Common IELTS Questions & Related Vocabulary (Speaking & Writing) - Part 6

Part 3. :
- What are the benefits of foreign travel? Why?
- Has foreign tourism in your country changed in the past few years? How?
- Besides tourism, what other reasons do people have to go overseas?
- Is it important to respect local cultures when travelling abroad? Why/why not?
- Why do people like to travel abroad?
- Are tourists generally good or bad for a country? In what ways?
- How can too many tourists be a downside?
- Why do you think some people want to study abroad?
- Why do you think some people choose to work abroad for a few years?
- Do you think that living abroad feels the same as just visiting a particular country as a tourist? Why/why not?
- What kinds of problems do people face when they live abroad?
- How can living abroad benefit children?
- Should a country have a good relationship with its neighbours? Why/why not?
- How can a country maintain a good relationship with its neighbours?
- In what ways can different countries cooperate with each other?
- Which is more crucial, international cooperation or national interest? Why?
- What are the most popular countries your countrymates like to travel to? Why these ones?
- Why do people decide to travel abroad?
- How is travelling abroad different from travelling domestically?
- Is tourism good or bad for a country? Why?
- What advantages can tourism bring to your country? Why?
- What disadvantages can tourism bring to your country? Why?
- Do you think that tourism might need to change because of environmental issues? Why/why not?
- Can living in a foreign country ever feel like being home? Why/why not?
- Do you think we perceive a foreign country in the same way when we live there and travel there? Why/why not?
- Should people adapt to the culture of the country they decide to live in? Why/why not?
- Is speaking the local language really necessary? Why/why not?
- How does globalisation influence differences between cultures?
 a historical place you visited

Vocab :

1. to be located /ləʊˈkeɪtɪd/ (adj.) = to exist in a particular place

2. reputation /ˌrepjʊˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = the opinion that people have about how good or bad sb or sth is

3. an attractive spot (phr.) = an appealing place to visit

4. a fabulous panoramic view of /ˌpænəˈræmɪk/ (phr.) = a great view of a large area of land or sea around you

5. an original style (phr.) = a special style

6. world-renowned /rɪˈnaʊnd/ (adj.) = famous

7. to date back to (v.) = to be made or begun at a particular time in the past

8. the annals of sth /ˈæn(ə)lz/ (n.) = the official records of sth, arranged according to its date

9. ancient /ˈeɪnʃ(ə)nt/ (adj.) = relating to people who lived thousands of years ago and to their way of life

10. bustling /ˈbʌs(ə)lɪŋ/ (adj.) = full of noise and activity, usually pleasant and interesting

11. a contemporary feel (phr.) = a modern quality

12. a fairly compact city /ˈkɒmpækt/ (phr.) = a small city but arrange in a way that uses space very effectively

13. touristy /ˈtʊərɪsti/ (adj.) = designed for tourists or full of tourists

14. momentous /məʊˈmentəs/ (adj.) = very important because of having an effect on future events

15. a sight /saɪt/ (n.) = a place to visit

16. a memorial /məˈmɔːriəl/ (n.) = a structure built to remind people of a famous person or event

Part 3. :
- Do people in your country enjoy visiting historical places? Why/why not?
- What historical places are the most popular today? Why?
- Were people more into visiting historical places in the past? Why/why not?
- Are visits to historical sites in your country free? Why/why not?
- What’s the best way to learn about history? Why?
- How can history help us at present?
- In what ways can people learn about history? Why?
- Can watching historical movies be helpful in learning about the past? Why/why not?
- Do you think historical films should always depict history accurately? Why/why not?
- Is it important for an individual to know his or her country’s history?
- Why do you think there are so many different versions of history? What does it depend on?
- How do you think future generations will remember our century? Why?
 a leisure centre/sports centre you often go to

Vocab :

1. endurance /ɪnˈdjʊərəns/ (n.) = the ability to continue doing sth physically difficult

2. flexibility /ˌfleksəˈbɪləti/ (n.) = the ability to bend or move easily

3. a physical capacity /kəˈpæsəti/ (phr.) = energy

4. to be on a crash diet (phr.) = to attempt to lose weight in a very short time

5. an open-style lobby /ˈlɒbi/ (phr.) = the area inside the sports centre

6. aerobics /eəˈrəʊbɪks/ (n.) = very active physical exercises done while listening to music, often in a class

7. to burn calories /ˈkæləriz/ (phr.) = to lose some units of energy from food through physical exercise

8. a sedentary job /ˈsed(ə)nt(ə)ri/ (phr.) = a job involving a lot of sitting and not much exercise

9. blood circulation /ˌsɜː(r)kjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/ (phr.) = the continues movement of blood around your body

10. muscle strength /ˈmʌs(ə)l/ (phr.) = the power your muscles have

11. to feel refreshed /rɪˈfreʃt/ (phr.) = to feel more lively and comfortable after you have rested, washed, eaten etc.

12. to feel invigorated /ɪnˈvɪɡəreɪtɪd/ (phr.) = to feel full of energy

13. state-of-the-art facilities (phr.) = very modern facilities

14. a gym /dʒɪm/ (n.) = a large hall or room with special equipment for doing physical exercises

15. a treadmill /ˈtredˌmɪl/ (n.) = a piece of exercise equipment with a flat moving surface that you walk or run on while staying in the same place

16. a stationary bike /ˈsteɪʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ (n.) = an exercise bike

17. a cross-trainer (n.) = a piece of exercise equipment with parts that you stand on and parts that you hold, allowing you to move your legs and arms backwards and forwards

18. a personal trainer (n.) = someone whose job is to make you fit by showing you how to exercise effectively

19. a sauna /ˈsɔːnə/ (n.) = a small hot wooden room that people sit in in order to sweat

20. weight training (n.) = exercise that involves lifting weights, especially using equipment in a gym

21. Pilates /pɪˈlɑːteɪz/ (n.) = a form of exercise in which you develop the muscles in your abdomen in order to control your body movement and protect your back

22. Zumba /ˈzʊmbə/ (n.) = an exercise programme based mainly on Latin American dancing and music

23. water aerobics (n.) = aerobics exercise in fairly shallow water such as in a swimming pool

24. jazz dancing /dʒæz/ (n.) = dancing including a broad range of dance styles

Part 3. :
- Do people in your country often go to leisure centres? Why/why not?
- What can people do in sport centres?
- Who enjoys going to a leisure centre more, young people or older people? Why?
- Were sport centres popular in your country in the past? Why/why not?
- Do you think more of fewer people will visit leisure centres in the future? Why?
- Are leisure centres free of charge in your country?
- Do you think the government should sponsor sport centres? Why/why not?
- Why do you think some people can’t keep up the habit of exercising regularly?
- Why don’t some people exercise at all?
- How can leisure centres contribute to local communities? Why?
- What’s the best location for a sport centre? Why?
 a library you often use

Vocab :

1. shabby /ˈʃæbi/ (adj. ) = old and in bad condition

2. well-equipped /ɪˈkwɪpt/ (adj.) = with a lot of useful items

3. a librarian /laɪˈbreəriən/ (n.) = someone who works in a library or who is in charge of a library

4. to turn a deaf ear to the students’ inquiry (phr.) = to ignore students’ problem entirely

5. to be absorbed in study /əbˈzɔː(r)bd/ (phr.) = to be so interested or involved in study that you do not notice anything else

6. reference materials /ˈref(ə)rəns/ (phr.) = books with information

7. a bookworm /ˈbʊkˌwɜː(r)m/ (n.) = sb who enjoys reading books and spends a lot of time doing it

8. bibliography /ˌbɪbliˈɒɡrəfi/ (n.) = a list of books, articles etc that sb has used for finding information for a piece of work they have written

9. inter-library loan (phr.) = system where libraries exchange books with one another

