Oral skills. Listening/Speaking

IELTS Listening

This is the 3rd section of IELTS Listening test. Listen to the audio and answer the questions. When you finish, click 'check' and proceed to the next section.

Section 3 

Questions 21-26

Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

21. The subjects in questionnaire are

1.  tourists in the hotel in this area.
2.  local residents.
3.  people who are living in this area.

 

22. The results of the questionnaire should be

1.  directly entered into the computer.
2.  scored by hand.
3.  submitted directly to Professor Curran.

23. Why should John give a copy of plans to the professor?

1.  To receive a good grade.
2.  To get advice.
3.  To earn high praise.

 

24. How will the instructions be presented?

1.  Given by a group representative.
2.  Given by all members of the group.
3.  Given by the professor.

 

25. What does Dani suggest to John when those subjects receive the questionnaire?

1.  Divide into 2 part to argue.
2.  Focus on the opinion of the interviewees.
3.  Take consideration of both sides.

 

26. Why is this project particularly important to John?

1.  To earn respect from professors in the department.
2.  To raise his grade.
3.  To impress his professor.

 

Questions 27-30

What is the source of each one below in this survey?

Choose FOUR answers from the box and write the letters A-F next to questions 27-30.

A radio

B council meeting

C the television

D newspaper

E journal

F the Internet

27. Map 

28. Photo 

29. Budget 

30. Comment 

 

 

 

 https://ielts-up.com/listening/ielts-listening-sample-11.3.html 

Sustainable tourism: https://youtube.com/shorts/UNuugOuuNog?si=s8Ig_Kc7aV9kIph4

Toxic tourism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9axXiBdMsyY

Mass tourism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3TjfZDv4HY&t=26s

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/study-break/video-zone/tackling-overtourism

Video zone: Tackling overtourism – 1

 Which problems are mentioned?

Tourists leave rubbish in many popular tourist destinations.

There are too many cars and motorbikes on the roads.

Some tourists damage historic sites.

Restaurants don't make enough money.

Some cultural traditions have become tourist attractions.

In many tourist destinations, it's too expensive for local people to rent a house or flat.

Video zone: Tackling overtourism – 2

overoturism     natural environments     downsides     

destinations     tourist tax    responsible tourist

1.  
   Although tourism is fun, it also has a lot of _________________
2.  
   Some of the world's most popular holiday_________________have too many visitors.
3.  
   Many__________________and historic sites are being damaged.
4.  Many countries are making an effort to deal with________________.
5.  In some places, visitors have to pay a '___________________' if they want to visit.
6.  A________________is someone who respects the local culture and environment.

Mediation practice. Writing

 

The film The Last Tourist is about problems with the tourism industry. Watch the trailer to find out more about it. https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/video-zone/last-tourist 

Your friend Mary wants to visit a popular destination next holiday. Then, write a short text (75-125w) explaining the problems s/he may find and pointing out suggestions or alternatives.

Xmas mood. Web info search for Secret Santa

Secret Santa is a popular holiday gift exchange where members of a group (friends, family, or coworkers) anonymously draw names to buy a single gift for one specific person, keeping their identity a secret until the gifts are exchanged and opened, adding an element of fun surprise and making gift-giving more manageable and cost-effective for large groups. How it works:

Sign-Up: Everyone in the group puts their name into a hat (or uses an online generator).

Name Drawing: Each person draws one name, ensuring they don't draw their own.

Gift Buying: You then buy a gift for the person whose name you drew, acting as their "Secret Santa".

Rules & Wishlists: Organizers often set a spending limit and may ask participants for wishlists to help the gift-giver.

The Exchange: At a set time, everyone brings their wrapped, anonymous gift (labeled with the recipient's name, not the sender's).

The Reveal: After gifts are opened, participants guess who their Secret Santa was, or the givers reveal themselves

https://padlet.com/jjaviering/secret-santa-tlabpgmwqmkqt4z6?lang=en-GB

Reading practice

BUY NOTHING DAY

Once a year, in countries around the world, people demonstrate their discontent with consumer culture by holding a Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day began in 1990 in ten countries and has been celebrated every year since then. Each year, more and more people and countries join in the celebration. The intention is to encourage people to say no to consumerism and to remind them that they shouldn’t be slaves to material possessions.

