This post talks about an IELTS speaking question and model answer about celebrity/famous people.
There are lots of phrasal verbs and idioms in the answer, which will help it to achieve a high band score for lexical resource (vocabulary)
Try answering the question yourself before you look and see how I have answered.
Question
Do you think the media is putting too much attention on famous people? (Opinion question)
Model Answer
I guess being a celebrity is a double edged sword and it’s all part of the fame game. On one hand, celebs rely on media attention to maintain and increase their fan base in-order to sell books, movies or hit records. If they have a movie to promote, it is likely you will have to embark on a media tour, doing interviews on TV and for magazines and attending premiers.
However, all the attention from the media can have a negative effect on people’s mental health, which could contribute stress, anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, bad news sells papers and magazine, so if you don’t want your dirty laundry aired in public, you should stay out of the public eye.
Linking phrase/Discourse marker
On one hand (idiom) – Introducing one of two opposing ideas
Grammar
If they have a… (conditional)
Vocabulary
Celebrity (celeb) (n) – Famous/well-known person
Double edged sword (idiom) – Has 2 sides or 2 faces
Fame game (n) – The process of being famous
Premiers (n) – First showing of a movie
Media (n) – Mas communication TV/Radia/Magazines
Dirty laundry aired in public (idiom) – Showing your worst things in public
Public eye (idiom) – Being famous
So that’s my model answer for an I
ELTS speaking part 3 question for celebrity. Which phrasal verb or idiom will you use in your answer, let me know in the comments.
The PPF method will work well when talking about a person in IELTS speaking part 2.
When writing an introduction to an IELTS Task 2 essay you want to include 3 things:
Paraphrase the question
Thesis statement
Outline statement
This post is for anyone who is unsure of what a thesis statement is or how they should write one. By the end of this post, you will know exactly why a thesis statement is important and how to make sure you are writing them correctly. On top of that, you will be able to write a brilliant introductory paragraph every time.
Let us look at an example question.
This is an opinion essay question:
Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment.
To what extent doyou agree or disagree with the statement?
I will write the introduction paragraph by doing 3 things; paraphrasing the question, writing a thesis statement and writing an outline statement.
Paraphrasing the question
You paraphrase the question by saying a similar thing but using different words and phrases. This is a good way to start your essay and ensure that you are talking about the correct topic.
It is only the first part of the question that we paraphrase. If I were to paraphrase the above question, I may say something like this.
This is the original question:
Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment.
But I don’t want to use the same words as the questions so I use synonyms instead.
Many people believe that governments should ensure that historic buildings maintain their original aesthetic appearance.
This sentence says the same thing as the first part of the question but it is going to impress the reader (examiner) because it uses different language.
What is a thesis statement?
The thesis statement tells the reader (or IELTS examiner) what the essay will be about and introduce the main ideas. Also, if the question is asking your opinion this is where it should first be included. It is typically just 1 or 2 sentences and is going to act a little like a topic sentence for the whole essay.
The thesis statement introduces what the essay will be about but it may be slightly different depending on the different types of essay questions.
This is a summary of things that you may want to include in the topic sentence for each essay type:
Opinion Essay – Write 1 or 2 reasons for your opinion (you don’t need to explain further at this stage)
Advantages & Disadvantages – Write and advantage and disadvantage
Problem & Solution Essay – Give 1 or 2 problems and a solution
Discussion Essay – Talk about both sides of the argument and give your opinion (if asked).
Double Question Essay – Answer both questions but only briefly.
Let us have a look at an example question, I’ll paraphrase the question and write a thesis statement for it.
My thesis for the question that we talked about may look something like this:
I absolutely agree that preserving historic buildings is a vital part of protecting a country’s historical culture for future generations.
The above is the thesis statement, it tells the reader what I think.
The outline statement
Finally, you must outline the things that you will talk about in the rest of the essay. This gives the reader (examiner) an idea of what will be covered in the essay and helps keep you focused on your writing.
An outline statement for our example question in the introduction paragraph may be something like this:
This essay will explore the reasons why protecting old buildings is so important, the main reason being to safeguard an area’s history.
Now let us see this all together. Firstly, let us look at the question again.
Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment.
To what extent doyou agree or disagree with the statement?
This is my introduction paragraph including the thesis statement and outline statement.
Many people believe that governments should ensure that historic buildings maintain their original aesthetic appearance. I absolutely agree that preserving historic buildings is a vital part of protecting a country’s historical culture for future generations. This essay will explore the reasons why protecting old buildings is so important, the main reason being to safeguard an area’s history.
The thesis statement is in bold.
Your turn
This is a discussion essay question, write the introduction paragraph by paraphrasing the question and adding the thesis statement.
Some people think that getting a degree from a university is the best way to guarantee a good job, others believe that it would be better to go straight into work and get experience instead.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
Tell me your thesis statement in the comments below.
Next time you are writing an IELTS writing task 2 essay (or any essay) make sure to include a thesis statement to help the reader to know exactly what your answer will be about.
The topic sentence is like an introduction to your paragraph telling the reader what it will be about. In some ways, it gives an overview of what will be explained later in the paragraph.
Why is a topic sentence important?
A topic sentence will tell the reader what to expect and if used correctly it will tell the reader what to expect from the rest of the paragraph. It can help the essay to flow better, and make it coherent and easy to read.
Example topic sentences:
Dogs are extremely common pets in this day and age.
Cats seem to be the pet of choice in many parts of the world, especially for people living in apartments in major cities.
These are the beginning of the body paragraphs for the 2 topic sentences above. Can you see which ones should go together?
Whenever you visit someone’s house, there is a good chance that they will one a cat as they are incredibly well-loved.
Dogs make great companions and are known as ‘man’s best friend’ after all…
They should go as follows:
Dogs are extremely common pets in this day and age.
Dogs make great companions and are known as ‘man’s best friend’ after all…
Cats seem to be the pet of choice in many parts of the world, especially for people living in apartments in major cities.
Whenever you visit someone’s house, there is a good chance that they will one a cat as they are incredibly well-loved.
The topic sentence and the body paragraph work together and shouldbe telling the same story to the reader. For this reason, having a topic sentence taking about dogs and a body paragraph talking about cats does not work.
This is my video introducing topic sentences and how to use them.
A more academic example of a topic sentence and body paragraph is given below. Make sure to answer the question at the end to practice making topic sentences.
The system of email has revolutionized the way in which businesses communicate with each other and customers.
This has made correspondence simple, easy and almost instantaneously. Meaning that workers can get in touch with co-workers in other countries by email at the touch of a button. Which in turn has made for a more efficient and streamlined workplace.
As you can see the topic sentence and body paragraph work together.
What is a possible reason for traffic congestion in a city?
Write a topic sentence explaining the possible reason for this.
Topic Sentence
Banning cars from city centres will encourage more people to walk by opening up pedestrian zones where cars are not allowed.
Body paragraph
Pollution will be reduced, which may lead to a reduction in respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chest infections. Leading to a happier and healthier population. On top of that, noise levels will be minimized making the city centre a more peaceful and harmonious place to be. This in turn could lessen the likelihood of stress and anxiety in its residents.
This topic sentence and body paragraph do not work together. One talks about banning cars to make people walk but the other is talking about reducing pollution. They are not telling the same story.
So what do we do? Change the topic sentence or change the body paragraph.
New topic sentence
Banning cars from city centers could lead to many benefits for its population including health, happiness and phycological well-being advantages.
New body paragraph
Banning cars from city centers will encourage more people to walk by opening up pedestrian zones where cars are not allowed.
If cars are prohibited from the inner city, this will result in a lot more people getting around on foot. Walking is fantastic exercise so many people will be achieving more exercise without even realizing it. On top of that, this increased foot traffic may well bring more potential customers for businesses such as retail outlets and cafe’s.
Choosing a new body paragraph or writing a new topic sentence will fix the problem. So make sure your entire paragraph is telling the same story and talking about the same thing and your essay will be clear and coherent.
Your turn
What is an advantage of wearing a uniform to school or work?
Write the topic sentences and the first line of the rest of your body paragraph.
Write your topic sentence in the comments, I’d love to see what you did.