10. to cram for an exam (phr.) = to study intensively for a short time

11. airy /ˈeəri/ (adj.) = with a lot of fresh air and space

12. an almanac /ˈɔːlməˌnæk/ (n.) = a publication, usually issued annually, containing facts and statistics

13. an anthology /ænˈθɒlədʒi/ (n.) = a compilation of writings or poems from one or more authors focusing on a particular subject

14. a catalogue /ˈkætəlɒɡ/ (n.) = a list of records that represent the holdings of a library

15. a database /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪs/ (n.) = an organized collection of information

16. stacks /stæks/ (n.) = shelves where the books and other library materials are located

Part 3. :
- Do you think government should input more money in libraries or should citizens pay to use them? Why?
- Do many people go to libraries in your country? Why/why not?
- Did people go to libraries more often in the past? Why/why not?
- Do you think people will stop using libraries one day? Why/why not?
- Who enjoys libraries more, young people or older people? Why?
- Apart from reading, what can one do in a library? Why?
- Are resources available in libraries still useful? Why/why not?
- Do you think all libraries should be computerized? Why/why not?
 a park/garden you visited/a place in the open air you have been to

Vocab :

1. to be bathed in sunshine /bɑːθt/ (phr.) = to be covered by sunshine

2. brushy trees /ˈbrʌʃi/ (phr.) = trees covered in brushwood

3. a botanic garden /bəˌtænɪk ˈɡɑː(r)d(ə)n/ (n.) = an establishment where plants are grown for display to the public and often for scientific study

4. unique natural scenery (phr.) = a special place with nature

5. to be encircled by /ɪnˈsɜː(r)k(ə)ld/ (adj.) = to be completely surrounded by

6. a pine tree /paɪn/ (n.) = a tall tree with thin sharp leaves called needles that do not fall off in winter, and hard brown fruits called cones

7. a fir /fɜː(r)/ (n.) = a tall tree with thin sharp leaves that do not fall off in winter, it produces large hard brown fruits called cones

8. a maple tree /ˈmeɪp(ə)l/ (n.) = a tree that grows mainly in northern countries and has wide

9. multicoloured flowers /ˌmʌltiˈkʌlə(r)d/ (phr.) = flowers of many different colours

10. spectacular /spekˈtækjʊlə(r)/ (adj.) = extremely impressive

11. charming /ˈtʃɑː(r)mɪŋ/ (adj.) = very attractive and pleasant

12. sth makes your eyes dazzled to death /ˈdæz(ə)ld/ (phr.) = sth impresses you a lot, with its beauty

13. smashing /ˈsmæʃɪŋ/ (adj.) = very good or impressive

14. the cute dews dancing on the petals of flowers /djuːz/ (phr.) = small drops of water that form on the ground during the night and look like they are dancing

15. like a fairyland /ˈfeərilænd/ (phr.) = like an imaginary place where fairies live

16. evergreen trees /ˈevə(r)ˌɡriːn/ (phr.) = trees covered in green leaves all year long, not only in summer

17. a flowerbed /ˈflaʊə(r)ˌbed/ (n.) = an area in a garden or park where flowers are grown

18. autumn foliage /ˈfəʊliɪdʒ/ (phr.) = the leaves of plants and tress in autumn

19. a bush /bʊʃ/ (n.) = a plant that is smaller than a tree and has a lot of thin branches growing close together

20. a campground /ˈkæmpˌɡraʊnd/ (n.) = an American word for a campsite (Br.)

21. to come into bloom/blossom /bluːm ˈblɒs(ə)m/ (phr.) = (of a tree or plant) to be covered with flowers

22. to bear fruit (phr.) = to produce fruit

23. to imitate the best of nature /ˈɪmɪteɪt/ (phr.) = to copy the beauty of nature

24. a site /saɪt/ (n.) = a place where you can stay in a tent or caravan

25. a gentle slope going down to a pond (phr.) = a gentle slide of a hill or a mountain ending in a pond

26. a shed /ʃed/ (n.) = a small building, usually made of wood, in which you store things

27. a butterfly /ˈbʌtə(r)ˌflaɪ/ (n.) = a flying insect with large colourful wings

28. to scatter seeds /ˈskætə(r) siːdz/ (phr.) = to throw seeds in order to plant sth

29. a meadow /ˈmedəʊ/ (n.) = a field where grass and wild flowers grow

Part 3. :
- Who do you think should be responsible for the public parks or gardens in your city? Why?
- How important is it for a country to have a national park? Why?
- Why do people generally enjoy visiting parks and gardens?
- Should the entrance to parks and gardens be free? Why?
- How do people in your country use gardens around their homes?
- Is it important for children to have a garden to play in? Why/why not?
- What do people in your country usually grow in their private gardens? Why?
- Is it a good idea to grow your own food in the garden? Why?
- Are there a lot of public gardens where you live?
- What do people like to do in public gardens? Why?
- Do people in your country often visit public gardens? Why/why not?
- Who like going to gardens more, young people or older people? Why?
- How could your government develop more green areas where you live?
- Do you study about food at schools in your country?
- Are people in your country generally aware of where food comes from? Why/why not?
- Are you encouraged in your countryto grow your own food? Why/why not?
- Do you think if people knew how to grow their own food, the environment would be cleaner? Why/why not?
- How can children benefit from growing things? Why?
- When do people usually use flowers? What for?
- Why do you think some people enjoy having their own garden?
- What are main benefits of growing your own food? Why?
- Why do you think city dwellers complain about the lack of green spaces?
- Should we pay to visit city parks? Why/why not?
- Can city parks be taken over by modern houses in the future? Why/why not?
- Does your country have a national park?
- How does your country protect wildlife and natural landscapes? Why?
- Should the public be allowed to visit protected areas? Why/why not?
- How do you see the future of national parks or protected areas? Why?
 a place near water/lake/river/sea you really liked/a seaside place you would like to visit/leisure activity near the sea

Vocab :

1. to overlook the ocean /ˌəʊvə(r)ˈlʊk/ (phr.) = to have a view at the ocean from above

2. to enjoy the unbroken coastline (phr.) = to appreciate the coastline that is not damaged

3. transparent water /trænsˈpærənt/ (phr.) = water clear enough to see through it

4. a cool breeze /briːz/ (phr.) = a refreshing light wind

5. to witness happiness and sorrows /ˈwɪtnəs/ (phr.) = to see happiness and unhappiness

6. flow /fləʊ/ (n.) = the movement of the sea in towards the land

7. a reservoir /ˈrezə(r)ˌvwɑː(r)/ (n.) = a lake where water is stored so that is can be supplied to the houses in an area

8. a stream /striːm/ (n.) = a small narrow river

9. a canal /kəˈnæl/ (n.) = an artificial river

10. tide /taɪd/ (n.) = the way that the level of the sea regularly rises and falls during the day

11. tropical scenes /ˈtrɒpɪk(ə)l/ (phr.) = scenes in the hottest parts of the world

12. attractive nature (phr.) = impressive nature

13. a deluxe sea-view room /dəˈlʌks/ (phr.) = a room which has a sea view and is more expensive than others because of its better quality

14. a luxury suite /ˈlʌkʃəri swiːt/ (phr.) = an expensive set of rooms

15. crystal clear water (phr.) = very clear water

16. reflecting the blue sky (phr.) = showing the image of the blue sky

17. swimming in it is just like a fantasy (phr.) = swimming somewhere feels amazing

18. radiant sunshine /ˈreɪdiənt/ (phr.) = very bright sunshine

19. intoxicating flowers /ɪnˈtɒksɪˌkeɪtɪŋ/ (phr.) = flowers giving you a lot of happiness or excitement

20. mouth-watering seafood (phr.) = very tasty seafood

21. to soak up the sunshine (phr.) = to spend time experiencing the sunshine

22. murky /ˈmɜː(r)ki/ (adj.) = dark and difficult to see through usually because of dirt in the water

