UNIT 5: CONSUMERISM

A. VOCABULARY

Exercise 1. Look at the words in the table. Which words can you add to them to make new words? Use the words in the box.

bag foot manager online department convenience keeper trolley assistant mens basket sports

shop…. shopping…

-wear …store

Exercise 2. Complete the descriptions. Use the words in the box.

DIY store bakery bookshop butcher's chemist's greengrocer's newsagent's travel agency

1. You can buy meat in a _____________

2. You can buy bread and cakes in a _____________

3. You buy books in a _____________

4. You buy newspapers and magazines in a _____________

5. You book a holiday in a _____________

6. You buy fruit and vegetables in a _____________

7. You buy things to help you build and fix things around the house in a _____________

8. You get medicines in a ____________

Exercise 3. Choose the correct words to complete the story.

The department store in my town was having a discount /sale/sell last week – everything was 25% cheaper than usual. So I went to find some bargains/discount/sell. I

love buying things that are cheaper than they should be.

In the footwear and bags department, I found a lovely bag, with a 40% discount/off/sale. It had a two-year fitting room/guarantee/receipt, so I could get my money

back if it broke. Then I went to the womenswear department and found some nice trousers on discounts/refund/special offer. They were 50% of the normal price. I
wanted to go to the fitting room/queue/till to try them on, but there was a long bargain/queue/sale – there were about ten other people waiting – and I didn’t want to

wait. So I went to the cash machine/fitting room/till and paid for everything.

When I got home, I tried the trousers on. They were the right size, but they didn’t fit/pass/suit me at all – they looked terrible on me. So I decided to take them back and

ask for a receipt/refund/return. But I couldn’t find my footwear/receipt/shopping bag, so the shop assistant said he couldn’t give me my money back. Next time, I’ll be

more careful when I shop at the sales.

Exercise 4. Complete the phrases. Use the words in the box.

book eat go meet spend take try watch

1. _____________ up with friends.

2. _____________ bowling.
3. _____________ out some money from a cash machine.
4. _____________ a film.
5. _____________ fast food.
6. _____________ on some clothes to see if they fit you.
7. _____________ a holiday.
8. _____________ money.

B. GRAMMAR

Exercise 1. Read the conversations.

Then choose the correct reason for Speaker B using will + infinitive or going to + infinitive each time. The first one has been done for you.

1. A: Hmm, it’s a lovely jumper, but I can’t buy it today. I haven’t got enough money.
B: That’s OK. I’ll lend you the money. How much do you need?

o We often use will to make a decision while we’re speaking, or to ask another person for a decision.
o We often use will to make a prediction (= a guess about the future) based on our own opinions.
o We often use will to make a promise to another person.
o We often use will to offer help to another person, or to ask for help.

2. A: These trainers are quite expensive. Are you sure you need them?
B: Yes, Mum. Don’t worry – I’ll wear them every day. Trust me!

o We often use will to make a decision while we’re speaking, or to ask another person for a decision.
o We often use will to make a prediction (= a guess about the future) based on our own opinions.
o We often use will to make a promise to another person.
o We often use will to offer help to another person, or to ask for help.
3. A: I’m sorry, but we don’t accept credit cards at this till.
B: Really? OK, I’ll pay by cash.

o We often use will to make a decision while we’re speaking, or to ask another person for a decision.
o We often use will to make a prediction (= a guess about the future) based on our own opinions.
o We often use will to make a promise to another person.
o We often use will to offer help to another person, or to ask for help.

4. A: This phone looks great, and it’s really cheap.

B: Yes, a bit too cheap. I’m worried that it’ll stop working after a few weeks.

o We often use will to make a decision while we’re speaking, or to ask another person for a decision.
o We often use will to make a prediction (= a guess about the future) based on our own opinions.
o We often use will to make a promise to another person.
o We often use will to offer help to another person, or to ask for help.

5. A: Have you booked your holiday yet?

B: Yes, we’ve just been to the travel agency and bought our tickets. We’re going to go to Thailand.

o We often use going to to make a prediction based on what we know or can see.
o We often use going to to talk about plans and decisions that we made earlier.

6. A: Can we go home soon? I’m bored.

B: I want to try on this blouse, but there’s a long queue for the fitting rooms. It’s going to be at least half an hour before we can go home.

o We often use going to to make a prediction based on what we know or can see.
o We often use going to to talk about plans and decisions that we made earlier.

Exercise 2. Read the conversations and correct Speaker B’s answers by using the correct form of will + infinitive. Use contractions where possible (e.g. he’ll).
The first one has been done for you.

