ielts speaking (2).ppt it is expalntion to your speeking parrt

speaking ielts by mr Rami Nessem

1. IELTS SpeakingIELTS Speaking
By Chris TangBy Chris Tang

3. You don’t have to be!!!You don’t have to be!!!

PredictablePredictable

Easy preparationEasy preparation

Lots of tips to useLots of tips to use

4. On Entering the Test RoomOn Entering the Test Room

Waiting out at the doorWaiting out at the door

““Do you have a mobile on you?”Do you have a mobile on you?”

Psychological suggestionPsychological suggestion

5. So how do you say it?So how do you say it?

I’ve taken the test for … times. For my I’ve taken the test for … times. For my
previous … tests, I always got X for my previous … tests, I always got X for my
reading, X for my listening, and X for my reading, X for my listening, and X for my
writing. But I haven’t got enough for my writing. But I haven’t got enough for my
speaking. So I have to take the test over speaking. So I have to take the test over
and over again until one day I can get at and over again until one day I can get at
least 6.5 for my speaking.least 6.5 for my speaking.

6. Why you can say it?Why you can say it?

The four official marking criteria:The four official marking criteria:

PronunciationPronunciation

VocabularyVocabulary

GrammarGrammar

FluencyFluency

What you say doesn’t really matter, but What you say doesn’t really matter, but
how and how well you say it!!!how and how well you say it!!!

7. General mistakes to avoidGeneral mistakes to avoid

VocabularyVocabulary

Overusing words like “good, nice, beautiful, interestOverusing words like “good, nice, beautiful, interest
ing, delicious…”ing, delicious…”

Learn to paraphraseLearn to paraphrase

Can you list ten positive words (adj.) to describe a Can you list ten positive words (adj.) to describe a
person?person?

What about ten negative ones?What about ten negative ones?

Good and well, Clever and smart, Bored and boringGood and well, Clever and smart, Bored and boring

Say “no” to ChinglishSay “no” to Chinglish

8. 
GrammarGrammar

Plurality, third person pronoun, past tense, perfect Plurality, third person pronoun, past tense, perfect
tense, misusing gender-related nounstense, misusing gender-related nouns

PronunciationPronunciation

MispronunciationMispronunciation

Be intelligible, so enunciateBe intelligible, so enunciate

FluencyFluency

Speed is not fluencySpeed is not fluency

Join and expand ideas; Avoid pauses; Avoid repetition; Join and expand ideas; Avoid pauses; Avoid repetition;
Expand rather than listing thingsExpand rather than listing things

9. First things firstFirst things first

Standard: What is your full Chinese name?Standard: What is your full Chinese name?

Variants: What is your full name?/ How should I Variants: What is your full name?/ How should I
call you?/ How should I address you?call you?/ How should I address you?

Answer: Long??? Or short???Answer: Long??? Or short???

My name is ____. (even “Name is___.”)My name is ____. (even “Name is___.”)

My full name is ____, and I also have an English My full name is ____, and I also have an English
name, ____. You are welcome to call me ____.name, ____. You are welcome to call me ____.

Remember what matters?Remember what matters?

10. First runner-upFirst runner-up

Are you working or studying?Are you working or studying?

Principle: Don’t make it too difficult.Principle: Don’t make it too difficult.

Eg. I’m studying. And I study ____ in _____, Eg. I’m studying. And I study ____ in _____,
one of the top universities in China and I will one of the top universities in China and I will
be graduating in 2 years’ time.be graduating in 2 years’ time.

I’m working for ____ as an I’m working for ____ as an administrative stadministrative st
aff/sales/secretarial staffaff/sales/secretarial staff. I’ve been doing thi. I’ve been doing thi
s job for many years and I still like doing it.s job for many years and I still like doing it.

11. Like it and not like it.Like it and not like it.

Eg. Why did you choose this major? Do yoEg. Why did you choose this major? Do yo
u like it and why? Do you like your job?u like it and why? Do you like your job?

Be prepared. You may stumble at the easiBe prepared. You may stumble at the easi
est questions.est questions.

Don’t talk big, talk small.Don’t talk big, talk small.

Tell a story rather than giving empty, lifeleTell a story rather than giving empty, lifele
ss reasons.ss reasons.

