Jonathan Palley - Adrian Li - Oliver Davies 31 High-scoring Formulas to Preface Looking back at your past time of speaking English or your latest conversation with a foreigner, did you encounter any of the following problems: so embarrassed that you were empty-minded? thinking of many aspects but not knowing which one to begin with? knowing the answer but unable to express it in English fluently? 31 High-scoring Formulas to Answer the IELTS Speaking Questions can help IELTS candidates solve the problems of "not knowing what to say" and "not knowing how to say it" in the Speaking test These 31 highscoring formulas are designed based on effective strategies to deal with actual IELTS Speaking test questions They cover nearly all topics in the real Speaking test Mastering them enables the candidates to answer every question naturally and confidently in order to get the highest score possible at their level of proficiency Take one common question in the IELTS Speaking test as an example, "How often you play sports?" So many candidates would answer "Yes, I play sports every day." The answer may sound grammatically correct, but it fails to earn them a decent score on the IELTS Speaking test In fact, with this type of question, it is expected that candidates would apply the order of forming responses similar to the following model: Step i : Forming the answer * Say how frequently you the activity the examiner asks you about * Explain why you it that frequently Step 2: Applying language skills to elicit the answer * Use a range of different adverbs of frequency correctly I play badminton very often I never go skiing If candidates follow the recommended steps of forming the answer, their responses will be more coherent and well structured Based on this high-scoring formula, an expected response may be "I play sports a few times a week, Usually I play basketball with my friends, but sometimes I play football instead I think team sports are a great way to socialise and keep fit." Compared to the answer "Yes, I play sports every day," this response is clearly richer and more detailed in content, and more accurate and natural in using language expressions Once you have mastered this high-scoring formula, all questions which start with "How often ?" will be solved easily For example, "How often you eat in restaurants?, How often you go for a long walk?, How often you take public transport?", etc Just in the same manner, a good grasp of 31 essential high-scoring formulas in this book can allow candidates to answer every IELTS Speaking test question with confidence and great effectiveness Contents Overview of the IELTS Speaking Test How to Use 31 High-scoring Formulas to Answer the IELTS Speaking Questions Part ONE Introduction to Part One Formulas Formula I: Formula 2: Formula 3: Formula 4: Formula 5: Formula 6: Formula 7: Formula 8: Formula 9: Formula 10: Formula Il: Do you prefer X to Y? 13 What you usually /normally do?— What you like to (in your spare time)?28 What you dislike about X? 20 — 34 How often you X?— What you like most about X? —47 Is X popular (in your country)?— What is the best time (of year) to X? 61 Why some people like X? — 69 When was the first/last time you did X? — 76 40 Did you ever learn to X? 84 Formula 12: How has X changed?91 Formula 13: How would you improve 97 Formula 14: How important is X? 103 Formula 15: 110 What you want/hope to (in the future)? Formula 16: 116 Do people do/get enough X? Formula 17: How can people find out about X? — 122 Formula 18: Should people be given X? — 128 Formula 19: Is it diffcult to — 135 Formula 20: Is X suitable for (types of people)E 141 Contents Part two Introduction to Part Two Formulas—147 149 Formula 21: Person Monologue Formula 22: Place Monologue 177 Formula 23: Object Monologue —204 Formula 24: Past Event Monologue 234 Part Introduction to Part Three Formulas —267 Formula 25: Giving and Supporting Opinions—269 Formula 26: Evaluating Two Different Opinions279 Formula 27: Agreeing and Disagreeing289 Formula 28: Talking about Advantages and Disadvantages 300 Formula 29: Expressing Importance and Priority 310 — Formula 30: Proposing Solutions to Problems— Formula 31: Speculating about Future Events and Outcomes— 329 Appendices Top 10 Do's and Don'ts for the IELTS Speaking Tesu Verbs Answer Key 343 Most Commonly 339 Misused by IELTS - Overview ofthe IELTS Speaking Test The IELTS Speaking test is divided into parts: Part Part lasts for 4-5 minutes The examiner will ask you some familiar questions about your hometown, family, hobbies, acquaintances, etc