23. a deckchair /ˈdekˌtʃeə(r)/ (n.) = a light chair made of canvas (strong cloth) on a wooden frame that you can fold up, used for sitting on outside in warm water, especially at the beach

24. a beach umbrella (n.) = a huge umbrella designed to protect you from the sun on the beach

25. to sunbathe /ˈsʌnˌbeɪð/ (v.) = to sit or lie in the sun so that your skin becomes darker

26. sunburn /ˈsʌnˌbɜː(r)n/ (n.) = the condition of having red sore skin that is caused by staying in the sun for too long

27. to get tanned /tænd/ (phr.) = to get darker skin than before because of spending time in the sun

28. a suntan lotion (n.) = a lotion that you rub onto your skin to stop it from being burned by the sun

29. sunstroke /ˈsʌnˌstrəʊk/ (n.) = a dangerous physical condition that results when your body temperature gets too hot

30. to dive /daɪv/ (v.) = to jump into water

31. to splash about /splæʃ/ (v.) = to move around noisily in water

32. wetlands /ˈwetlændz/ (n.) = low land that is often covered with water from the lake, river, or sea next to it

33. to be inland /ˈɪnlənd/ (phr.) = not near a coast

34. water-skiing (n.) = a sport in which you stand on skis and ride on the surface of water while being pulled behind a boat

35. jet skiing (n.) = driving a Jet Ski

36. water polo (n.) = a game played in water by two teams of seven players who get points by throwing a ball into the opponent’s goal

37. to wiggle your toes in the sand /ˈwɪɡ(ə)l/ (phr.) = to make short quick movements from side to side in the sand

38. to splash in the waves /splæʃ/ (phr.) = to hit the surface of the water nosily for fun

39. to build sand castles (phr.) = to make castles out of sand on the beach

40. a beach-goer (n.) = a person who goes to the beach regularly

41. to snorkel /ˈsnɔː(r)k(ə)l/ (v.) = to swim under water using a snorkel

42. powdery sand /ˈpaʊd(ə)ri/ (phr.) = sand like powder

43. a gondola /ˈɡɒndələ/ (n.) = a long narrow boat with curved ends that you move using a long pole

Part 3. :
- What’s the most popular seaside place for people in your country to visit? Why?
- Why do you think so many people like to go to the seaside for their holidays?
- Who enjoys holidays by the sea, children or adults? Why?
- What activities can a person do on the beach?
- Do you think in the future more or fewer people will be going to the seaside? Why?
- What can you do at the seaside when the weather isn’t too good? Why?
- Do many people choose to travel by sea today? Why/why not?
- What are some advantages of travelling by sea?
- Can a person learn anything during travelling by sea? What?
- Did people travel by sea more in the past? Why/why not?
- What goods are usually transported by sea? Is it safe? Why/why not?
- Do you think there should be some international regulation concerning fishing? Why/why not?
- Some people claim it’s better to dispose rubbish into the sea than dump it on land. What do you think? Why?
- What main problems do seas have? How can they be solved? Why?
- Are there any health benefits of spending time by the sea? If so, what are they?
- What kinds of jobs need the sea?
- What are some advantages of travelling by the sea?
- What are some disadvantages of travelling by the sea?
- Are goods still transported by the sea today? Why/why not?
- Do you think goods will be still transported by the sea in the future? Why/why not?
- What marine resources do we lack?
- How is global warming affecting the marine organisms?
- How can fish be protected?
- Do you think scientists will continue exploring the undersea?
- Is exploration or the underworld beneficial or harmful to the environment? Why?
- What water sports do people in your country usually do? Why?
- Why do people generally enjoy doing water sports?
- Is there any historical value to water where you live?
- Is oil as important as water? Why/why not?
- Is technology going to be helpful with solving the problem of water shortage in the world? Why/why not?
- What leisure activities do people in your country do with water?
- In your opinion, should everyone learn to swim? Why/why not?
- How can spending time by the lake affect people’s well-being?
- Is there enough water in the world?
- Which world regions suffer from water shortage? Why?
- How is water important to us?
- What needs to be done to make people realize how important a resource water is?
- How can people save water on a daily basis?
- How can governments encourage masses to save water?
- How is the sea important to a country?
- Is the sea still used for trade? Why/why not?
- Why do scientists explore the bottom of the sea?
- Is the exploration of the outer space necessary? Why/why not?
- How do you see the future of the sea?
- Is marine life going to survive in the future? Why/why not?
- Do you think parents should teach their children how to swim? Why/why not?
- Is water freely available to everyone in your country? Why/why not?
- How does water consumption vary in the rural areas and in the urban areas?
- Do you think the world might experience water shortage in the future? Why/why not? If so, what could be done to prevent it?
 a place of natural beauty you found truly beautiful/you would like to visit

Vocab :

1. everything exists together in a delicate balance /ˈdelɪkət/ (phr.) = there is a pleasant balance between all

2. an picturesque landscape /ˌpɪktʃəˈresk/ (phr.) = and attractive area of land

3. open spaces (phr.) = areas of protected or conserved land on which development is indefinitely set aside

4. remote /rɪˈməʊt/ (adj.) = far away from other cities, towns or people

5. tranquil /ˈtræŋkwɪl/ (adj.) = calm, still and quiet

6. serene /səˈriːn/ (adj.) = calm and peaceful

7. far away from the hustle and bustle of city life (phr.) = away from liveliness of the city

8. to relieve stress /rɪˈliːv/ (phr.) = to make stress less unpleasant

9. to be dotted with /ˈdɒttɪd/ (adj.) = to be present in many parts of the place

10. snow-capped mountains /ˈsnəʊ kæpt/ (phr.) = mountains that have snow on the top

11. winding paths /ˈwaɪndɪŋ pɑːθs/ (phr.) = paths with a lot of bends

12. gentle rolling hills /ˈrəʊlɪŋ/ (phr.) = hills that continue for a long distance

13. undulating hills /ˈʌndjʊleɪtɪŋ/ (phr.) = hills that move gently up and down in the shape of waves on the sea

14. iridescent trees /ˌɪrɪˈdes(ə)nt/ (phr.) = trees changing colours in different types of light

15. a shimmering reflection in the lake /ˈʃɪmə(r)ɪŋ/ (phr.) = a gentle and slightly shaking reflection in the lake

16. awe-inspiring (adj.) = making you feel great respect and admiration, sometimes fear

17. exhilarating /ɪɡˈzɪləˌreɪtɪŋ/ (adj.) = making you feel extremely happy, excited, and full of energy

18. deciduous trees /dɪˈsɪdjuəs/ (phr.) = trees that lose all their leaves each autumn

19. vegetation /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = plants and trees

20. to save natural resources (phr.) = to use valuable substances such as wood and oil in a smart way

Part 3. :
- What are some popular places of natural beauty in your country?
- Do people in your country often go to places of natural beauty? Why/why not?
- What benefits can a visit to a place of natural beauty bring?
- Which do you find more interesting to visit, a place of natural beauty or a city? Why?
- Are places of natural beauty protected in your country? If so, in what ways?
- Do you think tourism has a negative effect on places of natural beauty? Why/why not?
- What can be done to protect places of natural beauty?
- Whose responsibility is it to protect places of natural beauty? Why?
- Do industries exploit places of natural beauty in your country? If so, in what ways?
- Can a city be beautiful? Why/why not?
- How can we have more greenery in cities?
- Do people need nature to be happy? Why/why not?
- Is it better to describe the beauty of nature in words or pictures? Why?
- Why has nature been an inspiration to so many artists?
 a school you attended in your childhood

Vocab :

1. a boarding school (n.) = a school in which most or all of the students live during the part of the year that they go to lessons

2. a campus /ˈkæmpəs/ (n.) = an area of land containing all the main buildings of a university

3. a dormitory /ˈdɔː(r)mɪtri/ (n.) = a large room where a lot of people sleep, for example in a school or army camp