12. A dose of panaceaA dose of panacea

It is all because of my girlfriend. She is It is all because of my girlfriend. She is
the one and only woman I love the most the one and only woman I love the most
on the earth. In order to make her on the earth. In order to make her
happy, I would like to do anything for happy, I would like to do anything for
her, including…. Because I just want to her, including…. Because I just want to
be with her, to be where she is.be with her, to be where she is.

It is because when I was young, I had a It is because when I was young, I had a
teacher and he always told me about …, teacher and he always told me about …,
which has deeply influenced me. So I …which has deeply influenced me. So I …

13. East or west, home is the best.East or west, home is the best.

Where is your hometown and could you please tell me sWhere is your hometown and could you please tell me s
omething about your hometown?omething about your hometown?

Answers that may let people laugh their head off:Answers that may let people laugh their head off:

My hometown is Xin Jiang.My hometown is Xin Jiang.

My hometown is .... But I’ve never been there before.My hometown is .... But I’ve never been there before.

My hometown is …. It is a very beautiful place. I love my hometoMy hometown is …. It is a very beautiful place. I love my hometo
wn.wn.

It is your homeTOWN in contrast to homePROVINCE, hIt is your homeTOWN in contrast to homePROVINCE, h
omeCOUNTRY, homePLANET.omeCOUNTRY, homePLANET.

It is where you were born and grew up in contrast to wheIt is where you were born and grew up in contrast to whe
re your parents or grandparents came from.re your parents or grandparents came from.

14. 
Elaborate in four aspectsElaborate in four aspects

Location, population, climate, and Location, population, climate, and
something special.something special.

15. Let me show you how!Let me show you how!

My hometown Taizhou, is located in the middle pMy hometown Taizhou, is located in the middle p
art of Jiangsu province along the Yangze river,it art of Jiangsu province along the Yangze river,it
has a population of 5 million people, and the mohas a population of 5 million people, and the mo
stly temperate climate here offers an excellent estly temperate climate here offers an excellent e
nvironment for various agricultural activities and nvironment for various agricultural activities and
for tourism; It has produced many well-known scfor tourism; It has produced many well-known sc
holars and intellectuals, one of them is our Chairholars and intellectuals, one of them is our Chair
man Hujingtao, who has spent his early years stman Hujingtao, who has spent his early years st
udying here. udying here.

16. A bit about climate or seasonsA bit about climate or seasons

Climate:Climate:

Wet/warm/tropical, dry/arid/semiarid, Wet/warm/tropical, dry/arid/semiarid,
temperate/continental, etc.temperate/continental, etc.

Four distinct seasons: spring, summer, Four distinct seasons: spring, summer,
autumn/fall, winterautumn/fall, winter

Beijing's climate is defined as "continental Beijing's climate is defined as "continental
monsoon." The four seasons are distinctly monsoon." The four seasons are distinctly
recognizable. Spring and autumn is the best recognizable. Spring and autumn is the best
time to be in Beijing, particularly in the time to be in Beijing, particularly in the
months of April, May, September and October. months of April, May, September and October.

17. And if you choose to describe the And if you choose to describe the
seasonsseasons

Spring:Spring:

Warm, windy, dusty, sand-storm, flowers start to blWarm, windy, dusty, sand-storm, flowers start to bl
oomoom

Make it poetic. Eg. When spring comes, everything Make it poetic. Eg. When spring comes, everything
wakes up from their long and cold sleeps. Trees tuwakes up from their long and cold sleeps. Trees tu
rn green, and flowers also start to bloom: it seems lrn green, and flowers also start to bloom: it seems l
ike the world is, all of a sudden, rejuvenated.ike the world is, all of a sudden, rejuvenated.

Season of new life/rebirthSeason of new life/rebirth

18. 
Summer:Summer:

Hot, rainy, wet (lots of rain), stormy, humid, sunny, stHot, rainy, wet (lots of rain), stormy, humid, sunny, st
uffy, sweltering, sauna-likeuffy, sweltering, sauna-like

Learn to use a variety of descriptives to say “very”.Learn to use a variety of descriptives to say “very”.

