IELTS speaking guess work (Sep – dEC 2023)

IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARD GUESS WORK

IELTS SPEAKING GUESS WORK (SEP – DEC 2023)

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Describe a tradition in your country
Describe a person who you think is very open
Describe an old friend you got in contact with again
Describe a family which you like and are happy to know
Describe an energetic person that you know
Describe a time you saw children behave badly in public
Describe a conversation topic you were not interested in
Describe an expensive activity that you enjoy doing occasionally
Describe an area of science that interests you
Describe a prize that you received
Describe a time when you first talked in a foreign language
Describe a good decision you made recently
Describe an event you attended in which you didn’t like the music played
Describe an ambition that you have for long time
Describe a time when you changed your opinion
Describe an intelligent person you know
Describe a photo of yourself that you like (or you have taken)
Describe a person who helps others in his or her spare time
Talk about a prize you want to win
Describe a book you read that you found useful or Describe an exciting book you read
Describe a time when you received good news
Describe a film/movie that made you laugh
Describe an occasion when you wasted your time
Describe something or someone that made a lot of noise
Describe a water sport you would like to try in the future or Describe a sport you would like to try for the first time
Describe a time when you were surprised to meet a friend
Describe an old person you know and respect
Describe a risk you have taken which had a positive result
Describe a mistake you have made
Describe a volunteering experience you have had
Describe a program or app in your computer or phone
Describe a long car journey you went on
Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution
Describe a friend/person who is a good leader
Describe a dinner you really enjoyed
Describe a large company that you are interested in
Describe a person in your family that you admire or a person in your family you are happy to know
Describe a time when a family member asked for your help
Describe a time you got lost in a place you didn’t know about
Describe a foreign country(culture) you want to know more about
Describe a place where you are able to relax
Talk about something you enjoyed doing in a group
Describe a film you watched or Describe a film that made you think a lot
Talk about a new public building/place, which you would like to visit
Describe your favorite clothes
Describe one of your family members you spend the most time with
Describe an important journey that was delayed
Describe an experience you had as a member of a team
Describe a goal that you achieved, which was set by yourself
Describe a person who has apologized to you

1. DESCRIBE A TRADITION IN YOUR COUNTRY

You should say

What it is
Who takes part in it
What activities there are
And explain how you feel about it

There are many traditions in India.
But today I would like to talk about a tradition which is quite popular especially in North India.
The tradition is called ‘karvachauth’.
It is actually a tradition in which women keep a fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands.
It is celebrated on a special day based on the Hindu Lunar Calendar.
It is mainly a Hindu tradition but some women from Sikh religion also celebrate it.
Its origin is based on military campaigns of the past.
The men would go to wars, and women would keep a fast for their safe return.
In today’s time, it is seen as a symbol of love and affection between a husband and wife.
In fact, nowadays even men keep a fast along with women to support them.
Women begin preparing for Karva Chauth a few days in advance, by buying adornments jewelry, and other prayer items.
On the day of Karva Chauth, women dress up and at night they do a small prayer along with husbands with the moon in the backdrop.
After this, they break their fast.
Earlier, I saw this tradition as a symbol of patriarchy in some sense, where only women are meant to keep a fast.
But now I see it more as a symbol of love and sacrifice
I think as long as there is no compulsion on women to do this and they do this on their own, there is nothing wrong with it.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What is the importance of traditional festivals?

I think traditional festivals fulfil three functions. They connect us to our roots, our culture and our origins, giving us a sense of identity. Secondly, they bring families and friends together and lastly, they help us forget about our worries and stress.

What’s the difference between festivals now and in the past?

I think the main difference between festivals now and in the past is the purpose of celebration. Earlier people celebrated festivals for a purpose, but now people have forgotten the meaning behind the festivals. Festivals are only celebrated for joy and merriment.

Do you think western festivals like Christmas are replacing traditional festivals in your country?

Yes, one of the influences of western movies and Hollywood has been the coming of western festivals like Christmas and Halloween. From the past two-three years, even I decorate a tree and ask for gifts from my parents on Christmas. Similarly, in these past few years, I have seen children going for trick or treating on Halloween in my neighborhood.

Do you think it is wrong for children not to celebrate traditional festivals?

I wish children today are as passionate about celebrating traditional festivals as they are about celebrating western festivals. But I don’t think it is wrong. I think festivals are about fun and merriment and it does not matter, which festivals they are celebrating as long as they are enjoying themselves.

2. DESCRIBE A PERSON WHO YOU THINK IS VERY OPEN

You should say

Who this person is
- How you know this person
- Why do you think this person is very open
- And explain how you feel about this person

I think very few people today are open and frank.
I myself am not very open and I don’t find it easy to express my feelings.
But I really think that my mother is a very open person.
I have experienced her straightforward nature many times.
She doesn’t hide her thoughts and feelings. She openly expresses them.
For example, I recently made a cake.
She found it too sweet and when I asked for her opinion, she clearly said she didn’t like it.
And she isn’t like that with us family members only, but others also.
She speaks her mind.
Sometimes people get offended due to this too.
But as people get to know her, they understand that she is just being straight forward and her intention is to help and not to insult.
Over the years, I have found that more and more people appreciate her for straightforwardness rather than take offense.
Her straightforward and direct nature is also a reason, many of our relatives and neighbours come and share their worries with her.
They know she will speak her mind.
I think it requires a lot of courage for a person to be open and direct.
I care too much about other people’s feelings and as a result sometimes I lie or make promises I can’t keep.
My mother never does that, and I think she is really brave deep-down.
She is very secure about herself and she is not afraid to show her true self to people.
I really wish I could be more open like that.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Is it difficult for Indian people to express their feelings?

Yes, I think Indian people are very polite and considerate and because of that most people don’t express their feelings easily in public. Also, I think a lot of us care about our image more than our mental peace and so we hide our feelings.

Who do you think talk more? Children or grown-ups?

Definitely children, and there are two reasons for it. First, they are curious because of their age and this curiosity only gets satisfied by asking questions. Second, they are not afraid to speak their mind because they don’t care about appearing rude or hurting others by their words. Adults also ignore children’s words because of their age.

What do you think is the difference between boys and girls in expressing their feelings?

I think girls are generally more open in expressing their feelings. Boys think they might appear weak, if they show their feelings and as a result, they try to hide them. This carries on to adult life too. That is why I think women complain about their husbands not opening up.

Do you think people are more open than in the past?

On the contrary, I think people are less open. I think people today are more worried about their image and thus they try to present themselves as a perfect person. But this in turn means they hide their true feelings. Also, I think people today lay more emphasis on politeness and thus they don’t speak up if they feel something is wrong.

3. Describe an old friend you got in contact with again

You should say

Who he or she is
What he or she is like
How you got in contact
And explain how you felt about it

ANSWER

Due to fast-paced life of today, it is very easy to lose contact with friends.
I have also lost contact with many of school time friends.
It happened inadvertently.
Some of my friends got busy with jobs, some shifted to another city and some just got busy with family life.
However, during this Corona pandemic, life slowed down.
I was home all the time and this also meant that I spent more time on social media especially Facebook.
So, two or three months ago, I got a friend request from one of my school-time friends, Navneet.
He had shifted to Canada when we were in 8th standard.
For the first two three months, we tried to keep contact but eventually we all got busy with studies.
So, it was a pleasant surprise to receive his friend request.
Navneet was one of my best friends in school.
I don’t use these words for anyone, but he was in real sense ‘a jack of all trades ’.
He was good in academics and sports as well.
When we were in school, he was the captain of the football team.
In studies, he was always among the top four five students.
Despite all this, he was very modest and still he is very modest.
He never tried to show that he was superior to others.
It was so fun talking to him.
It felt like I had travelled back in time.
We reminisced about our school days and both of us became a bit nostalgic.
I think it was a bittersweet feeling getting in touch with him after so long.
On the one hand, we both felt a bit guilty about losing touch.
On the other hand, we were also very happy to talk to each other after so long.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What is the influence of social media on friendships?

I think social media has definitely enabled us to maintain friendships better. We all know our friends are just a click away. At the same time it has all reduced face to face contact, and I think that has weakened the bonds of friendships.

Why do people lose contact with each other after graduation?

I think the main reason is that we get busy with jobs. Moreover, sometimes people move to another city for a job. We don’t see our friends daily and we come in contact with new people. Building new friendships consumes time and thus inadvertently people lose touch with friends.

Do people in your country like to make new friends?

Definitely, I think Indians in essence are very social. We love conversation, meeting new people. Every time, I travel, I come back with new contact in my phone. Do you think old friends are more important to the old generation or the young generation? I think old friends are important to both new and old generation. I think talking with childhood friends takes people back to childhood days in some sense and most people miss that time – a time free of tensions and worries.

4. Describe a family which you like and are happy to know

You should say

Who they are
Where they live
How you know them
And explain why you like them.

ANSWER

I know many families that live in our neighbourhood.
But there is one family, that I really enjoy spending time with.
They are our next-door neighbor’s, Sharmas.
There are four members in the family, Mr. Sharma, his wife and their two children, Navneet and Priya.
I think they shifted to Phagwara and our neighbourhood about five years ago.
Before that they lived in Jalandhar.
Mr. Sharma works in a bank and he was transferred to Phagwara branch five years ago.
That’s how they came to live in Phagwara and our neighbourhood.
I remember immediately after moving to our neighbourhood, they invited everyone for a dinner.
Their son is the same age as me and he and I have become very close friends.
There are many things I like about them, but the first is that they don’t do any formalities.
I don’t get the feeling that I am at somebody else’s house when I am at their home.
For example, they offer me things to eat when I go there, but they don’t force it.
They just tell me not to hesitate if I want to eat something.
It’s another matter that Mrs Sharma is a very good cook and I actually look forward to tasting all the delicacies she makes.
I also like the relationship between Mr and Mrs Sharma and the children.
They are strict but friendly and they encourage their children to share whatever problems they are facing.
I have never seen Mr and Mrs Sharma raise their voice.
I have noticed that my friend Navneet, shares nearly every detail of his life with his parents.
If he does something bad, they don’t scold but tell him why it was wrong.
I think very few people have this special dynamic relation with their parents.
In all, I get very positive vibes from all the members of the family.
I feel very comfortable at their home and that’s why I like them a lot.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Who is usually the leader in an Indian family?

India is a patriarchal society, and, in most families, the eldest male member is the leader. If it’s a joint family, its generally the grandfather and in nuclear families it’s the father.

How do grandparents take care of their children?

I think today grandparents fill the void left behind by working parents. Both the parents work today and as such are not able to devote enough time to the children. So, grandparents raise children just like parents. They also teach them about moral values. In some ways, they are also responsible for spoiling children as they give in to their demands much more easily than parents do.

What’s the most important quality of a good parent?

I think the best quality in a good parent is flexibility. Flexible parents tend to be open- minded and easy-going. They resolve disagreements smoothly. Children are naturally defiant and thus inflexible parents increase defiance and rebelliousness in their children and this always escalates conflicts.

How can new parents learn about parenting?

I think there are many ways to learn about good parenting. They can read books on parenting. they can join parenting classes, they can watch videos on you-tube about parenting and last but not least they can take guidance from their own parents.

5. Describe an energetic person that you know

You should say

Who this person is
How you know this person
Why you think this person is energetic
And explain how you feel about this person

ANSWER

When I started thinking about an energetic person, one person came to mind especially.
His name is Mr. Vikas Chaudhary and he works as a personal fitness trainer at a gym in my hometown.
I came to know him, when I joined the gym last year.
When I joined, I was very clueless about which machines to use, how much weights to use and what exercises to do as a beginner.
Mr. Vikas was the one who guided me even though I hadn’t paid for personal training services.
He took special notice that I was a beginner and whenever I did any exercise, he told me about the correct posture and corrected me if I was wrong.
A few weeks later, I sent him a friend request on Facebook.
That’s how I came to know that he is a very active and energetic person.
Firstly, he works a personal trainer 6 days from 8 AM to 8 PM, which involves a lot of physical activity.
Before that, he goes for 1-hour jogging session daily.
Every Sunday, he plays football for two three hours with his friends.
So, he does some form of physical activity every day of the week besides his job, which is also physical.
Because of all this, he has a very impressive, lean and muscular physique.
Another thing I like about him is that he doesn’t take any supplements and he doesn’t encourage others to take supplements either.
He believes in protein-rich diet but without any supplements.
Recently, there was a fitness competition in Phagwara, and he got second prize in the competition.
He is a big motivation for me.
I want to have an active lifestyle and have a physique like him.
I feel it takes a lot of effort to maintain a physique like him and it shows the hard work that he puts into his body.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What kind of jobs need a lot of physical activity?

I think with the coming of computers and technology, a lot of jobs don’t require as much physical activity as in the past. Still, there are a few jobs which involve manual labour like masonry, plumbing, painting etc. which involve a lot of physical activity.

What’s the difference between payment for physical work and payment for mental work? It’s a fact that today as a society we give more importance to mental work as compared to physical work. So, jobs which require mental work entail a much higher salary than jobs with physical work. In India especially, jobs with physical work like farming, plumbing, painting, working in factories are some of the least paid jobs.

Can physical workers have higher salaries in the future?

On the contrary, I think physical workers would have even lower salaries in the future relatively. This is because machines are gradually replacing manual work and I think the need for manual labour is coming down tremendously.

Do you think machines could replace manual labor in the future?

I don’t think machines will replace manual labor completely but there would definitely be an impact. I think with a coming of new technologies, new types of jobs will be created, which will require different skill sets. This in fact is already visible for example with the coming of driverless cars – there has been a fall in the jobs for drivers.

6. Describe a time you saw children behave badly in public

You should say

Where it was
What the children were doing
How others reacted to it
And explain how you felt about it

ANSWER

I go for a walk every day at a park near my home.
Usually, I also see a few children playing at the park during that time.
And they are always accompanied by an adult.
Last week when I went to the park, I saw that the children instead of playing were actually uprooting the flowers and plants.
I tried to see if there was an adult nearby who knew the children.
There were a few others who were here for a walk like me, but I didn’t think anyone knew the children.
Some of them had also stopped and were thinking about what to do.
However, an old uncle couldn’t watch this any longer.
He went up to the kids and told them to stop doing that immediately.
However, instead of scolding, he started telling them that how plants are living beings like us and uprooting them is like killing them.
He then tried to make the best of situation and asked the children to help him replant the trees.
Seeing this, some of other people and I also joined in and helped him.
At first, I was very angry, but I also knew that the children didn’t understand the consequences of their action.
After listening to the uncle, they stopped and actually helped in replanting the plants.
Still, some of plants had broken roots and we knew nothing could be done to save them.
But we didn’t say anything to the children because we didn’t want to make them feel even more guilty. (makkarIELTS)
When a person came to pick them up, we did explain the situation.
He apologized on behalf of the children and told us that he was sorry for leaving them unattended.
I learned one thing from that old man rather than scolding children for their mistakes, it is our responsibility as a society to guide them and enable them to become better human beings.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What bad behaviour do children usually have?

Normally, the bad behavior I associate with children is creating noise, breaking things, disrespecting elders, scribbling on the walls and stealing small things like pencils, erasers. I think I am guilty of each one of them when I was young.

How should parents stop their children from behaving badly at public?

I think parents should stop their children from doing bad things at home. There should be no double standards. Moreover, I think parents should not just stop children from doing something bad but also tell them why it is bad to do it.

Are parents these days stricter than in the past?

On the contrary, I think parents are more lenient these days. I think it is mainly due to two reasons, first being the strict laws against physical punishment and the second reason is the influence of western culture.

Whose influence on children is more? Parents or their Friends?

I think in the early years, the parents influence is second to none as children spend majority of their time with the parents. But as children grow older, they spend considerably more time with their friends and I think during these years it is their friends that influence their behavior and thinking the most.

7. Describe a conversation topic you were not interested in

Who you talked with
When you had the conversation
What the topic was
And explain why you were not interested

ANSWER

Last week, we went to my Uncle’s house as it was my cousin’s engagement.
There, some of my other cousins started a conversation about the recent Sushant Singh Rajput suicide case.
For the past few weeks, the main news coverage has been all about Sushant Singh Rajput.
And it was a controversial issue from the start.
There are some people who believe it was suicide, while there are others who believe it was murder.
However, I was actually tired of the hearing about the issue for the past two- three months.
I was hoping that at the wedding, we would talk about something else.
I was actually more interested in talking about the opening of schools, Indo-China border conflict and state of the economy and more than anything else our personal lives.
I felt that discussing the topic of Sushant Singh Rajput was depressing in some ways.
I know mental health is an issue which needs more discussion among people, and I felt that the engagement was a joyous occasion and it was not the right place for the discussion.
During the conversation, each of my cousins, came up with weird theory what actually happened.
It was like – they were there, they knew Sushant Singh Rajput personally.
I actually wanted to say if we could discuss something else, as none of us could really know what actually happened and we should just wait for the investigative agencies to conclude their proceedings.
But, the rest of my cousins were really interested in the discussion.
So, I didn’t say anything.
After about fifteen minutes, I just pretended that I received a phone call and went to another room.
But that was no respite as there my uncles were discussing the same topic.
For the rest of the time, I just played games on my phone call.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What topics do young people in India talk about?

The youth in India talk about nearly everything from politics to sports to fashion to technological gadgets. Personally, I love to talk about mobile phones and computers with my friends.

What is the difference between topics that are popular now and topics that were popular in the past?

