Old Buildings
Have you ever seen some old buildings in the city? Do you think we should preserve old buildings in cities? Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house? Are there any old buildings you want to see in the future? Why? How do old buildings affect the appearance of a place? What aspects of culture do old buildings reflect?
Vocabulary
  • To repurpose (verb) - to find a new use for an idea, product, or building.
  • Listed building (noun) - a building of great historical or artistic value that has official protection to prevent it from being changed or destroyed.
  • Bring up to code (phrasal verb) - to alter or improve something so that it meets building codes or regulations.
  • World Heritage Site (noun) - a place, for example an area, a building, or a city, that has been put on a list by the organization UNESCO to say that it has special importance, and should be protected.
  • Upkeep (noun) - the cost or process of keeping something, such as a building, in good condition.
  • Well-maintained (adj.) - kept in good order or condition.
  • To anchor (verb) - to make something or someone stay in one position by fastening him, her, or it firmly; to fix something in one position.
  • To infer (verb) - to form an opinion or guess that something is true because of the information that you have.
  • To preserve (verb) - to keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed.
Get exclusive episodes on IELTS Speaking parts 1, 2, and 3
Get exclusive episodes on IELTS Speaking parts 1, 2, and 3
Questions and answers
M: Have you ever seen some old buildings in the city?

R: Well, my hometown is hundreds of years old. So I see them almost every day, we've got a gallery in town called The McManus which has a kind of Gothic style to it. And that was built in the 1800s. There are also a few old jute mills, which were...sorry they've been repurposed, but they're kept in their original state because they're listed buildings.

M: Do you think we should preserve all the buildings in cities?

R: Assuming they're kept up to code, then I don't see why not. It's a good reminder of the past and a connection to culture that pretty much anyone can access. I visited one of the first mosques in Africa, which was preserved as part of their local history in that area. Though, it really should have been a UN Heritage Site or something like that.

M: Do you prefer living in an old building or in a modern house?

R: I don't mind, really. As long as the place is easy to keep, and it's not falling apart. I've lived in lots of places, and it doesn't seem too difficult to accomplish. But then maybe my standards are just really low.

M: Are there any old buildings you would like to see in the future?

R: I thought about that a lot. I don't think there are places I want to see. But there are people I would like to visit and cultures I want to experience. I don't think buildings mean much without the people around them. That's who they're for after all.

M: How do old buildings affect the appearance of a place?

R: I think that depends on their upkeep, really. If it's in a state of disrepair, then clearly it will bring down the reputation of the area. However, a well-maintained building can be a tourist attraction, or a piece of cultural heritage that anchors the area and its history.

M: What aspects of culture do old buildings reflect?
R: I suppose the architectural styles and tastes are probably the most easily seen. But you can infer a lot about a culture and what influences it and what values and what it wants to preserve just by looking at the buildings. It can tell you a lot about the big ideas and conflicts in a society, actually, now that I think about it.

M: Thank you Rory for your answers!
Discussion
M: So old buildings, how can we paraphrase old buildings? Can I say something like very old or ancient buildings or not new?

R: If you're being like hyperbolic then you could say ancient, I don't see the problem with that. But most buildings you could describe, you just say they're old and how they're old. So for example, we could talk about the style or when they were built. And that adds detail to it. But there's not a great way of paraphrasing old buildings. You could maybe say like it's a former something. It's a former church, for example.

M: Yeah. And you can name the buildings. So churches, galleries, you can talk about museums or ruins, castles. Right? So whatever buildings you have in your area, and Rory said that my hometown is hundreds of years old, or my city is hundreds of years old. Hundreds, hundreds years old? Hundreds of years old?

R: Hundreds of years. Hundreds of.

M: Hundreds of years. Yeah. Or you can say my hometown is 100 years old, right?

R: How old is your hometown?

M: Moscow is 875 years old.

R: That's it. Right. Okay. So it's actually older than 800 years old.

M: And you can say that okay. There is an old gallery. It was built in or it was built back in the 80s. And then it has been repurposed. A very nice verb to repurpose something. So the gallery was repurposed or has been repurposed. So when the building has been repurposed, what happens to it?