This is a topic that has come up on the test recently and is quite challenging for some of my students to answer. I will look at two IELTS speaking part 3 questions in this post. I will show you my model answer and talk about the vocabulary and grammar.
Watch the video at the end to see how I answer the part 3 question without any preparation time, just like you will do in the IELTS speaking test.
Is it a good thing to reward children? (Opinion question)
Without a doubt, it helps to encourage and motivate them to do well. If a child achieves a high score in his test at school, maybe the parents will buy him a new toy or piece of technology. This could act as an incentive so that he will continue to try his best in his other subjects.
Every small achievement should not be rewarded but once in a while, a little positive reinforcement can go a long way.
Cohesive device/discourse marker
Without a doubt (phrase) – Definitely
Grammar
If a child achieves…(conditional)
Vocabulary
Encourage (v) – Give support and confidence
Motivate (v) – Make someone want to do something
Incentive (n) – A thing to motivate or encourage
Once in a while (phrase) – Sometimes
Positive reinforcement (collocation) – Action to make an outcome more likely in the future.
Taking time to plan your answer in IELTS writing can seem like a waste of time. You only have 40 minutes to write your Task 2 essay, so it can feel like there is not enough time to plan. However, not only is taking some time for planning a good idea, it could be vital and seriously improve your final essay.
I will show you how I would plan my IELTS Writing Task 2 essay to make sure that I am well prepared when I start the writing stage.
Task 2 Question
Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child’s development while others think that it is important for children to go to school.
Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
How would I plan this answer?
Stage 1 – Analyze the question. Stage 2 – Paraphrase the question Stage 3 – Plan the structure Stage 4 – Write the essay
Stage 1 – Analyze the question.
What parts of the question needs to be covered?
Some people believe that teachingchildren at home is best for a child’s development while others think that it is important for children to go to school.
Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
(Originally this looks like an advantages and disadvantages question but it isn’t. It is only asking about advantages of both and opinion.)
How many things need to be addressed?
3 things: Advantages of home-schooling Advantages of kids going to school My opinion
Stage 2 – Paraphrase the question
Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child’s development while others think that it is important for children to go to school.
Many people think that home-schooling is the best method of educating children, while others think they are better off in conventional schools.
Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
This essay will explore the advantages of both systems of learning, as well as my personal opinion, which is that kids learn best at school. Topics like social interactions, teacher specialization and social development will be discussed.
Stage 3 – Plan the structure
Paragraph 1 – Introduction Done
Paragraph 2 – Advantages of learning at home Fewer distractions More times with the teacher No need to look after kids in the day No peer pressure or bullying problems
Paragraph 3 – The upsides of learning in school Social interaction – social skills Expert teachers particularly at high school Can make friends and have fun. Learn some independence Gain self-esteem
Paragraph 4 – Conclusion Summarize the main points give an opinion with reasons why.
I probably can’t cover all of these points, the ones that I want to cover have been highlighted.
Many times my students have lots of ideas, and they try to include them all but end up with an essay that is not very coherent. For this reason, try covering 2 ideas per paragraph. But develop the topic with reasons and examples.
Stage 4 – Write the essay
Paragraph 1 Many people think that Home-schooling is the best method of educating children, while others think they are better off in conventional schools. This essay will explore the advantages of both systems of learning as well as my personal opinion, which is that kids learn best at school. Topics like social interactions, teacher specialization and social development will be discussed.
Paragraph 2 Home-schooling is an ever so popular and very convenient and effective way of educating youngsters. Due to the nature of this learning, it is usually one on one or in small groups, so the student has a lot of time with the teacher. This can help them to focus and concentrate better because they are less likely to be distracted by their peers. On a similar note, peer pressure and bullying, which can be a problem in some schools, will not be prevalent. The larger the number of students the more likely that some of them will pick on the weaker ones. However, this should not be problematic for kids learning at home.
Paragraph 3 Many people believe that traditional schools are the best place for children to be educated. Schools allow students to have a large number of social interactions with the other students and also the faculty members. This degree of socialization can help kids to build confidence, develop social skills and build friendships. Furthermore, the teachers in high schools and colleges are experts in their field. This makes them better able to instil their knowledge into the class than a home teacher may be. If the teacher has a PHD in biology, surely they will be better equipped to teach A-level biology than the parent who is teaching her offspring herself.
