c





 




V
a
a


Describe something you do to keep healthy.

You should say:

what this activity is

when you do it

and how often you do it

and explain why you think its a good way to look after your health.

V
a
a
a

1. What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country?

2. Do you think people worry more about their health as they get older?

3. Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that they are
damaging to their health?

4. How can children be encouraged to adopt healthy eating habits?

5. Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years?

6. Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?

0

 

He  
es  s  a  



 

taking regular exercise

playing sport(s)

(going) swimming

(going) cycling

going to the gym

doing yoga / pilates / tai chi

eating fresh fruit and vegetables

eating organic foods

eating regular meals

drinking water

having a balanced diet

0 e   s  a   

 

smoking

binge drinking (excessive amounts of alcohol)

taking drugs

eating too much salt / fat / sugar

being overweight

He 
 s

a health farm

a health centre

a health club

a health service

a health risk / hazard

a health check

a health problem

a health visitor

a health inspector

health food

health insurance

healthcare

health and safety (rules / regulations / guidelines)

a healthy lifestyle

a healthy diet

a healthy appetite

a healthy economy

a healthy bank balance

a healthy profit

a healthy attitude

a healthy respect

Ge
 
 s

to look after your health

to take care of our health

to maintain your health

 to be in good / poor health

to regain your health

Ge
e
e
 s

to feel healthy

to look healthy

to be healthy

to keep / stay healthy

0

  



ee 

In (actual) fact,

Actually,

More to the point,

Indeed,

To be more precise / exact,

c e swe




a






   a

a

Yes, in my opinion the government has a big responsibility to try to persuade people to live more
healthily. I think they could provide more education in schools to teach children how to eat more
healthily and show them the importance of taking physical exercise. D 
, its the parents too that
also need to be re-educated on these issues. Another thing, I think there should be more government
warnings on TV showing people the dangers of obesity and poor diet, for example. 
  , they do
have some that show the health risks of smoking and drinking, which are quite powerful, but not really
about healthy eating. Finally, there could be more public facilities to help people keep fit, like
swimming pools, gyms and sports centres. 
ee  they need to be affordable so that
everyone has the opportunity to use them.

c
 


 

 

V
a
a


Describe the job you would most like to have.

You should say:

what this job would be

where you would work

 which qualifications you would need

and explain why you would like to have this job most.

V
a
a
a

1. Which jobs are most respected in your country?

2. Do you think that some jobs are still more suited to either men or women?

3. Do you think schools provide enough advice and support about future careers?

4. What changes have there been in recent years in employment in your country?

5. Do you agree that salaries should reflect the level of contribution to the community that
the job makes?

6. Do you think more and more people will work from home in the future?

0

 




to apply for a job / post / promotion

to get / have a part-time/full-time job

to work in [field / place]

to work for [a company]

to specialise in [field]

to be a qualified [job]

to work shifts / unsociable hours

to get / have an interview

to be shortlisted

to be demoted / promoted

to be transferred / to put in for a transfer

to be fired / sacked / dismissed

to be made redundant

to retire / to be retired

to get a pension

the perks of a job (benefits)

to work from home (home-working)

to be self-employed / to work for yourself

to work / do flexi-time / overtime

0

  

ceqe

e s

firstly / first of all,

secondly,

thirdly,

then

another point / reason / example is

lastly / finally, .

overall,

c e swe

   a   a 



 



I think there have been many changes in the types of jobs that people do nowadays compared to 20
or 30 years ago. 
s  there are much fewer jobs related to heavy industry such as mining or
ship-building or even manufacturing. ce
  , there has been a big increase in the number of jobs in
the service and leisure industries like shops, gyms, and hotels. And   , since the launch of the
internet there has been a big surge in the number of jobs related to IT, such as web development and
design.

c
 


 

 
  

V
a
a


Describe an interesting journey you have been on.

You should say:

where you went

how you travelled there

who you went with

and explain what was so memorable about the journey.

