Part 1 topics (may to august 2018)

Transportation

1. What’s the most popular means of transportation in your hometown?
The most common vehicle in my hometown is the motorbike. As I’ve read in a current newspaper, most adults have their own motorbikes. Moreover, I can easily catch sight of motorbikes whenever I go outside.
2.Do you usually commute by public transport?
I take buses to go to school at least twice a day as I haven’t got my own vehicle yet. I also usually use buses to visit my relatives or friends’ homes.

2. Is it easy to catch a bus in your country?
Yes, it’s easy as pie. Today, there are more and more bus lines so i dont have to wait for a long time to get on bus.

3. Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains?
Obviously, airplanes and trains have their own particular benefits for passengers. Regarding planes, they have been the fastest means of passenger transport invented so far. They enable people to travel all around the world in the shortest possible time. The biggest advantage of trains is their impressive safety record. Accidents are rare, and so people can feel relaxed and just sit back and admire the views from their comfortable seats.

4. Is driving to work popular in your country?
Yes. I’m pretty sure that private cars and motorbikes are the two most popular vehicles in my country. Therefore, it is obvious that there are a large number of people who tend to drive to work.

5. Do you think people will drive more in the future?
Yes, I think so. There will be more drivers on the roads in the future due to the convenience of motoring and the affordable prices of cars.

6. Would you ride bikes to work in the future?
Yes. As I’m a young person, I like to do energetic activities to help me keep fit, so I will give priority to a job that is within cycling distance of my home.

7. Do you think what will become the most popular means of transportation in your country?
Personally, I think the prevalence of motorbikes will continue to dominate due to their advantages, namely they are great for getting around quickly, they are easy to park and economical to run.

8. Do you prefer public transportation or private transportation?
Although owning a private vehicle has various advantages, I prefer using public transportation in order to economize as well as to help protect the environment.

Other questions:
How did you get here today?
How do you usually go to school or work?
Which transportation do you usually use?

==> Band 8.0+ Sample Answer

 

Watches

1. Do you like to wear watches?

Well, I am more a cosmetics girl than clothing and accessories, hence, there are not many watches and jewelries in my possession. However, I have nothing against wearing a beautiful piece of art on my wrist and do own a few exclusive timepieces which suit perfectly with my clothing on some special occasions, giving me a sense of identity and uniqueness.

Vocabulary

In someone’s possession: if something is in someone’s possession, they have it

Have nothing against: to dislike or not approve of someone or something for a particular reason

On (special) occasions: from time to time; now and then

2. Why do people like expensive watches?

Just like any other accessories, the more luxurious a timepiece looks, the higher social status the owner may hold. Watches are widely used by either gender and one of the visual indicators presenting how professional, smart and attractive a person is. Therefore, if one wants to be acknowledged and taken seriously, he/she will prefer a high-end watch rather than a collection of low-end ones.

Vocabulary

Timepiece (n): a clock or watch

Social status (n): a person’s standing or importance in relation to other people within a society

Indicator (n): a sign that shows you what something is like or how a situation is changing

Acknowledge (n): to accept that somebody/something has a particular authority or status

High-end (a): expensive and of high quality

Low-end (a): at the cheaper end of a range of similar products

 

 

Hometown

1. What’s (the name of) your hometown?
My hometown is ABC city where is located in the South of [your country]. It takes a 2 hour drive from here.

2. Is that a big city or a small place?
Well, my hometown is a medium city with roughly 15 wards. The booming population and economy have turned it into a promising land for many investors.

3. Please describe your hometown a little?
There are two words to describe my hometown, which are natural and dynamic. It has picturesque scenery of mountains and beaches. On the other side of the coin, its industry is growing fast; and a lot of industrial zones are being built there.

4. How long have you been living there?
I had spent a happy childhood in my hometown for 18 years until I left for study at university. It’s 5 years since the day I left, but the memory of my hometown is always in my mind.

5. What do you like (most) about your hometown?
I think it’s a peaceful and tranquil place, which always gives me peace of mind. The people in my hometown also have a strong sense of community. They live close together and always give others a hand when they are in need.

6. Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?
I think I will definitely go back to my hometown, find a job and settle down there, because I love my hometown so much and it is also a safe, peaceful and worth-living place.