R: It starts off with one function and then switches over to another.

M: Or, for example, an old McDonald's has been repurposed.

R: Into a farm.

M: Into a farm. Moo, moo. Old McDonald had a farm...
R: Most commonly in my country, its old churches are repurposed into houses, for example, or restaurants.

M: Hmm, yep. We're talking about preserving old buildings. So not like saving. Preserve. The verb is to preserve old buildings. And Rory, you said that they are kept up to code.

R: Yeah. I don't know if this idea exists in other cultures. But usually, you have to maintain your building to a certain standard. And that's called keeping it up to code.

M: Yeah. So we should keep it up to code, maintain a building. So all buildings should be maintained. So you should keep them in good condition. So Rory said that this place is easy to keep so easy to maintain, we maintain a building. And also you said that a well-maintained building, right? So yeah, there are many old buildings in my area, some of them are well maintained, and others are dilapidated.

R: I love that word, or in a state of disrepair, which just means it's not well maintained or kept up to date.

M: So some of the old buildings are in the state of what? Disrepair?

R: Disrepair, just they're not repaired often enough.

M: Yeah. Or they are in poor condition. They are dilapidated. Band nine. And then you talked about a UN Heritage Site. Right? So UN is United Nations?

R: Yeah. I think. Now, I'm not really an expert in how the UN works. But I think they're called...or World Heritage Sites anyway. So those are places that are of significant cultural importance, in an area and for the world. So obviously, if Islam was a major world religion, one of the first mosques in Africa would be quite important. I assume it wasn't treated that way.

M: So you can say like some of the old buildings are in or UN Heritage Sites. Right? Sites - like places.

R: I mean, you can talk about heritage more broadly.

M: Right. And you talked about cultural heritage, right? So a well-maintained building can be a tourist attraction, or it could be a piece of cultural heritage.

R: Yeah.
M: And then you said like that anchors the area in history.

R: Yeah, but that's just basically when we talk about cultural heritage, that's all about maintaining connections to the past, and the ideas and values that you want to preserve in the society. So if it's anchored in history, then it's doing its job properly. If it's a cultural heritage.

M: When we talk about dilapidated buildings, buildings in poor condition, you can also say that some buildings fall apart. So yeah, there are some buildings in my area, and they are falling apart. Rory, you said that you have low standards, really? You have low standards?

R: I have incredibly low standards. Look at the shirt I'm wearing. It's like 10 years old. I got this like 10 years ago for a charity thing that I did. So do not come to me for fashion advice.

M: Rory and his low standards. Okay. Also, Rory told us that I don't think buildings mean much without the people around them. Oh, it's so cute and nice. So people mean more. So buildings without people are nothing.

R: Is that not true?

M: Oh, yeah, it's true. Yeah, people. It's just people. Yeah, it's not where you go. It's who you go with, or who you meet on the way. Yeah, so it's not just an old building. It's like, who you see in these old buildings, according to Rory. Yeah. Also, you said that, it depends on the upkeep, really. Upkeep?

R: But again, that's just another way of saying it depends on their maintenance or how well they're repaired and kept in a good condition.

M: Yeah, so maintenance, we maintain buildings, you can maintain your car, your house, your flat, and also maintenance. That's why in the company, we have a maintenance department. Yeah. With people who maintain certain things. Yeah. And if it's in a state of disrepair, not despair, despairs for people. Disrepair, then it'll bring down the reputation of the area. So old, dilapidated buildings, buildings in poor condition could be bring down the reputation of the area. And this is a phrasal verb, my friends. And then Rory talked about architectural tastes.
R: But that's just another way of talking about fashion centres and fashion tastes and fashion styles and preferences. There's nothing really new there. You can have, I guess, architectural tastes. And the difference there is that it's something that a lot of people have, whereas fashion tastes can vary between individuals.

M: And you said that you can infer a lot from that. Infer?

R: Infer is like come to an understanding with indirect evidence. So instead of like seeing the link between one thing and another, you just look for clues instead.