V
a
a
a

1. What methods of transport are most popular in your city / country?

2. What are some of the problems of long-distance travelling?

3. Has the way people travel changed much in the last few decades?

4. Do you agree that governments should do more to encourage greener methods of

transport?
 5. What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities?

6. Do you think that transport problems are worse in urban or rural areas?

0

 

V
es
s
 

es

by metro

by tram

by bus

by motorbike / scooter / moped

by bike

on foot

to go by bus

to catch the metro

to take the tram

to go on the motorbike

to cycle

to walk

Ae
es
s


by plane

by train

by coach

by boat / ferry

s

es

long delays (in airports)

lost luggage

cancellations (of flights / trains)

missed connections

traffic-jams / congestion

roadworks / diversions

breakdowns / accidents

pollution
c s e

 

es

road access charges in city centres

bypasses / ringroads

park and ride schemes

free rental of city bikes

more cycle lanes

more frequent buses

cheaper public transport

more pedestrianised streets

more electric trams

more accessible metro system

0

  

X
ex es

for example

for instance

such as

like / as

another example / way

c e swe

 
 aa

 


a

 a
   a

There are many ways that congestion could be reduced in big cities. In my city, 
ex e, they
have introduced a bike rental system where members can pick up a bike at one point and drop it off at
another. Its proving to be very popular and as a result more cycle lanes are also being provided.

 e
ex e, which unfortunately doesnt exist in my city, is a park and ride scheme where you
leave your car outside the city in a carpark and then take a free bus into the centre.  e
w to
prevent people bringing their cars into the city would be to charge a special fee to access the
centre, e they do in London, though I guess this wouldnt be quite so popular with the residents.

c
 


 

   

V
a
a


Describe a holiday you would like to go on.

You should say:

 what place you would like to go to

how you would like to get there

what you would like to do while you were there

and explain why you would like to go on this holiday.

V
a
a
a

1. Which places in your country do visitors enjoy visiting most?

2. What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday?

3. Have there been any recent changes in the types of holiday that are popular in your
country?

4. What kinds of benefits might a significant increase in tourist numbers bring to a location?

5. What are some of the negative effects of a dramatic increase in tourism?

6. What developments affecting international travel might there be in the future?

0

 

Vse se
s se
s 

chance to unwind

spend quality time with family / friends

get away from work / stressful environment

have a change of routine / scenery

visit new places / experience new things / cultures

broaden your horizons

visit family or friends abroad

Vse se
s s
e

 

creates new jobs in tourist industry

attracts media attention to the resort

ensures good level of infrastructure

improves services for local residents

provides revenue to protect /maintain local heritage

e
e se
s se
s 

loss of earnings (if self-employed)

can be stressful (to be out of your comfort zone)

 can be difficult to cope in foreign country / unfamiliar place

may encounter travel problems (plane/train delays / traffic jams)

may not have access to health facilities

may lose your luggage

may not be able to speak the local language

e
e se
s s
e

 

can cause overcrowding

tourists may not respect local customs/traditions

can cause excess of litter / noise

may cause damage to local environment

area becomes too built-up due to increase of hotels/shops etc

may cause increase in prices of local services and goods

0

  



e
e s s ex es

in addition (to)

furthermore,

as well as

also

not only but also

both and

besides

c 



  a


 a

   

  

There are many benefits of going on holiday. oeses giving you a chance to unwind and relax,
it s allows you to spend some quality time with your family,   in a different environment but
more importantly, away from the routine pressures of work and daily life. D    this,
it s gives you the opportunity to broaden your horizons by visiting new places  experiencing a
different way of life.

c
 


 


 


V
a
a

Describe an environmental problem. You should say:

what it is

how long it has existed

how it affects peoples lives

and explain how you think the problem will develop in the future.

V
a
a
a

1. Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?

