IELTS Free Online Speaking Practice
Part 1: Introduction and Warm-up
1. What is your name? Where are you from?
2. Do you work or study? If so, what do you do/study?
3. Have you ever travelled to another country? Which country and when did you go there?
4. What do you like to do in your free time?
5. What kind of music do you like? Why do you enjoy that type of music?
6. How often do you use the internet? What do you usually do on the internet?
7. Do you prefer to read books, watch movies or listen to music? Why?
8. How important is it for you to keep in touch with friends and family? How do you stay in touch with them?
9. Are weekends different from weekdays for you? In what way(s)?
10. What do you think about the importance of sports in people's lives?
Part 2: Cue Card
Title: Talk about a historical event you find interesting.
- What is the historical event and when did it occur?
- Where did this event take place?
- Why do you find this event interesting?
- How has this event affected people's lives or the world in general?
- Can you think of any other historical events that are similar to this one in some way?
Part 3: Discussion Topics
1. The role of history in shaping our present and future lives.
2. The significance of remembering historical events.
3. The impact of technological advancements on the study of history.
4. The importance of learning from historical events to avoid repeating mistakes.
5. The influence of historical figures on the development of societies throughout history.
6. The role of nationalism in the formation and evolution of nations.
7. How have wars in the past shaped the world we live in today?
8. The importance of learning about different cultures' histories to promote understanding and tolerance.
IELTS Free Online Writing Practice
IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Should governments ban single-use plastics?
Model Answer:
In recent years, the increasing use of single-use plastics has become a major environmental concern. As a result, many people argue that governments should implement bans on these products in order to reduce pollution and protect the environment. However, others believe that the benefits of single-use plastics outweigh their negative impacts. In this essay, I will discuss both sides of the argument before providing my own opinion on whether or not governments should ban single-use plastics.
On one hand, there are compelling reasons to support a ban on single-use plastics. Firstly, these products contribute significantly to pollution, particularly in the form of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. According to a study by Jambeck et al. (2015), approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the world's oceans annually, posing a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems. Additionally, single-use plastics require a considerable amount of non-renewable resources for production, such as oil, gas, and coal, which contributes to environmental degradation and climate change.
On the other hand, opponents of a ban argue that single-use plastics offer convenience, cost savings, and hygiene benefits. For example, disposable plastic bags are lightweight, easy to transport, and reduce the need for frequent washing of reusable bags. Moreover, in many developing countries, investing in recycling infrastructure is more critical than implementing bans on single-use plastics. Banning these products without providing viable alternatives could lead to an increase in the use of non-plastic materials that are even more harmful to the environment.
In conclusion, while there are valid arguments against a ban on single-use plastics, I believe that governments should take decisive action to protect the environment and reduce pollution. This can be achieved through a combination of education campaigns, incentives for the use of eco-friendly alternatives, and gradual phase-out of single-use plastics in favor of sustainable products. By adopting these measures, governments can strike a balance between environmental protection and the practical needs of their citizens.
Overall, this essay effectively presents the arguments from both sides of the issue and provides a well-supported conclusion. It is worth awarding a Band Score of 7.5 for Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Presentation of Writing.
Task Response (7.5): The essay thoroughly addresses the question and presents arguments from both sides of the debate effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion (7.5): The essay is logically structured, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Transitions between paragraphs are smooth, ensuring coherence throughout.
Lexical Resource (7.0): A range of vocabulary is used to convey the message, but there is room for improvement in variety and synonym usage.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (7.5): The grammar is mostly accurate and advanced in complexity, with a few minor errors that do not affect overall comprehension.
Presentation of Writing (7.0): Spelling, punctuation, and formatting are generally correct, but there are a few areas that could be improved upon for consistency and clarity.
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