Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The diagram shows the process required to make banana chips from the initial ingredient through to the distribution and sale of the final product.

First, the bananas are peeled with the help of a machine and soaked into water. Then the clean bananas are sliced into small pieces by a machine. The individual pieces are then again sprayed with water. They are left to dry and then fried in hot oil until they are cooked. The oil is drained from the banana chips and then the chips are left to cool. The cooked chips dry faster with a spinning electric fan that is hung directly overhead. In order to add taste to the chips, spices are added. Finally the banana chips are inserted into packets making them ready for distribution around the world.

To conclude, all stages needed to produce banana chips are carried out by machines and involve peeling, washing, frying, drying and packaging.

Question taken from Grammar for IELTS p.194

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS 6 p.100

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Part 2


Describe a well-known person you like or admire.

You should say:

- Who this person is
Name
Job ( actor, singer, writer, politician, inventor, footballer, artist, scientist etc ).

- What this person has done
Their achievements e.g. an Oscar.

- Why this person is well known
Talented, excellent at what they do, the best in their field, always in the media, frequently talked about.

- And explain why you admire this person
Admire their work, their work has been important, their determination, charisma, personality.


Part 3

FAMOUS PEOPLE IN YOUR COUNTRY

- What kind of people become famous these days?
People who are in the media, those in reality/talent shows, people with money, those who do something original/different

- In the past?
As there was no powerful mass media/technology more difficult to be well-known. Writers, inventors, politicians, scientists

BEING IN THE PUBLIC EYE

- Advantages of being famous:
Instantly recognized

Money, power, authority

Can positively influence others / be a role model

- Disadvantages of being famous:
Paparazzi, no privacy
Gossip, lies about you
A life of drugs, alcohol, depression, addictions as too much pressure
No real friends

- Why are ordinary people interested in lives of famous people?
Gossip
Think their lives are better, glamorous
Form of escapism, puts excitement in their lives


Question taken from Cambridge IELTS 5 p.31

Types of letters - General Training (Task 1)

Depending on who you are writing to, a letter may be formal, informal, or semi-formal. Examples of some of the most frequent types you find in the General Training module for Task 1 are:

APOLOGY

Your neighbours have recently written to you to complain about the noise from your house/flat. Write a letter to your neigbours. In your letter:

• explain the reasons for the noise
• apologise
• describe what action you will take [IELTS 5 p.113]

APPLICATION

You are looking for a part-time job. Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter:

• introduce yourself
• explain what sort of job you would like
• say what experience and skills you have [Instant IELTS p.100]

ASKING FOR A FORGOTTEN ITEM TO BE RETURNED

You have just returned home after living with a family in an English-speaking country for six months. You now realise that you left a small bag of personal possessions in your room. Write a letter to the family. In your letter:

• describe the things you left behind
• ask them to send some or all of the things to you
• offer to cover the costs [IELTS Practice Tests Plus 1 p.143]

COMPLAINT

You were hurt in a minor accident inside a supermarket, and you wish to complain to the supermarket. Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket. In your letter:

• say who you are
• give details about the accident
• suggest how the supermarket could prevent similar accidents [IELTS 4 p.115]

ENQUIRY

You see an advertisement for a course designed to help improve your memory. Write a letter to the organisers of the course. In your letter:

• explain why you would like to do the course
• enquire about methods used on the course
• enquire about course fees and dates [Vocabulary for IELTS p.15]

INVITATION

You have just moved into a new home and are planning to hold a party. You are worried that the noise may disturb your neighbour. Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter: 

• introduce yourself
• describe your plans for the party
• invite your neighbour to come [IELTS 6 p.126]

POSTPONING/CANCELLING

You are due to start a new job next week but you will not be able to because you have some problems. Write a letter to your new employer. In your letter: 

• explain your situation
• describe your problems
• tell him/her when you think you can start [IELTS 3 p.112]

PROVIDING INFORMATION AND ADVICE

An English-speaking friend is coming to study at your college next year and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: 

• give advice about accommodation in the town
• describe the best thing about the college
• offer to show your friend around the college [Objective IELTS workbook p.45]

RECOMMENDATION

You work in a busy but poorly organised office and you are keen to be promoted. Your employer needs to find a new supervisor for your department. Write a letter to your employer. In the letter: 

• ask to be considered for this job
• explain why you would be a suitable candidate
• outline the current problems and the changes you would like to make. [Vocabulary for IELTS p.93]

SALE OF ITEMS

You want to sell some of your furniture. You think a friend of yours might like to buy it from you. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: 

• explain why you are selling
• describe the furniture
• suggest a date when your friend can come and see the furniture [IELTS 4 p.129]

THANKS

Last month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends. They have just sent you some photos of your holiday. Write a letter to your friends. In your letter: 

• thank them for the photos and for the holiday
• explain why you didn’t write earlier
• invite them to come and stay with you [IELTS 7 P.128]

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Part 2


Describe a game you enjoy playing.

You should say:

- What kind of game it is
Indoor, outdoor , board game. Describe how you play it

- Who you play it with
Friends, family etc

- Where you play it
Location ( home, café, park, street, beach )

- And explain why you enjoy playing it
Fun, spend time with friends, suspense, game of skills, luck, competitive, way to relax



Question taken from Cambridge IELTS 6 p.77

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Part 2

Describe something healthy you enjoy doing.

You should say:

- What you do
Type of exercise, hours per week

- Where you do it
Location ( gym, park) describe the place

- Who you do it with
Friends, alone, partner, family. Why do you exercise with them

- and explain why you think doing this is healthy
keep fit, have more energy, keeps your body slim and gives you muscles, good for blood circulation, prevents diseases, builds strong immune system, improves self-confidence, it is important for everyone to exercise, long-life.

Part 3

KEEPING FIT AND HEALTHY

- What do most people do to keep fit in your country?
Football, gym, walking, swimming etc.

HEALTH AND MODERN LIFESTYLES

- Why do some people think that modern lifestyles are not healthy?
Eat too much, wrong type of food e.g. food high in fat, sugar, salt, fried oil
Smoke, drink alcohol, coffee, soft drinks
Don’t exercise enough
Work too many hours, stress, not enough sleep

  

- How can people be encouraged to live in a healthy way?

Provide facilities for exercising e.g. parks, lanes for bikes, marathons, competitions

Make fast food expensive to buy

Teach children from a young age about diet and exercise

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS 6 p.54

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Part 2

Describe a restaurant that you enjoyed going to.

You should say:

- Where the restaurant was
name, location - city, area, street

- Why you chose this restaurant
type of food, location, decoration, price, staff, atmosphere, type of people who go there

- What type of food you ate in this restaurant
starters, main course, dessert, international food, traditional, fish restaurant etc

- Why you enjoyed eating in this restaurant
food is cooked well, good presentation of food, atmosphere, background music, friendly crowd, popular place



Part 3

RESTAURANTS


- Why do people go to restaurants when they want to celebrate something?

Change from routine, can choose the type of food to eat, don’t have to prepare meal and clean-up

- Is food in an expensive restaurant always better than food in a cheap restaurant?
Paying for quality, top chef, fresh ingredients, small portions. It’s a matter of personal taste

PRODUCING FOOD

- What effects has modern technology had on the way food is produced?
Food made in factories, unnatural, grown faster than it should, seasonal food is available all year round, additives make food tastier and last longer.

- Is it important for a country to be able to grow all the food it needs?
This will make it self-sufficient, independent, and allow people to eat fresh food that is locally produced but no choice of international food.

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS 8 p.55