Describe a memorable outdoor activity that you have participated in. What did you do during this activity? Who did you go with? Why was it memorable for you? And say how you felt during and after this activity.
One memorable outdoor activity that I participated in was a multi-day hiking trip through the mountains. I went with a group of friends, and we spent several days hiking through beautiful wilderness areas, camping out under the stars, and exploring the local flora and fauna. Sometimes my friends and I would get lost in deep conversation as we trekked, but there were also long stretches when we walked in silence and I was completely alone with my thoughts.
The reason this trip was so memorable for me was because it was the first time I had ever gone on a long-distance hike. It was physically challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. I felt a sense of accomplishment and freedom as we hiked through the stunning landscapes, and the sense of camaraderie with my friends was unbeatable.
During the hike, I felt a mix of excitement and exhaustion. There were moments when I was really pushing myself to keep going, but then there were also moments of pure joy and wonder as we took in the breathtaking views. And after the hike, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment and pride in what we had achieved.
Overall, this was a truly memorable outdoor activity for me, and one that I will always cherish.
I live with my parents in their house, which is north of this city.
Do you like snacks?
Yes, I do. Because my family is Chinese, we mostly eat traditional snacks from our hometown such as a crispy rice called ‘guoba’ and roasted peanuts. I also like dried fish snacks, which are usually quite spicy so you have to couple them with a drink of some kind.
What time of the day do you prefer to have snacks and why?
Where I am from, people tend to snack all day and I guess I would say I follow suit. In the early morning, it is not uncommon for me to start my day by snacking on salted ginger. If I’m feeling peckish in the afternoon or evening, I might grab a handful of sunflower seeds. In my opinion, anytime is a great time to snack on something!
Do you think snacking is a healthy habit?
I guess it depends on what you’re eating. I presume snacking on processed foods like potato chips or chocolate wouldn’t be great for your health long term. Traditional snacks from my country tend to be quite natural, though. They’re mostly fresh or dried foods with few –if any– additives. I guess so long as you’re careful to munch on unprocessed foods only, snacking can be considered healthy.
What were your favourite snacks as a child?
Well, my snacking choices as a child were much less healthy than they are today! I enjoyed sweets and other sugary snacks. I remember my classmates and I would often get frozen snacks after school that were sweet and very similar to ice cream. My snacking choices have obviously evolved quite a bit since I was young!
If you had a child, what snacks would you give him or her?
I would try to push them towards the healthier options that I mentioned earlier. People say eating habits are partially established in childhood, so I think it is important to set a good example early. This doesn’t mean that a child can’t have the occasional sweet snack, but what’s important is to remember that moderation and mindfulness are key.
This week, you will train to speak about ‘work-live balance.’ The model is from Part 3 of a recent IELTS Speaking exam, so you’ll notice the questions are more open-ended and the candidate uses longer responses to better demonstrate their language.
Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 3 Questions Why don’t people have enough time nowadays? Is it necessary for people to relax during the working day? How can people achieve better work-life balance? Does current technology cause people to waste time or save time?
🧑🎓Target language:
I think there are several reasons for this. -phrase used to cue a longer response
“I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, … For example, … Further, …“
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
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!🗣️📲
“I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, I believe instant messaging technology has made it difficult for people to disconnect from their professional lives. For example, it’s hard to ignore a request from a coworker if they can see through an app that you are online.”
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.📝
Transcript
We’ve been talking about time, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Why don’t people have enough time nowadays?
I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, I believe instant messaging technology has made it difficult for people to disconnect from their professional lives. For example, it’s hard to ignore a request from a coworker if they can see through an app that you are online. Further, in my country, life in general has become more expensive and this has demanded people commit more time to their professions. Often, both partners in a household need to work, which means household chores must be done in their free time.
Is it necessary for people to relax during the working day?
I think people should have the option, yes. Among jobs where a worker’s alertness is a safety concern, such as an airline pilot or a surgeon, periods for recuperation are enforced by law. Long stretches of non-stop work, especially strenuous work, can have serious health effects as well. Further, I think people are more productive when they are given short breaks throughout their workday, so it’s not only good for the wellbeing of the worker, but also the wellbeing of their organisation.
How can people achieve better work-life balance?
First and foremost, it’s important to allot time in your schedule where you completely disconnect from technology. People should regularly put their devices on silent and avoid interruption, or leave these devices at home when they do short errands or exercise outdoors. I would even go so far as to declare to work colleagues the timings at which you can’t be reached, whether that’s lunchtime, evenings or weekends. People should also prioritise work-life balance by writing clear goals for the important relationships in their lives. For example, parents should actively strive to be mentally present when speaking to their children.