4. school premises /ˈpremɪsɪz/ (phr.) = the buildings and land that a school uses

5. tons of homework /tʌnz/ (phr.) = a lot of homework

6. high pressure of exams (phr.) = stress related to exams

7. to have butterflies in your stomach (phr.) = to feel very nervous about sth, for example exams

8. an auditorium /ˌɔːdɪˈtɔːriəm/ (n.) = a large room or building used for meetings, lectures, or public performances

9. a computer laboratory /ləˈbɒrət(ə)ri/ (n.) = a building or large room where students study Computer Science

10. a science lab (n.) = a place where students study science, equipped with all necessary things

11. brightly coloured (adj.) = with strong colours

12. concrete /ˈkɒŋkriːt/ (adj.) = made of concrete

13. elegant /ˈelɪɡənt/ (adj. ) = beautiful in a simple way

14. pebbledashed /ˈpeb(ə)lˌdæʃt/ (adj. ) = made of cement mixed with a lot of small pebbles and spread over the outside walls of a house

15. single-storey (adj.) = (of a building) with just one level

16. hideous /ˈhɪdiəs/ (adj.) = very ugly

17. timbered /ˈtɪmbə(r)d/ (adj.) = a timbered building has outside walls made completely or partly of wood

Part 3. :
- What are the main differences between schools in urban areas and schools in the suburbs?
- Is it important to have options of extra-curriculum activities at school? Why/why not? What kinds of activities?
- Should school facilities by available to society?
- Which is more important: good teachers or good amenities? Why?
- What kind of a person can be a good children teacher? Why?
- What qualities does a good teacher need? Why?
- Do you think teachers give children too much homework today? Why/why not?
- Is it better to attend a big school or a small one? Why?
- Do children learn better in big or small classes? Why?
- Is it easy to make friends in large schools? Why/why not?
- Is competition fiercer in big schools? Why/why not?
- Do you think students who go to a large school are at an educational advantage? If so, how? Why/why not?
- Do you study any social subjects in schools in your country? Why/why not?
- Do schools have any other functions apart from the educational one?
- How can schools teach students social skills? Why?
- Whose input is more important when it comes to teaching social behaviours: school’s or parents’? Why?
- Do you think schools in your country prepare their students well for the future social life? Why/why not?
 a shop/shopping mall/street you often go to/that you like

Vocab :

1. a wide selection of goods (phr.) = a variety of items to choose from

2. décor /ˈdekɔː(r)/ (n.) = the style of decoration and furniture in a building

3. a customer /ˈkʌstəmə(r)/ (n.) = a person or company that buys goods or services

4. a commodity /kəˈmɒdəti/ (n.) = something that can be bought and sold, especially a basic food product or fuel

5. modest in price /ˈmɒdɪst/ (phr.) = not too expensive

6. high in quality (phr.) = of very good quality

7. the highlight is /ˈhaɪˌlaɪt/ (phr.) = the most exciting, impressive or interesting part of sth

8. neons /ˈniːɒnz/ (n.) = fluorescent lighting or signs using neon or another gas, used for advertising

9. to go window shopping (phr.) = to look at things in shop windows but not buying anything

10. to become widely available (phr.) = to be easily accessible to all

11. final clearance /ˈklɪərəns/ (phr.) = the time when shops are selling out most of their goods at a lower price

12. a boutique /buːˈtiːk/ (n.) = a small fashionable shop, especially one that sells clothes

13. retail therapy (phr.) = the activity of shopping in order to make yourself feel happier

14. a chain store (n.) = one of a group of shops that all belong to the same person or company

15. to sell the atmosphere (phr.) = to attract more customers due to good atmosphere in a shop

16. intimate /ˈɪntɪmət/ (adj.) = private and friendly and makes you feel relaxed and comfortable

17. a fancy wallpaper /ˈwɔːlˌpeɪpə(r)/ (phr.) = a very nice thick paper on walls inside a house decorating them

18. stuffed sofas /stʌft/ (phr.) = sofas filled with a soft material

19. an alley /ˈæli/ (n.) = a narrow street or passage between or behind buildings

20. a cobbled street /ˈkɒb(ə)ld/ (phr.) = a street covered with round cobblestones

21. street musicians (phr.) = musicians performing on the street for money

22. an impulse shopper /ˈɪmpʌls/ (phr.) = a person who does shopping based on strong feelings they have to buy things

23. to go somewhere in search of sth (phr.) = to go somewhere hoping to find sth

24. a price tag (n.) = a label on a product that says how much it costs

25. to shop till you drop (phr.) = to shop for a very long time until one is extremely tired

26. to browse /braʊz/ (v.) = to look at things in a shop without being sure whether you want to buy anything

27. to be after a particular thing (phr.) = to be looking for a specific thing in a shop

28. to have an eye for a bargain (phr.) = to be very good finding good deals

29. to shop around (v.) = to go to several shops before you decide what particular thing to buy

30. to be distracted by cheap offers (phr.) = to buy sth just because it’s cheap and not for its excellent quality

31. spending spree /spriː/ (phr.) = a short period of time you spend shopping

32. bargain hunting /ˈhʌntɪŋ/ (phr.) = looking for bargains

33. to indulge in /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/ (v.) = to allow yourself to have or do sth that you enjoy

34. crippling financial debts /ˈkrɪplɪŋ/ (phr.) = financial problems causing damage or more problems

35. a regular customer (phr.) = a person who always shops in the same place

36. to stand in line (phr.) = to queue for sth

37. stalls (n.) = large tables or small buildings that are open at the front, used for selling things or for giving people information

38. a vendor /ˈvendə(r)/ (n.) = sb who sells sth, but not in a shop

39. a knick-knack (n.) = a small cheap object used as a decoration

40. to stroll along /strəʊl/ (v.) = to walk without hurrying, often for pleasure

Part 3. :
- Which is better, shopping in a large shopping mall or a small local shop? Why?
- What are the usual working hours of shops in your country?
- Do you think certain shops should be open 24/7? Why? Which ones?
- Why do so many people like to spend time in shopping malls?
- How are shopping malls bad for the environment?
- Is Internet shopping popular in your country? Why/why not?
- Is Internet shopping safe? Why/why not?
- Why has the popularity of Internet shopping grown in recent years?
- What are main advantages of Internet shopping?
- What are main disadvantages of shopping online?
- How does Internet shopping influence local shops?
- Do you think people generally spend too much these days? Why/why not?
- What are some reasons for increase in consumerism?
- Can consumerism be a good thing for a country? In what way?
- How does consumerism influence society negatively?
- Are credit cards encouraging consumerism? Why/why not?
- Does everyone have the responsibility to get involved in local community’s activities? Why/why not?
- How does technology influence local communities?
 a tourist attraction in your country worth visiting

Vocab :

1. a tourist attraction (n.) = a place to visit that is very popular with tourists

2. to generate tax revenue /ˈdʒenəreɪt/ (phr.) = to produce the income that is gained by governments through taxation

3. a cultural mosaic /məʊˈzeɪɪk/ (phr.) = sth that consists of a combination of different cultures

4. to show sb the sights (phr.) = to take sb to see the most famous places

5. a sightseeing tour /ˈsaɪtˌsiːɪŋ/ (n.) = a tour that focuses on travelling around a place to see the interesting things in it

6. a date of foundation (phr.) = a time in the past when sth was started

7. to date back to (v.) = to be made or begun at a particular time in the past

8. ancient /ˈeɪnʃ(ə)nt/ (adj.) = very old

9. medieval /ˌmediˈiːv(ə)l/ (adj.) = relating to the period of European history between about the year 1000 ad and the year 1500

10. a fine example of (Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance) architecture (phr.) = a great representation of architecture

11. to be preserved /prɪˈzɜː(r)vd/ (adj.) = to be taken care of (a place or building) in order to prevent it from being destroyed