You are supposed to answer the questions briefly and accurately, along with specific examples Part aims to test the candidate's ability to discuss familiar topics and use simple English grammar Part Part lasts between and minutes The examiner will ask you to give a personal monologue about a certain topic for 1-2 minutes You will be given a cue card on which there are points you should cover You have I minute for preparation; meanwhile, you will be provided with a pen and paper to jot down some main ideas Part aims to test the ability of speaking in long turns Hints for high scores details thåt can make ypui at the ctWOßamples bélow 'Idijo•j] My les o yhen; (hoyealhec iSDleayant.„ was, Obe iifiiénIiåtÄVe lit! -bui+till' coiildo'i• liiul Note; When i'j•oni) Oijswei'$j/ MonauallédÄn(I' [Old unne thaiåC', Ing:eneral, Ihe should, o i' l)laee, nee, you have io •1011 WIiOpvyOtCgO lilåce etc, Part In Part of the IELTS Speaking test, which lasts 4-5 minutes, you will participate in a discussion with the examiner based on the topic in Part You should express and support your opinion clearly, as well as show your skills of using English in discussing various topics in depth Part aims to test the candidate's ability to express personal interpretations of argumentative issues and to discuss them in detail Hints for high scores Look uåUihéåW9ßårnpléS below,] Sample préhlein€lliéiog the Avoj'ld ('Odoy? Low-scoring answer;, al problem faciÅg (lie woi'ld a How to Use 31 High-scoring Formulas to Answer the IELTS Speaking Questions Structure of the Book This book can be used either for self-study or as in-class training material 31 Highscoring Formulas to Answer the IELTS Speaking Questions consists of parts corresponding to the IELTS Speaking test components Part I: 20 high-scoring formulas for IELTS Speaking Test Part One Part 2: high-scoring formulas for IELTS Speaking Test Part Two Part 8: high-scoring formulas for IELTS Speaking Test Part Three Each formula consists of sections: Answer order and Language steps Answer order shows you "what to say", which indicates the logic of an answer needed for a speaking test question type; and Language steps show you "how to say it", which includes detailed vocabulary and grammar you need to communicate your ideas Learning Strategies It is recommended that you follow the order of content presented in this book, starting with the basic and easier content first to set a firm base for your speaking skill To maximise your learning results, consider these following steps: I Clearly understand the purposes and content of each chapter After every chapter, check to see whether you have achieved what is intended for that chapter Master both Answer order and Language steps Through Answer order, learn how to think logically like natives to plan your answers; through Language steps, learn the vocabulary and grammar needed for your answers Acquire new vocabulary by doing the vocabulary exercises and using these words into practical conversation Read the model answers and note down how important words and structures are used in context Study the explanation of model examples and practise with extensive exercises for more accurate expressions and richer answers 6, Work through the material with your friends, if possible, You all can ask and answer in turn to practise the high-scoring formulas I biased / onesided objective / impartial untrustworthy well respected unreliable Formula 18 Gap Fill Mary: not; of the opinion Mary: do; opinion Mary: course not; believe Fill & M Formula 20 Part Two Formula 21 Great-grandfather grandfather Family free Gap Fill I sports personality friend of the family ex-boyfriend TV presenter childhood friend celebrity Gap Fill I who was the President of America who lived near our family home who was a civil servant who taught us mathematics at school who now studies at Beijing University who lived in Los Angeles Gap Fill supportive 7, generous immature reserved frank humorous charming 10 bright l look up to 4, greatly admire felt proud special to me Formula 22 Gap Fill Besides in addition to both; and 5.Along with As well as not only; but also Gap Fill I always; used to often; went; was had; Whenever; would lived; sometimes; took Gap Fill l makes me feel 2, important to me 5, I value; gives me reminds me provided me with 7, lets me Formula 23 Word Order I, a life-size golden statue an elegant black silk dress a modern spherical glass sculpture 2, a handy antique silver lighter a boring grey mass-produced dictionary Sentence Completion bought; was studying