PEC IELTS Speaking 3 Unit 8

UNIT 5: SCHOOL AND STUDY

A. VOCABULARY

1. Some other useful expressions

 To take to sb/sth: to start to like someone or something. E.g.: I really took to Chemistry after
doing some experiments in the lab.
 A high-flyer: someone who has the desire and ability to be very successful in their studies or jobs.
E.g.: Lina works very hard and is a real academic high-flyer.
 To have a good grasp of st: To understand a problem deeply and completely. E.g.: My brother has
a good grasp of English grammar.
 To do research into sth: study something carefully, especially in order to discover new facts or
information about it. E.g.: We have to do a lot of research into the stock market this semester.
 To work your way through university/college: to have a job when you’re at college in order to
pay for your studies. E.g.: Darren is worked his way through college as a waiter.
 To be out of your depth: to be unable to understand something because it is too difficult. E.g.:
I was out of my depth in those Literature classes and often fell asleep.

2. Match the verbs 1-5 with the nouns a-e to make collocations about studying. Then match the verbs
6-10 with the nouns f-j to make more collocations.

1 apply a presentations
2 be b for a scholarship
3 do c good results
4 get d my homework
5 give e in my first/second/final year
6 go f in halls / with my family
7 graduate g extra tuition
8 have h to lectures / college an essay
9 live j from university
10 write

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B. SAMPLE ANSWER

Describe a time during your education that you really enjoyed. You should say:

 when this period was

 where you were
 what you were studying at the time
 and say why you were so happy.

Caroline: I’d like to tell you about my time at university … I was a mature student … I didn’t go to
university until I was 25 … and it was my first time away from my parents so it was very exciting … I was
doing a Bachelors Degree and it was a bit of a challenge … some people take a year out but I’d been
away from education for 8 years … plus I had to work my way through uni so I was very busy …
and sitting exams at the end of each year was a new experience for me as well but I really enjoyed higher
education learning about a subject I loved … history … and the social life was great as well … I don’t
think I’ve ever had so many friends … I had my graduation ceremony last year in the local cathedral and
I know my parents were really proud … so yes … that was a really happy time … I’m thinking of doing
a Masters Degree soon … though that might be through distance learning as I have a full-time job now

C. EXAM PRACTICE

1. Describe a person who impressed you most when you were in primary school

You should say:

Who he/she is

How you knew him/her

Why he/she impressed you most

And how you feel about him/her.

2. Describe a law on environmental protection

You should say:

What it is

How you first learned about it

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Who benefits from it
And explain how you feel about this law

3. Describe a time when you moved to a new home/school

You should say:

When you moved

Where you moved

Why you moved

And how you felt about it

4. Talk about a math skill that you learned in your primary / elementary school.

You should say:

 What was the skill?

 How did you learn it?
 Do you find it useful and how is it useful?
 Explain how it will be beneficial for you in future?

5. Describe an activity that you do after school/work?

You should say:

What is it

When and where you do it

Who you do it with

And explain how you feel about it

6. Describe an art and craft activity (e.g. painting, woodwork, etc.) that you had (at school)

You should say:

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What you made

How you made it

What it looked like

And how you felt about the activity

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