I think earlier people didn’t care so much about technology, but it is a major part of the conversation now. I also love talking about that. In addition, I think rest of the topics like sports, fashion and politics were actively discussed in the past too.

How do you know if others are not interested in the conversation?

I think I mostly see people’s facial reactions to see if they are interested. If they are laughing at my jokes or their facial reactions are changing as the tone of the conversation changes, they are interested. Otherwise they are not. Sometimes people are direct too. They try to cut me off and steer the conversation towards another topic.

What’s the influence of modern technology such as internet, emails on our communication? I think they have increased the overall communication but at the same time they have also decreased face to face communication. Moreover, they have reduced the importance of language and grammar in communication. People care more about being concise rather than being grammatically correct.

8. Describe an expensive activity that you enjoy doing occasionally

You should say

What it is
Who do you do it with
Why is it expensive
And explain how you feel about it

ANSWER

My main hobbies include streaming movies, reading novels and listening to music.
So, most of hobbies are actually quite economical.
But occasionally I like to go for river-rafting at Rishikesh.
I generally go there with my friends and cousins.
Unlike, my other hobbies, it is rather expensive as the trip costs about Rs 30,000.
First, travelling costs amount to about Rs 5000.
Then, there is accommodation and food cost, which is about the same.
The rest of the it is the river rafting charges.
I started doing river rafting about three years.
One of my friends experienced it and he couldn’t stop talking about it.
So, during summer vacations that year, three of my friend and I went for river rafting.
I love the river rafting experience for several reasons.
But I think the most important reason is that it is thrilling and exciting.
It gets my blood pumping and I feel so alive when I do it.
I don’t know swimming and I think that adds to the feeling of danger.
Another reason why I love river rafting is not about river rafting but rather that the fact that I get to spend time with friends.
The whole experience takes us about two days and one night.
During this time, we talk, play games, pull pranks on each and enjoy delicious meals together.
We have so much fun that time passes away very quickly.
That’s why I think we have made it a yearly tradition, which we eagerly wait for.
If it were cheaper, we would have done it more often, but then it would have reduced its charm as well.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What kind of expensive things do people like to buy?

I think it varies from person to person, but generally expensive things people buy involve clothes, technological gadgets like mobile phones and cars and motorcycles. The most expensive product that I own is an Apple computer.

What the difference between men and women in buying things?

I don’t think there is a major difference today. However, men sometimes make extravagant purchases like a costly watch or a mobile phone. Women, I think make purchases after careful consideration.

What are advantages and disadvantages of being rich?

I think the biggest advantage of being rich is that you can prioritize your health and fitness over anything else, while poor people sometimes have to sacrifice their health for money. The biggest disadvantage of being rich is that people are always ready to fleece you. People don’t feel guilty about cheating a rich person.

Why are some of the sports expensive? Are they for everyone?

Some of the sports especially adventure sports are expensive because they require licenses, trained professionals and expensive safety equipment. No, I don’t think everyone can afford them. Also, they are not for the faint of heart because of the risk involved.

9. Describe an area of science that interests you

You should say

What it is
How you learned about it
Why are you interested in it

ANSWER

I find nearly all the different streams of science like biology, physics and chemistry very difficult.
But one area that really interests me is astronomy.
As with many sky enthusiasts, my interest originated in childhood.
I don’t remember the exact moment, but I do remember being very interested in space in third grade, when I was about seven.
I remember that there was a presentation in my school on stars.
I came back home and told my mother that I thought this was great stuff.
Soon I could recite the names of the planets faster than anyone in the class, which for some reason was very important to me.
I used to love to sleep outside at night so that I could look at the stars.
My fascination with space kept growing with age.
I think my interest stems from my curiosity to learn more about the universe and the solar system.
Are there aliens? or Are we alone?
Is there any other planet where we can survive or is Earth the only one?
Space has endless mysteries and there is so much we can learn from the study of space.
I am not a big movie buff, but I never miss a movie on space.
I think I have watched Interstellar ten times now.
I also love to watch you tube videos on space by famous astronomists.
I am very interested in buying my own special telescope once I start earning.

Science is very important in a student’s life.
It’s through the science subjects that we begin to think logically and find answers to our questions.
I found all the aspects of science interesting, like physics, biology and chemistry, as these sciences answer everyday questions about why things happen and how we evolved.
Today I will be talking about a science, which I find the most interesting.
It is computer science.
I remember that I started becoming interested in it when we started with the computer science lessons in the 6th standard.
We had a wonderful teacher who taught us this subject in a very interesting way.
Her name was Ms. Meenakshi.
We used to have both theory and practical lessons for this subject.
We used to look forward to the lab sessions as we got to work on the computers at that time and try out several things we had learned in class.

The lab sessions were always enjoyable, but our teacher taught it in a very interesting way and we all enjoyed the theory lessons a lot too.
There are many interesting things that I have learned from this science.
The first thing is how we can use computers not just as a source of entertainment, but it’s use is much more vast than that.
It can be used to organize and plan things at home. It can be used for many other day-to-day activities like, banking, research work, shopping, connecting with friends and relatives and so on.
Not only that, it helps the artists creates new art and helps designers create clothes, cars, buildings, etc.
Another reason that I have an interest in this science is because I know that in every field today we need to use computers.
It will help me with my higher studies and also in my career later.
In this contemporary world, the computer science has become an important science and it is essential that everyone is computer savvy to be able to do well in their studies or work or even if it is used as a source of entertainment.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What’s the best invention in the past hundred years?

I think there are many inventions which have transformed our lives, but I think invention of internet has had the maximum impact. Today, we have endless information available at our fingertips and we can communicate with anyone sitting anywhere.

What’s the influence of science on human life?

I think there are two main influences of science. First, science brings logic and reasoning in human life. It reduces the impact of superstition and makes us more open-minded and accepting of others. Second, science and inventions have made our life much more comfortable as compared to the past.

What can individuals do for scientific research?

I think most science inventions happen accidentally. Individuals see a need and they come up with an idea to address that need. That is how, new inventions take place. Individuals can also donate money to scientific organisation to fund scientific research.

What influence can international cooperation in science bring about?

There main challenges to scientific research in today’s time is the lack of funding and lack of access to information. International cooperation can address both of them. If countries share funds and their knowledge, scientific research would definitely receive a boost.

10. Describe a prize that you received

You should say

What it was
When you received it
What did you do for it
And explain how you felt about it

ANSWER

I have always believed in working hard and not worrying about the outcomes.
But I would be lying if I said that I didn’t actually care about prizes.
When I was in school, I took part in an inter-school quiz competition.

But, just before the inter-school quiz competition we had our mid-semester exams.

So, I couldn’t really pay much attention to competition.
Despite that, I came first in the competition and received a gold medal.
And this made it all the more special.
The quiz was on different topics from science to match to general knowledge.
I went into the competition with no expectation of winning.
I just didn’t want to embarrass myself.
But, two things worked in my favor.
My general knowledge has always been good because I read the newspaper daily.
I don’t even skip reading the newspaper on exam days.
It is a part of my daily routine.
I couldn’t specially prepare for the other topics, but a lot of the topics were similar to my school topics.
So, when I was preparing for my school exams, I was also in a way preparing for the quiz.
I still remember the day of the exam.
I woke up on the day feeling really nervous.
In the first round of the quiz, I answered one question, then another and then another.
At that time, I felt I was just lucky.
But by the third and fourth round, I felt a lot more confident.
One of other participants was also very good.
In the last round, it was a like direct competition between both of us.
However, I came on top by a slight margin.
Immediately after the competition, I was awarded the gold medal.
I remember feeling very happy with all my teachers and peers congratulating me.
It was all so surreal.
I still get emotional thinking of that day sometimes.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What kind of prizes do students get?

I think the main prize that students receive are for topping the exams. Besides that there are various competitions in schools like sports competitions debate competition, quiz competition, dance and singing competitions, which entail prizes.

Should students get the same prize in sports and academics?

I think yes, sports and academics are the same in my eyes. I think they both have their own importance. Therefore, a student who excels in sports should be awarded the same way as students who excel in academics.

Why should people be awarded?

I think awards are foremost a recognition of a person’s efforts and hard work. They also build a spirit of competition. In other words, awards make people more motivated and work harder. I think very few of us are self-motivated and awards act as an external source of motivation.

Are awards always good for the winners?

No, I don’t think they are always good. They can also create a feeling a superiority among the winners that they are better than others. This in return, can also create a feeling a complacency among the winners and stop them from working with the same level of dedication and commitment as they did before.

12. Describe a time when you first talked in a foreign language

You should say

Where were you
Who you were with
What did you talk about
And explain how you felt about it

ANSWER

I think the first time I talked in a foreign language was when I was in 3rd grade.
It happened at school.
My English teacher made me speak about myself in English with another classmate.
I had learned about English alphabets in kindergarten and I could even write simple sentences in English by that time.
However, I had never spoken a sentence aloud.
So, I was really nervous.
My teeth were clattering and my whole body was shivering.
It took me a lot of time to think what I should talk about.
Eventually I think I talked about name, my hobbies, my parents name and their profession.
I think it was a short three sentence introduction.
My teacher guided me and corrected me whenever I made a mistake.
The first sentence took me more than thirty seconds but as I spoke more, I got more and more comfortable.
After each sentence my other classmates clapped and that also boosted my confidence.
After my turn, my teacher made all the other students do the same.
She made pairs and made everyone come to front and talk about themselves.
I could see that everyone went through the same feelings as me.
My other classmates were also nervous like me, some of them were even sweating.
But after speaking, we all felt so much better.
I couldn’t wait to reach home and tell my mother how I spoke in English.
Gradually, I got more and more comfortable with English.
But that first time I spoke in English, is something I can never forget.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

At what age should children start learning a foreign language?

With regards to learning a foreign language, I think the earlier the better. So, I think primary school is the best stage to start learning foreign language. Young children have less inhibitions and don’t hesitate while speaking. Also, there is a lot of burden of studies in secondary school.

Which skill is more important speaking or writing?

I think both are equally important. A few years ago, I would have said that speaking is more important, but with the coming of internet we have started communicating in the form of emails and chats and so writing today is equally important.

Does a person still need to learn another language if he is good in English?

I think learning another language is always beneficial. Bilingual children are better at multitasking and thinking out of the box. Learning another language also helps in the mental development of children. I think I have read it at many places that bilingual children outperform monolingual children academically.

Do you think minority languages will disappear?

Unfortunately, yes. I think it is already happening. There are many reasons for it, but the primary reason is English is prioritized in most of the countries as it gives a competitive advantage in jobs. Moreover, linguists around the world are also not doing enough to protect the minority languages. There is research into minor aspects of languages like English and French, while minority languages are completely ignored.

12. Describe a good decision you made recently

You should say

What it was
When you made it
What the result was
And explain how you felt about it

ANSWER

The Corona Pandemic has slowed down life considerably.
- In fact, during the first few days after the lockdown was announced, everyone took it very seriously.
- Precautions were taken.
- However, lately, people have become a lot more complacent.
- As a family, for the past few months, we avoided going out unless it was absolutely necessary.
- We were also shopping online instead of visiting stores.
- However, last week my father decided that we will visit the wholesale store Fair Price to buy groceries.
- He believed that it would be fine if we took precautions like wearing a mask and using sanitizer after every fifteen-twenty minutes.
- But I was getting a very bad feeling about it.
- I thought the cases were increasing sharply and it was not the right time to step out.
- We could order all those online although for a slightly higher price.
- So, I convinced my dad that it was not the right time.
- I told him that we might save a few Rupees, but it was worth putting our lives at risk.
- My mother also supported me and so my dad relented.
- We made a list of things of all the things we wanted to buy and ordered them online.
- A few days later, we heard that many people had become infected after visiting Fair Price
- It was a being labelled a super-spreader by the news media.
- When we saw the news, we breathed a sigh of relief.
- My father told me that I took a wise decision.
- After the event, we have become even more cautious.
- I do believe that life must go on, but life cannot go on in the same way as before.
- We all need to take some precautions and now more than ever as the cases are increasing.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What decisions do people make every day?

I think we all make plenty of decisions everyday like what do buy, what to eat, what to watch on television and what to say to others. Then, there are decisions people have to take related to work and so on.

Why do people make decisions?

People make decisions to feel in control. Decisions give us a feeling that we are the masters of our fate. No one else can control our fate. Decisions also give direction to our life. Every decision has a consequence and it takes our life in certain direction.

Can children take decisions on their own?

Yes, I think even children can take decisions on their own, but I also believe their likelihood of making a mistake is higher than others as they are worldly-wise. Thus, parents should take decisions for children when they are young and gradually as they grow up, allow them to take decisions on their own.

When do people change their decision?

I think changing a decision is all about our conscience. When we get that feeling inside that we have made a mistake or we are doing the wrong thing, we try and change our decision. And if we don’t change our decision, we always feel guilty about doing the wrong thing.

13. Describe an event you attended in which you didn’t like the music played

You should say

What the event was
Where you were
What the music was like
And explain why you didn’t like the music.

ANSWER

I love listening to music.
- In fact, I listen to music while cooking, while cleaning and even while studying/working.
- And I generally enjoy all genres of music from pop to rock to jazz.
- But few years I attended a concert by Sunidhi Chauhan, and I didn’t enjoy it one bit.
- There were mainly two reasons for it.
- First, Sunidhi herself didn’t show up.
- I was and still am a big Sunidhi Chauhan fan and it was a great disappointment.
- The greatest singers of the world could have come to the stage and I would still have been disappointed.
- I was really looking forward to hearing Sunidhi live for the first time.
- So, I was very disheartened.
- The second reason was the backup singers seemed like amateurs.
- They didn’t involve the crowd at all.
- Their performance was very dull and monotonous.
- I didn’t feel like I was attending a live performance at all.
- In fact, after a while, none of us were paying any attention to the songs being played.
- The music was also too loud, and it was hurting the ears.
- I remember many people asked the event managers to lower the volume of the loudspeakers.
- What added insult to injury was that the event managers refused to refund the money.
- Some of the people even fought and got their money back, but I was too tired to fight then.
- I left the concert quite early.
- More than anything else, I never got an opportunity to hear her live again, I don’t know if I will get an opportunity in the future too.
- It might remain a dream.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Why do so many young people spend a lot of money on concerts?

I think it is mainly because of the experience. Hearing a singer on the screen can never match the feeling of hearing them live. Also, I think it’s about spending quality time with friends.

Do you think older people like the same music as young people?

I feel young people like pop, rock music, basically any music that they can dance to. They don’t care about the lyrics; they care more about the fast beats. Old people are more into soft, slow, music. They actually pay more attention to the lyrics.

Do you think music concerts are suitable for old people to attend?

I think it might be physically taxing for the old people to stand for so long at a concert. But otherwise, I think if the old people can manage the physical exertion, the concerts are certainly suitable. Today many concerts also offer chairs, where the older people can sit and enjoy the show rather than having to stand.

Why do shopping malls often have background music?

I think the music is there to enhance the experience of shopping. We remember shopping through not only sight but also through music playing in the background.

14. Describe an ambition that you have for long time

You should say

What it is
What you did for it
When can you achieve it
And explain why you have this ambition

ANSWER

I have had ambitions in my life.
- Some I have achieved and some I have failed to achieve.
- I have always felt the reason for my failure to achieve a goal has always been associated with my lack of motivation.
- So, today, I want to talk about ambition that I am really motivated to achieve.
- The ambition is to settle in Canada.
- I think it all started about five years ago, when one of my close friends, Ravi moved there.
- Before that, I was completely unaware about the life in Canada.
- His words have built a fairytale image of Canada in my mind
- He told me about the difference in the quality of life between India and Canada.
- The healthcare and the education system in Canada are miles ahead.
- There is no corruption, there is very negligible crime and more than anything else there is value for labour.
- Then, Canada’s weather is also to my liking, as I hate the heat.
- I sweat profusely during the summers in India and it makes not only makes me uncomfortable but also others around me.
- Canada’s summers are also quite cool.
- I also have a habit of googling pictures from Canada and the beautiful landscapes have only strengthened my resolve to settle in Canada even more.
- That is reason I am taking the IELTS exam today.
- You can see that my English is not great, but I have worked really hard to improve my English for the past few months.
- It was not easy.
- I have developed the habit of watching English movies and reading English newspapers for developing my English.
- I also try and talk with all my friends in English and even ask them to do the same.
- I know only practice makes perfect.
- I have also done research on the course and the university I want to apply to.
- Even if I fail today, I will try again- because I am really motivated to fulfil this ambition.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What kinds of ambition do people have?

I think ambitions vary with age. In school student’s ambitions is to get into a good college or a university. Some youngsters with a creative mindset also dream about becoming a successful celebrity or a successful singer. As people finish their education, the ambition is to get a high-paid job in reputed firm and then after children, children’s ambitions become the parent’s ambitions too.

Why should parents encourage children to have ambitions?

I think ambitions give direction to children. It makes sure they are dedicated and less likely to fall off the track. Moreover, if children are ambitious they are less likely to fall down on failing. They are always willing to try again.

Should parents interfere with children’s ambitions?

I think if parents interfere with children’s ambitions, it would create a feeling of resentment among the children for the parents. It would have disastrous long-term consequences for their relationship. I think parents should be supportive of their children’s dreams, but they can encourage them to keep backups and not put all their eggs into one basket.

Is there any difference of ambition of grown-ups and that of children?

I think grown-up’s ambitions are much more realistic than children because they know that life is full of problems and hurdles. Children, on the other hand, sometimes have very unrealistic ambitions. Children also don’t get much disheartened on failing to achieve their goals, while adults sometimes even go into depression on failing.