12. remains /rɪˈmeɪnz/ (n.) = the part of something that is left after the rest has been finished, used, or destroyed

13. to restore /rɪˈstɔː(r)/ (v.) = to clean and repair sth old and dirty so that it looks the same as it did originally

14. a monument /ˈmɒnjʊmənt/ (n.) = a place of historical importance, for example an old building

15. to escape the crowd (phr.) = to go where there are not many people

16. hordes of people /hɔː(r)dz/ (phr.) = (neg.) crowds

17. fortification /ˌfɔː(r)tɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = the process of making buildings, walls etc stronger in order to defend a place

18. awe-inspiring (adj.) = it fills you with a sense of the power and beauty of what you are looking at

19. to be worth seeing (phr.) = to be worth a visit

20. little known (adj.) = not so popular

21. a notable feature /ˈnəʊtəb(ə)l ˈfiːtʃə(r)/ (phr.) = an interesting part

22. the charm of the place /tʃɑː(r)m/ (phr.) = a pleasant quality that attracts people

23. to wander around /ˈwɒndə(r)/ (v.) = to travel from place to place, especially on foot, without a particular direction or purpose

24. an imperial palace /ɪmˈpɪəriəl ˈpæləs/ (n.) = a very large building used as the official home of a royal family, president, emperor

25. ceremonial /ˌserəˈməʊniəl/ (adj.) = a ceremonial event follows a formal or traditional pattern

26. to exemplify/ɪɡˈzemplɪfaɪ/ (v.) = to be a typical example of something

27. a sightseeing fanatic /fəˈnætɪk/ (phr.) = sb who loves sightseeing very much

28. in the heart of (phr.) = in the central part of sth

29. trashed with litter (phr.) = full of rubbish

30. a signature landmark (phr.) = a special spot

31. off the tourist trail (phr.) = not on the main tourist path

32. an unexplored ancient village (phr.) = a very old village that not many people have visited yet

Part 3. :
- What types of tourist attractions can visitors enjoy in your country?
- What are the most popular tourist sites in your country?
- Have most people visited famous places in their country? Why/why not?
- Is it important for citizens to know and see tourist attractions? Why/why not?
- Are tourist attractions free in your country? Why/why not?
- What’s the best way to visit tourist attractions? Why?
- Do you think people of different ages enjoy different attractions? Why/why not?
- What can children learn from visiting famous spots?
- Do schoolchildren often go on trips to famous places? Why/why not?
- Is it better to go on a guided tour or individually when visiting famous attractions? Why?
- How does tourism affect country’s economy?
- How do international tourists influence local cultures? Why?
- How do huge numbers of visitors affect natural places?
- Should the number of visitors to places of natural beauty be controlled? If so, how?
- Do you think that if people want to contribute to environmental protection they shouldn’t visit places of natural beauty? Why/why not?
 a town/city you visited as a tourist

Vocab :

1. a flourishing place /ˈflʌrɪʃɪŋ/ (phr.) = a successful place

2. brain drain (n.) = a situation in which a country’s most intelligent people, especially scientists, go to another country in order to make more money or to improve their living or working conditions

3. my kind of place (phr.) = a place that suits my taste

4. cosmopolitan /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪt(ə)n/ (adj.) = showing the influence of many different countries and cultures

5. a metropolis /məˈtrɒpəlɪs/ (n.) = a big city

6. a city-dweller /ˈdwelə(r)/ (n.) = a person who lives in a city

7. anonymity /ˌænəˈnɪməti/ (n.) = a situation in which something has no interesting or unusual features

8. to be amazed by its magnificence (phr.) = to be shocked by its perfection

9. to get a better insight into the history of /ˈɪnsaɪt/ (phr.) = to understand the history of a place better

10. rapid development /ˈræpɪd/ (phr.) = quick improvement

11. renovated /ˈrenəveɪtɪd/ (adj.) = made old look new again by repairing and improving it

12. to be marked by /mɑː(r)kt/ (adj.) = to be noticeable because of sth

13. a perfect layout /ˈleɪaʊt/ (phr.) = a really good way in which the different parts of sth are arranged

14. a sleepless city /ˈsliːpləs/ (phr.) = a city that is always vibrant, even at night

15. an industrial city /ɪnˈdʌstriəl/ (phr.) = a city with many industries

16. a historical city (phr.) = a city where an important event in history happened

17. a wide choice of entertainment (phr.) = a variety of places where one can go to have fun

18. bustling /ˈbʌs(ə)lɪŋ/ (adj.) = full of noise and activity and usually pleasant and interesting

19. urban sprawl /ˈɜː(r)bən sprɔːl/ (n.) = a very large area of buildings, industries etc that has spread from a city into the countryside surrounding it, especially in a way that is not attractive

20. lively bars and restaurants (phr.) = bars and restaurants with many customers

21. an inner city (n.) = an area near the centre of a large city where a lot of poverty and other social problems exist

22. shops are boarded up (phr.) = shops are closed as their windows and doors are covered with wooden boards

23. upmarket shops /ʌpˈmɑː(r)kɪt/ (phr.) = shops for people who have a lot of money

24. a pavement café (n.) = a restaurant with tables and chairs outside on the pavement or on a street where vehicles do not normally go

25. an office block (n.) = a large building that contains many offices

26. a retail park (n.) = an area where there are several large shops together in one place, especially furniture shops and electrical shops

Part 3. :
- What amenities do modern cities have?
- Do you think cities will grow bigger and bigger in the future? Why?
- What kinds of attractions do tourists like to see? Why?
- In what way can tourism boost local economy?
- What are some disadvantages of having too many tourists in the city?
- Why do some people prefer to live in the countryside?
- What are the biggest drawbacks of living in a big city?
- What problems do people always face in a city?
- What problems do people always face in the countryside?
- Have there been any changes in styles of buildings where you live in the past 20 years?
- Should historical buildings be preserved or should they make room for apartments? Why?
- Does the government control urban development in your country?
- Do you think modern architecture should match the traditional style of buildings in your country? Why/why not?
- What kind of a person enjoys living in a city? Why?
- What advantages can a city offer to families with children? Why?
- Why do you think so many people migrate to cities today?
- What are the biggest problems cities experience today?
- How do city problems affect people’s lives?
- Do you think that people living in the countryside have no problems or different problems? Why?
- Who is in charge of city planning in your country? Why?
- What causes small cities to develop into large ones? Why?
- Is planning necessary for a city to grow? Why/why not?
- Do you think that future cities will be entirely different from present ones? Why/why not?
 a working place you saw/your working place/the best working place you’ve ever had

Vocab :

1. an employee-friendly environment (phr.) = a place where all employees feel welcome

2. to work long hours for low pay (phr.) = to work too much for not enough money

3. a demanding job /dɪˈmɑːndɪŋ/ (phr.) = a job that needs a lot of time, ability and energy

4. a contract /ˈkɒntrækt/ (n.) = a written legal agreement between two people or businesses that says what each must do for the other or give to the other

5. routine work /ˌruːˈtiːn/ (phr.) = ordinary work and not interesting or special

6. to be well-staffed /stɑːft/ (adj.) = to have enough people to work

7. to be short-staffed (adj.) = to not have enough people to work

8. stress-induced diseases /ɪnˈdjuːst/ (phr.) = diseases cause by stress

9. the pace of work /peɪs/ (phr.) = the speed at which sb works

10. occupational hazard /ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃ(ə)nəl ˈhæzə(r)d/ (phr.) = sth that could be dangerous or could cause damage related to your job

11. a backbreaking task /ˈbækˌbreɪkɪŋ/ (phr.) = a task that is physically very hard and tiring

12. to work around the clock (phr.) = to work all day and all night

13. telecommuting /ˈtelikəˌmjuːtɪŋ / (n.) = working from home on a computer and sending work to the office over telephone lines, by modem or fax

14. a teleconference /ˈteliˌkɒnf(ə)rəns/ (n.) = a meeting held among people in different places using an electronic communications system