1. A: Look what I’ve found. A lovely shirt for you. Do you want to see if it fits you?
B: OK, I try I'll try it on.
2. A: The lift’s broken.
B: OK, I take the stairs.
3. A: Wow, I can’t believe I’ve bought so much today!
B: How do you get home with all those bags?

4. A: Can I tell you a secret? My ‘expensive’ dress was actually really cheap. I only paid £10 for it.
B: Wow! Don’t worry. I don’t tell anyone.
5. A: I ordered some books online yesterday, but they haven’t arrived yet.
B: Don’t worry. They probably arrive next week.
6. A: You should take those shoes back if they don’t fit and ask for a refund.
B: I know, but I’m a bit nervous. Do you come with me?
7. A: Can you wait here? I just need to go to a few shops.
B: OK. Are you long?
8. A: I don’t want to go to the shopping centre tomorrow. It’s always really crowded.
B: Don’t worry. It isn’t be crowded tomorrow morning.
Exercise 3. Put the words in the correct order to complete the sentences and questions.

1 Be quite it’ll expensive I think .

� I think it’ll be quite expensive.

2 film you the think you’ll Do enjoy? .

� Do you think you’ll enjoy the film?

3 think stay we’ll long I don’t .

� I don’t think we’ll stay long.

4 do think How it’ll cost much you ?

� How much do you think it’ll cost you?

5 I trolley a need I’ll think .

� I think I’ll need a trolley.

6 I pay think to don’t need you’ll .

� I don’t think you’ll need to pay.

7 we’ll you go do think again When ?

� When do you think we’ll go shopping again?

8 you many people be think there’ll Do?

� Do you think there’ll be many people?

Exercise 4. Complete the conversation with the correct forms of the words in brackets.
Use going to + infinitive in all your answers. Use contractions where possible (e.g. isn’t)

A: Hurry up! You need to decide. The ____________________ in a minute. (shop / close) Which laptop _________________________ ? (you / buy)

B: _______________________________ one here. (I / not / buy)

A: Why not? Your old laptop’s broken and you’ve got a business trip next week. ______________________________ one when you’re away. (you / need)
B: I know, but _______________________________ a new laptop online instead. (I / get)
A: Well, don’t forget your flight’s on Monday morning, so that doesn’t leave you a lot of time.
B: Don’t worry. ________________________________ it tonight. (I / order) It won’t take more than three days to arrive.
A: _________________________________ pretty stupid at your business meeting next week if you don’t get your new laptop by then. (you / feel)
B: Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.

Exercise 5. Read the information. Then choose the best answers to complete the sentences.

We often use will to make a decision while we’re speaking, or to ask another person for a decision.

We often use will to make a prediction (= a guess about the future) based on our own opinions.
1. This laptop comes with a five-year guarantee. That means that if it stops working in the next five years, you’re going to/you’ll get your money back.
2.We often use will to
I’ve just offersome
bought help new
to another
runningperson, or to ask
shoes because I’m for help.
going to/I’ll start running every day from tomorrow.
3. Oh no! We’ve spent too long in the shops. We’re going to/We’ll miss the last bus home. Look – it’s leaving now.
4.We often use going to talk about plans and decisions. Often the plan/ decision has already been made.
We aren’t going to/won’t buy anything. We didn’t bring any money. We only came here to do some window-shopping.
5.We often use
A: What
going aretoyou going to
to make have for lunch?
a prediction based on what we know or can see.
B: I’m going to/I’ll have a burger. I haven’t had one for ages.
6. A: We’ve just bought our wedding rings.
B: Really? When are you going to/will you get married?
7. A: I can’t carry all these bags. Are you going to /Will you help me, please?
B: Yes, of course.

Exercise 6. Do the advantages of online shopping outweigh the disadvantages? Choose the best words to complete the student’s answer.

In my view, the main advantage/disadvantage/positive aspects of online shopping is that it is convenient – you can buy things in your own home, at any time of day or

night. Another benefit/drawback/negative aspects is that online stores are often cheaper than traditional shops. All things considered/Moreover/Overall , they usually

have a wider range of sizes and colours.

However, there are also some important advantages/benefits/drawbacks to online shopping. For one thing /Overall/Personally , you have to wait a few days, or even

weeks, for your shopping to arrive. However /In my view/What’s more , you can’t try on clothes before buying them. Because/However/In addition, you sometimes

need to pay extra for postage. Many online shops do try to deal with/suffer/outweigh the disadvantages by offering free delivery for any clothes that you want to return,

for example.
For instance/Overall/So, I believe the benefits of online shopping deal with/outweigh/suffer the disadvantages.

B. READING

Exercise 1. In this unit, you will do IELTS Reading matching heading tasks and read a text on the topic of family history (also called ancestry).

