About speaking in IELTS (Tips)

It's impossible to prepare for every question that you might get in
the speaking test, but what are the essential things to prepare
for? Here's my list of essentials:

Favourites: Don't go into the test without knowing what

your favorites are. Prepare to talk about your favorite book,
film, music, and website.

People: Be ready to talk about a famous person and a

member of your family.

Activities: Have you prepared some ideas about a hobby?

Can you describe a typical day in your life? Try to remember
some special moments in your life, such as birthdays, festivals
and weddings.

Places: You need to be able to talk about where you live.

Also, think about the places you have visited, what you did
there, and why you liked or didn't like them.

Things: Can you talk about the things you use every day,
something you would like to buy, or a present that you
received?

Remember that in part 2 you are always asked to "describe".

Make sure you prepare some good adjectives for each topic, make
sure you can talk about your opinions and feelings, and think
about some examples or stories to make your descriptions more
interesting.

Have you ever found it difficult to talk about relationship such as

love, friendship, family? In todays post I would like to share with
you some phrases and expressions, which could make it easier for
you to deal with the relationship topic both in real life situations
and in test environment.

At the very beginning, I want to provide you with some collocations to

describe the positive and negative effects of relationship
Advantages of being in a relationship

To share laugh and happiness together

Example: At the weekend I prefer spending time with my family, so we can
share laugh and happiness together

To have a person who be there for you whenever you need

Example: Being in a relationship means you have a person who always be
there for you when you are in trouble.
Disadvantage of being in a relationship
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To have less time for other social relationships

Example: When you are in a relationship, you will have less time for other
social relationships

There are also a wide range of useful phrases to talk about

relationship (Love, Friendship, Family):
Friendship:
1. To get to know: begin to know someone
Example: I have got to know Mary since I was a little boy, and we have been
best friends until now.
2. To get on well with: to understand someone and enjoy similar interests
Example: My girlfriend and I get on well with each other because we try to
understand the other interests.
3. To hit it off (with someone): to quickly become good friends with
Example: As a sociable person, Peter can easily hit it off with Sara.
4. To go back years: to have known someone for a long time

5. To strike up a relationship: to begin a friendship

Example: Mia and I struck up a relationship since we were high school
students, until now we still keep in touch.
6. To enjoy someones company: to like spending time with someone
Example: we are best friends, and we always enjoy each others company
7. A healthy relationship: A good, positive relationship
Example: Tom and Mia have a healthy relationship, and they always help each
other out of trouble.
8. To have a lot in common: to share similar interests
Example: we became best friends since we were ten because we had a lot in
common.
9. To have ups and downs: to have good and bad times
Example: All relationships have ups and downs, but some people prefer to
break up rather than work it out.
10. To keep in touch with: to keep in contact with
Example: Although we have not seen each other in person for a long time, we
still keep in touch.
11. To lose touch with: to not see or hear from someone any longer
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Example: My high school friends make a promise to try to not lose touch with
each other.
12. To drift apart: to become less close to someone
Example: I really appreciate our friendship so I hope that I will never drift
apart from her.
13. to fall out with: to have a disagreement and stop being friends
Example: Having a lot of arguments for ages, we fell out with each other
14. to work at a relationship: to try to maintain a positive relationship
with someone
Example: All relationships have their ups and downs. The point is that we
should work at the relationship rather than give up on it
15. to cement a friendship: to make a relationship stronger
Example: I always set aside time at the weekend to come over to visit my best
friend to cement our relationship.

Love:
1. To break up: to end a romantic relationship
Example: She decided to break up with her boyfriend because they didnt have
a lot in common
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2. To fall for: to fall in love

3. fall head over heels in love: really love somebody
4. To be in relationship: to be romantically involved with someone
Example: He was not married, but he was in a stable relationship.
5. To love at first sight: to fall in love immediately you meet someone

Family:
1. To see eye to eye: to agree on a subject
Example: My parents see eye to eye on many aspect of their lives, so they
barely find themselves in conflict.
2. To start a family: To conceive or have a first child.
Example: After tying the knot for 2 years, we made up our mind to start a
family.
3. To tie the knot: get married (= get hitched)
4. Blood is thicker than water: family relationships come before any other
relationship/priority.