16. Describe an intelligent person you know

Who is the person?
- What does he do?
- Why do you think he is smart?
- How do you feel about him?

ANSWER

I know many intelligent people.
I find some of my friends, teachers and neighbours very intelligent.
Here I would like to talk about my friend Sonia, who is very brilliant.
She is 18 years of age.
She is not tall, but looks very beautiful.
She has curly hair and has sparkling black eyes.
We studied together from 1st to 10th.
Then she chose the medical stream, whereas I opted for commerce.
I remember vividly, that she always stood first in class.
We used to study together at home also because we were neighbours.
I was weak at mathematics, but she guided me in such a way that I started getting good grades in mathematics also.
She was in the good books of all teachers.
She was not only good at studies, but also participated very actively in extra-curricular activities.
She participated in a state level quiz show organised by the Rotary Club and bagged the trophy for our school.
She has a great sense of humour and can turn any tense situation into a happy one by cracking jokes.
She has a lot of ready wit.
I just love her company.
She has recently taken the IELTS and has scored 7.5 band overall.
She has motivated me also to take the IELTS so that we can study together in some good college in Canada.
So, Sonia is the person whom I find very intelligent.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Are most intelligent people happy? Why?

Not necessarily. Intelligent people have high expectations of life. They may feel unhappy if things don’t go according to their expectations. But, at the same time i think it is difficult to generalise. Intelligent people know that happiness is a state of mind, and so they may try their best to stay happy.

Do you think intelligent people are selfish?

No, selfishness has nothing to do with intelligence. I think it is personal nature to be selfish. A person who is intelligent may get success in his life and may seem to be selfish, but actually he is not. Even people who are not so intelligent may be selfish. It is basic human nature to look after one’s own interests first. So, it cannot be said that intelligence makes people selfish.

Do you think intelligent people are helpful?

Well, a helpful nature also has nothing to do with intelligence. Anybody can be helpful, but intelligent people can help in better ways with their intelligence. People who are not intelligent but have money can help by giving money, but intelligent people can help by educating the poor.

Who do you think plays a more important role in children’s education, parents or teachers? Why?

Well, both have a vital role in children’s education. The role of both parents and teachers is different, but equal. So, it is difficult to say, who has a greater role. In social education, parents have a greater role, but in academic education, teachers have a greater role.

What qualities do you think a good teacher should have?

A teacher should have good communication skills. Without good communication skills, a teacher cannot teach well. Secondly, he should have depth of knowledge of the subject. Then, he should be impartial. He should have no bias towards the rich or poor students. He should be able to come down to the level of the student to teach well.

How do teachers help children in their education?

Teachers help in all possible ways. They work hard to provide good academic knowledge to the students. They have to keep themselves up-to-date with the latest syllabi and teach students according to the requirement of the time. They can also do some career counselling and advise the students any career path according to their aptitude.

Why are some children more intelligent than others?

It can be because of genes. Some may be born intelligent. Some children may work hard to achieve that level of intelligence.

17. Describe a photo of yourself that you like (or you have taken)

When it was taken?
Where it was taken?
Who took it? or How you took it?

– Explain how you felt about the photo

ANSWER

I have an I-phone 5s, which has a dual camera.
- I click many photographs with it whenever I find anything worth capturing.
- However, I am not very fond of clicking selfies of myself alone.
- Here, I would like to talk about a group selfie, which I clicked with my relatives in a family function.
- Last month, there was the ring ceremony of my cousin Rohan.
- All our family members had assembled at our house.
- From there we had to go to Rohan’s fiancée’s house, which is near our house.
- We were all dressed to our best.
- We were standing outside, when my cousin suggested we should click a selfie together and keep it as a memory of that day.
- He had a selfie stick, include many people in that pic.
- There are ten of us in that pic. Including me.
- We all are smiling and looking very happy.
- This photograph has come out so nice that I have displayed it as my desktop background.
- Whenever I open my laptop the memories of that day come alive in my mind.
- All my other relatives, who are in this photograph have a copy of this in their cell phones.
- It has rightly been said that a good photograph keeps a moment from running away.
- Whenever, I am free I open my web albums and old photographs bring back nostalgic memories of the past.
- This photograph, brings a smile on my face every time I see it.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Do Indian people like to take photos of themselves?

Yes, Indian people do like to take photos of themselves. Selfies have become very common nowadays. Smart phones have become very economical. So most young people have a smart phone in their hands, and these smart phones have cameras in the front and in the back. So, taking selfies has become a routine with the young people.

What kinds of devices to people like to use for taking photos these days? People use cameras and cell phones for taking photos these days.

Why do some people like to delete photos?

Sometimes the photographs may not be good, and sometimes the memory card may be full. So people have to delete photographs.

Why do some people like to keep photos?

Some people like to keep photos because photographs are mirrors of the past and they want to preserve those memories forever.

Has the way people take photos changed?

Yes, the way people take photos has changed a lot. Now digital cameras have become popular. People do not have to worry about wasting precious film. They can take as many photographs as they like. They do not even need to get them printed. They can save those photographs in their web albums. Even a three-year old child can click photographs.

18. Describe a person who helps others in his or her spare time

Who this person is?
- How often this person helps others?
- How this person helps others?
- Why this person helps others?
- How you feel about this person?

ANSWER

We live in a world which is full of people with different nature and attitudes.
Some individuals find joy in achieving success whereas some find bliss in helping others.
Today, I would like to talk about one such person whose life motto is to help others and fight for human rights.
His name is Prabloch Singh.
He is in his early thirties and is tall and handsome.
He has done his graduation in Computers and works with an IT company.
But after his work hours, he takes the role of a super hero where his mission is to help as many people as possible.
He is also the founder of a human rights organisation called Middle Finger Protests.
His journey for human rights and causes started when he was very young.
He helped in bringing justice for the family of an air hostess who was murdered in a bar by an influential person.
Even though he got many threats to his life, he continued his protests to fight for the justice
His role was also picturized in a movie called No one Killed Jessica.
Similarly, he has led various other protests to bring justice to other victims.
He also does a lot of charity and social work for people by organizing free food stalls and distributing clothes to the needy.
He has been awarded at national and International level for his contribution to humanitarian causes.
He has also represented India as an ambassador for Human Rights at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The best thing about him is that he is not afraid of fighting for the right cause, even if he has to make a lot of sacrifices.
He is an inspiration for today’s generation.
When I talk about him, I feel motivated that I should also give back to the society.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Do people nowadays help others more than in the past?

There have been helpful people in every era and they use the means they can to help others in need. I believe that people have more means to help other people anywhere in the world because of technology. That was not possible in the past.

Who should teach children to help others? Parents or teachers?

Both parents and teachers share the responsibility to ensure that the children learn to help others. Parents should be role models for their and teachers can have lessons and activities in schools to inculcate/imbibe this value/virtue in children.

In what kind of professions do people help others more?

I think in all professions people help other directly or indirectly through their products and services. However, those working in the social/community service fields, like NGOs working to promote child education, women empowerment, and other such social issues, help others more.

Why are some people willing to help others?

People who are empathetic, sensitive, and compassionate are more willing to help others. These values are what they have seen and learned from their parents, teachers and other people around them while they are growing up.

20. Talk about a prize you want to win

What prize it is?
- How do you know about it?
- What will you do to win it?
- Why do you want to win?

ANSWER

Everyone loves prizes, winning them makes one happy.
Prizes also motivate us to work hard and prove the fact that hard work is key to success.
I have not won many prizes in my life but one prize I would like to get would be the first prize in marathon race which is held every year in my city.
The race is organized by Standard Chartered Bank.
It is held to spread awareness about diseases like cancer and also to make people aware about the benefits of healthy living.
All the money collected from this race goes to a charity.
The winner of the race gets a cheque of Rs 1 Lakh along with a trophy, medal and a certificate.
The winner also gets a chance to represent the city in other marathon races held across the world.
Every year almost ten thousand people from our city participate in this race.
The race is held in the first week of November, normally the first Sunday.
Last year one of my best friends won the second prize in the race.
He finished the distance of 42 kms in approx. 3 hours.
After seeing him get the second prize, I felt motivated to participate in the race.
I am not a professional runner but since then I have started running.
Nowadays I can run 30 kilometers in approx. 2.5 hours and I am working on improving my time.
Hopefully I will be ready by November.
Preparing for this race has made me healthy and I have also learnt a lot from running.
If I do not win this year, I will keep trying until I win the prize.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What rewards can children get from school?

Children can get rewards in the form of certificates, medals, words of appreciation in the classroom or assembly or in the form of notes written to parents. Some other prizes that are given in schools are books, stationary, and gift vouchers.

Should parents push their children to get prizes?

I would say that the parents should encourage their children to participate in competitions and give it their best efforts. They should make their children understand that if their efforts are sincere, the rewards will follow. Inculcating a sense of competition is important, but making children over-competitive can have some repercussions.

Is it good for children to compete for prizes at school?

It is good for children to compete for prizes as it gives them an opportunity to test their abilities and skills. It also teaches them the importance of putting in their best efforts. Prizes can act as a motivation for many students to participate in competitions and that in turn helps them recognize their talent.

What kinds of rewards can companies offer to their outstanding employees?

Companies can offer rewards to employees in form of certificates, vouchers, bonuses, and other gift prizes. Some companies also offer gifts like holiday packages, etc.

20. Describe a book you read that you found useful or Describe an exciting book you read

When you read it
What type of book is it
What is it about
Why did you find it useful

ANSWER

I have not read many books apart from my text books.
Here, I would like to talk about a book, which my friend gifted me, and I read it all.
I found this book very useful and motivating and would like to read it again.
This book is ‘The Wings of Fire’ by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
My friend got this book as a prize when she participated in a declamation contest
It is Dr. Kalam’s autobiography.
It was first published in 1999.
This book became popular only after Dr. Kalam became the President of India.
He was sworn in as the president of India on 25th July 2002.
Mr Arun Tiwari helped DrKalam in writing the book.
In this book Dr. Kalam says why he wrote his autobiography.
This book is very motivating.
From this book I came to know all about the life and achievements of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Dr. Kalam was born in a very poor family in the southern parts of India at Rameshwaram.
The reason why I admire him is that his life shows how & ordinary boy from a deprived class (poor family) could reach the highest level of the nation.
He became not only the best rocket engineer but also the first citizen of the nation.
It is true that he described his post as the President as a piece of luck, but his achievement as a rocket engineer was because of sheer hard work.
He is a role model for one and all.
The success of Dr. Kalam depended on the fact that he was willing to grow daily.
He learned everything that come to him and was always looking for things to learn.m a k k a r I E L T S
The real success of Dr. Kalam is in his application of the discipline, what he learned, in other fields also.
That is why he could contribute to the making of the artificial limbs of lesser weight.
In him we find a person with insatiable quest for knowledge & great love for suffering fellow beings.
Unfortunately, we don’t have Dr. Kalam with us today, but he will live in the hearts of all Indians.
I would like to read this book again, because it is a very motivating book.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Do people in your country like to read books?

Yes, people of my country like to read books. There are bookshops in most towns and cities, which are all doing good business.

What kinds of books are most popular in your country?

All types of books are very popular. India is a diverse country. People have diverse tastes in everything, including reading.

Do you think reading is important?

Yes, reading is very important. It develops imagination and also develops language skills.

Do you think electronic books will eventually replace paper books?

Not completely, but to a large extent yes. E-books have a lot of advantages

Benefits of e-books over traditional books Easy to carry while traveling

Need less storage space – Less costly

Immediate purchase –

You can do font adjustments.

Some people like to collect books. Why do you think they do this?

They do so because they love books. They treat books as collectibles, and are proud of their collection.

Is compulsory reading (in school) is a good idea?

Yes, definitely. In order for students to achieve in math, science, English, history, geography, and other subjects, reading skills must be developed to the point that most of them are automatic. Students cannot struggle with word recognition when they should be reading quickly for comprehension of a text. But the ability to read and write develops with careful planning and instruction. Children need regular and active interactions with print.

Reading is a Good Workout

Just like muscles, the brain benefits from a good workout. And reading is more demanding than watching TV or listening to the radio.

Reading Builds Vocabulary

While reading books, especially challenging ones, you will find yourself exposed to many new words you wouldn’t be otherwise.

Reading Helps Self Esteem

Another one of the key reading benefits is that the more you read, the more knowledgeable you become. With more knowledge comes more confidence. More confidence builds self- esteem. So it’s a chain reaction.

Reading Improves Creativity

Reading exposes you to new ideas and more information helps to develop the creative side of the brain.

What books do children read and what do adults read?

Children read fantasy, fiction and books on supernatural characters like Barbie, Superman and Shaktiman. Adults read biographies, fiction and religious and spiritual books.

Why men and women prefer different books? This is because they have different tastes.

Why some books become internationally popular? This is perhaps because these receive a lot of publicity.

What type of books children read nowadays? What type of books did children like reading in the past and what do you think they will read in the future?

Nowadays, generally speaking, the reading habit of the children is on the decline. Whatever books they read are based on fantasy, fiction and supernatural characters like Barbie, superman and Shaktiman.

50 years ago – Children read a lot. They read moral and spiritual books. They read animal stories. After 50 years – I do not think they will do any reading. All the time will be spent in front of computers.

Do you think children have lost their interest in stories?

No, I don’t think that children have lost their interest in stories. However, the stories they read today are very different from those in the past.

Can storybooks be an ideal gift for children?

Yes, definitely! Storybooks can be an ideal gift for children. They can help the child imagine the characters in the mind, which is the first step to creativity. Another important benefit is that we can impart the knowledge of culture, tradition, moral values and religion in the mind of the child. This forms the basis of the child’s personality. Finally, storybooks enhance the curiosity of the child and enhance their mental growth.

21. Describe a time when you received good news

What was it about
- Who told you the news
- When you knew it
- How you felt about it
- Why do you think it was good

ANSWER

The Internet has shrunk the whole world.
People are connected with hundreds of friends and relatives through social networking apps and sites like facebook and Whatsapp.
Now face to face meetings have become very few and people share their joys and sorrows through status updates on these sites.
Here, I would like to talk about a good news that I received from my cousin.
It so happened that my cousin Prabhjeet, my maternal aunt’s son, who is in Chandigarh put up his status that he was flying to Canada for his higher education after Senior secondary.
I had met him about 6 months ago at a family function
But he hadn’t shared anything about his plan to go abroad.
Last month, I read his status that he had got his Visa and was going to Centennial College Canada to do a course in Business Management.
My joy knew no bounds.
I called him immediately and congratulated him.
I told him that I was very happy about his plan, but at the same time I was a bit angry that he hadn’t told me anything about it before.
He told me that it had all been a sudden plan, and that he had no intention of hiding anything.
Immediately after his plus 2 result, he joined college for doing graduation in Commerce.
But there one of his classmates had enrolled himself in an IELTS coaching centre.
So he motivated him also to join him.
Till he took the IELTS he had no intention of going abroad.
But then he and his friend both got 7 band each and then they both consulted an agent, who told them all the details for a study visa.
Prabhjeet had a tough time convincing his parents to send him abroad, but then they agreed and he applied
He was very busy in the application process, but luckily he got the visa on the fifth day after submitting his file.
He has also motivated me to take the IELTS and join him in Canada.
That is why I am taking the IELTS.
So, this is the good news I received through the internet.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Is it important to read the news?

Yes, it is. News keep us connected with the outside world. We come to know what is happening around us. They tell us what our government is doing for us and also update us with the weather conditions. We also come to know about the lives of the people we follow, such as celebs in the field of entertainment and sports.

We also come to know what is happening in our whole country and even the world.

What kind of news do people in your country like to read?

People like to read all sorts of news. They read sports news, political news, weather updates, employment news, and so on.

Are young people and old people interested in same kind of news?

Their tastes are different, but then there are individual variations among the people of the same age group too. Generally, youngsters are more into sports news and Bollywood news, whereas the elderly are more into political news.

Is it important to keep reading up to date news?

Yes, it is important to be abreast of the latest happenings around us. We can be prepared to face any problems if we are aware of the situation outside.

How do people in your country get news?

People get news through various sources, such as TV, the Internet, newspapers and radio.

Do you think children should start watching news from a young age?

Yes, the habit of watching news should be inculcated from a very early age. They would be aware of the outside world through the news. Otherwise they will have a very narrow outlook of life.

Why do some people like to share news in social media?

Social media such as facebook and Whatsapp and Twitter has become very powerful. Sharing news helps keep more people abreast of the happenings around them, even those who don’t normally watch the news.

22. Describe a film/movie that made you laugh

What is the name of this movie?
- when did you watch it?
- Who you watched it with
- why it made you laugh?

ANSWER

I am an ardent admirer of Aamir Khan.
His movies are loaded with strong social messages, yet they are not devoid of entertainment.
My favourite movie to date is Rang De Basanti.
It is a comedy as well as a drama movie and has an excellent storyline.
It was released in 2006 but I am yet to watch a movie that can match Rang De Basanti.
I have viewed this several times maybe 6 or 7 but every time I am surprised that I sit through the movie from beginning to the end without feeling bored.
It was directed by Om Prakash Mehra and it starred Aamir Khan and Soha Ali Khan, Anupam Kher and Kiron Kher besides Sharman Joshi and Kunal Kapoor
All the actors in this movie have performed to the best of their abilities that means the movie is very well directed and well presented
The setting is both pre-partition days in India and modern-day India.
The story revolves around six Indians young students who assist an English Woman to film a documentary on the freedom fighters from their past.
The events that lead make them to relive the long-forgotten saga of freedom.
In fact, they realise they love their country and can make supreme sacrifice for it.
It has very moving songs and has won the award for music director A.R. Rehman.
Some of the scenes are so hilarious that I start laughing even when I am alone
It is a movie that shows that today’s younger generation may appear to be aimless and carefree but given the right direction and guidance they can achieve wonders.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Do people like comedy?