Quite, rather, pretty, fairly, really, so, extremely, totallQuite, rather, pretty, fairly, really, so, extremely, totall
yy

One can even use analogy. Eg. It is like an oven in sOne can even use analogy. Eg. It is like an oven in s
ummer time.ummer time.

Activities: holiday…Activities: holiday…

Holiday seasonHoliday season

19. 
Autumn/Fall:Autumn/Fall:

Cool, crisp, mild, cozy, clear sky, golden season, aCool, crisp, mild, cozy, clear sky, golden season, a
zure skyzure sky

Golden season, season of harvestGolden season, season of harvest

Winter:Winter:

Cold, freezing, snowy, icy, short days, long nightsCold, freezing, snowy, icy, short days, long nights

Silver season, Christmas seasonSilver season, Christmas season

20. I’d like to own my own house!I’d like to own my own house!

Do you currently live in a house or an aparDo you currently live in a house or an apar
tment/flat? Where do you live? Can you detment/flat? Where do you live? Can you de
scribe what is in your home?scribe what is in your home?

Let’s see a few pictures.Let’s see a few pictures.

23. To compare two or more To compare two or more
thingsthings

Always think in terms of Always think in terms of

Cost/priceCost/price

Features (what makes it really what it is)Features (what makes it really what it is)

Effects (popular?)Effects (popular?)

24. What are the differences What are the differences
between a house and an between a house and an
apartment/flat?apartment/flat?
HouseHouse FlatFlat
PricePrice ExpensiveExpensive Cheap Cheap
(affordable)(affordable)
SpaceSpace SpaciousSpacious CrampedCramped
LocationLocationFar from townFar from town Near townNear town

25. I’m a traveholic.I’m a traveholic.

Do you love traveling? Do you often Do you love traveling? Do you often
travel?travel?

To answer “Yes” and “No”To answer “Yes” and “No”

Sure. You bet. Absolutely. Definitely.Sure. You bet. Absolutely. Definitely.

Not if I can help it. Not a chance.Not if I can help it. Not a chance.

Is ice cold? Does bird fly?Is ice cold? Does bird fly?

26. Shop till you drop, and sports Shop till you drop, and sports
stuffstuff

Do you play sports? What sports do you play?Do you play sports? What sports do you play?

Do you often go shopping? What do you buy?Do you often go shopping? What do you buy?

Common answers: I play soccer, basketball, tenCommon answers: I play soccer, basketball, ten
nis, table-tennis… (listing things)nis, table-tennis… (listing things)

Better answer: I often buy lots of different things Better answer: I often buy lots of different things
from food to drinks, from clothes to shoes. Anywfrom food to drinks, from clothes to shoes. Anyw
ay, I enjoy shopping, ‘cause it brings me great joay, I enjoy shopping, ‘cause it brings me great jo
y.y.

27. Food, forever I like. Cooking, um, Food, forever I like. Cooking, um,
yet to be answered.yet to be answered.

Avoiding overusing the word “delicious”Avoiding overusing the word “delicious”

Flavor: spicy, hot, sweet, sour, bitter, Flavor: spicy, hot, sweet, sour, bitter,
salty, savory, lightsalty, savory, light

Vegetables and fruitsVegetables and fruits

Cooking methods: boil, fry, steam, roast, Cooking methods: boil, fry, steam, roast,
bake, grill, stir-fry, stew, braise, barbecuebake, grill, stir-fry, stew, braise, barbecue

Texture: chewy, tender, crispy, flakeyTexture: chewy, tender, crispy, flakey

28. Other questions, but they are Other questions, but they are
easy!easy!

What is your favorite kind of music/ book/movie/food? What What is your favorite kind of music/ book/movie/food? What
kind of … do you like?kind of … do you like?

What is your favorite time in a day/ month/season in a year?What is your favorite time in a day/ month/season in a year?

What is your favorite kind of music?What is your favorite kind of music?

