IELTS-Speaking-part-2-3-model-answers
IELTS-Speaking-part-2-3-model-answers
Model answers
Part 2 and 3
I would like to tell you the story about the time I had some technical problems with
my mother’s phone. I cannot remember exactly when it happened, probably a
couple of years back when I was still a high-school student. Anyway, back in the
day, smartphones were not as popular as they are now, and owning one was
actually something to be jealous of. On my mom’s birthday that year, my dad
surprised her with a brand-new iPhone 11, which was one of the most technically
advanced phones on the market at the time. Although I knew it was mom’s, I just
loved it so much, all I wanted to do was bringing it to school to show my friends.
Then one day, I made up an excuse that I need her phone for some projects at
school and she actually believed me.
I remember the next morning; I couldn’t help smiling all the way to school with the
phone in my pocket. Needless to say, how much my friends adored it, and for me,
I just loved being the center of attention. As we were playing with the phone, eating
all of its functions, my teacher walked in, which took me by surprise. The next thing
I know, my mom’s phone slipped out of my hand and fell onto the hard floor. My
heart missed a beat as I picked it up, there was no screen crack but the flashlight
just kept flashing non-stop. I thought to myself: “That’s it, this is the end of the world
for me.” Later that day, I brought the phone home and confessed to my mom. She
was furious with me. But it turned out that all I had to do was hit the reset button!
This is one of the memories that I could never forget.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 question
1. What are the common household appliances that every family has?
Hmm… I think every family would have some basic household appliances like
refrigerators, washing machines for housework or Televisions for entertaining
purposes. Those are the types of equipment that offer people a lot of benefits and
could help save a lot of time.
Of course, if you want to keep anything new, or at least not broken, you have to
treat it carefully. For example, if you want to keep a refrigerator in its best condition
for the longest time possible, you should clean it regularly, have it repaired right
away if any problems occur.
This should depend on how broken it is. If there are still chances that it would
function normally again after being repaired, I would definitely try and fix it. But on
the other hand, if chances are it can’t be fixed or the repairing process could cost
me a fortune, then I would buy a new one.
Yes, I think so. Everything is so convenient these days that people no longer have
to make much of an effort anymore. Online shopping or delivery services are a
prime example. Back in the day, to buy something, people had no choice but to
travel to the store and made the purchase in person. But now, as these online
services are always available, anything could be bought with just a click. This does
make people lazier, but at the same time helps people save tons of time.
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Describe a (long) car journey you went on
On the Norouz holiday two years ago, my family went to an island near my city by
car. The island was interconnected with the mainland with a bridge, so we could
drive all the way there. On the island, we went to the beach, where we went
swimming, built sandcastles and took lots of pictures. In the evening, we went to
have seafood at the famous night market. The street was packed with people and
we had to wait in line for a table. But the food was totally worth it.
My parents decided to drive there because it was difficult to get around on the
island without a car. Besides, it was a one-day trip, we wanted to be home early in
the evening, so driving seemed to be the best option. It turned out to be a great
decision because it felt so great when we were driving along the coastal roads with
the music on and ocean breeze on our faces.
There are many reasons why people like to have private cars. Firstly, with a car, it
would be much easier to get around. It can save us a lot of time. Secondly, a lot of
people, especially guys, enjoy driving. They like the feeling of sitting in their private
car and having everything under their control. Lastly, a car can bring a lot of fun to
our life. We can have a road trip with friends or family in our cars.
I have to say that there are many differences between them. Bicycles are more
environmentally friendly. And riding bicycles is a good exercise. It’s a great choice
for short-distance trips and it’s easy and free to park. However, cars have more
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room, which allows more people to travel in them. And it’s definitely better to drive
a car if you want to travel long distances.
I don’t think so. Even though cars make people’s life easier, it would be a disaster
if everyone has their own car. The traffic in Iran is already very terrible, especially
in big cities. It would most definitely be paralyzed if everyone owns a car. And the
parking would be a huge problem. So, I think instead of encouraging people to buy
more cars, governments should pay more attention to improving the public
transportation system.
I’ve never bought a car myself. But as far as I know, there are the following steps.
First, you go to the car stores to choose a brand and model you want to purchase.
Then, you make a down payment. After that, you wait until they inform you to go
pick up the car. Finally, you pay your taxes and buy insurance for it. I think that’s
pretty much it.
As far as I know, there truly are some very noticeable differences. One is that
women tend to like smaller cars, while men like big ones. So, many women are
fans of small-sized cars like Mini Cooper and Smart, probably because it’s easier
to drive and park. And big SUVs usually appeal to men. Another thing is that
women think the appearance of a car is more important than its performance, and
men think otherwise. I think it’s in their blood.
To begin with, I think cars will be fancier and more beautiful. When I go to the car
exhibition, I can see some concept cars. I think they give us an idea how cars will
look like. Secondly, I think more functions and features will be added, as we have
seen in Sci-Fi movies. Maybe it can float on water and even fly in the sky. Lastly,
cars will definitely be more eco-friendly. I mean, renewable energy like solar energy
will replace fossil fuels. To be frank, I can’t wait to see how cars will get in the future.
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Describe a book you have recently read
The whole story revolves around the protagonist named Robert Langon who is on
a quest to rescue Popes and discover underlying mysteries of the Catholic church.
Though the book involves a lot of religious issues, it can cater to all kinds of readers
as there aren’t many technical terms.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions
I’m not sure, but I guess they enjoy fairy tales and folk stories since the plots are
usually quite bright. For example, most kids read Cinderella and love the book very
much. I guess it is because it has beautiful characters and a happy ending.
