Ielts speaking--how to improve your bandscore

Activity A
Extract the keywords in the following questions and write the synonyms or
related expressions.
1. At work or in your studies, do you often write things?
2. How often do you send e-mails?
3. Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
4. Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
5. What sports or physical activities do you regularly do?
6. Which sport or game would you like to be good at?
7. Do you prefer watching or playing sports?

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8. Do you think children should be encouraged to do more sport?
9. What kinds of things make you laugh?
10. Do you like making other people laugh?
Answer

1. often write / most of the time / frequently / usually / generally
2. send e-mails / communicate through e-mails / keep in touch by e-mail /
convey messages via e-mails
3. prefer / I like A better than B / I choose / I go for
4. replace / substitute / take _____’s place / demote
5. regularly do / often/usually/frequently engage in
6. would like / want / desire to
7. prefer / I like A better than B / I choose / I go for
8. children, be encouraged / young people / kids, be
stimulated/motivated/inspired
9. make (you) laugh / amuse / delight
10. like / have a preference for / inclined to / fancy
Activity B
Answer the questions in the previous activity. Use the synonyms of the
keywords in your sentences.
Answer
1.
Yes, I frequently write in my workplace. I always submit a written
report to my boss and memorandum to my colleagues. I do these using
my computer.
There are a lot of activities at school that require me to write, including
activities like reports, quizzes, and exams. I usually do these using my
hands. But in terms of monthly requirements like term papers and
home reading reports, I have to use the computer.
2.
I communicate via e-mails to my friends abroad weekly. This is the

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easiest way to inform them about special events in my life and some of
the problems that I experience at school, and I can receive a reply in a
matter of hours after sending them e-mails.
I convey a message to my boss through e-mail daily. It is my way of
knowing my new tasks and his way of informing me of them.
3.
I go for writing using my hand, especially when I write messages on a
card because it seems like there is a personal touch to it, and the
person who receives it surely feels valued.
I like writing on a computer, especially when I make a report, because
there is an autocorrect program for spelling and grammar lapses in a
computer that can help me make an error-free written report.
4.
I really think computers will take handwriting’s place in the future
because of the increasing need of computers in the business, so
teachers will be tasked to teach typing courses instead of cursive
writing, which is a thing of the past.
I don’t think computers will totally substitute handwriting, especially
for those who can’t afford them, and there are many of them in third-
world countries. So handwriting will still be usual in these places.
5.
I often engage myself in jogging. I do this early in the morning to lose
weight. This activity is both fun and healthy to do.
6.
I really desire to play chess well. This is a game that does not demand
much effort physically, and it sharpens the brains. I will really find
time to know how to play chess in the near future.
7.
I am into watching sports on TV or live. I like it when I see the
highlights of the games live and feel the energy in the crowd.
I choose watching over playing because I don’t really have the skill to
do sports. I am not physically strong, which is a requirement when you
want to take part in any sport activity.
8.
Yes, young people must be motivated more to do sports so that at an
early age, they can develop a hobby that will keep them healthy. I
think parents have the duty of introducing the love for sports as they
are considered the first teachers.
I don’t think children should be stimulated to do sports; instead, they

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should be encouraged to excel academically. There is always a right
age for a child to do sports, but at a younger age, he should develop an
interest in academic matters because this is what he is to face in his
school days.
9.
I find the jokes of stand-up comedians very amusing. I love their witty
thoughts in a split of a second.
Toddlers’ questions that leave me speechless delight me so much that I
can’t stop myself from laughing whenever I recall the incident.
10.
Yes, I always desire to amuse people, but I don’t really have a talent of
doing so. I wish I had so that people will not find my presence boring.
It’s hard for me to laugh, so I am really into knowing how to make
people laugh, and this is actually a new task I am bound to do.