Example: When anyone in the family get into a problem, other members will
help out because blood is thicker than water after all.
5. A close knit family: a family get on well, support each other & see each
other a lot
Example: Family is the most important thing in the whole world and we ought
to prioritize to make it a happy and a close knit family.
6. Flesh and blood: people who are part of your immediate family
Example: While she is not my flesh and blood, she is really like my sister
7. Pop the question: propose marriage
Example: Theyre really well matched in their interests ,yet he
hasnt popped the question because both of them are not ready to settle
down and have children.

Practice
IELTS Speaking Part 1:
Friendship Topic:
Do you see your friends very often?

You: Well, I used to hang out with my friends at least twice a week because
we enjoyed each others company & had a lot in common to talk
about, but I am in last year of university now, so I am very busy with my study.
For that reason, I dont often have the chance to spend quality time with my
friends any more.
Do you like spend time with friends?
Yes absolutely. Usually I spend much time with my friends. When we get
together we have fun and learn to understand each others personalities.
Do you usually have conflicts with your friends?
Conflict is inevitable in every relationship. But I always try to maintain a
healthy relationshipto avoid drifting apart from my friends
Do you have a best friend?
I have a few best friends. Our friendships go back years to when we were
still young. Although they are by no means my flesh & blood, they are like
sisters to me who always help me out in every matter.
How would you describe a good relationship?
I would say that all relationships have ups & downs but if you are on good
terms with your friends, you can get over it & keep in touch with each other,
and always try to work at the relationship to make it a long-lasting friendship.
Do you ever help a friend by giving advice?
Family
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1.Do you live with your family?

Yes, I live in an extended family with my grandparents, parents & my younger
brother.
2. How are you getting on with your parents?
I have to say that Im the apple of my parents eyes. They always take care
of me and give me helpful advice whenever I get into trouble.
3. Do you prefer to spend time with your family or with your friends?
On one hand, I always try to keep in touch & work at the relationship with my
friends who I really care for. On the other hand, I spend as much
quality family time as I can to maintain our close knit family tradition.
4. Is family very important for you?
Of course, family is my first priority. They are my flesh and blood and
always there to support me
5. If you were married, how many children would you choose to have?
If I decide to tie the knot and settle down, I will start a family when my
husband & I see eye to eye on how many children we choose to have. For
me, I prefer to have one daughter & son so I can raise them up without
being afraid of economic pressure.

IELTS Speaking Part 2:

Describe a person you are very close to. You should say:

who this person is

when you met them

where you met them

and say what it is about them you like so much.
Sample Answer:
Well, I would like to talk about my soulmate Jess, who used to be my
classmate in high school. She was one of the most impressive friends of mine
and a really talented person.
I can say that our friendship go back years when we were little kids. Being a
gregarious girl, she was the person who started our very first conversation and
then we stroke up our relationship and quickly hit if off with each other. I have
to admit that I really enjoy Jesss company because we can share a lot of things
with each other have have a lot in common, which makes us can talk all day
long.
For me, Jess is one of the most wonderful girls on earth. I feel that Van was
really diligent. I still remember she was always the first to come and the last to
leave our class though she was a grade-A student in class. I was encouraged as
well. She often told me that genius comes from one percent of inspiration and
ninety-nine per cent of perspiration, and I really admire and appreciate her
diligence and responsibility. What amazed me more was that she was so

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versatile. In addition to being an excellent student, she was also talented and
good at other fields. For example, she was proficient in English and Japanese;
she excels in playing the piano, and more surprisingly, she was even good at
calligraphy. How impressive that was!
Im constantly amazed by her open-mindedness shes never judgmental. I
wish I could be like that. But shes very reliable if I call her or give her a
message, she always response. Weve always got on well and we hardly ever
fall out with each other.
Personally, she was the one I always wanted to be, and she set a good example
for me to follow.
All in all, those are the reasons why when I read the question that you gave
me, Jess is the first person that came to my mind.

