This week you are tasked with describing a book that you read that impacted you in some way. This is an IELTS Speaking Part 2 challenge, so you will be training to speak on your own for one to two minutes. Here is the cue card used in this lesson:
Describe a book that had a significant impact on you. Please say:
-What the book was about
-When and where you read it
-Why it had a significant impact on you
-And say whether you would you recommend this book to others
Step 1: Listen to the full sample.
Step 2: Now listen to this week’s IELTSCast episode, where you’ll have a chance to practise saying some of the language in the sample.
Step 3: Below is the full video lesson. Practise saying each of the sentences (and portions of the sentences) aloud to develop your intonation and fluency.
Step 4: Read through the below transcript again. Do whatever is necessary to fully understand the text. (Any questions can be added as a comment reply to this lesson.)
Step 5: Submit your speech samples to your Whatsapp group.
Transcript
Describe a book that had a significant impact on you. Please say:
-What the book was about
-When and where you read it
-Why it had a significant impact on you
-And say whether you would you recommend this book to others
A book that I found impactful is “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I first encountered this book during my university years while studying literature. It’s not very long, so I was able to read it in one afternoon in my university’s library.
The book had a significant impact on me due to its themes and the portrayal of the characters’ aspirations and shortcomings, which I found very relatable. It delves into the lives of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who is known for his extravagant parties, and Nick Carraway, the narrator who becomes entangled in Gatsby’s world. I really enjoyed how the book uses a story to examine topics such as the elusive nature of happiness and the limits of wealth and opulence. For example, despite his wealth, Jay Gatsby is unable to change the past and rekindle his relationship with a woman named Daisy. This leaves him in a permanent state of sorrow and sets up other events in the story that provide a fascintating exploration of the complexities of human nature.
I would definitely recommend “The Great Gatsby” to others. The novel’s timeless themes of wealth, aspiration, and the human desire for something more make it a captivating and thought-provoking read. It continues to resonate with readers of all generations, and I feel it invites them to reflect on their own ambitions and the meaning of success in the modern world.