7. What do visitors like to go in your hometown?
I think most of them like to go to historical sites and the beautiful sunny beaches. Going there, they can learn more about our fascinating history and colorful culture or have a whale of time on the beach with crystal clear sky and turquoise sea.

==> Band 9.0 Sample Answer

 

House/Accommodation

1. Do you live in a house or an apartment?
I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a lovely back garden. It’s not really a spacious house, but it’s just right for me and my family.

2. Do you usually spend time with your family?
We often spend quality time together on eating well-prepared meals by my mother, talking with each other while enjoying our favorite delicious foods. It’s a precious time when we can momentarily get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
4.What do your family usually do together?
My family often gathers around the table enjoying a cozy meal together, communicating and sometimes busting into laughter because of my father’s humorous stories. We’re also particularly into family game nights, when we huddle together to play cards or other family favorites.
5.Do you like it?

3. Does your family like it?

4. How would you change your apartment or house?

5. How long have you lived there?

6. Do you live with your family?

7. Do you want to live by yourself in the future?

8. Do you enjoy living with your family?

9. Is the transport around your home convenient?

==> Band 9.0 Sample Answer

Newspapers and magazines

1. Do you often read newspapers?
Yes, I read the newspaper everyday to keep up to date with the latest news and see what the hottest topic of the day is. I’ve been in the habit of doing this for a long time.

2. Do you prefer to read local news or international news?
Well, I suppose that I prefer/have an inclination towards international news, especially news about relationships among countries around the world. This is probably because I really care about diplomatic issues and want to keep track of what’s happening outside my country.

3. Which is more popular where you live, newspapers or magazines?
Well, I think that people read newspapers more often than magazines, normally because newspapers provide information that is relatively easy to understand for almost everyone. On the other hand, magazines contain longer articles and specifically focus on a particular topic which may be quite difficult or unfamiliar to some readers.

4. Do many people today read newspapers?
I guess… yes, maybe. Because every morning when I go to my office, I can see many people reading the daily newspapers at pavement cafés. However, I think nowadays people are tending to gradually change their habits and accessing the latest news online.

5. In the future, do you think more people than today will read magazines, or fewer people?
I’m not really sure about this, but I suppose that there will be fewer people reading magazines in the future. It’s probably because nowadays there are various sources of information, so people can search if they want to find knowledge of any field, especially on the Internet… it’s easier and cheaper. Maybe in the future perhaps specialists will be the only ones who read the magazines which relate to their own particular fields.

6. Do you think newspapers will be very important to you in the future?
Well, honestly, I haven’t ever thought about that before, but I love my routine of reading newspapers while drinking coffee every morning, it’s completely relaxing. So I’ll try to keep reading newspapers as a regular habit as long as possible.

7. Do you prefer getting news online or from the newspaper?

8. How often do you talk about news with your friends?

==> Band 9.0 Sample Answers

 

Wild Animal

What’s your favourite wild animal?
Do you like to see animals in the zoo?
Do you keep a pet?
Do you think it’s important to let kids know about animals?

 

Outdoor activities

1.Do you like outdoor activities?
Sadly I must say no. Since getting outdoor involves choosing clothes, meeting people and sometimes standing the weather, so most of the times I’d prefer staying inside. If I’m free I can invite some friends to come over. We can still have fun without going out.
2. What outdoor activities do you like to do?
The outdoor activity I like to do best is my photography tour, especially when the weather is perfectly fine. I would walk around campus to find inspiration. It could be a flower, a sunshine or the road I walk everyday.
3.How often do you do that?
For the past few weeks I’m too busy that I hardly have time to go on my photography tour. Previously I get outside three times a week and depending on the weather condition that I could go out more or less often than that.
4. What outdoor sports do you like? (Why?)
Definitely swimming, especially during the summer. Not only is swimming good for my health, it also helps me get in shape. Besides, I sometimes go jogging to enjoy fresh air.
5. How much time do you spend outdoors every week?
As I’ve already mentioned, I’m quite busy these days for any physical exercises. If going to the supermarket or go window-shopping are also considered as ‘getting outdoors’ then yeah, I guess I get outdoor once a week.
6. How often do you do outdoor activities?
I’m afraid not too often. I mean it’s not in my favor now. These days I’m so busy that most of the time I get outdoor is to go to school. Although I still hang out with friends, but basically we prefer having drink and a little chit chat instead of doing some sports.
7. What (types of) outdoor activities are popular in your country?
I think sports is particularly popular nowadays, as keeping fit is becoming more demanding. Or other street activities such as skateboarding, street-performing also are growing more and more popular among the young generation.