15. on-the-job training (phr.) = training received while already working

16. a relocation allowance /ˌriːləʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)n əˈlaʊəns/ (n.) = an amount of money sb gets because they need to move to another city for their job

17. a subsidized canteen /ˈsʌbsɪdaɪzd kænˈtiːn/ (phr.) = a place where meals are served at work at low price

18. a performance-related bonus scheme /skiːm/ (phr.) = a system where employees receive bonus depending on their performance at work

19. a benefits package (n.) = a list of extra money or other advantages that you get in addition to your salary from you employer

20. to intervene to resolve the problem /ˌɪntə(r)ˈviːn/ (phr.) = to become involved in the problem in order to solve it

21. proactive /prəʊˈæktɪv/ (adj.) = taking action and making changes before they need to be made, rather than waiting until problems develop

22. to blow sth up out of proportion (phr.) = to make a situation seem much worse than it really is

23. to pass the buck (phr.) = to make sb else deal with sth that you should take responsibility for

Part 3. :
- What facilities are necessary for a good working/studying place? Why?
- Is it important for a workplace to make you feel happy? Why/why not?
- Do you think that some people work too much? Spend too much time in their workplace? Why/why not?
- Is studying place really the best place to get knowledge? Why/why not?
- What kinds of jobs can people do from home? Why?
- Is it common in your country for people to work from home?
- What kind of unpaid work can be done from home?
- Is volunteering an important job, too? Why/why not?
- Do you think in the future more people might like to work from home? Why? Who would that be?
- What is the connection between modern workplaces and environment?
- What businesses can easily be ‘environmentally friendly’? Why?
- Are most businesses in your country ‘environmentally friendly’? Why/why not?
- Do you think that large institutions should share the responsibility of environment protection with the government? If so, to what extent? In what way? Why?
- Should students have a say in the way their study place looks like? Why/why not?
- Should school campuses take natural environment into consideration? Why/why not?
 an exhibition you really enjoyed/a work of art (a statue, painting etc.) you have seen and liked

Vocab :

1. to pay a visit to (phr.) = to go somewhere

2. huge number of visitors (phr.) = many people visiting a place

3. a pavilion /pəˈvɪliən/ (n.) = a building or tent at an exhibition or show

4. philistinism /ˈfɪlɪstɪˌnɪz(ə)m/ (n.) = inability to appreciate art or culture

5. a detractor /dɪˈtræktə(r)/ (n.) = a critic

6. the public wised up /waɪzd/ (phr.) = became more sophisticated

7. the art was dumbed down /dʌmd/ (phr.) = became less intellectual

8. to vote with your feet (phr.) = to stop coming

9. sth is deemed mad /diːmd/ (phr.) = sth is considered mad

10. visually literate /ˈvɪʒʊəli ˈlɪt(ə)rət/ (phr.) = educated with regard to art

11. to be inured to criticism /ɪˈnjʊə(r)d/ (phr.) = to not be affected by criticism

12. highbrow /ˈhaɪˌbraʊ/ (adj.) = intended for educated people

13. dazzling /ˈdæzlɪŋ/ (adj.) = inspiring great admiration because it is brilliant in some way

14. evocative /ɪˈvɒkətɪv/ (adj.) = calling up images and memories

15. exquisite /ɪkˈskwɪzɪt/ (adj.) = having rare beauty

16. peerless /ˈpɪə(r)ləs/ (adj.) = better than any other

17. to illustrate the motifs /ˈɪləstreɪt/ (phr.) = to show the ideas

18. to illuminate sth /ɪˈluːmɪneɪt/ (v.) = to make sth clear and easier to understand

19. a long queue /kjuː/ (phr.) = a long line of people waiting for sth

20. to tour around /tʊə(r)/ (v.) = to be performed or shown in several different places

21. stunning /ˈstʌnɪŋ/ (adj.) = very impressive or beautiful

22. to suit all tastes (phr.) = to be liked by everyone

23. a masterpiece /ˈmɑːstə(r)ˌpiːs/ (n.) = an excellent painting, book, piece of music etc, or the best work of art that a particular artist, writer, musician etc has ever produced

24. iconic /aɪˈkɒnɪk/ (adj.) = very famous and well known, and believed to represent a particular idea

25. modern art (n.) = art related to the present time

26. ancient art (n.) = art related to thousand of years ago

27. performance art (n.) = the art form that combines visual art with dramatic performance

28. cultural art (n.) = art related to the culture of a particular group, county or society

29. a delicacy /ˈdelɪkəsi/ (n.) = the quality of being delicate in appearance, colour, taste or smell

30. a form of human expression (phr.) = a way of showing one’s emotions

31. graffiti /ɡrəˈfiːti/ (n.) = words or pictures drawn on walls in public places

32. massive /ˈmæsɪv/ (adj.) = very large in amount or degree

33. to present its subject matter vividly (phr.) = to express the main idea very clearly

34. to provoke emotional response /prəˈvəʊk/ (phr.) = to cause a reaction based on feelings

35. multifarious /ˌmʌltɪˈfeəriəs/ (adj.) = consisting of many different types

36. love and art can be linked (phr.) = there’s a connection between love and art

37. art is everlasting /ˌevə(r)ˈlɑːstɪŋ/ (phr.) = art exists forever

38. to fill the void /vɔɪd/ (phr.) = to bring back sth that is needed but not present at the moment

39. a manifestation of /ˌmænɪfeˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = evidence that sth exists

Part 3. :
- What kinds of cultural events do people like to go to in your country? Why?
 Is it expensive to go to such events?
 What type of art is popular in your country? Why?
 Do you think older and younger people enjoy the same or different types of art? Why?
 Why do you think some people enjoy going to art galleries?
 Why do you think some people dislike going to art exhibitions?
 What is the value of art?
 Why do we need art?
 Do you think artists are paid enough?
 Is it reasonable for governments to purchase works of art to be displayed in public places? Why/why not?
 Why are some pieces of art more valuable than others?
 What is art?
 Whose job is it to critique works of art? Why?
 What’s the main difference between a well-made object and a work of art?
 Do you think an advertisement can be a form of art? Why/why not?
 Can everyone become a good artist? Why/why not?
 What skills does a person need to create a work of art? Why?
 Do you think children should learn art? Why/why not?
 an old building/a modern/an unusual/an important building you visited/in your city/museum you visited

Vocab :

1. sth is conveniently located in (phr.) = it is very easy to get there

2. sophisticated /səˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd/ (adj.) = knowing and understanding a lot about a complicated subject

3. shabby /ˈʃæbi/ (adj.) = old and in bad condition

4. run-down (adj.) = in bad condition because no one has spent money on repairs

5. a modern skyscraper /ˈskaɪˌskreɪpə(r)/ (phr.) = a very tall building

6. a circular driveway /ˈsɜː(r)kjʊlə(r) ˈdraɪvˌweɪ/ (phr.) = a space in front of a building to drive in or park a car in a shape of a circle

7. a large fountain /ˈfaʊntɪn/ (phr.) = a huge structure through which a stream of water is pumped into the air and falls down again

8. a lobby /ˈlɒbi/ (n.) = the area just inside the entrance to a hotel, theatre, or other large building

9. flooded with natural light /ˈflʌdɪd/ (phr.) = covered in natural light

10. a chandelier /ˌʃændəˈlɪə(r)/ (n.) = a large light that hangs from a ceiling and has branches for holding electric lights or candles

11. scrolls and calligraphy on the walls /skrəʊlz//kəˈlɪɡrəfi/ (phr.) = long rolls of paper with ancient writing on and beautiful writing done using special pens or brushes

12. lanterns hanging from the ceiling /ˈlæntə(r)ns/ (phr.) = lights inside a transparent container with a handle for carrying it

