IELTS Speaking Book 7 Test 3

Here are some 9-band IELTS speaking model answers for the questions in the image you provided:

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### Part 1: Cold Weather

1. **Have you ever been in very cold weather? [When?]**  

   Yes, I have experienced very cold weather during a trip to the northern regions of my country last winter. The temperature dropped to below freezing, and there was heavy snowfall. It was quite a change from the mild climate I am used to, and I vividly remember how biting the wind felt.

2. **How often is the weather cold where you come from?**  

   Where I live, the weather is generally mild throughout the year. Winters are short, and the cold is not too extreme. Occasionally, we get chilly mornings and evenings in December and January, but it's never too harsh. We seldom experience freezing temperatures or snow.

3. **Are some parts of your country colder than others? [Why?]**  

   Yes, some parts of my country are significantly colder than others. The northern and mountainous regions experience colder weather, especially in winter, due to their higher altitude. In contrast, the southern and coastal areas are much warmer because of their proximity to the sea and their lower elevation.

4. **Would you prefer to live in a hot place or a cold place? [Why?]**  

   Personally, I would prefer to live in a moderately cold place. I find cold weather invigorating, and it’s easier to warm up by wearing layers of clothing. In contrast, dealing with extreme heat can be exhausting and uncomfortable. Additionally, I enjoy winter activities like skiing and cozying up indoors with a hot drink.

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### Part 2: Describe a competition you took part in

**Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to speak about a competition I participated in.**

I'd like to talk about a public speaking competition that I took part in during my college years. It was an annual event organized by the debating society at my university, and it attracted participants from various faculties.

I first found out about the competition through a flyer posted on the campus noticeboard, and I was immediately intrigued. Since public speaking has always been one of my passions, I decided to sign up.

For the competition, I had to prepare and deliver a speech on a given topic within a specific time limit. I practiced extensively, honing my content and delivery. On the day of the event, I was nervous but excited to share my ideas with a large audience.

The prizes for the competition were quite attractive. The winner received a trophy, a certificate of achievement, and a cash prize. Additionally, the top three participants were offered the opportunity to represent our university at a national debate competition.

I chose to participate because I love challenging myself, and public speaking is something that allows me to express my thoughts eloquently. Moreover, it was a great platform to showcase my skills and boost my confidence.

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### Part 3: Discussion Topics

**Competitions in School**

1. **Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?**  

   I believe that competitions in the classroom serve several educational purposes. They encourage students to engage more actively in their learning, promote healthy competition, and help foster a spirit of teamwork. Additionally, competitions can make learning more enjoyable and memorable, as students are more likely to remember lessons they’ve applied in a competitive setting.

2. **Do you think it is a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?**  

   Yes, I think rewarding children for their achievements can be highly motivating. It helps them recognize that their efforts are appreciated and encourages them to continue striving for excellence. However, it's important to ensure that these prizes don't create unhealthy competition or discourage those who may not perform as well academically.

3. **Would you say that schools for young children have become more or less competitive since you were that age? Why?**  

   Schools for young children have definitely become more competitive compared to when I was a child. Today, there is a greater emphasis on performance and results, partly due to societal expectations and the increasing importance placed on education. Parents and educators now push children to excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and standardized tests from a very young age.

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**Sporting Competitions**

1. **What are the advantages and disadvantages of intensive training for young sportspeople?**  

   Intensive training for young athletes has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it helps them develop discipline, physical fitness, and the technical skills required to excel in their sport. On the other hand, it can be quite demanding, both physically and mentally, which may lead to burnout or even injury. It's important to balance training with rest and ensure that young athletes maintain a healthy lifestyle.

2. **Some people think that competition leads to better performance from sports stars. Others think it just makes players feel insecure. What is your opinion?**  

   I believe that competition can indeed drive sports stars to perform better. The desire to win pushes them to push their limits and continually improve. However, I also understand the argument that excessive pressure to compete can lead to feelings of insecurity or stress. It’s important to foster a competitive spirit in a healthy and supportive environment, where the focus is on personal growth rather than just winning.

