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Now displaying: June, 2022

Episode 75 | Part 1: Talking about sports🏀 0

Jun 30, 2022

Was this episode helpful? Please leave a 5 star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ieltscast-weekly-shadowing-exercises-for-ielts-speaking/id1070129363

Have a look at the transcript if you didn't quite catch something:

May I see your ID?

Here you are.

Where are you from?

I am from a city in China. It’s about an hour’s drive outside of Shanghai.

What is the name of your hometown?

It’s called Suzhou. There is actually more than one Suzhou in China. Mine is the one in Jiangsu province.

What are some important features of your hometown?

Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.

Can you describe your home?

I live in a simple one-bedroom apartment that has a large window in the living room with a view of the sunset. I really like the colour green, so I think most of the furniture has at least a little green in it. I also have several houseplants which help keep my apartment feeling fresh.

Let’s talk about sports. What kind of sports do you like?

I’m actually not a big sports person. Once in a while, I’ll play football with my friends in the park or hit a birdie back and forth with a badminton racket, but that’s about it. I do a lot of walking either on my own or with a friend, so if that counts I would say that’s my favourite sport.

Do you watch live sports?

I do but only when a really exciting sporting event is happening. For example, when the World Cup is on, I watch many of the matches live. I occasionally catch a Formula 1 race live too, but I don’t watch it enough to know much about the teams or drivers. I went to several basketball matches in Shanghai when I was a teenager, and I think these are the only live sporting events I’ve seen in person.

Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?

Yes, in many ways they have. In the past, sporting audiences were very localised. What I mean is you watched and discussed a sporting event with your friends or family, whereas now people watch sports streamed live online and discuss what’s happening with international viewers from around the world. I recently saw a sports commentator that was streaming his comments live while interacting with viewers from around the world. This is a clear difference compared to the past. However, I would say the audience’s spirit and passion for the game hasn’t changed, and I don’t think it ever will.

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Episode 74 | Full IELTS Speaking sample! Part 3: Outdoor activities 0

Jun 24, 2022

Leave your five star review here! (Thanks!) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ieltscast-weekly-shadowing-exercises-for-ielts-speaking/id1070129363

Try a FREE sample lesson! https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/view/courses/speaking-about-culture/1373708-9-may-2022-part-3-clothing-and-the-fashion-industry/4246651-full-lesson

Here is a transcript of what is heard in this week's podcast episode:

20 June 2022 | Part 3 | An outdoor activity

We’ve been talking about an outdoor activity, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Do you like spending time outdoors?

Yes I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.

Are there any benefits to outdoor activities?

Of course! First of all, if you are engaging in exercise outdoors, this is good for overall health. Second of all, being out in the sun is beneficial because our bodies need vitamin D for good health. This must be done with caution of course, but I recently read that people in this country suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, so it is in our best interest to cautiously spend time outdoors. Lastly, as we often socialise outdoors at cafes, restaurants and even park benches, this is an important practice through which we can reduce stress levels. So, being outside is incredibly beneficial in a variety of ways.

What outdoor activities are popular in your country?

Well, I have mentioned several of them but of course there are more like sailing, swimming or playing tennis. Those in the country enjoy hiking or horseback riding. Then, it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention our national sport: football, which is enjoyed by all ages.

What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past?

I think the only things that have changed are activities that have been brought to this country from abroad, like tennis. However, we have been known for our love of outdoor sports since antiquity. As far as I know, even activities associated today with the indoors, like wrestling, took place outside. Other activities like eating outdoors or sailing have also been a part of this culture for centuries.

What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?

I can’t imagine these activities changing a great deal but if I had to picture some kind of science fiction scenario, I would say that perhaps people will fly for fun. One might say that we already do that but what I mean by that is just as today we might take a boat, train or car ride for leisure, perhaps there will be flying contraptions that allow us to take a short flight over the sea front or over a nearby hill, just to get a bird’s eye view of the area. I think a lot of people would enjoy something like this.

Thank you. That is the end of the speaking exam.

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Episode 73 | Part 2: A walk you enjoyed 0

Jun 18, 2022

Please leave a five star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ieltscast-weekly-shadowing-exercises-for-ielts-speaking/id1070129363

Click here to access this week's blog post!

A candidate recently reported being asked about 'a long walk' in Part 2 of their IELTS Speaking exam. This week we're using a speech shadowing exercise to help train to speak about this topic.

Here is a transcript of what is heard in this podcast episode:

Describe a long walk you enjoyed. Please say
– where you walked
– who you walked with
– when you walked
– and explain why you enjoyed the walk.

Last year when our country was in lockdown, my best friend and I made a wonderful habit of walking on the weekends. We would set out from our homes and typically walk along the waterfront, which is lovely.

Here is the link to the full lesson (37 minutes): https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/view/courses/speaking-about-hobbies/1387511-13-june-2022-part-2-a-walk-you-enjoyed/4295797-full-lesson

The sample response used in this exercise was scripted by an active examiner.

View more lessons at the blog: https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/community/home

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Episode 72 | How to speak about barbecues 0

Jun 11, 2022

Who doesn't like talking about food?😀

A candidate reported being asked about barbecuing and the culture around barbecuing in their country. How confidently could you speak about this topic?

Have a look below at the scripted model from this week's shadowing exercise. (As always this is part of a full band 9 model written by an active IELTS examiner!)

Do you like barbecue parties?

To be completely honest, no, I don’t like them very much. This is something we do in this country quite a bit in the summer but because of the heat I find it far too tedious for my liking.

Start your training with this week's shadowing video! https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/community/topics/22136/posts/148571-speaking-about-everyone-s-favourite-topic-food

Do you have a paid account? Access this week's full lesson here: https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/view/courses/speaking-about-food/1377830-6-june-2022-part-1-barbecues/4261003-full-lesson

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Episode 71 | Part 3: Are you a creative person? 0

Jun 4, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leave your 5 Star review here (Thanks!): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ieltscast-weekly-shadowing-exercises-for-ielts-speaking/id1070129363

One of the most common topics in IELTS is...YOU!

This week we examine how to respond to a personal question about creativity.

Talking about yourself is an extremely common requirement in all three parts of the IELTS Speaking exam. This week, we look at a Part 3 sample that demonstrates how to speak about yourself.

Here is a transcript of what is heard in this podcast episode:

We’ve been talking about creativity, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Are you a creative person?

I try to be. I try to write quite a bit, but I don’t consider myself particularly talented. For that reason, I have never attempted to write for payment or try to get myself published.

Don't stop training! Access the full lesson here: https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/view/courses/videos/1367438-30-may-2022-part-3-creativity/4222385-full-lesson

Are these shadowing exercises helpful? Train for more topics here: https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/community/home

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20 June 2022 | Part 3 | An outdoor activity

View more lessons at the blog: https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/community/home

Who doesn't like talking about food?😀