M: Yeah, so for example, when we read the book, and you read and you need to deduce the meaning from context, you need to infer what the writer wanted to tell you. Right?

R: Yeah. Because the writer doesn't say I want you to hate this person. They'll make the person really unlikable.

M: Yeah, yeah, infer. And Rory, when you go to places, do you kind of walk around? And do you look at old buildings? Or do you prefer modern ones? Is it more pleasant for you to look at modern buildings out of glass and steel?

R: I don't know. I've never really thought about it before.

M: Think about it now. So let's imagine like you are in... When you first went to Moscow, were you kind of like, was it more pleasant for you to look at old buildings or modern buildings?

R: I don't, I think both of them are fine. Because actually, to be honest with you, they're necessary in the first place because we don't live in the past. Or at least we shouldn't. So it's nice to see where our country has come from, and also where it's going, in general. But there are some places like in Gran Canaria, which is of Spanish island, for example, where everything is new, or it looks new, the very least. And so that's also quite nice, because it fits with the modern aesthetic that they want people to, well, they want to promote in the island, or on the island.

M: Yeah, nice. Nice word aesthetic, the aesthetic of the island.

R: Just don't ask me what it means.
M: Aesthetic. Everything.

R: The look. The look.

M: The atmosphere, the look. Right. And would you like to live in an old castle? So we're thinking Scotland Freedom. We're thinking castles and ghosts.

R: No, that would be like phenomenally expensive. Do you know how expensive it is to live in a building that's hundreds of years old?

M: No, but this podcast is going to be super famous and popular. And you're going to be a celebrity. So you'll have money to maintain a castle with ghosts.

R: I don't want to live in a castle.

M: No? Okay, no castles for Rory. Yeah. Right. Lovely. Now, dear listener, you do have some vocabulary and grammar, about old buildings. So make sure that you can make some examples of old buildings. Maybe you have your favourite old building, again old is like what is old? Well, it's just not new. Right? So don't talk about skyscrapers, right? Very tall buildings. So think about something old.

R: Well, you could I mean, what the Empire State Building is almost 100 years old.

M: Really? The Empire State Building is 100 years old.

R: I think the Empire State Building was built in 1934. Let me just check.

M: Are you joking? Okay, we are googling.

R: So construction started in March 1930 and it opened in the next year, 1931. So that means it's 91 years old. So almost 100 years old. Pretty good. So you could talk about old skyscrapers.

M: In Moscow, we have Soviet skyscrapers. So yeah. Thank you very much for listening! Bye!

R: And we'll see you next week. Bye!
Did you like this episode?
Make sure to subscribe to our social media to see some of the “behind the scenes” stuff!