Yes, people love to watch comedy as it is a great source of entertainment. Also, in today’s world where everyone has to work really hard, comedy acts as a great stress buster.

Personally, I love to watch comedy series on Netflix. My favourite comedy series is a US based sitcom called Friends.

Why do people of all ages like cartoons?

People of all ages love to watch cartoons because they are really funny and enjoyable. Kids like watching cartoons because they are fun and they can learn many things from them.

Cartoons are fantastical, so they could think their dreams are coming true by cartoons. For adults, cartoons take them back to their childhood and provide breaks from their hectic schedule.

Why do some people like to make others laugh?

I think there are 2 main reasons why some people like to make others laugh. First, when they make others laugh it makes them look more attractive, especially to the opposite gender. For example, women like men who have a humorous nature. Secondly, it helps them to break the ice or remove the tension in a nervous situation.

Should teachers tell jokes in class?

Yes, teachers should definitely crack jokes in a class. It would help them to develop a stronger bond with their students and also it could be used as a tool to explain some difficult concepts to the students. Also, the students will not be scared of their teachers and will respect them more.

23. Describe an occasion when you wasted your time.

You should say

Where you were
- When it was
- What you did
- And explain why you think it was a waste of time

ANSWER

No one likes to waste time but still most of us waste time from time to time.
I think I have also wasted a lot of time but a recent occasion when it happened was during the Corona lockdown days.
India went into lockdown in the last week of March.
It was a shock for all of me as I had never faced or even imagined such a situation.
For the first two three weeks after the lockdown the announced I did nothing.
I was at home with my family.
I thought it would be over soon and I will be back in daily routine soon.
Before the lockdown I was planning to take the IELTS exam.
But I hadn’t bought any books to prepare.
During the lockdown no bookstores were open.
I just kept thinking, I will start preparing once the lockdown is over and things start.
However, the government kept on extending the lockdown and I just passed my time watching movies, playing mobile games.
I had a big list of things I wanted to learn – like baking a cake, 3 D origami etc.
If not study, I could have learnt them.
And to be honest, I knew that a lot of material for IELTS was available online.
I could have downloaded it and started studying from the very first day.
I was at home the whole day and I had no worries.
It would have been the best time to study.
I really wish I would have utilized that time more productively.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

How can we avoid wasting time?

I think the best way to avoid wasting time is to make a schedule. Also, another thing we can do is to engross our self in work. Only if we are free, we can waste time. We should always keep doing something in our free time. In other words, we should never be free actually.

Is time management important?

Yes, time management is really important. I think there is only resource that we can never get back and that is time. And there is no bigger regret in life than wasting time.

Should parents help children manage time?

Yes, in the beginning yes. They can make a timetable for them and make sure they follow it. If children develop such a habit at young age, it stays with them for life.

Do you think relaxing is a waste of time?

No, I don’t think relaxing is a waste of time. However, relaxing should not be doing nothing. I feel relaxed when I do things I love. Just sitting idle is a waste of time. It is better to do something in our free time than to just sit idle.

24. Describe something or someone that made a lot of noise.

You should say

Who or what made the noise?
- What was the noise like?
- What did you do when you heard the noise?
- And how you feel about it?

ANSWER

I think there is lot of noise in India.
It is in fact hard to find a quiet place.
So, I am going to talk about an occasion when my nephew made a lot of noise.
He is just 5 years old.
But he is very fond of bursting crackers.
During last Diwali, he went shopping for crackers with my dad and he bought him a lot of crackers.
After visiting the Temple/ Gurudwara, when we came back home, he went to the terrace and for the next one hour, we could hear nothing but the sound of crackers.
He burst so many crackers.
The noise was deafening, and all the family members couldn’t wait for him to stop.
I can’t imagine how my dad tolerated the noise as he was with him outside on the terrace.
Rest of us were inside the house and for us the inside the house noise the intolerable.
I tried to distract myself, but the noise was too much.
I didn’t want to spoil my nephew’s mood by telling him to stop either.
So, after waiting for half an hour for him to stop, I decided to put on my noise cancelling headphones and watch a movie
My sister had gifted them to me a year ago.
That was the day, I actually tested the noise cancelling part.
It was amazing, I couldn’t hear anything except the sounds in the movie.
My other family members were not so lucky, and they had to tolerate the noise.
My dad also decided that day and there would be no crackers from next Diwali.
Crackers not only create noise pollution, but they are also harmful for the environment.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Where can people hear a lot of noise?

People can hear a lot of noise at public places like bus stations, railway stations, malls and so on. Moreover, in big cities, there is a lot of noise on the roads during traffic because of honking. In India, religious places also use loudspeakers and thus there is a lot of noise there.

What may happen when someone listens to very loud music using headphones when they are running or hiking?

I think in the long term, it might cause permanent damage to ears. Moreover, it may also lead to accidents as people while running might not hear car horns due to loud music. So, I would not consider it to safe to put on loud music in public places.

What can be done to reduce traffic noise?

I think government can make strict rules about honking and unnecessarily honking should be considered a traffic violation. Also, car engines start making noise after a few years, so people should be encouraged to replaced car engines after a few years.

Do you think the world will be noisier in the future?

On the contrary, I think the world would be quieter because people are becoming less social than before. I think noise is mainly made in social situations. More and more people are becoming introverted and thus I think noise would also reduce for this reason. Also governments have also made strict rules about noise and thus noise would reduce in the future.

25. Describe a water sport you would like to try in the future or Describe a sport you would like to try for the first time
What is it
Where you will do it
Whether it is easy or difficult

Why would you like to try it

ANSWER

The water sport I would like to try in future is River Rafting.
Although I do not know how to swim but river rafting is done by wearing safety jackets, so one does not drown in the water.
It is an adventurous water sport.
There are many other water sports like deep sea diving, jet ski, para sailing etc but I want to try this first.
I learnt about river rafting from one of my best friends.
He did River Rafting last year during the summers and he told me it is really exciting.
In my country people go to Rishikesh for white water rafting.
It’s a beautiful town located in the state of Uttrakhand.
People do rafting on Ganges River, which flows between the Himalayan mountains.
One can do rafting for 12 kilometers or 16 kilometers. (makkar IELTS)
Rafting is not a difficult sport, it can be done by people of all age groups.
But, you need to have an expert guide with you because at some places it gets dangerous.
That is why they provide safety equipment like helmets and life jackets to everyone.
Rafting is done early in the morning.
Each raft can carry approximately 6-8 people and a guide sits at the end.
The raft is inflated using air pump and people paddle to drive it forward.
During the course, there are several rapids in the river which bring a lot of thrill.
When the raft goes through the rapids it gets very fast and can sometimes go up in the air as well.
I want to try this sport because I have never tried adventure sports in my life and this water sport sounds really exciting to me.
I will probably do rafting during the next summers.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Which is the most popular water sport in your country?

According to me, the most popular water sport in my country is White Water Rafting. One doesn’t need to know swimming to do this sport. One has to wear a life jacket and be seated in the raft. The adventure level in moderate and it also includes calm sailing sections too.

Why do people like to do things near water?

Water is a necessity and serves the purpose of adventure and recreation too. People like to camp and have a bonfire near water. They enjoy fishing and having parties near the coast. The scenic views around water during sunrise and sunset are pleasant and soothing.

Do you think schools should teach students to swim and why?

Absolutely! Schools should teach students how to swim. It is not just a complete workout, it is a life skill that can help students in moments of need and emergencies.

Are there many schools teaching swimming?

Not many, but some of the good schools do teach swimming now. To teach swimming, schools have to invest a lot of funds and space to build a pool and hire a good instructor. It isn’t possible for many of the schools.

Why should water transport be developed?

Water transport plays an important role in worldwide trade. There are many goods which are imported and exported through water transport. Also, cruise ships have become an important part of tourism and their popularity has risen in the recent years. It gives people an opportunity to not only travel to new places but also to explore the marine life.

Do you think it is necessary for everyone to learn how to swim?

Yes, I think swimming is an important skill that everyone should learn. It helps us stay physically and mentally fit. And for some people, especially those who live near a water body, it is an important life skill.

What is the difference between outdoor sports and indoor sports

The main difference between outdoor and indoor spots is the physical activity. There is more physical activity in the sports played outdoors compared to most sports that are played indoors. Another difference is that most indoor games are played alone while most outdoor ones are played in teams or groups. So there is more social exposure and more skills are learnt when playing outdoor sports.

26. Describe a time when you were surprised to meet a friend.

You should say

Where it was
- Who you met?
- When was it?
- Why were you surprised?

ANSWER

I have very few friends and we are very close to each other.
So, it is not often I get surprised.
However, last year, I got a big surprise when I met one of my friends in Chandigarh at Rose Garden.
I went to Rose Garden with my family during last summer.
We were all sitting on mat, which we had laid out on the grass, and were enjoying a picnic lunch.
Suddenly, I felt someone’s hand on my shoulder.
I turned around and I was surprised to see one of my closest friends Siddharth.
I knew he was in also in Chandigarh, but I never expected to see him at Rose Garden.
He told me that he came to know my whereabouts through the photos which I had uploaded on Instagram.
He was doing some shopping at a mall very close to Rose Garden.
So, he decided to surprise me.
He called my sister to find out, where exactly we were in Rose Garden.
So, actually everyone else knew he was coming, except me.
It was a big surprise for me.
My sister also photographed my reaction when I turned around to see him.
After the big shock, he also joined us for the picnic.
Then, I spent some time at the mall with him.
Not surprisingly, we could only do window shopping.
He still sometimes brings it up by saying that remember the time I surprised you at Rose Garden.
I am looking for an opportunity to surprise him, like he surprised me.
But he is expecting it, so it would be very hard to do so.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Why do friends meet up?

I think there are various reasons. The first is to just spend some time together because for most people doing things together is more fun than doing things alone. Secondly, I think it is just to talk, share and get advice on matters and so on.

Are there any meetings that people need to plan in advance?

Yes, there are many meetings that people plan in advance like a doctor’s appointment. In case of friends also, it is better to take an appointment because the other person might be busy with work.

Are there any jobs related to unexpected things?

I think there are companies that help people plan surprise parties. So that maybe a job related to unexpected things. I can’t think of anything else besides that at the moment. In research also, many findings have been unexpected – gravity for example.

Do unexpected things lead to progress on our society?

Yes, for sure. Like I said before, scientific discoveries happen by chance. The biggest discovery I can think of was of the microwave. It was discovered by the scientists while working on something completely unrelated and now we can’t imagine a kitchen without a microwave.

27. Describe an old person you know and respect

Who he or she is
How you know this person
What he or she is like
And explain why you respect him or her

Sample answer

I know many old people and I respect all of them.
Actually, it is in our culture to respect the elderly.
Here I would like to talk about my grandfather.
His name is Manmohan Singh
He is in his early 70s
He is not tall but looks very handsome
He generally wears white kurta pyjama
He wears a white turban
He has done his Masters in history
He retired as a school teacher
He is a very kind hearted person
Everyone in our family and in a neighbourhood respects him
Whenever anyone in the neighbourhood comes to him for advice he listens to them very patiently and tries to help them in whatever way he can
He even donates part of his pension for charity.
I respect him because of many reasons
First he is my grandfather and he loves me a lot
Whenever I need anything and my parents are reluctant to listen, my grandfather always takes my side.
Second he deserves all the respect that he gets
He speaks very politely to everyone.
He always says that to get respect, you must first learn to give respect
He is a very disciplined person
He never misses his morning and evening walk
Even at this age he is very lithe and agile
He does yoga and meditation for half an hour every day
He is the head of the senior citizens club
He is a role model for many people who know him
He has a great sense of humour
He can turn any tense situation into a happy one by cracking light jokes
So my grandfather is the person I love and respect a lot

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What qualities does a person need to have to take care of old people?

A person needs to be patient when taking care of the old people, because the elderly are like children in many ways. It is very important to realise that the elderly may sometimes be hard of hearing and so the person should not get impatient or lose temper while taking care of the elderly. A person also needs to be a good listener while taking care of the elderly people because their main problem is social isolation and they need someone to talk to. One should be very polite and respectful towards the elderly.

Do you think old people should be taken care of at home?

Ideally yes, but if there is a problem at home and both the younger people are working then professional caretakers should be hired to look after the elderly at home or the elderly should be left in a good nursing home where they can be taken care of well.

How can people in the neighbourhood help the elderly during an epidemic?

People in the neighbourhood can help the elderly in many ways during an epidemic. For example, if an elderly couple is living alone then the people in the neighbourhood can help by buying vegetables and groceries for them so that they don’t have to go out during an epidemic. They can cook for them and take care of them and help them get timely medical aid whenever needed.

Do you see this kind of help occurring in your neighbourhood?

Yes, there is an elderly couple in our street and their children are living abroad. Now during the Corona lockdown, my parents bought vegetables and groceries for them so that they didn’t have to go out. My father also used to call them daily to ask if they needed anything. My mother also sometimes cooked for them so that they didn’t have to do all the work as even maids were not allowed in those days.

28. Describe a risk you have taken which had a positive result.

What it was?
Why you took it?
What the result was?
How you felt about it?

ANSWER

We all take risks in our life.
Sometimes we realise we are taking a risk, and sometimes we don’t even realise that we are taking a risk.
For instance, crossing a busy road is also taking a risk and boarding a train which has started is also taking a risk.
In these situations we don’t even realise that we are taking risks.
Here, I would like to talk about a situation when I took a risk and it had a positive result.
I have a pet dog, Nora, whom I take for a walk in the evening every day.
It’s a toy breed, shih tzu.
Our neighbours have a German shepherd, Bruno, which is very aggressive.
Everyone in our street is afraid of that dog.
Even I am very afraid of that dog.
They tell all of us not to be afraid of their dog as it is well trained and would not harm any known person.
But Bruno’s growl is worse than the Corona pandemic.
Normally they keep their dog leashed all the time.
One day, as I was walking in the street with Nora, Bruno escaped and came running towards us.
Nora ran the other side and her leash slipped from my hand.
I knew I had to act quickly and save Nora.
I came between that dog and Nora.
In that one second, I could imagine myself being bitten at several places and blood oozing out from all of them.
It was a big risk, but at that moment the safety of my dear Nora was the most important thing for me.
When I came between Bruno and Nora, I took Bruno’s name in a stern voice and told him to sit.
Surprisingly, he sat still and started wagging its tail.
I heaved a sigh of relief.
In the meantime, my brother had come out and Nora was safe in his arms.
I felt so happy that I was able to save Nora.
So, this was the risk I took which had a positive result.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Why do some people enjoy extreme sports?

Some people enjoy extreme sports because they’re adventurous by nature. They get the thrill out of doing challenging sports. Some people also do it for money as there is a lot of money involved in such sports.

Are action films popular in your country?

Yes, action films are very popular in my country. They are especially popular among children and young people.

Do you think it is a good thing if a leader likes to take risk?

Yes, I think it is a good thing if a leader likes to take risk. Somebody has to take the risk at times, and if a leader is taking a risk that means he is excepting the responsibility that if something goes wrong he is to blame for it. People look upon such leaders who have the ability and the courage to take risks and do things differently.

Do you think men and women will make a different choice about risk taking?

Nowadays, gender differences are disappearing and so are the choices about risk-taking. It is an individual variation. Irrespective of the gender, if a person is daring he or she will take the risk.

What about the young and old?

Generally young people like to take risks, whereas the elderly like to play it safe. It also depends on the type of risk involved. If the risk may land a person into some physical injury, then young people come forward, but if the risk is like investing money then the elderly may have more experience and may step forward to take the risk.

29. Describe a mistake you have made

What it is?
When you made it?
How you made it?
How you felt about it?

ANSWER

We all make mistakes in life
In fact making mistakes is part of human behaviour
Here I would like to talk about a mistake which I made recently
During the Corona pandemic there was a lockdown going on in all the states
After a few days of the lockdown the government allowed two hours relaxation in the morning to go out and buy vegetables and groceries.
My mother asked me to buy some vegetables from the vegetable market.
I put on my mask, took a tote bag and went out on my scooter to buy the vegetables
When I reached that vegetable market I saw a huge crowd over there
Actually it was the first day of relaxation and so most of the people had come out of their homes
I should’ve come back after seeing the crowd but I made the mistake of going in and buying the vegetables
Social distancing was unavoidable in such a big crowd
I somehow bought the vegetables and returned home
When I told my mother about the crowd she was very angry at me and told me that I should’ve come back.
It was all over the news that because of this relaxation many people had come out and social distancing was not followed.
All the news channels were advising people to take care of social distancing
I felt really bad and I realised my mistake
I felt that the government is doing its duty very well but it is the onus of the people also that they themselves realise what is good for them and avoid making such mistakes
After that my mother has started buying vegetables from the hawkers that come in the streets
The authorities have allowed hawkers to go to the streets and sell vegetables so that people don’t crowd in vegetable markets.
So this is the mistake that I committed recently.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What can we learn from our mistakes?

