Common IELTS Questions & Related Vocabulary (Speaking & Writing) - Part 2

Part 3. :
- Is divorce common in your country?
- What percentage of marriages end in divorce? Why?
- At what age do people in your country get married? Why? Is it too early, too late or right about time?
- Do many couples adopt children in your country? Why/why not?
- Is polygamy a crime in your country?
- How do most people meet their marriage partners? Why?
- Are arranged marriages common in your country? Why/why not?
- How do married couples usually celebrate their wedding anniversaries? Why?
- Which wedding anniversary is the most important? Why?
- What is the main difference between a wedding in your country and a Western wedding?
- Whose responsibility is it to look after children in a marriage? Why?
- What does a typical wedding in your culture look like?
- Do you think many people spend too much money on their weddings? Why?
- What role does a wife play in your culture?
- What role does a husband play in your culture?
- Were the roles of husband and wife the same or different in the past? Why?
- Do you think both husband and wife should contribute equally to raising a child? Why/why not?
- What is a typical family unit in your country?
- Do you think the size of a typical family in your country will change in the future? Why/why not?
- Should children be involved in the process of making decisions in a family? Why/why not?
- How important is family to a stable society? Why?
- a happy surprise

Vocab :

1. to be taken by surprise (phr.) = to not be prepared or expecting sth

2. out of my expectations (phr.) = better than I expected

3. to throw a party (phr.) = to organize a party

4. to shower sb with sth (phr.) = to give sb many things

5. low-key (adj.) = not showy or elaborate

6. to make a big deal out of sth (phr.) = to consider sth important

7. I couldn’t believe my eyes. (phr.) = I was totally shocked.

8. amazement /əˈmeɪzmənt/ (n.) = shock

9. to bowl over /bəʊl/( v.) = to surprise sb

10. flabbergasted /ˈflæbə(r)ˌɡɑːstɪd/ (adj.) = very surprised

11. to leave sb open-mouthed (phr.) = to make sb shocked

12. stupefied /ˈstjuːpɪfaɪd/ (adj.) = extremely surprisedor shocked

13. to take sb’s breath away (phr.) = to amaze sb

14. to astonish sb /əˈstɒnɪʃ/ (v.) = to surprise sb

15. to astound sb /əˈstaʊnd/ (v.) = to surprise or shock sb very much

16. nonplussed /ˌnɒnˈplʌst/ (adj.) = speechless

17. to take sb aback /əˈbæk/ (v.) = to shock or surprise sb

Part 3. :
- How do people in your country show happiness? Why?
- Is it important to express happiness? Why/why not?
- Do you think money can make people happy? Why/why not?
- Can shopping make a person happy? Why/why not?
- Is there any connection between happiness and health?
- Do you think that a person’s attitude to life can affect their happiness? Why/why not?
- Can people learn how to be happy? Why/why not?
- Can moments of unhappiness teach people anything? Why/why not?
- Do you think that a society gets happier when it gets richer? Why/why not?
- Do governments focus on citizens’ happiness at all? Why/why not? Should they?
- Can technology make people happier? Why/why not?
- Will scientific advances make societies happier? Why/why not?
- What kinds of surprises do Chines people usually prepare for their loved ones? Why?
- a job you’d really like to have

Vocab :

1. to realize your personal value (phr.) = to understand how much you are worth

2. to devote yourself to sth /dɪˈvəʊt/ (phr.) = to spend a lot of time doing sth

3. a nine-to-five job (n.) = a typical office job, very predictable

4. to break one’s life routine /ruːˈtiːn/ (phr.) = to change one’s regular schedule

5. a flexible schedule (phr.) = an open timetable

6. to punch the clock /pʌntʃ/ (phr.) = to punch in and out (at work)

7. job security (n.) = a feeling of being able to keep one stable job for long enough

8. to be unemployed /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd/ (adj.) = to be without a job

9. job satisfaction (n.) = the feeling that you have when you enjoy your job

10. a sense of fulfilment /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/ (phr.) = a feeling of satisfaction due to one’s work

11. frustration /frʌˈstreɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = an annoyed feeling that you get when you are prevented from doing what you want

12. an excessive workload /ɪkˈsesɪv/ (phr.) = workload heavier than reasonable

13. a cushy number /ˈkʊʃi/ (phr.) = a very easy and pleasant job not involving a lot of work

14. job prospects /ˈprɒspekts/ (n.) = chances of success at work

15. an incentive /ɪnˈsentɪv/ (n.) = sth that makes you want to do sth or to work harder

16. stable /ˈsteɪb(ə)l/ (adj.) = (of a job) not changed frequently

17. a white-collar job (n.) = a job that requires workers to work in offices rather than to do physical work

18. a foreign enterprise /ˈentə(r)ˌpraɪz/ (n.) = a large business company from abroad

19. a tempting bonus /ˈtemptɪŋ ˈbəʊnəs/ (phr.) = a significant amount of money given in addition to your normal salary

20. welfare benefits /ˈwelfeə(r)/ (n.) = care provided by a company for people

21. a long-term commitment /kəˈmɪtmənt/ (phr.) = a promise to do a particular job for a long time

22. a job hopper (n.) = sb who changes companies too often

23. to take sb on (v.) = to employ sb

24. a line of work (phr.) = an area of work

25. a vocation /vəʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = a job that you do because you feel it is your purpose in life and for which you have special skills

26. to freelance/ˈfriːlɑːns/ (v.) = to sell your work or services to many different companies

27. a chief executive (n.) = the most senior person working in a company who is responsible for running it

28. a foreman/ˈfɔː(r)mən/ (n.) = a man who is in charge of a team of workers

29. to be in charge of (v.) = to be in control of sth

30. to clock in/out (v.) = to punch in/out

31. to improve one’s qualifications (phr.) = to better one’s skills

32. prospects for promotion /ˈprɒspekts/ (phr.) = chances to get promoted

33. to prove one’s ability (phr.) = to show what one is made of

34. to work one’s way up to… (phr.) = to gradually work towards promotion

35. lucrative /ˈluːkrətɪv/ (adj.) = bringing a lot of money

36. to get your foot in the door (phr.) = to have a first introduction to a job

37. a dead-end job (phr.) = a job with no prospects

Part 3. :
- Do people in your country often change jobs? Why?
- Is it good to change jobs frequently? Why/why not?
- How do graduates make their decisions about choosing jobs?
- Do you think men and women share an equal chance for job hunting? Why/why not?
- How should a boss communicate with his/her employees? Why?
- What are the most popular jobs in your country? Why?
- How can a job be satisfying?
- Why are some jobs more satisfying than others? What does it depend on?
- What types of jobs will be most popular in the future? Why?
- What jobs were popular in the past in your country? Why?
- Do schools prepare young people well for their future jobs? Why/why not?
- Who can advise young people on their future career? Why?
- Should young people listen to others’ advice when it comes to choosing a career? Why/why not?
- What’s the most important factor for success in one’s career?
- Can a person be successful at work without having a good education? Why/why not?
- Does a company need well-motivated workers to succeed? Why/why not?
- How can employers motivate their employees?
- Is motivation intrinsic or extrinsic? Why?
- a lesson/training session you liked/a short course you took/a lesson you will never forget