Genres: pop, jazz, blues, rock, classical, instrumental, rap Genres: pop, jazz, blues, rock, classical, instrumental, rap
(urban), gospel…(urban), gospel…

When it comes to music, I have to say…When it comes to music, I have to say…

I’m very much into/ fond of/ fascinated by/about; …is the I’m very much into/ fond of/ fascinated by/about; …is the
greatest passion in my lifegreatest passion in my life

When I am listening to…, I feel like…When I am listening to…, I feel like…

For example, for instance, once…For example, for instance, once…

Think outside of the boxThink outside of the box

29. Let’s give it a try!Let’s give it a try!

Well, I am not really into music. But sometimes Well, I am not really into music. But sometimes
I do like listening to religious music, I mean, I do like listening to religious music, I mean,
Christian music. Christian music is always Christian music. Christian music is always
about singing praises to God and reminding about singing praises to God and reminding
people of their responsibility to live a pure and people of their responsibility to live a pure and
holy life. It is music that purifies life. It helps me holy life. It is music that purifies life. It helps me
a lot. Whenever I’m listening, I feel like being a lot. Whenever I’m listening, I feel like being
lifted up to heaven and drawn close to God. It lifted up to heaven and drawn close to God. It
gives peace to my mind and joy to my soul.gives peace to my mind and joy to my soul.

30. Let’s get serious: Topic/Cue CardsLet’s get serious: Topic/Cue Cards

Four categoriesFour categories

PeoplePeople

PlacePlace

ObjectObject

EventEvent

And I don’t care what category it is. I And I don’t care what category it is. I
always have my way.always have my way.

31. 
Well, today I am going to talk about none other than my uncle. My uWell, today I am going to talk about none other than my uncle. My u
ncle is quite famous in his place. People often call him Mr. Traveholincle is quite famous in his place. People often call him Mr. Traveholi
c. And just as this name suggests, he loves traveling very much. Anc. And just as this name suggests, he loves traveling very much. An
d actually traveling is one of the most important things in his life. And actually traveling is one of the most important things in his life. An
d he has been to many places throughout China, from Harbin in the d he has been to many places throughout China, from Harbin in the
north to Guangzhou in the South, from Shanghai in the east to Urumnorth to Guangzhou in the South, from Shanghai in the east to Urum
uqi in the west. And he always says his favorite place of all is Qingduqi in the west. And he always says his favorite place of all is Qingd
ao, because of its natural beauty, its food and its unique local culturao, because of its natural beauty, its food and its unique local cultur
e, which all drive him to return to Qingdao to visit over and over agaie, which all drive him to return to Qingdao to visit over and over agai
n.n.

First, Qingdao is famous for many of its interesting places, its beautiFirst, Qingdao is famous for many of its interesting places, its beauti
ful beaches, and its clean streets. Hundreds of thousands of visitors ful beaches, and its clean streets. Hundreds of thousands of visitors
are attracted here from all over the world by its enchanting natural bare attracted here from all over the world by its enchanting natural b
eauty.eauty.

Second, the local food and snacks are also something one can neveSecond, the local food and snacks are also something one can neve
r miss when visiting Qingdao. They come in various colors, shapes r miss when visiting Qingdao. They come in various colors, shapes
and tastes, to suit different palates and wallets. They are not only exand tastes, to suit different palates and wallets. They are not only ex
otic and delicate to the tongue, but also to the eye.otic and delicate to the tongue, but also to the eye.

Last but not the least, Qingdao is also famous for its unique cultural Last but not the least, Qingdao is also famous for its unique cultural
heritage represented in local festivals and Qingdao beer. Especially, heritage represented in local festivals and Qingdao beer. Especially,
Qingdao beer. It is quite a big name in China. It is loved by millions Qingdao beer. It is quite a big name in China. It is loved by millions
of people, including me.of people, including me.

Anyway, that is my uncle, a traveholic, and Qingdao, a great place tAnyway, that is my uncle, a traveholic, and Qingdao, a great place t
o visit.o visit.

32. People CardsPeople Cards

Who the person isWho the person is

What the person looks likeWhat the person looks like

What the person is like (character and What the person is like (character and
personality)personality)

What the person does/has doneWhat the person does/has done

When and where you met this personWhen and where you met this person

Why you like/dislike/admire/choose to Why you like/dislike/admire/choose to
talk about this persontalk about this person

33. ““Who” questionWho” question

Well, I am going to talk about…Well, I am going to talk about…

When it comes to …, I would like to talk When it comes to …, I would like to talk
aboutabout

(Snow White) was a very good friend of (Snow White) was a very good friend of
mine.mine.

