Lesson:IELTS speaking tasks

Expressing a preference

Look at the following expressions. Understand them. You will have to use each one of them to do the tasks that follow. If you are not familiar with the subject matter of the task, make something up.

1. I prefer A to B because...
2. If I have a choice, I will... (a real possibility)
3. If I had a choice, I would... (not a real possibility, just wishing)
4. For me, A is much more attractive / interesting / preferable than B because...
5. I would much rather do / have / eat / listen to A than B...

I prefer A to B because...

1. Cell phones nowadays run two very popular operating systems. They are Android, which is used by Samsung, Motorola and others, and iOS, which is used by the iPhone and iPad. Tell me which one you prefer and why.
2. Oranges are cheap and delicious fruits, while strawberries may not be as cheap but are equally as delicious. Tell me which you prefer and why.

If I have a choice, I will...

1. When you check in at the airport you may be asked to choose between a window and an aisle seat. If you have a choice, what will it be?
2. On your best friend's birthday he gave you the choice of calling him or sending him a card. If you have a choice, what will it be?

If I had a choice, I would...

1. You had to go to a party with a friend, but you were very tired and wanted to go home. If you had a choice, what would you do?
2. You got fired from work, but one week later they realized they made a mistake and wanted to hire you again. If you had a choice, what would you do?

For me, A is much more attractive / interesting / preferable than B because

1. Imagine you have to choose between spending 3 months working as a police officer or 1 week on vacations in China. Tell me which one is more attractive to you and why.
2. Imagine you can choose between studying English and Botany. Tell me which one is more interesting to you and why.
3. Imagine you can choose between going to jail for 10 years or leaving your whole life behind and escaping to another country. Tell me which one is more preferable and why.

Narrating

Complete the following sentences.

1. When I was a high school student, I went to Boston to visit some friends.

After I graduated from high school, I ...

1. During my visit to Boston last year, I...
2. Last year during the Spring Festival, I went to Boston to visit some friends. Arriving there I...

Comparing and Contrasting

Look at the following expressions. Understand them. You will have to use each one of them to do the tasks that follow. If you are not familiar with the subject matter of the task, make something up.

1. A is much better / worse than B.
2. A is not nearly as good as B.
3. A is not quite as important as B.
4. A is almost as tall as B, but not quite.
5. When I compare these two items, it's clear that...

Compare the two things mentioned and use the expression accordingly.

A is much better / worse than B.

1. A car and a bike
2. A loyal friend and a strange person
3. Gasoline and ethanol
4. Old age and youth

A is not nearly as good as B.

1. Brazilian and American movies
2. Wine and tap water
3. Healthy foods and fast food
4. Live concerts and concerts on DVD

A is not quite as important as B.

1. Being nice and being rich
2. Freedom and money
3. Voting and respecting the law
4. Speaking English and speaking Japanese

A is almost as tall as B, but not quite.

1. Sarah is tall, but John is a bit taller.
2. Mike is a bit taller than Sue.

When I compare these two items, it's clear that...

1. Democracy and tyranny.
2. Love and hate.
3. Physical and mental health.
4. Tradition and innovation.

Suggesting

Reply to the following tasks using these expressions:

1. Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly
2. One possibility that I can think of is...
3. Another idea to think about is...

Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly

1. Jack looks sad. (maybe)
2. The sky is dark. (perhaps)
3. The New England Patriots are doing well this season. (possibly)

One possibility that I can think of is...

1. Mary did not come to the party.
2. The lights are off in that house.
3. Nobody calls me anymore.

Another idea to think about is...

1. Recycling is a very important idea nowadays.

Expressing Opinions

Look at the following expressions. Understand them. You will have to use each one of them to do the tasks that follow. If you are not familiar with the subject matter of the task, make something up.

1. It seems to me that...
2. This is only my opinion but...
3. After a lot of thought, I have come to the conclusion that...
4. I've never thought about this question much before, but it seems to me that...

It seems to me that...

1. People try all kinds of diets to lose weight. Yet most of them fail. What's your opinion on that?

This is only my opinion but...

1. Global warming is a very hot topic nowadays. Some people say it's worse than we realize, while others say scientists are exaggerating. What do you think?

After a lot of thought, I have come to the conclusion that...

1. People believe different things to be the cause of happiness, such as wealth, success in your professional life, spiritual development, health, among others. What do you believe to be the cause of happiness?

I've never thought about this question much before, but it seems to me that...

1. The jail system in our country is in many ways very inefficient. In other countries the privatization of these entities is becoming commonplace. What do you think about that trend?

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