Paragraph 4 In conclusion, I feel that schools are a much better learning environment for most children. Not only are the academic staff well-trained experts in their field, but it’s also much better for the kids to be able to develop social skills and friendships.
335 words
This is how I would plan my answer, but don’t forget to leave some time to check your essay when you have finished. Many students lose marks needlessly for small grammar and spelling errors, which could have been avoided.
This is a recent part 2 question and the model answer that I came up with. Answering questions of this type can be difficult as it means much of the story must be told in the past tense. Mixing up the past and present tenths is a mistake that I see my students make very often.
Describe a toy you got in your childhood.
You should say:
when you had the toy
who gave you the toy
what it was like
how you felt about the toy.
My answer will use: Present perfect, conditional sentence and a relative clause.
I’ve decided to talk about my yoyo, which I was given as a Christmas present one year.
If I remember correctly, I was around about 9 years old. I had seen some people doing some awesome yoyo tricks on the TV a few months prior to Christmas. This is why I asked for one, as one of my presents.
I was incredibly excited because when I walked into the living room I could see my stocking was bulging with presents. As I started to dig into them and rip them open, I felt extremely lucky to have so many wonderful gifts but, still no yoyo.
Eventually, I took out the last present and tore it open. It was exactly the yoyo that I had had my eye on. It was luminous green, glowed in the dark and had a battery which meant lights would flash when I did a trick.
From then on I was yoyo-ing all the time. At home, at school and everywhere in between. To be honest I wasn’t particularly gifted but I did pick up a couple of tricks. In actual fact, I thought I would be a professional yoyo-er, but I soon grew out of this phase and got into skateboarding instead.
Vocabulary
Yoyo (n) – Children’s toy consisting of a string and 2 discs
Prior (adj) – Before
incredibly excited (phrase) – Very excited
Tore (v-past) – To Rip/tear
Had my eye on (idiom) – Was looking getting
Gifted (adj) – Talented/good at something
Luminous (adj) – Bright colour/glow in the dark
Phase (n) – Period of time
How would you answer this question and what toy would you talk about? Let me know in the comments.
The subject of weather is a fairly common speaking topic. Even if they don’t ask you it’s you can still use the vocabulary to help add to your story in part 2.
It is a great idea to practice talking about the types of weather that you like and what the weather is like in your hometown.
What kind of weather do you like most?
I’m extremely keen on spring-like weather. It’s just so invigorating and fresh feeling to walk outside on a crisp and sunny day, seeing the new flowers starting to bloom.
Vocabulary
Extremely (adv) – To a large degree
Keen on (pv) – Like very much
Spring like (adj) – Similar to spring
Invigorating (adj) – Feeling strong and energized
Crisp (adj) – Fresh and dry
Bloom (v)- Flower/blossom
Watch the video of me answering these IELTS speaking questions here
What is the weather like in your hometown?
Living in Saigon I’d have to say there are 2 real seasons, the get, as hot as hell or hot, humid and rainy. I guess we could call it the monsoon. Sometimes it cools down a little but most of the time it’s like living in a furnace.
Vocabulary
As hot as hell (metaphor) – Very hot like hell
Humid (adj) – High level of water vapor in the air
Monsoon (n) – Rainy season
Like living in a furnace (phrase/simile) – Very hot like an oven
Do you like the weather in your hometown?
In the summer I’d say I love the weather, it’s like a Mediterranean climate. However, the winters are bitterly cold with snow and ice for months, which I’m not so fond of. To be honest, it can get a little depressing.
Vocabulary
Mediterranean (adj) – Like southern Europe
Climate (n) – Weather in an area
Bitterly cold (phrase) – Extremely cold
Fond of (pv) – To like a lot
Depressing (adj) -Felling miserable
Do you think that climate is changing?
Undoubtably, I think the UK summers are getting warmer and longer whereas the winters and definitely shorter and more mild. I remember when I was growing up it used to snow buckets in the winter but these days it hardly snows at all.