I think because people can learn a lot from reading books, books not only are
stress-relieving but also enrich one’s soul and enhance one’s knowledge, and
learning is a process of a lifetime. For that reason, people of all ages still read
books.
Owing to the development of technology, paper books may be a thing of the past
as
digital books are taking over. Online reading through devices such as laptop,
mobile
phones and kindles are now favored since it is much more convenient. However, I
can’t
really tell because many of my friends still enjoy the feeling of having a book in their
hands.
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Describe a country or city where you want to live or work in the future
The city I really want to live in is Kyoto city, which is situated in the central area of
Japan, not far from Osaka. Kyoto is a perfect combination of natural beauty as well
as cultural heritage. Every spring, thousands of tourists visit this amazing city for
its cherry blossom. Apart from that, the city is filled with temples and shrines dating
back centuries ago. They are perfect examples of ancient Japanese architecture.
I want to live there in the future with my husband (wife). Together we could explore
all the interesting things the city has to offer. In order to achieve this dream, I need
to, first of all, improve my Japanese proficiency, because life would be really difficult
if I can’t get my message across to the local people. Moreover, saving a decent
amount of money would be necessary because Japan is quite an expensive
country. But I think it would be worthwhile if I can live there, even just for a couple
of years.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 question
To be honest, I prefer living alone and having the apartment to myself. It’s not that
I don’t like to make friends or share things with people, but I do enjoy having more
privacy. And if I live alone, I don’t have to worry about bothering my roommate
whenever I have to come home late at night.
The advantage is that you can get more privacy. So, you can feel more relaxed at
home without having to be careful not to disturb anyone. Of course, there are
disadvantages too. For instance, when you forget your key at home, instead of
calling a roommate, you have to turn to a locksmith for help.
When working in another country, one can get to know the culture of that country
well, because interacting with the local people is the best way to learn it. Another
advantage is that picking up the language would become much easier, because
like it or not, you are surrounded by it. Besides, people will become more
independent living far away from home.
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Describe a good photo of you taken by someone
The photo I’m going to tell you about is taken by my mother when we were on
holiday in Mazandaran last October. We went to Chalous, a very beautiful city in
northern Iran. We stayed at a sea view hotel, so we had easy access to the
beautiful sandy beach. One evening, we were relaxing on the beach after dinner.
Just as the sun was setting, the sea was glistening, and the clouds were getting
dark. It was an amazing sight. I took out my phone and took a great picture of the
sight. I didn’t know my mother was taking a picture of me at that very moment until
she showed me later. In this picture, I was standing on the sand and looking at the
beautiful sea with my cellphone in my hands. I loved it very much, so I asked my
mother to send it to me. This picture was unforgettable because I only get to meet
my mother twice a year now, and that holiday we spent together was a great
memory for both of us.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 question
Well, people are different. Some people like to appreciate the beauty in daily life
and record them with their cameras, while some other people prefer looking at the
scenery with their own eyes. There are also some people who are not very artistic.
They can’t take very good pictures; therefore, they don’t bother.
Yes, I do. I’m a fan of photography. Although I can’t afford to have professional
cameras, I do enjoy taking pictures with my phone. Because of the ever-
improving cameras on smartphones, we can take amazing shots with our phones
wherever we go.
Not really, because I’m not sure what they will do with the picture. They may use
our pictures for wrong or even illegal purposes. So, in order to avoid potential
problems, I don’t like to be photographed by strangers. You know, better safe than
sorry.
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Describe a memorable story told by someone
The story that I remember quite clearly is called the Race Between the Hare and
the Tortoise. It was told by my father when I was about 5 or 6 years old. The story
goes like this: An arrogant hare thought he was the fastest animal in the forest.
Quite interestingly, a tortoise wanted to challenge him. The hare laughed very hard
because it sounded very ridiculous to him. The tortoise wanted to have a race with
him.
The race attracted all the animals in the forest. A starting line was made and off the
hare and tortoise went. The hare was very fast, so he was far ahead, then he took
a rest. The tortoise, however, kept moving forward slowly but surely. By the time
the tortoise came up, his opponent was sleeping. The hare didn’t wake up until it
was too late. The winner was the tortoise. It’s a quite simple but meaningful story.
It’s memorable because the end was very surprising. It also teaches us that, as
long as we stick to our goals, we will reach them, no matter what.
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2. What kind of stories do children like?
Generally speaking, children are more into fairy tales, because fairy tales are
usually easy to understand and there are cute figures in the stories, like an animal
character or a lovely princess. I guess that’s why Disney movies are always
children’s favourite.
3. Do you think it’s important for parents to read bedtime stories for
their children?
Yes, it’s very necessary for parents to do so, and it’s a sweet thing to do. It can not
only help children learn about language and culture but also develop their interest
in literature. Besides, children will be closer to their parents if their parents are
willing to spend time with them.
Definitely yes. Reading can help us learn a language because the words authors
use are very good materials for improving our language skills. Apart from that,
different kinds of books can offer us knowledge about different topics and can
provide us with instructions in many aspects of life.
I don’t have a whole period of time, but more time confetti. So, I will take great
advantage of this brief time, like glancing at the daily news while waiting for a bus,
or listening to the pay program while on the subway. And I can always read
something I like before going to bed.
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Describe a piece of technology (not computer-related) you like to use
This piece of technology that I really like using is the Dyson vacuum cleaner, an
electric appliance. I don’t know exactly when it was invented, to be honest.