What vocabulary do you already know on the topic of ancestry? Match the words with their definitions.

a descendant a generation a record a relative a will an ancestor birth certificate family background great -
+ noun run in the family

1. a member of your extended family, for example, your aunt or uncle: __________________________

2. a person who is related to you but lived and died before you were born: _______________________

3. a person who is related to you and who will live after you in the future (e.g. your grandchildren’s children): _________________________________

4. a group of people who are all about the same age: _________________________________

5. the history of your family, for example, where they came from, what jobs they had: _____________________________

6. used with a word for a family member from an older generation (e.g. your mother’s grandmother): ___________________________________

7. a piece of important information you write on paper or store on a computer: _________________________________

8. a legal document that explains what a person has decided should be done with their money and property after they die:

___________________________________

9. a phrase that describes a feature, quality, ability or disease that people from the same family share: ________________________________

10. a legal document that contains information about a new baby such as its name, the names of its parents and the time and place it was born:

_____________________________________

Exercise 2. Read the information, then read the sentences from Paragraphs A–H. Match the main ideas with the sentences from Paragraphs A–H.

The IELTS Reading matching headings task tests your understanding of the gist of a paragraph – this means how well you understand the

main idea or topic of the paragraph.

It is often possible to quickly get a general understanding of the main ideas and topic of a text by reading only:

The final sentence of the introduction (I.e. the first paragraph in the text)

The first sentence of all the paragraphs in the main body (i.e. all the paragraphs between the introduction and the conclusion)
Final sentence of Paragraph A: ‘… It was also necessary for landowners to know their family background – so they could prove that a large castle or manor house
The final sentence of the conclusion (i.e. the last paragraph in the text).
really belonged to them, and not to another person further along a branch of the family tree who wanted it for themselves.’

First sentence of Paragraph B: ‘An interest in knowing who your ancestors were and what they did is, of course, something which is common in all cultures.’

First sentence of Paragraph C: ‘While some people are still interested in family trees as a way of making sure they can receive money or valuable items from a great-
uncle or great-great grandparent, others have different motivations.’

First sentence of Paragraph D: ‘Part of what makes family-tree research so fascinating is the sense of uncovering a mystery as you find more clues – just like a
detective would.’

First sentence of Paragraph E: ‘Before the age of the internet, if you wanted to find out about your family history, you would have needed to travel to different
locations.’
First sentence of Paragraph F: ‘Researching your family tree has now become an ever more popular activity, partly for the reason that it has become much easier,
faster and more convenient.’

First sentence of Paragraph G: ‘Despite the advances of modern technology, it can still be a challenge to find your distant ancestors.’

Final sentence of Paragraph H: ‘… Rather than writing out the family tree in a book in the traditional way, they record stories, images and voices using audio and
video recordings for their descendants to see one day.’

A description of how people feel about ancestry

A method of learning about ancestry

A method of storing information about ancestry

A reason why people enjoy researching their family history

A reason why people needed to know their ancestry in the past

Different reasons why people might be interested in ancestry

Problems in learning about ancestry

Reasons why more people are learning about ancestry now

Paragraph A

Paragraph B

Paragraph C

Paragraph D

Paragraph E

Paragraph F

Paragraph G

Paragraph H

Exercise 3. Read the information. Then skim read the paragraph and choose the correct heading.

Ancestry in the UK

Paragraph A

Up until relatively recently, English school children were often obliged to learn the names of the kings and queens that ruled the country from the 8th century to
the 18th, and understand how they were related. This was no easy task. Sometimes a king would pass his kingdom to his son, but very often would be a much
more distant relative that took over. To become king, you would have to show you had royal blood in the family tree, and to do this, you would need to know
exactly who all your ancestors were. It was also necessary for landowners to know their family background – so they could prove that a large castle or manor
house really belonged to them, and not to another person further along a branch of the family tree who wanted it for themselves.

The correct heading for Paragraph A is:

o How knowing your family tree could bring power and property
o The kind of buildings that wealthy relatives used to live in

o Which academic subjects most students would prefer not to study

Exercise 4. Read the information. Then skim read the next paragraphs and answer the question.

In an IELTS Reading matching heading task, there will always be at least one more heading than the number of paragraphs. So, for example, if

there are five paragraphs, you might have to choose from seven or eight headings.

Skiminreading
Ancestry the UK the text to get the gist of each paragraph can help you get a general idea of which headings might match one of the paragraphs.

Paragraph B

An interest in knowing who your ancestors were and what they did is, of course, something which is common in all cultures. Not all cultures, however, have a phrase

which translates as family tree for when they want to describe earlier generations of the same family. We use this particular phrase because it was traditional in the past

in some countries to put the oldest generations at the top of a drawing and the youngest generation at the top and narrower at the bottom – just like a tree.

