Speaking Practice Worksheet: Health

Part 2 sample question Describe something you do to keep healthy. You should say: y y y what this activity is when you do it and how often you do it

and explain why you think its a good way to look after your health. Part 3 sample questions 1. What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country? 2. Do you think people worry more about their health as they get older? 3. Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that they are damaging to their health? 4. How can children be encouraged to adopt healthy eating habits? 5. Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years? 6. Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?

Useful Vocabulary
Healthy activities / habits things that are good for your health y y y y y y y y y y y taking regular exercise playing sport(s) (going) swimming (going) cycling going to the gym doing yoga / pilates / tai chi eating fresh fruit and vegetables eating organic foods eating regular meals drinking water having a balanced diet

Unhealthy habits things that are bad for your health y y y y y smoking binge drinking (excessive amounts of alcohol) taking drugs eating too much salt / fat / sugar being overweight

Health Collocations y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y a health farm a health centre a health club a health service a health risk / hazard a health check a health problem a health visitor a health inspector health food health insurance healthcare health and safety (rules / regulations / guidelines) a healthy lifestyle a healthy diet a healthy appetite a healthy economy a healthy bank balance a healthy profit a healthy attitude a healthy respect

Verb + Noun Collocations y y y to look after your health to take care of our health to maintain your health

y y

to be in good / poor health to regain your health

Verb + Adjective Collocations y y y y to feel healthy to look healthy to be healthy to keep / stay healthy

Useful Linking Expressions

Adding more detail y y y y y In (actual) fact, Actually, More to the point, Indeed, To be more precise / exact,

Sample Answer Qu.6 Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options? Yes, in my opinion the government has a big responsibility to try to persuade people to live more healthily. I think they could provide more education in schools to teach children how to eat more healthily and show them the importance of taking physical exercise. In fact, its the parents too that also need to be re-educated on these issues. Another thing, I think there should be more government warnings on TV showing people the dangers of obesity and poor diet, for example. Actually, they do have some that show the health risks of smoking and drinking, which are quite powerful, but not really about healthy eating. Finally, there could be more public facilities to help people keep fit, like swimming pools, gyms and sports centres. More to the point they need to be affordable so that everyone has the opportunity to use them.

Speaking Practice Worksheet: Work

Part 2 sample question Describe the job you would most like to have. You should say: y y what this job would be where you would work

which qualifications you would need

and explain why you would like to have this job most. Part 3 sample questions 1. Which jobs are most respected in your country? 2. Do you think that some jobs are still more suited to either men or women? 3. Do you think schools provide enough advice and support about future careers? 4. What changes have there been in recent years in employment in your country? 5. Do you agree that salaries should reflect the level of contribution to the community that the job makes? 6. Do you think more and more people will work from home in the future?

Useful Vocabulary
Work y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y to apply for a job / post / promotion to get / have a part-time/full-time job to work in [field / place] to work for [a company] to specialise in [field] to be a qualified [job] to work shifts / unsociable hours to get / have an interview to be shortlisted to be demoted / promoted to be transferred / to put in for a transfer to be fired / sacked / dismissed to be made redundant to retire / to be retired to get a pension the perks of a job (benefits) to work from home (home-working) to be self-employed / to work for yourself to work / do flexi-time / overtime

Useful Linking Expressions

Sequencing ideas y y y y y y y firstly / first of all, secondly, thirdly, then another point / reason / example is lastly / finally, . overall,

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

Speaking Practice Worksheet: Travel and Transport

Part 2 sample question Describe an interesting journey you have been on. You should say: y y y where you went how you travelled there who you went with

and explain what was so memorable about the journey. Part 3 sample questions 1. What methods of transport are most popular in your city / country? 2. What are some of the problems of long-distance travelling? 3. Has the way people travel changed much in the last few decades? 4. Do you agree that governments should do more to encourage greener methods of transport?

5. What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities? 6. Do you think that transport problems are worse in urban or rural areas?