Regular vacuum cleaners may have been around for many decades, but it seems
like the Dyson ones have only been in the market for a couple of years. Unlike the
ordinary vacuum cleaners, which are very clumsy, this product looks kind of like
a machine gun.
It’s portable and handy. It can not only be used for cleaning the floor, but also
for sanitizing pillows, sofa cushions, and things like that. It’s very easy to use. I
only have to point the head of it to the place or things that need to be cleaned and
then pull the trigger, just like firing a gun and the dirt will be sucked into the cleaner
easily. I think it’s a very useful invention because it saves a lot of manual and labour
work for me. Cleaning the house has now become relaxing or even fun. I’m grateful
for this piece of technology.
Technology has its pros and cons. On the one hand, we have easy access to the
lessons that interest us, which will increase our overall knowledge. But if we spend
too much time being entertained on the Internet, playing computer games, or
chatting online, for instance, then we are more likely to become lazy and
aggressive.
2. Do you agree that men are more obsessed with new technology than
women?
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Generally, it is true that men are more addicted to new technology than women.
There are more male computer programmers than female ones around me. And
they would like to talk about the latest technology, like iPhone X, Apple Watch and
Mac with great enthusiasm.
Personally, one of the important steps before teaching the older generation should
be letting them embrace technology. As a matter of fact, most senior citizens have
a phobia of technology, be it the computers, the Internet, or the iPod. So, if we
manage to let them pick up new things, technology can be effectively learned.
I think the difference is that some new technologies appear first in big cities before
they gain their popularity in smaller towns. And as people in small towns are getting
richer, they now have almost equal access to technology, which is a good example
of social equality.
Yes, I do. I’m a big fan of new technology and new gadgets, such as smartphones
and tablets. It always makes me very excited when there’s a new product coming
out. These new products are often user-friendly and can make our life better.
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Describe a place where you often visit with your friends or family
One place that I go with my family on a regular basis is a seaside urban park in our
city. It is on the seaside, which is only about a 10-minute walk from our home. Since
the news said that a new park would be built there several years ago, my family
had been waiting for its completion. As it is very close, the best way to get there is
on foot. The park is big and very beautiful.
There are enormous lawns in it for families to have picnics. There is also a very
long track along the shore for running. It’s nice to go there for a jog whenever we
have time. In the evenings, we can see some families building sandcastles or
looking for sea crabs on the sand. My family like to visit this park because it’s a nice
and peaceful place for us to forget the hustle and bustle in life and spend some
quality time together.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 question
Yes. I love to hang out with them. On weekends, we eat out together or go to the
movies, or even just chat without doing anything in particular. It’s great to have
some good friends to hang out with because you can share your happiness and
sorrow with each other. I think that’s what friends are for.
2. What do you think is the most important thing about being friends?
I think the most important thing is being supportive. We should understand our
friends’ needs and genuinely support them. True friends are good listeners and
they will always stand behind us. Otherwise, they are just fair-weather friends.
Yes. With the advancement of technology, there appeared many new applications
for meeting new people, especially people with common interests. There are also
some online forums or virtual communities where people can make new friends,
but we have to be cautious not to make wrong friends.
I haven’t tried making new friends on the Internet. But I think from the conversations
we had, I can have a general understanding of who he is, what he likes, and then
decide he is a reliable friend or not.
Yes, I like to make friends with older people. They have different views about life
and they have gone through much than I did, so they know more than I do. Making
friends with them is a blessing for me.
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Describe a place you know where people go to listen to music (such as
a theatre or a music hall)
• Where it is
• What kind of music is performed there
• What type of people go there
• Why people go there
• And explain your impressions of this place
The place I want to talk about is the symphony hall which is situated in the centre
of my city. Famous orchestras and musicians from home and abroad perform
classical music there. I went there once with my parents to listen to an Azeri
orchestra. The sound effect in the hall was amazing! I was overwhelmed by the
vigorous melodies.
Even after I left, the music still sounded in my ears and heart. I noticed that
most people who went to the symphony hall are people my parent’s age, maybe in
their late forties.
Not many young people go there because perhaps it takes more life experience to
truly understand and enjoy classical music. People go there when their favourite
orchestra or operas are playing, or when they feel stressed from work and life. The
music resonating in the hall can calm people down and give them inspiration.
When I was in the hall, I felt that it was a solemn and magnificent place. It gave me
a better understanding of classical music.
Yes. I think they should because learning to play an instrument can practice
children’s coordination of movements, improve their appreciation for the arts and
even boost their academic performances. It can give them a better understanding
of music and make them enjoy music more. Besides, playing an instrument can be
a social skill when they grow up, and life will be less boring with it.
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2. Should parents force them to learn music?
I don’t think so. Children should not be forced to do anything, instead, they should
be guided. Even though learning music has a lot of benefits, it will be painful for a
kid if he is forced to do it. Parents should observe their children more and guide
them according to their nature. If parents know the tricks, they can develop their
children’s interest in music.
I’m afraid it isn’t. In most schools of Iran, teachers merely lead the students to sing
songs. Music theories are not taught, so schools are not likely to cultivate future
musicians. But these years, more parents send their children to training centres to
receive professional music training, which is a good thing.
I think it makes sense. I once heard that beneath the sound of music notes were
the math concepts and rules. When I take a closer look, they do have a lot in
common. Musicians sometimes count out the numbers of beats before they play.