Paragraph C

While some people are still interested in family trees as a way of making sure they can receive money or valuable items from a great – uncle or great – great

grandparent, others have different motivations. Some people choose to research their family tree because they are simply curious about their origins. Or perhaps they

have heard an unusual story about an ancestor and wish to discover the truth. They may even have a more serious and useful purpose, for example wanting to find out

about a medical condition which runs in the family.

Choose the correct headings for the paragraphs. Look at the text again if you need to.

1. The correct heading for Paragraph B is:

o Practical and personal reasons for finding out about ancestors

o The appeal of making unexpected discoveries

o The problems people face in carrying out family-tree research

o Why we use ‘family tree’ to refer to our family background

o Traditional ways of researching family trees

2. The correct heading for Paragraph C is:

o The appeal of making unexpected discoveries

o Practical and personal reasons for finding out about ancestors

o The problems people face in carrying out family-tree research

o Traditional ways of researching family trees

o Why we use ‘family tree’ to refer to our family background

Exercise 5. Read the information. Then read the paragraphs again, this time with their headings. The key words in the headings have been underlined. Then

do the exercise.

Paragraph B
Why we say ‘family tree’ to refer to our family background

An interest in knowing who your ancestors were and what they did is, of course, something which is common in all cultures. Not all cultures, however, have a phrase

which translates as family tree for when they want to describe earlier generations of the same family. We use this particular phrase because it was traditional in the past

in some countries to put the oldest generations at the top of a drawing and the youngest generation at the top and narrower at the bottom – just like a tree.

Paragraph C

Practical and personal reasons for finding out about ancestors

While some people are still interested in family trees as a way of making sure they can receive money or valuable items from a great – uncle or great – great

grandparent, others have different motivations. Some people choose to research their family tree because they are simply curious about their origins. Or perhaps they

have heard an unusual story about an ancestor and wish to discover the truth. They may even have a more serious and useful purpose, for example wanting to find out

about a medical condition which runs in the family.

a more serious and useful purpose motivations origins

perhaps they have heard an unusual story about an ancestor and wish to discover the truth

to research we use this particular phrase

who your ancestors were and what they did

1. we say ‘family tree’

__________________________________________
2. our family background
__________________________________________
3. practical (reasons)
__________________________________________
4. personal (reasons)
__________________________________________
5. reasons
__________________________________________
6. finding out about
__________________________________________
7. ancestors
__________________________________________

Exercise 6. Choose the correct headings for the paragraphs.

i The problems people face in carrying out family-tree research

ii How technology has helped people research their ancestors

 iii How businesses benefit from the growing interest in family trees

iv Practical and personal reasons for finding out about ancestors

v How ancestors are remembered and celebrated in different countries

vi Traditional ways of researching family trees

vii Creating family trees for future generations

viii How knowing your family tree could lead to power and property

ix Why we say ‘family tree’ to refer to our family background

x What people enjoy about making unexpected discoveries

Paragraph D

Part of what makes family-tree research so fascinating is the sense of uncovering a mystery as you find more clues – just like a detective would. This kind of process
was shown in the hugely popular program ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, which featured well-known TV personalities exploring their family origins. The show’s
researchers often found surprising information. One person, interviewer Jeremy Paxman, was disinterested at first. He believed it was more important to be ‘forward-
looking’ – and think about the future rather than the past. Then he learnt that his great-grandmother had managed to raise nine children by herself after her husband
died, even though she was extremely poor. He soon wanted to know more. Certainly this kind of program has encouraged people to look for their own ancestors.

Paragraph E

Before the age of the internet, if you wanted to find out about your family history, you would have needed to travel to different locations. People used to visit churches
to look at their records, for example of the names of people who were born and died in the area. Another way to investigate family history would be to look through old
newspapers that were stored in the basements of libraries, or to search through birth and marriage certificates at the local town-council building. Not all of these visits,
of course, would be successful. You needed to be very patient and have a lot of spare time to find out about your past.

Paragraph F

Researching your family tree has now become an ever more popular activity, partly for the reason that it has become much easier, faster and more convenient. Councils
have uploaded many public records to their websites, including details of marriages, names of taxpayers and property owners, and the wills of people who have died.
Many museums and libraries have also become involved and offer guidance about the best tools and apps to use when searching for ancestors. One online company
which helps people trace their ancestors was recently bought for over £2.4 billion – showing just how popular this method of research has become.