Vocab :

1. rote learning /rəʊt/ (n.) = learning by mechanical or habitual repetition of sth

2. to rack my brains /ræk/ (phr.) = to make a great effort to think or to remember sth

3. continual assessment /kənˈtɪnjʊəl əˈsesmənt/ (n.) = the educational policy in which students are examined continuously over most of the duration of their education

4. collaborative learning /kəˈlæb(ə)rətɪv/ (phr.) = learning in groups

5. tertiary education /ˈtɜː(r)ʃəri/ (n.) = college and universities education

6. to burn the midnight oil (phr.) = to read, study or work late into the night

7. a stairway to the society and individual success (phr.)

8. to concentrate on sth /ˈkɒns(ə)nˌtreɪt/ (v.) = to give all your attention to the thing you are doing

9. to form the basis of sth /ˈbeɪsɪs/ (phr.) = to make a good foundation for sth

10. a comprehensive coverage of sth /ˈkʌv(ə)rɪdʒ/ (phr.) = a complete presentation of sth

11. distance learning (n.) = a system in which students work at home with the help of TV and the Internet and send work to their teachers by post or email

12. to lag behind the class /læɡ/ (phr.) = to not be able to keep pace with other students

13. a teacher’s pet (n.) = a student that everyone thinks the teacher likes best

14. to swot /swɒt/ (v.) = to study very hard, especially for an examination

15. a mediocre student (phr.) = not too good and not too bad

16. to come on in leaps and bounds (phr.) = with rapid progress

Part 3. :
- What qualifications do young people seek after today? Why?
- Is teacher-student relationship in your country good? Why/why not?
- How would you change the education system in your country? Why?
- How important is a good education system for a country’s economy? Why?
- What types of education does your country offer to adults? Why?
- Why would adults still want to study?
- Should courses for adults be free? Why/why not?
- Do many adults take evening classes in your country? Why/why not?
- What are the most popular short courses in your country? Why?
- Are teachers generally respected in your country? Why/why not?
- Is being a teacher a popular job in your country? Why/why not?
- What are some disadvantages of being a teacher?
- When looking for a job, which one do you think is more helpful: high qualifications or rich experience? Why?
- What main problems do graduates face today when it comes to employment? Why?
- Is it good for a society to have highly educated citizens? Why/why not?
- Why do people take extra courses?
- What are some benefits of short courses?
- Why do you think retired people like to take courses?
- Besides providing new skills and knowledge, what other benefits do short courses have?
- Are evening classes popular in your country? Why/why not?
- Do you believe children’s classes should always be fun? Why/why not?
- What kind of a person can become a good teacher of children? Why?
- Do schools in your country focus on developing children’s social skills? Why/why not? Should they?
- Is it true that we are never too old to start learning something new?
- Do you think adult education should be free of charge? Why/why not?
- What kinds of classes for adults are popular in your country? Why?
- Does a person always need to further their skills and qualifications in order to get promoted or find a better job? Why?
- How is technology used in education today?
- Do you think that online classes may replace real classroom experience one day? Why/why not?
- Do you think a teacher will always be important in one’s learning process? Why/why not?
- a magazine/newspaper you often read

Vocab :

1. published worldwide (adj.) = published in many countries

2. sections (n.) = parts of a magazine or newspaper

3. in-depth feature stories /ˈfiːtʃə(r)/ (phr.) = detailed articles that concentrate on a particular subject

4. to model myself on sb /ˈmɒd(ə)l/ (v.) = to copy the way that someone behaves because you admire them

5. current affairs /ˈkʌrənt əˈfeə(r)z/ (n.) = political, social and economic events that are happening now and are discussed in newspapers and news

6. a tabloid /ˈtæblɔɪd/ (n.) = a newspaper with fairly small pages mostly containing storied about famous people and not much serious news

7. a broadsheet /ˈbrɔːdˌʃiːt/ (n.) = a newspaper printed on large sheets of paper containing serious news

8. a want ad (n.) = a short advertisement that put in a newspaper, for example so that you can sell sth

9. to subscribe to sth /səbˈskraɪb/ (v.) = to pay money so that you will regularly receive copies of a newspaper or magazine

10. to skim /skɪm/ (v.) = to read sth quickly and not very carefully

11. to leaf through sth /liːf/ (v.) = to turn the pages quickly and without looking at them carefully

12. an allegation /ˌæləˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = a statement that someone has done sth wrong or illegal even though this has not been proved

13. a cover-up (n.) = an attempt to stop people from discovering the truth about sth, especially a crime or a serious mistake

14. scathing /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/ (adj.) = criticizing sb or sth in a very strong way

15. to leak sth to sb /liːk/ (v.) = to tell private or secret information to journalists

16. to quote sb /kwəʊt/ (v.) = to say or write words that sb else has said or written

17. mushy stuff /ˈmʌʃi/ (phr.) = silly and not sincere

18. to flip through the pages (phr.) = to read sth quickly without paying too much attention to it

19. an all-round magazine (phr.) = a comprehensive magazine

20. classy and stylish /ˈklɑːsi//ˈstaɪlɪʃ/ (adj.) = of excellent quality and showing good judgement about how to look attractive and fashionable

21. a fashion inspiration /ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = sth that gives your new fashion ideas and the enthusiasm to create sth with them

22. to serve as a watchdog that keeps people informed (phr.) = to function as a news service provider

23. the populace can stay informed /ˈpɒpjʊləs/ (phr.) = the public can know about the latest news

24. to scan the headlines /ˈhedˌlaɪnz/ (phr.) = to look quickly through the headlines without reading the article

25. the accountability to the truth /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/ (phr.) = the responsibility to report truthfully

26. to censor sth /ˈsensə(r)/ (v.) = to remove parts of an article for moral, religious or political reasons

27. a daily update /ˈʌpdeɪt/ (n.) = a report containing all the latest news and information brought up to date every day