On Buy Nothing Day, activists organise various free and creative forms of entertainment to prove to people that it is possible to have fun without spending money. Activists also pass out colourful booklets and stick up posters to encourage people to think twice about the dangers of consumerism. Some activists publicly cut up their credit cards at mass demonstrations, as a protest against the pressure on people to spend more than they can afford.

Buy Nothing Day campaigners in the United States have also produced a special TV commercial called an “uncommercial”, which asks people not to buy anything! However, the most imaginative suggestion of the Buy Nothing Day activists is their “Christmas Gift Exemption Vouchers”. The idea is to give people you love a voucher which states that they are exempt from buying Christmas presents, on condition that they spend quality time with you instead.

The message of Buy Nothing Day is not supposed to be heard only once a year. Its supporters insist that the spirit of simplicity is timeless, and they want people to fight materialism with imagination and creativity all year round.

Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text
a) The aim of the Buy Nothing Day activists is to show people how consumerism is enslaving them.
b) The more money you spend, the more fun you have.
c) Buy Nothing Day activists try to make people aware of the dangers of consumerism.
d) The idea behind Buy Nothing Day is to criticise materialism once a year.

Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) Why was Buy Nothing Day created?
b) What things do activists do on Buy Nothing Day?

Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) deny (par.1)
b) distribute (par. 2)
c) excused, without obligation (par. 3)

KEY

Question 1
a) TRUE “... and to remind them that they shouldn’t be slaves to material possessions.”
b) FALSE “On Buy Nothing Day, activists organise various free and creative forms of entertainment to prove to people that it is possible to have fun without spending money.”
c) TRUE “Activists also pass out colourful booklets and stick up posters to encourage people to think twice about the dangers of consumerism. “
d) FALSE “... , and they want people to fight materialism with imagination and creativity all year round.”

Question 2
a) Buy Nothing Day was created because people felt the need to express their rejection of materialism and consumerism and wanted to encourage others to spend less money and enjoy having fun more.
b) On Buy Nothing Day, activists prepare interesting things for people to do or watch free of charge, to make them realise that having fun does not always have to cost money. They also distribute advertising literature to make people aware of the problems of consumerism and some even destroy their credit cards as a protest against over-spending.


Question 3
a) say no
b) pass out
c) exempt

Oral skills. Listening

“Somewhere Only We Know” (Keane), the singer walks “across an empty land” and knows “the pathway like the back of my hand.” 

Find your way through the maze to read and understand the lyrics of the song while facing a series of challenges related to grammar and sentence structure along the way. The use of articles and possessive adjectives, or differences such as “been”/”gone” or “say”/”tell” to solve as you connect the words. Also, fill in the circles with a suitable preposition. 

Somewhere Only We Know.pdf

We’ve been asked whether “Somewhere Only We Know” is about a specific place, and Tim has been saying that, for him, or us as individuals, it might be about a geographical space, or a feeling; it can mean something individual to each person, and they can interpret it to a memory of theirs… It’s perhaps more of a theme rather than a specific message… Feelings that may be universal, without necessarily being totally specific to us, or a place, or a time… Richard Hughes

Retrieved from: https://onthesamepageelt.wordpress.com/2016/12/13/pathways-to-accuracy-somewhere-only-we-know/ 

Opinion Essays

  Structure of the Opinion Essay:

• Introduction – introduces the topic and state your point of view clearly
• Body - consists of two or three  paragraphs each presenting a separate viewpoint supported by reasons/examples
• Conclusion – summarizes/restates your opinion using different words

Useful Language

То express opinion: I believe, In my opinion, I think, In my view, I strongly believe, I see it, It seems to me (that), As far as I am concerned, I am (not) convinced that..., In my opinion/view …My opinion is that …, I (firmly) believe …, I (definitely) feel/think that, I am inclined to believe that ……

То list points: In the first place, first of all, to start with, Firstly, to begin with

То add more points: what is more, another major reason, also, furthermore, moreover, in addition to this/that, besides, apart from this, not to mention the fact that

То introduce contrasting viewpoints: It is argued that, People argue that, There are people who oppose, Contrary to what most people believe,

As opposed to the above ideas

To introduce examples: for example, for instance, such as, in particular, especially

To conclude: To sum up, All in all, All things considered, Taking everything into account.

Shopping has replaced many other activities that people used to choose as their hobby. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?

Sample Answer:

It is widely known that shopping has become a leisure activity rather than a need. There are many reasons that have led people to choose shopping as a pursuing hobby. While some think this may have a negative development, others consider this trend a positive aspect.

