IELTS Speaking Book 8 Test 4
Here are some simple answers for a new language learner:
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**PART 1: Television**
1. **How often do you watch television? Why/Why not?**
I watch television every day because I enjoy it. It helps me relax after work.
2. **Which television channel do you usually watch? Why?**
I usually watch the news channel because I like to stay informed about what’s happening in the world.
3. **Do you enjoy the advertisements on television? Why/Why not?**
No, I don’t enjoy advertisements because they interrupt the shows I’m watching.
4. **Do you think most programs on television are good? Why/Why not?**
Some programs are good, but many are not very interesting. I prefer educational shows.
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**PART 2: Describe a friend of your family you remember from your childhood.**
The friend I remember is Mr. John. He was my father’s friend from work. He visited us often, maybe once a month. I remember him because he was very kind and brought us gifts. My family trusted him a lot, and he always made everyone laugh.
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**PART 3: Discussion Topics**
**Friendship**
1. **What do you think makes someone a good friend to a whole family?**
A good friend to a family is someone who is kind, helpful, and cares about everyone in the family.
2. **Do you think we meet different kinds of friends at different stages of our lives? In what ways are these types of friends different?**
Yes, we meet friends in school, at work, and in other places. School friends are fun to play with, but work friends help us with our job.
3. **How easy is it to make friends with people from a different age group?**
It can be easy if we have common interests. Older friends can give good advice, and younger friends bring new ideas.
**Influence of Friends**
1. **Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person? Is this real friendship?**
Yes, it is possible. Many people have online friends. It can still be real friendship if they care for each other.
2. **What kind of influence can friends have on our lives?**
Friends can help us feel happy and supported. They can also give us advice when we need it.
3. **How important would you say it is to have friends from different cultures?**
It is very important because we can learn new things and understand different ways of living.
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These answers are simple but effective for a language learner preparing for a speaking test!
8 band answer
Here are more advanced responses aimed at achieving an 8 band score, demonstrating a broader range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures:
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**PART 1: Television**
1. **How often do you watch television? Why/Why not?**
I watch television occasionally, perhaps a few times a week, but not every day. I prefer spending my free time reading or engaging in outdoor activities, but when I do watch, it’s usually for relaxation or to stay informed.
2. **Which television channel do you usually watch? Why?**
I tend to watch channels like BBC or National Geographic because they offer educational and informative content. I enjoy learning about global news or nature, as I find these programs enriching and thought-provoking.
3. **Do you enjoy the advertisements on television? Why/Why not?**
Honestly, I find most advertisements quite annoying, as they disrupt the flow of the program. However, I do appreciate well-crafted ads that are creative or socially impactful, as they can be engaging and convey important messages.
4. **Do you think most programs on television are good? Why/Why not?**
I think the quality of television programs varies significantly. While there are excellent documentaries and thought-provoking shows, a lot of content is rather superficial and driven by entertainment value rather than substance. It largely depends on the genre and the target audience.
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**PART 2: Describe a friend of your family you remember from your childhood.**
A family friend I fondly remember from my childhood is Mr. Roberts, who was a close colleague of my father. He was a warm, charismatic person who visited our home frequently, often bringing small gifts for me and my siblings. My family trusted him immensely because he had been a part of my father's life for many years, having worked together in the same company. I distinctly remember him for his storytelling skills; he had a way of captivating everyone with tales from his travels and experiences. He left a lasting impression on me due to his kindness and the sense of wisdom he exuded during every conversation.
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**PART 3: Discussion Topics**
**Friendship**
1. **What do you think makes someone a good friend to a whole family?**
A good friend to an entire family is someone who is not only considerate and reliable but also inclusive. They should be able to connect with different family members on various levels and understand the dynamics of the household. A sense of mutual respect and shared values often plays a significant role in forming such bonds.
2. **Do you think we meet different kinds of friends at different stages of our lives? In what ways are these types of friends different?**
Yes, absolutely. Our friendships evolve as we go through different stages in life. For instance, childhood friends are often based on proximity and shared activities, whereas in adulthood, we tend to gravitate toward people who share similar values or career paths. The nature of the friendship deepens over time, as we prioritize emotional support and trust over surface-level connections.
3. **How easy is it to make friends with people from a different age group?**
It can be challenging initially due to generational differences, but once you find common ground, it can be incredibly rewarding. Older friends offer life experience and perspective, while younger friends can bring energy and fresh ideas. The key is to approach these friendships with an open mind and respect for each other's experiences.
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**Influence of Friends**
1. **Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person? Is this real friendship?**
Yes, I believe it is entirely possible to form genuine friendships without meeting in person, particularly in today’s digital world. While face-to-face interaction adds a certain depth, online friendships can still be meaningful as long as there is consistent communication, trust, and emotional support. Many people share personal experiences and develop deep bonds through online platforms.
2. **What kind of influence can friends have on our lives?**
Friends can have a profound impact on our choices, behavior, and overall outlook on life. Positive friendships can inspire personal growth, encourage us to take on new challenges, and provide emotional stability during difficult times. Conversely, negative influences from friends can lead to poor decision-making or unhealthy habits. It’s crucial to surround ourselves with people who uplift and motivate us.
3. **How important would you say it is to have friends from different cultures?**
I would say it's incredibly important, especially in our increasingly globalized world. Friends from different cultures expose us to new perspectives, traditions, and ways of thinking, which fosters greater understanding and tolerance. Such friendships enrich our lives by broadening our horizons and helping us become more empathetic and open-minded individuals.