made; was saw; was invented told was dating; bought gave; was staying was working; was able Word Order I I last wore the watch two years ago The first time I took the subway was in 1989 The last time I watched the film was yesterday I first used a dictionary a very long time ago 5, The last time I looked at the painting was last month I first bought a cell phone in 2003 10 L e Matching 11 12 M Multiple 13 HChoice Sentence Completion (much) more important 4, more striking and innovative more pleasant not as reliable not as advanced as not as enlightening as as equally important; as warmer; more colourful; than Gap Fill relaxed I nostalgic sentimental 5, thrilled intrigued by inspired Formula 24 Gap Fill I the first time; romantic weekend away the time when; road trip legend speech contest; poems; role-play fairy tale Table Completion Relatives grandparents Occupationv accountant Relationships Groups friend of a friend a crowd of people aunt waiter / waitress next-door neighbour loads of people uncle musician colleague friend of the family a big group of people spouse (sport) supporters mother-in-law acquaintance party-goers nephew childhood friend a tour group distant relation audience guests passengers players Rephrasinggoing to study the following year to his house that night love him anymore He said that he was able to leave the party then Vietnamese gone to Ha Noi many years ago She said that she wasn't couldn't tell them as it was a secret He asked me ifl could go been to Ba Dinh Square She told him that she didn't I said that I wouldn't be My dad said that had I asked Jack where Jill was I said to my parents that I He said that he had never Multiple Choice B C Rephrasing Simon, who gets carsick very easily, felt very ill on the school bus one day Susan, who is very forgetful, forgot her handbag All of the tennis fans who didn't manage to buy tickets watched the match on TV screens outside 4, Ralph, who was a friendly old man, used to talk to me every day on my way home from school All of the passengers who hadn't bought a ticket were thrown off the bus The members of the tour group who were American didn't understand what I said Table Completion Adjectives tor l)escribing EVetits; Adiectivesoffeelilig amazing amazed amusing amused astonished astounding astounded awe-inspired astonishing awe-inspiring depressing depressed Adjectives •101' Adie Describing ctives or Feeling Events disappoint disappointed ing embarrassi embarrassed ng encouragin encouraged g enlighteni enlightened ng fascinatin fascinated g frustratin frustrated g inspiring inspired interestin interested g moved moving refreshingrefreshed stimulating stimulated Sentence Completion , hadn't been; would've been wouldn't have taken; hadn't travelled 3, had gone; wouldn't have made; enjoyed4 would've kept; hadn't lost the best; have ever had have always tried the most exciting; have ever been8 have never arrived 2, I learnt the importance of Gap This event taught me Fill I wouldn't want to it , a very again stimulating In the future,l will I will never forget rewarding experience experience I would love and I learnt a to it lot again Part THREE important for me Formula 25 Formula 26 vast majority; C large percentage; E lot of; B Most; F A lot of; A political views; D People with a Formula 27 Gap Fi ll believe that's true Formula 28 Matching The main advantage of working in an offce is you can sit in a comfortable chair all day and drink tea! The good thing about living in the countryside is that you can take peaceful walks and breathe fresh air One of the main benefits of living in cities is that you are able to keep up with the latest fashions, go to clubs, bars and restaurants A major advantage of taking the subway is you can travel to work quickly and cheaply A key advantage of having regular holidays is that you can give the mind and body a rest from the stress of work Gap Fill I can get stressful too obsessed with; can give a very bad impression to others might get bored; annoying get bothered by; not good for 5, The disadvantage of; inconvenient for The bad thing; might get stolen can get complicated Formula 29 Multiple & Matching Choice Gap Fill l more important undoubtedly of greater importance than take precedence over 7, equally as important as have a higher priority in need of more attention than Before thinking; should try to much more valuable; than Formula 30 Gap Fill to take steps to ought to try harder to pay more attention to could spend more money on ought to provide should make a real effort to address take measures to Formula 31 Gap Fill & Matching I the current rate of international development; B Taking into consideration; C we are constantly improving our education standards; D are spending a lot of money; E are reforming the labour laws; A Sentence Cotnplelion l will be paying will have to wear will all be driving will be using will have will love will be wearing will be hosting 31 High-scoring Formulas to Answer the IELTS Speaking Questions Jonathan Palley - Adrian Li - Oliver Davies [...]