father or mother about your education or career. If you are studying in a different country, describe a conversation about the decision to study abroad. Then you can use ideas from the
'study abroad' topic and the 'higher education' topic (you can find these topics in my Writing Task 2 lessons).
For the first question in part 3, my advice is to use 'stereotypes':
"I think it depends on the people who are having the conversation, and it depends on the situation, but most people would say that men talk more about sport or cars, whereas women talk about their friends, family and relationships. Women are supposed to be better at expressing their feelings, while men prefer not to talk about themselves."
For the second question in part 3, use adjectives and examples:
"I think good speakers are confident and passionate about the subject of their speech. They need to be interesting and engaging. I think a speaker's body language is also really important. A famous example of a great speaker is Barack Obama; he seems to
be a naturally inspiring speaker, but I'm sure that practice and preparation are more important than natural talent."
IELTS Speaking: 'questionnaires' topic
IELTS speaking part 2:
Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a questionnaire.
Advice: Say that your were given a questionnaire at the end of one of your school or university courses. Say that the questions asked for your opinions about the teaching, materials, facilities, level of difficult, how much you enjoyed the course etc.
IELTS speaking part 3:
What kinds of organisation regularly conduct questionnaires?
All kinds of organisations and companies use questionnaires to find out what people think about them. For example, university lecturers often ask their students to answer questions about their courses. Someone from a Starbucks cafe stopped me in the street yesterday to ask me about my coffee drinking habits.
Do you think schools should ask children for their opinions about lessons?
On the one hand, it might be useful for teachers to get feedback from children about how much they learnt and how enjoyable they found the lessons. However, children don't necessarily know what's best for them, and it might do more harm than good to allow them to give opinions about their teachers.
IELTS Advice: describe your favourite...
More advice about describing your favourite book, film or piece of music:
1.You can talk about any type of book (textbook, biography etc.). You only need
to describe a story if the question asks you to describe a 'novel'.
2.Many books are also films. It would be a good idea to prepare one description
that you can use for both.
https://www.sodocs.net/doc/a8631919.html, is great for reviews of books, films and music. Just search for a
title, then go down the page to find the reviews.
4."Steal" the best vocabulary from the reviews that you find.
https://www.sodocs.net/doc/a8631919.html,e Google. I searched for "my favourite film is" on Google and found this
'My Favourite Films' website. It's full of good ideas.
6.Try this Google search: "my favourite piece of music is"
7.You can describe a book, film or piece of music from your country.
8.You can invent a story if necessary, but it's easier to tell the truth.
9.If you don't like books, pretend that your favourite film is a book (and vice
versa).
10.Remember to include adjectives to describe your feelings/opinions. Tell the
story of when you first read the book, saw the film or listened to the song, who recommended it, why you like it etc.
NB. 'Piece of music' just means a song.
IELTS Speaking Advice: be more direct
In the speaking test, examiners don't like it when students use phrases like:
- That's a very interesting question...
- It is my personal opinion that...
- Personally, I would have to say that...
- I am of the opinion that it depends on...
- To be honest, I personally believe that...
These phrases sound unnatural, and it is obvious to the examiner that the student has memorised them.
So what should you do instead? My advice: just answer the question directly. Stop using memorised phrases, and just get straight to the point.
IELTS Speaking Advice: get to the point
Yesterday I wrote that you should avoid using long phrases to begin your answers. Short phrases seem more natural. Native speakers say things like:
- I think...
- I guess...
- Well,...
(and noises like 'er' 'um')
These words/phrases might seem less impressive, but you have to remember that examiners are not impressed by the long phrases either! The important thing is to get to the point of your answer.
IELTS Speaking: pronunciation
In the IELTS speaking test, 25% of your score is for pronunciation. Many students confuse 'pronunciation' with 'accent'. These are not the same thing!
Nobody expects you to speak with a perfect British English accent. In fact, the examiner will not judge your accent at all.
Your pronunciation score is based on these things:
?clarity (speaking clearly)
?speed (not too fast, not too slow)
?word stress
?sentence stress
?intonation (the rise and fall of your voice)
It's not easy to improve these things quickly or through deliberate practice. Good pronunciation is usually the result of lots of listening and copying. My tip is: stop worrying about your accent, and focus on speaking clearly.
