English for Exams Karen Kovacs

IELTS Speaking Exam: Part 2
Read this Part 2 question. Give yourself one m inute to plan your answer, making notes 
if you wish. Then ta lk fo r one to two m inutes. Try to use some of the vocabulary you have 
learnt on the topic of festivals.
Now listen to the sample answer.
Culture and modern society

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G ra m m a r and pronunciation: The future
CD2
G 
1 1
1 
Listen to this person talking about New Year and her plans.
38 
2 Listen again and w rite down w hat she says. What tense does she use? Underline once
where the tense is used to describe the future, and twice where it is used to describe 
the present.
3 When re fe rrin g to the future, the present continuous describes a fixed arrangem ent, 
som ething that has been organised w ith another person, or a company or 
organisation. Study these examples:
W e're flying to France next week.
(We have arranged it with the airline - we have 
bought our tickets.)
I'm m eeting m y friend John fo r lunch today.
(I have arranged it with John - we have 
decided on a place and time.)
My m um 's starting h e r new jo b on Monday.
(She's arranged it with her new boss -
she's been offered the job and told when to start.)
What preparations may the speaker in Track 38 have made fo r her trip ?
G
1 2
1 
Listen to the example sentences above being spoken.
2 Listen to the contractions and practise pronouncing them.
39 
CD2
G
40 
CD2
Contraction
Pronunciation
I'm
/ a im /
it's
/ s /
a f t e r / f / . / k / , / p / . / t / . / 0 /
he's/she's
/ z /
after other sounds
you're
/ jo : / or (weak form) / j a /
they're
/fle a /
we're
/ w ia /
1 
1 
You can also use 
be going + to 
infinitive to ta lk about fu tu re plans. In many cases, 
both the present continuous and 
be going to 
can be used. However, there are tim es 
when one tense is more appropriate. 
Be going to 
emphasises a previous decision or 
intention. Study these examples: