IELTS SPEAKING

Part 1 Media and Hobbies

 VOCABULARY FOR BOOKS AND FILMS
1. an action movie: a film with fast moving scenes, often containing
violence
2. to be engrossed in: to be completely focused on one thing
3. bedtime reading: something to read in bed before you go to sleep
4. to be a big reader: someone who reads a lot
5. to be based on: to use as a modal
6. to be heavy-going: difficult to read
7. a blockbuster: a film that is a big commercial success
8. to catch the latest movie: to see a film that has just come out
9. the central character: the main person in a film or book
10. a classic: of the highest quality
 VOCABULARY FOR BOOKS AND FILMS
11. to come highly recommended: to be praised by another person
12. couldn’t put it down: wasn’t able to stop reading a book
13. to flick through: to look quickly through a book
14. to get a good/bad review: to receive positive or negative feedback
15. to go on general release: when a film can be seen by the general
public
16. hardback: a book with a rigid cover (see ‘paperback’ below)
17. a historical novel: a story set in the past
18. a low budget film: a film made with a small amount of money
19. on the big screen: at the cinema
20. a page turner: a book that you want to keep reading
 VOCABULARY FOR BOOKS AND FILMS
21. paperback: a book with a flexible cover (see ‘hardback’ above)
22. to read something from cover to cover: to read a book from the first page to
the last
23. sci-fi: science fiction
24. soundtrack: the music that accompanies a film
25. special effects: the visuals or sounds that are added to a film which are difficult to
produce
naturally
26. to take out (a book from the library): to borrow a book from the library
27. to tell the story of: to outline the details of someone’s life or an event
28. have one’s nose in a book: really focus on reading a book.
29. Best-seller
 VOCABULARY FOR MUSIC
1. adoring fans: people who love a particular band or singer
2. background music: music that is played while something else is happening
3. a catchy tune: a song that is easy to remember and makes you want to sing it
4. classical music: music that is regarded as part of a long, formal tradition
5. to download tracks: to obtain music from the Internet
6. to have a great voice: to sing well
7. to go on tour: to go on a planned series of performances around a region or
country
8. a huge following: a large number of fans
9. live music: music that is listened to while it is performed (not recorded)
10. live performance: (see live music)
 VOCABULARY FOR MUSIC
11. a massive hit: a record that sells lots of copies
12. musical talent: skilled at music
13. a pop group: a small group of people who play or sing pop music together
14. a rock band: a group of musicians that play rock music
15. to sing along to: to join in singing
16. a sing-song: to sing informally, often with other people
17. a slow number: a song with a slow tempo
18. to take up a musical instrument: to begin learning a musical instrument
19. taste in music: the music someone likes
20. to be tone deaf: to be unable to distinguish the different notes in music
 MOVIE
Topic: Describe a film that you enjoyed watching
You should say:
- What type of film it was
- When you saw it
- Why you enjoyed it
- Whether this film was popular in your country
Suggestion
- Choose a recent famous movie. (Hollywood movies are easier
to describe.)
 VOCABULARY
• a Hollywood blockbuster
• a box-office smash (phim thành công về thương mại)
• a big-budget production
• animated special effects
• an impressive script
• an unforgettable soundtrack
• a strong cast (=famous actors/actresses)
 VOCABULARY
• Protagonist /prou´tægənist/ Nhân vật chính diện
• Antagonist /æn´tægənist/ Nhân vật phản diện
• Emotional
• Heartfelt /´ha:t¸felt/ Cảm động, chân thành
• Big name/star
• Oldie (old movie)
• Star in/act in Đóng trong, diễn trong
• Tear-jerking /´tiə¸dʒə:kiɳ/ Xúc động, dễ lấy nước mắt
• Thrilling
 VOCABULARY
• Samey /´seimi/ Đơn điệu, không thay đổi
• Action-packed
• Film buff
• Plot
• Climax /´klaimæks/ Cao trào
• Revolve around /ri'vɔlv/ Xoay quanh
• Play the lead role
• Spellbinding
 GRAMMAR
Use a mix of present and past tenses:
- When I originally saw the film, it had been out for a quite
while (be out = release).
- It has been aired on TV a couple of times.
- It has recently been released on DVD.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Click
Click is about a man (Adam Sandler) who receives a magical
remote controller that allows him to rewind, stop, and fast
forward through time. He uses it to skip past moments that he
finds mundane/boring like family dinner, shower, and sickness.
Initially this seems fun, but after a while he realizes that it
comes with unexpected consequences.
Lesson from this movie: A great plot with a provoking message
“Every moment is a moment to be lived”.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
The Lion King
"Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either
run from it, or learn from it."
Raffiki reminds us that what has happened is out of our control
now. We can either avoid confronting old trauma or face it and
learn so that it doesn't continue to hurt us.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more
than our abilities."
Dumbledore was full of all sorts of wizardly wisdom. Here, he
taught Harry and moviegoers that we aren't defined by what
we can do, but rather what we have done.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Spider man
"With great power comes great responsibility."
Uncle Ben's famous line should be a part of an oath that
individuals in power positions have to honor. As we gain power
and influence, our decisions impact more and more people in
both negative and positive ways.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Finding Nemo
"Just keep swimming."
Today's problem becomes tomorrow's memory. If we're faced
with adversity, just keep moving forward. Things will get better
eventually so don't get discouraged and don't let the difficulties
stop us.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Cinderella
Girls don't have to take our clothes off to win a guy’s heart.
That's the lesson to be learned here, that no matter where we
come from or how low in life we are, we will come out on top
and live happily ever after in our own way.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Up
This is a cute movie about an older man who's wife died and he
found a friend in a little boy scout boy and they take on the
world together. The lesson learned here is that take
adventures, see the world, no matter how old or young or
lonely we are, and don't be scared to make a new friend when
we need one the most.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Legally Blonde
This is a famous movie for women. This movie is about a
women who stands up for herself, who is told she isn't good
enough or smart enough and proves everyone wrong who
thinks she can't do something with her life besides having good
looks. The lesson learned here is for women, to know that they
can be good, they can prove everyone wrong and show
everyone that they are smart enough and good enough to
achieve anything they put their mind too.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Forrest Gump
An American classic, a well-known movie that everyone loves
and can quote. This is a movie about a local guy from Alabama
who is just living his life and teaching everyone what life is full
of. The lesson learned here is that we don't need shinny things
and new things in life to be happy. Life can be simple and we
will be okay.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Titanic
Titanic is a story of “true love” that showcases exceptional
bravery and courage. Even when faced with death, Jack is with
Rose to the very end offering support and love. These kind of
genuine feelings remind us of meeting our loved ones and how
swept away we were in the moment.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
The Notebook (2004)
An inspiring story of how true love works. The key in this
movie is loyalty and devotion. Once we have lifelong bonds
with people, we can’t just walk away and leave them in a room
somewhere.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
Shallow Hal
Don’t judge a person by their looks.
 LESSONS BEHIND FAMOUS MOVIES
50 first dates
In this film, Drew Barrymore plays Lucy, a woman whose
memory hits reset every night, swiping the past twenty four
hours clean. Henry is a ladies man, or as we know him as
Adam Sandler, who tries to woo Lucy and ends up falling for
her. He accepts the challenge to be with someone who may not
remember her feelings, but learns ways to help her instead of
losing hope.
This movie taught us that one should never give up, no matter
how difficult the task at hand may seem. Difficulty can be
overcome and conquered if one really desires to obtain their