Does current technology cause people to waste time or save time?
It does both. It makes it possible to communicate instantly with people, which could be helpful if you want to tell your friend you need to urgently change some plans. However, it’s also a source of a tremendous amount of distraction. I mean, it’s so common nowadays to be talking in person with someone only to receive a mundane mobile notification. I guess I would have to say that technology wastes as much time as it saves!
How well can you speak about sports? In this speech shadowing lesson, you will train to talk about this topic: a sport you like, live sports and sport audiences.
Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 1 Questions
May I see your ID? Where are you from? What is the name of your hometown? What are some important features of your hometown? Can you describe your home? What kind of sports do you like? Do you watch live sports? Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?
🧑🎓Target language:
localised(adjective) -specific to a particular place
“In the past, sporting audiences were very localised.”
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
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!🗣️📲
“Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.”
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.📝
Transcript
May I see your ID?
Here you are.
Where are you from?
I am from a city in China. It’s about an hour’s drive outside of Shanghai.
What is the name of your hometown?
It’s called Suzhou. There is actually more than one Suzhou in China. Mine is the one in Jiangsu province.
What are some important features of your hometown?
Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.
Can you describe your home?
I live in a simple one-bedroom apartment that has a large window in the living room with a view of the sunset. I really like the colour green, so I think most of the furniture has at least a little green in it. I also have several houseplants which help keep my apartment feeling fresh. Let’s talk about sports.
What kind of sports do you like?
I’m actually not a big sports person. Once in a while, I’ll play football with my friends in the park or hit a birdie back and forth with a badminton racket, but that’s about it. I do a lot of walking either on my own or with a friend, so if that counts I would say that’s my favourite sport.
Do you watch live sports?
I do but only when a really exciting sporting event is happening. For example, when the World Cup is on, I watch many of the matches live. I occasionally catch a Formula 1 race live too, but I don’t watch it enough to know much about the teams or drivers. I went to several basketball matches in Shanghai when I was a teenager, and I think these are the only live sporting events I’ve seen in person.
Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?
Yes, in many ways they have. In the past, sporting audiences were very localised. What I mean is you watched and discussed a sporting event with your friends or family, whereas now people watch sports streamed live online and discuss what’s happening with international viewers from around the world. I recently saw a sports commentator that was streaming his comments live while interacting with viewers from around the world. This is a clear difference compared to the past. However, I would say the audience’s spirit and passion for the game hasn’t changed, and I don’t think it ever will.
Recently, a candidate reported being asked about ‘an outdoor activity’ in Part 3 of their exam. (Edit: This topic was actually seen again about six months after this exam. If you’re looking for additional training resources, please click here to visit my second lesson on this topic.)
Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 3 Questions
Do you like spending time outdoors? Are there any benefits to outdoor activities? What outdoor activities are popular in your country? What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past? What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?
🧑🎓Target language:
avails itself -something that is benefitted by another thing
“Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.”
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
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!🗣️📲
“Yes, I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.”
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.📝
Transcript
We’ve been talking about an outdoor activity, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Do you like spending time outdoors?
Yes, I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.
Are there any benefits to outdoor activities?
Of course! First of all, if you are engaging in exercise outdoors, this is good for overall health. Second of all, being out in the sun is beneficial because our bodies need vitamin D for good health. This must be done with caution of course, but I recently read that people in this country suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, so it is in our best interest to cautiously spend time outdoors. Lastly, as we often socialise outdoors at cafes, restaurants and even park benches, this is an important practice through which we can reduce stress levels. So, being outside is incredibly beneficial in a variety of ways.
What outdoor activities are popular in your country?
Well, I have mentioned several of them but of course there are more like sailing, swimming or playing tennis. Those in the country enjoy hiking or horseback riding. Then, it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention our national sport: football, which is enjoyed by all ages.
What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past?
I think the only things that have changed are activities that have been brought to this country from abroad, like tennis. However, we have been known for our love of outdoor sports since antiquity. As far as I know, even activities associated today with the indoors, like wrestling, took place outside. Other activities like eating outdoors or sailing have also been a part of this culture for centuries.
What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?
I can’t imagine these activities changing a great deal but if I had to picture some kind of science fiction scenario, I would say that perhaps people will fly for fun. One might say that we already do that but what I mean by that is just as today we might take a boat, train or car ride for leisure, perhaps there will be flying contraptions that allow us to take a short flight over the sea front or over a nearby hill, just to get a bird’s eye view of the area. I think a lot of people would enjoy something like this.
