IELTS SPEAKING PART 1 HEADPHONES: Study the sample answers to the topic questions about headphones. Learn topic vocabulary, collocations, and how the speaker developed his answers achieving the criteria, Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar and Accuracy.
Talking about headphones is easy, especially if you have enough vocabulary to use. The sample answers below give you ideas on how to articulate your thoughts better that will help you achieve your target band score.
PART 1
HEADPHONES

Do you use headphones?
(Answer 1)
Yes, I do and it’s very often. I use them not only for listening to music but also for my work. My headphones have a built-in microphone which is pretty convenient as I can use them when I attend some conference calls with my co-workers.
(Answer 2)
I’m not sure if we can call earbuds a type of headphones, but I do use earbuds since they’re extremely convenient, unlike the traditional headphones that are heavy and bulky. I normally use earbuds when I talk with someone over the phone and when I listen to music to relax.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Built-in [adj.] – fixed, attached
Earbuds [noun] – very small headphones worn inside the ear
Bulky [adj.] – large, big
What type of headphones do you use?
(Answer 1)
Well, I have over-ear headphones and they’re noise-canceling. The brand is Plantronics and they’re kind of expensive but the quality is superb. The sound is crisp and the built-in microphone doesn’t pick up my breathing.
(Answer 2)
They’re earbuds so basically, they’re on-ear headphones. They’re tiny and the color of them is identical to my skin tone so normally people won’t easily notice me wearing earbuds. I got them for less than $50 from Amazon.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Over-ear headphones – the ear cushions sit generally on the outer ear
Superb [adj.] – excellent
Crisp [adj.] – very clear
Built-in [adj.] – fixed
Pick-up [phrasal verb] – to hear sounds from various directions
On-ear headphones – the ear cushions sit directly to your ear as opposed to over-ear headphones
Identical [adj.] – alike, similar
Got it/them for [expression] – bought it/them for
When would you use headphones?
(Answer 1)
As I said earlier, I use them when I spend time listening to music and when I need to attend online meetings. Honestly, I’d never seen them as a necessity until I started working from home. I even bought an extra set of headphones in case the other one malfunctions.
(Answer 2)
Well, when I want to relax like listening to music or podcast while I’m traveling or exercising or when I need to chat with my friends or co-workers over the phone. Thanks to this type of technology, we can enjoy listening to something in a more convenient way.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Necessity [noun] – essential
Malfunction [verb] – failure to function normally
Over the phone [phrase] – by calling on the phone
Thanks to [phrase] – due to
In what conditions, you won’t use headphones?
(Answer 1)
Well, when I don’t need them like I don’t need to attend online conferences or I’m not in the mood to listen to music. I actually just use them when I have the need to use them.
(Answer 2)
I avoid using them when I’m walking, running, or cycling. Wearing earbuds or headphones is extremely dangerous when you’re outside as you can’t hear your surroundings. I’m actually afraid for those joggers or runners who wear headphones as they can’t hear the running cars or the cars honking. You know accidents can happen in the most unexpected way, so it is a must to know what’s happening around you.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
In the mood [idiom] – feeling a desire for something or to do something
Honk [verb] – to make a short, loud sound
A must [expression] – it’s important
Study how to answer the recent cue card about A TALL BUILDING YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE on this link https://ieltsdragon.com/ielts-a-tall-building-that-you-like-dislike/recent-cue-card-sample-answers/
Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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