This is a video of me answering these 2 IELTS speaking test questions
Vocabulary
Linking phrase/discourse marker
Undoubtably – Without a doubt
Definitely – Certainly
Mild (adj) – Quite warm
Growing up (pv) – Maturing/getting older
Hardly snow at all (phrase – Very rarely snows
Would you prefer to move to another country where the weather is different from yours?
Certainly, I’m a big fan of the Mediterranean climate even a tropical one. I’ve lived in both Spain and Bangkok so I know their weather suits me well. Canada is just so bleak and baltic in the winter, it’s not for me.
Vocabulary
A big fan of (pv) – Like a lot
Tropical (adj) – Relating to tropical regions
Suits me well (phrase) – Be well suited/feel comfortable
Bleak (adj) – Inhospitable/miserable
Not for me (phrase) – Don’t like it
This is a video of me answering these 2 IELTS speaking test questions
Does the weather affect your mood?
Definitely, when it’s grey, drizzly and overcast it can really bring me down. I think most people are happier and more optimistic on a bright and sunny day. I definitely am more chipper in the sunshine.
Vocabulary
Grey (adj) – Many grey/dark clouds
Drizzly (adj) – Raining lightly
Bring me down (phrase) – Make feel bad/sad
Optimistic (ad) – Hopeful/confident
Chipper (adj) – Cheerful
For more weather-related vocabulary why not check out this video here.
How would you answer this difficult IELTS speaking part 2 question?
Describe your favourite type of curtain.
You should say
what it is
where you saw it
what it looks like
and explain why you liked it so much.
I think this is one of the most difficult Part 2 questions that I have seen for a long time and I am not surprised that my students find it challenging.
This is how many students tackle this type of question. See how I am starting to repeat my ideas and run out of things to say.
I’m going to talk about the curtains in my bedroom, which are a light green colour. They go really well with my bed cover and look really smart. I think they are made of cotton but I’m not sure.
I’m a big fan of green as it reminds me of nature. I love the way the curtains look and they match my bed cover and look great together.
Yes, I think these are my favourite curtains….
This video talks about a better way for you to structure your answer when answering this type of part 2 question
A better way to approach this question
Tell a good story with:
Beginning
Middle
End
This is my model answer. I answer the question but talk about other things and tell a good story. I think you will agree that it is better to listen to and much more interesting.
I’ve decided to tell you about my new shower curtain, which I recently purchased for my flat. The reason that I needed to go curtain shopping was that the old shower curtain was ripped and thoroughly worn out, and the whole bathroom was getting socked whenever I took a shower.
I had been on the lookout for one for a while, but I came across one on Saturday, which really caught my eye. I’m an avid sailor and into everything nautical so when I saw that this curtain was decorated with the most beautifully stunning classic sailing boats I couldn’t resist.
To be honest it was a little pricey for what is essentially just a piece of plastic but I decided to push the boat out and get it.
When I got it home, I put it up straight away and it really looks great. Now every time I’m in the shower I can stare at some of the most beautiful transportation designs in human history.
Now I will discuss the vocabulary from my model answer.
Grammar
I’ve decided to tell you about… (present perfect)
Which I recently purchased for my flat (Relative clause)
To be totally honest, I am not a huge fan of shopping so I very rarely purchase shoes. You could say once in a blue moon or probably about once a year. I’m not a big shopper, buying clothes or footwear are not really my cup of tea.
Vocabulary
Purchase (v) – Buy
Huge fan of (pv) – Like something a lot
Once in a blue moon (idiom) – Almost never
Not a big ..…(phrase) – You don’t do something a lot
Footwear (n) – Shoes
Not my cup of tea (idiom) – I don’t like
Watch my youtube video giving the model answers to these questions.
Shoe Vocabulary
ballet shoes: a lightweight shoe designed specifically for ballet dancing.
Dress shoes: a strong leather shoe traditionally worn by men.
clogs: shoes that are completely made of wood.
cowboy boots: a leather boot with a high heel and generally a pointed toe.
flats: Women’s shoes that have a low heel.
Where do you usually buy shoes?