We can learn a lot from our mistakes. Firstly, we learn not to repeat those mistakes. Secondly, we learn how to do things in a better way. We also learn that what we think are small mistakes can prove very dangerous in the long run. For example, if a person goes out without a mask during any infectious disease epidemic, he may suffer from that disease and it may be very risky. So not putting up the mask may seem a small mistake but it can have grave consequences.

Do children make mistakes easily?

Yes, children make mistakes very easily. They are very young and making mistakes is part and parcel of learning.

What should parents do if their children make mistakes?

Parents should guide their children if they make mistakes. They should teach their children in a very friendly way so that children are not afraid of telling them their mistakes in future.

How do children benefit from using dictionaries?

Children benefit a lot by using dictionaries. They can look for the meaning of a word, and even hear the pronunciation through online or digital dictionaries.

30. Describe a volunteering experience you have had

What it was
Where it was
Why you volunteered
How you felt about it

Answer

I have not had many volunteering experiences in my life
But recently I got an opportunity to volunteer and I really liked it
In March 2020 when the Corona pandemic started in India our prime minister ordered a complete lockdown in the whole of India.
Many labour class people were jobless all of a sudden.
These people depend on their daily earning for their living and in one blow their source of earning was gone.
There is an NGO in my hometown which advertised through the local Cable TV that they needed volunteers to provide food and other things of need to these workers
My friend and I decided to volunteer for this noble cause
We called the NGO and asked them where we had to come and what we had to do?
They told us that either we could help with the cooking or we could help with the delivery of food packets
We volunteered for cooking, as my parents were a bit sceptical about us going out for delivering food packets
We went for a whole month and cooked food for these labourers from morning till evening
Of course we all took proper precautions and we were always masked.
It was very tiring but it gave us great happiness
I noticed that many people were donating things for these poor people
Every day I saw hundreds of packets of grocery and cooking oil there to give to the poor people who had suddenly lost their livelihood.
For the first time I realised that doing for others gives a lot of mental peace.
I also realised that we keep cribbing for our problems, which are actually very small if we compare them to what so many around us are suffering from.
I’ve started developing empathy for others
I feel very happy about it and it has changed my perspective about life a lot
I have learnt to value what I have and not crib for what I do not have.
I remember that whole week when I used to come home my mother made me go straight to the bathroom and take a bath before letting me in any other room
She also used to wash my clothes and mask immediately
In a way my family also supported me for doing this volunteer work
So this was the volunteering experience that I had recently

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Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What qualities are required for being a volunteer?

As such no special qualities are needed to become a volunteer. The person should just be willing to provide his services without expecting anything back in return. It also depends upon the type of work. For example, a doctor can volunteer to provide his services free of cost, a teacher can volunteer to teach for children free of cost, people can volunteer to do work like cleaning the parks or helping the poor people.

What type of personality does a volunteer has?

A volunteer has a friendly personality. He is easily approachable by people. He always wears a smile on his face. He has good communication skills.

How can companies engaging in volunteering help our society?

Companies engaging in volunteering can help the society in many ways. They can help by providing funds to schools, hospitals and in many other ways. They can also do tree plantation which would go a long way in improving the environment.

Do you think people nowadays should participate more in volunteering?

Yes I think people should volunteer more nowadays. As it is, people are leading self-centred lives. So, by volunteering they will be in touch with the community and it will give them a purpose in life.

How do modern technologies assist volunteers and volunteering experiences?

Modern technologies assist volunteers and volunteering experiences in a big way. First of all, through these technologies young people come to know where they can go out for volunteering. Secondly, they can read about the volunteering activities done by their favourite celebrities and be motivated. Social networking sites can also help to get them recognition for their volunteer work.

31. Describe a program or app in your computer or phone

What the app/program is
When, where you found it
How you use it
and how you feel about it

Answer

Apps have become very common since the dawn of the smartphones.
These are special programs, which run on mobile devices and make life simpler.
There are apps for making communication instant and easier, such as Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook app and so on.
There are apps for online shopping such as Myntra app, Amazon app, flipkart app and so on.
In this world we can communicate with our friends with messages, call or video chat.
I have many apps in my phone, but the app I use the most is Whatsapp.
We can be connected with our friends instantly by this.
I heard about this app from my friend Harjot when I was in 10th standard
He had downloaded what’sapp in his android phone.
After he told me, I also downloaded it.
It is a very interesting app.
This app helps us to send messages to our friends and we can also send images and videos to them.
When new version of what’sapp was launched, a new feature of audio call was also added.
To use the new feature the other person should also have what’s app account.
It brings the people very near to our heart.
Mostly I use this app to communicate with my best friend living in Las Vegas.
About 2 decades ago we had to send the letter to our friend living in abroad and we had to wait for the reply for a long time.
But with whatsapp our messages are immediately delivered to our friend and we can continue our chat.
The only drawback of this app is that it is very distracting.
The users want to constantly keep checking their messages. Studies are affected. Workplace productivity is also affected.
So, such apps should be used wisely.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Which phone app is the most popular in your country?

Many apps are popular in my country. We have the Facebook app, WhatsApp app, zoom app, Amazon app mantra app Google Maps app and so many more.

Do you think the parents should limit the time their children spend on the phone?

Yes, I think parents should limit the time that children can spend on the phone as there are too many apps on the phone on which children waste away valuable time. So it is the parents’ responsibility to see what their children do with their phones and how much time they spend on their phones

Do you think people depend on phone apps too much?

Yes, I think people depend on phone apps a lot nowadays. These apps are also very useful and save time. For example when people go out they don’t need to ask directions as Google maps is there to help them. When people have to pay bills they use the app of their bank and use it to pay their bills.

Do you think some apps will help people to study?

Yes definitely, there are many apps which help people to study. For example, nowadays during the lockdown going on due to the Corona pandemic, teachers are teaching through apps such as the Zoom, Google meet and so on. Then there are also apps such as dictionary.com which helps students to search the meaning whenever they need to.

What kinds of Apps do you have on your phone?

I have many kinds of apps in my phone, such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Amazon, Flipkart, Viber and so on. I use these apps for staying connected with my friends and relatives and also for doing online shopping.

What are the drawbacks of having too many apps on your phone?

There are many disadvantages of having too many apps on the phone. Firstly, these apps occupy space. Secondly, when you use too many apps, the battery of the phone also gets discharged very soon. Furthermore, these apps can misuse your personal information, as most of these apps can access your personal information from your phone. Moreover, these apps can fill our mobile devices with lot of spam. Finally, you need to update these apps from time to time.

How much time do you spend on these Apps?

I spend a lot of time on apps. These are very addicting. Even though, sometimes, I resolve in my mind not to use them very often, I cannot resist the temptation, and once I open any app, I end up wasting a lot of time.

Do you like to look for new Apps or just keep using the old ones?

I like to look for new apps, but as my phone has limited space, I download and install an app, after seeing and discussing all its features with my friends.

Do you use free APPs or the ones that you need to pay for?

32. Describe a long car journey you went on

Where you went
What you did at that place
Who you went there with
Explain why you went on that journey by car

Answer

I have not been on many long journeys by car
Whenever we have to go on a long journey we generally go by bus or train or by air.
Here I am going to talk about a long journey, which I had by car.
Last year my cousin came from Canada and he wanted to see Rajasthan.
My maternal aunt and uncle live in Jaipur
So we decided to visit Jaipur in Rajasthan.
It was too late for train reservation, as my cousin had come for two weeks only.
My uncle has a Toyota Innova, which is a seven-seater car and so my father borrowed it from him for a week.
We were six members – my father my mother my brother my cousin my uncle and I
We started at 6 AM
During our journey we halted at many places
We first stopped at Murthal, where there is a famous Motel, Jhilmil Dhaba, where we had our lunch
Then we stopped at Delhi for tea.
We had minor halts at one or two more places.
Finally we reached my aunt’s house by 7 PM.
She had prepared sumptuous dinner for us.
The next morning we went for sightseeing.
We saw many places such as the Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Amer fort, Maharani Palace and so on.
The next day we went to Chokhi Dhani.
This place has been the mirror of Rajasthani culture since 1989.
We learned a lot about Rajasthani culture over there.
Live dances and music performances went on throughout the evening.
Dinner was included in the entry ticket, and so we had dinner over there only.
The next day we did some shopping.
We enjoyed the hospitality of my aunt and uncle.
We returned home after one week.
This road trip to Rajasthan will always hold pleasant memories for me.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What will cars be like in the future?

What the future has in store no one can tell, but as far as I can see there will be cars running on alternative sources of energy. Already we have cars which do not use petrol or diesel and run on electricity. However in future we may see cars running on solar power, biodiesel or other alternative sources. We may even see flying cars.

What’s the difference between men’s and women’s preference on cars?

Gender differences are disappearing nowadays, and there is hardly any difference in men’s and women’s preference on cars. It is an individual preference. Some people like bigger cars and some like smaller cars. Some people like sports cars and some like luxury cars. For within the city use, people prefer small cars and for long drives people prefer big cars. Both men and women like all types of cars.

What are the differences between bicycles and private cars?

There are a lot of differences between bicycles and private cars. Bicycles are cheaper, in fact much cheaper than private cars. Bicycles do not require any fuel to operate. Bicycles help people to remain healthy as riding a bicycle involves some form of exercise. Riding a bicycle also does not require any license. Cars, on the other hand are helpful when the whole family has to go out together. Cars are especially helpful when there are elderly or disabled people at home. Cars are also useful in adverse weather conditions. Cars are safer than bicycles especially where there are no separate lanes for bicycles.

Why do people like to have private cars?

People like to have private cars because they are very comfortable to go from one place to the other. They are very helpful when there are elderly or disabled people at home. They are very helpful when the whole family has to go out together. They are also helpful in adverse weather conditions. Finally having a private car is a status symbol.

What are the differences between bicycles and private cars?

Bicycles are eco-friendly vehicles. These are cheaper and also good for our health. But cars are better when we have to travel long distances. Cars are also better when weather conditions are harsh outside, such as rain or storm. Cars are safer than bicycles. Bicycles are safe only if there are separate lanes for bicycles.

Is it a good thing that everyone has his/her own cars?

It is definitely not good if everyone has his/her own car. Already there is too much congestion on the roads. If every person will have own car then there will be parking problems and traffic jams and too much pollution.

How to buy private cars in India?

It is easy to buy a car in India. You have to go to a showroom and pay the money and buy a car of your choice. Easy monthly instalments are also available. Some people also go for bank loans to buy a car.

Do many families own private cars in India?

Yes, many families own private cars in India. Now, the car has become very affordable. There is a car to suit every pocket. For example, Tata Nano is called the poor man’s car.

33. Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution

Where is it
When you visited this place
What kind of pollution you saw there
And explain how this place was affected

(Sample answer)

Well ma’am/sir pollution is a big problem these days.
There is hardly a place, which is absolutely pollution free.
Here I am going to talk about a city, ‘Ludhiana’ which is very polluted
It has all sorts of pollution – air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution
I went there last week
In fact I go there quite often as my relatives live there
Ludhiana is the industrial hub of Punjab
Industries dump their effluents in the surrounding area and this causes water pollution
The population of Ludhiana is far more for its size and this has given rise to slum areas in the outskirts
The people in these slum areas are mainly labourers who have migrated from other states to work in the factories.
They too litter the place.
There are many vehicles also which cause air pollution.
Ludhiana is the richest city of Punjab.
Most families have more than one car.
Earlier, when I used to go to visit my relatives, I had no problem in finding a parking space for my car.
But, now finding a parking place near their home is a big problem.
Because of air pollution, people also suffer many respiratory problems.
My uncle is also suffering from chronic cough, which is because of the air pollution.
A lot of noise also comes from the industries.
Whenever I come back from Ludhiana, I heave a sigh of relief.
Phagwara is relatively pollution free
There is so much air pollution in Ludhiana that my eyes start watering whenever I go there.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What kinds of pollution are there in your country?

All kinds of pollution are there in my country, like air pollution, water, noise and soil pollution. The major causes of air pollution are exhaust from the vehicles and the factories. Factories are also a major cause of water pollution as they release the effluents into water bodies. The vehicles on the roads and also various other reasons cause noise pollution, like from loud speakers used at celebrations.

What can individuals do to protect our environment?

Individuals can contribute a lot towards environment protection/ There are a lot of measures, which can be taken at an individual level. People can keep their surroundings clean by not littering and greener by planting more plants and trees. The use of non-renewable sources can be reduced. Practices like reusing and recycling can help immensely towards protecting our environment. For short distances, people should use an eco-friendly mode of transport, like a bicycle or they can walk, rather than using a vehicle. The use of plastic can be reduced greatly at an individual level and we should not buy things which have too much of packaging.

Do you think individuals should be responsible for pollution?

Yes, individuals have a responsibility towards the pollution caused. The major pollution caused is due to individuals, through vehicles. So, it is an individual responsibility to cause less pollution, by reducing the use of private vehicles and using the eco-friendly modes of transport or public transport more. Also, to mitigate the effects of pollution individuals should plant more trees and shouldn’t litter their surroundings.

Why is there a need to involve government in environmental protection?

The government plays an essential role in environmental protection. To ensure that the individuals and factories/industries do not harm the environment, there have to be rules and laws implemented by the government. For example, recently in Delhi, the state government implemented the odd/even car rule, which every citizen followed and it has helped reduce the pollution in Delhi.

34. Describe a friend/person who is a good leader

Who this person is
How you know this person
What he does
How this person behaves
Why do you think he is a good leader

Answer

I know many people who can lead well, but here I would like to talk about my best friend Shyam as I believe he is a good leader
He has all the qualities needed to be a good leader
He is 20 years old and very handsome.
We have been friends since school days.
I met him when I was in the 4th class in the Govt Primary School where I studied.
I remember, I used to be very shy and never used to go to the teachers with my problems.
But he never had any hesitation to speak to the teachers or the principal.
In fact, he used to represent the whole class, if we had any problem and needed to talk to our school principal.
He had no glossophobia and every year he used to represent the school for debates and declamation contests, and he won many trophies for the school.
He always used to be selected as the monitor of the class. In college, now he heads the students’ union.
Whenever he talks on any subject, he speaks so well that people listen to him. He can bind his audience very well.
He is himself very disciplined and he always used to encourage other students to be punctual.
He used to be very good at studies also.
He was always in the top five students of the class.
He used to be in the good books of all teachers.
I really like to spend my time with him.
I like him because he is an honest and straightforward person.
He has a very good sense of humour.
Whenever I was in trouble he used to come and help me.
He tried to be very understanding and never fought with me.
In class I was weak at maths and he used to help me.
I had a very bad handwriting and he helped me to improve my handwriting also.
He is a very loving, caring and affectionate person.
So, he became a very intimate friend.
Now also he lives near my house and we spend our evenings together.
We go for movies together, do shopping together and even play together.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Who is the head of the family in your culture?

In my culture the head of the family is generally the oldest male member of the family. In most parts of India there is a patriarchal society.

Are men better at decision making in a family?

There are no gender differences as far as decision-making is concerned. Generally the decisions are made by the oldest male member in the family in patriarchal societies, but as far as the ability to make decisions is concerned I believe there are no gender differences and women are as good as men in making decisions.

Do you think that in future there will be more women leaders?

What the future holds in store for us no one can tell and so it is difficult to say whether they’ll be more women leaders in future. However, as women are coming up in all fields shoulder to shoulder with men so maybe in future we will see more women leaders.

Should a leader discuss with team members when making decisions?

Yes definitely, a leader should discuss with his team members while making decisions, but the final decision should be at the leaders discretion.

36. Describe a dinner you really enjoyed

When it was
- What you ate
- Who you were with
- And explain why you enjoyed it

Answer

I have had many special dinners in my life, which I enjoyed
Some dinners I enjoyed because of the quality of food, some I enjoyed because of the occasion and some I enjoyed because of the company.
Here I would like to talk about a special dinner on which my friend Rania invited me along with our three other friends, Harjinder, Sonia and Prabhdeep.
Last month it was Rania’s birthday and we all friends asked her for a treat.
She invited us over for dinner at her home.
Honestly speaking I thought that a meal at home was not a great idea of a birthday celebration.
But when I reached her home I realised how wrong I was.
Her mother had decorated the drawing room with balloons and buntings and also prepared a very elaborate dinner for us.
She has excellent culinary skills.
That day she had prepared Chinese dishes because Rania knew we all loved Chinese.
The table was very well laid.
First she served us sweet corn soup.
It was yummy.
Then we had noodles and cheese chilly and Manchurian.
Believe me ma’am/sir that was the most delicious Chinese meal I had ever tasted in my life.
All of us were practically licking our fingers.
For dessert there was a plum cake which was also baked by her mother.
Rania told me that her mother bakes many types of cakes.
I also learnt a few recipes from her.
Rania’s father has a great sense of humour.
We enjoyed his jokes throughout the dinner.
After dinner we played some music and danced and enjoyed a lot.
So this was the dinner I enjoyed the most.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Why do people like to have special food on special occasions?

People like to have special food on special occasions to make those occasions memorable and to enjoy with friends and family.

What is the difference between eating at home and eating out on special occasions? There’s a lot of difference between eating at home and eating out on special occasions. While eating at home the hosts are busy in the kitchen and serving food but while eating out there is no such pressure on the host and everybody enjoys with each other. However, while eating at home one is sure that the food is fresh and according to taste. Eating at home is also very economical.

What national identity can be seen in a nation’s cuisine?

Every country is cuisine reflects its culture and traditions. Sometimes the cuisine is very different in different parts of the same country also. For example, north Indian cuisine is very different from south Indian cuisine. So every nation reflects its identity from its cuisine. For example if we eat pizza and pasta we know it belongs to Italian cuisine. If we eat cheese chilli and Manchurian, we know we are eating Chinese food.

