In Part 1, you have to talk about THREE topics: (A) your home town OR your work/study AND (B and C) two more topics. The topics are familiar. You are expected to talk fluently and easily for a total of 4 or 5 minutes.AChoose ONE of the two boxes below. (These are very common topics practice them with your friends!)Let?s talk about your home/home town or village. What kind of place is it? What?s the most interesting part of your home area? What kind of jobs do the people in your town/village do? Is your home town changing? Would you say it is a good place to live? Why? What changes would you like to make to your home town? Whats your favourite part of your house? What would you like to change in your house?orLets talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student? Work Whats your job? Why did you choose that kind of work? How long have you been doing it? What is a typical day like at your work? Are there things you don?t like about it? What are they?Study What subjects are you studying? Why did you choose those subjects? How long have you been studying them? Do you enjoy them? Why? Are there many job opportunities for you? What is the best thing about studying?

Now talk about BOTH of these boxes, B and C.BNow, lets talk about the media. Do most people listen to the radio where you live? Which newspaper do you most like reading? Why? Do you think television provides good news coverage compared to newspapers? Why/why not?ANDCNow, lets talk about hotels. Do people often go to hotels where you live? What do you think is the most important quality in a hotel? Do you think it is more fun to stay in a hotel or to go camping? Why?

BNow, lets talk about physical activity. Do you play any sports? Which sports do you play? Which sports are most popular for watching in your country? Is this the same for men and women?ANDCNow, lets talk about photography. Is it popular where you live? What kind of photographs do you like to take? Why? Do you like to be photographed? Why/why not?

BMoving on to talk about food What kind of food do you like? What are typical foods in your country? Is cooking a mans or womans job? How do you like foreign food?ANDCLets move on to talk about museums. Do you enjoy visiting museums? Do you think museums have an important role to play in society? Are museums important in your culture?

BLets talk a little about the festivals in your country. What are some festivals in your country? Any special food or activities? What do you enjoy most? Are festivals important?ANDCNow, lets talk about magazines. What sort of magazines are popular where you live? When do you think is the best time to read magazines? Why? Do you think reading magazines can stop people from reading books? Why/why not?

BNow, lets talk about shopping. Where do you go shopping? In your country, is shopping a popular pastime? What time of day is best for shopping, in your opinion?ANDCNow, lets talk about animals. Do you have a pet? What animal is most popular in your country? Why? Do you like visiting zoos? Why/why not?

BId like to talk about your daily routine. Are all your days the same? Typical day? Typical weekend? What would you like to change? What is the balance of work/study?ANDCLets move on to talk about languages. What languages do people in your country usually speak? Do you think it is important to speak more than one language? Why? What languages do you think will be most important in the future?

BLets talk about libraries. Do you have public libraries in your countries? Do you think libraries will be different in the future? In what ways? Should children be allowed in libraries? Why/why not? ANDCNow, lets talk about the media. Do most people listen to the radio where you live? Which newspaper do you most like reading? Why? Do you think television provides good news coverage compared to newspapers? Why/why not?

BLets move on to talk about the sea. Have you ever made a journey by boat? Is the seaside a popular destination for people in your country? What do you think should be done to prevent pollution of the oceans?ANDCMoving on to talk about food What kind of food do you like? What are typical foods in your country? Is cooking a mans or womans job? How do you like foreign food?

BLets move on to talk about the environment. What kind of threats are there to the environment in your country? Do you think your country is protecting the environment enough? Is the environment very important to you? Why/why not?ANDCLets talk a little about the festivals in your country. What are some festivals in your country? Any special food or activities? What do you enjoy most? Are festivals important?

BNow lets talk about jewelry. In your country, do people wear a lot of jewelry? Is it the same for men and women? Do you think children should wear jewelry? Why/why not?ANDCLets move on to talk about history. Do you study history at school in your country? Which historical person do you identify with most? Why? Do you think children should learn about the history of other countries? Why/why not?

BLets move on to what you do in your spare time. Hobbies and interests? When/how did you become interested? How do you spend your holidays? Is there anyplace you would like to visit? Why?ANDCLets move on to what you do in your spare time. Hobbies and interests? When/how did you become interested? How do you spend your holidays? Is there anyplace you would like to visit? Why?

BLets move on to talk about music. Do you enjoy listening to music? Do you prefer to listen to traditional or modern music? Why? Do you think children should learn to play a musical instrument? Why/why not?ANDCLets move on to talk about technology. Do you use a computer? Which age-group do you think finds technology most difficult? Do you think technology only helps us, or are there some disadvantages too?

BNow, lets talk about modern life. Is life in your country today very different from when your grandparents were your age? What things are changing in your country at the moment? Do you think modern life is healthy?ANDCLets move on to talk about the sea. Have you ever made a journey by boat? Is the seaside a popular destination for people in your country? What do you think should be done to prevent pollution of the oceans?