IELTS Speaking Part 3:

Question 1: Do you think marriage is still as important as ever?
From my perspective, marriage is always a turning point for anybody. In my
country, when a couple really falls heads over heels in love with each
other, they will tie the knot to show their commitment and to demonstrate
that they are ready to start a family and go through ups and downs with
each other.
Question 2: Is it important to keep in contact with our friends when were in
a relationship?

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Sure its so easy to drift apart from your friends when you fall in
love. But we always need to have friends companies so try to keep in touch
with them by spending weekends to hang out, writing some letters for them
each month or giving them small gifts to cement the relationship.

IELTS Sport Vocabulary: Useful Phrases &

Expressions In IELTS Speaking
Sport is an interesting topic in IELTS Speaking, and the frequency of
facing the topic in the IELTS speaking test is really high. Hence, you
need to prepare for this. One way you can do that is use some
useful collocations & phrases to sound more natural and native. In
this post, I will share with you some useful vocabulary about Sport
which I believe can help you to impress the examiners & gain a 7 or
higher in IELTS Speaking.

To commence with, I would like to give you some ideas about the Pros and
Cons of Sport that help you not only in speaking test but also in writing test.
Pros

Feel a sense of enjoyment

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Example: Whenever I play football with my friends, I feel a sense of enjoyment

although I sweat a lot.
Have an opportunity to socialize

Example: Anticipating in a sport give you the opportunity to socialize, which

means you can meet and make a new friend
Cons

Face the risk of injury

Example: You should be careful when playing sports otherwise you will face
the risk of injury.

Need large investment of time

Example: Playing a sport will need large investment of time.

Collocations And Phrases For IELTS Speaking Test Topic: Sport

1 . To take up exercise: to start doing exercise
Example: I say Im going to take up exercise all the time, but I always find an
excuse to delay.
2. To train hard: to train with a lot of effort
Example: An athletic has to train hard to achieve their goal.

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3. To do judo
To play tennis/football
Example: At the weekends I like to play football with friends, and sometimes I
just do judo to kill my times.
4. A strong swimmer: a good swimmer
Example: My father who is a strong swimmer teaches my how to swim.
5. To get into shape: to become fit
Example: My brother do many exercises, which help him to get into shape.
6. To keep fit: to stay in good physical condition
Example: I try to keep fit by consuming healthy food and doing
exercise regularly
7. To go jogging: to run around the street
Example: I usually go jogging with my mother in the park which is near my
house in the early morning or in the afternoon.
8. To set a record: to achieve best result in sport
Example: All athletics always want to set a record or get personal bests.

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9. Sport facilities: the equipment and services needed to do a sport

Example: My university spend a lot of money on upgrading the sport facilities.
10. A personal best: to achieve the best result so far in sport
Example: Sara trains hard with the purpose of achieving her personal bests.
11. Brisk walk: a fast walk
Example: Doing brisk walk is one of the best way to maintain our health.
12. A big/huge/massive fan of: supporter or admirer who really like
something
Example: I am a huge fan of football, and my favorite club is Real Marid.
13. To be out of condition: to be not physical fit
Example: Lacking of doing exercise and playing sport can lead to being out of
condition.
14. An athletics meeting: an event where various athletics sports are held
Example: It has been my dream to go to an athletics meeting with my family to
watch sports, especially football matches.
15. A football match: a game of football

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Example: I have never missed a football match of my favorite club.