28. creditable news /ˈkredɪtəb(ə)l/ (phr.) = news good enough to deserve some praise or admiration

29. an unbiased journalist /ʌnˈbaɪəst/ (phr.) = a journalist who reports in a fair way

Part 3. :
- What kinds of things do people in your country like to read? Why?
- Is there any difference between reading a book and reading a newspaper? Why/why not?
- Do older people read the same things as younger people? Why/why not?
- Who reads more: younger people or older people? Why?
- Is reading generally a good habit? Why/why not?
- Do you think people read less today than in the past? Why/why not?
- Why do you think some people dislike reading?
- Do you think people will read more or less in the future? Why?
- Is reading generally important? Why/why not?
- Do people in your country read enough today? Why/why not?
- How are good reading skills valuable at different stages of education? Why?
- Can reading help person’s mental development? How?
- Can TV be beneficial to people’s mental development? Why/why not?
- Can we learn anything from reading a magazine? What? Why/why not?
- Why do people read magazines and newspapers today?
- Is being a journalist a good career? Why/why not?
- Do you think it is exciting to write articles? Why/why not?
- What skills does a person need to be a good journalist? Why?
- Do you think that all journalists always write according to the reality? Why/why not?
- Do people in your country generally keep up with the news? Why/why not?
- Is it important to keep up with the news? Why/why not?
- Which news is more important, local or international? Why?
- Do you think in the future technology might replace newspapers and magazines? Why/why not?
- What role do social media play in spreading news?
- What are the most popular magazines or newspaper in your hometown?
- a part of foreign culture that interests you/a place where you learnt something about foreign culture

Vocab :

1. to have an (positive/negative) influence on /ˈɪnfluəns/ (phr.) = to have an effect on

2. to have a great impact on /ˈɪmpækt/ (phr.) = to have a huge effect on

3. ignorance /ˈɪɡnərəns/ (n.) = a lack of knowledge or facts about sth

4. when in Rome do as the Romans do (phr.)

5. a cultural exchange /ˈkʌltʃ(ə)rəl ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/ (n.) = a situation in which people give each other information about their own cultures

6. a religious festival /rəˈlɪdʒəs/ (phr.) = a celebration of a day important in a specific religion

7. to make sb more tolerant and open-minded /ˈtɒlərənt/ (phr.) = to open sb’s mind

8. to be an eye-opener (phr.) = to show sth surprising that you did not know before

9. to eliminate preconceptions /ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt ˌpriːkənˈsepʃ(ə)nz/(phr.) = to get rid of unproven opinions

10. to confirm one’s prejudices /ˈpredʒʊdɪsɪz/ (phr.) = to strengthen one’s unreasonable opinions or feelings

11. offensive /əˈfensɪv/ (adj.) = insulting

12. mainstream /ˈmeɪnˌstriːm/ (adj.) = considered ordinary or normal and accepted or used by most people

13. to be customary /ˈkʌstəməri/ (adj.) = usual in a particular society

14. to be unorthodox /ʌnˈɔː(r)θədɒks/ (adj.) = not following the usual rules or beliefs of your religion, society etc.

15. to be in the minority /maɪˈnɒrəti/ (phr.) = to be in a small part of a population that is different in race, religion or culture from most of the population

16. social mores /ˈmɔːreɪz/ (n.) = the traditional practices and moral values of a particular society

17. to stem from /stem/ (v.) = to be caused by

18. to assimilate into a new culture /əˈsɪmɪleɪt/ (phr.) = to begin to consider yourself part of a community or culture rather than being foreign

19. a language barrier /ˈbæriə(r)/ (n.) = the difficulties faced when people who have no language in common attempt to communicate with each other

20. primitive /ˈprɪmətɪv/ (adj.) = at a very simple stage of development

21. etiquette /ˈetɪket/ (n.) = a set of rules for behaving correctly in social situations

22. manners /ˈmænə(r)z/ (n.) = traditionally accepted ways of behaving that show a polite respect for other people

23. to frown upon sb/sth /fraʊn/ (v.) = to not approve of sth

24. respectful /rɪˈspektf(ə)l/ (adj.) = showing respect

25. an ethnic minority /ˈeθnɪk maɪˈnɒrəti/ (n.) = a group that has different national or cultural traditions from the main population

26. animosity towards sb /ˌænɪˈmɒsəti/ (n.) = a strong feeling of disliking sb/sth

27. a stereotype /ˈsteriəˌtaɪp/ (n.) = a very firm and simple idea about what a particular type of person or thing is like

28. nostalgia /nɒˈstældʒə/ (n.) = thoughts about happy time in your past

29. a dynamic culture /daɪˈnæmɪk/ (phr.) = a culture continuously changing, growing or developing

30. a huge melting pot /ˈmeltɪŋ/ (phr.) = a place where different peoples, styles, theories etc. are mixed together

31. an international community (phr.) = a community with a lot of foreigners living there

32. an illustrious culture /ɪˈlʌstriəs/ (phr.) = famous and respected

Part 3. :
- Many people like to celebrate Western festivals today, what do you think of that?
- Are people in your country curious about other cultures? Why/why not?
- How can people learn about other cultures? Why?
- What’s the best way to learn about foreign cultures? Why?
- How did people learn about foreign cultures in the past? Why?
- Is it necessary to live in a foreign country to understand its culture? Why/why not?
- How does globalisation influence your culture? Why?
- Do you think international sport events could bring countries closer together? Why/why not?
- Are people in your country interested in international news? Why/why not?
- How do international news affect people’s view on their own countries? Why?
- Do you think that in the future borders might disappear and all countries will be one? Why/why not?
- What’s the best way to preserve cultural differences? Why?
- Which cultural differences are most important to keep? Why?
- Should minority languages survive? Why/why not?
- Do you think that excessive travel nowadays might eliminate cultural differences in the future? Why/why not?
- a piece of clothing you like a lot/a traditional garment from your country/something you wore for a special occasion

Vocab :

1. a garment /ˈɡɑː(r)mənt/ (n.) = a piece of clothing

2. individuality /ˌɪndɪˌvɪdʒuˈæləti/ (n.) = the things that make sb or sth different from all others

3. creativity /ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvəti/ (n.) = the ability to create new ideas or things using your imagination

4. minimalism /ˈmɪnɪm(ə)lˌɪz(ə)m/ (n.) = using a small number of colours and very few accessories when dressing

5. to keep pace with the times (phr.) = to stay fashionable

6. to be in season (phr.) = popular during particular time of year

7. to be dressed in the height of fashion (phr.) = to be dressed in an extremely fashionable way