... thing you need to tell the examiner for this type of question is whether you prefer X or Y Prefer can be followed by either verb-ing or to verb Notice in the examples below that prefer + verb-ing can be followed by either to or rather than, but prefer + to verb can only be followed by rather than prefer + verb-ing + to /rather than + verb-ing I prefer cycling to taking the bus I prefer eating to cooking... baking cakes at home rather than buying them in shops I prefer reading a newspaper rather than watching TV 19 prefer + to verb + rather than + verb I prefer to cycle rather than take the bus I prefer to eat rather than cook, I prefer to bake cakes at home rather than buy them in shops I prefer to read a newspaper rather than watcb TV Both these forms are correct, and mean exactly the same 0 Exercise 1.1:... Some of the sentences below are incorrect, some are correct Identify the incorrect sentences and write the correct sentences in the spaces provided 1 I prefer to go to the cinema to watch DVDs at home 2 My sister prefers writing letters to write emails 3 I prefer to talk with friends on the phone rather than using emails 20 Part One 4 I much prefer to live in a town rather than a big city 5 My mother... university There are noun that people walk along to get so many long corridors and so many classto different areas or rooms rooms — they all look the same! to talk openly about the lives Be careful what you say to Mr Power He of other people or to reveal always gossips about all the people in the gossip verb personal or interesting facts office If you want to keep a secret, don't about other people... usually the same, I think my parents' eating habits are too with little change regular; on Mondays they have fish, Tuesregular adjective days they have chicken, Wednesday is soup every week is exactly the same! adverb exactly at the time said, not You are late! I told you to be here at 8 later or earlier at all o'clock sharp and it's now 8:05 35 Model answers Read the model answers from the two IELTS. .. smiley at the end of my alone in his room playing message to show I was only computer games joking Model answers Read the model answers from the two IELTS candidates, Alice and David 17 Language step I Prefer Let's look at how the two IELTS candidates, Alice and David, use the verb prefer 18 Part One Alice I prefer cycling to travellingby bus David Generally, I prefer chatting online Obviously, the first... bike every day at 2 0'clock We have dinner together in the evening 3, Show that you can use one or two common sequence markers Before class starts we talk We then go to bed 32 Part One Native speaker words Let's leam some native speaker words which are useful for answering this type of question These words can also help you understand the model answers on the next page more thoroughly Native Part of... probably the most popular means of transport, it is not very suitable for modern life in cities, where they are too expensive and there is enough space to drive them not I won't let my child surf the Web; there are too many dangerous Whenever I make a joke about and dirty things online somebody while I am on the Mark isn't a very sociable person Internet and I worry that at all; he hardly ever goes out to. .. than + Y Watching TV is more interesting than listening to the radio Cars are prettier than buses X + be + not as + adjective + as + Y Listening to the radio is not as interesting as watching TV Buses are not as pretty as cars Exercise 1.2: Multiple Choice Choose the correct answers to complete the sentences below 1 My mother prefers to eat at home rather than eat in restaurants because she says it's _... into '•eal test quesi and intended help you deal wit li- any IEI ,'I'.S Pa rd I question with „and elllectiveness 12 Formula 1 Do you prefer X to Y? Aims In this lesson you'll master the Formula for Do you prefer X to Y? type questions Do you prefer writing letters or sending emails? Do you prefer talking on the phone or chatting online? Do you prefer to travel by bike or on foot? The formula When the