IELTS Speaking 2

Hobbies

Types of hobbies:

hanging out with my friends

have a girls' / boys' night out

catch up over a coffee

veg out (on the sofa/ in front of the TV)

lie on the couch/ settle down on the couch/ be a couch potato

take the dog for a walk/ walk the dog

plant a garden

take up a new hobby >< go off

have free time

have spare time/ leisure time/ down time

have time on one's hands

have some time off/ a day off

coffee break/ tea break/ recess

benefits

relax

let my hair down

relieve stress

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 alleviate stress

unwind

refresh

recharge my battery

calming/ relaxing/ therapeutic (therapy)

relationships

spend quality time / precious moments

cultivate/ maintain/ develop/ build (up) relationships

What do you like to do in your free time?

Whenever I have time on my hands, I will do some simple movements like jumping
or stretching. These quick exercises can really help to recharge my battery, work
more efficiently, and at the end of the day, I will have more spare time to spend on
other hobbies like reading or meeting with friends.

How do you spend your holidays or weekends?

To be honest with you, my weekly workload is generally overwhelming, so when I
have a day off, I just veg out in front of the TV, you know, watching my favorite
series on Netflix. That said, sometimes I feel guilty for spending time that way.

What is your favorite way of relaxation?

I find artistic activities really relaxing and therapeutic at the same time. Whenever I
pick up my paints, it feels like my problems just disappear into thin air.

https://youtu.be/1acrUAxFVaw
https://youtu.be/6r9fFHUL9qI

Music
Types of music: .
classical, background music, country, pop, folk...

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 Create and perform music
musical talent

compose music
tune the instrument

a piece of music
live performance

Enjoy music
easy listening

catchy tunes
massive hit/ big hit

haunting melodies
huge following/ music lover

capture a wide audience

Benefits of music

calm myself down

cheer me up gently when I feel down/ low/ tired/ bored

elevate/ improve mood: relieve feelings of anxiety and depression

stimulate memories: music therapy can relieve some of Alzheimer’s symptoms

increase workout endurance: boost physical performance during a tough exercise
session

1. Do you often listen to music?

Yes, I do. I always play a piece of music on my portable speaker when I am doing the
chores or having a break. Music helps me feel relaxed and inspired. I also like listening
to songs in other languages like English or Chinese to improve my language skills.

2. When do you listen to music?

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 When I’m in a bad mood, listening to my favorite melody is the fastest way to elevate
my mood and get me back on track. Not only that, I also like to share some catchy
tunes with friends when they come for a visit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Vietnam

Do you Verb?

Are you good at it?

Did you verb as a child?

Do you prefer A or B?

Do you think Noun is important?

Which Noun is popular in your country?

Books
Types of books
be engrossed/ absorbed/ invested in a book

compulsive reading/ bedtime reading (no "a")

an easy read

enrich my knowledge

broaden my horizon
flick/ skim through a book

1 Do you like reading?

Yes, I’m definitely a book lover! I believe that books do not only provide you with
knowledge but can also change your personality. When I read a lot, I have more to
share with my friends and so I become a more sociable and confident person.

2 Do you read electronic books?

Definitely yes. I’m a sucker for e-books as they are economical and portable. I often
download my favorite books and copy them to my phone so when I am waiting for
something, I will take out the phone and start to read.

Do you Verb?

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 Are you good at it?

Did you verb as a child?

Do you prefer A or B?

Do you think Noun is important?

Which Noun is popular in your country?

Films
Genres of films:

Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller (giật gân, ly kỳ), Western
(viễn tây)

Romance: Chick Flick (phim cho nữ), Paranormal Romance (lãng mạn huyền bí)

Science fiction: Space Travel, Time Travel, Disaster and Alien Invasion, Robot and
Monster Films

Period drama/ film: phim cổ trang

hybrid genre

Describe a film:

male lead/ female lead: nam chính/ nữ chính

star in a film/ take on a role: vào vai...

shoot/ make a film: quay phim

setting: bối cảnh phim

special sound/ visual effects: hiệu ứng âm thanh

on the big screen: trên màn ảnh rộng

box-office hit: phim bom tấn

blockbuster: bom tấn (phim, sách, sản phẩm gì đó)

Why do you watch films?

provide an escape from my daily life

have a blast

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 boost my imagination

Inspire you to be a better person

Help you learn new things

Help us deal with difficult situations

1. Do you like to watch films?

Absolutely! They are an excellent way to unwind. I usually go to the cinema with my
friends when there is a movie release, especially of a blockbuster. Afterwards, we would
discuss or comment about the details in it.

2. What kinds of movies do you like best?

Well, I would say I’m still a kid at heart, so I really enjoy watching kids’ movies. Although
they seem simple and innocent, there are often many life lessons packed into these
films.

Do you Verb?

Are you good at it?

Did you verb as a child?

Do you prefer A or B?

Do you think Noun is important?

Which Noun is popular in your country?

Travel
have a thirst for adventure

get itchy feet

Types of travel

go on a road trip/ business travel/ boat trip/ camping trip

go hiking: a long energetic walk in a natural environment on hiking trails or footpaths
for a day or overnight

go trekking: a long vigorous hike in wild natural environment for multiple days

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 a cross-country journey
a round-the-world trip

Travel details

set off for a place

overnight journey

tiring journey
smooth flight >< bumpy

travel on a budget

low-cost airline

budget accommodation >< smart hotels/ luxury hotels

have a special charm

What to do?
experience a new culture

go off the beaten track

go sightseeing/ do the sights
get a real sense of adventure

once-in-a-lifetime experience

Benefits
Travel Lets You Disconnect & Recharge
Relieves Stress and Anxiety

Exposes You to New Things

Get real-life education
Create Lifetime Memories

Understand yourself
Expands Your Social Network

Makes You Love Your Home Even More

Do you like travelling?

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 Yes, definitely! I think seeing the world, from great historical monuments to white sandy
beaches. It's a fascinating way to learn about new cultures and explore new places.

What is your favorite type of holiday?

To be frank, I am sick and tired of tourist traps and usually go off the beaten track.
I really like going to the countryside, getting away from it all. Nothing relaxes me as
much as nature and the wilderness.
Do you prefer traveling alone or in a group?
It really depends. Sometimes I would rather travel by myself, to enjoy some lone time
pondering and reflecting. But in most cases, I think traveling with a small group is an
exciting way to explore a new place and connect with each other. It's also cheaper when
you can share the costs.

What places would you like to visit in the future?

I am learning Chinese at the moment, so I really want to come visit China to practice the
language and experience their diverse culture. Another place I have in mind is India, a
country with history of over 5000 years. Setting foot in these two countries would be an
once-in-a-life-time experience for me.

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