Speaking
1. Fluency and Coherence
• Speak Naturally: Avoid memorizing answers. Speak at a comfortable pace and let your ideas flow naturally.
• Organize Your Ideas: Use discourse markers like “First of all,” “On the other hand,” “For example,” and “In conclusion” to structure your responses.
• Avoid Pausing Too Much: If you need a moment to think, use fillers like “That’s an interesting question” or “Let me think about that for a moment.”
• Expand Your Answers: Don’t give one-word or overly short answers. Provide details, examples, and explanations.
2. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
• Use a Variety of Words: Avoid repeating the same words. For instance, instead of “good,” use “excellent,” “amazing,” or “beneficial.”
• Learn Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: Use idioms like “a piece of cake” (easy task) or “on cloud nine” (very happy) naturally in your answers.
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Use a Mix of Sentences: Combine simple, compound, and complex sentences. For example:
o Simple: “I love reading.”
o Compound: “I love reading, and I often spend hours at the library.”
o Complex: “I love reading because it helps me relax and learn new things at the same time.”
• Avoid Common Errors: Watch for subject-verb agreement (e.g., “He goes” instead of “He go”), proper use of tenses, and articles (a, an, the).
• Practice Conditional Sentences
4. Pronunciation
• Speak Clearly: Focus on enunciating words properly rather than trying to imitate an accent.
Tips for Part 1
1. Keep it simple and clear: These are warm-up questions, so avoid overly complex answers.
2. Give short but detailed responses: Aim for 2-3 sentences per answer.
3. Be natural and confident: Smile, maintain eye contact, and speak fluently.
Personal Information
1. What is your full name?
• My full name is Rupinder Kaur, but you can call me Rupinder.
2. Can I see your ID?
• Sure, here it is.
3. Where are you from?
• I am from ……., a beautiful city in northern India. It’s known for its well-planned layout and greenery.
4. Do you work or study?
If You Are a Student:
I am currently studying. I’m pursuing a degree in Business Administration at [University Name]. I’m really interested in marketing, and I’ve been focusing on subjects like digital marketing and consumer behaviour this semester.
If You Are Working:
Yes, I’m working as an assistant manager at a retail store. My job involves handling customer inquiries, managing inventory, and training new employees. It’s quite dynamic, and I enjoy interacting with customers every day.
If You Are Working and Studying:
I’m currently working as an intern at a marketing company, and I’m also studying for my degree in Business. My work is closely related to my studies, which gives me great hands-on experience in the field.
If You Are Not Currently Working or Studying (for Example, If You Are Taking a Break):
At the moment, I’m not working or studying because I’m taking a gap year. During this time, I plan to travel and gain some practical experience before continuing my education.
Or
I’m not studying or working right now. I took a short break after my previous studies, but I plan to continue my education next year in a field like psychology.
Part 1
Question 1: Can you tell me about your hometown?
Answer: My hometown is ……, a small city in Punjab, India. It’s known for its peaceful environment and traditional handicrafts. Though it’s not very big, it has everything one needs, like schools, markets, and parks. I love the strong sense of community there.
Question 2: Do you enjoy shopping?
Answer: Yes, I enjoy shopping, especially for clothes and books. I find it relaxing to browse through stores or online platforms. However, I try to shop responsibly and not overspend.
Question 3: What is your favourite meal of the day?
Answer: My favourite meal is breakfast. It’s the first meal of the day, and I like to keep it healthy with options like oatmeal or parathas with yogurt. A good breakfast energizes me for the rest of the day.
Part 2 cue card
Describe a time when you helped someone.
You should say:
• Who you helped
• What the situation was
• How you helped them
And explain how you felt about it.
Helping others is a rewarding experience that leaves a lasting impact on both the giver and the receiver. One time that stands out is when I helped my best friend prepare for her job interview. She was over the moon about getting an interview at her dream company, but as the day got closer, she started feeling like a fish out of water because she wasn’t confident about her communication skills.
When she asked me for help, I jumped at the chance. First, I helped her put together a professional resume and gave her tips to answer questions clearly using the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, and Result. We also practiced with some mock interviews where I acted as the interviewer and asked her potential questions. I even recorded her answers so she could spot areas for improvement.
To help her stay calm, I cheered her on with positive words and reminded her that she was sharp as a tack. On the day of the interview, I sent her a good-luck message and told her to take it one step at a time. Later, when she called to tell me she had done really well and got the job, I was on cloud nine!
Helping her was a truly rewarding experience. It made me realize the joy of lifting someone up when they’re at their wit’s end. It wasn’t just about her success; it was also about how much closer we became as friends.
Idioms Used in the Answer
1. Over the moon – Extremely happy or excited.
2. Fish out of water – Feeling uncomfortable or out of place.
3. Jumped at the chance – Took the opportunity eagerly.
4. Sharp as a tack – Very intelligent or clever.
5. On cloud nine – Extremely happy or delighted.
6. At their wit’s end – Very worried or upset.
Part 3 follow-ups
1. Do you think it is important to help others?
Yes, I believe helping others is essential for building strong relationships and a sense of community. When we assist others, we create a positive environment where people feel supported. It’s like the saying, “What goes around comes around.” If you help someone today, they might help you in the future.
2. How can schools encourage children to help others?
Schools can encourage children to help others by organizing group activities, such as community service projects or peer tutoring programs. For example, students could help their classmates with studies or participate in charity events. This not only teaches them the value of kindness but also develops teamwork skills.
3. What are some common situations where people might need help?
People often need help in situations like moving to a new house, preparing for exams, or dealing with health issues. For instance, someone might need emotional support during a tough time or physical help with tasks they can’t manage alone.
4.Do you think people should always help others, even if it’s inconvenient for them?
It depends on the situation. While it’s good to help others, it’s also important to set boundaries. If helping someone compromises your well-being or responsibilities, it’s okay to say no. However, in critical situations, lending a hand is the right thing to do.