PART 1
STREET MARKETS
ANSWERS
Are there many street markets in your country?
(Answer 1)
Yes, there are numerous (very many) street markets all over my country and that’s simply because they’re part of our culture. Street markets have a long history in my beloved country. They existed even before World War 1. These days, you can always see a street market wherever you go in this country.
(Answer 2)
Yes, undeniably! You can always see many kinds of street markets, most especially in big cities and some towns where there’s a huge population. Well, I just visited one last week and I bought some handmade accessories and homemade bread. I actually had so much fun visiting that street market with my friends.
What do people usually buy at the street market?
(Answer 1)
More often than not (usually), people buy homemade products like bread, cookies, jam, and the like (etcetera). They also buy some handicrafts, clothes, and inexpensive electronic devices. In my opinion, buying those stuff from street markets is good because customers are helping small businesses to flourish (prosper; grow).
(Answer 2)
Honestly, I’m not sure since I rarely go to a street market. I haven’t had many opportunities to see what people buy at the street markets. I assume they buy cheap food, clothes, or some second-hand (slightly used) items. But again, I’m not sure and I could be wrong.
Do you prefer to go shopping in the shopping mall or on the street market?
(Answer 1)
I can’t really choose between the two because I love shopping in those places. Well, what I like about the shopping mall is that it has a wide variety of choices. I can buy anything I want and it’s pretty convenient. Shopping at the street markets is incredibly (extremely) fun because I get to discover some valuable things that are cheaper. Besides, I enjoy haggling (to negotiate or bargain) with salesmen which I can’t do in the shopping mall.
(Answer 2)
Well, obviously, I prefer shopping in the shopping mall simply because almost everything I need is there. Besides, I feel safe inside the mall since there are CCTVs. In case I lost my valuables, I can easily ask for help from the management of that shopping mall. That’s something I can’t do at the street markets.
When was the last time you went to a street market?
(Answer 1)
Just yesterday! I was so stressed out thinking of this IELTS exam that I needed to divert my attention (distract one’s attention). I went to the nearest street market in our town and bought some snacks which I’d brought with me today. I guess after this exam, I’ll drop by (briefly visit a place) at some street markets in this city before I leave home.
(Answer 2)
It’s been a while, I guess two years ago. That’s when I traveled to Vietnam. I went to one of the street markets in the capital with my friends. We bought some souvenirs and ate some of their street foods. It was actually a memorable (unforgettable) experience.
Do you go to street markets?
(Answer 1)
Yes, I do. Visiting some street markets is my cup of tea, especially a flea market. I never miss any opportunity to check if there are some collector’s items that I can buy. I’m actually collecting some antiques and most of my collections came from those kinds of markets.
(Answer 2)
Not at all, I won’t enjoy going to street markets anymore and it’s not safe, especially in our city. I’m afraid of being victimized by pickpockets again. I once had a horrible experience when me and my friends went to a street market in our city to buy some summer dresses. It was me who suggested going to a street market so that I could save some money but I ended up losing my wallet and some important IDs and bank cards.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Cup of tea [idiom] – something one enjoys or prefers
Flea market [noun] – a street market that sells second-hand goods
Collector’s item [noun] – refers to things that are valued by collectors since they’re special, rare, or beautiful
Antique [noun] – a collectible object with a high value because of its age and quality
Pickpocket [noun] – a person who steals from someone’s pocket
Horrible [adj.] – very unpleasant
End up [phrasal verb] – to come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker gave a positive answer and talked about one specific kind of street market. He then talked about his interest in antiques which was one main reason why he paid a visit to some street markets. Notice some topic vocabulary words and collocations he used when answering the question. He expressed his thoughts very well.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker gave a negative answer and simply talked about his bad experience as to why he was not into going to street markets. His way of explaining his negative experience helped him extend his answer a bit more. In that way, he’s able to express his thoughts in English spontaneously.
Why do you think people go to street markets?
(Answer 1)
I suppose some people want to buy some affordable goods which they can’t purchase in department stores or shops because of the hefty price tag. As you know, most items in street markets are way cheaper than the ones in shops. Also, some people take the opportunity to ask for a bargain since it’s always possible to do such a thing and in that way, they can save a lot.
(Answer 2)
Honestly, I don’t have any idea why there are plenty of people who prefer street markets over shops or department stores. I assume that they just want to find items that are low-priced but of good quality. Perhaps, they also want to enjoy and have fun seeing a wide range of items sold in street markets. Well actually, it’s really fun going to street markets.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Purchase [verb] – to buy
Hefty price tag [noun] – a high price
Way (cheaper) – another way to say very cheap
Bargain [noun] – deal; agreement in order to get a discounted price
Plenty [pronoun] – many; more than enough
Assume [verb] – suppose; presume
Wide range of [expression] – a lot of things
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker didn’t give a general answer instead he gave his supposition as to why people go to street markets. His answer was more focused on talking about prices. That’s one of the easiest ways to answer that question. Simple answer but with good topic vocabulary words!
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker gave a very honest answer claiming that he didn’t really know. Here, he just gave his assumption specifically talking about the price and at the same time talking about how fun street markets are. Don’t be afraid to tell the examiner that you do not know but just make sure to express your thoughts more.
When you travel abroad, do you go to street markets?
(Answer 1)
It’s such a shame to say that I’ve never been abroad, well, if I get the chance to travel or live in a foreign land, I will surely visit one. I want to explore their street markets and see the differences from the street markets here in my country. I think that’ll be fun.
(Answer 2)
Yes, I do, that’s always a part of my itinerary because for me that’s the best place to interact with the local people. I remember I had a memorable experience in one of the street markets in Chiang Mai Thailand, I was able to buy some souvenirs and T-shirts at a very affordable price and the saleswoman was very accommodating, she even taught me some practical Thai expressions.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
It’s a shame [expression] – to say that something is unfortunate
Foreign land [noun] – another country
Explore [verb] – travel over
Itinerary [noun] – planned route
Interact [verb] – communicate
Accommodating [adj.] – helpful; cooperative
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker was very honest and used a very good expression at the start of his answer. Since he didn’t have any experience in traveling abroad yet, he used the first conditional tense to express his hope to visit one street market whenever he could get the opportunity. This is a natural and clever way to answer. Using conditional tense surely helps you get a good mark in the criterion, Grammar & Accuracy.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker gave a positive answer and talked about street markets as a part of his itinerary. Also to extend his answer, he talked briefly about his experience in one of the street markets in Thailand. His flexibility in using the English language helps him express his thoughts naturally.
What are the differences between a street market and a supermarket?
Well, a street market is usually a group of small vendors that sell items independently in a booth – they normally rent a booth from the organizers. They sell some retailed items or they sell their own products or produce, while a supermarket is one company that is a retailer of many kinds of products. Undeniably, the prices of their items are way more expensive than those in street markets.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Vendor [noun] – seller
Booth [noun] – stall; stand
Produce [noun] – agricultural or other natural products
Retailer [noun] – a person or business that sells goods to the public for consumption or use
TIP
i.) The speaker talked about the main characteristics of a street market and a supermarket. Also, he paid attention to the question asking him to provide plural (differences). You must always pay attention to the question, some students miss that. When asked to give more than one, then provide what is being asked.
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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