3. **Do you think that it is possible to become too competitive in sport? In what way?**  

   Yes, it is certainly possible to become too competitive in sport. When athletes prioritize winning at all costs, it can lead to unethical behavior, such as cheating or unsportsmanlike conduct. Additionally, an excessive focus on competition can harm an athlete’s mental and physical well-being, as they may neglect their health in the pursuit of success.

Here are simpler, easy-to-understand answers for each part of the speaking test:

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### Part 1: Cold Weather

1. **Have you ever been in very cold weather? [When?]**  

   Yes, I have. Last winter, I visited a hilly area, and it was very cold. It even snowed there, which was my first time seeing snow.

2. **How often is the weather cold where you come from?**  

   The weather is not very cold where I live. It’s usually warm, and in winter, it gets a little cold but not too much. Only in December and January do we need to wear jackets.

3. **Are some parts of your country colder than others? [Why?]**  

   Yes, the northern parts of my country are much colder because they have mountains. The southern parts are warmer because they are near the sea and don’t have high mountains.

4. **Would you prefer to live in a hot place or a cold place? [Why?]**  

   I would prefer to live in a cold place because I like wearing warm clothes and drinking hot tea in winter. In hot weather, I feel tired and uncomfortable.

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### Part 2: Describe a competition you took part in

I took part in a sports competition at my school last year. It was a race, and I found out about it from my sports teacher. She encouraged me to join. The competition was simple: we had to run 100 meters as fast as we could. The winner got a gold medal and a certificate. I didn’t win, but I had a lot of fun, and it was a good experience because I like staying fit and running.

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### Part 3: Discussion Topics

**Competitions in School**

1. **Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?**  

   Teachers use competitions to make learning fun and to motivate students to work harder. Competitions can also help students learn new things quickly and improve their skills.

2. **Do you think it is a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?**  

   Yes, giving prizes is good because it makes students feel happy and proud of their hard work. It can also encourage other students to do better next time.

3. **Would you say that schools for young children have become more or less competitive since you were that age? Why?**  

   I think schools have become more competitive now because parents and teachers expect children to do better in school and sports. There are more exams and activities than before.

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**Sporting Competitions**

1. **What are the advantages and disadvantages of intensive training for young sportspeople?**  

   The advantage of intensive training is that it makes young athletes stronger and better at their sport. The disadvantage is that it can be tiring, and sometimes they get hurt if they train too much.

2. **Some people think that competition leads to better performance from sports stars. Others think it just makes players feel insecure. What is your opinion?**  

   I think competition helps sports stars do better because they want to win. But too much pressure can make them nervous and stressed. So, it’s important to balance both.

3. **Do you think that it is possible to become too competitive in sport? In what way?**  

   Yes, it’s possible to become too competitive. Some athletes focus only on winning and forget to enjoy the game. This can make them lose interest or feel bad if they don’t win.

Here’s a comprehensive list of **vocabulary** and **idiomatic phrases** that could be used in the IELTS Speaking Test from the sample provided:

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### **Vocabulary for Cold Weather (Part 1)**

- **Freezing** – very cold.

- **Chilly** – cold but not freezing.

- **Crisp air** – fresh, cold air.

- **Bundle up** – to wear lots of layers for warmth.

- **Bitterly cold** – extremely cold.

- **Frosty** – very cold, often with ice forming.

- **Mild winters** – not very cold winters.

- **Extreme temperatures** – very high or low temperatures.

- **Warmth** – pleasant heat.

- **Blizzard** – a severe snowstorm.

- **Temperature drop** – a sudden decrease in temperature.

- **Icy winds** – very cold and strong winds.

- **Nippy** – slightly cold.

- **Frostbite** – injury to body tissue caused by freezing.

### **Idioms for Cold Weather (Part 1)**

- **“Frozen to the bone”** – extremely cold.

- **“Cold as ice”** – very cold, often used for people too.

- **“Break the ice”** – to initiate conversation in a social setting.

- **“Under the weather”** – feeling unwell, sometimes due to the cold.

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### **Vocabulary for Competitions (Part 2)**

- **Contest** – another word for competition.

- **Tournament** – a series of contests.

- **Challenge** – something difficult to accomplish.

- **Prize** – a reward for winning.

- **Victory** – success in a competition.

- **Champion** – the winner.

- **Runner-up** – second place.

- **Defeat** – to win against someone.

