Hey! Yes, Nick and I have finally got out hands on a copy of the new Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training book! Today, we look at the four essay questions to discuss how difficult the questions are, how we would approach each one, and what ideas we would use as the basis of our arguments.

As always, we recommend that you spend time analysing the questions and coming up with your own arguments before you listen to the episode? Why? Well, Nick and I won't be sitting on your shoulder in the real test, so it is important that YOU actually take the time to come up with arguments first, and then compare your own ideas to ours. That way, you will see where you went "wrong" and also where you went "right"! That is a key component of learning! Here are the questions:

1. In the future, people may no longer be able to pay for things in shops using cash. All payments may have to be made by card or using phones. Do you think this will happen one day? Why do you think some people might not be happy to give up using cash?
2. In some countries, more and more people are hiring a personal fitness trainer, rather than playing sports or doing exercise classes. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?
3. It is better to buy just a few expensive clothes, rather than a lot of cheaper clothes. Do you agree or disagree?
4. Some people that it's a good idea to socialise with work colleagues during evenings and weekends. Other people think it is important to keep working life completely separate from social life. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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