UNIT 2: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SPEAKING SKILL: TV AND RADIO

AIMS: Talking about types of TV and radio programme • Describing programmes • Adverbs
of frequency • Skills development: Organizing your answers • Exam practice: Part 1 and
Part 2

Part 1: Language development

Vocabulary: Types of programme

A B C D

1. Read the descriptions 1-6 of different types of programme. Match the description
with the photos A-D above. There are two extra descriptions.

1. I love watching documentaries because we can learn about new things. My

favourite is a series about nature and animals.
2. I watch a game show every weekend with my family. I think the presenter is
very funny. I like it when the contestants win big prizes.
3. I always listen to the news. I think it's important to understand the events in
your country and listen to business reports. You can find out about your sports
team too.
4. I enjoy watching soap operas because they are similar to real life and I like the
characters. I usually watch TV on my laptop in my room.
5. I sometimes watch talk shows. The guests are really interesting. You can learn
about their lives and new films or new music.
6. I'm a sports fan so I watch a lot of sports on TV. I enjoy listening to the experts
talking about the results, too.

2. Check the meaning of the underlined words in Exercise 1. Then answer the
questions below.

1. Do you have a favourite TV presenter? Why do you like him/her?

2. What is a popular documentary series in your country?
3. Are there any characters in a soap opera you really like?
4. Do you think most guests on a talk show are interesting?

Vocabulary: Describing programmes

 3. (Track 24) Listen to three people talking about programmes they listen to or
watch. Match the speakers 1-3 with the type of programme they watch a-c.
a. documentary series __________________
b. drama series __________________
c. reality TV show __________________

4. (Track 24) Read the sentences a-h below. Listen again and decide which speaker
1-3 says each sentence. Which three sentences express an opinion?
a. It’s about clothes and fashion. __________________
b. It's set in London. __________________
c. It's presented by different models each week. __________________
d. It stars some famous actors. __________________
e. The participants are famous people. __________________
f. It's very exciting. __________________
g. I think it‘s good entertainment. __________________
h. The thing I like best is the hotel manager. __________________

5. Think about a programme you enjoy watching or listening to. Write sentences to
describe it and express your opinion about it. Use the sentences in Exercise 5 to
help you.

Watch out!
actors = people who play characters in a story
characters = people in a story
contestants = real people in a game show or reality TV show

Grammar: Adverbs of frequency

6. Match sentences 1-6 to explanations a-f. Which sentences are true for you?

1. I always watch soap operas. a. I‘m not interested in any sports.

2. I usually listen to the news in b. I think they‘re very boring.
the morning. c. I like it when contestants win big prizes.
3. I often watch game shows. d. I think the plots are sometimes
4. I sometimes watch dramas. interesting.
5. I rarely listen to sports e. I watch them every day. I never miss an
programmes. episode.
6. I never watch documentaries. f. I like listening to the business reports.

7. Look at the arrow and the adverbs of frequency. Put the words always, often and
rarely in the correct position on the arrow.

never (1) __________ sometimes (2) __________ usually (3) ___________

 Watch out!
Put the adverb before the verb: I always watch soap operas.
BUT put the adverb after the verb to be: I think the plots are sometimes interesting.

8. Complete the prompts below so that they are true for you. Include an
explanation.

1. I always watch __________________________________________________

Example. I always watch dramas. I think they're exciting and I like the plots.
2. I usually listen to ________________________________________________
3. I often watch ___________________________________________________
4. I sometimes watch _______________________________________________
5. I rarely listen to _________________________________________________
6. I never watch ___________________________________________________

9. Complete the texts with the words below.

1 by contestants every favourite

My _____________ programme is a quiz show called In, Out. I watch it

_____________weekend. The _____________ are very clever. It’s presented
_____________ a university professor.

2 about actors interesting operas

I enjoy watching documentaries _____________ science. They are very

_____________
I rarely watch soap _____________. because I think the _____________ are terrible.

3 always exciting series stars

I like watching a drama _____________ called School Time. I _____________watch

it with my brother. It _____________ our favourite actor and it’s a very
_____________ programme.

4 contestants funny sometimes talk

I like _____________ shows. The guests are usually very _____________. I like
game shows too. The ____________ on game shows are ____________ really good.

Part 2: Skills development

 Exam information
Part 2 tests your ability to talk without pausing and also your ability to plan and
organize your answer.

1. Read the Part 2 task card below. Look at the underlined key words. Match the
key words to the notes 1-5 below. There is one extra note.

Talk about a programme you learned 1. interesting interviews with the writer’s
something from. family and friends
2. learned about the writer’s life, e.g. poor
You should say: family, no qualifications, lived in
what type of programme it was different countries, now lives in her
which were your favourtie parts hometown.
who you watched it with 3. documentary about a writer
4. watched it at college
And explain what you learned from it. 5. with my classmates

2. Read the example answer below. Answer true or false for sentences 1-3.

I'd like to talk about a programme I learned something from. I learned about the writer's
life. I learned she was from a poor family. I learned she had no qualifications from
school. Then she lived in different countries. I learned that she now lives in her
hometown and she writes there.
I watched it with my classmates. We watched it at college in a seminar. Then we talked
about her life.
It was a documentary and it was about a famous writer. I enjoy reading her books. She
writes about college students and their lives.

