Class Day 21: IELTS Speaking Practice
IELTS Speaking Practice
Topic: Flowers & Meetings
Part 1: Introduction & Interview
Do you like to have flowers in your home? Why/why not?
Click to reveal sample answer
"Absolutely. I love having fresh flowers in the house. I find that they really brighten up the room and the scent can be very soothing. It adds a touch of nature to my living space which helps me relax after a long day at work."
Where would you go to buy flowers? Why?
Click to reveal sample answer
"Usually, I go to a local florist down the street from my apartment. While supermarkets are cheaper, the local florist has a much better selection and the flowers tend to last longer. Plus, I like supporting small local businesses."
On what occasions would you give someone flowers?
Click to reveal sample answer
"There are quite a few occasions. Birthdays and anniversaries are the most obvious ones, but I also think flowers are a great way to say 'thank you' or to wish someone a speedy recovery if they are ill. Sometimes, I buy them 'just because' to surprise my partner."
Are flowers important in your culture? Why/why not?
Click to reveal sample answer
"Yes, they are significant. In my culture, specific flowers are used for religious ceremonies and weddings. For example, marigolds are often used in festivals. They symbolize purity and celebration, so you will see them everywhere during the festive season."
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Describe a meeting you remember going to at work, college or school.
You should say:
- When and where the meeting was held
- Who was at the meeting
- What the people at the meeting talked about
- And explain why you remember going to this meeting.
Click to reveal sample answer
"I’d like to talk about a very crucial meeting I attended during my final year of university. It was held in one of the main conference rooms at the college library, about two years ago.
Who was there: The meeting was attended by my entire project group—there were four of us students—and our project supervisor, Professor Alan.
What we talked about: The agenda was to finalize the topic for our final year thesis. We had been arguing among ourselves for weeks about which direction to take. Some wanted to do a theoretical research paper, while others, including myself, wanted to build a practical software application.
Why I remember it: The reason this meeting sticks in my mind is because the atmosphere was very tense initially. We were running out of time and stressed. However, our professor stepped in and facilitated a brainstorming session. He helped us reach a compromise where we built a smaller application and wrote a research paper on the results. It was a turning point for our degree; without that meeting, we might have failed the course. It taught me a lot about the value of mediation."
Part 3: Discussion
What are the different types of meeting that people often go to?
Click to reveal sample answer
"There is a wide variety. In a corporate setting, you have formal board meetings, which are very structured, and daily 'stand-up' meetings, which are quick updates common in the tech industry. In schools, you have parent-teacher meetings. I think the atmosphere and objective differ greatly depending on whether the meeting is for decision-making or just information sharing."
Some people say that no-one likes to go to meetings. What do you think?
Click to reveal sample answer
"I think that reputation is somewhat deserved. People often dislike meetings because they can be poorly managed and feel like a waste of time that could be spent actually working. However, when a meeting is focused, has a clear agenda, and results in clear decisions, people tend to appreciate them because they provide direction."
Why do you think world leaders often have meetings together?
Click to reveal sample answer
"Primarily for diplomacy and conflict resolution. Face-to-face interaction helps build trust and rapport that is difficult to achieve over a phone call or email. They need to meet to negotiate trade deals, discuss security issues, and address global challenges like climate change that require a unified response."
What possible difficulties might be involved in organising meetings between world leaders?
Click to reveal sample answer
"The logistics are a nightmare. First, there is the issue of security; ensuring the safety of heads of state requires massive resources. Then you have protocols—who sits where, who speaks first—and language barriers that require expert translators. Even finding a date that works for everyone's schedule can be incredibly difficult."
Do you think that meetings between international leaders will become more frequent in the future?
Click to reveal sample answer
"It's a double-edged sword. On one hand, as the world becomes more interconnected, the need for cooperation increases. However, with the rise of high-quality video conferencing technology, I suspect physical meetings might become reserved for only the most critical occasions to save on travel costs and reduce carbon footprints. So, 'meetings' will be frequent, but perhaps not in person."
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