Paragraph G

Despite the advances of modern technology, it can still be a challenge to find your distant ancestors. Before the 11th century, a person would only sometimes share
their parents’ surname. This was because a surname usually showed the town or region where you came from, e.g. John of Kent, or your occupation, e.g. John (the)
Baker. So, if a child was born in a different place to a parent or had a different job, they might have had different surnames. This system also meant that thousands of
people had exactly the same surnames even when they were not related. For wealthy people, it would also have been possible to have two different surnames if they
owned land or property in two different locations. Of course, many old records have also been lost or destroyed, too.
Paragraph H

Many people who are keen on producing a family tree are interested in looking forwards rather than back. They recognize their role as an ancestor of people who
haven’t even been born yet, and who may live in many different parts of the world. They want to create records for them – showing the different branches of the family
today. Rather than writing out the family tree in a book in the traditional way, they record stories, images and voices using audio and video recordings for their
descendants to see one day.

Exercise 7. Read the passage and answer questions 1-13

The burden of thirst

Millions of women carry water long distances. If they had a tap by their door, whole societies would be transformed.

Aylito Binayo’s feet know the mountain. Even at four in the morning, she can run down the rocks to the river by starlight alone and climb the steep mountain back up

to her village with a container of water on her back. She has made this journey three times a day since she was a small child.

So has every other woman in her village of Foro, in the Konso district of south-western Ethiopia in Africa. Binayo left school when she was eight years old, in part

because she had to help her mother fetch water from the Toiro River. The water is unsafe to drink; every year that the drought continues, the river carries less water,

and its flow is reduced. But it is the only water Foro has ever had.

In developed parts of the world, people turn on a tap and out pours abundant, clean water. Yet nearly 900 million people in the world have no access to clean water.

Furthermore, 2.5 billion people have no safe way to get rid of human waste. Polluted water and lack of proper hygiene cause disease and kill 3.3 million people around

the world annually, most of them children. In southern Ethiopia and in northern Kenya, a lack of rain over the past few years has made even dirty water hard to find.

But soon, for the first time, things are going to change.

Bringing clean water close to villagers’ homes is the key to the problem. Communities where clean water becomes accessible and plentiful are transformed. All the

hours previously spent hauling water can be used to cultivate more crops, raise more animals or even start a business. Families spend less time sick or caring for family

members who are unwell. Most important, not having to collect water means girls can go to school and get jobs. The need to fetch water for the family, or to take care

of younger siblings while their mother goes, usually prevents them ever having this experience.

But the challenges of bringing water to remote villages like those in Konso are overwhelming. Locating water underground and then reaching it by means of deep wells

requires geological expertise and expensive, heavy machines. Abandoned wells and water projects litter the villages of Konso. In similar villages around the developing

world, the biggest problem with water schemes is that about half of them break down soon after the groups that built them move on. Sometimes technology is used that

can’t be repaired locally, or spare parts are available only in the capital.

Today, a UK-based international non-profit organisation called WaterAid is tackling the job of bringing water to the most remote villages of Konso. Their approach

combines technologies proven to last - such as building a sand dam to capture and filter rainwater that would otherwise drain away. But the real innovation is that

WaterAid believes technology is only part of the solution. Just as important is involving the local community in designing, building and maintaining new water
projects. Before beginning any project, WaterAid asks the community to create a WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) committee of seven people. The committee works

with WaterAid to plan projects and involve the village in construction. Then it maintains and runs the project.

The people of Konso, who grow their crops on terraces they have dug into the sides of mountains, are famous for hard work. In the village of Orbesho, residents even

constructed a road themselves so that drilling machinery could come in. Last summer, their pump, installed by the river, was being motorised to push its water to a

newly built reservoir on top of a nearby mountain. From there, gravity will carry it down in pipes to villages on the other side of the mountain. Residents of those

villages have each given some money to help fund the project. They have made concrete and collected stones for the structures. Now they are digging trenches to lay

pipes. If all goes well, Aylito Binayo will have a tap with safe water just a three-minute walk from her front door.

adapted from National Geographic magazine

Questions 1-6

The reading passage has six paragraphs, A-F.

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

List of Headings

i Why some plans have failed

ii A rural and urban problem

iii A possible success

iv Explaining a new management style

v Some relevant statistics

vi A regular trip for some people

vii Treating people for disease

viii How water can change people’s lives

1. Paragraph A__________
2. Paragraph B__________
3. Paragraph C__________
4. Paragraph D__________
5. Paragraph E__________
6. Paragraph F__________

Questions 7-11
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

7. The water levels in the Toiro River are falling because of ……………….

8. Globally, the number of people who die each year as a result of using dirty water is ……………

9. When families have clean water, they can spend more time growing ……………….

10. Specialist knowledge and equipment are needed to dig ……………….

11. WaterAid uses a dam made of………………. to capture rainwater.

Questions 12-13

Choose TWO letters, A-E.