2. What are the main causes of these environmental problems?

3. Do you think it is the responsibility of governments alone to protect the environment?

4. What measures can individuals take to protect the environment?

5. Do you think large companies and business orginisations should be more environmentally
friendly? Why? How?

6. How can we teach children about the importance of protecting the environment?

0

 
- 
 e  V
es

destruction of the rainforests (deforestation)

melting of the icecaps

extinction of many species (loss of biodiversity)

destruction of the ozone layer

global warming / the greenhouse effect

rising sea levels

pollution of land, sea and air

increase of natural disasters eg, earthquakes, landslides, floods

 ses- 
 e  V
es

excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, eg carbon dioxide

chemical and industrial waste

emissions from cars and planes

improper dumping of household waste

overuse of non-renewable fossil fuels

genetic modification
 over-consumption

over-urbanisation

c s- 
 e  V
es

recycling

using renewable sources of energy, eg solar heating, wind-farms

replanting trees

cutting carbon emissions

cleaner waste disposal

sustainable consumption and development

buying products with less packaging

buying organic products

buying products made from recycled material / renewable sources

using natural remedies as alternative medicine

0

  

-x  

ses

caused by

due to

because of

a result of

-x  
ee
s

leads to

results in

causes

c 



  

 

a 


a
 
 



I think people in my country are most concerned about future shortages of fresh drinking water, which
I suppose is both 
es poor water management and general global warming. I think everyone is
feeling the effects of the latter problem which is
s
us to experience more extreme temperatures,
for example, much colder winters and much hotter summers. The long hot summers are particularly
worrying in the south of the country where there is a real risk of drought e the consistent lack of
rainfall.
c
 


 



  

V
a
a


Describe a piece of technology that you find useful.

You should say:

what it is

what you can do with it

how often you use it

and explain why you find it so useful

V
a
a
a

1. What are some of the main uses of technology for communication?

2. Do you agree that some people use technology for communication too much?

3. What differences are there between the attitudes of older and younger people to
technology for communication?

4. Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in
schools?

5. Would you agree that the rapid development of digital technology has had a positive
impact on the world of work?

6. Do you think that the rate of technological expansion will slow down in the years to come?

0

 

0ses e
e


 


sending emails

sending text messages

tele-conferencing

video conferencing

online chatting

social networking

blogging

posting messages on forums

using an intranet system

 
es
 offers immediate communication

cheaper than telephone calls / face-to-face meetings

allows global communication without the need to travel

more convenient / people can communicate on-the-move

allows friends and family overseas to stay connected

gives everybody the chance to have a public voice

{s  
es

people may lose real social skills

people may spend less time socialising face-to-face

people may become more introverted

people may become adicted to social network sites

people spend too much time in front of a screen

e
 
 -


interactive whiteboards

e-learning

online degrees

self-access centres / study

online tutor

blended learning (online + face-to-face)

 
es

offers more flexibility for the learner

allows people in rural areas the same study opportunities

cheaper for students (no travel / accmmodation costs)

students & teachers are less bound by time and space

e
 
 


automated processes

automated manufacturing

automated customer services

high-tech computer systems

computerised filing / administrative systems

huge databases
 intranet system / internal emailing

{s  
es

has made some jobs redundant

gives customers less personal service

requires staff to be technically skilled

may cause security issues /files may be lost

requires a lot of investment

breakdowns in the system may cause severe problems

0

  

Xiving reasons

due to (the fact that)

because of

because

as a result of

thats why

c 





    


 a

a  a
 
 a

a

I think the growth of the internet has had a major impact on current teaching methods and Im sure
general standards have improved s 
es. I strongly believe that the motivation for both learning
and teaching has increased e
se the phenomenal amount of information now available to both
students and teachers. On the other hand, e a danger of information overload, some people may
be put off using technology in the classroom, wishing for a return to more traditional methods.

c
 


 

!




V
a
a


Describe a leisure activity you like doing in your free time.

You should say:

what kind of activity it is

how often you do it

what equipment you need to do it

and explain why you enjoy doing it.