Our Instagram: bit.ly/instagramswi
Our Telegram: bit.ly/telegramswi
You can support us by donating as little as $5
Energy drinks, protein bars, and YOUR help make this podcast possible!
Work
Do you like your job? Why did you choose this kind of work? What’s the most interesting part of your work? What’s the most difficult part of your work? What would you like to do in the future?
Advertising
Do you like online advertising? What’s your favourite online ad? Do you stop watching things because of ads? Is there much advertising in your country? What advertising do you have in your country?
Music
How much time do you spend listening to music every day? What music do you dislike? What kinds of music are popular in your country? Do you ever listen to music at work? Is there an instrument you would like to learn to play?
Social media
Do you like using social media? When did you start using social media? Do you spend too much time on social media? What do you do on social media?
Feeling bored
Do you ever get bored? What things are boring to you? What do you do when you feel bored? Do you think school is boring? Do you feel more bored now than when you were younger?
Crowded places
How do you feel when you are in crowded places? When was the last time you were in a crowded place? What places do you think are often crowded? How often do you go to crowded places? Do you like crowded places?
Colours
What is your favourite colour? Are there any colours that have a special meaning in your culture? What colour of clothes do you wear? Are there any colours you dislike? What are the most popular colours in your country?
Collecting things
Do you collect anything? Why do people like collecting things? Is collecting a popular hobby in your country? What kind of items do people collect in your country? Are there any things you have kept from your childhood?
Celebrities
Who is your favourite celebrity in your country? Do you want to be a celebrity? Do you read news about celebrities? Have you ever met celebrities/pop stars? Do you believe that the news stories about famous people are true?
Money
Do you spend a lot of money? How do you save money? Did you save money when you were younger? Do parents give pocket money in your country? Do you use payment apps or mobile payments?
Singing
Do you like singing? What kinds of music do you like to sing? Have you ever learnt how to sing? Who do you want to sing for? Is it difficult to sing well?
Video games
Do you play video games? What kinds of video games do you like to play? Would you watch others play video games? Do people spend too much time playing video games?
Cakes
Have you ever made a cake yourself? Do you like cakes? Did you like cakes when you were a child? Do you eat cakes or other sweet things after a meal?
Sunglasses
Do you often wear sunglasses? When do you wear sunglasses? Do you spend a lot of money on sunglasses? Do you give sunglasses as a gift? When do you never wear sunglasses?
Clothes
What clothes do you like to wear? What clothes do you never wear? Do you wear the same clothes on weekdays and weekends? What colour of clothes do you like? Do you spend a lot of time choosing clothes?
Geography
Do you like Geography? Do you think Geography is useful? Have you ever studied Geography at school? Do you want to be a geographer in the future?
Running
Do you like running? Where do you go running? How often do you go running? Which places are perfect for running?
Transport
What's the most popular means of transport in your hometown? How do you get to work/school? Will you use public transport more in the future? Are there any traffic problems in your area?
Maps
Do you often use maps? Are you good at reading maps? How often do you use maps on your phone? When was the first time when you used a map? Did you learn to use maps when you were a child?
Chatting
Do you like chatting with friends? What do you usually chat about with friends? Do you prefer to chat with a group of people or with one friend? Do you prefer to communicate face-to-face or via social media? What will you do if you disagree with others?
Cinema
Did you usually go to the cinema when you were a child? Do you often go to the cinema with your friends? Do you still like the same kind of movie you liked as a child? What genres of films do you like? Do you think going to the cinema is a good way to spend time with friends?
Musical instruments
Do you play a musical instrument? Did you take any classes on musical instruments in school? Which musical instrument do you like? What instrument would you like to play? How easy would it be to learn to play a musical instrument without a teacher?
Helping people
Do you usually help people around you? How do you help people around you? Did your parents teach you how to help others? Did your parents help you much when you were a child? What have you done to help the elderly?
Tea and coffee
Do you prefer coffee or tea? How often do you drink coffee or tea? Do most people prefer tea or coffee today Are coffee and tea popular in your country?
Noise
Do any noises bother you? What kind of noise do you come across every day? What sounds do you like? Do you like to stay in a noisy place? Are there any quiet places in your city?
Bicycles
Do you like cycling? How often do you ride a bicycle? Did you have a bike when you were a child? When was the last time you used your bicycle? Is it difficult to learn to ride a bike?
Gifts
What's the best gift you've ever received? Do you like to give expensive gifts? How often do you buy gifts for other people? Have you ever given handmade gifts to others? Have you ever received a gift you didn't like?