8. a power outfit (phr.) = formal clothes to make you seem powerful

9. to be out of season (phr.) = not fashionable anymore

10. to be hip to the current happenings (phr.) = following latest fashion

11. chic /ʃiːk/ (adj.) = fashionable and attractive in style

12. to be slaves to fashion (phr.) = people extremely dependent on fashion trends

13. to dictate the trends /dɪkˈteɪt/ (phr.) = to set trends

14. haute couture /ˌəʊt kuːˈtjʊə(r)/ (n.) = expensive and fashionable clothes

15. to lead the fads /fæds/ (phr.) = to lead sth that is popular or fashionable for only a short time

16. tailor-made /ˈteɪlə(r) meɪd/ (adj.) = designed for a particular person

17. mundane /ˌmʌnˈdeɪn/ (adj.) = ordinary and not exciting

18. drab /dræb/ (adj.) = not colourful or interesting

19. sophisticated /səˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd/ (adj.) = complicated and advanced in design

20. a fashion statement (phr.) = expressions of oneself through clothes they wear

21. consumerism /kənˈsjuːməˌrɪz(ə)m/ (n.) = the belief that it is good for a country if people buy and use a lot of goods and services

22. fabric /ˈfæbrɪk/ (n.) = cloth, used for making clothes

23. a baggy garment (phr.) = a loose piece of clothing

24. to fit loosely (phr.) = a bit saggy

25. body-hugging (n.) = a skin-tight garment

26. to accentuate the figure /ækˈsentʃueɪt ðə ˈfɪɡə(r)/ (phr.) = to make one’s figure more noticeable

27. lace /leɪs/ (n.) = light delicate cloth with patterns of small holes in it

28. a fusion of A and B /ˈfjuːʒ(ə)n/ (phr.) = a combination of A and B

29. needlework /ˈniːd(ə)lˌwɜː(r)k/ (n.) = sewing or another activity in which you create sth using a needle, for example embroidery or crochet

30. hand-me-downs (n.) = clothes that have been passed on from another person

31. tattered /ˈtætə(r)d/ (adj.) = looks like it’s in very bad condition because parts of it have been torn

32. to dress for comfort (phr.) = to wear clothes that are comfortable more than fashionable

33. to have an impeccable taste in clothing /ɪmˈpekəb(ə)l/ (phr.) = to have a perfect fashion style

34. tacky /ˈtæki/ (adj.) = looking cheap and of poor quality

35. Clothes make the man. (phr.) = the way one looks creates others view of them

36. fashion-conscious (adj.) = very interested in fashion and wanting to wear fashionable clothes, spend time in fashionable places etc.

37. breathable/ˈbriːðəb(ə)l/ (adj.) = comfortable because made of cloth that has a lot of very small holes that allow air in

38. to make a comeback (phr.) = to return to fashion again

39. gaudy /ˈɡɔːdi/ (adj.) = brightly coloured and ugly, of bad quality

40. ragged /ˈræɡɪd/ (adj.) = torn and dirty

41. to shrink /ʃrɪŋk/ (v.) = to become smaller in size

42. to blend with sth /blend/ (v.) = to mix with

43. to grow out of sth (v.) = if children grow out of clothes, they grow bigger and the clothes become too small for them

44. the key to sth /kiː/ (phr.) = the most important element

45. to conceal sth /kənˈsiːl/ (v.) = to cover sth

46. to create an illusion /ɪˈluːʒ(ə)n/ (phr.) = to make an effect different from the way things are

47. flattering /ˈflæt(ə)rɪŋ/ (adj.) = making you look more attractive

Part 3. :
- Is there any traditional costume that women/men in your country wear? Why/why not?
- Who wears traditional clothing more often? Men or women? Why?
- Do people in different parts of your country wear different types of clothes? If so, why?
- In what ways are your clothes different from the clothes your parents or grandparents wear? Why?
- Do you think fashion is generally important? Why/why not?
- How to be fashionable?
- Why has fashion been changing so quickly?
- What in your opinion is real fashion? Why?
- Do you think that everyone likes shopping? Why/why not?
- Why do some people prefer to shop with friends while others do it alone?
- Is the Internet a good place to buy clothes? Why/why not?
- Do people in your country often buy second-hand clothes? Why/why not?
- What types of clothes do people in your country wear on formal occasions? Why?
- What are the main differences between men’s and women’s clothes in your country? Why?
- Are people in your culture often judged by the clothes they wear? Why/why not?
- Is the fashion industry a promising field? Why/why not?
- Do you think in the future designers might use recycled materials to make their collections? Why/why not?
- How does globalisation influence the fashion industry?
- What kinds of clothes are considered formal in your culture? Why?
- Did people wear formal clothes as much in the past? Why/why not?
- Is there any connection between out lifestyles and our clothes?
- Do many companies require employees to wear uniforms in your country? Why/why not?
- Is it good to be asked to wear a uniform to work? Why/why not?
- What are the most common jobs where employees wear uniforms? Why?
- Do you think people behave differently when in uniforms? How?
- Do you think workers should be able to choose what they wear for work? Why/why not?
- How does globalization affect the clothing industry? Why?
- Do you think one day all people will wear the same style of clothes? Will national clothes disappear? Why/why not?
- a piece of furniture you have in your home

Vocab :

1. to cultivate the home-like feeling (phr.) = to make sure a house feels homey

2. old-school (adj.) = traditional

3. a print of age (phr.) = visible mark of the passing time

4. clunky /ˈklʌŋki/ (adj.) = large, solid and heavy in a way that is not attractive

5. to be on the scrapheap /ˈskræpˌhiːp/ (phr.) = no longer wanted or needed, although still capable of being useful

6. as good as new (phr.) = in a very good condition

7. wear and tear /ˌweər ən ˈteə(r)/ (n.) = the changes or damage that normally happen to sth that has been used, causing it to be less useful or less valuable

8. furnishings /ˈfɜː(r)nɪʃɪŋz/ (n.) = such things as furniture, carpets and curtains

9. movables /ˈmuːvəb(ə)lz/ (n.) = a piece of furniture that can be moved from one place to another

10. sculpted /ˈskʌlptɪd/ (adj.) = very firm or straight in an attractive way

11. luxurious /lʌɡˈzjʊəriəs/ (adj.) = very expensive and comfortable

12. timeless /ˈtaɪmləs/ (adj.) = not affected by time or by changes in fashion

13. functional /ˈfʌŋkʃ(ə)nəl/ (adj.) = practical and simple

14. handwoven (adj.) = woven by hand

15. colourfast /ˈkʌlə(r)ˌfɑːst/ (adj.) = does not lose its colour when you wash it

