In this tutorial, we review part 2 of new speaking topics from the examiner’s booklet for September to December 2021. 

For this episode, I share the vocabulary, grammar, and expressions before you hear the answer. This allows you to get ready for them, and hear them in a natural environment, and in context.

Each sample answer aims to have: 

* a list of higher-level vocabulary terms 

* a natural-sounding easy to learn expression 

* a higher level grammatical construction

Read the questions below.

Technology

Describe an important text message that you recently received

I’d like to tell you about a message I got from my mum a few weeks ago. You see we were travelling to the UK and had to do some quarantine for the first few days. 

Part of the quarantine involved getting PCR tests sent to where we were staying in England. We sent them to my mum’s Airbnb, and put her mobile number on the box just in case. Anyway, we did the tests, sent off the results, but never heard anything from the testing center. This was really strange, no email, no phone call, no text, nothing. 

So I was in the Airbnb we had rented and my mum just messaged me about dropping some dinner off for us. If I remember correctly, it was a tupperware box full of Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, and some thick thick gravy. 

And at the end of the message, she said something like ‘oh great news with the tests!’. And it turned out that the test center had sent the text message to my mum’s phone. 

 

Story: Start – middle / twist – an end. 

Useful phrase: You see

List for emphasis: no email, no phone call, no text, nothing.

Useful phrase: If I remember correctly

List of details: Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, and some thick thick gravy. 

 

2. Personal growth (ambition)

Describe a plan you have for the future (but not related to work or studies)

I have a big and important plan to execute next year. To be honest, I am really excited about it. You see, for the last 20 years, I have lived outside of my home country, England. Next year I will be returning. I left as a young adult and will return as a father with a family. 

The plan involves renting or buying a van to take us over. I guess there will be a tonne of paper and legal fees. It is going to be quite expensive, but in the long run, I know it will be worthwhile. 

So, if everything goes smoothly, this time next year I will be back in the UK, with my brother, sister, mum, and dad. I see it as a new chapter in my life, I think my family are excited too. 

 

Vocab upgrade: I have a big an important 

Useful phrases: To be honest, you see, I guess,

Varied sentence length: Next year I will be returning (short sentence). 

Quite a short answer, but no need to say more if you cannot. Try to avoid making it a habit though.

 

3. People

Describe an energetic person that you know

Well, I’d like to tell you about an employee in my dad’s shop. Her name is Susan, and she is a truly wonderful, kind natured, and humorous lady. 

When I went into the shop to steal some food or see my father, I noted she was all over the place, doing three jobs at once. She would be stacking the shelves in the pet food department, then checking someone out at the tills, then immediately after, sweeping the warehouse! 

Later I asked my Dad about her, he said she is great at appearing busy, but actually doesn’t accomplish much. 

I was surprised, but I guess there is being busy for being productive and being busy for being busy’s sake, so to speak. 

In all honesty, I was surprised, but I guess at least she was inspiring the other staff,