Just as a mathematician once said: Music is a secret exercise in the arithmetic of
the soul, unaware of its act of counting.
Technology has improved our experience with music in many different ways.
Thanks to technology, music companies, and studios can record music of much
better quality with new equipment. The music can be very clear and noise-free.
Learning music can bring many benefits. To start with, it can be a pleasant
experience and help us relieve our stress because music is beautiful and can
touch our souls. Secondly, it can improve our appreciation and taste for the arts.
Thirdly, it can make us more confident, imagine what it feels like when we can play
some cool music at a party with friends.
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Describe a public place that you think needs improvements
The place I’m going to tell you about is an abandoned park near where I live. It’s
located in a residential area. So, it’s supposed to be a place where people enjoy
spending their free time. However, it’s not the case. The park occupies an area of
around 1000 square meters, which is quite big. It’s a shame that it’s very poorly
equipped. There are just some trees standing on the dry grass and there’s
no proper walk path. Therefore, it’s not a lovely scene
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 question
Yes, there are. Since Iran has a big population, there are many public areas for
people to spend their time, such as parks, libraries, and shopping centres. These
places are important because people need such places to socialize and do
exercise.
Yes, I enjoy doing sports in the parks, because I like the open air. Compared to
working out at home or in the gym, I can be closer to nature. I can even make new
friends who share the same hobbies when I play basketball or football in the parks.
In my opinion, they are equally interested. Maybe younger people prefer things like
cycling, running and playing basketball when they are in the parks, whereas old
people are more into playing chess. I don’t think one age group likes it more than
another.
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Describe a situation when you had to be polite
I remember this happened a year ago. At that time, I applied for a part-time job as
a staff member in Assan Pardakht. I got the chance for the interview with the
software manager, and that was the situation in which I had to be really polite,
otherwise, I wouldn’t be recruited. So, on that day, I put on a business casual outfit
and arrived about 15 minutes earlier than the agreed interview time.
The interview actually took place in Assan Pardakht, but as it was about 3 pm on
a weekday, there weren’t many people. I sat across the table from the manager.
And I was extremely cautious about every movement I made, trying not to mess
things up. I used very polite language to address him and answered all the
questions in a very formal fashion. In the end, I passed the interview successfully.
The manager said I did very well in that interview later at work. It was a helpful
experience for me.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 question
Basic politeness is needed. You know, like respecting their private space and do
not inquire about their personal affairs. We each are an independent individual, has
our own minds and thoughts.
I think people are mostly as polite nowadays as they were in the past. Iranian
people have a long tradition of being polite to each other. Though life is becoming
more casual, the overall education level is improving, so people are maintaining
this merit of showing politeness.
There are various ways. For example, people call their seniors at work and older
people “Shoma”, which is a more respectful way to say you than “To”. And we
speak to others politely by putting ourselves in a lower status than the person we
speak to. We also provide better seats at meetings or dinner tables for people we
respect.
I’ve noticed some behaviours that are quite inappropriate. For example, some
people talk very loudly on trains or buses, which disturbs other people. Also, I’ve
seen some young people who were not willing to offer their seats to older people.
It’s a shame.
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Describe a skill that takes a long time to learn
• What skill it is
• How and where you can learn it
• Why it takes a long time to learn
• And explain how is it beneficial for the future
I’m going to tell you about a skill that takes a long time to learn, and that is playing
a musical instrument, or more specifically, playing the guitar. There are many
ways you can learn to play the guitar but I guess the most common way is to get
guitar lessons from a guitar teacher. I think you can find a guitar teacher in just
about any town or city because it’s probably one of the most popular musical
instruments to learn. And if you can’t find a teacher nearby where you live, then
there are tons of online learning resources that you can learn from.
And lastly, you must be able to actually physically play those notes and chords,
with rhythm. Playing the guitar involves both your hands doing different things at
the same time, which can be very difficult to become good at and takes a lot of
practice. Actually, at first, it is very difficult to play something on the guitar that
actually sounds good, and many people give up quickly because they lose
motivation when they can’t see any improvement in a short period of time. But, like
any skill worth knowing, you must understand that practice makes perfect. I
guess some people would say that this skill isn’t really beneficial for the future, but
I would say that music is an important part of most people’s lives.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 question
Well, I think it normally takes a long time to learn a new skill simply because it takes
time for our brains and our bodies to adapt to the new skill we are trying to learn.
For example, when you want to learn how to play the guitar, it takes quite a long
time before the muscles in your hands and fingers are developed enough to be
able to move quickly and precisely in order for you to be able to press the correct
strings in the correct place to play the sounds you want the guitar to make. So,
basically, it just takes time because our brains and bodies need time to adapt to
the new skill, but some people can adapt faster than others to different skills
Definitely. I think life is about learning. So, if you are not learning and practising a
new skill then probably you are not challenging yourself, and you might even find
life a little boring. I think in order to have a fulfilling life, it is important to learn new
skills all the time.
Well, everyone is different, I guess. Some people have more patience than others,
so probably they feel fine when they have to wait, while some people can be very
impatient and probably get very frustrated when they have to wait for a long time. I
guess it just depends on what they are waiting for and how long they have to wait.
Well, I suppose that most young people just spend time staring at their smartphone
when they have to wait for something, scrolling through their Facebook newsfeed,
while elderly people probably tend to have a conversation with each other, talk
about the weather, or read the news. Actually, I really don’t have any clear idea
what old people do while waiting for something.