34. 昵称法昵称法

A childhood friendA childhood friend

I would really like to talk about I would really like to talk about SlobberySlobbery, ,
a childhood friend of mine. a childhood friend of mine. SlobberySlobbery is is
his nickname, because he used to let his nickname, because he used to let
saliva dribble from his mouth while saliva dribble from his mouth while
sleeping in class. His real name is XXX. sleeping in class. His real name is XXX.
But anyway, he is a nice buddy…But anyway, he is a nice buddy…

35. One’s LooksOne’s Looks

General descriptors: good/bad-looking, haGeneral descriptors: good/bad-looking, ha
ndsome, beautiful, pretty, plain, homely, undsome, beautiful, pretty, plain, homely, u
gly, awfulgly, awful

Significant parts on the face: eyes (eye colSignificant parts on the face: eyes (eye col
or:black, green, blue, hazel), eyebrow, nosor:black, green, blue, hazel), eyebrow, nos
e(aquiline nose), mouth, teeth, cheek, chine(aquiline nose), mouth, teeth, cheek, chin

Other parts of the body: torso, limbsOther parts of the body: torso, limbs

36. Quotation from Quotation from Gone with the Gone with the
WindWind
Scarlet O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom Scarlet O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom
realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton
twins were. In her face were too sharply blended the twins were. In her face were too sharply blended the
delicate features of her mother, a Coast aristocrat of delicate features of her mother, a Coast aristocrat of
French descent, and the heavy ones of her florid French descent, and the heavy ones of her florid
Irish father. But it was an arresting face, pointed of Irish father. But it was an arresting face, pointed of
chin, square of jaw. Her eyes were pale green chin, square of jaw. Her eyes were pale green
without a touch of hazel, starred with bristly black without a touch of hazel, starred with bristly black
lashes and slightly tilted at the ends. Above them, lashes and slightly tilted at the ends. Above them,
her thick and black brows slanted upward, cutting a her thick and black brows slanted upward, cutting a
startling oblique line in her magnolia-white skin—startling oblique line in her magnolia-white skin—
that skin so prized by Southern women and so that skin so prized by Southern women and so
carefully guarded with bonnets, veils and mittens carefully guarded with bonnets, veils and mittens
against hot Georgia suns.against hot Georgia suns.

37. Character and PersonalityCharacter and Personality

Kind, warm-hearted, easy-going, Kind, warm-hearted, easy-going,
faithful, honest, responsible, faithful, honest, responsible,
accountable, trustworthy, reliable, accountable, trustworthy, reliable,
compassionate, humblecompassionate, humble

A giving person, a man of his word, a A giving person, a man of his word, a
“me, me, me” person, an angel of “me, me, me” person, an angel of
mercy, double-crosser, double talkermercy, double-crosser, double talker

38. What One DoesWhat One Does

OccupationOccupation

Time, Location and StoryTime, Location and Story

Significance or meaningSignificance or meaning

Eg. A friend looking after you when you are siEg. A friend looking after you when you are si
ck. It shows that he has heart of gold.ck. It shows that he has heart of gold.

39. Why?Why?

Good character/personality impresses Good character/personality impresses
or touches youor touches you

You have learned a life lesson from You have learned a life lesson from
themthem

StoryStory

40. A Childhood FriendA Childhood Friend

Relating topics: child, friendRelating topics: child, friend
Tell me about a child that you knowTell me about a child that you know
You should say:You should say:

How you know themHow you know them

What they look likeWhat they look like

cute, short, chubby, messy hair, dirty hands, cute, short, chubby, messy hair, dirty hands,
innocent and pure innocent and pure

Something about their personalitySomething about their personality
And say whether or not they are similar to how And say whether or not they are similar to how
you were as a child you were as a child