Other questions:
Do people in your country prefer to spend time indoors or outdoors?
Do you like to watch sports on TV?
What’s the most popular sport in your country?
What kinds of sports would you like to try in the future?
Have you ever tried any dangerous sports?

==> Band 9 Sample Answers

 

Dictionary

Do you use dictionary?
How often do you use dictionary?
Do you prefer paper or electronic dictionary? What are the differences?
Do you think the dictionary is useful?
Will you like it if someone give you a dictionary as a gift?

 

Ideal job

What kinds of job did you want to do in your childhood?
What’s your ideal job now?

==> Sample Answer

 

Sleep

How much sleep do you think people need to stay healthy?
Do old people sleep more or less than young people?
Have you done anything to improve your sleep quality?
How long do you sleep every day?

 

Leisure time

What’s your favorite way to relax?
Do the old like to do the same activities?
Do you have enough time to relax?
Do you think it’s important to have leisure time?

 

Apps

What apps do you often use?
Do you want to develop an app yourself?
Do you often use apps on mobile phones?
Do you want to make your own app?
What kinds of apps do you expect in the future?

Name

What’s your full name?

How should I call you?

What does your name mean?

Who gave you the name?

Why did they give you this name?

Is it a common name in your country?

==> Sample Answer

 

Work /Job

Do you work or are you a student?

What work do you do?

What specific things do you do on your job?

Why did you choose that job?

What do you like most about your job?

Would you recommend that job to others?

What did you do on the first day of your job?

Do you think this job has a bright future?

What are the most interesting and the difficult part of your job?

==> Sample Answer

 

Boat

Have you ever taken a ride on a boat?

Do you like traveling by boat?

What are the advantages of travelling by boat?

Do people in your country like to travel by boat?

Will it get more popular in the future?

 

Teenagers

Do you spend a lot of time with teenagers?

What do teenagers like to do in your country?

Do boy teenagers and girl teenagers like different things?

Do they like to stay with people of their own age?

What’s the best part of being a teenager?

 

Study

What’s your major?

Do you like it?

How do you like your courses?

(if you do not have a major yet) Which major do you want to choose in college? Why?

Will you change it if you have the chance?

Which major will you change it to?

Is it different from what you had in mind?

Why did you choose that major?

 

Advertisements

Do you like watching advertisements?

Will you buy something because of the advertisement?

How do you feel when you see pop-up advertisement on the internet?

Do you like funny or serious advertisements?

What makes a good advertisement?

==> Sample Answer

 

Rain

Does it always rain in your city?

In which season does it rain the most often?

What do you usually do on rainy days?

Have you ever forgotten to take the umbrella on a rainy day?

==>

Band 8.0+ Sample Answer

 

Friends

Do you still remember your friends from primary school?

Who’s your best friend at that time?

What did you always do together?

Did you always study together with your best friend at that time?

Do you still keep in touch with those friends now?

==>

Band 9 Sample Answer

 

On time/ Punctuality

How to you check the time?

Is it important to be on time?

What do you do when you arrive early?

Has people’s the sense of time gotten weaker now?

Is it less or more important to be on time today than in the past?

 

Family

Do you like spending time with your family?

Do you prefer spending time with your family indoors or outdoors?

What different things do you do with your family when you are indoors and outdoors?

Do you spend your vacation with your family?

Do you do different activities with your family on vacations compared with when you are not on vacations?

 

Sports/Physical exercise

Do you often exercise?

How do you exercise?

Will you do exercise in the future?

Do you know anyone who exercises?

Do people around you like to exercise?

 

Writing / handwriting

Do you like writing

Did you like writing when you were little?

Do you prefer writing by hand or typing?

What kind of things do you need to write by hand?

Will people still write by hand in the future?

 

Gift

When do you send gifts?

When was the last time you received a gift?

Have you received a gift you didn’t like?

How do you feel when you receive a gift?

Do people in your country send gifts to show their generosity?

 

Travel

Do you like travelling?

Where have you travelled to before?

Do you like travelling by plane?

Do you want to travel to the space?

 

Music