IELTS Free Online Speaking Practice
Part 1: Introduction and General Conversation
1. What is your full name? Can you tell me something about your name?
2. Where are you from, and what do you like about it?
3. How long have you been living in this city/country, and what made you decide to stay here?
4. Do you work or study, or are you currently looking for work or study? What's your job/major?
5. Have you traveled a lot? Which country or place is your favorite destination?
6. In your opinion, what's the biggest challenge that people face in today's world?
7. How do you usually spend your weekends or days off? Any hobbies or interests you have?
8. Can you share some interesting experiences or stories from your life with us?
9. What kind of music, if any, do you enjoy listening to? Why do you like that type of music?
10. In your opinion, what are the most important qualities for a person to possess in order to be successful in life?
Part 2: Cue Card Topic - A Dream Destination
Talk about a place you would love to visit if given a chance. Describe where this place is, why you want to go there, and what you would like to do while visiting. You should try to use at least one specific example of an activity or experience related to your destination to support your answer.
Part 3: Follow-up Questions (Based on the Cue Card Topic)
1. Why is this place special to you, and what interests you about it?
2. What types of activities do people typically engage in at this location, and which one would you be most excited to try?
3. How does the culture or lifestyle of this place differ from that of your home country, if any?
4. In your opinion, why is tourism important for both the visitors and the local community?
5. What kind of preparations would you need to make before visiting this destination, such as obtaining a visa, making travel arrangements, or learning about the culture?
IELTS Free Online Writing Practice
Task 2 Writing:Title: "Is it better for students to have a year-round school calendar?"
In this essay, you are expected to present a balanced argument discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of having a year-round school calendar. You should use relevant examples and evidence to support your ideas, and ensure that your essay has a clear structure with an introduction, main body, and conclusion.
Model Answer:
A year-round school calendar, also known as the balanced calendar or the four-term system, is a concept that has gained attention in recent years. The idea is to replace the traditional school calendar, which consists of long summer breaks with shorter vacations throughout the year. This model aims at reducing the learning gap between students and ensuring continuous academic growth. In this essay, I will discuss both the benefits and drawbacks of adopting a year-round school calendar, in order to provide a balanced perspective on this topic.
One major advantage of implementing a year-round school calendar is that it can help reduce the learning loss experienced by students during long summer breaks. Research has shown that students tend to forget some of what they learned during the academic year and need time to relearn it at the beginning of the following school year, which can be inefficient and wasteful. A continuous school year can mitigate this issue by ensuring a steady flow of learning throughout the year, thereby maximizing academic progress.
Another potential benefit of a year-round calendar is that it can provide more opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities or work part-time jobs, which can help them develop important life skills and gain practical experience. Additionally, the shorter breaks during the year can allow families to take vacations at off-peak times, reducing travel costs and overcrowding.
However, there are also some significant drawbacks associated with a year-round school calendar. One of the main concerns is that students may become overwhelmed by the lack of extended breaks, leading to increased stress levels and burnout. This can negatively impact their overall well-being and academic performance in the long run. Moreover, implementing such a system could place a higher burden on teachers, who would need to constantly adapt their lesson plans and curriculum throughout the year.
In conclusion, while there are undoubtedly benefits to adopting a year-round school calendar, it is essential to weigh these advantages against the potential drawbacks. A comprehensive evaluation of the impact on students' learning, well-being, and teachers' workload should be conducted before implementing such a system. Ultimately, the decision to adopt a year-round calendar should be made based on thorough research and careful consideration of all relevant factors.
Scoring:
Taking into account the criteria used for marking IELTS writing tasks, this essay would receive a score of at least Band 7. The essay presents a well-structured argument with an introduction, main body, and conclusion, as required. It also effectively discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of a year-round school calendar. However, some aspects of the argument could be strengthened with more concrete evidence or examples, which may result in a higher Band score if provided.
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