41. 
I would really like to talk about Slobbery, a childhooI would really like to talk about Slobbery, a childhoo
d friend of mine. Slobbery is his nickname, because d friend of mine. Slobbery is his nickname, because
he used to let saliva dribble from his mouth while slhe used to let saliva dribble from his mouth while sl
eeping in class. His real name is XXX. But anyway, eeping in class. His real name is XXX. But anyway,
he is a nice buddy. Round-faced with chubby cheekhe is a nice buddy. Round-faced with chubby cheek
s, and usually dressed in his baggy pants, he can hs, and usually dressed in his baggy pants, he can h
ardly conceal his over-weighted body. But you know ardly conceal his over-weighted body. But you know
kids. They never worry about their body weight. Dokids. They never worry about their body weight. Do
n’t be fooled by his looks. He isn’t as tough as his mn’t be fooled by his looks. He isn’t as tough as his m
ay look. He is the tenderest thing I’ve ever seen. Way look. He is the tenderest thing I’ve ever seen. W
henever other kids laugh at him or bully him, he wohenever other kids laugh at him or bully him, he wo
uld run to a corner and cry like a girl. Well, if you asuld run to a corner and cry like a girl. Well, if you as
k me whether Slobbery is similar to how I was as a k me whether Slobbery is similar to how I was as a
child, I would say no. But he surely resembles that kchild, I would say no. But he surely resembles that k
ind of people who are one person on the outside, difind of people who are one person on the outside, dif
ferent on the other.ferent on the other.

42. 
When it comes to a childhood friend, I When it comes to a childhood friend, I
can’t help thinking about Princess Fiona, can’t help thinking about Princess Fiona,
my best playmate. Her real name is Annie. my best playmate. Her real name is Annie.
Even now, I can still recall her black curly Even now, I can still recall her black curly
but long hair, and her favorite red dress but long hair, and her favorite red dress
with black strings tied around the waist. with black strings tied around the waist.
She looked so beautiful and elegant, just She looked so beautiful and elegant, just
like a princess. So we all called her like a princess. So we all called her
Princess Fiona. Not like me, Princess Fiona Princess Fiona. Not like me, Princess Fiona
was a strong little girl. She never cried, was a strong little girl. She never cried,
even when she stumbled over rock and even when she stumbled over rock and
hurt her knees. Now she’s become a big hurt her knees. Now she’s become a big
girl and even stronger, while I am still who girl and even stronger, while I am still who
I am, never able to become like her. And I am, never able to become like her. And
that is Princess Fiona, my best playmate. that is Princess Fiona, my best playmate.

43. Common People CardsCommon People Cards

A person you’d like to spend time withA person you’d like to spend time with

Famous personFamous person

A person who is good at cookingA person who is good at cooking

A person who has influenced youA person who has influenced you

A person who helped youA person who helped you

Old peopleOld people

Best friendBest friend

Etc.Etc.

44. Famous personFamous person

Who he/she isWho he/she is

How you got to know this personHow you got to know this person

What this person is famous forWhat this person is famous for

Why you choose to talk about this Why you choose to talk about this
personperson

45. 
Who: my uncleWho: my uncle

How: live in the same neighborhoodHow: live in the same neighborhood

Famous for: travelingFamous for: traveling

Why: I also love traveling…Why: I also love traveling…

46. Place CardsPlace Cards

What the place isWhat the place is

When and with whom you visited that When and with whom you visited that
placeplace

What did you feel when you visited that What did you feel when you visited that
placeplace

Why do you visit that placeWhy do you visit that place

47. What QuestionsWhat Questions

Name of that placeName of that place

LocationLocation

… … be located/situated …be located/situated …

… … sits/lies … sits/lies …

FeaturesFeatures

Ten adj. to describe a placeTen adj. to describe a place

48. When and with whomWhen and with whom

Long time ago?Long time ago?

Several years ago? Many years back?Several years ago? Many years back?

Just last year?Just last year?

A few months ago?A few months ago?

A couple of days ago?A couple of days ago?

49. Feeling High or Down?Feeling High or Down?

Feeling:Feeling:

Sad, excited, thrilled, down, frustrated, Sad, excited, thrilled, down, frustrated,
depressed, etc.depressed, etc.

Feeling like…Feeling like…

50. Why?Why?

Reasons:Reasons:

Tourist spot, beautifulTourist spot, beautiful

Understand the local culture and customsUnderstand the local culture and customs

StoryStory

51. Common Place CardsCommon Place Cards

HotelHotel

Shopping mallShopping mall

A place where there is waterA place where there is water

Tourist siteTourist site

LibraryLibrary

Historical siteHistorical site

A place you want to visitA place you want to visit

Etc.Etc.