V
a
a
a

1. What kind of free-time activities are typical in your country?

2. Have there been any recent changes in the types of leisure activities that people fnd
popular?

3. Do you agree that its important for people of different ages to do leisure activities
together?

4. In your opinion, who is responsible for encouraging children to take up different leisure
pursuits parents or teachers?

5. Do you think people have less time for leisure activities now compared to the past?

6. Do you think that technology will have a significant impact on the types of leisure activities
we will enjoy in the future?

0

 

V
A
es
e

es

playing / practising / doing sport(s)

rambling / hiking / walking

running/ jogging

cycling

fishing

horse riding

(wind) surfing

(ice) skating

sailing / canooing / kayaking

skiing

snowboarding

skateboarding

hanging out / meeting up with friends

eating out / going to restaurants or cafes

V
D 
es
e

es

going to the gym / keeping fit / doing exercise

doing yoga / pilates / aerobics

doing martial arts (karate/judo)

 swimming

going to the cinema / theatre

playing a musical instrument

acting (amateur dramatics)

dancing (ballet / tap / ballroom / hip-hop / freestyle / latin)

singing (in a group / choir)

playing computer games

surfing the internet

cooking

reading

playing board games

doing puzzles

listening to music

0

  

 
e
s

I suppose

I guess

Let me think

Let me see

Um, well

Er, Im not sure

like, you know

I dont know

c 





    a

 


  a

 a    a


0 we I think in some cases it could be important for people of different ages to do leisure
activities together. For example, parents or even grandparents can enjoy doing fun things with their
children or grandchildren, e,  w, things that dont require a lot of physical ability such as
playing games, reading or cooking. D
ess that sometimes it is very important for older people to do
things with younger ones, especially more difficult skills that need to be taught like D  w
martial arts or playing a musical instrument.

c
 


 




V
a
a


Describe a film you found interesting.

You should say:

when you saw this film

why you decided to see this film

what happened in the film

and explain why you found this film interesting.

V
a
a
a

1. Is the cinema a popular form of entertainment in your country?

2. Which do you think is more enjoyable, watching films in the cinema or watching films at
home?

3. Do you think that films shown in cinemas should have an educational value?

4. Is it important for governments to support film-making in their countries?

5. Do you think the Internet has already had a big impact on the entertainment industry?

6. In what ways do you think that entertainment media may develop in the future?

0

 

 e   
es

the thrill of watching something on the big-screen

more exciting/intense atmosphere

big screen really brings the characters to life

able to appreciate the cinematography

can enjoy a night out with friends

the excitement of watching a premiere screening



G  
es

can sit in the comfort of your own home

can choose what you want to watch

can flick through the channels

can invite your friends round

can watch a variety of programmes

can switch it off if you get bored

 

social responsibility to make educational/informative films

good media for reaching wide audiences

has high impact on the public

can get worldwide recognition

can deliver social messages

can bring widespread attention to social/world problems

e
 
!- e
  e ex es

online gaming / games / gambling

downloading films / videos (YouTube)

downloading music (iTunes)

computer game consoles (PlayStation / Wii)

social networking (Facebook / Twitter)

0

  

X

eex
 
 

in (actual) fact

actually

as a matter of fact

to be more exact

to be more precise

c 





   
aa
  
aa
   
  

No, I dont think that its necessary for all films to be educational. D 
, I think people go to the
cinema because they simply want to be entertained, not always educated. Watching a film on the big
screen is a form of escapism and so people want adventure, romance or fantasy. As far as Im
concerned, if Im looking to be educated I would choose to read a book or watch a documentary,
although
  I do also enjoy historical films which teach me something about the past.

c
 


 


 

V
a
a


Describe a teacher that had a positive influence on you.

You should say:

what subject this teacher taught

how long he/she was your teacher

what positive attributes this teacher had

and explain why you remember this teacher in particular.