Which TWO of these activities were performed by the villagers of Orbesho?

A building a transport route

B digging a reservoir
C gathering building materials
D making pipes
E fitting taps

D. SPEAKING

Exercise 1. Watch the video of the student doing the IELTS Speaking test, then choose the correct answers to the questions below. ( Video 5_1)

1. The IELTS Speaking test takes 5-10/ 11-14 minutes, and has three parts.

2. In Part 1, you answer questions about yourself and your opinions/ suggestions .

3. In Part 2, you speak for 1 to 2 minutes about part 1/ a topic

4. In Part 3, you have a longer discussion/ presentation about the topic from Part 2.

5. The three parts are always/ not always in the same order.

Exercise 2. Watch the videos of a student doing the IELTS Speaking test. Which part is she doing in each video? Choose the correct answers. (🡪
Videos 5_2 🡪

Videos 5_4)

1. The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 1./ The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 2./ The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 3.

2. The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 1./ The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 2./ The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 3.

3. The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 1./ The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 2./ The student is doing IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Exercise 3. In the IELTS Speaking test, you should ask the examiner to repeat the question if you don’t understand it.

Watch the video of the student doing the IELTS Speaking test and notice the phrase she uses. Then choose the correct answers to complete the phrases. (

Video 5_5)

1. Sorry, I don't/didn't understand.

2. Could you give me/repeat the question, please?
3. I’m sorry, would you mind repeating/saying that again?
4. I’m afraid I don’t know/understand the question.
5. Excuse me, could you repeat that/this ?

Exercise 4. Watch the videos. Then complete the sentences with the words the student uses. These words help with fluency and coherence. ( Videos 5_6 🡪
Videos 5_7)
Examiner: Some people say that buying things only makes people happy for a short time. What do you think?

Student: I don’t think so well/because if I buy something ... I can always use it but/and I will feel satisfy and I can share to others to let them see this new thing, let
them try it.

Student: I used to buy clothes from the shopping mall near my home ... It has an online shop .... In our country, we can buy things easily, but/well my mother always
told me that I can’t buy clothes during the summer, because/well I have a lot of summer clothes already!

Exercise 5. Complete the conversation. Use the words in the box.

Anyway now right so well

Examiner: ____________ , I’d like to change topics and talk to you about shopping. Do you like going shopping?

Student: ____________ , most of the time I like shopping, apart from if the mall is very busy.

Examiner: _____________ , I see, so you mean you don’t like crowds?

Student: No, I don’t like crowds at all.____________ , it’s not normally a problem because I often shop online.

Examiner: _____________ , would you say that you shop more online than in malls?

Student: Yes, definitely.

Exercise 6. Using linking words and phrases can help to improve fluency and coherence.

Put the examples in the box in the correct columns.

Another reason is … On the other hand The main reason is … In general

In most cases But Secondly First of all However Generally
In addition In the first place

Explaining your main idea Adding a similar idea

Adding an opposite idea Explaining something generally

Exercise 7. Complete the conversation. Use the words and phrases in the box.

another reason however in addition in most cases the main reason

Examiner: Why do you think that shopping on the internet has become so popular?

Student: Well, in my opinion, __________________ is that it’s so convenient. You don’t have to leave your house to do it. _________________is that it’s often

cheaper. ___________________ , there is a lot of choice online, so you can choose from a wider variety. ___________________ , I still prefer to shop in a mall. I like

to spend the afternoon with my friends looking at clothes. __________________ , it’s better to shop for clothes in a mall because you can try them on before you buy

them

Exercise 8. You are going to do IELTS Speaking Part 2. You will need some paper and a pencil.

Describe a time you went shopping to buy something, but you were not able to buy it.

You should say:

what you wanted to buy
when and where you tried to buy it
why you were not able to buy it
and explain how you felt when you weren’t able to buy it.

E. LISTENING

Exercise 1. In this unit, you will learn about Section 1 of the IELTS Listening test and practise the skills you need to answer five-option multiple-choice

questions. The topic of this unit is libraries. Read the information. Then read the sentences from different conversations and decide who is speaking. Choose

the correct answers.

A an architect
B a library assistant
C a member of the library
D a computer specialist
E a local journalist

1. I’m writing an article about the library for the local newspaper. __________

2. I’ve got my library card with me. I’m interested in science fiction, mainly. __________

3. What I like best is ordering new books and recommending them to people. __________

4. I designed the new library. __________

5. I’m working on a new piece of software for the library. __________

Exercise 2. Read the information. Then listen to the recording and answer the question. Choose two letters, A–E. (Track 5.1)

In an IELTS five- options multiple choice question:

Which TWO people are taking part in the conversation about the new library?
There will be five options (A – E) to choose from

◻ A an architect
You will always be asked to choose TWO of these five options

The options will not be in the same order that they appear in the conversation ( i.e. if the first option in a list of buildings is A library , the speaker may

not mention a library until the middle or the end of their conversation).
◻ B a member of the library

◻ C a library assistant

◻ D a computer specialist

◻ E a local journalist

Exercise 3. Listen to the recording and answer the question. Choose the correct letters, A–E (Track 5.2)

Which TWO services does the library currently offer?