IELTS Speaking: advice about grammar and vocabulary
It's difficult to think about grammar when you're trying to speak. I think it's much easier to improve your vocabulary score than your grammar score.
Remember:
?Grammar is only 25% of your speaking score.
?If you are thinking too much about grammar, you will lose fluency.
?If you try to use memorised grammatical structures, your speech will not sound 'natural'.
?You will not avoid small grammar mistakes unless you have lived in an English speaking country for many years.
I've taught many students who have achieved a score of 7 or higher, and they all made small grammar mistakes. They got their high scores because we focused on vocabulary, ideas, opinions and fluency.
Have a look through my speaking lessons, and you'll notice that the focus is usually on vocabulary.
IELTS Speaking: linking phrases don't impress
A student asked me a really useful (and common) question the other day.
Student's question:
I've gone through your speaking answers, and I rarely found linking phrases like "I suppose I should begin by highlighting the fact that..." or "the point I'd like to begin with is that...". Don't you think such phrases are the sign of a high score?
Here's my answer:
Good question. No, I don't use those phrases because examiners are not impressed by them. Even a beginner can learn linking phrases, and if it were that easy, everyone would get band 9. The sign of a high score is 'real content' (topic-specific vocabulary), not memorised phrases.
IELTS Speaking Advice: tell stories
At the end of yesterday's lesson I mentioned that you could prepare some examples or stories to make your descriptions more interesting (for speaking part 2, and maybe part 3).
When speaking in our own languages, we tell stories all the time. For example, you might tell a member of your family about what happened at work today, or you might tell your friends about a film you saw last night.
The ability to tell a story in English is a sign that you are becoming a proficient user of the language. Test yourself: try telling a story in English now! Start with something easy, like "what I did yesterday".
IELTS Speaking: how to talk for 2 minutes
Students often ask whether it's necessary to speak for the full 2 minutes in part 2 of the speaking test. The instruction is: speak for between 1 and 2 minutes, so it's not strictly necessary to speak for the full 2 minutes. However, my advice is that you should try to keep speaking until the examiner stops you.
Here are some tips to help you keep talking:
1.Go through the bullet points on the task card in order.
2.Try to develop each point, even easy ones. For example, if the first bullet point
for the topic "describe a person" is "who is it?", don't just say "I'm going to
describe my father". Add more information, such as your father's name, age,
what he looks like, where he is now, how often you speak to him...
3.Give examples and tell stories (click here for more advice about this).
IELTS Speaking: which part is the most important?
Do the 3 parts of the speaking test carry equal weighting when your score is calculated, or is one part more important?
The simple answer is that the 3 parts are not scored separately; the examiner rates the student's performance as a whole. In this sense, neither part is more important. However, it's useful to think about the 3 parts like this:
?Part 1 is supposed to be quite easy (like a warm-up), so you won't get a high score if you only do well in this part.
?Part 2 is when the examiner really gets a chance assess how good you are.
He/she will now have an idea of what scores to give you.
?During part 3, the examiner is making his/her final decision. A good performance here can boost your score.
When preparing for the exam, my advice is to spend most of your time on part 2. This is the part that you can really work on in terms of topics and techniques.
IELTS Speaking: use real examples!
To improve your IELTS speaking score, use good examples to extend your answers. Real examples or stories about yourself are the best.
Use examples in part 2 when you need to make your presentation longer. Use them in part 3 to support your opinions.
Here's an example that helps me to extend a part 2 presentation about my mobile phone:
"For example, yesterday I used my phone to call some friends to arrange a
get-together this weekend. Some of them didn't answer, so I either left a message in their voicemail or I sent them a text. I also replied to a few emails while I was waiting in a queue at the bank."
IELTS Speaking Advice: record, transcribe, analyse
Here are some steps that you could follow when practising for the speaking test:
1.Choose a real speaking test from one of the Cambridge books.
2.Record yourself answering one or all of the parts of the test.
3.Listen to the recording and transcribe it (write down everything you said).
4.Analyse the transcript. How could your answers be improved?
5.Take some time to prepare better answers for the same questions.
6.Try the same questions again! Record yourself, transcribe and analyse.
7.Repeat the process a few times until you are happy.