16. versatile /ˈvɜː(r)sətaɪl/ (adj.) = able to be used in many different ways

17. classic /ˈklæsɪk/ (adj.) = beautiful in a very simple way and always fashionable

18. ephemeral /ɪˈfemərəl/ (adj.) = lasting for only a short time

19. solid /ˈsɒlɪd/ (adj.) = strong

20. coarse /kɔː(r)s/ (adj.) = rough and hard

21. elongated /ˈiːlɒŋˌɡeɪtɪd/ (adj.) = longer and narrower than is normal or natural

Part 3. :
- Do many people in your country buy second-hand furniture? Why/why not?
- What changes have there been in furniture over the past decade?
- What is the difference between furniture in your country and Western furniture?
- How do people dispose of the old furniture? Why?
- What is typical style furniture in your country?
- Do many people in your country like traditional furniture? Why/why not?
- How do people in your country furnish their homes? By themselves or with the help of decoration companies? Why?
- Is furniture in your country expensive? Why/why not?
- Do many people like antiques? Why/why not?
- Do you think people will need less furniture in the future? Why/why not?
- What do you think the furniture of the future will look like? Why?
- Would it be better to buy a house already fully furnished? Why/why not?
- a piece of jewellery that is special to you

Vocab :

1. to be in style (phr.) = in an impressive, luxurious way

2. vintage /ˈvɪntɪdʒ/ (adj.) = old but kept in good condition because it is interesting or attractive

3. shipshape /ˈʃɪpˌʃeɪp/ (adj.) = tidy and in good condition

4. a jade pendant on a red string /dʒeɪd ˈpendənt/ (phr.) = a piece of jewellery that hangs from a chain around your neck made of a hard green substance

5. a brooch /brəʊtʃ/ (n.) = a piece of jewellery with a pin on the back that you fasten to your clothes

6. a precious stone /ˈpreʃəs/ (phr.) = a stone worth a lot of money

7. a fake stone /feɪk/ (phr.) = a stone made to look like a real one in order to trick people

8. an imitation /ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = a copy of sth

9. costume jewellery /ˈkɒstjuːm ˈdʒuːəlri/ (n.) = jewellery made with inexpensive materials, not valuable but looks expensive

10. to go with sth (phr.) = to match sth

11. matching /ˈmætʃɪŋ/ (adj.) = with the same colour, pattern or design

12. showy/ˈʃəʊi/ (adj.) = big and expensive in a way that seems ugly

13. tacky /ˈtæki/ (adj.) = looks cheap and of poor quality or sth that shows bad taste

14. shapely /ˈʃeɪpli/ (adj.) = attractive in shape

15. an heirloom /ˈeə(r)ˌluːm/ (n.) = a valuable or special possession that has belonged to a family for many years

16. lustrous /ˈlʌstrəs/ (adj.) = bright and shiny

17. tantalizing /ˈtæntəˌlaɪzɪŋ/ (adj.) = making you feel excited or hopeful about having sth that you want

18. queenly/ˈkwiːnli/ (adj.) = looking like a queen

19. divine /dɪˈvaɪn/ (adj.) = like a god

20. magnetic /mæɡˈnetɪk/ (adj.) = able to attract and interest people very strongly

21. unblemished pearls /ʌnˈblemɪʃt pɜː(r)lz/ (phr.) = a small round jewel that is white and shiny and that grows inside the shell of an oyster, without faults

22. a handsome glossy stone (phr.) = a gorgeous shiny jewel

23. an intriguing matrix /ɪnˈtriːɡɪŋ ˈmeɪtrɪks/ (phr.) = a captivating pattern

Part 3. :
- Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery? What it is?
- How do people get jewellery in your country?
- Do many people keep jewellery from previous generations? Why/why not?
- Is jewellery in your country expensive? Why/why not?
- Who makes jewellery in your country? Why?
- Is it better to buy jewellery or make it by hand? Why?
- Do you think men or women care about jewellery more? Why?
- Why are some pieces of jewellery so expensive?
- Do people spend too much money on jewellery today?
- Do you think in the future people will use jewellery more or less? Why?
- Does our taste in jewellery change when we grow up? Why?
- Why are some pieces of jewellery more special to people than others?
- the biggest failure you have had in your life

Vocab :

1. to add fuel to the fire (phr.) = to cause a situation or conflict to become more intense, especially by provocative comments

2. back to square one (phr.) = back to where one started, with no progress having been made

3. a lost cause (n.) = a person or thing that can no longer hope to succeed or be changed for the better

4. to beat a dead horse (phr.) = to waste energy on a lost cause

5. to fall by the wayside (phr.) = to fail to persist in an endeavour

6. the weak link (in the chain) (phr.) = the least dependable element

7. a recipe for disaster /ˈresəpi/ (phr.) = sth that is likely to lead to a particular outcome

8. infallible /ɪnˈfæləb(ə)l/ (adj.) = not capable of making mistakes

9. to go pear-shaped (phr.) = to become unsuccessful

10. to come unstuck /ʌnˈstʌk/ (phr.) = to fail completely

11. to be out of one’s depth /depθ/ (phr.) = beyond one’s ability to cope

12. a tricky situation /ˈtrɪki/ (phr.) = a sensitive situation

13. to be really up against it (phr.) = to face some serious but unspecified difficulties

14. to go downhill /ˌdaʊnˈhɪl/phr.) = to become worse

15. an unmitigated disaster /ʌnˈmɪtɪˌɡeɪtɪd dɪˈzɑːstə(r)/ (phr.) = an absolute tragedy

16. to miss the boat (phr.) = to be too slow to take advantage of an opportunity

Part 3. :
- How do people usually fail in life?
- Can failure teach us anything? If so, what?
- How does failure make people feel? Why?
- Why would some people call others a failure?
- In your country, do people fail a lot? Why/why not?
- Does public failure hurt more than a private one? Why/why not?
- Which failures hurt the most? Why?
- What could children learn from failing at something? Why?
- Do you think the image of success will change in the future? Why/why not?
- Is it worth trying again after a failure at something? Why/why not?
- a piece of news you have heard lately

Vocab :

1. to make the world integrated /ˈɪntɪˌɡreɪtɪd/ (phr.) = to make the world more balanced

2. to kill time (phr.) = to make time seem to pass more quickly by doing sth instead of just waiting