Robots 2.0
Are you interested in robots? Would you like to have robots in your home? Are robots important? How can robots affect people’s lives? Would you like to drive a robot-operated car?
Fishing
Is fishing popular in your country? Do you like eating fish? Have you ever been to a place where there are lots of fish around you? Have you seen any movies with lots of fish? Why do people go fishing?
8 Phrases to answer any IELTS Speaking question
In this episode, we are giving you 8 sentences that you can use to answer any IELTS Speaking question. Whenever you don’t know what to say or need to buy some time to think, throw some of these phrases at the examiner and you’ll be fine!
10 Cliche idioms you should avoid using
For this episode, together with Jessica from All Ears English, we picked 10 cliché and cringe-inducing idioms that many English learners seem to use way too often. We'll show you how to use them more naturally and provide alternatives to help you express your ideas more clearly and effectively.
Paying bills
What kind of bills do you have to pay? How do you usually pay your bills, in cash or by another method? Have you ever forgotten to pay a bill? Is there anything you could do to make your bills cheaper?
Languages
What foreign languages have you studied? How did you learn those languages? Would you like to learn any foreign languages? Do you think it's difficult to learn a new language? Will you learn another language in the future?
Concentration
Are you a focused person? What do you do to improve your concentration? How do you stay focused? When is it hard for you to concentrate? What may distract you?
Friends
How important are friends to you? What do you usually do with your friends? What kind of friend would you like to meet in the future? What kind of people do you like to have as friends? Do you prefer to spend time alone or with friends?
Days of the week
What’s your favourite day of the week? How do you usually spend your time on this day? What’s your typical daily routine? Is there anything that you do every day? What do you usually do at the weekends? Which day is your least favourite day?
Teachers
Would you like to be a teacher? Do you think you could be a teacher? Did you have a favourite teacher? How did this teacher help you? Do you remember your teachers from primary school?
Health
How do you keep healthy? What healthy habits do you have? Do you have any unhealthy habits? Did you have any health classes at school? Do you have any advice on keeping healthy for youngsters?
Days off
How often do you have days off? What do you usually do on your days off? Do you usually spend your days off with your parents or friends? When was the last time you had a couple of days off? What would you like to do if you had a day off tomorrow?
Ice cream
Do you like ice cream? What’s your favourite flavour? Did you eat ice cream when you were a child? Are there any shops selling ice cream near your home? Can you make ice cream by yourself?
Dreams and ambitions
Do you think you are an ambitious person? What was your dream when you were a child? What is your main ambition in life now? What’s your dream job? Are you the kind of person who never gives up on your dreams?
Fixing things
Are you good at fixing things? What kinds of things can you fix? Is there anyone in your family who is good at fixing things? Have you ever asked people to teach you how to fix things? Has anyone ever taught you to fix things? What was the last thing you broke in your home?
Rain
Do you prefer rainy or sunny days? What do you do on rainy days? What do you do if you get in the rain? How can we phrase it better? Is rain good? Have you ever changed your plans because of rain? How does rain affect life in your country?
Wild animals
What’s your favourite wild animal? Are there many wild animals in your country? Have you ever seen wild animals? Where can you see wild animals in your area? Do you like watching animals in the zoo?
Bags
Do you like bags? What kinds of bags do you like? Do you have different bags for different occasions? Do you usually carry a bag when you go out? What do you put in your bag?
Staying up late
Do you enjoy staying up late? Do you often stay up late? Did you stay up late when you were a kid? What do you do when you stay up late? How do you feel after you stay up late?
Housework
Do you think your home is clean and tidy? Who usually does the housework in your home? What kind of chores / housework do you usually do? What housework do you dislike? What housework do you like? Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?
Art
Do you like modern or traditional art? Why do some people dislike art? What’s art? Would it be interesting for you to be an artist? What artwork would you like to have in your house?
Music
What kinds of music do you like to listen to? When did you start listening to that type of music? How much time do you spend listening to music every day? When do you listen to music? How do you feel when you listen to music?
Weekends
Do you like weekends? What do you usually do on the weekend? What did you do last weekend? Do you have plans for your weekends? What would you never do on the weekend?
Schools
Did you go to a good school? Where did you go to school? Did you like your teachers? Is there anything you want to change about your school? What are the differences between your school and other schools?
Libraries