13. stunning /ˈstʌnɪŋ/ (adj.) = very impressive or beautiful

14. an escalator /ˈeskəˌleɪtə(r)/ (n.) = a set of moving stairs that take people from one level to another in a large building

15. to remain intact /ɪnˈtækt/ (phr.) = not harmed or damaged

16. under construction /kənˈstrʌkʃ(ə)n/ (phr.) = being built

17. dilapidated /dɪˈlæpɪˌdeɪtɪd/ (adj.) = old and in bad condition

18. elegant /ˈelɪɡənt/ (adj.) = attractive because they are beautiful in a simple way

19. to be a showcase for /ˈʃəʊˌkeɪs/ (phr.) = an event that emphasizes the good qualities of sth

20. to represent sth /ˌreprɪˈzent/ (v.) = to be a sign or symbol of sth

21. well-ventilated /ˈventɪleɪtɪd/ (adj.) = with fresh air

22. spacious /ˈspeɪʃəs/ (adj.) = with a lot of space inside

23. to be an eyesore /ˈaɪˌsɔː(r)/ (n.) = sth that is ugly or unpleasant to look at, especially a building

24. to be a blot on the landscape /blɒt/ (phr.) = sth that makes a place look less attractive, for example an ugly building

25. a commercial building /kəˈmɜː(r)ʃ(ə)l/ (phr.) = a building full of offices related to business

26. a residential building /ˌrezɪˈdenʃ(ə)l/ (phr.) = a building where all flats are for living

27. to convert sth into /kənˈvɜː(r)t/ (v.) = to change from on to another

28. formerly owned by (phr.) = previously belonged to

29. to fall into decay /dɪˈkeɪ/ (phr.) = to be gradually destroyed

30. ultra-modern (adj.) = incorporating ideas, styles or techniques only recently developed or available

31. ruins /ˈruːɪnz/ (n.) = the parts of a building that remain after it has been severely damaged

32. an artefact /ˈɑː(r)tɪˌfækt/ (n.) = an object that was made a long time ago and is historically important, for example a tool or weapon

Part 3. :
 Do most people in your country think it is worth keeping historical buildings? Why/why not?
 Does you country have many historical buildings? Why/why not?
 Can we learn anything from visiting a historical building? If so, what?
 Whose responsibility is it to look after historical buildings? Why?
 What is the traditional style of housing in your country?
 Has the style of houses in your country changed in the past few years? Why/why not? How?
 Do you think that we need the same or different types of houses at different stages of our lives? Why?
 What kinds of houses will we have in the future? Why?
 Are buildings in your country usually well-designed? Why/why not?
 Can climate of a place influence the way buildings are constructed? In what way?
 Is it important for buildings to match the landscape surrounding them? Why/why not?
 Who is usually responsible for town planning in your country? Why?
 Do you think most cities in your country are well-planned? Why/why not?
 Should all buildings in a city look similar? Why/why not?
 What can governments do with old, abandoned buildings?
 How do high-rise buildings affect people’s lifestyle?
 How could homes be more environmentally friendly?
 Do you think we might have homes built underground or underwater in the future? Why?
 a zoo or a wildlife park that you have visited

Vocab :

1. survival of the fittest (phr.) = the continued existence of organisms that are best adapted to their environment, with the extinction of others, as a concept in the Darwinian theory of evolution

2. a cage /keɪdʒ/ (n.) = a container made of wire or metal bars and used for keeping birds or animals in

3. a menagerie /məˈnædʒəri/ (n.) = a large collection of wild animals kept in cages etc

4. a safari park (n.) = a large area of land where wild animals are kept so that people can drive through and watch them

5. a zoological garden /ˌzuːəlɒdʒɪk(ə)l ˈɡɑː(r)d(ə)n/ (n.) = a large place where many types of wild animals are kept, usually in cages, so that people can see them

6. wildlife conservation /ˌkɒnsə(r)ˈveɪʃ(ə)n/ (phr.) = the protection of wildlife

7. to study animal behaviour (phr.) = to investigate how animals behave

8. artificial environment /ˌɑː(r)tɪˈfɪʃ(ə)l/ (phr.) = environment made by people instead of being natural

9. natural habitat /ˈnætʃ(ə)rəl ˈhæbɪtæt/ (n.) = the type of place that a particular animal usually lives in or a particular plant usually grows in, for example a desert, forest, or lake

10. unethical /ʌnˈeθɪk(ə)l/ (adj.) = morally wrong, or against accepted standards of behaviour, especially in a particular profession

11. to stroke an animal /strəʊk/ (phr.) = to gently move your hand over skin, hair, or fur of an animal

12. to hear a loud roar of a lion /rɔː(r)/ (phr.) = to hear a loud deep sound that a lion makes

13. the tiger was in a fit of anger (phr.) = the tiger has a sudden uncontrollable outbreak of anger

14. an animal sanctuary /ˈsæŋktʃuəri/ (phr.) = a special area where animals live in a natural environment protected from people

15. wilderness /ˈwɪldə(r)nəs/ (n.) = an area of land where people do not live or grow crops and where there are no buildings

16. a tasteless exhibition /ˈteɪs(t)ləs/ (phr.) = an exhibition that is ugly or unpleasant

17. brutal /ˈbruːt(ə)l/ (adj.) = extremely violent

18. ill-treated (adj.) = treated in a cruel or unkind way

19. well looked after (adj.) = treated well

20. saved from extinction (phr.) = saved from dying

Part 3. :
 Are there many zoos in your country?
 Who enjoys going to the zoo?
 Are animals kept in zoos treated well? Why/why not?
 Are there any wildlife parks in your country?
 Where should wildlife parks be located?
 Should entrance to zoos and wildlife parks be free of charge? Why/why not?
 Is the best way to protect animals keeping them in captivity? Why/why not?
 Should children visit zoos? Why/why not?
 What can the government do to protect animals?
 Do you think more species will become endangered in the future? Why/why not?
PEOPLE
 a character from a traditional story/a film character/a book character

Vocab :

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

2. a big fan of /fæn/ (phr.) = sb who likes watching or listening to sth such as a sport, films or music very much or who admires a famous or important person very much

3. thought-provoking /ˈθɔːt prəˌvəʊkɪŋ/ (adj.) = interesting in a way that makes you think of new ideas or that changes your attitude to something

4. to be in tears (phr.) = to be crying

5. tearjerker /ˈtɪə(r)ˌdʒɜː(r)kə(r)/ (n.) = a sad film or story that makes you cry

6. a leading actor /ˈliːdɪŋ/ (n.) = the main actor

7. a supporting role /səˈpɔː(r)tɪŋ/ (n.) = an important role but not the main part

8. a hero /ˈhɪərəʊ/ (n.) = the main male character of a book, film, or play, who usually has good qualities

9. a heroine /ˈherəʊɪn/ (n.) = the main female character of a book, film, or play, who usually has good qualities

10. courage /ˈkʌrɪdʒ/ (n.) = the ability to do something that you know is right or good, even though it is dangerous, frightening, or very difficult

11. dignity /ˈdɪɡnəti/ (n.) = the impressive behaviour of someone who controls their emotions in a difficult situation

12. humility /hjuːˈmɪləti/ (n.) = a way of behaving that shows that you do not think that you are better or more important than other people

13. to inspire sb /ɪnˈspaɪə(r)/ (v.) = to give someone the enthusiasm to do or create something

14. an idealist /aɪˈdɪəlɪst/ (n.) = sb who is idealistic

15. a hypocrite /ˈhɪpəkrɪt/ (n.) = a person who claims to have certain moral principles or beliefs but behaves in a way that shows they are not sincere

16. a snob /snɒb/ (n.) = someone who thinks they are better than other people, usually because of their social class

17. to look down on sb (v.) = to think that you are better or more important than someone else, or to think that something is not good enough for you

18. malicious /məˈlɪʃəs/ (adj.) = unkind and showing a strong feeling of wanting to hurt someone