Why do global leaders like to gather around for dinner?

Global leaders like to get together for dinner on so that they can discuss important matters in an informal way. Sometimes such dinners are meant to enable peace talks and reflect harmonious relations between countries.

37. Describe a large company that you are interested in

Which company is it
- What it is like (what kind of business it does)
- How you know about it
- How you feel about it
- Why you have interest in this company

Answer

There are many large and successful corporations in the world today like Google, Reliance, Amazon and so on.
The company I want to work in is Tata Industries.
Tata Industries is a large Indian origin multinational with many subsidiaries like Tata Consultancy, Tata Motors, Tata Hotels and so on.
Actually, it even has ventures like Tata salts, Tata water purifiers.
In India, everyone knows about it, because in every sector, they have some presence.
Recently, it got global recognition too, after its takeover of the failing Jaguar Motors and converting it into a profitable business within a year.
Admittedly, it is not as commercially successful as some of other multinationals, but still it is my dream company.
There are many reasons for it.
First of all, it is one of the few companies, which doesn’t run after money only.
It runs my social welfare projects like Tata Hospitals, Tata Children Charity, Tata Welfare Homes and so on.
During the coronavirus crisis, it donated the largest amount to PM cares fund in India.
Not only that, it was the first company to announce the donation.
The second reason is it’s work culture.
I have an elder cousin who works in Tata Motors.
He told me that Tata Motors is one of the few companies which doesn’t exploit their employees.
The employees are encouraged to maintain work life balance.
In fact, employees are strictly forbidden to work more than 48 hours in a week.
During the coronavirus lockdown, it was one of the few companies, which paid their employees fully.
Last but not last, it would be a matter of pride for me to work for a large Indian company.
Unfortunately, there are very few large Indian origin multinationals.
Over the years, Tata Industries has not only grown domestically, but also spread its roots in other parts of the world.
Tata Industries can help me fulfil both my dreams, I can settle abroad and still work for an Indian company.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What are the differences between a big company and a small company?

There are many differences between big and small companies. To begin with, big companies offer bigger pay packages than small companies. Secondly, these companies give many perks and bonuses from time to time. These companies give benefits like health insurance and travel allowance. Another big advantage of big companies is that it is a status symbol to work in these companies. Furthermore, they provide opportunities to travel overseas. Moreover, in a big company hands on training is provided to all new workers. On the other hand, in a small company, everybody knows everybody. You are not part of a big crowd as in a big company. If you do some good work, you are applauded for it.

Are there many big companies in your country?

Yes, there are. India is a fast developing country. There are many Indian companies, which are very big such as Tata, Mahindra, Godrej, Reliance, Videocon, Onida and so on. There are also many multinational giants which have opened branches in India, such as Samsung, LG, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and so on.

What are the good things about working for a big company?

Same as answer 1

How can a small company grow big?

Small companies can do so in many ways. They can work hard, employ skilled workers, focus on quality and employ good marketing strategies.

Should big companies donate more to charities?

Yes, they should. I believe that anyone who has enough should help the needy on humanitarian grounds. Many big companies help the NGOs and NPOs. This is a win-win situation for both. When they get publicity for their charity work, they are getting advertisement for free.

Should big companies be punished more seriously if they break the law?

No, they should not. Law should be the same for all – big as well as small companies. Usually, big companies have big connections. So, they try to get away with their wrong doings. This also should not happen. Punishment should be equally serious for all law offenders.

Are there any big companies in your hometown?

Yes, there are three big companies in my hometown. There is the JCT mail which is a textile mill. Then there is a Sugar mill and a starch mill.

Is it difficult to get a promotion in a large company?

Yes, it is really difficult to get a promotion in a big company. In a big company you are part of a big crowd and there are many people in the queue to get a promotion. So it’s very difficult to outdo all of them and get a promotion.

37. Describe a person in your family that you admire or a person in your family you are happy to know

Who he or she is
What he or she does for a living
What he or she is like
And explain why you admire him or her

Answer

In our culture, we tend to admire and respect people for their age.
- But today, I want to talk about someone whom I admire not because he is old, but because of his attitude towards life and his actions
- The person is my uncle.
- His name is Dilmohan Singh.
- He is my mother’s brother.
- He has held many jobs in his life.
- In fact, he started working part-time at the young age of fifteen.
- He used to work as a door to door salesman selling magazines at that age for pocket money.
- In his adult life, he worked as a bank manager.
- Currently, after retiring as a bank manager, he is working as a real estate agent.
- There are many reasons I admire him.
- The first is his selfless nature. (m@kkarIELTS)
- Throughout his life, he has put other’s needs before his.
- He has many times postponed his business meetings just for family.
- We all say that family should be more important than money.
- But he is one of the few people, who actually prioritizes family over wealth.
- Another reason why I admire him is that he stands firm in his beliefs.
- If he believes in something, he will support it, no matter the cost.
- I can see this in how he behaves at home.
- He doesn’t mince his words. He calls a spade a spade.
- For example, if he thinks that people have done wrong, he will say it straight to their face when his opinion is asked.
- He will not try to be polite or lie, just to avoid awkwardness.
- Of course, he is not perfect.
- He has his flaws too.
- For one, he is not very punctual.
- In fact, he is always late.
- But, despite his flaws, I still admire him a lot.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Who is important in your family: the father or the mother?

In my family both are equally important. There is a very harmonious relation between my mother and father. Both have different roles and both are equally important. My mother has more role in running the family where is my father has more role in earning for the family.

How should parents look after their children?

Parents should look after the children very nicely. Parenting is a very crucial job and it is a full- time job, especially nowadays, in my opinion. Today, children have a lot of exposure of the global culture, and they enjoy a lot of freedom. So, parents have to be very alert about the whereabouts of their children and treat them in a friendly way, and yet be strict at times.

How should working parents look after their children?

Working parents should look after the children very nicely. Whatever time they get, they should devote to their children. They should know where to draw the line between work and family, otherwise it is very easy for children to go astray and it is very easy for parents to lose hold on the children. Work is important but working parents should realise that their children’s childhood is equally important.

Do children get sufficient love and affection from their parents these days?

Yes, children get sufficient love and affection from the parents, but this love and affection is substituted by money and not time. Parents think that giving enough money to the children is showing their love for them, they forget that what children need more is the time.

What do you think about relationships between teenagers and their parents nowadays? The relationships between teenagers and parents is very strained these days. Teenagers want to follow the global culture whereas parents want them to follow the traditional culture. Teenagers want to take up subjects of their choice, such as animation, ethical hacking and so on, but parents want them to do the traditional courses like engineering, medicine and commerce.

How do children learn to speak?

Children learn to speak from their parents. They observe their parents and speak as their parents teach them to, and slowly they get the hang of the language and learn to speak on their own.

Do you think adults speak to children differently than between themselves?

Yes, adults speak to children differently than among themselves. Sometimes they don’t want to show their stress or emotions to their children and so speak differently with them, but when they speak with each other they have no such inhibitions. When adults speak to children they have to consider what to speak, how to speak and how much to speak.

Do you think human communication is different from that of animals?

Yes, human communication is quite different from that of animals. Humans have a language to communicate with each other, whereas animals communicate in their own way which is difficult for humans to understand.

What do you think are good communication skills?

Good communication skills involve being able to convey what you want to say to the other person without creating any misunderstanding. Good communication involves good command over the language and also good command on body language which involves gestures and expressions.

Do you think everyone can learn these skills?

Yes, I believe everyone can learn the skills. Communication Skills is a full fledged subject these days in colleges. However, some people are born with good communication skills and they have a way to communicate their feelings to the other person in a very simple way which does not lead to any misunderstanding.

How would you suggest these skills be taught to children?

These skills can be taught to children in many ways. Firstly, parents can be good role models. If parents have good communication skills, children will imbibe communication skills without even being taught formally. Then, this subject can be added in the school curriculum. Nowadays, even in graduate courses like engineering and commerce, communication skills are taught as a subject in the first semester.

Do you think adults and children communicate the same way?

No, I don’t think adults and children communicate in the same way. Children are innocent and their communication is plain and simple, which doesn’t involve any twist of words. On the other hand, adults are really careful in what they want to communicate. They are wise enough to know the consequences of the words they use and so their communication is a bit complex.

Can you think of any example of work (or, jobs) that require good communication skills?

I think every job needs good communication skills. For example doctors need good communication skills to convey things to their patients; engineers need good communication skills to work as a team to accomplish many projects; hawkers need communication skills to sell their products and so on. Sales personnel need good communication skills.

What (personal) qualities do you think good communicator should have?

I think a good communicator should have an amicable personality. He should also be willing to listen, because I believe that a person who can listen to others can also communicate well.

38. Describe a time when a family member asked for your help

When it was
Who asked you for help
How you helped
How you felt about it

Answer

One of the things I really like about India is that despite modernization, we still haven’t adopted the individualism of the west.
- Nearly everyday family members and neighbors help each other.
- Today, I am going to talk about a situation when my sister asked me for help.
- It’s a little different because she is studying abroad, and thus it is not possible for me to help her often.
- The help was regarding a college assignment.
- In college, she had an assignment to talk about a famous person from their country.
- My sister has always been interested in Indian Independence and she wanted to talk about Bhagat Singh, a famous Indian freedom fighter.
- However, there was very less information on Bhagat Singh available on the internet especially on his personal life.
- So, she called me and asked me if I could procure her the information.
- At first, I was not sure, how I could help.
- But then I remembered, there is a Bhagat Singh Museum about 80kms from my house.
- Certainly, there would be some information available there.
- I went there and inquired. M a k k a r I E L T S
- The staff told me that there were in fact a lot of books and old newspapers on Bhagat’s Singh life available with them.
- But, unfortunately due to lack of resources and time, they had not been able to upload these on the internet.
- I asked for their permission to scan the pages on his personal life.
- They were reluctant at first because the books and newspaper were very old and improper handling might damage them.
- However, on my insistence, they allowed me to do so in their presence.
- It took me nearly five hours, but I finally found the relevant information.
- Then, I scanned it and sent it to my sister.
- The whole incidence was a big learning experience for me too.
- I learnt many things about Bhagat Singh, which I didn’t know before.
- When my sister met me, she told me, she was really surprised, how I found all that information.
- She told me that it was only because of me that she got an A+ in that assignment.
- Her heartfelt gratitude made me really happy.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What can children help their parents with?

Children can help their parents with household chores. They can also help in looking after the elderly in the family. They can also help in buying vegetables and grocery. They can also help in attending to guests.

What are the benefits of children helping their parents?

There are many benefits of children helping their parents. First, it develops a bond between parents and children. They feel part of a family. It also makes it easier for parents to run the house.

Should parents reward their children when they help others?

Yes definitely. If parents reward their children when they help others then children will develop the habit of helping others and this is a very good habit for children to develop.

Do parents help their children because they need their help when they are old?

No, parents never help their children for expecting help when they’re old. Parents love their children unconditionally and help them because they think it is their duty and responsibility and not because they expect anything back in return.

39. Describe a time you got lost in a place you didn’t know about

When did it happen
Who was with you
What did you do
How you felt about it

Answer

My sister and I have always liked going on road journeys.
- India is a big country and there are so many places one can visit.
- So, my parents used to take us to different places in India by car when we were young.
- One such time, when we were visiting Delhi, we got lost.
- Actually, we were visiting all the famous places in Delhi and eating out at all the renowned places.
- That’s what we used to do on our road trips, especially the famous food shops, we never missed one.
- And there was this famous chhole-bhature shop, which was famous not only in Delhi, but all over India.
- Unfortunately, it opened at 5 AM for only two hours in the morning and it sold out in that time.
- To add to it, this place was about two hours from our hotel.
- So, we started during the night at 3AM, because both my sister and I didn’t want to miss it.
- About two hours later, we were in the middle of nowhere.
- I don’t know what happened, but I think somewhere my Dad took a wrong turn
- These were the times, when google maps weren’t there.
- We couldn’t just put it in google maps and find out where we were.
- The only ways to know about one’s location and the direction was asking people and looking at road signs.
- And it was dark and foggy, so the roads were empty and road signs were not visible.
- At one point, my dad just got off the car and tried to find any landmark to make sense of where we were.
- But there was nothing but trees on either side of the road
- We were lost.
- So, we just sat there, for another hour for the sun to rise and for the visibility to improve.
- When it did, some people came out on the roads for morning walk and finally we were able to find out where we were.
- Fortunately, we weren’t that far from the shop.
- We had just crossed it along the way by mistake.
- We went back and enjoyed the delicious chhole-bhature.
- If I had to describe their taste – I would just say they were worth getting lost.
- Even now, when I plan to visit Delhi, I always visit that place.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Do you often get lost?

No, I don’t often get lost. Nowadays applications like Google Maps have made it very easy and the people who use such apps seldom get lost.

Is map-reading skill important?

Yes, map reading skills are important because it gives you an idea about where you are and you do not get lost. Nowadays, apps such as Google Maps have made things easier and even people who do not have the skill of reading a map do not get lost.

Are some people good at map-reading than others?

Yes, some people are better at map reading than others. Everyone has different abilities. What is easy for one person may be difficult for the other.

Why some people like travelling to other places?

Some people like to travel to other places because they want to know about those places and the culture of those places. They are adventurous by nature and are curious to know about other people and places.

Should they find information about the place before going there?

Yes definitely, they should find information about the place before going there. It is important because, for example, if they know the weather of that place then they can pack the clothes accordingly. They can be well prepared about what to carry with them if they know what all they can do there.

40. Describe a foreign country(culture) you want to know more about?

Which country it is or what culture
Where it is
How you know about it
Why you want to know more about it

Answer

I have always wanted to learn about foreign cultures.
- I like meeting people from different places, and learning about how we are similar and how we are different.
- However, there is one culture I have always had a little more fascination with than any other.
- It is the Japanese culture.
- The main reason is that I like watching a lot of Japanese movies.
- Also, in my childhood, I used to read a lot of Japanese manga, which are Japanese graphic novels and anime, which are Japanese cartoons.
- Even now, I sometimes play some anime series on You tube or Netflix.
- I have found that Japan is different from all others in some ways.
- For example, during the 2011 Tsunami, there was no looting, no violence.
- This doesn’t happen even in countries like the US.
- I remember when I read it, I found it very strange.
- Recently, I read that the reason for it is that morals and ethics are major part of their curriculum from primary schools onwards.
- So perhaps that is one reason why.
- Another thing I read in manga was that there are no maids in schools.
- Japanese children clean their schools on rotation.
- There are these small things, which make me curious to learn about them.
- On more thing that comes to mind is that they have different shoes for wearing inside the house and outside to prevent the spread of germs.
- Another incident that really raised my admiration was when they refused to sell to India, their nuclear technology because they themselves are not using it anymore.
- They have certain beliefs and they practice such beliefs; they are not just plain words.
- Lastly, we also certainly share certain things.
- For example, Buddhism, a religion that originated in India is a major religion there.
- I also know that most of my knowledge about Japan is partial, it is from manga, anime and the little bit of news
- So, if I get the opportunity, I would definitely like to learn about Japan and its people.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What do you think is the best way to learn foreign culture?

The best way to learn a foreign culture is to go to the foreign country and stay there for some time. It can also be learned from tourists visiting your country. Foreign culture can also be learnt by working in any multinational company.

What do you think is the biggest problem to work in a foreign country?

The biggest problem to work in a foreign country is the language barrier. Competing with the local people of that area is also a big challenge. Learning the work ethics of that place is also important.

Some people say that reading is the best way to learn about a culture, Do you agree? Reading is certainly a good way to learn about another culture, but it is not the best. The best way in my opinion is to visit that country and to mingle with the local people and stay there for some time.

41. Describe a place where you are able to relax

Where it is
What it is like
How often you go there
and how you feel about this place

Answer

Relaxation is important in everyone’s life
- Everyone has different ways of relaxation
- Elderly people go to religious places and parks to relax
- Young people have a lot of pent up energy, so they go to gyms and discos to sweat out that energy, and relax.
- I usually go to a gurdwara to relax.
- I go there once or twice a week
- Whenever, I go there, I do circumambulation of the holy book inside the main hall, and pay obeisance to the almighty.
- There is a well-maintained fish pond in the gurdwara, which has many different species of fish.
- I just sit on the steps of the pond and listen to the holy chants going on all the time there.
- It gives me great relaxation and peace of mind.
- Last Sunday, I took some bread from home and fed the fish.
- There are two catfish among the other many, who seem to be talking to me.
- I know it is all my imagination, but I love it over there.
- I feel that the tempo of life has slowed down a bit.
- It is so relaxing to watch the movements of the fish in the water.
- This activity takes away all the physical and mental tiredness away from my body.
- I feel very light-hearted after that.
- Even though there is always a great rush in this temple, yet one can find peace and quiet over there.
- Sometimes, I offer voluntary services in the community kitchen over there.
- Free food is offered to one and all in the community kitchen and this service is round the clock.
- So, this is the place I go to relax.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

How do students relax themselves?

Students relax by going out with friends or just lazing around at home. Sometimes they even get relaxation by going to the gym. Actually a gym is the place where they release their pent- up energy and then feel relaxed.

What activities do employers organise to help employees relax?

Employers organise group excursions for their employees to relax. Some employers also provide gym facilities in the workplace so that the employees can sweat out their stress.

Do people now have more ways to relax than in the past?