◻ A a language-learning class for adults

◻ B an after-school club for teenagers

◻ C an evening art class

◻ D a morning book-discussion group

◻ E a story-reading session for young children

Exercise 4. Listen to the recording. Choose TWO correct answers (Track 5.3)

Which TWO things can library users do on the library website?

◻ A pay fines for books which are returned late

◻ B apply to renew a library membership card if one gets lost

◻ C do searches for books which have become bestsellers

◻ D comment on books and authors they’ve read

◻ E update details of their home address if they want to

Exercise 5. Listen to the conversation and choose TWO letters A-E for each question (1-4). (Track 5.4)

1. Which TWO reasons does Irina give for visiting the exhibition?

A to meet a friend
B to improve her knowledge
C to buy something
D to check prices
E to entertain her child

2. Which TWO devices has Irina bought recently?

A a calculator
B a computer
C a camera
D a phone
E a digital recorder

3. What TWO things does Irina like about the building?

A the electric lights

B the space
C the activity
D the ceiling
E the entrance
4. Which TWO problems did Irina have coming to the exhibition?

A driving in heavy traffic

B finding the car park
C parking the car
D waiting to enter the exhibition
E standing outside in the rain

Exercise 6. Listen to the conversation and answer questions 1-6. Choose TWO letters, A-E. (Track 5.5)

Questions 1-2

Which TWO criteria will the students use to choose a successful person?

A. age

B. gender

C. individual talent

D. fame

E. global importance

Questions 3-4

Which TWO things do the students agree to do before they meet again?

A. write a biography

B. conduct more research

C. find photographs

D. write a talk

E. plan a seminar
Questions 5-6

Which TWO things do the students agree are linked to success?

A. wealth

B. experience

C. talent

D. effort

E. location

F. WRITING

Exercise 1

Read the sentences about IELTS Writing Task 2. Are they True or False?

1. You should spend about 30 minutes on IELTS Writing Task 2.

o True
o False

2. You should write at least 250 words in IELTS Writing Task 2.

o True
o False

3. You get a higher score if you can write a lot more than 250 words in IELTS Writing Task 2.

o True
o False

4. You should discuss different opinions about the question and give your own opinion.

o True
o False

5. You should not write about your own knowledge or experience of the topic.

o True
o False
6. It is a good idea to be funny and informal in your answer for IELTS Writing Task 2.

o True
o False

Exercise 2

Read the information. Then decide whether the underlined words and phrases are the subject or the special idea about the subject.

To understand the IELTS Writing Task 2 question you should find the subject, and the special idea about the subject:

Eating enough fruit and vegetables is the most important part of a healthy lifestyle. Do you agree or disagree?

In the question above, the subject is a healthy lifestyle and the special idea is that eating enough fruit and vegetables is the most important part of a healthy

lifestyle.

1. There are too many overweight children in the world. Why do children become overweight and what can be done about it? the subject/ the special idea
about the subject
2. Some people think that vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters while other people think they are less healthy. Compare the two views. the subject/ the
special idea about the subject
3. Compare the dangers and benefits of using oil in cooking. the subject/ the special idea about the subject
4. Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world. What is your opinion? the subject/ the special idea about the subject

Exercise 3

After you have found the subject and the special idea about the subject, you should decide what the essay question is asking you to do.

Match each essay question with what it is asking you to do.

Agree or disagree Compare advantages and disadvantages

Compare two different opinions Discuss problems and solutions

1. There are too many overweight children in the world. Why do children become overweight and what can be done about it?
_____________________________
2. Some people think that vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters while other people think they are less healthy. Compare the two views.
_____________________________
3. Compare the dangers and benefits of using oil in cooking. _____________________________
4. Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world. What is your opinion? _____________________________
Exercise 4

Before you write the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay you should make a plan.

Complete the plan with the correct words or phrases in the box.