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Describe a time someone gave you money as a gift
Let me tell you about the time my parents gave me some money as a present. So
you know during the Norouz holiday, adults often give children white envelopes
with paper money inside. Traditionally, these notes are a blessing for a new year
of good health, luck, and happiness
However, this custom has become something ugly as many children do not
understand such gestures and think of these gifts as nothing more than some
extra pocket money. I was no exception. For years, my parents have always been
the most generous people when it comes to the amount of money I received in the
new year.
Sometimes they gave me a million Tomans, which was like a fortune to a kid at the
time. However, about five to six years ago, when I received a hundred Tomans
from my parent’s envelope, I was super disappointed. No further explanations were
given for the loss of the lion’s share of my “income” during Norouz.
Once I have to start giving out money, I begin to understand what my parents were
trying to teach me. Kids need to realize that lucky money is only meant for good
luck. I hated to see that the first thing many kids do after receiving my envelopes is
to immediately check how much they “earn”. My future kids, therefore, should not
expect a thick envelope from me during Norouz.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 question
Absolutely. Knowing how to manage money properly is an essential life skill, you
know. It helps us avoid getting into financial issues in the future. For example, many
people cannot stop themselves from purchasing unnecessary products. A person
who has great money management skills, on the other hand, will save up some
money in case of emergencies.
I believe payment by cash will be a thing of the past. Most developed nations have
managed to establish cashless societies where credit cards or mobile payments
are more commonly used than cash. Cashless payment needs a boost in Iran
since most Iranians are still used to carrying a lot of money at all times.
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Describe a time that you saved money for something
• When it was
• Why you saved money
• How much you saved
• And explain how you felt about it
Earlier this year, I saved money for a new computer I wanted to buy. Because
I’ve had my old computer for 3 years, it became quite slow, which was annoying.
So, I decided to buy the brand-new MacBook Pro. As a university student, I didn’t
have much money, the computer was a big expense for me. Therefore, I had to
be on a budget. This is what I did: I made a plan for how much I could spend in
terms of meals. I spent no more than 30.000 Tomans per day on my food for two
months, and I didn’t eat any snacks.
Every time I went shopping, I only bought the basic necessities, like stationery and
toothpaste. When my friends asked me out for parties, I would politely turn them
down, because I know parties meant all my previous savings were in vain. I
even kept a record of all my spending on a phone app, so I could better monitor
it. Those two months seemed very long, but when I finally bought the Mac book, I
felt it was worth the effort.
I cannot get what I want for good. For instance, if I fancy Isfahan for a long time,
and I really want to see the famous sights there, such as Chehel-Sotoon and Polle-
Khajou. I have to save money for my plane tickets and my accommodation,
otherwise, Isfahan would always remain a dream to me.
2. Do you agree with the idea that the more you save, the better life will
be?
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No, I don’t think so. Saving more means enjoying less. I cannot go to the music
concerts that fascinate me. I cannot have beautiful dresses which impress me and
I cannot go on the walking tours which relax me. The best way is to keep both ends
meet, seize the day, and carpe diem.
Among the many ways of saving money, I think the most effective way is
to increase your income because when you are making more money, you will
have more money left by the end of the month even if you don’t try very hard to
save it. But of course, we have to work hard to get a promotion in the first
place.
There’re different reasons for saving money. Some people think saving money is
a virtue, while other people may be short of funds for something they want to
purchase. There are also people who just feel more secure if they have saved up
enough money in their bank account.
I think it depends on their financial status. For people from rich families, they don’t
really have to save, and they spend a lot of money on expensive clothes, luxury
bags, or even fancy cars. But generally speaking, the majority of young
people save money because they are not financially well-off at this stage of life.
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Describe a time that you were late
• When it was
• What time you arrived
• Why you were late
• And explain how you felt
A year ago, in order to save money, I bought a cheap flight for my trip to Mashhad.
The flight was to take off at 7 am, which was very early. I got up at half-past four to
get ready. The airport was about a one-hour drive from where I lived, so I could
have caught my plane. Unfortunately, the taxi I ordered from the day before arrived
about 20 minutes late to pick me up. So even though the driver drove very fast, we
arrived at the terminal at around 6:30.
The personnel told me that the boarding gate for my flight had already been closed.
I was very frustrated when I heard this. I called the airline and they told me I could
pay an extra fee of about 80000 Toman for another flight which was to take off 3
hours later. There was nothing I could do but pay that money. So, I have never
bought any early flights. I don’t want to be in a rush and risk missing my flight again.
Well, for important meetings or interviews, I would make good use of the time to
prepare for the upcoming event. But for my friends, I might urge them to be quick,
or I would just listen to some music to kill time.
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3. Why do some people are used to being late?
If they are used to being late, then they probably weren’t taught the importance of
being punctual. These people may find excuses every time they are late. In this
case, they should learn how to respect other people by not wasting people’s
precious time.
I’d like to make plans. For example, in order to get high marks in the final
examinations, I do some preparation beforehand. I would search the internet, read
the related information and buy Past Years’ Exam Papers. So, I will definitely have
a thorough plan for what I want to do.
Yes, I think it is very important to be punctual. At work, for instance, if I were late
every day during my internship, then I would not stay long in the company. At a
party, if I weren’t there on time, and everybody waited, the meals became cold,
then it wouldn’t be a happy gathering.