Yes, people have far more ways to relax than in the past. Technology has given many new ways to spend free time and to feel relaxed. People play online games and chat with their friends across the globe to feel relaxed.

Do you think natural sceneries are more helpful than indoor activities?

Yes definitely natural scenery is far more relaxing than indoor activities. Nowadays people are suffering from nature deficit disorder, which means that they are spending less time with nature and more time indoors.

Do you like to visit movie theatres?

Yes, I like to visit movie theatres. Once in a month or two I watch a movie in the cinema.

Where do Indian people like to go on weekends?

Indian people like to go cinemas, shopping malls, and restaurants on weekends. Sometimes they go to their relatives’ homes

What do old people do to relax?

Old people go to religious places. They go to parks and sit on the benches and talk with others of their age

What is the importance of relaxation?

Relaxation is very important. It recharges one’s batteries. After relaxing people can work better and students can study better.

What are the ways people relax themselves?

People relax in different ways. Some go to parks, some go to religious places, some just sit at home and listen to music or watch TV. Young people have a lot of pent up energy, so they go to gyms and discos to sweat out that energy, and relax.

What do you do to relax yourself?

Sometimes I go to the gurdwara. Sometimes I listen to music at home. Sometimes I go to park near my home.

Do you think we should take a day off from our working?

Yes, we should take a day off from working, because then we can relax and go back to work with more zeal and enthusiasm.

Do you think people can actually relax by doing relaxation exercises?

Yes, people can relax by doing relaxing exercises, such as yoga, and other stretching exercises. Exercises also release endorphins, which relieve stress and help to relax.

Some people do nothing to relax. Do you think it is a good idea?

Yes, sometimes just closing ones eyes and doing nothing also relaxes a person. It depends on what sort of activities a person does in routine life. If a person does physical work, then just doing nothing can be relaxing. If a person does sedentary work, then other ways of relaxation are better.

Do you think relaxation should include some activity or doing nothing is enough?

(Same as above)

How did people relax earlier and how do they now?

Earlier people went out for relaxation, to parks and for picnics. But today, people go to shopping malls and restaurants for relaxation. Young people sweat out their stress in discos and gyms for relaxation.

42. Talk about something you enjoyed doing in a group

What it was
With whom you did it
When you did it
How you felt about it

Answer

I have done many group activities when I was in school such as playing games like cricket and volleyball.
- But here I am going to talk about a group activity, which was making a model for participating in an environment fair.
- This fair is held every year in December in my home town
- This model was on the topic of pollution
- We were a team of four students – Mohit, Rohan, Ravi and I.
- It was very difficult to collect ideas for the model, but our teacher, Mrs Promilla helped us.
- We collected all data from different sources like the internet, library, magazines and so on
- We presented all three types of pollution – air, water and noise pollution – on thermocol
- In this project we showed the causes, effects and ways to control pollution
- We had to speak turn wise on our model.
- I remember I was very afraid to speak.
- But my other friends gave me the confidence. I felt very good that I was part of that team.
- I spoke very well that time.
- Getting over my glossophobia was an accomplishment for me.
- We won the first prize in this competition.
- The judges specially mentioned that the first prize was mainly because of the verbal explanation of the model.
- This fair was covered by the local cable TV and so many people of the neighbourhood congratulated me the next day.
- Our photograph was also there in the local newspaper Jag Baani.
- Our school principal also appreciated us
- I cannot forget that day.
- All four of us were on cloud nine on that day. ( Another idea)
- Man is a social animal.
- Being part of a team, club or group is important for our lives.
- I too have been part of the cricket team of my school.
- I joined this team when I was in 9th class.
- My school was a co-ed school
- The boys and girls had separate cricket teams.
- Every day we used to play for two hours after the school timings.
- I joined this team because I love cricket.

I have always been fascinated by the Indian cricket team
- I never miss any cricket match played by the Indian cricket team on TV
- We did a lot of activities there.
- I remember, my best friend, Rohan, was the captain.
- He used to make us work-out daily for 15 minutes.
- After that we would play a ten over match daily.
- We used to participate in the inter-school competitions also.
- Mostly, our school team won the trophy.
- Our team members co-operated with each other very well.
- Joining this team had a lot of importance for all of us.
- We learnt many things.
- We learnt discipline.
- Because we had to practice daily, and we also did not want our studies to suffer, we used to get up early and finish our home work.
- Then we learnt co-operation and patience.
- Not all of us got a chance to bat or ball every day, but we did not fight with each other because of that.
- We also learnt sportsman spirit.
- How to win with modesty and lose with grace is a very important thing to learn in this competitive era.
- Sometimes we lost from the girls’ team but we took it gracefully.
- Sometimes my mother used to crib when I was too involved in cricket but as I was doing well in studies she did not say anything to me.
- Playing cricket also kept me lean and fit.
- Now, I have made a cricket team of my neighbourhood children.
- We play on Sundays
- I am the captain of that team.
- I look forward to Sundays now.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What kinds of quality does a leader need?

A leader needs to have good communication skills. He should be able to lead by example. If he wants his team to be punctual he should himself be punctual. He should know how to get work done.

What are the reasons for the failure of teamwork?

Teamwork fails if there is no coordination between the team members. Teamwork also fails if the team leader is not very competent.

Do children need to know more about teamwork?

Yes, children should know a lot about teamwork, because they have to work in teams at all stages of their life.

Is cooperation more important than competition?

Competition and cooperation are equally important. Both competition and cooperation are needed in our day-to-day lives. We need to compete with others in exams, or when we start a new business. We need to cooperate with our colleagues at work, and with other players in the team sports. Children should be taught both – competition and cooperation. They should also be taught where to compete and where to cooperate.

Which one do you think is more important: individual development or team goals?

I think both are important in their own way. Individual development is important for the person to rise individually in life. Team goals are important because everything cannot be done alone and one has to learn to march ahead with others.

Do you think it is a good thing to have disagreements within a team?

Yes definitely. It is good to have disagreements within the team, because otherwise there is no fun working in a team. You have to learn to accept the good points of the other members and you also have to learn to put forth your views in a team.

How to become a good member of the team in a workplace?

A good member of the team respects the efforts done by other team members and at the same time does his efforts honestly so that the whole team goes forward.

43. Describe a film you watched or Describe a film that made you think a lot

When and where you watched it?
What was the movie about?
Why you chose to watch it?
How you felt about it? and explain why it made you think a lot?

Answer

I’ve seen many movies in my life.
Here, I would like to talk about a movie, which I watched recently and it had a lasting impression on me.
The movie is ‘Pihu’.
It is based on a true story.
I watched this movie on Netflix.
I was just browsing through Netflix to watch something for about half an hour, when I came across this title.
I watched it alone.
I would like to share it with my friends, because I know they would also like it, just as I liked it.
I couldn’t shut down my laptop and watched it to the end.
It’s about a 2 year old girl, who is left alone with her mother, who has committed suicide.
She does so after a fight with her husband.
Pihu thinks that her mother is fast asleep and tries to wake her up many times.
This little girl doesn’t even know what is safe for her.
I could not blink an eye during the whole movie.
This movie haunted my thoughts for days after that.
When I came to know that this movie is based on a true incident, then I felt very sorry and sad for the little girl who must have suffered all that.
The film explores issues faced by married couples.
It also highlights how important communication is between young couples.
It must have been a challenge to shoot the whole film with a 2-year-old child in the main role.
The film won the award for the Best Film in Morocco.
It was the opening film at the International Film Festival of India, which was held in Goa in 2017.
This film has also won many other awards.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What kinds of films are popular in India?

Well, India is a diverse country. All genres of films are popular in India. People love action, drama, comedy, thriller, romance and many other movies.

Do different age groups like the same kinds of films?

No, I don’t think so. People from different age groups usually have a different choice in terms of the kinds of films they like. For example, the older generation may prefer movies related to social and political issues and youngsters may prefer action and comedy movies. I think the preference for the type of movies people like, changes with age.

What kinds of films do young people particularly like?

Young people like to watch movies based on reality or real-life incidents. Superhero and science fiction movies are also quite popular among youngsters. Other popular genres enjoyed by the young generation are comedy, romance, horror, and action.

Do fewer people choose to watch movies in cinemas than people did in the past?

No, I don’t think so. These days more people choose to watch movies in cinemas as compared to the past. People are leading a very busy and hectic life and going to cinemas to watch movies is a popular way that people choose for entertainment and for spending time with family and friends. Also, the ever-increasing multiplexes are evidence that people prefer going to cinemas despite the online streaming options like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc.

What are other ways to watch movies now?

Some other ways to watch movies are on TV, through the online streaming websites and apps like Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, etc. and through DVDs, which, however, is becoming less popular.

What’s the difference between American movies and movies from your country?

There are some differences between American and Indian movies. The content of the script is one of them. It is more closely related to the respective cultures of these countries. Language is one point of difference. Indian movies are made in Hindi, English, or several other languages, depending on the region they are made in. However, American films are mostly in English. Another point of difference is the technology available and used in films, especially for graphics, like in animation and for special effects. Indian films still need to catch up on that and have not reached the level of finesse in this area as American films have.

What do you think of violent films?

I think if the violence shown is not too detailed or graphic, then it is a good form of entertainment, especially for action movies. However, if the violence is graphic and explicit, then it may lead to consequences like more aggressive and violent behaviour, especially among the youth and a feeling of fear or it may traumatize some people.

Why do you think movies need computer techniques?

The use of computer techniques are vital for animation movies. However, even in the other movies it has become important, as it can help incorporate an element of action and excitement

by showing some stunts that cannot be performed by a person. Thus, also eliminating any danger to the stuntmen’s life or reduces the chances of injuries or accidents.

Do you think cinemas will disappear in the future?

No, certainly not. I think the popularity of cinemas will not fade in the future. People will continue to go to cinemas for the experience they offer and for the opportunity to spend quality time with their friends or family. The technology available has also made the cinematic experience better not only in terms of the content and graphics but also in the viewing experience for the audience. For example, the 4D technology has made it possible for viewers to feel that they are a part of the movie. I think more such changes will be witnessed in the future.

Do you think (watching) films have (has) educational benefits?

Yes, it certainly does. Films teach us a lot of things, like about culture, language, history, social and moral values and about our responsibilities and obligations to society. There are many documentary films that are based on facts and real-life experiences, which also teach us a lot about various subjects and areas.

Do men and women like to watch the same kinds of films?

Yes, I think the choice of films is very personal and not based on gender. Some people may feel that since women are more emotional, they like romantic films more while men prefer watching action-based films. However, it is not true, as we can see an almost equal proportion of males and females in a cinema hall, for any given genre of movies.

In what ways are documentary films and films only for entertainment different?

The main point of difference between a documentary and entertainment film is that the former is always based on facts and reality while the latter may or may not be reality-based. Entertainment films are mostly based on a fiction based story or script. Another difference may be that the budget required for a documentary film is lesser than that of an entertaining one. Actors are needed for an entertainment film, while in a documentary, mostly non-actors share their experiences or knowledge. There may not be a need of an entire film crew like a makeup artist, cameraman, lightman, etc. for a documentary film. Many people use video cameras or these days, only their phones to make a documentary.

Why do you think documentary films are not so popular?

The main reason why documentaries are not so popular is that they are not usually entertaining. They usually deal with serious topics like social issues, wars, etc. and those based on facts, like about the animal species, remote places, etc.

44. Talk about a new public building/place, which you would like to visit

Which building/place is it
Where is it
When would you like to visit it
With whom would you like to visit
Why do you want to visit it

Answer

There are many public buildings or places, which I would like to visit.
Here, I would like to talk about the Statue of Unity in the Narmada district of Gujarat.
It is a colossal statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, who was the first Home Minister of Independent India.
His expression, posture and pose show the confidence and the iron-will of this great person.
I would really like to visit this architectural marvel.
This statue can withstand winds of 180 km/hour and can resist earthquake of 6.5 on the Richter scale.
I came to know about it from the news channels on TV.
It was on all news channels in January 2019.
This Statue of Unity was first open to public on 3rd Jan 2019
It is the world’s tallest statue.
It was built in just 33 months.
It is made of bronze and is about 600 feet tall.
I would like to visit it with my family, as I would like to enjoy this place with them.
Most probably, we will visit it in December this year.
I have read a lot about it on the internet.
Apart from the statue there are several other things here, which are worth seeing.
The ticket is Rs. 350/- per head.
It includes the entry to the observation deck, valley of flowers, the Sardar Patel Memorial, museum and audio-visual Gallery, the statue of Unity site and the Narmada River.
More than 2 million people have visited the statue already.
It has become a major tourist attraction of India.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What measures should be taken to deal with damage on public facilities?

First of all people should themselves be aware that if they use these facilities nicely only then they will be able to use them for a long time. Otherwise, the facilities may be destroyed. The government should appoint people for the maintenance of these facilities. Another thing that can be done is that a very small fee should be charged for these facilities. That money could be used for the maintenance of these places.

What are the differences between old facilities and new facilities?

Old facilities are like parks and libraries. New facilities are gyms and leisure places.

What facilities do young people and old people like in your country?

Young people like gyms and leisure centres. Old people like parks, health centres and libraries.

What is the difference between facilities in the countryside and the ones in the cities?

In the countryside the facilities are related to education and health. In the cities there are many entertainment facilities also.

45. Describe your favorite clothes

What is it like
- Who gave it to you or where you bought it
- How often you wear it
- Explain how you feel about it or why you enjoy wearing it?

Or Describe an ocassion when you wore your best clothes

Answer

Everyone loves fashion nowadays. Even I also like to try new outfits everyday and especially on the functions or special occasions
I have got a huge collection of different dresses and suits in my cupboard.
Here, I would like to talk about a traditional suit, which my maternal aunt gave me as a gift on my birthday.
It is a bottle green suit with magenta and golden embroidery
It also has a multi-coloured stole to go with it which had a golden lace on all sides
It is studded with golden beads
It has a very traditional ethnic touch to it
It is a very beautiful suit
The stole is in crinkled silk
She gave me matching accessories also
She gave me a golden beaded purse to go with it.
Whenever I wear the suit, I wear my traditional Punjabi shoes, which match perfectly with the suit.
When I wear that suit everyone compliments me
I feel very good when I receive those compliments.
Actually, my aunt runs her hobby classes of cooking in Chandigarh. I stayed with her during my vacations and helped her.
She could accommodate more number of students because of my help.
She offered me money, but I refused because I had not helped her for money.
So she bought this expensive suit for me on my birthday.
I really like the suit and have worn it on many occasions.
Last time, I wore this suit at my college farewell.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What is the difference between the dressing style of young people and that of old people?

Dressing style of young people is mostly western. Girls like long dresses, skirts, jeans, T shirts and also like the blend of Indian and western. Boys like jeans, T shirts, trousers, shirts. Elderly people wear traditional clothes. They feel more comfortable in them.

Do the people living in north part of your country wear different clothes as compared to the people living in south?

Yes, there are differences in the clothing of north and south India. Suits are more popular in the north whereas saris are commonly worn by women in the south. Men wear a lungi in the south, which is not so common in the north.

What kinds of clothes do people wear after work?

People wear comfortable and casual clothes after work, because usually at work, people have to wear uniforms or formal clothes. Once people come back home, they like to relax and want to be more comfortable.

What kind of clothes should people wear at work?

At work people should wear proper and formal clothes. At some workplaces, uniforms are needed, which gives them an identity and develops a sense of discipline. It also depends on the type of work people do. If someone is working as a gym instructor, he or she cannot wear formal clothes to work. They have to wear sports wear.

Do you think students need to wear school uniforms?

Yes, I think students need to wear school uniforms, as they act as a social leveler/equalizer. Uniforms give an identity to the students and also inculcate a sense of discipline among students. Uniforms are also good for the school’s security, as if any miscreants enter the school, they can be easily spotted.

Where do Indian people buy clothes?

Indian people buy clothes from shops and stores in the local markets and in shopping malls. There are many small-scale stores and boutiques that are run from home, from where people shop for clothes. Also, online shopping is very popular in India. There are many popular shopping websites, like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal and so on, from where people buy clothes.

Does personality affect how people choose what to wear?

Yes people with good personality always like to wear expensive clothes which are made of fine material although they tend not to wear lot of glamorous clothes nowadays but still they prefer to wear expensive clothes made out of the finest material

When should people wear formal clothes?

People should wear formal clothes to work and on formal occasions like functions, interviews etc

Do people wear formal clothes more often than before?

I think the trend is changing; people nowadays wear less formal clothes because fashion is providing them with abundant options. Even few companies like facebook and google allow people to come to office in casual clothes. People find themselves more comfortable in casual clothes.

46. Describe one of your family members you spend the most time with

Who is he/she?
- What do you usually do together?
- What kind of person he/she is?
- Why you spend most of the time with him/her?

Answer

If I had to talk about myself, I would say I am very reserved person and it takes a lot of time to become familiar with strangers.
However, I love spending time with my family.
I am very close to both my parents but as we are all working (as they are working and I am studying), its hard for us to spend time together.
The person I do spend a lot of time together with is my nephew- my sister’s child.
He is nearly five years old.
He is very special to me.
There are many reasons for that.
Firstly, everyone says that he looks like me and secondly, we both like spending time with each other.
I think the reason for that is we feel very comfortable with each other.
I get to act like a child around him and I miss being a child.
He is also like me – very shy with strangers and he is very naughty – just like I was in my childhood. Ma kk ar IELTS
So, spending time with him reminds me of my childhood in some ways.
In my childhood, I was in a hurry to grow up but now I sometimes wish I could reverse time and bring back my childhood.
There are so many things we do together.
But something that we really enjoy doing is to play pranks on Deepa, my sister and his mother.
I think we can do that all day long.
We also both love eating chocolates, so whenever we can, we try to buy and eat chocolates secretly.
However, I do get scolded sometimes as I am the adult.
I also have a dog and so we both like playing with her.
We love taking her out on walks and feeding her. M @ k k ar |elts
In the evening, I take my nephew to the park and just spend time on the swings there.
Sometimes, I wish he would always remain a child, but I know that’s not going to happen even if I wish for it a million times.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

How many generations usually live together in India?