I’m pretty keen on trainers so I usually end up at a sports shop. If I’m shoe shopping, I definitely like to try them on. I think it’s vital to see how they fit and how comfortable they are. On top of that, you can see how they look in real life.
Vocabulary
Keen on (pv) – Like a lot
Trainers (n) – Sports/running shoes
Shoe shopping (phrase) – Shopping for shoes
Try (them) on (pv) – To wear something to see how it fits
Vital (adj) – Extremely important
On top of that (phrase) – Adding more information
What is your favourite type of shoes?
I’m extremely fond of flip flops, I know strictly speaking these aren’t shoes they are more like sandals. I really love wearing them because they are so simple, nonrestrictive and your feet don’t sweat. Also, there is no need to tie your laces which can be a real pain in the neck.
Vocabulary
Extremely (adv) – Very much
Fond of (pv) – Like a lot
Flip flops (n) – Rubber sandal (Thongs)
Nonrestrictive (adj) – Having no restriction or limitation
Laces (n) – The string or shoelace
Tie your laces (collocation) – To tie/secure and fasten the shoes
Pain in the neck (idiom) – Something difficult or annoying
Shoe Vocabulary
flip flops / thongs: A plastic or rubber sole with a strap that goes between your big toe and the one next to it.
Suede: Leather that is treated to make it slightly furry not shiny.
high heels: women’s shoes that have the heel (the back part of the shoe) raised high off the ground.
Sole: Bottom of the shoes
Why do some people have too many shoes?
I guess many people are just shopaholics, they just can help themselves. It is wonderful to have options and a pair of shoes can really top off an outfit. But to be honest, I think if you have more than 10 pairs, then you have a bit of a problem.
Vocabulary
Shopaholic (n) – Compulsive shopper
Pair of shoes (collocation) – 2 matching shoes
Top off (pv) – Make something better
Outfit (n) – Clothes are worn together
Have you ever bought shoes online?
Certainly, I used to buy shoes on the internet fairly regularly when I was younger. The main drawback to purchasing footwear online is the fact that you can’t try them on so I ended up wasting a lot of money
on ill-fitting shoes.
Vocabulary
Certainly (Discourse marker) – Agreeing
Drawback (n) – Disadvantage/downside
Purchasing (n) – Buying something
Try (them) on (pv) – Wear something to see how it fits
Ended up (pv) – Was in a particular state or place
Shoe Vocabulary
hiking boots: a sturdy boot that covers the foot and ankle. They are designed for long walks.
loafers: a leather shoe shaped like a moccasin, sometimes a loafer is called a slip-on shoe.
moccasins: a shoe (without a heel) that is made from soft leather.
Laces/shoelaces: String that fastens the shoes
Wellington Boots: these are waterproof boots made of rubber.
Do you like wearing comfortable shoes or good-looking ones?
I would definitely have to say that I would go for comfort every time. There is nothing worse than spending all day on your feet in uncomfortable footwear. You can end up with huge blisters or even bunions. I really cannot fathom how women walk all day wearing high-heels.
Vocabulary
Go for (pv) – Chose something
Footwear (n) – Shoes
End up (pv) – Find yourself in place or situation
A bunion (n) – Painful swelling on the foot
Fathom (v) – Understand
High-heel (n) – Type pf shoes with a raised heel
Are people willing to buy expensive shoes?
Without a doubt, huge swathes of the population spend exorbitant amounts on designer shoes. People seem to be willing to shell out a lot of money on their favourite brand of footwear costing them an arm and leg.
Vocabulary
Without a doubt (phrase) – Certainly
Huge swathes (n) – A large amount or area
Exorbitant (adj) – Unreasonably high price
Shell out (pv) – Pay money
Cost (them) an arm and a leg (idiom) – Very expensive)
Shoe Vocabulary
Sandals: a light shoe mainly worn in warm weather.
Leather: A strong material made from cow skin.
slippers: soft, comfortable shoes that keep your feet warm inside the house.
Sneakers/trainers: a type of light, comfortable shoe that is typically worn when you play sport..
Stilettos: a type of high heel shoe where the heel part is very narrow and at the ground part.
Wedges / wedge shoes: a shoe with a high heel forming a solid block.