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Describe a time you helped someone
Let me tell you about the time that I helped my girlfriend learn IELTS. So this
happened a couple of months ago when she was about to retake her IELTS test
after an unsuccessful attempt earlier. She failed at speaking (only 6.5), so she
asked me to communicate in English for a week prior to her exam to practice. I
thought it was silly at first but went along anyway. I struggled a lot during our first
conversations as talking in another language makes me feel distant, even though
I’m an English teacher. How ironic! Finally, I came to my senses and decided to
treat her as one of my students.
Things started to get better and I was able to detect her biggest issue in speaking:
her fluency. Similar to other Iranian English teachers, she focuses too much on
perfecting her speech: adding “big” words and avoiding grammatical mistakes,
which eventually leads to a loss of fluency. I gave her few tips, one of which was to
stop worrying about speaking the first things off the top of her head because
speaking is a test of your communication skills, not your vocabulary bank.
Fortunately, she began to speak more fluently and achieved 8.0 in her speaking
test. I feel pretty proud of myself as a teacher and also pretty happy for my girlfriend
as she was able to speak her mind and got the score she deserved!
Yes, we are not Mr. Know-it-all, I mean, there are always limits in our knowledge
and experience about things in life, so I think it’s really vital for us to ask for advice
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from other people when we’re going to experience something new, taking up a new
hobby, for example.
It’s hard to tell, to be honest, it really depends. Some of them are very open to
advice but some don’t. They think they are always right and refuse all kinds of help
from others.
Well, again it really depends. For instance, if they find the advice valuable, they will
definitely act on it, but if they consider it to be something wrong, they will not follow
it. Still, there are some cases when they pretend to take the advice to please others
but then never follow it.
4. Should people ask for advice only on their personal matters or even
important decisions?
I think it doesn’t matter what the problem is, the important thing is whether they can
sort it out themselves or not. If they can’t think of any solution then I think they
definitely need advice.
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Describe a toy you had in your childhood
One of the toys I had as a child was a remote-control toy car. My uncle gave it
to me on my birthday, probably my seventh birthday. It was quite big actually, about
40 centimeters long and 20 centimeters wide and it was of a slightly reddish color.
The overall appearance of the car was very cool, and it looked really dynamic.
There was a remote control that came with it, which was for controlling the
movement of the car, obviously. There was something like a joystick on the control,
as well as 3 buttons.
I remember when I first got it, I was so happy that I jumped into the air. And every
day after school, I would take it to the park near my home to show it to my friends,
because I was so proud. My dad told me it was good for my hand and eye
coordination. It took me about half a year until I got bored with it, but it’s one of the
best toys I had.
No, I don’t think so. Normally, girls prefer something cute, Barbie dolls, for example.
Girls can dress them in beautiful clothes or shinning earrings and pink headbands,
making the dolls look like princesses while boys are different. They like something
stronger and powerful, like cars, guns, or superman toys.
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I want to say the disadvantages first. I have a nephew who is having too many toys
at home. My aunt has to put them in order every time he meddles with his toys.
Besides, the prices of quality toys are shockingly high. So, having too many toys at
home is a waste of time and money. With regards to advantages, I think having
what they desired would make them much happier. It is really a luxury.
3. What can parents do if they can’t afford a toy for their kids?
If they can’t afford a toy, they can make one themselves. Some toys are easy to
make, and there are tutorials online, so it’s practical for parents to do so. The toys
parents make are even more meaningful because children can see the effort their
parents put into it. So, they will cherish them.
Toys such as toy cars or Barbie dolls are fun for children. Because children are full
of curiosity about the world, toys offer them a way to use their hands as well as
their ideas to express themselves and explore different kinds of possibilities with
their capacity.
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Describe something you enjoy doing with an old person in your family
I’m going to talk about chess. I enjoy playing it with my grandfather. He is really
good at it, so some chess lovers from our neighborhood sometimes come over to
play with him. He was the one who taught me how to play chess. When I was
young, we played two or three times a week because we lived together. Since I
went to high school, I’d been busy with schoolwork till I graduated from university.
Therefore, I couldn’t play as often as before.
Now, I hardly ever play with my grandfather, because I go to work in another city.
We only play about two or three times a year, I guess. And of course, my skills can’t
possibly match my grandfather’s. But it brings back my childhood memories
whenever I play it with him. He is getting older and less healthy, I wish I could have
more time to be with him. Playing chess is also an activity that practices our brains
which is beneficial, especially for older people.
Yes. I think so. Nowadays, our leisure time is stolen by the mass media, such as
mobile phones, computers, television, and newspapers. In Iran, most teenagers
prefer chatting on the Internet or texting their friends as their free-time activities.
And our parents like to watch TV or listen to the radio in their spare time. So, we
barely have any chance to spend quality time with each other.
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For my family, for instance, we like to arrange indoor activities. My family is large,
with more than ten people. So, it’s tricky for the seniors if we do outdoor activities,
such as going hiking or summer outings, they have to prepare meals in advance
and take care of the juniors all the time along the road. While arranging indoor
activities is much simpler. We usually have a meal at home together on a regular
basis, then watch TV and chew the fat. I think it is a good way to improve our
relationship.
3. What’s the most important thing that young people can learn from
old people?
I think the most important thing that young people can learn is how to make
important decisions. Young people tend to make impulsive decisions due to a lack
of experience. And because old people have very rich life experience, they can
show young people what things to consider before making crucial decisions.
I don’t think so. Young people and old people usually have very different lifestyles,
so they are not likely to get along very well. In order to avoid problems caused by
the generation gap, young people prefer living with people their own age.
5. How much time should parents spend with their children every day?
It depends on the children’s age. For younger kids, parents should spend more
time taking care of them and accompanying them, so the children can get more
love from their parents. But for older kids or teenagers, parents can spend less time
with them, so they can be more independent.