I think they should plan enjoy important my opinion too much cola sugar in coffee sugar has bad effect on health

Essay ________________________

Introduction: a lot of people are unhealthy because of sugar

________________________ = people should eat less sugar but enjoy it sometimes

Main Paragraph 1, Fact: true = ________________________

Reasons or examples: people drink ________________________ / this could make them ill

Result or opinion: ________________________ drink less cola

Main Paragraph 2, Fact: traditional food is ________________________

Reasons or examples: like traditional cakes and coffee in my country

Result or opinion: I think it’s okay to have cakes at parties or ________________________

Conclusion: people should eat less sugar but still ________________________ it sometimes

Exercise 5

Put the paragraphs in the correct order to complete the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.

Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world.
Do you agree or disagree?

Nowadays, a lot of people around the world are unhealthy because they eat too much sugar. In my opinion, people should reduce the amount of sugar they eat
but also enjoy sweet things sometimes. In this essay, I am going to explain why I partly agree and disagree that sugar is a big health problem.

On the other hand, it is important not to stop enjoying traditional food. For example, in my country we have traditional sweet cakes with cherries and nuts,
which we eat at parties. Also, where I live it is normal to have sugar with coffee. I think it would be sad to stop eating these cakes on special occasions and I
do not agree that it is a problem to drink coffee with sugar sometimes.

On the one hand, it is true that people eat too much sugar now and that it has a bad effect on their health. For example, in my country a lot of people drink
cola with their meals instead of water. Cola has a large amount of sugar in it so they are drinking a lot more calories. More calories means that people get fat
and have problems with their heart or other illnesses. In my view, they should reduce the amount of cola that they drink.

In conclusion, I agree that sugar is a big health problem. I think people should reduce the amount of sugar they have by drinking water instead of cola but I
also think they should still enjoy sugar on special occasions or in coffee sometimes.
1.

2.

3.

4.

Exercise 6

Complete the essay. Use the phrases in the box.

For example, For example, In conclusion, In this essay, I am going to On the one hand, On the other hand,

Sugar is now a big health problem in many countries around the world.
What is your opinion?

Nowadays, a lot of people around the world are unhealthy because they eat too much sugar. In my opinion, people should reduce the amount of sugar they eat but also
enjoy sweet things sometimes.

__________________________ explain why I partly agree and disagree that sugar is a big health problem.

__________________________ it is true that people eat too much sugar now and that it has a bad effect on their health. _________________________ in my country
a lot of people drink cola with their meals instead of water. Cola has a large amount of sugar in it so they are drinking a lot more calories. More calories means that
people get fat and have problems with their heart or other illnesses. In my view, they should reduce the amount of cola that they drink.

__________________________ it is important not to stop enjoying traditional food.

__________________________ in my country we have traditional sweet cakes with cherries and nuts, which we eat at parties. Also, where I live it is normal to have
sugar with coffee. I think it would be sad to stop eating these cakes on special occasions and I do not agree that it is a problem to drink coffee with sugar sometimes.

__________________________ I agree that sugar is a big health problem. I think people should reduce the amount of sugar they have by drinking water instead of
cola but I also think they should still enjoy sugar on special occasions or in coffee sometimes.

Exercise 7

Read the sentences and highlight the phrases for giving opinions.
1. In my opinion, people should reduce the amount of sugar they eat but also enjoy sweet things sometimes.
2. On the one hand, it is true that people eat too much sugar now and that it has a bad effect on their health.
3. More calories means that people get fat and have problems with their heart or other illnesses.
4. In my view, they should reduce the amount of cola that they drink.
5. On the other hand, it is important not to stop enjoying traditional food.
6. I think it would be sad to stop eating these cakes on special occasions.
7. I do not agree that it is a problem to drink coffee with sugar sometimes.
8. In conclusion, I agree that sugar is a big health problem.

Exercise 8

Complete the sentences with phrases for giving opinions. Use the words in the box. Some words can be used more than once.

Agree important means opinion think true view

1. In my ______________ , people should reduce the amount of sugar they eat but also enjoy sweet things sometimes.
2. On the one hand, it is ______________ that people eat too much sugar now and that it has a bad effect on their health.
3. More calories ______________ that people get fat and have problems with their heart or other illnesses.
4. In my _______________ , they should reduce the amount of cola that they drink.
5. On the other hand, it is __________________ not to stop enjoying traditional food.
6. I ________________ it would be sad to stop eating these cakes on special occasions.
7. I do not __________________ that it is a problem to drink coffee with sugar sometimes.
8. In conclusion, I _________________ that sugar is a big health problem.

Exercise 9

Complete the table with the advantages and disadvantages.

often cheaper than eating in a restaurant can be delicious quick and easy

sometimes tastes disgusting if you buy fast food you do not have to cook at home

can cause heart problems often high in fat and sugar can make you overweight

advantages of fast food disadvantages of fast food

Exercise 10. WRITING TASK 2
Beside a lot of advantages, some people believe that the Internet creates many problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?