Do you often go to the library? Did you go to a library when you were a kid? What do you usually do in the library? What kind of people go to libraries to work or study? Are libraries popular in your country?
Happiness
What things made you happy when you were a child? What activities make you feel happy now? What kinds of people make you happy? When during the day do you feel happiest? Does food ever make you happy? What do you do to stay happy? What would make you happy in the future? When do you feel happy at work? Do you feel happy when you buy new things?
Noise
Do you live in a noisy are? Does being in a noisy place bother you? What do you do to escape noisy places? Are there any specific noises that annoy you? What noise do we have in cities? What kind of noise do cars make? What natural sound(s) do you like the most? Why?
Small businesses
Are there many small businesses in your area? Do you prefer shopping in big companies or small shops? Why do some people prefer to shop in small businesses? Would you ever like to run your own small business? When was the last time you bought something from a small business?
Keys
Do you always bring many keys with you? What are the different types of keys you have and how do they differ? Have you ever copied a key? Have you ever used a keyless entry system? How do you keep your keys secure? What's the oldest key you have in your possession? Have you ever lost a key and had to replace it? Is it a good idea to leave your key with a neighbour? How can you avoid losing your keys? Do you always take your keys when you go out?
T-Shirts
Do you like wearing t-shirts? Do you own many t-shirts? Do you like t-shirts with pictures or prints? How often do you wear t-shirts? Are t-shirts popular in your country? When is it appropriate to wear a t-shirt in your country?
Outer space and stars
Do you enjoy looking at the stars? Have you ever learned about outer space and stars? Are you interested in films about outer space and stars? Can you see many stars at night where you live? Would you ever like to go into space? What would you do if you had a chance to go there?
Jewellery
Do you like wearing jewellery? What types? How often do you wear jewellery? Do you wear a lot of jewellery? Do you usually buy jewellery? Why do some people wear a piece of jewellery for a long time? Have you ever given jewellery as a gift?
Chocolate
Do you like eating chocolate? What's your favorite flavor? Did you often eat chocolate when you were a kid? Is it good to give chocolate as gifts to others? Why do you think chocolate is popular around the world?
History
What did you study in history lessons when you were at school? What did you study in history lessons when you were at school? What did you study in history lessons when you were at school? What did you study in history lessons when you were at school? What did you study in history lessons when you were at school? What did you study in history lessons when you were at school?
Fast food
What kinds of fast food have you tried? What are your favourite kinds of fast food? Do you ever use a microwave to cook food quickly? How popular are fast food restaurants where you live? When would you go to a fast-food restaurant? Do you think you will eat more fast food in the future?
Boring things
Do you often feel bored? Do you think school is boring? What kinds of things would make you feel bored? What would you do if you felt bored? Are you more bored now than when you were young? Have you always found the same things boring? What do you think will bore you in the future?
Reading
Do you often read books? When? Are your reading habits now different than before? Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted into a film? Which do you prefer, reading books or watching movies? What was your favourite book as a child?
Morning Time
Do you like to get up early in the morning? What's your morning routine? Do you like mornings or evenings? Is breakfast important for you? Is there any difference between what you do in the morning now and what you did in the past?
Writing
Do you write a lot? Do you prefer writing by hand or typing? Did you like writing things when you were a child? What do you like to write? Why? Do you think the things you write would change?
Hair
Do you like going to the hairdresser? Do you want to change your hair colour? How often do you have a haircut? How long have you had this haircut? Have you had a haircut you didn't like?
Cooking
Do you like cooking? What do you usually cook? Would you like to learn how to cook? Who usually does the cooking in your family? What do you usually do around the house? Do you like housework?
Technology
Do you like to use new technology? What technology do you often use? What electronic devices have you bought lately? Is there any technology you want to buy? What are the benefits of using technology?
Social Media
Do you like social media? Why? Why not? Which social media do you often use? Do you think your friends spend too much time on social media? Do you want to work in a social media company? What is the most popular form of social media in your country? Why?
Transportation
Do you like to use new technology? What technology do you often use? What electronic devices have you bought lately? Is there any technology you want to buy? What are the benefits of using technology?
Singing
Do you like singing? Do you often sing? Have you ever learned how to sing? Who do you want to sing for? Do you think singing can bring happiness to people? When do you like to sing?
Geography