Describe a teacher that you remember from school:

You should say: what the teacher taught youwhat was good about the teacherwhat you didnt like about the teacherand say if you think this teacher changed your life in any way

Describe someone in your family that you really admire:

You should say: what relation this person is to youwhat are your first memories of this personhow often you see this personand say why you really admire this member of your family

Describe an old person outside your family that influenced you:

You should say: who it was how you knew him or her if you met themand say why they had a strong influence on you

Describe a typical festival or celebration in your country:

You should say: what is the celebration aboutwhat people do during this celebrationwhat you usually do at this timeand say what this celebration means to youDescribe a child that you know:

You should say: who it is how you know this childwhat you do together or how often you see him or her and say what this child means to you

Describe a gift you bought for someone recently :

You should say: what it waswho you bought it forwhy you bought itand say how giving this gift made you feel

Describe a place you go to in order to relax in your country:

You should say: where it iswhat you do therehow often you go thereand say what this place means to you

Describe a technological item that you have that is important to you:

You should say: what it iswhen and where you got ithow it helps you in your lifeand say what you would do if you didnt have one of these

Describe a party that you have been to that you enjoyed:

You should say: who gave the partywhy you were invitedwho was at the partyand say why you really enjoyed that party

Examples of Part 3Topic in Part 2Possible Related Topic in Part 3

Describe a place you visited recentlyHow does tourism affect a country? Does it have some advantages? Can cultures learn from each other?

Describe a friendIs friendship important in your culture? How many close friends can you have? Are friends more important than family?

Describe a child you knowWhat is the role of parents in raising children? Has the role changed in recent years? Who is responsible for discipline?

Describe an object you likeDo possessions make people happy? Why do people buy things? Are people in your country wise consumers?

Describe a photographAre images important in your culture? What is the role of advertising? Do films and television influence our decisions?

Describe an historical figureWho are the most influential people in your society? Are there many heroes or role models today? What are the qualities of a good leader?

Describe an important event in your cultureHow do different cultures celebrate events? What is the importance of festivals? How have special occasions such as weddings changed in your culture?

Conversation Starters1. Are you comfortable as a leader or as a follower?2. Which is more important, intelligence or common sense?3. What one special talent would you like to have?4. Why would you rather be a girl or a boy?5. What are the most important qualities you look for in friends?6. Which household chores do you like to do and which do you try to avoid?7. Would you give up junk food to live 10 years longer?8. What skill would you like to have someday?9. What would you like to change about your school?10.How are you different from everyone else?11.What do you think is the hardest part about being a parent?12.What do you think is the hardest part about being a kid?13.Which animal would you love to be for a day?14.When youre having a bad day, what do you do to feel better?15.What would you like to be doing in 10 years?16.Whats your favorite family tradition?17.What is your favorite month of the year?18.How does a person become courageous?19.What is your favorite day of the week?20.Who is one of your heroes and why do they inspire you?21.What three things would you like to change in the world?22.Whats the nicest thing youve ever done for someone?23.Have you ever stood up for something you thought was right?24.What do children know more about than adults?25.If you could have any view from your bedroom window, what would it be?26.Whats the first thing youd do if you were president?27.What would you most like to do for someone else if you had the money andtime?28.Whats the ultimate ice cream sundae?29.Would you rather be a great musician, athlete, scientist, artist, politician, orwriter?30.How will you know when youre grown-up?31.Whats the scariest thing that ever happened to you?32.What is one piece of advice that you wish you could pass along to everyoneelse?

33.If you could have 50 pounds of anything other than money, what would youwant?34.Most people have a favorite story or experience that they love to share with otherpeople. Heres your chance: whats your story?35.What is one item you own that you really should throw awaybut probably neverwill?36.If you were writing an autobiography, what would be the books title (besides yourname)?37.If you could open your own retail store, what type of merchandise would you sell?38.If you had to write your own personal definition of the word Success, whatwould it be?39.In your opinion, what is the best piece of music ever written?40.If snow could fall in any flavor, what flavor would you choose?41.Whenever you are having a bad day, what is the best thing you can do to helpcheer yourself up?42.What event or activity in the next few months are you looking forward to morethan anything else?43.What is your favorite time of the day?44.If all drinking fountains could dispense another liquid in addition to water, whatwould you want it to be?45.If you could live in any state other than the one in which you currently reside,which state would you choose?46.If you were a multimillionaire, where would you be and what do you believe youwould be doing at this very moment?47.If you had to change your first name, what would you choose as your new name?48.If you had the time and money and could go on any month-long summeradventure of your choice, what would you choose to do?49.Which month of the year do you think would best describe your personality?50.If you were to write a book, what would you choose as the topic?