Useful Vocabulary
Popular methods of transport in cities y y y y y y y y y y y y by metro by tram by bus by motorbike / scooter / moped by bike on foot to go by bus to catch the metro to take the tram to go on the motorbike to cycle to walk

Other methods of transport y y y y by plane by train by coach by boat / ferry

Transport problems y y y y y y y y long delays (in airports) lost luggage cancellations (of flights / trains) missed connections traffic-jams / congestion roadworks / diversions breakdowns / accidents pollution

Solutions to inner-city congestion y y y y y y y y y y road access charges in city centres bypasses / ringroads park and ride schemes free rental of city bikes more cycle lanes more frequent buses cheaper public transport more pedestrianised streets more electric trams more accessible metro system

Useful Linking Expressions

Giving examples y y y y y for example for instance such as like / as another example / way

Sample Answer Qu. 5 What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities? There are many ways that congestion could be reduced in big cities. In my city, for example, they have introduced a bike rental system where members can pick up a bike at one point and dr it off at op another. Its proving to be very popular and as a result more cycle lanes are also being provided. Another example, which unfortunately doesnt exist in my city, is a park and ride scheme where you leave your car outside the city in a carpark and then take a free bus into the centre. Another way to prevent people bringing their cars into the city would be to charge a special fee to access the centre, like they do in London, though I guess this wouldnt be quite so popular with the residents.

Speaking Practice Worksheet: Tourism

Part 2 sample question Describe a holiday you would like to go on. You should say:

y y y

what place you would like to go to how you would like to get there what you would like to do while you were there

and explain why you would like to go on this holiday. Part 3 sample questions 1. Which places in your country do visitors enjoy visiting most? 2. What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday? 3. Have there been any recent changes in the types of holiday that are popular in your country? 4. What kinds of benefits might a significant increase in tourist numbers bring to a location? 5. What are some of the negative effects of a dramatic increase in tourism? 6. What developments affecting international travel might there be in the future?

Useful Vocabulary
Positive aspects of holidays (personal) y y y y y y y chance to unwind spend quality time with family / friends get away from work / stressful environment have a change of routine / scenery visit new places / experience new things / cultures broaden your horizons visit family or friends abroad

Positive aspects of holidays (commercial) y y y y y creates new jobs in tourist industry attracts media attention to the resort ensures good level of infrastructure improves services for local residents provides revenue to protect /maintain local heritage

Negative aspects of holidays (personal) y y loss of earnings (if self-employed) can be stressful (to be out of your comfort zone)

y y y y y

can be difficult to cope in foreign country / unfamiliar place may encounter travel problems (plane/train delays / traffic jams) may not have access to health facilities may lose your luggage may not be able to speak the local language

Negative aspects of holidays (commercial) y y y y y y can cause overcrowding tourists may not respect local customs/traditions can cause excess of litter / noise may cause damage to local environment area becomes too built-up due to increase of hotels/shops etc may cause increase in prices of local services and goods

Useful Linking Expressions

Adding more reasons / examples y y y y y y y in addition (to) furthermore, as well as also not only but also both and besides

Sample Answer
Qu.2 What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday? There are many benefits of going on holiday. Besides giving you a chance to unwind and relax, it also allows you to spend some quality time with your family, not only in a different environment but more importantly, away from the routine pressures of work and daily life. In addition to this, it also gives you the opportunity to broaden your horizons by visiting new places and experiencing a different way of life.

Speaking Practice Worksheet: The Environment

Part 2 sample question

Describe an environmental problem. You should say: y y y what it is how long it has existed how it affects peoples lives

and explain how you think the problem will develop in the future. Part 3 sample questions 1. Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country? 2. What are the main causes of these environmental problems? 3. Do you think it is the responsibility of governments alone to protect the environment? 4. What measures can individuals take to protect the environment? 5. Do you think large companies and business orginisations should be more environmentally friendly? Why? How? 6. How can we teach children about the importance of protecting the environment?

