8. When you were a child

strategy: Concession

Structure: main point + concession

 

Sample question

What games did you enjoy playing when you were a child? 

Well, I was always very keen on playing video games. I spent almost all my free time playing them. However, I’m quite aware that… It wasn’t the healthiest way to spend my childhood and perhaps it’s contributed to my myopia*. [* myopia is an eye problem of short-sightedness]

 

Concession

However, I’m quite aware that…

Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that…

Although, I suppose it could be argued that…

 

Practice Questions

1. What colors did you like when you were a child?
2. Did you like to wear bright clothing when you were a child?
3. Did you like any sports when you were a child?
4. What type of food did you like when you were a child?
5. Did you have a lot of friends when you were a child?
6. What types of indoor activities did you do when you were a child?

9. In the future

strategy: avoidance [not directly answering the question]

Structure: avoiding phrase + answer to the question

 

Sample answer

“Where would you like to go for your next vacation?” 

Well, to be honest, I don’t really have a clear plan but I guess that I will probably go overseas to some exotic location like Nepal because I’m really into hiking and exploring new areas.

 

Avoiding phrase

Well, to be honest, I don’t really have…

Actually, I’m not really sure about that.

Oh, I’ve never really thought about that.

 

answer to the question

… but I guess that I will probably…

… but I guess that if I had to choose one, then I’d…

… perhaps the end result will be that

 

Practice Questions

1. Would you like to learn a new language in the future?
2. In the future, what sort of home would you like to live in?
3. In the future, do you think people will use mobile phones more than now?
4. In the future, do you think people will be healthier or less healthy than now?
5. Do you think your hometown will change much in the future?

Do you think you will have more free time in the future?

 

Extracted from my IELTS Speaking book

www.ieltsanswers.com/speaking-test-book.html