Have you ever studied geography at school? Do you like geography? Do you want to travel to a country because of its geographical conditions? Are you good at reading maps?
Birthdays
What do you usually do on your birthday? Do you think it is important for you to celebrate your birthday? What did you do on your birthday when you were young? How did you celebrate your last birthday? What birthday presents do you like to get? How do children celebrate birthdays in your country?
Weather
What’s the weather usually like in your hometown? What’s your favourite kind of weather? Do you like the weather in your hometown? Do you like hot or dry weather? What do you do in hot weather? Do you prefer hot or cold weather? Do you prefer wet or dry weather?
Names
Does your name have any special meaning? Do you like your name? What name do your parents/relatives call you? Would you like to change your name? Does anyone in your family have the same name as you? Are there any differences between how people name their children now and in the past in your country? How do people choose names for their children?
Puzzles
Do you like puzzles? Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles? Did you like doing puzzles when you were a kid? When do you do puzzles, during trips, or when you feel bored? Do you think it is suitable for older people to do puzzles?
Snacks
Do you like to have snacks between meals? What kind of snacks do you like to eat? When do you usually have snacks? What kind of snacks do children in your country like to eat? What was the most popular snack when you were young?
Art
Do you like art? Have you ever visited an art gallery? Which do you prefer: museums or art galleries? When was the last time you went to an art gallery? What did you learn on that day?
Cars
Do you like cars? What cars do you like? Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger? What do you usually do in a traffic jam? When do you travel by car? Do you prefer sitting in the front or back?
Home Decoration
What kind of decoration do you prefer? Is there any artwork on the wall in your room? Would you use mirrors to decorate your room? When was the last time you redecorated your home? Will you do it in the future? Do people in your country like redecorating their homes?
Emails
Do you often send emails? How often? Is sending emails common in your country? Do you think sending emails will be more or less common in the future? Do you think sending emails will be more or less common in the future? Do you prefer to have an email or a card for your birthday? Why? Will emails replace letters?
Collecting things
Do you collect things? Are there any things you keep from childhood? Where do you usually keep things you collect? Would you keep old things for a long time? Why? What are the benefits of collecting things?
Advertisements
What advertisements do you dislike? Do ads influence your choice? Is there too much advertising now in our life? Why do companies advertise their products? Is advertising important? Is it good that celebrities advertise things?
Science
Did you study science at school? When did you start learning it? Did you like science classes when you were young? What was your favourite and least fav science subject? How do you use it every day? Do you think science classes are important? Do you think school children should have both science and art classes?
Meeting Places
Where do you usually meet your friends? Do you think there are some places that are more suitable for meeting others? How have meeting places changed compared with the past? Are there any differences between your favourite meeting places now and in your childhood? Where did you last meet with your friends?
Old Buildings
Have you ever seen some old buildings in the city? Do you think we should preserve old buildings in cities? Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house? Are there any old buildings you want to see in the future? Why? How do old buildings affect the appearance of a place? What aspects of culture do old buildings reflect?
Sports Programmes
Do you like watching sports programmes on TV? Do you like to watch live sports games? Who do you like to watch sports games with? What was your favourite sport when you were a child? What’s the difference between watching sports live at the stadium and on TV at home?
Evening Time
Do you like the morning or evening? What do you usually do in the evening? What did you do in the evening when you were little? Why? Are there any differences between what you do in the evening now and what you did in the past?
Talents
Do you have a talent or something you are good at? Is it the same talent in your family? Do you think your talent can be helpful for your future work? Do you think people in your family have the same talent? Do you want to work on your talent and why?
Computers
How often do you use a computer? What do you usually use a computer for? What kinds of computers are popular in your country? Who taught you how to use a computer? When was the first time you used a computer? What would your life be like without computers? Do you think computers have changed your life?
Watches
Do you like to wear a watch? What kind of watches do you prefer? Is a watch important for you? Have you ever got a watch as a gift? Why do some people wear/like expensive watches? Do you like expensive watches?
Sitting
Where’s your favourite place to sit? Do you like to sit on the sofa or on a chair? Do you always sit down for a long time? Do you feel sleepy when you are sitting down? Can you fall asleep while sitting on a chair? When you were a kid, did you usually sit on the floor?
