This week, you will train to speak about product quality. These demonstrated answers are in response to real IELTS Speaking questions asked in Part 3 of a 2022 exam.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Part 3 Questions (Note: The candidate spoke about a repaired bicycle tyre in Part 2 of this exam. The examiner asks follow-up questions about this topic here.) Does it still work? Why do people neglect things and don’t repair them? Do you think that in the past product quality was higher? Do you think that expensive products last longer?

🧑‍🎓Target language: knock on wood -said to wish yourself or others good luck “Does is still work?” “Knock on wood, yes it does!”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲 “Knock on wood, yes it does! Whatever adhesive the repairperson used to seal the patch over the hole really did the trick. I’ve been riding my bicycle for months since the repair and haven’t had any trouble at all. The tyre is as good as new, so I’m certainly glad I didn’t go with my first instinct which was to replace the whole tyre!”

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

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Transcript

We’ve been talking about restoring a broken item, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Does it still work?

Knock on wood, yes it does! Whatever adhesive the repairperson used to seal the patch over the hole really did the trick. I’ve been riding my bicycle for months since the repair and haven’t had any trouble at all. The tyre is as good as new, so I’m certainly glad I didn’t go with my first instinct which was to replace the whole tyre!

Why do people neglect things and don’t repair them?

I feel people do this for many reasons. In some instances, repairing an item might be costly or involve tracking down specialised parts, such as rare engine parts for a vintage sports car. In other situations, it might actually be cheaper and more desirable to buy a newer version of the broken item. When my brother’s Playstation video game console broke down after several years of use, he didn’t bother repairing it and instead put the money towards upgrading his console to the newer Playstation 2 model!

Do you think that in the past product quality was higher?

It definitely was. My grandmother still uses a sewing machine she bought in the 1970s. In fact, I can think of multiple products she has in her home that are several decades old and still work perfectly fine. I think the problem is that modern products are designed to be replaced after only a few years of use. These shorter product lifecycles mean consumers make repeat purchases of the same item, and this translates to more money for the business. I mean, look at mobile phones. People just expect to replace them after two or three years of use! This sort of consumer behaviour was uncommon in the past because people’s expectations of quality and longevity were different.

Do you think that expensive products last longer?

I suppose in some cases they do, but it really depends on the product. In my experience, expensive kitchen appliances typically last longer than cheaper alternatives. I bought an inexpensive microwave when I was in university and I barely got two years out of it, but the more expensive microwave I bought after I got married is eight years old and still going strong. Cars, however, are a different story. My wife’s reasonably priced Toyota has had only a fraction of the problems of my more expensive Ford!

Thank you. That is the end of the speaking exam.