PART 1
HANDWRITING
ANSWERS
Do you like your handwriting?
(Answer 1)
Yes, I do but I think I can still improve my handwriting. Though my penmanship is often legible (adj.: readable), there are times that it isn’t. Sometimes I can’t simply understand the notes that I write in my notebook and that really annoys (verb: irritate) me.
(Answer 2)
Well, that depends on the style of my handwriting. If it’s print handwriting (another term: block handwriting), I have no complaints but if it’s cursive, I have so many issues such as some words are illegible (adj.: cannot be read), messy, or the size of the letters in a word are not proportionate. These issues make me hate my cursive handwriting completely.
Do you think handwriting is important?
(Answer 1)
In this digital age, I think it’s not that important since most of us are now dependent on using computers or smart devices. But it doesn’t mean that handwriting is completely obsolete (adj.: no longer used), no, it’s still important but not as important as it was in the past.
(Answer 2)
I believe so because that’s a basic skill. Despite the advanced technology that we have right now, we still need to write by hand such as when we need to sign an official document. Besides, schools are still requiring students to write by hand and because of that, handwriting is still very relevant (adj.: important) in this computer age.
Which do you prefer, handwriting or typing?
(Answer 1)
I prefer the latter (adj.: second-mentioned) as it’s much easier. I can actually type very fast since my work involves typing. So, typing is more productivity-wise than writing by hand.
(Answer 2)
That really depends if I have to send letters or cards to my friends or loved ones. I love writing personal messages through handwriting, other than that (phrase: except), I go for (phrase: choose) typing as it’s way more convenient.
What’s the difference between handwriting and typing?
(Answer 1)
The simplest way to define the two is that handwriting is manual writing, that is, writing with the use of one’s hand, while typing is inputting (verb: to put data) texts on a computer with the use of word processing software, where a person can delete mistakes without any trace of erasures.
(Answer 2)
Handwriting is a skill that people learn at a young age. It’s relying on one’s hand when writing or scribbling (verb: write or draw in a hurry). Typing, on the other hand, is still using one’s hand but with the aid (noun: help) of a computer to input text on a word processing software.
Do you often write with a pen?
(Answer 1)
Yes definitely! I’m a doctor so every now and then I write prescriptions for my patients with a pen. We, doctors, normally don’t use computers when making prescriptions.
(Answer 2)
Yes, I do but not so often as I’m not a student – oftentimes it’s the students who write with a pen. Normally, I just use a computer at work whenever I need to type something since it’s much more convenient and that’s great since I have bad penmanship.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Every now and then [phrase] – occasionally; from time to time
Prescription [noun] – a piece of paper where the doctor writes the details of medicine that the patient needs
Oftentimes [adverb] – frequently; many times
Penmanship [noun] – a person’s handwriting
TIPS
i.) FIRST ANSWER – In order for the speaker to answer the question in a more detailed way, he linked the question to his profession. In that way, he’s able to deliver his answer in a more spontaneous way because it’s easy for him to talk about his job then.
ii.) SECOND ANSWER – The speaker gave a positive direct answer and shared the frequency of how much time he used a pen for writing. – Just like in the first answer, the speaker connected the question to his status being a worker. To extend his answer, he shared his opinion that it’s usually the students who have many chances to write with a pen. Then he transitioned to talking about typing on a computer which for him was favorable since it’s convenient.
Is your handwriting easy to read?
(If YES)
I’m proud to say yes, I believe I belong to the 1% of doctors who have legible handwriting. Stereotypically, doctors are known to have illegible penmanship but I’m an exception. I always make sure that my patients won’t have any difficulty reading the prescription I provide them.
(If NO)
Unfortunately not, most especially when I write in cursive. I remember when I was a student my teacher often put some red marks on my composition simply because my penmanship was illegible. These days, I’ve been putting so much effort just to improve my handwriting and I believe I see some improvements.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Legible [adj.] – readable
Stereotypically [adv.] – in a way that one would expect someone or something to be although this idea is not always true
Illegible [adj.] – not clear
Exception [noun] – someone or something that is not included to follow the general rules
Cursive [adj.] – a form of writing in which letters are joined together
Composition [noun] – a form of writing; a piece of writing such as an essay
Put (effort) /Put something into something [phrase] – to spend so much effort
TIPS
i.) FIRST ANSWER – As the question is related to the first question answered by the speaker, he continued linking his answer to his profession. He gave a straightforward answer by using the expression ‘I’m proud…’ instead of just saying ‘Yes’. This makes him sound so natural. What’s more interesting and entertaining is the fact that he talked about the stereotype of doctors’ penmanship.
ii.) SECOND ANSWER
The speaker used several topic vocabulary words related to handwriting including cursive; composition, illegible; and penmanship. This is a very good way to get a better mark in Lexical Resources. This shows the examiner that his vocabulary knowledge is not limited. – In order for him to support and talk about his negative answer, he recalled his life as a student who often got corrected by his teacher with regard to his bad penmanship.
Do you think handwriting will be replaced by computers?
Absolutely not, because it’s one of the most important skills that people learn at a young age. Besides, handwriting is needed when signing some official or important documents as it’s a formal way. Yes, it’s undeniable that these days the use of an electronic pen is apparent, especially when signing electronic documents, but I believe that can never replace conventional handwriting.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Absolutely [adverb] – totally; completely
Besides [preposition] – in addition to
Official documents [noun] – legal documents
Apparent [adj.] – evident; obvious
Does the handwriting of a person tell something about his personality?
(Answer 1)
For me, yes it does speak volumes – a person who has legible and neat handwriting is usually organized and goal-oriented, whereas a person whose penmanship is unintelligible and messy is construed as unorganized, clumsy, and has a happy-go-lucky personality.
(Answer 2)
Perhaps, it does but not totally and I think it’s hard to generalize like if one has good penmanship, he’s already organized and if one doesn’t have, he’s already an unorganized person. Well, we need to consider that sometimes a person can write neatly, especially when he’s not in a rush or when he’s in the mood to write, but if not, he can be as messy as a grader. Although we can get an idea of the personality of a person through his handwriting, it’s still not the ultimate basis.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Speak volumes [phrase] – make something very clear; be good evidence for
Unintelligible [adj.] – impossible to understand
Messy [adj.] – chaotic; dirty
Construe [verb] – interpret
Clumsy [adj.] – awkward in handling things
Happy-go-lucky [adj.] – easy-going
In a rush [idiom] – very busy; having very little time
Grader [noun] – a pupil of a specified grade in school
TIPS
i.) The speaker gave a positive answer to his question and expressed his opinion clearly. He described two types of people with different kinds of penmanship by focusing on their characteristics. In that way, he’s able to express his answer more and spontaneously.
ii.) The speaker partly believed that the handwriting of a person had something to say about his personality and he provided his example to support his belief. He made sure to explain thoroughly so his examiner would understand him better. Then ended his answer by stating that it’s not the only basis for understanding the personality of a person. It’s a great way to end his answer.
Study how the speaker developed
his monologue for the recent IELTS
Cue Card about
Describe A Family Business You Know.
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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