3. to spread like wildfire /ˈwaɪldˌfaɪə(r)/ (phr.) = to spread with great speed

4. a hot potato (n.) = a difficult issue that people try to avoid dealing with or discussing

5. to exaggerate the facts /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/ (phr.) = to describe the facts in a way that makes it seem larger or more important than they really are

6. to give birth to humongous misunderstanding /hjuːˈmʌŋɡəs/ (phr.) = to create a huge wrong idea

7. to cause public panic /ˈpænɪk/ (phr.) = to cause anxiety among the public

8. to be well-informed (adj.) = to know a lot about a subject or a situation

9. to distort the truth /dɪˈstɔː(r)t/ (phr.) = to change the truth

10. to be unbiased /ʌnˈbaɪəst/ (adj.) = to be fair

11. censorship /ˈsensə(r)ʃɪp/ (n.) = the process of removing parts of news that are considered unsuitable for moral, religious or political reasons

12. to blow sth out of proportion (phr.) = to present sth as more than it really is

13. to misrepresent sth /ˌmɪsreprɪˈzent/ (v.) = to give false or incorrect description of the news

14. to sweep sth under the carpet /swiːp/ (phr.) = to ignore a problem in the hope that it will be forgotten

15. There’s no smoke without fire. (phr.) = there’s always some reason for a rumour

Part 3. :
- Do people in your country often read newspapers? Why/why not?
- Where do people normally get the news? Why?
- What do you think of news distortion? Why?
- Why do you think more people like to read entertainment news more than political news?
- Do you think people should be allowed to express their opinion about certain news online? Why/why not?
- What types of news are people in your country interested in? Why?
- Which age group is most interested in the news in your country? Why?
- Do you think everyone should care about the news? Why/why not?
- Do people always need to have immediate access to the latest news? Why/why not?
- What are some disadvantages of following the news?
- How do you think people will get the news in the future? Why?
- Do you think people have access to too much information these days? Why/why not?
- Is a news reporter a good job? Why/why not?
- How are stories reported today?
- How were stories reported in the past? Why?
- In what ways does technology affect news reports?
- Do you think we will still need news reporters in the future or will technology take care of that? Why?
- a plant/flower/tree that is important in your country

Vocab :

1. a symbol of /ˈsɪmb(ə)l/ (n.) = sth that represents a particular idea

2. scented /ˈsentɪd/ (adj.) = having a pleasant smell

3. an inspiration source for artists (phr.) = sth artists get their stimuli from

4. exquisite /ɪkˈskwɪzɪt/ (adj.) = extremely beautiful and delicate

5. to express affection (phr.) = to express feelings

6. a petal /ˈpet(ə)l/ (n.) = one of the coloured parts around the centre of a flower

7. a thorn /θɔː(r)n/ (n.) = a sharp point that sticks out from the stem of a plant

8. a stem /stem/ (n.) = the long thin central part of a plant from which the leaves and flowers grow

9. a branch /brɑːntʃ/ (n.) = a part of a tree that grows out of its trunk with leaves, flowers or fruit growing on it

10. a twig /twɪɡ/ (n.) = a very small think branch from a tree or bush

11. a trunk /trʌŋk/ (n.) = the main part of a tree that the branches grow out of

12. fauna /ˈfɔːnə/ (n.) = all the animals that live in a particular area

13. horticulture /ˈhɔː(r)tɪˌkʌltʃə(r)/ (n.) = the activity of growing and studying garden plants

14. a peony /ˈpiːəni/ (n.) = a plant with large pink, red, or white flowers or one of the flowers

15. a carnation /kɑː(r)ˈneɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = a flower with a sweet smell, often worn as a decoration on formal occasions such as weddings

16. a tulip /ˈtjuːlɪp/ (n.) = a colourful flower shaped like a cup that grows on a long stem in spring

17. a daisy /ˈdeɪzi/ (n.) = a type of small white flower with a yellow centre

18. a chrysanthemum /krɪˈsænθɪməm/ (n.) = a plant with large round brightly coloured flowers

19. a lavender /ˈlævəndə(r)/ (n.) = a plant with small purple flowers that smell nice

20. a lotus flower /ˈləʊtəs/ (n.) = an Asian water plant with large white or pink flowers

21. to fertilize /ˈfɜː(r)təlaɪz/ (v.) = to add a natural or chemical substance to soil in order to help plants grow

22. intoxicating /ɪnˈtɒksɪˌkeɪtɪŋ/ (adj.) = giving you a lot of happiness and excitement

23. a delicate fragrance /ˈdelɪkət ˈfreɪɡrəns/ (phr.) = a soft pleasant smell

24. a faint smell of /feɪnt/ (phr.) = a smell of sth that is not strong

25. a pungent smell /ˈpʌndʒənt/ (phr.) = a very strong smell

26. a musty odour /ˈmʌsti ˈəʊdə(r)/ (phr.) = an unpleasant niff

27. to add compost to enrich the soil /ˈkɒmpɒst/ (phr.) = to fertilize the soil

28. to prune bushes /pruːn ˈbʊʃɪz/ (phr.) = to remove parts of bushes to make them grow better

29. to dig the ground /dɪɡ/ (phr.) = to make a hole in earth or sand using your hands or tools

30. to plant bulbs for the following spring /bʌlbz/ (phr.) = the parts of plants that are shaped like an onion from which a flower grows

Part 3. :
- Do many people in your country grow flowers? Why/why not?
- What are the most popular flowers to grow in your country? Why?
- Do any flowers have a special meaning in your culture? If so, which ones? What is it?
- When do people use flowers?
- Who is better at growing flowers, men or women? Why?
- Do children in your country grow trees? Why/why not?
- Should individuals grow more trees? Why/why not?
- How are trees helpful to the environment? Why?
- What are the best plants to keep in one’s garden? Why?
- Do people in your culture grow their own vegetables? Why/why not?
- How can trees be used?
- a prize you would like to win

Vocab :

1. a booby prize /ˈbuːbi/ (n.) = a prize given as a joke to the last-lace finisher in a race or competition

2. a trophy/ˈtrəʊfi/ (n.) = a large silver cur or similar object given as a prize to the winner of a competition

3. an accolade /ˈækəleɪd/ (n.) = an honour given to sb for their work

4. laurel /ˈlɒrəl/ (n.) = a small tree with shiny dark green leaves that do not fall off in winter, often given to winners

5. a prize winner (n.) = a winner of a prize

6. a champ /tʃæmp/ (n.) = a champion

7. enticing /ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ/ (adj.) = so good and attractive that you want to have it or do it very much

