IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'Animals' 

1) Are there any animals or birds where you live? (Why/ Why not?)

Well, I’m now living in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest and most dynamic city of Vietnam. Therefore, there’s little chance to see a lot of animals or birds because they do not like the hustle and bustle of city life. Nevertheless, in the heart of the city is there the Zoo and Botanical Gardens where a diverse range of animals and birds of different species can be found. 

hustle (n) = busy, noisy activity of a lot of people in one place

bustle (n) = busy and noisy activity 

2) How often do you watch programs or read articles about wild animals? (Why/ Why not?)

As I’m a nature-lover, I watch programs on different channels such as Discovery, Animal Planet and Nat Geo on a regular basis. Also, I have the habit of reading articles on animal conversation activities nationwide and worldwide. I think these activities demonstrate convincingly that I have love and a special kind of attraction to wildlife and nature.

3) Have you ever been to a zoo or a wildlife park?

Yes, I have. I’ve had a chance to visit Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Gardens with my family members. It’s listed as one of the oldest zoos in the world. The zoo exhibits a wide range of animals including monkeys, tigers, hippos, lions, elephants, turtles and snakes.  The Botanical Gardens also provide visitors with a vast array of orchid types, species of cactus and bonsai in addition to trees, plants and ferns some of which are as old as the gardens. 

ferns (n) = cây dương xỉ

4) Would you like to have a job working with animals? (Why/ Why not?)

To be honest, I do love animals but I’m not so sure about having a job with them. There are a few reasons behind it. Firstly, major training in such a job is a must but I’ve decided to pursue an academic career. Moreover, I like animals but fear some of them as well. In addition, I have an allergy to animal hair. Therefore, I don’t think this type of job would be suitable for me.  

Part 2: Describe a website you use that helps you a lot in your work or studies. 

You should say:

What the website is

How often you use the website

What information the website gives you

And explain how your work or studies would change if this website didn’t exist.   

A good website can be a gateway to important data and information when you need them most. So, whenever I get an opportunity, as a student of International Relations, I like to browse different websites, which provide IR related news and information, in order to help my studies. One such website, that I like to visit almost on a regular basis, is www.researchgate.org.

I think that all IR students like me should visit this particular site as it continuously publishes and analyzes news that is related to my major. Containing top class scientific researchs, researchgate.org does a great job of good references for the study and research of students .

Over the last couple of years, this website has helped me a great deal to academically perform better. In fact, if this website didn’t exist, I wouldn’t probably be able to complete many of the reports and project, making it easy for me to finish my own scientific research and thus earning good grades.  Besides, the website has allowed me to interact academically with some of the finest minds and brains (regular contributors on the website) who essentially have defined and shaped the modern day of our field.

Part 3: The Internet

Question 1: Why do some people find the Internet addictive?

This is a known fact that the Internet can be addictive to many users. The reasons may vary but let me mention some of the most common ones. To start with, online games have undoubtedly been a contributing factor. Most of the online games are designed in such a way that those who start playing want to complete levels after levels. In addition, there are a number of websites or systems online, which persuade people into entering a rush to make some quick easy money. This factor also helps to explain why people are getting addicted to the Internet.    

Question 2: What would the world be like without the Internet?

Well, it’s a hard question, isn’t it? I could almost imagine the world would stop literally. Major offices, factories, schools, universities and institutions would be forced to stop working. Economic activities and public transport services would be potentially disrupted. Humans are so much attached to the Internet that nothing can be done without it except for some manual jobs. I think the world would be beyond belief without the Internet. 

beyond belief = (in a way that is) too great, difficult… to be believed 

Questions 3: Do you think that the way people use the Internet may change in the future?

That is, in fact, very possible and it is happening now. People will rely on the Internet to arrange everything they need for their lives. Social websites are likely to be the most common method of communication. I suppose the Internet will probably replace TV because most channels are available online. Besides, more traditional companies will be replaced by web-based ones and it’s expected that people will spend more time and money online than in real shops.  Schools and universities might also use the Internet to provide courses, so online learning will probably become a normal part of life. 

Social Media Websites

Question 1: What are the ways that social media websites can be used for positive purposes?

To my knowledge, social media websites can be used for numerous advantages. To start with, it helps to connect people from the four corners of the world. People can be members of any social organizations or clubs regardless of where they reside. Also, students can use social media websites for group work and sharing their knowledge. In the field of business, they have already been used to develop brands and to trade products and services worldwide.   

Question 2: Why do some individuals post highly negative comments about other people on social media?

Well, we all know that no person is perfect. A person’s behavior towards others greatly depends on how he or she has been brought up and the influences he or she has got from different situations in his or her life. Some people with a selfish or jealous attitude may lose control of their emotions, driving them to post some negative comments about others on social media. Additionally, this action is also attributable to people’s rudeness, aggression and arrogance.  

 Question 3: Do you think that companies’ main form of advertising will be via social media in the future?

Yes, I believe so. It is through social media that a lot of companies have been marketing their products and services. Take any big brands, for example. Internet users are now constantly seeing hundreds of ads available on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Skype and other social media websites. A big reason for this trend is the cost-effectiveness and the environmental benefits. It’s obvious that online advertising can attract a large number of viewers with quite low operating costs and causing less harm to the environment as well.