52. Object CardsObject Cards

Eg. A useful equipment, a gift, a toyEg. A useful equipment, a gift, a toy

Elements:Elements:

What it isWhat it is

What it looks like; what functions it hasWhat it looks like; what functions it has

Where/when you got it; who gave it to youWhere/when you got it; who gave it to you

How/whyHow/why

53. Common Object CardsCommon Object Cards

A piece of newsA piece of news

A bookA book

A TV programA TV program

An artistic statueAn artistic statue

A giftA gift

A piece of clothingA piece of clothing

A courseA course

A childhood gameA childhood game

An advertisementAn advertisement

Etc.Etc.

54. A Useful EquipmentA Useful Equipment

What it is: cell phone, mp3 player, What it is: cell phone, mp3 player,
computercomputer

What it looksWhat it looks

……in color/in…color, … in shape/in…shapein color/in…color, … in shape/in…shape

Trendy, classy, hi-tech, “in”, fashionableTrendy, classy, hi-tech, “in”, fashionable

FunctionFunction

Why it is specialWhy it is special

55. Sample AnswerSample Answer

Well, I would love to talk about my little Well, I would love to talk about my little
“girlfriend”—iPod, a trendy mp3 player, which I “girlfriend”—iPod, a trendy mp3 player, which I
would always take along with me wherever I go. would always take along with me wherever I go.
Though it is a mp3 player, I seldom use it to listen Though it is a mp3 player, I seldom use it to listen
to music, but something called Podcast, which to music, but something called Podcast, which
basically is a kind of “radio” program broadcasted basically is a kind of “radio” program broadcasted
on the web. There are so many different on the web. There are so many different
programs, about culture, news, politics and even programs, about culture, news, politics and even
language learning. I am particularly fascinated by language learning. I am particularly fascinated by
the free educational resources it provides. Now I the free educational resources it provides. Now I
have French, German and Japanese learning have French, German and Japanese learning
programs on my iPod. Given me some time, I am programs on my iPod. Given me some time, I am
pretty sure I can speak some French, or German, pretty sure I can speak some French, or German,
or Japanese, at least some daily phrases. In a or Japanese, at least some daily phrases. In a
word, iPod is special to me not only because it can word, iPod is special to me not only because it can
accompany me wherever I go just like my accompany me wherever I go just like my
girlfriend, but also because it is a new technology girlfriend, but also because it is a new technology
that I have greatly benefited in language learning.that I have greatly benefited in language learning.

56. Event CardsEvent Cards

Topic questions:Topic questions:

What it isWhat it is

When and where it takes/took placeWhen and where it takes/took place

Who (participants) and how (effects)Who (participants) and how (effects)

WhyWhy

57. Common Event CardsCommon Event Cards

A journeyA journey

A change in lifeA change in life

Help/advice receivedHelp/advice received

A sport/traditional/public eventA sport/traditional/public event

An important/difficult decisionAn important/difficult decision

A traffic jamA traffic jam

A successful experienceA successful experience

Etc.Etc.

58. A Change in LifeA Change in Life

What it isWhat it is

Going to college, graduation, going to Going to college, graduation, going to
work, getting married, divorced, becoming work, getting married, divorced, becoming
a gay/lesbian???a gay/lesbian???

When and where it happenedWhen and where it happened

How it changes/has changed your lifeHow it changes/has changed your life

How you feelHow you feel

WhyWhy

59. Sample AnswerSample Answer

Honestly I haven’t thought about this much. The one Honestly I haven’t thought about this much. The one
and only great change I can think of now is leaving and only great change I can think of now is leaving
school. Look, after going to school for more than 16 school. Look, after going to school for more than 16
years, all of my life has been so used to school, my years, all of my life has been so used to school, my
daily schedule, my mindset, my social life, etc. The daily schedule, my mindset, my social life, etc. The
world outside the school seems so familiar and yet world outside the school seems so familiar and yet
so strange. My feelings are mixed with ambition, so strange. My feelings are mixed with ambition,
hope, expectation, as well as uneasiness, insecurity hope, expectation, as well as uneasiness, insecurity
and worries. It is such a difficult time. I am like a and worries. It is such a difficult time. I am like a
person lost in the no-man’s land, not knowing where person lost in the no-man’s land, not knowing where
to turn. Anyway, most people have to face this to turn. Anyway, most people have to face this
change once they leave school. It is a total change once they leave school. It is a total
challenge. But just as one great mind has once said, challenge. But just as one great mind has once said,
“life is always full of changes and uncertainties; we “life is always full of changes and uncertainties; we
just do all that we can and hope for the best.”just do all that we can and hope for the best.”