Read the article World Heritage by Linda Baxter

If you think about World Heritage Sites, you probably think of places associated with ancient art and culture, historical buildings and monuments. And of course, many of these are on the World Heritage List.Remains of ancient cultures, like Cuzco in Peru, Angkor in Cambodia, or the famous rock city of Petra in Jordan. Or old city centres, such as Rome in Italy, or Sana'a in Yemen. Or places of artistic or cultural significance, like the Stonehenge stone circle in England, or the Tsodilo rock paintings in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. But The World Heritage List contains a lot of sites that are not so obvious. Some of them are well known. For example, the Galapagos Islands, which inspired Darwin's theories of evolution, or the Victoria Falls waterfalls in Africa, and the Grand Canyon in the United States. Let's look at a few of the more unusual sites on the World Heritage List and why it is important to preserve them. Citadel of Haiti These monuments were built at the end of the nineteenth century when Haiti became independent and the many thousands of black slaves in Haiti were free for the first time. These ex-slaves built the monuments, which The World Heritage List (WHL) describes as 'a universal symbol of liberty'. Robben Island in South AfricaThis island was used through the centuries as a prison, a hospital and a military base. But it's probably most famous as a maximum-security prison for political prisoners in the twentieth century. Nelson Mandela was one of its most famous residents. The WHL says it represents 'the triumph of democracy and freedom over oppression and racism'. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India This railway was opened in 1881 and is still operating today. It crosses a difficult area of mountain landscape and it is a great example of railway engineering. The WHL says that it is 'the first, and still the most outstanding, example of a hill passenger railway.' Borders of France and Spain This is an area of great natural beauty and the mountains have many interesting geological formations. But it is also an area of small farms. People there still use a type of agriculture that used to be common in mountainous areas of Europe but has almost completely disappeared in modern times. The WHL has listed the site because it shows us about 'past European society through its landscape of villages, farms, fields, upland pastures and mountain roads.'

The city of Brasilia, Brazil Brasilia is a capital city that was created from nothing in 1956. The WHL calls it 'a landmark in the history of town planning.' The different areas of the city and the buildings themselves were all designed at the same time so that they would harmonise with each other. Every part of the city shows the ideas of the planner and architect. Dorset and East Devon Coast, United Kingdom This part of the coast in the South West of England is famous for its fossils and is popular with scientists and amateur fossil hunters. The cliffs also show rock formations from millions of years ago. The WHL says that they 'have contributed to the study of earth sciences for over 300 years.' Alto Douro, Portugal This is an area in the North of Portugal where wine has been produced for thousands of years. Nowadays it is world famous for the 'port wine' that is produced there. The WHL says that this long tradition of winemaking 'has produced a cultural landscape of outstanding beauty that reflects its technological, social and economic evolution.' Rio Platano Reserve, Honduras The WHL says that this site is 'one of the few remains of a humid tropical forest in Central America.' It's a mountainous area on the Caribbean coast with many different species of plants and animals. The people who have always lived there still have the same traditional lifestyle. Simien National Park, Ethiopia Simien National Park was one of the first sites to be listed in 1978. It is one of the highest mountain areas in Africa, and the WHL calls it 'one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world'. It is also important for its wildlife. Rare animals like the Gelada baboon and the Simien fox live there. It is also the only place in the world where you can find the Walia ibex, a type of goat. The population of this animal is getting smaller and smaller. That's why the site is now on the List of World Heritage in Danger. So, the World Heritage List isn't only about ancient monuments and buildings. It's also concerned with technology, natural beauty, wildlife and traditional ways of life.

After reading Exercise 1 Choose the answer to each of the six questions below, depending on the information in the text. 1. Why is the Citadel of Haiti included on the list? a. It shows a traditional way of life. b. It represents freedom. c. The buildings are thousands of years old.

2. Why is the Darjeeling Railway listed? a. The landscape is very beautiful. b. It was difficult to build. c. It carries a lot of passengers.

3. What is the most important reason for listing the area on the borders of France and Spain? a. We can learn about the history of Europe. b. The geology is interesting. c. It's very beautiful.

4. Why is Brasilia listed? a. It's an interesting example of town planning. b. It was the ancient capital of Brazil. c. It was difficult to build.

5. Why is the Dorset and East Devon Coast listed? a. The wildlife is unusual. b. It's important for scientific study. c. You can find fossils there.

6. Why is the Simien National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger? a. Because of the animals that live there. b. Because of the people that live there. c. Because of the natural landscape.

Exercise 2 In the table below are 10 words from the text. Below the table are definitions of the 10 words. Can you match the words to their definitions? Evolution Fossils Geology

Heritage landmark landscape

Outstanding preserve symbol

triumph

1. means features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages or buildings, which still exist from the past and which have a historical importance. 2. means gradual development. 3. To something means to keep it as it is, esp. in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed. 4. A is a sign, shape or object which is used to represent something else. 5. A is a very great success, achievement or victory, or a feeling of great satisfaction or pleasure caused by this. 6. means excellent; clearly very much better than what is usual. 7. the study of the rocks and similar substances that make up the Earth's surface, esp. in order to understand its structure, origin, etc. 8. A is a large area of countryside, esp. in relation to its appearance. 9. A is a building or place that is easily recognized, esp. one which you can use to judge where you are. 10. are bones, shells or shapes of a plant or animal which have been preserved in rock, ice or earth for a very long period.

Answers Exercise 1: 1. b; 2. b; 3. a; 4. a; 5. b; 6. a Exercise 2: 1. Heritage; 2. Evolution; 3. preserve; 4. symbol; 5. triumph; 6. Outstanding; 7. Geology; 8. landscape; 9. landmark; 10. Fossils