Imagine if you did this kind of hard work every day for a month. I'm sure you'd be more confident and better prepared than you are now.
IELTS Speaking: add detail
Many students worry too much about grammar. For speaking parts 2 and 3, it's more important to worry about the quality of your answers. The best way to improve the quality of your answers is by adding detail.
Example:
Describe your best friend. Say when you met him/her.
Short answer about when we met:
I met my best friend at school when I was 11 years old.
Detailed answer about when we met:
I met my best friend at school when I was 11 years old, so we've known each other
for ... years. I remember we sat next to each other in my first science lesson at secondary school, and we had to work together to do an experiment. We got on straight away, and we've been friends ever since.
Notice that by adding more information I've also used more/better vocabulary and grammar.
IELTS Speaking: the examiner's attitude
I sometimes hear from students who are worried that their examiner seemed rude or angry in the speaking exam. Maybe the examiner didn't smile or make much eye contact, interrupted a lot, or kept looking at his/her watch. Does this mean that you will get a low score, or that you should complain?
The answer is no! Don't worry, and don't think that you need to complain. The examiner's attitude is not important at all, and you should ignore all of the things I mentioned above. Focus only on answering the examiner's questions as well as you can.
Remember: it's possible to have a very nice, smiling examiner who gives you a low score. On the other hand, an examiner who seems impolite or disinterested might give you a higher score than you expected!
IELTS Speaking: how to feel more confident
Here are some tips to help you feel more confident when you go for your IELTS speaking test:
?Be prepared: you should know exactly what to expect in the 3 parts of the speaking test, and you should have read the suggestions on this website about
how to answer.
?Lots of practice: a student who has practised answering all of the questions in all eight Cambridge books, as well as the questions on this site, will feel much more confident than a student who hasn't.
?Write it down: when studying at home, you have time to prepare 'perfect' answers to practice questions; write your answers down, and ask someone to
help you check and improve them.
?Speak aloud: start by reading the answers you wrote down (like an actor uses a script), then gradually stop using the script.
?Record yourself: this allows you to analyse the quality of your answers, as well as your pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar.
?Focus on ideas: it's difficult to think about grammar when you are speaking, so
I advise students to stop worrying about grammatical structures, and focus on
expressing good ideas (which means good vocabulary).
IELTS Advice: preparing speaking topics
On Friday I suggested preparing six main topics for IELTS Speaking Part 2. But how should you prepare these topics? Where can you find good ideas?
I recommend doing two things. First, have a look through the speaking lessons on this site. Second, use the Internet to do some further research. For example, if you want a good description of a famous person, look him/her up on Wikipedia and note down the best vocabulary ideas.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: musical instruments
For IELTS speaking part 1, remember to give short, simple answers. Answer the question with a full sentence and give a reason for your answer. Here are some example questions and answers about musical instruments (from Cambridge IELTS book 6):
1. Which musical instrument do you like listening to most? (Why?)
My favourite musical instrument to listen to is the guitar. I like the fact that there are different types of guitar, like classical, acoustic and electric; I love the variety of sounds a guitar can make.
2. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?
I took some guitar lessons when I was younger and still have a guitar at home. I don't play it much nowadays; I wish I had more time to practise.
3. Do you think children should learn to play an instrument at school?
Yes, I think it's a great skill and it's really enjoyable to be able to play a musical instrument. All children should be given this opportunity.
4. How easy would it be to learn to play an instrument without a teacher?
It would probably be more difficult without a teacher. You need someone to show you what to do and correct your mistakes; you need a lot of discipline to teach yourself.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: friends
In part 1 of the IELTS speaking test, remember to keep your answers short and simple. Here are some example questions and short answers:
1. Are your friends mostly your age or different ages?
Most of my friends are about the same age as me because we met at school or university. I've got one or two friends who are older or younger that I met through work.
2. Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends?
I tend to meet up with my friends at weekends because everyone's too busy during the week.
3. The last time you saw your friends, what did you do together?
It was one of my friends' birthday last weekend. Six of us went out for a meal to celebrate.
4. In what ways are your friends important to you?
I think it's important to have friends that you can talk to and share experiences with. My friends make me laugh, but I know I can also rely on them whenever I need help or support.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: a good example
Have a look at this video, taken from YouTube. I think it's a good example of how to do IELTS Speaking Part 1.