PRACTICE
IELTS Speaking Part 1:
Do you do any sport?
Absolutely yes, I am fond of playing football with my friends after school,
because we are big fan of football, and whenever playing it, we have a lot
of fun with that and feel a sense of enjoyment.
Do you watch sports on TV?
Football is my favorite sport to watch on TV. Since I a huge football fan, I
have barely missedfootball matches of my favorite team including away
games and home games. I prefer to spend my Sunday night staying at
home to see a match with my father.
What is the most popular sport in your country?
In my opinion, I believe football is the most common sport in my country. This
is because it is not too hard to take up the sport, in addition in term of
watching a football match, this can bring so much fun to viewer, not to
mention that, the sport does not cost much money to play and watch,
which allow people to find it easy to approach.
IELTS Speaking Part 2:
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Describe your favorite sport?

What is the name of the sport?

When do you play it?

How do you feel after playing it?

And explain why do you like it?

Band 8.0 Sample answer:
Since I was a little boy, I began to fall for football, and until now I have ever
stopped loving the sport. At the very beginning, I first came to know football
when my father took me to watch a football match in which our local team
played against their biggest competitor. Although our team lose that
match, but I knew that they had trained hard to prepare for the big
match, also during the match, they showed their determination to win
that game. All of this made me to love our team and to start to fall in love
with the interesting sport. After that, I always followed our local team, and
asked my father to buy season tickets, then I would never miss any games of
my favorite team.
Apart from watching football, I am also into playing it. Thus, whenever I have
spare time, I prefer to spend on playing football with my friends, which is not
only easy for us to take up but also give us a sense of enjoyment. Though it
make me sweat a lot anytime I play with the ball, I love the fact that I
always have great time with my buddy. In addition, I was really proud that
by

playing

football

regularly

can get

into

shape,

relatives compliment on my fit body each time we meet.

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then

my

Finally, I believe that does not matter that how busy I will be in the future, I
will constantly spend a part of my time on football, and my love for football
will never be faded.

IELTS Speaking Part 3:

Should people be encouraged more to take up sport?
Definitely yes, the most important reason is that playing sports can be
regarded as a recreational activity. Indeed, while in the modern world
individuals have to suffer from high level of stress at work or school,
so this activity can allow people to reduce stresssignificantly and feel
comfortable. Another reason is anticipating in sport

will give people

theopportunity to socialize, which means they can meet and make new
friends.
Which sport do you think are best for people arent used to
physical activity?
In my point of view, these kind of people wont prefer strenuous exercise,
so brisk walk can be the great choice, because the sport does not require
high level of fitness. Also, going on a brisk walk regularly help people
to keep fit and have a good effect on their health. People who arent
used to physical activity can also choose swimming, which is easy to take up
and after go swimming, they can feel a sense of freshness.

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IELTS Environment Vocabulary: Useful Phrases &

Expressions In IELTS Speaking
Environment is a controversial topic in life and in IELTS as well. If
you dont prepare yourself for environment topic, you will find it
hard to express your idea when facing the topic in the IELTS test or
in the real-life conversation. Thus, my advice is that you should
equip yourself with some phrases and collocations about
environment right now.

At first, there are several causes and solution of environmental issues.

Causes Of Environmental Problems

Chemical and industrial waste

Example: The chemical and industrial waste being released from factories
cause to the pollution of my local area.

Emission from cars and motorbikes

Example: The pollution of land and air can be blamed for emission from cars
and motorbikes.
Solutions To Environmental Problems

To raise people awareness of preserving water and forest

resources

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Example: It is necessary to run some campaigns to raise people awareness of

preserving water and forest resource.