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Describe an important event that you celebrated
• What it was
• Where it happened
• Why it was important
• And explain how people felt about it
The important event that I remember celebrating was when my family moved into
our new apartment. This happened a year ago in my hometown, in Kerman. My
family had lived in our old home for as long as I could remember. So, it was exciting
for us to be able to move to a new place. We had a big housewarming party. A lot
of relatives from our extended family were invited, such as my uncles, aunts, and
cousins. There were about 15 people altogether.
The house was decorated with balloons and everything. It was of a very lively
atmosphere. People were all talking and eating at the table. My relatives all said
our new home was beautiful and comfortable. I felt really happy and excited that
day because it was one of the rare occasions when our big family could get
together. We took a group photo together after dinner and this photo is kept in my
family album. It reminds me of the wonderful party that day.
In my view, the most important part of being a teenager is that not afraid of being
a loser. To be young means having thousands of possibilities. We can try whatever
we want. I mean, trying different jobs to find what really obsesses us and stick to it
for the rest of our life.
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I think we like to celebrate important matters like the birth of a new child, the
marriage of a new couple or something like that. We will never miss out on a
celebration when anything happy happens.
To be honest, I’m not really the kind of person who plans things very carefully. I
prefer playing it by ear. But if it’s an important occasion, I will let someone else do
the planning and I take an active part in it.
The most important people in my life are my family members. They are the ones
who would be there to help me and support me when I’m faced with difficulties and
challenges. Their unconditional love drives me forward and I try my best to love
and protect them.
I have to admit that appearance is a factor that interviewers will take into account
from candidates, especially for jobs like store clerks, because they will directly meet
the customers and clients. However, I think the most important quality is not having
a good appearance, but the ability to perform the tasks at work with good efficiency.
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Describe an important skill that cannot be learned at school
The skill that I think is important is how to take care of our home. Sadly, it’s not
really something we can learn at school since it’s not in the university syllabus.
Schools are more focused on specific areas which will benefit us in our future work.
However, when it comes to taking care of our home, one has to refer to other
channels. This skill includes basic things like how to cook a simple meal, how to
pay bills, how to tidy the rooms, and how to manage the household budgets.
These are actually very important for overall life satisfaction because if we don’t
know how to handle these issues, our life will be a mess. Fortunately, there are
many ways for us to sharpen this skill. Life itself is the best and perhaps the only
classroom for it. Only by really experiencing these things can we master this useful
skill which will benefit us for a lifetime. I’m now quite good at it since I became
aware of its importance.
Nursing, translating, and computer programming. Firstly, Iran has the largest
number of people in the region, with around ten million ageing population, which
requires plenty of nursing staff. Secondly, our foreign trade is continuously
expanding, thus requires a large number of language talents. Thirdly, technology
has revolutionized the way we live, nearly everything we do now is related to
computers, so programming is quite popular in Iran.
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It definitely does. Technology has changed many aspects of our life in different
ways. We rely on technology to improve our work efficiency and life quality. For
example, computers and smartphones have become so common that they are
indispensable in our life.
Yes. I think so. Computers are very useful tools in the modern world. Learning
some basic computer skills is necessary for everybody so that they can work and
live with better efficiency. Teenagers can learn to use computers very fast and they
can use computers to search for useful information online for their studies or
hobbies.
I want to learn some basic coding. Since online business is so popular these days,
there’s a big demand for coders in the job market. And even if I don’t become a
computer programmer, this skill is a strong plus in this information age.
5. What qualities do you think are the most important for work?
I think the most important qualities for work are passion and integrity. If people have
passion, they are always ready to function, and they are more productive than
others. Integrity is also a very important trait since honesty is the best policy for
everything we do. We can gain people’s trust, and that is one of the keys to
success.
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Describe a good service you received
I received this great service on a plane. It was half a year ago when I flew from
Tehran to Kerman with my dad. Even though it was summer, we felt cold once we
boarded the plane because of the air conditioning in the cabin. The flight attendants
brought everybody a small blanket, so we didn’t feel cold anymore. Later, when the
food and beverages were served, there were big smiles on all cabin crew’s faces.
And they spoke to us in a very gentle and elegant manner, asking us what we
would like to eat and drink.
Unlike some other airlines, they offered passengers more food choices. For drinks,
they had tea, coffee, apple juice, lemonade, mineral water, so it could cater to the
needs of different passengers. Later, I felt thirsty again and I turned on the service
light. A flight attendant came quickly, asking about my needs, then returned with a
bottle of water. Both my dad and I were very satisfied with that service. So that
airline has been my first choice when I buy plane tickets.
No. I’m quite satisfied with my current job. I’d like to continue progressing in this
field and see myself in a more senior role. Besides, this position gives me the
opportunity to gain new skills and techniques which will help me to advance. So,
for the moment, I won’t consider other choices.
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Some senior citizens feel lonely being at home all day, especially those without
children around. They want to continue their work or do some simple ones, such
as waiters, to show their value and to get together with their fellow members who
have common interests and equal free time.
3. Do you think that all the waiters should be given training classes?
Yes. Waiters are very important to staff in restaurants. They directly provide service
to the customers. So, in order to offer satisfactory service and build a good
reputation for the restaurants, waiters should be given adequate training classes.
For example, they should be trained to talk politely and even serve the food in a
graceful manner.