1. All the key words and notes are included. True/ False
2. The answer follows the order on the task card. True/ False
3. The answer is clear and easy to follow. True/ False

Exam tip
Follow the order of the points on the task card. These organize your answer and help
you to keep talking.

3. Read the example answer below. Answer true or false for sentences 1-3.

I'd like to talk about a programme I learned something from.

The programme was a very interesting documentary and it was about a famous writer. I
enjoy watching this documentary series. It always has really interesting people or
topics.
 Firstly, I liked everything in the documentary, but my favourite parts were the
interviews with her family and friends. A good example of this is the interview with her
sister. She talked about their life when they were young children. She was very funny.
There was one old friend from the writer's school and they are still friends today. I liked
learning about the writer's personal life.
I watched it with my classmates. We watched it at college in a seminar. It was part of
the course and then we gave a presentation about her life.
I learned lots of things from the documentary. For example, I learned she was from a
poor family. I learned she had no qualifications from school and then she lived in
different countries. Finally, I learned that she now lives in her hometown and she writes
there.

1. All the key words and notes are included. True/ False
2. The answer follows the order on the task card. True/ False
3. The answer is clear and easy to follow. True/ False

4. Read the example answer in Exercise 3 again. Find and underline two phrases
for giving examples and two phrases for organizing your answers.

5. Look back at the task card in Exercise 1. Plan your answer. Follow the points
below:

● Make notes on each keyword.

● Write sentences using your notes.
● Include the underlined phrases from Exercise 3.

6. Record your answer. Use your notes to help you.

7. Listen to your answer. Can you improve it? Try to give your answer again. Refer
to the task card in Exercise 1 but do not use your notes this time.

Exam tip
Remember there are different topics and different task cards in each IELTS exam. Do
not memorise a speech on a topic for the exam.

Part 3: Exam practice

Part 1

1. Read the Part 1 questions. Record your answer to each question.

When did you last watch television?

What do you usually watch on television?
What are some popular programmes in your country?
 Why do you think some TV programmes are popular?

Part 2

2. Read the Part 2 task card. Plan your answer. You have one minute for this in the
exam. Then record your answer. You have one to two minutes for this in the
exam.

Talk about a TV programme you

enjoy watching.

You should say:

what type of programme it is
which are your favourite parts
when and where you watch it

And explain why you enjoy watching it.

Exam tip
Remember to use phrases for expressing preferences.
I love I don’t like
I really like It depends
I prefer My favourite thing

Progress check

3. Listen to your answers. Tick the boxes below to assess your answers.

Do you …
include all the keywords in your notes? ◻
follow the order on the task card? ◻
give an answer that is clear and easy to follow? ◻
include phrases to organize your answer? ◻
use vocabulary for describing types of programme? ◻
use adverbs of frequency? ◻
use phrases for expressing preferences? ◻
 UNIT 2: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

IELTS Speaking Test 1

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

1. Do you enjoy using technology? Why or why not? Level A2 - B1

Yes, I enjoy using technology because it makes my life easier. I can quickly find
information and stay connected with my friends and family.

- find information (v. p): tìm kiếm thông tin

- stay connected with (v. p): giữ kết nối với

2. What technological device do you use the most? Level A2 - B1

I use my smartphone the most. It helps me with many tasks, like messaging,
taking photos, and surfing the Internet.

- message (v): nhắn tin

- surf the Internet (v. p): lướt mạng

3. Are there any technological devices you find difficult to use? Level
A2 - B1

Yes, I find some advanced cameras difficult to use. There are many buttons and
settings that I don’t understand.

- advanced (adj): tiên tiến

- settings (n): cài đặt

4. What recent technological advancement do you find most interesting?

Level A2 - B1

I find self-driving cars very interesting. It’s amazing how cars can drive
themselves without a human driver.

- self-driving cars (n. p): xe tự lái

Part 2: Long Turn

Describe a piece of technology you find useful. Level A2 - B1

You should say:

● What the technology is
● How you use it
● How it benefits you
● And explain why you find it useful.

One piece of technology I find very useful is my laptop.

I use it for a variety of purposes, such as studying, watching movies, and chatting
with friends.

Moreover, it helps me with my school assignments, allowing me to complete

them quickly and efficiently. In addition to academic work, my laptop is
beneficial for learning new skills online and relaxing by watching my favorite
shows. It is not only versatile but also portable, so I can take it anywhere I go.

In conclusion, I find my laptop extremely useful because it simplifies many

aspects of my life. Whether for work or entertainment, it serves multiple
functions, making my daily tasks easier and more enjoyable.

- chatting (v): trò chuyện

- assignments (n): bài tập
- academic work (n. p): công việc học tập
- beneficial (adj): có lợi
- versatile (adj): đa năng
- portable (adj): có thể mang theo
- simplifies (v): đơn giản hóa
- multiple functions (n. p): nhiều chức năng