Useful Vocabulary
Environmental Problems y y y y y y y y destruction of the rainforests (deforestation) melting of the icecaps extinction of many species (loss of biodiversity) destruction of the ozone layer global warming / the greenhouse effect rising sea levels pollution of land, sea and air increase of natural disasters eg, earthquakes, landslides, floods

Causes of Environmental Problems y y y y y y excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, eg carbon dio xide chemical and industrial waste emissions from cars and planes improper dumping of household waste overuse of non-renewable fossil fuels genetic modification

y y

over-consumption over-urbanisation

Solutions to Environmental Problems y y y y y y y y y y recycling using renewable sources of energy, eg solar heating, wind-farms replanting trees cutting carbon emissions cleaner waste disposal sustainable consumption and development buying products with less packaging buying organic products buying products made from recycled material / renewable sources using natural remedies as alternative medicine

Useful Linking Expressions

Explaining causes y y y y caused by due to because of a result of

Explaining effects y y y leads to results in causes

Sample Answer
Qu.1 Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country? I think people in my country are most concerned about future shortages of fresh drinking water, which I suppose is both a result of poor water management and general global warming. I think everyone is feeling the effects of the latter problem which is causing us to experience more extreme temperatures, for example, much colder winters and much hotter summers. The long hot summers are particularly worrying in the south of the country where there is a real risk of drought due to the consistent lack of rainfall.

Speaking Practice Worksheet: Technology

Part 2 sample question Describe a piece of technology that you find useful. You should say: y y y what it is what you can do with it how often you use it

and explain why you find it so useful Part 3 sample questions 1. What are some of the main uses of technology for communication? 2. Do you agree that some people use technology for communication too much? 3. What differences are there between the attitudes of older and younger people to technology for communication? 4. Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools? 5. Would you agree that the rapid development of digital technology has had a positive impact on the world of work? 6. Do you think that the rate of technological expansion will slow down in the years to come?

Useful Vocabulary
Uses of internet for communication y y y y y y y y y sending emails sending text messages tele-conferencing video conferencing online chatting social networking blogging posting messages on forums using an intranet system

Advantages

y y y y y y

offers immediate communication cheaper than telephone calls / face-to-face meetings allows global communication without the need to travel more convenient / people can communicate on-the-move allows friends and family overseas to stay connected gives everybody the chance to have a public voice

Disadvantages y y y y y people may lose real social skills people may spend less time socialising face-to-face people may become more introverted people may become adicted to social network sites people spend too much time in front of a screen

Technology and Education y y y y y y interactive whiteboards e-learning online degrees self-access centres / study online tutor blended learning (online + face-to-face)

Advantages y y y y offers more flexibility for the learner allows people in rural areas the same study opportunities cheaper for students (no travel / accmmodation costs) students & teachers are less bound by time and space

Technology and Work y y y y y y automated processes automated manufacturing automated customer services high-tech computer systems computerised filing / administrative systems huge databases

intranet system / internal emailing

Disadvantages y y y y y y has made some jobs redundant gives customers less personal service requires staff to be technically skilled may cause security issues /files may be lost requires a lot of investment breakdowns in the system may cause severe problems

Useful Linking Expressions

Giving reasons y y y y y due to (the fact that) because of because as a result of thats why

Sample Answer
Qu. Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools? I think the growth of the internet has had a major impact on current teaching methods and Im sure general standards have improved as a result. I strongly believe that the motivation for both learning and teaching has increased because of the phenomenal amount of information now available to both students and teachers. On the other hand, due to a danger of information overload, some people may be put off using technology in the classroom, wishing for a return to more traditional methods.

Speaking Practice Worksheet: Free Time

Part 2 sample question Describe a leisure activity you like doing in your free time. You should say: y y y what kind of activity it is how often you do it what equipment you need to do it

and explain why you enjoy doing it. Part 3 sample questions 1. What kind of free-time activities are typical in your country? 2. Have there been any recent changes in the types of leisure activities that people fnd popular? 3. Do you agree that its important for people of different ages to do leisure activities together? 4. In your opinion, who is responsible for encouraging children to take up different leisure pursuits parents or teachers? 5. Do you think people have less time for leisure activities now compared to the past? 6. Do you think that technology will have a significant impact on the types of leisure activities we will enjoy in the future?