In my opinion, the ones that are slow and the ones that need the customers to
explain their issue multiple times are bad. Just imagine that you have to wait for
more than half an hour before the food is served at a restaurant, or that you need
to tell the agent to change the plan over and over again before he or she gets it
right. These kinds of service are totally unbearable.
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Describe something you learned in a place or from someone
• What it was
• Where or from whom you learned it
• What the situation was
• And explain how you felt about it
One thing I learned quite recently is cooking fish. I learned it from my roommate.
She is quite experienced in cooking as she started to learn it since she was in
middle school. The food she cooks is so delicious that I even gained weight after
we became roommates, which is the side effect. One weekend, we stayed home,
and she cooked this fish dish for lunch. It was so yummy. I’d never had anything
like it. So, I asked her to teach me how to make it, and she agreed joyfully.
So, I bought another fish for dinner that day. She gave me instructions on how to
prepare it to step by step. I had to really concentrate so that I didn’t miss a thing
and I followed exactly what she told me to do. In the end, the wonderful smell
coming from the dish made my mouth water. It was a little too salty, but I was
satisfied. Now, I’ve cooked that fish dish many times, so I’m much better at it. When
I cooked it for my family, they were really amazed.
As far as I am concerned, watching related videos and writing down key points is
the most effective way for self-learning. The development of the Internet did bring
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countless comfort and convenience to our life. And one is that we have access to
any program that interests us. Then we can pay for them and begin self-learning.
I think the most important thing is that we have to be patient. Older people usually
have poorer eyesight and hearing, so it might be necessary for us to explain the
target knowledge to them over and over again. Besides, we should use more body
language and demonstrative approaches, instead of using all those multimedia
gadgets.
Online courses are gaining popularity these years, due to their convenience and
reasonable price. Many people are now taking online English classes with foreign
tutors at the convenience of staying at home. I think this trend will continue to grow
in the future.
I think face-to-face teaching is the most suitable method for teaching old people.
Unlike young people, old people are not as good with the computer and other
gadgets, so it’s better to use the more down-to-earth approach which involves more
illustration as well as a demonstration.
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Describe a time when someone visited your home
When I was in the third year of high school, once my teacher visited my home.
She was responsible for recording the performance of all students in the class. I
was very nervous at that time because I was afraid that my parents and my teacher
would tell each other about my bad performance or behavior both at home and
school. When my teacher arrived at the door, I introduced her to my parents. After
that, I made her a cup of tea. I tried to behave very politely. Then we all sat at the
table, and I knew the critical moment had come. I was ready to be the subject of
their conversation. But it was a relief that the talk turned out to be quite casual. Both
parties said they were pleased with me, although they did think I should make more
effort in my studies, especially in my math. Before my teacher left, I thanked her for
paying us a visit. This experience was memorable for me.
It varies. If the friend I am going to visit is free during the day and occupied at night,
then a daytime visit is a good choice and vice versa. I don’t want to ruin a good
chance of being together and relaxing.
I think I’m quite easy to get along with, so whenever I come to a different place, I
will always make new friends. For example, during the five-day internship at a
provincial department of commerce, I met some lovely and excellent friends. We
shared common interests. We like binge-watching and doing outdoor activities. So,
most of the time we stayed together and naturally we became friends.
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3. Do young people like to visit their friends nowadays?
Well, I don’t think young people visit each other a lot, because they don’t usually
have their own places. They either stay with their parents or roommates. So, they
prefer going out for fun together, like going to a movie.
There are all sorts of things people can do together. I think the most popular ones
are eating out in restaurants, going to the movies, shopping and hiking. We never
run out of things to do as long as we are with the right people.
Generally speaking, yes. We now have more ways to stay in touch thanks to the
advancement of technology. Everybody has a smartphone now. We also travel
much faster than before because of the planes and high-speed trains, so we get to
see our friends and family more. So, I think technology has brought us closer.
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Describe your favorite season of the year
• What it is
• When it is
• What you do
• And explain why you like it
My favorite season of the year is summer. In our country, summer usually starts
in mid-June and ends in mid-September. It is the warmest season of the whole
year, or you can say it’s the hottest, which means I don’t have to wear heavy
clothes. Apart from that, summer is also a perfect time for water sports. I’m fond of
different kinds of water sports, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, to name just a few.
So, every summer, I go to the pool two or three times a week. I really enjoy dipping
myself in the water. Whenever I have a chance, I go to the beach. Besides, we also
have the longest holiday from school in summer, about two months long. So, we
can also go travelling with friends or family. Last summer, my friends and I went to
Ardebil. We ate lots of delicious ice creams there. For these reasons, summer is
the season that I love the most.
To stop the rise of global warming, we can take public transportation instead of
driving cars, and prefer environmental-friendly shopping bags rather than
disposable plastic bags. Last but not the least, value rainforests and sustainable
agriculture.
2. What are the possible results if the temperature continues going up?
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then the mountain trees are dooming. All in all, climate change will bring grave
consequences.
I think the air pollution is getting worse, so the weather in winter is really terrible,
especially in big cities, where the sky is always grey. But I don’t think global
warming is affecting us that much because the winters are still quite cold in recent
years.
Actually, I do. I kind of like cold weather, especially when it snows. I can go out and
build a snowman or have a snowball fight with my friends. I just have to put on very
warm clothes, maybe also a hat and mittens so I won’t catch a cold.
Definitely. I think most people will feel somewhat gloomy or down if it keeps raining
for days and nights, and when the weather clears up, they will feel happy because
they can finally go out and do outdoor activities.
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