To start with, large shopping malls are attractive and popular source of recreational activity. For example, teenagers gather in shopping centres during weekends to go to the cinema, share a meal or just window shopping. Another aspect to consider is that a sedentary lifestyle is replacing some other sports or free time activities for many families.

While there is nothing wrong in shopping, it cannot be denied that changing social habits requires offering alternative options such as sport competitions or creative art workshops, which can be organized by institutions. On the other hand, participating in exciting, free, cultural activities might eventually help reduce consumerism.

To conclude, shopping is essential and inevitable part of our daily lives. Nevertheless, it should be replaced as a hobby for other healthy activities. Perhaps, these way new habits for young people can be settled, which, in my opinion, is a positive development.

https://quizlet.com/nz/514030838/c13-unit-3-consumerism-speaking-questions-flash-cards/

TOPICS:

Consumer Behavior & Psychology

The Ethics of Urgency: Are Cyber Monday's limited-time deals a form of manipulation designed to encourage impulsive spending? Can the highly promoted, 24/7 access of online shopping events like Cyber Monday contribute to unhealthy spending habits or online shopping addiction?

Is "Buy Nothing Day," which is concurrent with Black Friday, a necessary protest against excessive consumerism, and should more people participate on Cyber Monday?

Do retailers inflate original prices before Cyber Monday to make discounts seem better than they actually are?

Economic & Business Impact

How does the dominance of major retailers during Cyber Monday affect small, local, or independent online businesses?

With Black Friday expanding online, is there still a need for a dedicated "Cyber Monday," or have the two merged into a single "Cyber Week"?

Does the massive volume of shipping and packaging generated by Cyber Monday sales have an unacceptable environmental cost? 

Social & Ethical Issues

Are consumers trading their personal data and privacy for the convenience and discounts offered on Cyber Monday?

Has the focus on sales events like Cyber Monday and Black Friday overshadowed the original, more meaningful aspects of the holiday season?

People buy things they don’t need and/or can’t afford. Do you agree?

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is the day after the American holiday of Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Because it’s a holiday in the United States, it has long been a popular day for consumers to start shopping for Christmas. In the 1980s, big retailers started to offer discounts and bargains on this day, and it has become more and more popular. In the USA, people spend billions of dollars between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday, when online retailers offer discounts). The idea of Black Friday has also spread around the world. Many countries, including the UK and Canada, also hold Black Friday sales. In parts of the Middle East, the same idea is called ‘White Friday’, as the colour white has more positive cultural associations. 

Is Black Friday out of control?

Many of us enjoy getting a bargain, but some people think that Black Friday encourages us to buy things we don’t really need or can’t afford. Some critics also say that Black Friday is difficult for small shopkeepers because they can’t offer the same big discounts as large companies, especially now that big shops start their sales earlier and continue them for several weeks. There is also growing concern about the effects of consumerism on the planet. 

What’s the alternative to Black Friday? 

Instead of taking the opportunity to buy as much as possible on Black Friday, you could do the opposite and buy absolutely nothing. Movements like ‘Buy Nothing Day’ and ‘Green Friday’ encourage people to support charities or local communities instead of shopping. Since 1997, Buy Nothing Day has been held on the same day as Black Friday. The rules are simple. Just don’t buy anything at all for 24 hours. Many people are surprised how difficult this actually is. The aim is to make people think more about their spending and to make better decisions about what they buy and where they buy it from.

Ethical spending

As well as spending less and not buying unnecessary items, Buy Nothing Day aims to raise awareness of how to be a more ethical consumer. For example, you can avoid buying ‘fast fashion’, that is, very cheap clothes that are worn a few times before being thrown away. Or you could decide not to automatically upgrade your mobile at the end of a contract. These kinds of decisions can help to protect the environment as well as saving you money. 

What else can you do on Buy Nothing Day? 

Some people carry out protests at shopping centres. Others avoid the shops completely and go for a walk in nature instead. Another alternative, the Buy Nothing Coat Exchange, is an idea that is spreading. People donate winter coats throughout November, and anyone who needs one can come and take one on Buy Nothing Day. 

