Cleopatra?? This is the name most of us have heard but who is she? Yes, we do know that she was an Egyptian queen but what else. This time we are going to listen to a BBC 6 minute English audio about Cleopatra.
Answer the following questions in NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
Who is regarded as the most famous female ruler in history?
Which word means the same as noticeable?
The speaker uses which synonym for main qualities?
What word does the speaker uses for clever?
Which word is used to refer to brother or sister?
What word describes a person without pity?
Which country did Cleopatra belong to?
What is the strong power to attract people called?
What word does the speaker uses to tell that one places too small a value on something?
Which word does the speaker uses for something that is carefully planned?
It has been 16 years since the new century has begun and we have embarked on a journey for new year. This time let has have a look at some questions that could be asked in PART 3 of IELTS Speaking. Remember, this is the section when you need to explain your answers and not just give one liners.
How do most people celebrate New Year in your country?
According to the Hindus, the new year is on the first day of Chaitra i.e. the month of April. People visit temples, greet each other and pray for a healthy, wealthy and prosperous life. Above all, seeking blessing from religious places on this day holds an additional significance. But, with the globalization, most people celebrate the new year on 1 January i.e. according to Gregorian calendar. On this day, many people go out with family and friends to parties, dance and enjoy.
Do you believe New Year is a day to be celebrated?
New year is a surely a day to celebrate, an occasion when one could give themselves another chance. Although, this can happen on any other day, but a new year surely brings with it new hopes. However, in my opinion, there can be many ways in which people could celebrate their new year, not necessarily with friends and family. I believe, if one things that they like to celebrate the new year while working it is as perfect as someone choosing to party.
Do you take resolutions in New Year? How many of them do you follow?
Yes I do believe in resolutions and take them. As young I used to take resolutions that were not that meaningful or above the board. Leaving me frustrated on not having completed them. However, with time, I have realized that it is more about taking practical resolutions. For me, they are the goals that I set for myself in a year and I do stick with them through thick and thin.
Is there anything you would like to carry from the last year to the new one?
Well, surely there are lot of things that I wish remain same this year as well. It was last year that I made a truly good nice friend. He has been my first male friend and I wish to have him by my side for many more years to come. Then, there is a goal that I have set for myself last year. I wish to carry forward it this year as well and do nice work. Even more, I have realized that I have become much more positive and wise over the last year. I wish I am even more wiser and positive about life this year.
What is your opinion on having to work on New Year’s Day?
I believe New year means new beginning and it is more of about letting go of the earlier bad habits and carry the good ones. So, having to work is not an issue for me and I believe if one has to there should not be much of problem. However, it is also a good idea to take a leave from work during the end of the year till New year actually begins. After all, it is a festive season, one can celebrate a good time with their family and friends.
With every ending comes a new beginning. New year is the time when people try to forget their old ways, make resolutions to become better individuals. It is also the time when people party and often loose control. Apart from them, there are still so many people who do not understand the concept of New year, that there is always hope in life. This time we are looking at sample questions that could be asked in IELTS Cue card section related to the new year celebrations.
Describe a new year celebration that you still remember. You should say :
with whom did you celebrate?
what did you do in the party?
why is it so special for you?
Also, explain the importance of new year parties in your life?
SAMPLE ANSWER 1
I am 23 now and consciously attended around 12 parties. But, I think the one party that I remember and cherish the most is the one we had in our first year of graduation. I had cleared a competitive exam and during the new year our exams were going on. So, no question of going home. We all were feeling a little low, but at around 11 in the night, we heard music. All of the students in our hostel wing, came out only to find that our Warden had organized a DJ and stuff to eat. He asked us all to join us. Overwhelmed by his gesture, we all went down and danced the whole night.
I remember dancing with around 400 people at songs I had never heard, the languages that I don’t understand but it was pure fun. We all became good friends after that and had a blast for the next four years of our graduation. I think the one reason I cherish it the most is because it brought with it lot of new things for me. I met new people, did things I never did. Like, dancing like a serpent and then like a girl. We were purely enjoying. There was no senior or junior, just bunch of people living the moment.
Although, party animal, is not the word that I would choose for myself. But, yes I do party on New year. For me, it is the time when I meet all the people I know, the ones I care for. Most probably, go out travelling with them. I believe, life is busy and we should just grab every occasion that we get to enjoy.
SAMPLE ANSWER 2
New year celebrations have never been very exciting for me but I remember the 2016 New year. It was the best new year I had till date and assume it to be the best till date.
It was during the end of 2015 that there were lot of personal and professional issues I was struggling with. For some reasons, I started feeling as if this is how life is going to be for a longer run now. Sitting on my couch when everyone else was partying I remember crying and feeling really bad.
At around 11:30, a really good friend of mine, I recently had a fight with dropped by me. She had been my school friend and we had shared lot of things together. Fighting with her did have an impact on me. She had beer with her, scooty keys and we just left the home together.
When the entire world was partying outside, I remember feeling the air and then reaching our school terrace and drinking beer. We revived our memories together, things that we had done and how life had just changed in some years. How quickly we had grown up. There was nothing particular but having that kind of talk, actually rejuvenated me. It made things so much more easier for me. Since that year, every year we meet at our school terrace for a bottle of beer and lot of memories together.
I think New year parties are a good way of celebrating and everyone should celebrated New year but I believe everyone should enjoy in the way that best suits them.
There are so many times we do get bored by the dull, mundane life going around us. It could be either during a meeting, work, classes or for that matter while travelling. Some people get sleepy because of the lack of sleep they get, while others tend to get sleepy by the kind of activity they are involved in. This time we are going to listen to a BBC podcast that revolves around sleepiness.
The audio has been taken from BBC 6 minutes English.
Answer the following questions in NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS.
Which biological reason is responsible for our sleepiness and alertness?
What does the word circadian mean?
Which synonym does the speaker uses for synchronize?
What is the disruption caused to the circadian rhythms by high-speed travelling called?
Which word does speaker uses for internal?
Which word defines the back and forth movement of something?
What is the normal range for the ticking o the endogenous clock in humans?
What is the work outside the traditional 9 to 5 called?
Which word does the speaker uses to refer to adjust?
Which word does the speaker uses for short sleeps?