60. Help/Advice ReceivedHelp/Advice Received

What it wasWhat it was

When and where you received itWhen and where you received it

Who gave it to youWho gave it to you

FeelingFeeling

WhyWhy

61. Sample AnswerSample Answer

When it comes to this topic, I can’t help thinking about last yWhen it comes to this topic, I can’t help thinking about last y
ear when I was overwhelmed by lots of works that I have to ear when I was overwhelmed by lots of works that I have to
do. It was my college graduation year. Besides all of the lectdo. It was my college graduation year. Besides all of the lect
ures I had to attend, the graduation paper alone was a heavures I had to attend, the graduation paper alone was a heav
y task: there were tons of reference books to read, a series y task: there were tons of reference books to read, a series
of surveys to be conducted and also the revision and editinof surveys to be conducted and also the revision and editin
g works. It was just too much for me. But thank God, my prog works. It was just too much for me. But thank God, my pro
fessor XXX offered to give me a hand. Basically he gave mfessor XXX offered to give me a hand. Basically he gave m
e some very good ideas and challenged me to consider a slie some very good ideas and challenged me to consider a sli
ght modification of my project structure. Then he introduced ght modification of my project structure. Then he introduced
me to someone who happened to have done the similar kinme to someone who happened to have done the similar kin
d of project. Woow, I was feeling just like “Oh, thank you ded of project. Woow, I was feeling just like “Oh, thank you de
ar God.” I choose to talk about this, because it means so mar God.” I choose to talk about this, because it means so m
uch to me. Without his help, I just can’t imagine myself succuch to me. Without his help, I just can’t imagine myself succ
essfully completing such a great project and finishing my gressfully completing such a great project and finishing my gr
aduation paper. aduation paper.

62. Stage IIIStage III

Two principles:Two principles:

Take evasive actionTake evasive action

Relate it to yourself (don’t talk big, talk Relate it to yourself (don’t talk big, talk
small)small)

63. Evasive ActionEvasive Action

Version 1: That is a good question. I Version 1: That is a good question. I
never thought about this question never thought about this question
before. But if you look at this question before. But if you look at this question
from different perspectives, you may from different perspectives, you may
just have different answers. Well, I am just have different answers. Well, I am
not really sure. Thank you.not really sure. Thank you.

64. 
Version 2: That is a very good question. I Version 2: That is a very good question. I
remember reading about this before somewhere. remember reading about this before somewhere.
I have read about it on the Internet. But I don’t I have read about it on the Internet. But I don’t
wear their “colored” glasses and remember wear their “colored” glasses and remember
exactly what it said about this. There seem to be exactly what it said about this. There seem to be
many different views. Because people all have many different views. Because people all have
different education backgrounds and different education backgrounds and
experiences. They tend to look at things through experiences. They tend to look at things through
thus have different ideas. Well, this is not my thus have different ideas. Well, this is not my
field. I am not sure. Thank you.field. I am not sure. Thank you.

65. Relate to yourselfRelate to yourself

Example:Example:

What do you think the government should What do you think the government should
do to end the economic crisis?do to end the economic crisis?

That is a good question … (evasive action). That is a good question … (evasive action).
But I don’t think it is very bad for everyone, But I don’t think it is very bad for everyone,
both poor and rich. So I sincerely hope the both poor and rich. So I sincerely hope the
government can do something about it.government can do something about it.

66. 
Example:Example:

Do you think primary school students should have Do you think primary school students should have
homework?homework?

That is a very good question … (evasive action). But That is a very good question … (evasive action). But
I do remember when I was young, I had too much I do remember when I was young, I had too much
homework to do. I don’t think I had very happy homework to do. I don’t think I had very happy
childhood. So I think when I have children, I would childhood. So I think when I have children, I would
like them to have no homework or little like them to have no homework or little
homework. I they can really have a good memory homework. I they can really have a good memory
of their childhood.of their childhood.