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These responses demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency, including a range of vocabulary, complex grammar structures, and well-developed ideas, all of which are essential for scoring 8 bands in IELTS speaking.
VOCAB
To achieve a higher band score, it's important to use a range of **vocabulary**, **phrases**, and **idiomatic expressions** related to the topics in the IELTS Speaking exam. Here's a list of useful language to help you sound more fluent and natural:
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### **PART 1: Vocabulary and Phrases (Television)**
1. **Frequency**
- "I **occasionally** watch television."
- "I tend to watch TV **once in a while**."
- "I’m not a frequent viewer, but I do watch TV **from time to time**."
2. **Channels and Content**
- "I generally stick to **documentary channels** like National Geographic."
- "I’m a big fan of **news programs** because they help me stay up-to-date."
- "I prefer **educational channels** that offer insightful programs."
3. **Advertisements**
- "Advertisements can be quite **intrusive**."
- "I find ads to be mostly **repetitive** and annoying."
- "Some commercials are **creative** and really grab my attention."
4. **Program Quality**
- "There are some shows that are **thought-provoking** and truly entertaining."
- "Many TV programs are just **mindless entertainment** and lack substance."
- "Quality programming tends to offer **educational value** or **cultural insight**."
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### **PART 2: Vocabulary and Phrases (Describing a Friend)**
1. **Describing the Person**
- "He/she was a **close family friend** who visited often."
- "What I remember most about him/her is his/her **kindness and generosity**."
- "He/she had a very **charismatic personality** and was loved by everyone."
2. **Frequency of Visits**
- "He/she would come over **frequently**—perhaps once or twice a month."
- "Our family would see him/her **on a regular basis**."
- "His/her visits were always something we **looked forward to**."
3. **Why You Remember**
- "I remember him/her fondly because he/she always made us laugh."
- "What made him/her so memorable was his/her ability to connect with everyone."
- "He/she left a lasting impression on me due to his/her **warmth and intelligence**."
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### **PART 3: Discussion Topics Vocabulary and Phrases**
#### **Friendship**
1. **Qualities of a Good Friend**
- "A good friend is someone who is **trustworthy**, **reliable**, and **loyal**."
- "Being a good friend requires **empathy** and the ability to **support** others in difficult times."
- "They should be able to **connect with the entire family**, making everyone feel comfortable."
2. **Stages of Friendship**
- "As we age, the nature of our friendships **evolves**."
- "Friendships in childhood are often based on **shared experiences** like play, while adult friendships are more about **emotional support** and **common values**."
- "Friends at different stages of life offer **different perspectives** and help us grow in unique ways."
3. **Cross-Generational Friendships**
- "Making friends with people from a different age group can be **challenging** due to **generation gaps**, but it can also be **enlightening**."
- "Older friends can provide **wisdom and advice**, while younger friends bring **energy** and **fresh ideas**."
- "Building cross-generational friendships requires **open-mindedness** and a willingness to learn."
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#### **Influence of Friends**
1. **Online Friendships**
- "In today’s digital world, **virtual friendships** have become increasingly common."
- "Though we may not meet in person, **meaningful connections** can still develop online."
- "Real friendships are built on **trust, communication**, and **emotional support**, even if they’re long-distance."
2. **Friendship Impact**
- "Friends have a **profound impact** on our mental and emotional well-being."
- "Positive friendships encourage us to grow, while negative ones can lead to **bad habits** or **poor decisions**."
- "It’s essential to surround ourselves with people who **uplift** and **inspire** us."
3. **Cultural Diversity in Friendships**
- "Having friends from different cultures **broadens our horizons** and helps us become more **open-minded**."
- "Cultural diversity in friendships fosters **tolerance** and **understanding** of different perspectives."
- "These friendships help us appreciate **global diversity** and learn about **new traditions** and customs."
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### **Useful Idioms and Phrases for General Use**
1. **Friendship Idioms**
- "We’re like two peas in a pod." (Very close friends)
- "A friend in need is a friend indeed." (True friends help in difficult times)
- "To get along like a house on fire." (To quickly become good friends)
2. **Time and Frequency Idioms**
- "Once in a blue moon." (Very rarely)
- "Every now and then." (Occasionally)
- "At the drop of a hat." (Immediately, without hesitation)
3. **Describing Influence**
- "He/she had a lasting impact on me."
- "His/her advice always **stuck with me**."
- "He/she was a **role model** for me growing up."
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### **Important Dialogue Structures for IELTS**
1. **Giving an Opinion:**
- "In my opinion, …"
- "From my point of view, …"
- "I strongly believe that …"
2. **Expressing Agreement or Disagreement:**
- "I completely agree with …"
- "I see your point, but I think …"
- "That’s an interesting perspective, but I would argue that …"
3. **Providing Examples:**
- "For instance, …"
- "To give you an example, …"
- "A good example of this would be …"
4. **Speculating:**
- "It’s possible that …"
- "I would imagine that …"
- "There’s a good chance that …"
5. **Comparing:**
- "Compared to …"
- "In contrast to …"
- "While X is true, Y is also important."
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By integrating these phrases, idioms, and expressions into your answers, you’ll sound more fluent, confident, and natural, which will help you achieve a higher score in your IELTS Speaking test.