When was the last time you purchased new shoes?
To be frank, it has been a couple of years since I purchased any new shoes. If I recall, it was the last time that I visited Bangkok and I ended up picking up some new trainers in the airport on the way home. That reminds me, I really could do with replacing them now as the sole is getting worn out.
Vocabulary
To be frank (idiom) – To talk honestly
Purchase (v) – Buy
Recall (v) – Remember
Ended up (pv) – Reach a situation, place or condition
Do people in your country like to drink coffee? (Opinion)
Without a doubt. The Italian people are extremely passionate and keen on drinking coffee. Every tiny newsagent or tobacco shop serves perfectly prepared aromatic coffee, so people don’t even have to drop by a cafe.
I think it’s not at all uncommon for Italians to drink five or even six cups of espresso a day. It really is part of our culture.
Aromatic (adj) – Having a pleasant and strong smell
Drop by (pv) – Visit
Not at all uncommon (phrase) – Very usual
Espresso (n) – Small strong cup of coffee
What kind of people would like to go to a café? (Types of)
I would say there is a myriad of people who frequent cafes, people from all walks of life really.
Business people will often have meetings in cafes or even just drop in for a cuppa or a bite to eat.
Students tend to hang out with their classmates after school and socialize or do their homework.
Shoppers will often stop in a cafe to rest their legs, get some refreshments before hitting the shops again.
But at the end of the day, I think almost every type of person goes into a cafe once in a while.
Vocabulary
Myriad (n) – Great number
To frequent (v) – Often visit
All walks of life (idiom) – All areas of life
Cuppa (n) – Cup of tea/coffee
Hang out (pv) – Spend time with
Refreshment (n) – Light drink or snack
At the end of the day (idiom) – In conclusion
Why do young people like studying in a café instead of at home? (Opinion)
I guess, first and foremost it’s so that they can obviously get some refreshment. A refreshing beverage can be a great way to top off a hard day at college.
On top of that, it gives them a chance to hang out and socialize with their friends and they can certainly have more fun and be noisier than in the library at uni.
Also, the cafe may be somewhere local to the campus so it is extremely convenient for the students to drop by and compare notes or work on projects with their peers.
All in all, the cafe is certainly a more appealing place to study than being home alone or in your bedroom.
Linking phrase/Discourse marker
First and foremost (phrase) – First and most important
On top of that (idiom) – Adding more information
Vocabulary
Top off (pv) – Finish off
Hang out (pv) – Send time with
Campus (n) – University grounds
Peer (n) – Other students
All in all (idiom) – In conclusion
Do older people like to drink coffee? Why?
Undoubtedly. The older generation enjoys a cup of coffee as much as the next person. If you drop in on any older person at home they will always offer a cup of tea or coffee.
Furthermore, when they want to catch up with their friends they often do this over a coffee either at home or out and about at a trendy cafe.
Linking phrase/Discourse marker
Undoubtedly (adv) – It can’t be doubted
Vocabulary
Drop in on (pv) – Visit
Catch up (pv) – See after some time
Out and about (phrase) – Not at home
Coffee Related Vocabulary
Coffee beans seeds from a coffee bush
Coffee Shop
Same as a cafe
white coffee coffee with milk
black coffee coffee without milk
skinny coffee coffee with skimmed (or low-fat) milk
frappuccino
Iced coffee
Barista
Someone who prepares different types of coffee
espresso a small measure of strong, dark coffee
latte one measure of espresso and milk
cappuccino one measure of espresso and hot, frothy milk
filter coffee coffee made by slowly pouring boiling water through crushed coffee beans in a coffee filter.
instant coffee coffee made by adding boiling water to coffee powder
Cafe Macchiato
Shot of coffee with frothed milk
caffeine (uncountable) a chemical, found in coffee (and tea), which is a stimulant.
decaffeinated coffee / decaf coffee coffee that has been treated so that the caffeine has been removed
Mocha (Mocca)
Coffee with shot of espresso, warm ilk and chocolate.
I really hope this helps you to talk about coffee or visiting a cafe. Another important skill for IELTS speaking is paraphrasing. Find out more about this in this post.
