12 IELTS SPEAKING – PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Part 2
DESCRIBE AN INTERESTING ANIMAL YOU HAVE
EVER SEEN
You should say:
● What it was
● Where you saw it
● What it did
● And why you think it was interesting

Vocabulary
endangered species
Meaning: categories of animals or plants that are in danger of becoming extinct Example: Many
tourists expressed their concern about the increasing rate of endangered species in this zoo.

with one’s naked eyes [expression]: without using any special device for making images larger.
Eg: We live miles away, but on a clear night, you can see the city skyscrapers with the naked eye.

herbivores [n]: an animal that eats only plants.

Eg: Cows and sheep are herbivores.

physique [n]: the form, size, and development of a person's body.

Eg: By 1540, Henry had become fat and he had lost the muscular physique he had when he was
younger.

ornamental [adj]: beautiful rather than useful.

Eg: The handles on each side of the box are purely ornamental

conserve [v]: protect (something, especially an environmentally or culturally important place or thing)
from harm or destruction.
Eg: As a result, their main impulse is to conserve wilderness from destruction by humans.
snorkel[n]: a short-curved tube for a swimmer to breathe through while keeping the face under
water.
Eg: But yesterday he donned his snorkel and flippers to defend his title as World Champion Bog
Snorkeller.

gigantic [adj]: of very great size or extent; huge or enormous.

Eg: The hunt for a house has been a gigantic part of my life for the last year so I'm bound to feel as if
there's something missing.

grief [v]: deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death.

Eg: Grief over a traumatic death does not follow an accepted timeline.

mimic [v]: imitate (someone or their actions or words), typically in order to entertain or ridicule.
Eg: I've just mimicked him all my life, so he was a herpetologist, one who studies reptiles.

compassion [n]: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
Eg: After supping her fill of horrors, her capacity to feel compassion was deeply affected.

Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about.
– Benjamin Lee Whorf -
13 IELTS SPEAKING – PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

PART 3: ANIMALS
1. How do you like taking care of animals?
To me, taking care of animals is an arduous task. Besides providing all the necessary things, like food, water,
shelter and safety, you also need to provide quality health care for them. I am not an animal lover. I get frightened
by different kinds of animals due to my experiences with them.

2. What kinds of pets are most popular in Vietnam?

Well, it is dogs, perhaps. In the countryside, each household typically has a dog to watch their house as dogs usually
bark when they see strangers. In the cities, many people, especially the young, do not hesitate to spend money on
buying a dog and take care of them like babies.

3. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a pet?

On the one hand, having domesticated animals at home is interesting. Some people decide to own pets
because they need a companion at home. Playing with pets is a kind of refreshment. On the other hand, the
disadvantages of having pets. You will have to spend a lot on their food, accessories, vet, etc. You should
analyze those costs before hand and be financially ready for them.

Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about.
– Benjamin Lee Whorf -
14 IELTS SPEAKING – PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about.
– Benjamin Lee Whorf -