Remember, Part 1 is supposed to be easy. You should give short, simple answers. I think the student in the video does this well: she speaks clearly, answers the questions directly, and doesn't hesitate before answering. Her answers sound natural and she makes almost no mistakes.
Here are the first 4 questions and answers:
Do you work or are you a student?
I work and I'm studying English as well.
And what's your job?
I work in hairdressing and I do manicure, I do nails. I work part-time.
How long have you done this job?
I've been doing this job for almost one year.
Do you like it?
Actually, I don't like it very much. The part that I like is that I can communicate with people.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: strange questions
In part 1 of the speaking test, the examiner will ask around 10 easy questions. However, students have reported some strange questions, such as:
1.Do you like parks?
2.Do you think different colours can change our moods?
3.When do people give flowers in your country?
Don't be shocked by these questions. Just give a simple answer with a reason. Don't worry about using fantastic grammar or vocabulary; just try to answer without hesitating. For example:
1.Yes, I like parks because they are great places to relax. I think all cities need
green areas.
2.Yes, I think bright colours, like red, can make you feel energetic. Some greens
and blues can be more relaxing.
3.People give flowers on special occasions like birthdays or on Valentine's Day.
In my country, giving flowers is seen as romantic.
IELTS Speaking: work or study
These are common questions at the start of the speaking test:
1.Do you work or are you a student?
2.Do you like your job / course? Why / why not?
Example answers:
1.Before I came to England I was working as an accountant, but at the moment
I'm studying English because I hope to do a Master's here.
2.Yes, I really like my job because it's interesting and I work with a great team
of people. OR: Yes, I enjoy studying English, but my real aim is to do a
Master's and then find a job in an international company.
Note:
Don't ask the examiner: "Do you mean in my country or here in England?" - it doesn't matter. Don't worry if you have a job and study at the same time - you can mention both.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'neighbours' topic
I've recently bought Cambridge IELTS book 8. Below are some questions and example answers from the first speaking test in the book. Remember that part 1 is supposed to be easy, so you should give short, direct answers.
1. How well do you know your next-door neighbours?
I know my neighbours quite well. They're really nice people, and I always stop to talk whenever I see them. I think it's important to get on well with the people who live next door.
2. How often do you see them?
I see my neighbours at least a few times a week. We usually see each other when
we're leaving for work in the morning or coming home in the evening.
3. What problems do people sometimes have with their neighbours?
I think the most common problem is probably noise. It's difficult to live next to people who have a dog that barks at night, or who play loud music or have too many parties.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'numbers' topic
One of my students had these questions in her exam last week. I've put an example answer below each one.
1) Do you have a favourite number or a number that is special to you?
Yes, my favourite number is... because it's the day I was born on, and it's my lucky number.
2) Do any numbers have special importance in your country?
Yes, certain ages are special. For example, your 18th birthday is important because
it's when you are considered to become an adult.
3) Are you good at remembering numbers? Why / why not?
No, I'm not very good at remembering numbers. I don't think it's necessary to learn them by heart; I just save them on my phone.
4) What numbers do people often have to memorise?
The most important number to remember on a daily basis is the pin number for your bank card. Without this you can't pay for anything or get cash out.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: clothes
In part 1 of the IELTS speaking test, you will have to answer some easy questions on 2 different topics. You should give short, simple answers. Here are some example questions and answers for the topic of 'clothes'.
1. Are clothes and clothing fashions important to you? (Why/Why not?)
No, clothes and fashions are not really important to me. I tend to wear clothes that are comfortable and practical rather than fashionable.
2. What different clothes do you wear for different situations?
Well, I have to dress quite formally for work, so I wear a shirt and trousers. At home I prefer to wear jeans and a T-shirt, and on special occasions I might wear a suit.
3. Do you wear different styles of clothes now compared to 10 years ago?
No, not really, because I don't follow fashion. I think I have dressed in a similar way for the last 10 years.
4. Do you think the clothes we wear say something about who we are?
Yes, they probably do. Some people are really careful about what they wear because they want to be seen as stylish. Other people wear clothes that show wealth or status, such as clothes by famous designers.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'communication' topic
Here are some more examples for IELTS speaking part 1. Remember to give short, easy, direct answers.
