PART 1
GO ON A PICNIC
ANSWERS
Did you go on a picnic when you were a child?
(Answer 1)
If my memory serves me right, I didn’t, which is unfortunate because I did miss the wonderful experience of going on a picnic in my childhood. I dunno, perhaps my parents weren’t into it or their time was just occupied with work during those younger years of mine. I was already a teen when I experienced going on a picnic with my friends and classmates.
(Answer 2)
Yes, definitely! I had countless opportunities of going on a picnic when I was little and that’s because my parents love the outdoors. We actually have a camper van and we used it a lot when I was a child – traveling to different magnificent places and having picnics. My parents still have the van and every time I get back home to see them, I always have this bittersweet feeling whenever I see that van because wonderful childhood memories come flooding back.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
If my memory serves me right [phrase] – if I remember correctly
Occupied [adj.] – busy and active
Outdoor [noun as used in the answer] – any area outside a building or shelter that’s away from human habitation Camper van [noun] – a large motor vehicle with living accommodation
Get back [phrase] – go back; come back
Bittersweet [adj.] – have some happy aspects and sad ones
Flood back [phrase] – to suddenly remember things clearly
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker avoided saying the traditional answer of saying a yes or no, instead he used a very good expression to develop his introduction in a more natural way which made him sound better. Then he started recalling his childhood memories of not having a picnic provided with a complete reason.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker gave a direct positive answer to the question and elaborated his answer by giving details by describing his parents’ love of the outdoors which made him experience lots of picnics. Then wrapped up his answer by expressing how he missed those wonderful times he had when he was little. The way he ended his answer helped him sound confident and comfortable in using the English language.
How often do you go on a picnic now?
(Answer 1)
Rarely. I don’t have a lot of time these days as I’m incredibly busy, besides, it’s not advisable to go on a picnic these days considering the situation that we’re all in. Doing recreational activities in these trying times is too risky as we might get contracted the virus.
(Answer 2)
I don’t go on a picnic at all and that’s the last thing I want to do. Honestly, I have so many things that I need to deal with on a daily basis. Well, I’m not saying that I don’t have time to unwind, of course, I also spend time relaxing now and then, it’s just that, going on a picnic is not my cup of tea.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Incredibly [adv.] – to a great degree
Advisable [adj.] – to be recommended
Contract [verb as used in the answer] – to catch or be ill with a disease
Deal with [phrase] – to give attention to
Unwind [verb] – to relax
Cup of tea [idiom] – something one likes or excels
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker gave his answer at once and explained why he didn’t go on a picnic. Also, he talked about the current situation that the world is facing which is realistic as no one wants to go on a picnic in the midst of a pandemic. His answer is logical or realistic which helped him sound more natural.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker gave a negative answer and stated that there were more important things that he could do in his life and he preferred doing those to having a picnic. He then transitioned by saying that going on a picnic is not one of his interests.
Where do you usually go on a picnic?
(Answer 1)
Well, just the usual places that people love visiting such as parks, lakes, and forests. Recently, I’ve heard about holding a picnic in urban spaces like a rooftop with a view of the city skyline, a museum park, a town square, and the like. I think that must be interesting, I’d like to give it a shot one day.
(Answer 2)
I love going on a picnic at the beach simply because I enjoy listening to the sound of the sea waves, smelling the sea breeze, and watching the birds fly over the water. Also, it’s a perfect place for a picnic as I can sunbathe which helps me relieve all my work-related stress. Doing all these things helps me forget all my worries and I make a habit of having a picnic at the beach every now and again.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Skyline [noun] – the line at which the earth and sky appear to meet
Give it a shot [idiom] – to try something
Sunbathe [verb] – sit or lie in the sun
Make a habit of something [idiom] – to follow a routine in which one does something habitually
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker enumerated the places where he usually goes on a picnic right away and for him to speak at length, he transitioned to talking about the new trends of having a picnic in urban places. He simply ended his answer by sharing his point of view. Simple but well-answered!
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker simply gave one answer and focused on giving an explanation for that one particular place. He elaborated his answer by giving descriptive ideas about what he experienced upon holding a picnic at the beach. That surely helped him speak more! Also, by doing that he’s able to use plenty of topic vocabulary words and collocations.
What kinds of food are usually eaten at a picnic?
Normally finger food or those that are easy to pack like chicken drumsticks, sausage rolls, pies, sandwiches, and many more. However, some people don’t like eating foods that are preheated so they usually bring a barbecue grill when going on a picnic and just enjoy grilling some meat or fish and I think that’s way better.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Finger food [noun] – food that can be eaten with the fingers
Preheat [verb] – heat something in an oven or grill beforehand
Barbecue grill [noun] – a device that cooks food by applying heat from below
TIP
i.) The speaker provided very specific foods that people usually bring at a picnic. Those were the topic vocabulary that helped him formulate a better answer. So to avoid giving a mediocre answer, he expressed his idea more by sharing his observation – stating that some people bring a grill on a picnic so they could enjoy grilling some fresh meat or fish. That’s a great technique to extend his answer a little bit more.
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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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