8. a seductive award /sɪˈdʌktɪv əˈwɔː(r)d/ (phr.) = a very attractive award

9. an irresistible opportunity/ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəb(ə)l/ (phr.) = an opportunity impossible to refuse

Part 3. :
- How are students rewarded in your country?
- What can students be rewarded for? Why?
- How are students punished in your country?
- What can students be punished for? Why?
- What types of prizes do students get in your country? Why?
- Should children be rewarded for their success at school? Why/why not? If so, what’s the best reward?
- Do you think some parents push their children too much to win? Why/why not?
- What is a common reward system for employees in your country?
- Is rewarding best workers beneficial to the company? Why/why not? If so, how?
- Would you say the best reward is always satisfaction of doing the job well? Why/why not?
- What’s the best way to reward achievements in sport? Why?
- Do you think professional sportspeople approach winning the same way amateurs do? Why/why not?
- What can happen if a sportsperson is too focused on succeeding in sports?
- Are international sporting competitions important to the world? Why/why not?
- a show/performance you really enjoyed

Vocab :

1. spine-tingling /ˈspaɪn ˌtɪŋɡ(ə)lɪŋ/ (adj.) = very exciting

2. to be on the edge of your seat (phr.) = to be very excited and give full attention to sth

3. settings (n.) = time and place in a story

4. sound effects (n.) = the recorded sounds

5. to be scared out of your wits /wɪts/ (phr.) = to be extremely frightened

6. nail-biting /neɪl ˈbaɪtɪŋ/(adj.) = making you feel very excited or worried

7. an adaptation /ˌædæpˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = a show that has been made from a book or play

8. a twist /twɪst/ (n.) = a sudden situation change in a show

9. cast /kɑːst/ (n.) = all actors in a film or play

10. sensational /senˈseɪʃ(ə)nəl/ (adj.) = very exciting and surprising

11. applause /əˈplɔːz/ (n.) = the sound made by people clapping at a show

12. phenomenal /fəˈnɒmɪn(ə)l/ (adj.) = extremely impressive or surprising

13. unanimously acclaimed /juːˈnænɪməsli əˈkleɪmd/ (phr.) = publically written and talked about in an admiring way by all

14. gripping /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/ (adj.) = very exciting and interesting

15. an audience /ˈɔːdiəns/ (n.) = a group of people who have come to a place to see or hear a film, performance etc.

16. to put on a play (phr.) = to produce a play

17. a largish theatre /ˈlɑː(r)dʒɪʃ/ (phr.) = a fairly big theatre

18. to be blown away by sth (phr.) = to be extremely impressed by sth

19. to capture the character perfectly /ˈkæptʃə(r)/ (phr.) = to express the character very well

20. facial expressions /ˈfeɪʃ(ə)l/ (n.) = motions of the muscles beneath the skin of one’s face

21. acrobatics /ˌækrəˈbætɪks/ (n.) = gymnastic feats

22. a rehearsal /rɪˈhɜː(r)s(ə)l/ (n.) = an occasion when you practise for the performance of a play, concert etc.

23. an opening night (n.) = the first night that a play or other entertainment is performed

24. ‘break a leg’ (phr.) = used for wishing sb good luck

25. a die-hard fan (phr.) = a fan who continues supporting sth/sb in spite of opposition

26. electric atmosphere /ɪˈlektrɪk ˈætməsˌfɪə(r)/ (phr.) = extremely exciting atmosphere

27. cheers and applause /ˈtʃɪə(r)z ænd əˈplɔːz/ (phr.) = good wishes and praise expressed by clapping

28. a fuddy-duddy /ˈfʌdiˌdʌdi/ (n.) = sb who has old-fashioned attitudes and is rather boring

29. to prance about on stage /prɑːns/ (phr.) = to move in a lively confident way on stage

30. slow-paced /sləʊˈpeɪst/ (adj.) = not too fast

31. a duller /dʌlə/ (n.) = a show that is extremely boring

32. an art venue /ˈvenjuː/ (n.) = a place suitable for art shows and exhibitions

33. namby-pamby /ˌnæmbi ˈpæmbi/ (adj.) = behaving in a way that seems weak or extremely sensitive

34. to rocket the place/ˈrɒkɪt/ (phr.) = to become very successful

35. to hype the crowd /haɪp/ (phr.) = to use a lot of advertisements and other publicity to influence or interest people

36. bravo /ˌbrɑːˈvəʊ/ (interjection) = used for showing that you admire what sb has done or that you enjoyed their performance

Part 3. :
- What kinds of shows are most common in your country? Why?
- Do many people like to go to shows or performances in your country? Why/why not?
- What is the average cost of a show or a performance?
- Are shows in your country always worth watching? Why/why not?
- What’s the difference between watching a show and watching a film? Why?
- Who is the most famous performer in your country today? Why?
- Do you have a lot of traditional shows in your culture? Why/why not?
- Who enjoys going to shows more, young people or older people? Why?
- Do you think more or fewer people will go to performances in the future? Why?
- How does technology affect the way performances are given?
- Can everyone be a good a performer? Why/why not?
- a skill you’d like to learn/something you can’t do now but would like to learn/something useful someone taught you/you learnt from a member of your family

Vocab :

1. an exercise in frustration /frʌˈstreɪʃ(ə)n/ (phr.) = trying to stay patient while learning sth new

2. nitty-gritty /ˌnɪti ˈɡrɪti/ (n.) = the most basic aspects of a situation or an activity that must be dealt with, even if they are unpleasant

3. a trick up your sleeve (phr.) = sth kept secret and in reserve for use when needed

4. to take sth in (v.) = to undertake work at home

5. to know sth like the back of your hand (phr.) = to know sth inside-out

6. to be out of practice (phr.) = not currently proficient in a particular activity or skill due to not having exercised or performed it for some time

7. an arduous process /ˈɑː(r)djuəs/ (phr.) = an extremely difficult process

8. to acquire a skill/əˈkwaɪə(r)/ (phr.) = to obtain a skill

9. an innate talent /ˌɪˈneɪt/ (phr.) = a talent you have always had

10. to consult an expert /kənˈsʌlt/ (phr.) = to turn to an expert

11. a problem-solving ability (phr.) = an ability to find solutions to difficult or complex issues

12. to have the knack of doing sth /næk/ (phr.) = to have a skill or ability to do sth

13. mediocre /ˌmiːdiˈəʊkə(r)/ (adj.) = average

14. to know sth inside out (phr.) = to know sth very well

15. to get the hang of sth /hæŋ/ (phr.) = to learn a skill or activity

16. to be rusty /ˈrʌsti/ (adj.) = a skill that is rusty has not been used recently