1. How do you usually keep in touch with members of your family?
I mostly keep in touch with my family by phone, and I've started using the Internet to make video calls. I also try to visit members of my family in person as often as I can.
2. Do you prefer to speak to people by phone or by writing emails?
It depends on the situation. I use email and text messages to communicate with friends, but my parents prefer it if I phone them.
3. Do you ever write letters by hand? (Why / Why not?)
No, I don't write letters by hand because it's so much easier to send an email that will arrive immediately.
4. Is there anything you dislike about mobile phones?
Well, I don't like listening to other people's conversations in public places, and I don't like it when someone's phone rings in the cinema or during a lesson.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: travel habits
Remember that Part 1 questions are supposed to be easy. Just give a simple answer and a reason.
1. What form of transport do you prefer to use? Why?
I prefer to travel by car because it means that I have my own space. Also, the buses and trains in my city are usually overcrowded; my car is much more comfortable.
2. How much time do you spend travelling on a normal day?
I probably spend about an hour and a half travelling to and from work. I travel during the rush hours, so there is quite a lot of traffic.
3. What do you do while you are travelling?
I usually listen to the radio or a CD. In the morning I like to listen to the news to find out what is happening in the world.
4. Do you ever have problems with transport?
Yes, as I said, I get stuck in traffic on my way to and from work. I used to get annoyed by traffic jams, but now I'm used to them.
A few important points:
?In the answer to question 4, can you see the difference between "I used to" and "I'm used to"?
?Notice the good vocabulary: 'have my own space', 'overcrowded', 'to and from work', 'rush hour', 'find out what is happening in the world', 'get stuck in
traffic'.
?If the examiner asks a question that you have already answered, just say "as I said" and repeat your answer.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: laughing
The following questions are taken from Cambridge IELTS 7, page 55. The aim in part 1 is to give short, simple answers. Don't worry about using 'difficult' grammar.
1. What kinds of thing make you laugh?
I laugh most when I'm with friends talking about funny things that have happened to us. I also like watching comedians and comedy films.
2. Do you like making other people laugh?
Yes, it's a nice feeling when you can make someone laugh because you can see that you've made them happy. It's great to share a funny moment with someone.
3. Do you think it's important for people to laugh?
Yes, of course. It's important to see the funny side of things; humour helps us not to take life too seriously. I think that laughter is good for our health.
4. Is laughing the same as feeling happy?
It's not exactly the same because you can be happy without laughing, and sometimes we laugh when something bad has happened; a sense of humour can help us to cope with difficult situations.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: five simple rules
Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test is supposed to be easy. You don't need to give
'difficult' answers, and you should try to avoid making mistakes.
Here are five simple rules for Speaking Part 1:
1.Keep your answers short, then stop with confidence.
2.Answer the questions using full sentences.
https://www.sodocs.net/doc/a8631919.html,e words from the examiner's question in your answer.
4.If possible, give a reason for your answer.
5.Don't forget to say "yes" or "no" when necessary.
Here's an example to illustrate these points:
Do you like parks?
Yes, I like parks because they are great places to relax. If you live in a city, a park is often the only place where you can escape from the noise and the traffic.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: sport
Some students worry about the 'sport' topic because they don't do any sports. Today's example answers are for those students. Remember to give short, direct answers.
1. What sports or physical activities do you regularly do?
Unfortunately, I don't have time to do any sports or physical activities because of my work commitments. I'd like to find more time for regular exercise.
2. Which sport or game would you like to be good at?
I'd like to be good at tennis. It must be great to be able to hit the ball as hard as you can and watch it land exactly where you wanted it to.
3. Do you prefer watching or playing sports?
I don't watch much sport on TV and I'm not a big sports fan, so I think I would probably enjoy doing sports more than watching them.
4. Do you think children should be encouraged to do more sport?
Yes, I think that sport is really important for children. Sports and games teach children to play together and try their best.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: emails and handwriting
At work or in your studies, do you often write things?
Yes, I write a lot of emails as part of my job. I work for a company that has offices in several countries, so we use email to communicate.
How often do you send e-mails?