PART 2
A.#FOCUS#ON#FUNCTIONAL#LANGUAGE
Talking about personal experiences in Part 2 Talk
In Part 1 of the Speaking test, you will have the chance to talk about your experiences on a variety of
familiar topics. In addition, in Part 2 of the Speaking test you will be asked to talk for 1 to 2 minutes on
a topic that will also be based on your personal experiences. Although you probably won’t find Part 1
questions difficult to answer, it is important that you vary your language when introducing personal
experiences. Here are some examples of phrases you can use: ¥ I once… ¥ I remember when… ¥ Back when I was…
¥ I don’t remember exactly when, but…
¥ (Just) the other day… B.#FOCUS#ON#SPEAKING#
Describe your favorite leisure activity You should say: ¥ What the hobby is
Notetaking: 8 key words only ¥ What you like about it ¥ Why you started doing it
Pr onunciation: W ord linking
And say whether this hobby is popular in your country 142 Suggestions
This is probably the easiest of all Part Two Topics. It really doesn’t matter what hobby you describe.
Focus on Uncommon Vocabulary
Nouns: leisure pursuit, spare time, pastime
Verbs: amuse oneself by, unwind by, kill time by
Adjectives: fascinating, captivating, time-consuming, appealing Idioms: Take up (= start)
¥ I’ve recently taken up swimming.
Take part in (= to do an activity with other people)
¥ I frequently take part in group activities. Get into (= enjoy)
¥ Recently I’ve been getting into fishing. Have a go at (= try)
¥ I’d really like to have a go at guitar. Focus on Grammar
You can use a wide range of tenses:
¥ I’ve been doing this for years.
¥ I originally took up this activity 4 years ago.
¥ I used to do it every day but now I only spend a few hours a week doing it.
¥ I will never forget the first time I tried this. Sample Response
Well, I guess one of my favorite leisure pursuits is playing the guitar.
I took up this hobby when I was a university student. Back then, my older brother taught me some basic
guitar techniques, and then I learnt how to play the guitar by watching some YouTube tutorial videos and
surfing some guitar websites. I also frequently took part in a musical group to both develop my skills and
relationships with new kinds of people as well.
There are many things I like about this hobby. I feel relaxed when I play the guitar, and I think that it can
help me relieve stress. The other reason I like it is that my favorite songs can be played by the guitar.
Whether I enjoy acoustic, folk to metal, rock or pop, many songs can be played using this musical
instrument. Even if the song doesn’t contain guitar parts, it can still be played. Once the chords are learnt,
it is simple to strum along to my favorite songs and feel good about it!
I think this pastime is very popular in Vietnam, because lots of people know others who play the guitar
that has inspired them to want to learn. As well as this, the idea of playing it with friends and family sounds
inspiring to the majority of young people. Also, as I’ve said earlier, there are some basic chords that once 143
you’ve mastered them, you can play lots of popular songs, since lots of popular music in Vietnam have
common chord progressions and simple strumming patterns.
That’s all I want to talk about my favorite pastime.
Suggested Response
Well, I guess one of my favorite leisure pursuits is.................................... Your own keywords
I took up this hobby when ………………….………………………………………….……..
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There are many things I like about this hobby …………………………………………………………………………………………..
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I think this pastime is very popular in Vietnam, because…………………………………………………………………………..
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That’s all I want to talk about my favorite pastime. 144