Part 3. :
 What characters do children like? Why?
 What characters do older people prefer? Why?
 Do you think every story needs a bad character? Why/why not?
 How can the writer make his or her characters more believable? Why?
 What makes a character a great one?
 Do you think authors often base their characters on real people? Why/why not?
 Why do we remember certain characters and forget others straight away?
 What kinds of characters will become famous in the future? Why?
 Were characters in the past created differently than the current ones?
 How does technology affect the way characters are portrayed? Why?
 What characters are the most famous in your culture? Why?
 Does your culture have any superheroes? Why/why not?
 Does every culture need a superhero? Why/why not?
 How can characters influence children in a negative way?
 a family member you like to spend time with/you’d like to work in the future with

Vocab :

1. to be the apple of someone’s eye (phr.) = the person that someone loves most of all and is very proud of

2. like chalk and cheese (phr.) = used for saying that two people or things are completely different from each other

3. sb is always there for you (phr.) = you can always rely on this person

4. spontaneous /spɒnˈteɪniəs/ (adj.) = happening in a natural way without being planned or thought about

5. down-to-earth (adj.) = practical and sensible

6. passionate /ˈpæʃ(ə)nət/ (adj.) = showing or expressing strong beliefs, interest, or enthusiasm

7. with integrity /ɪnˈteɡrəti/ (phr.) = the quality of always behaving according to the moral principles that you believe in, so that people respect and trust you

8. blood is thicker than water (phr.) = used for saying that family relationships are usually stronger than other types of relationships

9. your own flesh and blood (phr.) = someone’s relative

10. to fight like cat and dog (phr.) = to fight or argue often or with a lot of anger

11. there’s little love lost between them (phr.) = there’s some kind of misunderstanding between them

12. to take sb for granted (phr.) = to expect someone to always be there and do things for you even when you do not show that you are grateful

13. to have a lot in common with sb (phr.) = to have the same features as something else

14. to enjoy each other’s company (phr.) = to like spending time together

15. to fall out with sb (v.) = to have an argument with sb

16. to get on like a house on fire (phr.) = to become good friends very quickly and have a lot to talk to each other about

17. to have our ups and downs (phr.) = to be sometimes happy and sometimes not

Part 3. :
 Is family in your culture generally important? Why?
 Do young people like to spend time with old people? Why/why not?
 How can people maintain a good family relationship after they have moved overseas?
 Do many families have only one child in your country? Why/why not?
 Who usually takes care of the house in a typical family in your culture?
 Is it generally important to spend time with the family in your country? Why/why not?
 How can time spent with older people benefit the young?
 With whom do young people spend most time in your country? Why?
 How would you describe a typical family relationship in your country? Why?
 Do you think that family relationships become more important as people grow older? Why/why not?
 Why are some families stronger than others?
 What do you think a family unit will look like in the future? Why?
 Do many people establish relationships online today? Why/why not?
 Are social media popular in your country? Why/why not? Which ones?
 What are the main advantages of having friends on social media? Why?
 What are the main disadvantages of having friends on social media? Why?
 How does increased use of social media influence relationships between people? Why?
 Do people often work for family businesses in your culture? Why/why not?
 Is it a good idea to work for a family business? Why/why not?
 What kinds of family businesses are common in your country? Why?
 What are some cons of working for a family business? Why?
 Why do you think some people, despite having the opportunity, don’t want to work for a family business?
 Is it better to work for a large or a small company? Why?
 Do people in your country stay with one company for many years or change jobs often? Which is better and why?
 Would you say working in a large corporation is too impersonal? Why?
 How does globalisation affect the ways people do business today? Why?
 How does the Internet influence the ways people do business today? Why?
 Do you think small businesses have a future on the market? Why/why not?
 What potential changes do you see in the way people will work in the future? Why?
 a famous person/celebrity/sportsperson (domestic/international)/a famous foreigner in your country/you would like to meet

Vocab :

1. moral values (phr.) = the recognition between what is right and wrong

2. an upright citizen /ˈʌpraɪt/ (phr.) = an honourable and honest citizen

3. to praise sb /preɪz/ (v.) = to express strong approval or admiration for sb/sth, especially in public

4. a constant centre of attention (phr.) = always in the middle of things

5. to play a major role in sb’s life (phr.) = to be important in sb’s life

6. a trademark /ˈtreɪdˌmɑː(r)k/ (n.) = a name or design belonging to a particular company, used on its products

7. happy-go-lucky (adj.) = a happy-go-lucky person tends not to worry about the future

8. a chatterbox /ˈtʃætə(r)ˌbɒks/ (n.) = sb who talks a lot

9. to give sb the red-carpet treatment (phr.) = to treat sb better, as privileged or a distinguished visitor

10. to worship sb /ˈwɜː(r)ʃɪp/ (v.) = to feel or show respect and love for a god

11. to make a scene /siːn/ (phr.) = to act irrationally and aggressively in public

12. a lame duck (n.) = sb who is not successful and needs a lot of help and support

13. libel /ˈlaɪb(ə)l/ (n.) = the illegal act of writing things about someone that are not true

14. defamation /ˌdefəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) = the offence of writing or saying something bad about someone that is not true and makes people have a bad opinion of them

15. to hobnob /ˈhɒbˌnɒb/ (v.) = (neg.) to be friendly with sb who is famous

16. fifteen mins of fame (phr.) = a brief period of fame that a person enjoys before fading back into obscurity

17. to preserve one’s integrity /prɪˈzɜː(r)v/ (phr.) = to keep one’s character and moral values from changing

18. to meet sb in person (phr.) = to meet with the actual person face to face

19. sth is part and parcel of being famous (phr.) = sth is an aspect of being famous that has to be accepted

20. paparazzi /ˌpæpəˈrætsi/ (n.) = photographers who follow famous people in order to take photographs of them that newspapers and magazines will buy

21. extravagant lifestyles /ɪkˈstrævəɡənt/ (phr.) = lifestyles costing a lot of money

22. to dominate the headlines /ˈdɒmɪneɪt/ (phr.) = to be the most important issue on the headlines

23. a public figure /ˈfɪɡə(r)/ (n.) = a well-known person

24. to court media publicity /kɔː(r)t/ (phr.) = to try to impress the media in order to get more attention from them

25. scandal /ˈskænd(ə)l/ (n.) = talk or reports in the newspapers or on television about shocking events involving important people

26. in the public eye (phr.) = the state of being known or of interest to people in general, especially through the media

27. in the headlines /ˈhedˌlaɪnz/ (phr.) = a part of the most important stories in the news

28. an athletic talent /æθˈletɪk/ (phr.) = a person very talented at sports

29. record-breaking /ˈrekɔː(r)d ˌbreɪkɪŋ/ (adj.) = faster, longer, larger etc than anything that has been done before

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

31. to suffer from press intrusion /ɪnˈtruːʒ(ə)n/ (phr.) = to be a victim of media interrupting your peaceful and private life

32. to pry into sb’s life /praɪ/ (phr.) = to be interested in someone’s personal life in a way that is annoying or offensive

33. rehab /ˈriːˌhæb/ (n.) = the process of helping someone to give up drugs or alcohol

34. to rock sb/sth (v.) = to shock, surprise or frighten sb

35. rumour /ˈruːmə(r)/ (n.) = unofficial information that may or may not be true

36. to be under the microscope /ˈmaɪkrəˌskəʊp/ (phr.) = to be under critical examination

37. to make a name for yourself (phr.) = to become well-known

38. fame comes at a price (phr.) = being famous has its own disadvantages

39. fame can go to someone’s head (phr.) = fame can make someone conceited

40. an instant star /ˈɪnstənt/ (phr.) = sb who became famous very quickly

41. to fall by the wayside (phr.) = to not be successful or effective any longer

42. to cast a shadow over sth (phr.) = to make a situation seem less hopeful and more likely to end badly