I think the situation in India is undergoing a change. Earlier joint familes were more common and three or four generations used to live together. On the other hand, nowadays nuclear families are more common with maximum of two generations living together.

Is it important to visit family members?

Yes, it is really important to meet family regularly. I think family defines us and family is what supports us and stands with us in bad times. However, I think this selfless bond only stays if we remain in contact with each other.

What are the values of family in your country?

The think the main values of family in India are respect for elders and prioritizing the needs of the family over our individual needs. That is why, in India we think in we rather in I, for example we own a house, we own this car. m@kK@rI3LTS

Why is family bonding necessary for happiness in life?

Family bonding is necessary for happiness because it gives us secure. I mean it makes us feel that we are not alone, there is someone behind us.

Do you think the support from a friend is different from the support from a family member? I think certainly. There is an element of selflessness in family relationships, which I feel is missing when it comes to support from friends. Also, it doesn’t create a burden. What I mean is we do take help from friends but then it also makes us feel that we have to repay it. This feeling doesn’t come in the case of family.

Who should be more responsible for educating the children in a family?

I think both the parents should be equally responsible. However, I also believe that both parents necessarily don’t teach the same things. For example, both boys and girls learn gender appropriate behavior from fathers, while they love more about loving, sharing and caring from mother.

Do you think there are differences between how men and women care for children?

Yes, there is certainly a difference. In India, fathers are generally stricter, and they don’t show their love openly. Mothers are much more open in showing their love and affection. I think it’s hard to define the difference, but I certainly feel there is a difference.

Do your parents do household chores equally?

Yes, my parents are very particular about the household chores. For example, my father is responsible for buying the vegetables from the market daily. He also makes the breakfast and tea, while my mother makes the lunch and dinner. I also have the responsibility of taking out the trash in the morning and feeding the dog. We have a maid for cleaning and other things.

47. Describe an important journey that was delayed.

Why was it important
- What caused the delay
- What happened at the end
- Describe what caused the delay

Answer

India is a beautiful and diverse country and there are so many things I love about it.
Unfortunately, its public transportation is not one of them, especially trains and buses in India.
Trains and buses often get delayed because of reasons like traffic, fog and other unforeseen circumstances.
Today, I am going to talk about one time when I got delayed because of something unexpected.
My parents and I were travelling to Ahmedabad for my cousin’s wedding, and it was the middle of the monsoon season. (makkarIELTS)
However, we were travelling through Rajasthan, which is one of the drier parts of India.
So, we weren’t expecting any rain, but nature had other plans for us.
It started raining about five hours into the journey and it rained incessantly for hours.
We still thought it was ok and it’s just rain and it would subside sometime soon.
But it didn’t.
In fact, our train stopped at one station because everything ahead was flooded.
A railway official told us that it was one of the worst floods in the state and the railway tracks were submerged under 2-3 inches of water.
I vividly remember one scene when we entered a railway office to enquire when the train would leave.
All the chairs were floating, and the railway officials were sitting on the top of tables.
When we all think about that journey, it is the first scene that comes to mind.
Finally, after hours the train moved again. m@kK@rI3LTS
We missed the wedding, but we did attend the reception which was the next day.
When I think about it, I don’t remember anything about the return journey.
The floods did cause inconvenience, but it also made the journey much more memorable.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

What mode of travel do you consider the safest?

I think earlier I considered travelling by car to be the safest but because of the increasing traffic and road accidents, I now consider train journey as the safest. So, whenever I have to travel long distance I travel by train. I also consider air journeys to be safe, but the recent airplane disappearances have made me less sure.

How do people travel long distance in your country?

I think the most common means of travel for majority of the people is train. However, with increasing incomes, many people have started travelling by air as well.

How can travelling be useful to people? What do you think people can learn by travelling to other countries?

Travelling is useful is many ways. First, its one the best ways to meet new people and make friends. Secondly, it enables us to learn about new cultures and traditions. Travelling also in a way breaks the monotony of everyday life. There is something very enjoyable about planning a holiday and visiting other places.

Where, in our opinion, should people visit during the vacations? What type of places do you recommend people to visit during vacations?

I have thought about it a lot. I think people should take vacations at a place, which is different from their own native place. For example, I live in the plains, so I love travelling to the hills and mountains. People who live in continental locations can visit the beaches. Ultimately though, it all depends upon people’s choice.

In what ways can society benefit from such members?

I believe there are several ways a society can benefit from such members. Firstly, regular travellers can make a society more open-minded by spreading knowledge about other cultures. It also builds curiosity among other members of the society to travel. Finally, sometimes when these travellers like something about other cultures, they might bring it to their native place as well.

How do you think commercial flights can improve?

I think the biggest issue with commercial flights today is the lack of leg space, which makes it very tiring to travel. In fact, sometimes after long journeys all I can think about is lying down and sleeping on a bed for hours. Moreover, I think the food prices in aircrafts are really exorbitant and I wish these prices are made more reasonable.

48. Describe an experience you had as a member of a team

What it was?
- Who were the members of the team?
- What role did you play in this team?
- And explain how you achieved your goal?

Answer

I have had both negative and positive experiences while working in teams.
Today, I am going to talk about the best experience I have had.
I think it was because I had a good rapport with the team members and also because the role, I undertook was something I enjoyed a lot.
In 12th standard as a part of the course of economics, our class was given a team project.
My teacher made teams of three members and the team members were selected randomly.
Unfortunately, I did not know any of the other team members in my group.
I mean I knew their names but nothing more than that.
So, I was very apprehensive at the beginning, but it all changed with time.
We were allowed to choose the topic of the project ourselves.
So, we chose the topic of global economic crisis during 2007-2008.
All of us were very curious about what happened for such a big crisis and moreover why India was not very affected.
You can say I was the nerd in the team, so I was given the role of collecting data.
However, both the other team members also helped.
I still remember how we spent every afternoon sitting and reading books on the topic in the library.
We also read some journals on the topic on the internet.
It was during this part that we three became really good friends.
I compiled all the information and then all of it into divided different portions and wrote it down.
The last part of the project was team presentation.
I was really afraid as I found speaking in front of people really daunting.
But my team mates really helped me then. I think we practiced giving the presentation three four times and that made me much more confident.
I think we all did really well in the presentation because only two teams got an A grade in the presentation and we were one of the two.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Do you like to work alone or work with a partner?

I like working alone because I kind of hate being dependent upon other people. However, it also depends upon the team members. If I have a good rapport with the team members, I find it rather enjoyable.

What kind of people are good to work with?

The most important quality I try to look for in team members is sincerity. I mean sincerity with work. I have unfortunately worked with a lot of people who procrastinate endlessly, and I really dislike working with such people.

Do you like group work or group learning?

Yes, group learning/work is certainly enjoyable because it involves sharing of ideas and discussions. Working/Studying alone sometimes can be very boring. However, sometimes it is also irritating especially if some of the team members like talking a lot because then I get distracted.

What are the advantages of studying alone?

The biggest advantage of studying alone undoubtedly is that we can concentrate better. So, it is more efficient to study alone. Another advantage of studying alone is the flexibility it offers. What I mean is that we can study whenever or wherever we want, and we can study at our pace.

What can children learn through teamwork?

The main benefit I feel is children learn how to cooperate and work along with others. This is really beneficial in adult life when people have to work together on projects.

What are the disadvantages of working in a team?

I think, firstly, working in a team can be really inefficient because we have to work at common group speed. Secondly, it sometimes leads to feeling of helplessness if the other members are not very sincere about their work and we are dependent upon them to finish their work.

Is it good to have differences in a team?

Well both yes and no. Yes, because team differences make sure more time is spent deliberating on issues, which means there are less chances of errors. No, because having differences means that it slows things down.

What are key skills and abilities needed to be successful in a team.

I think the main skill required to be successful is the ability to work well with others. People should be accommodating, but also not so accommodating that they lose their voice. What I mean is that they should be open to ideas of others but also express their ideas and reservations about ideas of others.

49. Describe a goal that you achieved, which was set by yourself

Or describe a time when you set a goal and tried your best to achieve it

What it was
- When did you set it
- How did you achieve it
- Explain how it influenced your life

Answer

I don’t think I have a strong willpower and many times I set have set goals but failed to achieve them.
But last to last year, I made a new year’s resolution and I made sure I completed it.
In 2018, I took my board exams and I unfortunately I spent a lot of time sitting at home for two to three months.
Because of the lack of physical activity, I gained 5 kgs of weight in those months.
Due to the weight gain, I also lost confidence and stopped talking to my friends.
Thus, I started staying indoor and I gained even more weight.
So, at the beginning of 2019 I decided to lose all the weight that I gained and regain my confidence.
I mainly did three things to achieve it.
First, I joined a gym and stayed regular with it.
Every day I used to wake up at 6 AM and go to the gym.
I spent about 45 mins to 1 hour at the gym.
The second thing I did was to control and manage my diet.
I stopped eating sweets and packaged products.
This was really hard for I love sweets.
It was especially hard to give up on chocolates.
The last thing I did was to sleep on time.
I could only be regular with the gym if I woke up on time and that meant I needed to sleep on time.
Earlier I had the habit of binge-watching TV shows and so I used to stay up late at night.
I used to wake up just very late and thus if I did that, I would never have been able to go to the gym.
I didn’t stop watching TV shows, I just made sure I watched only 1 episode every day.
My gym trainer also told me that proper eight hours of sleep for muscles to regenerate and heal so sleeping on time was very important.
After three months of this schedule, I was finally able to lose all that weight.
Doing this made me really confident and I started going out and meeting my friends again.

If you are a bit healthy now – you can say – Unfortunately I have again gained some weight and I am planning to do this again.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Do people need to write down goals or simply memorize them?

Well I live to write down my goals. It just provides that extra motivation in that weak moment or when we are having a bad day and we feel like giving up.

Do Indian people usually set goals.

Yes, many Indian people do. In fact, I remember on 1st of January a lot of my friends and I share our new year goals and resolutions.

Should parents set goals for children?

I think parents should motivate children to keep goals, but I don’t think parents should themselves keep the goals. Because I think if children don’t keep the goals, they won’t have the same level of motivation to fulfill them.

When do young people start setting goals for themselves?

I think there is no fixed age. It all depends upon the persons maturity and level of responsibility. Some people start keeping goals at a very early age like at twelve or thirteen, while others start keeping goals after reaching adulthood. Goal setting is much more about self-fulfillment and making oneself better and this realization to make oneself better sometimes come early and sometimes late.

What are the kinds of goals that are unrealistic?

I think goals which are in tune with a person’s personality are realistic. I mean if I decide to do something which would require me to make a drastic change in my personality, I would not be able to achieve it. So that would be unrealistic for me.

Do young people and old people have different kinds of goals? What are they?

I think both yes and no. Yes, in the sense that young people goals are more about achieving something in life, while goals for old people are about helping their young achieve their goals in life. No because sometimes goals can be similar too, for example I see both young and old trying to lose weight and look smart in the gyms.

What is more fulfilling working towards a goal or achieving it?

I think both are fulfilling in their own sense. Working towards a goal is about meeting and overcoming challenges, it is about failing and getting back up. Finally, achieving a goal brings a feeling and that efforts did make a difference. However, if we didn’t struggle to achieve something, neither the work we put in nor the final goal brings in fulfillment.

Do you think it’s important to have realistic goals?

I think being realistic has its own advantages and disadvantages. Its advantageous because if the goals are unrealistic it is very easy to give up and believe that it was not possible in the first place.It’s also harmful in the sense that we never test our limits. We never try to go beyond. So, I generally set goals to just beyond realistic.

50. Describe a person who has apologized to you

Who this person is?
- When this happened?
- What this person said for apologizing?
- Explain how you felt about the apology?

Answer

Knowingly or unknowingly we all do some wrong things in life for which we feel sorry within ourselves.
Sometimes we hurt another person or someone else hurts our feelings.
Whenever I realize my mistake, I don’t hesitate to feel sorry immediately.
Here, I would like to talk about my friend, Rohan, who apologized to me for spilling ink on my assignment.
Rohan is my best friend.
He is 20 years old and he is not tall, but looks very handsome.
He has dark curly hair and a dimple on his cheek, which looks very nice when he smiles.
It so happened, that two days before our pre-board exams of +2, we had to submit our physics assignment.
We both had prepared our assignments with great effort and were very happy with the end result.
Rohan had bought a new ink-pen, and was trying to write his name on the cover page of the assignment.
But, there was some problem with the pen.
In an effort to start writing with the pen, he shook it hard and the whole ink fell on my assignment, which was also lying there.
I was on the verge of tears.
All my hard work was wasted.
He also felt bad and said sorry to me.
I could see from his face expressions that he was really sorry.
But, my heart was sinking.
I knew it was not his fault, so I forgave him.
But I also knew that I would have to write my assignment all over again.
Rohan stayed up with me the whole night and helped me in preparing my assignment all over again.
It would not have been possible without his help.
The next day we both submitted our assignments and got very good grades from our teacher.
Saying sorry cannot undo the harm, but it can definitely make you feel less bad about things.
My friend tried to cover up for his mistake by first saying sorry and then helping me.
Even today we are the best of friends.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

Is it important to say sorry?

Yes, it is important to say sorry, because it makes you feel less guilty and you can tell the other person that you realize your mistake and would not do such a thing in the future.

In what situations do people say sorry?

People say sorry when they do something wrong knowingly or unknowingly, and when they realize their mistake. They also say sorry when they want to clear any misunderstanding with their friend or family member.

Why do some people hate to say sorry?

Some people hate to say sorry because they have an ego and they think that they would be belittled if they say sorry. Sometimes they don’t realize their mistake. Sometimes they think that the other person is at fault and he should say sorry.

In what situations should we apologize immediately?

We should apologize immediately when we realize our mistake, or when we don’t want any misunderstanding to happen, or when we don’t want our friendship to be broken, or when we want our relationship with the other person to be even stronger. For example, in a crowded place, when we unintentionally bang into someone or when I forget to switch off my phone and it rings and disturbs the whole class, I don’t waste any time in saying sorry.

When do people say thank you?

People say thank you when someone does something for them or gives them a gift or wishes them on festivals and special occasions. People thank other people for their help or service, for example, a waiter in a restaurant, to the attendants at the fuel pumps, etc.

When was the last time you found it hard to accept an apology?

The last time I found it hard to accept an apology was when my 10 year-old cousin, damaged my laptop and I lost all my important documents. I was very dejected, but could not do anything about it. My cousin said sorry to me so many times, but I remember I did not talk to him properly for two weeks and I have never let him touch my things again.

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IELTS speaking guess work (Sep – dEC 2023)

IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARD GUESS WORK

1. DESCRIBE A TRADITION IN YOUR COUNTRY

2. DESCRIBE A PERSON WHO YOU THINK IS VERY OPEN

3. Describe an old friend you got in contact with again

4. Describe a family which you like and are happy to know

5. Describe an energetic person that you know

6. Describe a time you saw children behave badly in public

7. Describe a conversation topic you were not interested in

8. Describe an expensive activity that you enjoy doing occasionally

9. Describe an area of science that interests you

10. Describe a prize that you received

12. Describe a time when you first talked in a foreign language

12. Describe a good decision you made recently

13. Describe an event you attended in which you didn’t like the music played

14. Describe an ambition that you have for long time

16. Describe an intelligent person you know

17. Describe a photo of yourself that you like (or you have taken)

18. Describe a person who helps others in his or her spare time

20. Talk about a prize you want to win

20. Describe a book you read that you found useful or Describe an exciting book you read

21. Describe a time when you received good news

22. Describe a film/movie that made you laugh

23. Describe an occasion when you wasted your time.

24. Describe something or someone that made a lot of noise.

26. Describe a time when you were surprised to meet a friend.

27. Describe an old person you know and respect

28. Describe a risk you have taken which had a positive result.

29. Describe a mistake you have made

30. Describe a volunteering experience you have had

31. Describe a program or app in your computer or phone

32. Describe a long car journey you went on

33. Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution

34. Describe a friend/person who is a good leader

36. Describe a dinner you really enjoyed

37. Describe a large company that you are interested in

37. Describe a person in your family that you admire or a person in your family you are happy to know

38. Describe a time when a family member asked for your help

39. Describe a time you got lost in a place you didn’t know about

40. Describe a foreign country(culture) you want to know more about?

41. Describe a place where you are able to relax

42. Talk about something you enjoyed doing in a group

43. Describe a film you watched or Describe a film that made you think a lot

44. Talk about a new public building/place, which you would like to visit

45. Describe your favorite clothes

Or Describe an ocassion when you wore your best clothes

46. Describe one of your family members you spend the most time with

47. Describe an important journey that was delayed.

48. Describe an experience you had as a member of a team

49. Describe a goal that you achieved, which was set by yourself

50. Describe a person who has apologized to you

9 thoughts on “IELTS speaking guess work (Sep – dEC 2023)”

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