To use alternative energy resources

Example: In order to mitigate the environmental issues, alternative energy
resources such as wind and solar energy should be implemented.
Collocations And Phrases For IELTS Speaking Test Topic:
Environment
1. Wildlife reserve/ nature reserve/ game reserve: an area of land in
which plants and animals are protected
Example: Rare animals should be protected in game reserve.
2. Wildlife conservation: to protect animals and plants and their habitats
Example: The government are considering whether they should invest money
on wildlife conservation.
3. Natural environment: the place where animals and plants would
normally be found
Example: Legislation to protect natural environment should be enacted due to
enhanced greenhouse effect.
4. Toxic waste/poisonous fumes/emissions: poisonous rubbish
produced by industrial process

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Example: Local people are suffered from great deal of toxic waste being
released by factories.
5. Air quality: the cleanliness of the air we breathe
Example: Living in the environment with high air quality can have a good
impact on our health.
6. Pollution levels: the amount of toxic waste
Example: Many factories are releasing waste illegally into air and water, which
contributes to the increase of pollution levels.
7. Man-made disaster: widespread damage or loss of life brought about by
action of humans
Example: Man-made disaster is a controversial issue, and people should pay
more attention to find a solution for this problem.
8. Loss of habitats: the decline in areas of land where animals and plants
would normally exit
Example: Due to logging, loss of habitats is increasingly common at present.
9. Endangered species: animals or plants are on the verge of extinction
Example: We have to take the responsibility for protecting endangered species
from hunting and natural disaster.
10. To die out: to become extinction
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Example: The population of Kangaroo are is in danger of dying out.

11. Global warming: the increasing temperature of the world brought about
by gases such as CO2
Example: We are beginning to experience global warming due to the enhanced
greenhouse effect.
12. Greenhouse effect: the gradual warming of the air surrounding the
Earth as a result of heating trapped by pollution
Example: The deforestation of forests is contributing to greenhouse effect.

PRACTICE
IELTS Speaking Task 1:
Are there any environmental problems in your country?
Absolutely yes, the most common environmental issue in my hometown
is exhausted emissions produced by cars and motorbikes have been
afflicting the air and water quality. My government is struggling to deal
with the problem.
Do you take an interest in nature?
Of course yes, As a city person, I barely have a opportunity to experience
the natural environment. Then whenever I have a holiday, I really prefer to
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go to the far-off destination, so I could get closer to the nature and

discover the natural world.
Do you or your family take steps to help the environment?
Yes we do. We always turn of lights or electronic appliances when they are
unnecessary. Although this is minor action, but I believe that it could make
significantly contribution to the environment.
IELTS Speaking Task 2:
Describe environmental pollution in you city.

What type of pollution is/are?

Why it had happened?

And explain how this pollution can be controlled?

Sample answer:
I have been living in Hanoi for almost 8 years, then I have the chance to see
how the city has changed in these years. Due to the increasing number of
tourist, Hanoi environment has been polluted significantly. Indeed, many
people traveling to there has thrown illegally thrown rubbish into the land and
water, which causes to land and water pollution. In addition,industrial
and household waste from factories and families is contributing to the
high level of pollution.
In order to solve this issues, I would recommend the Hanois authority
to heavily fine who are caught realising trash into the atmosphere. By

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carrying out the rule, people being intent to litter the environment will be
afraid of being punished, which can deter them from discharging unlawful
waste . Another solution is that the government should run some campaigns
to raise the awareness of people about how important the environment is.
For example, showing local people and visitors the danger of global warming
and greenhouse effect that I believe could change their attitude towards the
protection of environment, which is likely to have a good impact on air
quality.
Although the two actions above is just simple, I think it will be an effective way
to mitigate theenvironmental contamination in a long-term.
IELTS Speaking Part 3:
What do you think is the main danger the world face in term of
environment?
It would have to be global warming, which cause some natural
disasters such as flash flood and drought. The problem mainly stems
from enhanced greenhouse effect in recent year. I believe that several
steps should be taken to deal with the issue.
What example are there of how we damage the natural world?
There are factories that release toxic waste directly into the air and water,
which is main cause of air and water pollution. As a result loss of
habitats is increasingly common, many people are diagnosed with health
problems such as lung and throat cancer. In addition, a large number of land
and rain forests are destroyed to make a way for agriculture field.

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