Paragraph outline: Examples:

Expressions and linking words:

Personal opinion:	In my opinion/view, To my mind, To my way of thinking, I am convinced that, It strikes me that, It is my firm belief that, I am inclined to believe that, It seems to me that. As far as I am concerned, I think that the economic recession of the previous decade was foreseeable.
To list advantages and disadvantages:	One advantage of, Another advantage of, One other advantage of, A further advantage of, The main advantage of, The greatest advantage of.The first advantage of riding a motorbike in a large metropolis is that of not getting caught in major congestion.
To list points:	Firstly, First of all, In the first place, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally. To start/begin with, we have to address the inadequacies within the education system before we can tackle unemployment fully.
To add more points to the same topic:	What is more, Furthermore, Apart from this/that, In addition (to this), Moreover, Besides (this),… not to mention the fact that your choice of career is a fundamental decision which will influence the rest of your life. Not only is your choice of career a fundamental decision, but it is also one that will influence the rest of your life.Your choice of career is both a fundamental decision and something that will influence the rest of your life.
To refer to other sources:	With reference to, According to the latest scientific research, the use of mobile phones can be damaging to one's health in the long run.
To emphasise a point:	Indeed, Naturally, Clearly, Obviously, Of course, Needless to say, the scheme was hound to fail due to insufficient funds.
To give examples:	For instance, For example, by establishing day-care centres across the country, working mothers can he encouraged to resume their careers. By providing incentives such as, like day-care centres working mothers are encouraged to resume their careers. If working mothers are to resume their careers then the provision of incentives particularly, in particular, especially day-care centres is essential.
To state other people's opinion:	It is popularly believed that, People often claim that, It is often alleged that, Some people argue that, Many argue that, Most people feel that, Some people point out that wealth will bring happiness. Contrary to popular belief, wealth does not necessarily bring happiness.
To conclude:	Finally, Lastly, All in all, Taking everything into account/consideration, On the whole, All things considered, In conclusion, On balance, For the above mentioned reasons, Therefore I feel that, To sum up, it is unlikely that there will be peace in all the countries of the world concurrently.
Summarising:	In short, Briefly. To put it briefly, his performance on stage was fantastic!

STRUCTURE:

INTRO

It is generally believed that_________________________________________ and I completely agree.

I really feel it is better___________________________________________ although some think ________________________________________. I personally prefer to _________________________.

BODY

There are several reasons why I think________________________________ is better. First of all, you ____________________________________. Most of people think ______________________________.

Secondly, ____________________________ gives you the opportunity to ________________________.

I´m absolutely convinced that __________________________________. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, ____________________ makes you learn__________________________ which is another positive/negative aspect.

CONCLUSION

It seems to me that ________________________ is far better. There are lots of reasons to

__________________. To sum up, from my point of view, _______________________________. Maybe in the future,____________________________

How to write an opinion essay

ractice makes perfect. Try these activities and then write your own composition. Rememeber the structure, linking words, vocabulary, etc...

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/28871847/opinion-essay-connectors

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/52733708/opinion-essay-vocabulary

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/5600697/writing/label-the-paragraphs-of-an-opinion-essay

Thanksgiving

November festivals: Thanksgiving, Blackfriday, Cybermonday, Buy Nothing Day

 

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in Canada and the United States as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. It is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations. Thanksgiving has its historical roots in religious and cultural traditions and has long been celebrated in a secular manner as well.

Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States (the fourth Thursday of November). Since the early 2000s, it has been regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the US, and most major retailers open very early (and more recently during overnight hours) and offer promotional sales. Black Friday is not an official holiday, but California and some other states observe "The Day After Thanksgiving" as a holiday for state government employees, sometimes in lieu of another federal holiday such as Columbus Day. Many non-retail employees and schools have both Thanksgiving and the following Friday off, which, along with the following regular weekend, makes it a four-day weekend, thereby increasing the number of potential shoppers. It has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year since 2005, although news reports, which at that time were inaccurate, have described it as the busiest shopping day of the year for a much longer period of time.

Similar stories resurface year upon year at this time, portraying hysteria and shortage of stock, creating a state of positive feedback. The day's name originated in Philadelphia, where it originally was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving. Use of the term started before 1961 and began to see broader use outside Philadelphia around 1975. Later an alternative explanation was made: that retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss ("in the red") from January through November, and "Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or "in the black". 

Report on Black Friday: 

• https://www.tidio.com/blog/black-friday-trends/

• https://financesonline.com/black-friday-statistics/

  

https://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheet/en/english-language/517718

https://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheet/en/english-second-language-esl/2219715