Useful Vocabulary
Popular Outdoor Leisure Activities y y y y y y y y y y y y y y playing / practising / doing sport(s) rambling / hiking / walking running/ jogging cycling fishing horse riding (wind) surfing (ice) skating sailing / canooing / kayaking skiing snowboarding skateboarding hanging out / meeting up with friends eating out / going to restaurants or cafes

Popular Indoor Leisure Activities y y y going to the gym / keeping fit / doing exercise doing yoga / pilates / aerobics doing martial arts (karate/judo)

y y y y y y y y y y y y y

swimming going to the cinema / theatre playing a musical instrument acting (amateur dramatics) dancing (ballet / tap / ballroom / hip-hop / freestyle / latin) singing (in a group / choir) playing computer games surfing the internet cooking reading playing board games doing puzzles listening to music

Useful Linking Expressions

Natural fillers y y y y y y y y I suppose I guess Let me think Let me see Um, well Er, Im not sure like, you know I dont know

Sample Answer
Qu. Do you agree that its important for people of different ages to do leisure activities together? Um well I think in some cases it could be important for people of different ages to do leisure activities together. For example, parents or even grandparents can enjoy doing fun things with their children or grandchildren, like, you know, things that dont require a lot of physical ability such as playing games, reading or cooking. I guess that sometimes it is very important for older people to do things with younger ones, especially more difficult skills that need to be taught like I dont know martial arts or playing a musical instrument.

Speaking Practice Worksheet: Entertainment

Part 2 sample question Describe a film you found interesting. You should say: y y y when you saw this film why you decided to see this film what happened in the film

and explain why you found this film interesting. Part 3 sample questions 1. Is the cinema a popular form of entertainment in your country? 2. Which do you think is more enjoyable, watching films in the cinema or watching films at home? 3. Do you think that films shown in cinemas should have an educational value? 4. Is it important for governments to support film-making in their countries? 5. Do you think the Internet has already had a big impact on the entertainment industry? 6. In what ways do you think that entertainment media may develop in the future?

Useful Vocabulary
Cinema (advantages) y y y y y y the thrill of watching something on the big-screen more exciting/intense atmosphere big screen really brings the characters to life able to appreciate the cinematography can enjoy a night out with friends the excitement of watching a premiere screening

Watching TV (advanatges) y y y y y y can sit in the comfort of your own home can choose what you want to watch can flick through the channels can invite your friends round can watch a variety of programmes can switch it off if you get bored

Film-making y y y y y y social responsibility to make educational/informative films good media for reaching wide audiences has high impact on the public can get worldwide recognition can deliver social messages can bring widespread attention to social/world problems

Technology & Entertainment (examples) y y y y y online gaming / games / gambling downloading films / videos (YouTube) downloading music (iTunes) computer game consoles (PlayStation / Wii) social networking (Facebook / Twitter)

Useful Linking Expressions

Giving more exact information y y y y y in (actual) fact actually as a matter of fact to be more exact to be more precise

Sample Answer
Qu. Do you think that films shown in cinemas should have an educational value? No, I dont think that its necessary for all films to be educational. In fact, I think people go to the cinema because they simply want to be entertained, not always educated. Watching a film on the big screen is a form of escapism and so people want adventure, romance or fantasy. As far as Im concerned, if Im looking to be educated I would choose to read a book or watch a documentary, although actually I do also enjoy historical films which teach me something about the past.

Speaking Practice Worksheet: Education

Part 2 sample question Describe a teacher that had a positive influence on you.

You should say: y y y what subject this teacher taught how long he/she was your teacher what positive attributes this teacher had

and explain why you remember this teacher in particular. Part 3 sample questions 1. Is there a system of free state education in your country? 2. Do you think school and university prepares young people adequately for real life? 3. Do you think there is too much pressure on young people at school these days? 4. Do you agree that there is too much emphasis on formal testing? 5. Have there been significant changes in schooling methods in your country in recent years? 6. Do you think schools provide enough careers advice to young people?