17. to hone a skill /həʊn/ (phr.) = to improve a skill

18. to be adept at sth /əˈdept/ (adj.) = to be skilful at doing sth

19. to be proficient in sth /prəˈfɪʃ(ə)nt/ (adj.) = to be very skilful at sth that you have learnt

20. to be out of your depth /depθ/ (phr.) = in a situation that you cannot deal with because it is too difficult or dangerous

Part 3. :
- What skills can children learn at home? How?
- What skills can children only learn at school? Why?
- Should children learn from their parents or only their teachers? Why?
- Do you think parents today have enough time to teach their children life skills? Why/why not?
- Should everyone know how to use a computer? Why/why not?
- What’s the best way to learn how to use a computer? Why?
- Why do you think it is easier for young people to learn how to use a computer?
- Do older people need to know how to use a computer? Why/why not?
- Do you think that learning how to use a computer is a one time deal or is it a continuous process? Why?
- How does technology affect education?
- What are the main advantages of using the Internet as source of information?
- What are the main disadvantages of getting information from the Internet? Why?
- Do you think computers have changed the way people think? Why/why not? If so, in what ways?
- Do you think teachers and classroom-based learning will be disposable in the future? Why/why not?
- What skills can children learn at home?
- Should children learn how to read before they reach school age? Why/why not?
- What do we learn from our mothers?
- What do we learn from our fathers?
- What skills should parents always teach children at home? Why?
- What can children learn from playing games with their parents?
- Is it better to have strict parents or more lenient parents? Why?
- What problems may parents have when teaching their children something new?
- What things should children learn at school?
- Are young children learning the same way as teenagers? What different methods should be used to teach these two groups? Why?
- Is everything we learn at school useful in our adult life? Why/why not?
- What’s the most useless school subject in your opinion? Why?
- How can school knowledge be more practical?
- Who learns more easily: younger people or older people? Why?
- What kind of person can be a good children teacher? Why?
- What kind of person can be a good adults teacher? Why?
- Do we need teachers to learn? Why/why not?
- What can we learn without a teacher? Why?
- Which things require a teacher to help us learn? Why?
- In what ways can families help children do well at school?
- Are friends or family more important in youngsters’ developmental process? Why?
- Does school influence one’s development? In what ways?
- What can children learn from older people in their families?
- How can older people contribute to society?
- Do you think older people understand modern world? Why/why not?
- a song that means a lot to you/from your childhood

Vocab :

1. a piece of music (phr.) = a song

2. a bedtime melody /ˈbedˌtaɪm ˈmelədi/ (phr.) = a song sung or played before putting a baby to sleep, very calm

3. lyrics /ˈlɪrɪks/ (n.) = the words of a song

4. comforting /ˈkʌmfə(r)tɪŋ/ (adj.) = making you feel less sad, worried or disappointed

5. gives me inner peace (phr.) = puts me at peace

6. fast rhythm /ˈrɪðəm/ (phr.) = fast tempo

7. soothing and mellow voice /ˈsuːðɪŋ ənd ˈmeləʊ/ (phr.) = a voice that has a gently calming effect

8. an inspiration /ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = sth/sb that gives you new ideas and the enthusiasm to create sth with them

9. a lullaby /ˈlʌləbaɪ/ (n.) = a relaxing song that helps a young child go to sleep

10. to strengthen your willpower (phr.) = to make your drive stronger

11. a version /ˈvɜː(r)ʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = a form of a song that is different from other forms or from the original

12. a theme song of /θiːm/ (n.) = a song written specifically for a radio/TV programme, movie or a video game, etc.

13. a unique tune /juːˈniːk/ (phr.) = a very special, unusual tune

14. a lot of airplay /ˈeə(r)ˌpleɪ/ (phr.) = the big number of times a piece of music is played on the radio

15. nostalgic /nɒˈstældʒɪk/ (adj.) = making sb remember happy times in the past

Part 3. :
- What kinds of music are currently popular in your country? Why?
- Do young people enjoy the same types of music as the elderly? Why/why not?
- Is music we listen to today different from music in the past? If so, in what ways?
- Is the most popular music today enjoyed by people of all ages? Why/why not?
- Do students learn about music in your country? Should they? Why/why not?
- Should everyone learn how to play a musical instrument? Why/why not?
- Is it important for schools to teach musical ability to students? Why? How is it helpful?
- Why do people listen to music?
- Is music a part of culture? Why/why not?
- Does music always influence people in a positive way? Why/why not?
- Should government use public finances to support music (e.g. opera, theatre)? Why/why not?
- What kinds of music do children like to listen to? Why?
- What kinds of music do teenagers enjoy? Why?
- What kinds of music do older people appreciate most? Why?
- Do you think our taste in music changes as we grow older? Why/why not?
- Should children learn about music? Why/why not?
- Where is music most present in contemporary society?
- Why do you think there is always background music in shops?
- Do you think that music in public places is a form of noise pollution? Why/why not?
- Why do people create music?
- Can music help a person express who they are? Why/why not?
- Is music important to groups? Does it show who the group members are? Why/why not?
- Why is pop music so widespread around the world?
- How does pop music influence other genres? Why?
- How can music help in defining a culture? Why?
- a souvenir you brought home from holidays/gave someone

Vocab :

1. charm /tʃɑː(r)m/ (n.) = sth that people believe brings them luck

2. a memento /məˈmentəʊ/ (n.) = sth that you keep to remind you of a particular person, place or experience

3. a keepsake /ˈkiːpˌseɪk/ (n.) = a small object that you keep in order to remind you of someone or something

4. a token /ˈtəʊkən/ (n.) = sth you give sb as a way of showing your feelings towards them

5. sth makes me think of (phr.) = sth reminds me of sth else

6. sth causes me to remember (phr.) = sth helps me remember

7. sth puts me in mind of (phr.) = sth reminds me of

8. to evoke /ɪˈvəʊk/ (v.) = to bring a particular emotion, idea or memory into your mind

9. a souvenir stand /ˌsuːvəˈnɪə(r)/ (n.) = a place to buy souvenirs, usually by the side of the road

10. sb swarms me when I get home (phr.) = sb surrounds me when I get home

11. to be overcharged/ˌəʊvə(r)ˈtʃɑː(r)dʒd/ (adj.) = to be asked to pay more money than is reasonable, or more money than the real price

12. to get treats from travels (phr.) = to get some little gifts or souvenirs from travels