- **Finalist** – a person who reaches the final round.

- **Eliminated** – removed from the competition.

- **Engage** – to take part in something.

- **Overcome obstacles** – to successfully tackle challenges.

- **Sharpens skills** – improves abilities.

- **Competitive edge** – an advantage in a competition.

- **Extra-curricular activities** – activities outside the normal curriculum.

### **Idioms for Competitions (Part 2)**

- **“Step up to the plate”** – to take responsibility in a competition.

- **“Go the extra mile”** – to make an extra effort.

- **“Hit the nail on the head”** – to do something exactly right.

- **“Cutthroat competition”** – very fierce and intense competition.

- **“Pull out all the stops”** – to make every possible effort.

- **“Burn the midnight oil”** – to work late into the night, often in preparation for a competition.

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### **Vocabulary for Part 3 (Competitions in School)**

- **Class activity** – something done in class.

- **Engage students** – get students involved.

- **Motivate** – encourage someone to do something.

- **Creativity** – coming up with new ideas.

- **Teamwork** – working together with others.

- **Peer pressure** – influence from people of the same age.

- **Academic success** – achieving high results in studies.

- **Scholarship** – a grant or payment for educational purposes.

- **Rewarding** – providing satisfaction.

- **Competition-driven** – motivated by competition.

- **Overemphasis** – placing too much importance on something.

- **Pressure cooker environment** – a situation where there’s a lot of pressure.

- **Performance-oriented** – focused on doing well.

### **Idioms for Competitions in School (Part 3)**

- **“A level playing field”** – everyone has an equal chance.

- **“Pat on the back”** – giving praise or recognition for good work.

- **“Rise to the occasion”** – perform well in a challenging situation.

- **“On the ball”** – being alert and quick to respond.

- **“Blow your own trumpet”** – to boast about one’s achievements.

- **“A race against time”** – a situation where you need to do something very quickly.

- **“Put your thinking cap on”** – to think deeply or seriously about something.

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### **Vocabulary for Part 3 (Sporting Competitions)**

- **Intensive training** – rigorous practice to improve performance.

- **Peak performance** – the best someone can perform.

- **Mentally and physically draining** – exhausting both mind and body.

- **Burnout** – mental and physical exhaustion from overworking.

- **Drive for success** – strong motivation to achieve.

- **Unhealthy rivalry** – competition that leads to bad relationships.

- **Team spirit** – positive feeling among members of a team.

- **Overcome challenges** – succeed despite difficulties.

- **Push boundaries** – to go beyond one’s limits.

- **Athletic development** – growth and improvement in sport.

- **Winning at all costs** – willing to do anything to win.

- **Performance pressure** – stress to perform well.

### **Idioms for Sporting Competitions (Part 3)**

- **“Go for broke”** – to risk everything in order to achieve the goal.

- **“Win by a landslide”** – to win by a large margin.

- **“Throw in the towel”** – to give up or admit defeat.

- **“Jump on the bandwagon”** – to follow a trend or support something once it’s successful.

- **“Push the envelope”** – to test limits or try new, advanced methods.

- **“Neck and neck”** – being very close in competition.

- **“In the zone”** – being highly focused and performing well.

- **“The ball is in your court”** – it’s your turn to make a move or decision.

- **“Take it to the next level”** – to improve or make something more advanced.

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### **General Vocabulary and Idioms to Enhance Responses**

- **Broaden horizons** – to increase knowledge or experiences.

- **Pave the way** – to make progress easier.

- **Fuel the fire** – to make a situation more intense.

- **Lead by example** – to show how something should be done by doing it yourself.

- **A double-edged sword** – something that has both positive and negative effects.

- **Get the ball rolling** – to start something.

- **Tackle a challenge** – to confront and deal with a challenge.

- **Up to par** – to be good enough or to meet expectations.

- **Bend over backwards** – to go out of your way to help or accommodate someone.

- **Take it in stride** – to handle something calmly without making a fuss.

- **A win-win situation** – a scenario where everyone benefits.

- **By the book** – to follow rules strictly.

- **Break new ground** – to do something innovative or pioneering.

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This variety of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions will add richness and variety to your IELTS speaking responses, helping you showcase a higher level of language proficiency.