V
a
a
a

1. Is there a system of free state education in your country?

2. Do you think school and university prepares young people adequately for real life?

3. Do you think there is too much pressure on young people at school these days?

4. Do you agree that there is too much emphasis on formal testing?

5. Have there been significant changes in schooling methods in your country in recent
years?

6. Do you think schools provide enough careers advice to young people?

0

 
c


nursery / primary / secondary schools / education

state school / private school

boarding school

all girls / all boys school

to go to / attend school

the curriculum

extra-curricular activities

school trips

to sit / do / take an exam

to resit / retake an exam

to revise (for an exam)

to pass / to fail an exam

to get exam results

to get qualifications / to be qualified

to leave school / a school-leaver

to drop out of school / to be a dropout

 to study for [a qualification / an exam]

to be academic / to be an all-rounder

0 e
s

tertiary / higher education

colleges of higher education / technical colleges / universities

to apply for a course

to get an (un)conditional offer

to do a course in [subject]

halls of residence / student accommodation

student union / student body

an undergraduate

a graduation ceremony

to get a university degree / a Masters / a Doctorate (Phd)

to graduate from university / to graduate in [subject]

a university graduate

a postgraduate student / course

to do a postgraduate course / a Masters / a PhD (Doctorate)

to be a qualified [job title]

to qualify in [subject]

to take a gap year

to drop out of university

0

  

D 


 
 
s

However,

Nevertheless,

On the one hand . but on the other hand

Although

Despite

But,

c 


!a aa

a  
 



In my country there is a state education system offering free education for children from 3-
18, 
 parents still have to pay for food, materials, school trips and other extra-curricular
activities. This is only one part of the system, wee
, because there are also private schools and
semi-private schools, which are partly funded by the state. So  e e  it appears that we do
have free state education,  in actual fact it isnt available to everyone because places are limited.

c
 


 

" 
 

V
a
a


Describe a conversation you had which was important to you.

You should say:

when the conversation took place

who you had the conversation with

what the conversation was about

and explain why the conversation was important to you.

V
a
a
a

1. What differences are there when using various channels of communication (face-to-face,
telephone, writing)?

2. To what extent do you think the media influences how people communicate with each
other?

3. Do you think there are differences in the way men and women communicate?

4. Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older?

5. Do you agree that education has a strong and positive effect on peoples ability to
communicate effectively?

6. What impact has the growth of technology had on the way people communicate and how
do you think this will develop in the future?

0

 

 
s
 


speaking / talking face-to-face

speaking / talking on the phone / by mobile phone

sending a text message / an SMS (texting)

sending / writing a letter (snail mail)

sending / writing an email

 using an electronic messenger service

social networking

sending a fax

 e
 
s
 


lip-reading

using body language

using sign language

using hand gestures / signals

using facial expressions

D 
 e

es

Xive me a call

Call me

Send me a text / an email

Text me / email me

Drop me a line (letter/email)

Xive me a buzz (call)

Xive me a bell (call)

Keep / Stay in touch

Ill be in touch

Ae

s
 


making / giving a speech

speaking in public / public speaking

giving a lecture / lecturing

giving a seminar

e s s

 


giving a demonstration / demonstrating

giving instructions / instructing

asking for / giving directions (directing)

asking for / giving advice (advising)

making a complaint / complaining

making small talk / building social relations

 exchanging views / opinions

gossiping

os ess
 


writing a report / proposal / recommendation

participating in a call conference

participating in a video conference

giving a presentation

chairing a meeting

-e
e
 
 ss

maintaining eye-contact

projecting your voice

varying your intonation

punctuating your sentences

emphasizing / repeating key words

engaging the listener

0

  

X
  s

In my view,

In my opinion,

From my point of view,

In my experience,

As I see it,

Personally, I think

I believe / feel that

For me personally,

As far as Im concerned,

c 





  





  
a a 


D  that peoples ability to communicate does improve with age because generally speaking,
people get more confident as they gain more experience of life and Deee that confidence is a major
factor. On the other hand, some people may become more self-conscious as they got older,
particularly when they reach certain stages in their life such as adolescence. 
ee
s  ,Dee
  Im a better communicator now than when I was younger.