[IELTS SPEAKING - PART 3 - VALUES]

1. What kinds of possessions give status to people in your country?

That’s a good question. Let me think…I’d say it depends on where you are and who you are with. If you are out in public, it’s things like the car you are driving. If you have the latest Mercedes Benz model, then in my country that is a sign of status, as most people can’t even afford a car at all, whatever the make. Property, or the house you own, and the possessions you have in it are also a sign of status. If you have a nice house in a nice area, then this shows you have money and are someone important.

2. Has it always been the same or were different possessions thought of as valuable in the past?

I’m too young to remember exactly what it was like a long time ago, but yes, I think it was different. For example, cars as I mentioned before only really came to our country in the last ten years or so. That kind of consumerism is a fairly recent thing so this couldn’t have been used as a representation of something valuable. I think it was things like gold and jewelry that were seen as valuable. Of course these are still seen as valuable today, but previously it was these things over anything else as a lot of the modern day possessions were not available.

3. Why do you think people need to show their status in society?

I believe that this is because it's important in society to show you have money or are successful – it is nature, or the way we are brought up, that makes us feel like this, but also the pressure that society puts on everyone to be successful. And showing status is basically showing that you have money and you have success, so this is what people want to do. Going back to the example of the car, driving around in a Mercedes is a very conspicuous show of status – it basically says to people, “Look, I am successful and I have money.” Another reason is possibly for respect. In many cultures, if someone has high status, then they will be respected by others and they may receive preferential treatment.

[IELTS SPEAKING - PART 1 - WALKING]

1. Do you like walking? [Why?/Why not?]

Yes, it's actually one of my favorite pastimes. I love waling in the hills near where I live. Usually at the weekends I go with some friends and we walk for a couple of hours. What I like about it most is the fresh air and the change off scenery, it's such a nice break from the university campus and all the activity there.

2. Do you think walking in the countryside is better than in the city? [Why?/Why not?]

For me personally, I enjoy walking in the countryside more than walking in the city. I walk in the city mainly to get from A to B, not so much for pleasure. Out in the countryside it's different, the air is fresher and it's quieter and much more enjoyable to go for a stroll or walk.

3. Why do you consider walking important [or why not]?

It's important for me because I love doing it, because I spend most of my day sitting down. But I think it's important generally for good health to do some kind of exercise, I'm not very sporty, but I love walking.

4. What could be done to improve walking in the city?

I can't really think of much else the local authorities could do. It's quite nice walking around here. Traffic is already restricted in some parts of the city and there are plenty of open spaces and parks where you can walk. I suppose if the banned cars altogether then it would be better, but that would be impractical, wouldn't it?

5. Do you think you will keep walking as a part of your routine in the future?

Yes, I'm pretty sure I'll still be walking in the future. It's somethig which I love doing, it's good for my health and I find it relaxing, so I hope to continue doing it as long as I can

 [IELTS SPEAKING - PART 3]

Bạn chọn sống ở nông thôn hay thành thị? Hãy bày tỏ ý kiến nào. \m/

1. Why do you think many people prefer to live in the city instead of in a rural area?

Well,in my country it's because there is more work. In the countryside it is mainly agriculture and many younger people prefer to work in other types of job and there are better opportunities in the cities. In general, there are more facilities and more things to do in a city. I think they are more interesting as a place to live. There are many more things to do and people to meet.

2. Would you agree that people living in rural areas have fewer problems than people living in cities?

There is certainly less crime and living in a rural area is more peaceful and safe, but it depends on the types of problems you are talking about. People can get sick in a city or in the country, it's the same. People can become depressed or unhappy in both places. Life in the country is maybe simpler than city life and less stressful, but it doesn't mean you won't have problems if you live in a small village in the country - maybe just a different kind of problem. I know of some farmers, friends of one of my uncles, that have some serious problems with their farms.

3. Do you think it's just as good to live in the suburbs of a city as it is to live in the middle of the city?

I think both places have some advantages and disadvantages. Living in the city center is very convenient, everything is very close and you can find anything you want within walking distance. Living in the suburbs is maybe better for families because it's a little quieter and safer for children but still close to all the facilities of the city.

4. How do you think a town changes and grows to eventually become a city?

Historically most places grew because of trade and business. Maybe because the town was near the sea or had a railway or something important to make people want to go there. Many of the industrial towns offered jobs for many people so that's why their populations grew and they eventually developed into cities. Now, it's a little different, as more people are working through technology and are able to work from anywhere and still communicate with people for work and business. Maybe in the future there won't be such massive growth of towns like in the past.

[IELTS SPEAKING - PART 1 - COOKING]

1. Is cooking popular in your country?
Yes, I think it's popular. Most young girls learn from their mother or grandmother how to cook the most popular dishes.

2. Who normally does the cooking in your house?
My mother does most of it - although I often help here when I have time, or if we are having a large meal together as a family.

3. Would you like to learn how to cook?
I would like to learn to cook food from other countries, maybe French cuisine, which is quite popular here among some people.

4. Why do you want to learn cooking?
I think cooking can be a creative activity, when it's not just for feeding the family every day. I find it relaxing when I do it for fun and like to experiment with diferent ingredients.

5. Do you think cooking programs on TV are useful?
I think they are interesting and can give you some insiration or motivation to try different things. My problem is I can never remember all the details of what I see, only the idea, and so when I try to make something it never turns out the same as it did when the chef on TV did it.

6. What is the advantage of a TV cooking program?
I think they can give you lots of ideas about different cuisine to try and you can also learn some good cooking tips - but I also like to have a cook book with ecipes or download recipes from the internet - it is easier to follow them like that.

[IELTS SPEAKING - PART 2]

Describe an important letter that you have received. Please say:
- When did you receive the letter?
- Who was it from?
- Why was it important?

MODEL ANSWER

Last week I received a letter from my bank back home. It was originally sent to my mother’s house, my home address in Mexico, and she forwarded it on to me here.

The letter was important because it explained about a change in the password system for the online banking portal associated with my bank account. The bank explained that they are going to change the method of accessing the virtual banking platform at the end of this month and the purpose of the letter was to outline the new procedure bank clients will need to use in order to get access to the facilities the platform offers.

Before the end of the month I will have to access the online site using my old password and then follow the instructions to update my access authorization so that I can continue to use the site in the future.