Useful Vocabulary
School y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y nursery / primary / secondary schools / education state school / private school boarding school all girls / all boys school to go to / attend school the curriculum extra-curricular activities school trips to sit / do / take an exam to resit / retake an exam to revise (for an exam) to pass / to fail an exam to get exam results to get qualifications / to be qualified to leave school / a school-leaver to drop out of school / to be a dropout

y y

to study for [a qualification / an exam] to be academic / to be an all-rounder

University y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y tertiary / higher education colleges of higher education / technical colleges / universities to apply for a course to get an (un)conditional offer to do a course in [subject] halls of residence / student accommodation student union / student body an undergraduate a graduation ceremony to get a university degree / a Masters / a Doctorate (Phd) to graduate from university / to graduate in [subject] a university graduate a postgraduate student / course to do a postgraduate course / a Masters / a PhD (Doctorate) to be a qualified [job title] to qualify in [subject] to take a gap year to drop out of university

Useful Linking Expressions

Introducing a contrast y y y y y y However, Nevertheless, On the one hand . but on the other hand Although Despite But,

Sample Answer

Qu.1 Is there a system of free state education in your country? In my country there is a state education system offering free education for children from 318, although parents still have to pay for food, materials, school trips and other extra-curricular activities. This is only one part of the system, however, because there are also private schools and semi-private schools, which are partly funded by the state. So on the one hand it appears that we do have free state education, but in actual fact it isnt available to everyone because places are limited.

Speaking Practice Worksheet: Communication

Part 2 sample question Describe a conversation you had which was important to you. You should say: y y y when the conversation took place who you had the conversation with what the conversation was about

and explain why the conversation was important to you. Part 3 sample questions 1. What differences are there when using various channels of communication (face-to-face, telephone, writing)? 2. To what extent do you think the media influences how people communicate with each other? 3. Do you think there are differences in the way men and women communicate? 4. Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older? 5. Do you agree that education has a strong and positive effect on peoples ability to communicate effectively? 6. What impact has the growth of technology had on the way people communicate and how do you think this will develop in the future?

Useful Vocabulary
Common forms of communication y y y y y speaking / talking face-to-face speaking / talking on the phone / by mobile phone sending a text message / an SMS (texting) sending / writing a letter (snail mail) sending / writing an email

y y y

using an electronic messenger service social networking sending a fax

Non-verbal forms of communication y y y y y lip-reading using body language using sign language using hand gestures / signals using facial expressions

Informal utterances y y y y y y y y y Give me a call Call me Send me a text / an email Text me / email me Drop me a line (letter/email) Give me a buzz (call) Give me a bell (call) Keep / Stay in touch Ill be in touch

Other forms of communication y y y y making / giving a speech speaking in public / public speaking giving a lecture / lecturing giving a seminar

Reasons for communicating y y y y y y giving a demonstration / demonstrating giving instructions / instructing asking for / giving directions (directing) asking for / giving advice (advising) making a complaint / complaining making small talk / building social relations

y y

exchanging views / opinions gossiping

Business communication y y y y y writing a report / proposal / recommendation participating in a call conference participating in a video conference giving a presentation chairing a meeting

Effective communication skills y y y y y y maintaining eye-contact projecting your voice varying your intonation punctuating your sentences emphasizing / repeating key words engaging the listener

Useful Linking Expressions

Giving opinions y y y y y y y y y In my view, In my opinion, From my point of view, In my experience, As I see it, Personally, I think I believe / feel that For me personally, As far as Im concerned,

Sample Answer
Qu. Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older? I think that peoples ability to communicate does improve with age because generally speaking, people get more confident as they gain more experience of life and I believe that confidence is a major

factor. On the other hand, some people may become more self-conscious as they got older, particularly when they reach certain stages in their life such as adolescence. For me personally, I feel that Im a better communicator now than when I was younger.