IETLS SPEAKING

IELTS SPEAKING TOPIC: CONVERSATION WITH A STRANGER* PART 1*List of questions:1.      Is it hard to start a conversation with a stranger?2.      Do you often talk to strangers?3.      Do you normally carry on a conversation with strangers?4.      Are you afraid of being evaluated when you meet someone for the first time?*Sample answers: Questions Sample answers 1. Is it hard to start a conversation with a stranger?*Useful languages:·        Extrovert (n) /ˈekstrəˌvɜː(r)t/: người hướng ngoại >< introvert /ˈɪntrəˌvɜː(r)t/: người hướng nội·        To break the ice: phá vỡ sự im lặng·        To strike /straɪk/ up a conversation /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃn/ = to start a conversation = to initiate /ɪˈnɪʃieɪt/ a conversation·        Synonyms of “be extroverted”Ø To be lively (a lively youth)Ø To be activeØ To be dynamic /daɪˈnæmɪk/Ø To be energetic /ˌenəˈdʒetɪk/ = vigorous /ˈvɪɡərəs/Ø To be high-spirited /ˌhaɪ ˈspɪrɪtɪd/ = very lively and active No, it’s not a problem to me, honestly. You know, I’m an extrovert and so, when meeting new people, I’m always the person who breaks the ice and strikes up a conversation. 2. Do you often talk to strangers?*Useful languages:·        Synonyms of “be introverted”Ø To be shy = to be timidØ To be uncertainØ To be retiring /rɪˈtaɪərɪŋ/Ø To be tentative /ˈtentətɪv/ = to be ill at ease: not confident Ø To be inhibited /ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/: too embarrassed or not confident enough to do something·        To venture out of our comfort /ˈkʌmfət/ zone: To risk doing sth out of comfort zone. Well, I used to be painfully shy. I would be scared of going to parties where there were a lot of people I had never met before. Although I’ve become more open and sociable now, I do sometimes feel uncomfortable to strike up a conversation with someone whose style and personality appear far too different from mine. I don’t think I have social anxiety but it can get really hard to venture out of our comfort zone you know. 3. Do you normally carry on a conversation with strangers?*Useful languages:·        Approachable /ˈprəʊ.tʃə.bəl/: thân thiện và dễ bắt chuyện·        Synonyms of “Approachable”Ø To be friendlyØ To be genuine /ˈdʒenjuɪn/ Ø To be amiable /ˈeɪmiəbl/Ø To be good-natured /ˌɡʊd ˈneɪtʃəd/Ø To be bubbly /ˈbʌbli/·        To leave a good impression on someone: để lại một ấn tượng tốt cho ai đó·        Impression /ɪmˈpreʃ.ən/: Ấn tượng·        Awkward /ˈɔː.kwəd/: cảm giác ngượng nghịu·        Get to know someone: làm quen và tìm hiểu về ai đó  Well, it depends. I mean, if the person is approachable and he or she can leave a good impression on me, then I will absolutely spend more time talking. Otherwise, it would be pretty awkward to hold a conversation with a guy who is unwilling to let people get to know him. 4. Are you afraid of being evaluated when you meet someone for the first time?  Honestly speaking, I don’t really mind. I try not to think about it much because actually, how I’m perceived by others is not as important as how I value myself.  * PART 2 “Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone”·        Ways to show your interest:Ø To find sth gripping = interestingØ To be engrossed /ɪnˈɡrəʊst/ in/ with = to be interested in ….Ø To get into sth = to be interested in….·        Ways to show your impressionØ To leave/create a good/perfect/favourable /ˈfeɪvərəbl/ impressionØ To make a great/strong impression on sbØ To be mesmerized by sthØ To be sensational /senˈseɪʃənl/ = to be extremely attractive (She looks sensational (=extremely attractive) in her new dress.·        Some handy clues:Ø She has an intriguing /ɪnˈtriːɡɪŋ/ = interesting personalityØ She is very flexible /ˈfleksəbl/ and personable = lovable = charming = elegant = someone will break a few hearts: Cô ấy khá khéo léo và duyên dáng·        Synonyms of “conversation”Ø To have a chat with sb about sthØ To have a talk with sb about sth·        Synonyms of “to be confused with…”*SAMPLE 1:I would like to share with you one of the most interesting = intriguing conversations = chats = talks I had with my teacher about my choice of a university.To be honest = honestly = frankly speaking, at that time, I was so confused /kənˈfjuːzd/ = bewildered /bɪˈwɪldəd/= perplexed /pəˈplekst/ = befuddled /bɪˈfʌdld/ = addled /ˈædld/= foggy = cloudy with a lot of choices that I was totally exhausted = weary /ˈwɪəri/ = fatigued /fəˈtiːɡd/ = on one’s last leg = burnt-out /ˌbɜːnt ˈaʊt/. It was a tough = hard = difficult decision (a tough decision = a tough call) for me because the university was a turning point for my future career prospect /ˈprɒspekt/ = opportunity = chance = possibilities /ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti/. If I chose the wrong one, I would waste a lot of time and efforts. The hardest part, I think, is to balance /ˈbæləns/ between my possibility to be admitted and the suitability /ˌsuːtəˈbɪləti/ between my potentials/pəˈtenʃl/ and the field of the university. I had chosen a famous = well-known and high-ranked university, but I wondered whether I was qualified /ˈkwɒlɪfaɪd/ (đủ điều kiện) enough to register /ˈredʒɪstə(r)/ for it.As it was the first time I had to make such a big decision = make up one’s mind, I approached a teacher who was dear to me to ask for some advice = counsel /ˈkaʊnsl/ as she had a lot of experience in every field. After listening carefully to my explanation /ˌekspləˈneɪʃn/, she asked me why I chose that university. I told her that I chose the university because I was impressed with their teaching methods and extracurricular /ˌekstrəkəˈrɪkjələ(r)/ activities. As their students were highly qualified, I thought I can establish a good network there and learn a lot from them. Then, she asked what made me fear this choice, I answered that I doubted if I was good enough to be admitted. She smiled when I said so and calmed me down by saying that I was among the outstanding /aʊtˈstændɪŋ/ = excellent /ˈeksələnt/ = superb /suːˈpɜːb/ students she had ever had, and she was extremely confident that I could meet their requirements /rɪˈkwaɪəmənt/. However, she implied /ɪmˈplaɪd/ that I shouldn’t worry too much about failure /ˈfeɪljə(r)/, instead, I should make a concerted /kənˈsɜːtɪd/ effort = to make an attempt = to give it/ have a try = to have a go at…to reach the goal I set, thus, in the end, there would be no regrets /rɪˈɡret/. Her words inspired /ɪnˈspaɪəd = to fire so with enthusiasm /ɪnˈθjuːziæzəm/ = to capture one’s interest /ˈɪntrest/ /attention/imagination /ɪˌmædʒɪˈneɪʃn/ me so much that it released /rɪˈliːs/ all my fears and worries.This conversation was interesting = gripping = intriguing to me because apart from positive advice, she also helped me calm down, thus, made me focus more on studying to achieve my goals. Then, I got a satisfying result for my application /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃn/ and had a wonderful university life. Until now, I’m thankful to her for that interesting conversation.·  Exhausted: very tired Eg: She came back home, exhausted from work.·  Turning point: bước ngoặt a time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, especially one with beneficial results. Eg: It was a huge turning point in my life.·  Prospect: the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring. Eg: There are huge prospects for Biotechnology.·  Impressed: feeling or showing admiration or respect for someone or something Eg: I was very impressed with his handwriting.·  Extracurricular activities: activities students do outside class: volunteer campaign, … Eg: Students nowadays should pay enough attention to extracurricular activities, because it can help them to practice soft skills while building up a strong network.·  Calm down: make other people calm, release them from stress and pressure. Eg: A cup of coffee can help calm you down in a busy working day.·  Meet the requirement: be qualified enough Eg: Finally, I managed to meet their requirements for dairy products supplier.·  Concerted: Deliberate /dɪˈlɪbərət/ and determined Eg: It was a concerted attempt to find the vaccine.·  Implied: Suggested but not directly expressed; implicit. Eg: She was aware of the implied sarcasm.PART 3:1.     What might be reasons for a person to start a conversation with a stranger?2.     How often do you have a chat with strangers on social networks like Facebook?Are there any dangers in starting a conversation with a stranger?Do you feel comfortable if a stranger tries to start a conversation with you?Is it easier for men or women to start a conversation with someone they don't know?6.     What are the difference between face-to-face conversation and phone conversation?7.     Which one do you prefer? Face-to-face conversation and phone conversation?8.     Are there any disadvantages of face-to-face conversation?