Online News
What kind of news are popular in your country? Do you often read the news online? Is it convenient to read online news? Where do you usually read news from? What was the last article that you read about? Do you still read newspapers?
Flying
Do you work or are you a student? Why did you choose this job? Do you like it? What's the most interesting part of your job? What's the most difficult part of your job? Is there anything you don't like about your job? What would you like to do in the future?
Daily Routine
What's your daily routine like? Have you ever changed your routine? What's your favourite time of the day? What do you usually do at this time? How do you organise your study time? Do you like to plan what you'll do every day?
Studies
What do you study? Is there something that helps you to study efficiently? What's more essential for you, lecturers, or friends? Is there anything you want to change in your university? Do you like your studies at the moment?
Accommodation
Do you live in a house or a flat? What do you like the most about it? What's your favorite room? Can you describe the view from your windows? Do you plan to leave there in the future?
Apps
Which apps are popular in your country? What kinds of apps will you use in the future? Do you want to make an app of your own in the future? How much time do you usually spend on apps?
Offices
Is it common for people in your country to work in an office? Where do most of your friends work? Would you like to design an office? What kind of office would you like to work in?
Sports
Do you like watching sports programs on TV? Do you like to watch live games? Who do you like to watch sports games with? What kinds of games will you watch in the future?
Time Management
Do you ever change your plans? Is it easy for you to manage time? What's the hardest thing about making plans? Are you ever late for anything? Do you think most people can manage their time well?
Noise
Are there any sounds that you like? Which sounds do you dislike? Do you think there's too much noise in modern society?
Going out
Do you often go out in the evenings? Do people in your country go out a lot? Where do most young people like to go out in your country?
Relatives
How often do you meet your relatives? How do you spend time with your relatives? Are people in your country usually close with their relatives?
Pets
What kind of pets do you like? What kinds of pets are common in your country? Would you like to have an exotic pet?
Rest
What do you do when you take a rest? When was the last time you took a rest and what did you do? When will you take a rest next time?
Future
How do you think your life will change in the future? Are you worried about your future? What challenges do you see for yourself in the near future?
Math
Do you think math is hard? When did you start learning math? Who taught you math? Did you usually use a calculator?
Memory
Do you have a good memory? Do you do anything to improve your memory? Has your memory changed over the years?
Museums
Are there any museums in your hometown? What's the last time you visited a museum? Did you visit museums when you were a child?
TV Program
What's your favorite TV program? Do you talk with your friends about the program you watched? In your country is it possible to watch any TV programs in English?
Getting up early
Do you often get up early in the morning? What kinds of people usually get up early? What are the benefits of getting up early?
Happiness
How would you define happiness? Do you think people in your country are generally happy people? What's the happiest moment in your life?
Forests and Trees
When was the last time you went to a forest? Is there forest near your hometown? Would you like to live in the place that has a lot of trees?
Traffic
How do most people travel to work where you live? What traffic problems are there in your area? How would you reduce the traffic problems in your area?
Songs
Do you like singing? Did you enjoy singing when you were younger? How important is singing in your culture?
Weather
What's the weather like in your country? Does the weather affect your mood? Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown?
Walking
Do you like to walk on your own or with others? Do people in your country walk a lot? Do you think walking in the countryside is better than walking in the city?
Scenery
Would you like to live in a house with beautiful scenery around it? Why do people like taking pictures of the scenery? Do you enjoy taking photos of the scenery?
Public Holidays
What public holidays do you celebrate in your country? Which public holiday do you like the most? What do you do during public holidays?
Dancing
Why do you think some or many people like dancing? Tell me about any traditional dancing in your country. Do you think traditional dancing will be popular in the future?
Contryside
How often do you visit the countryside? What do you like to do in the countryside? Have areas of countryside in your country changed since you were a child?
Cakes
Do you like sweets more now compared to when you were a child? Have you ever tried to make sweets or cakes? Do you eat cakes or sweets after your meal? What sweets are popular in your country?
Street Markets 2
Do you like going to street markets? When was the last time you went to a street market? Are there many street markets in your country? Do you prefer shopping in a mall or street market?
Losing and finding things
Have you ever lost anything? What should people do to find what they lost? Have you ever found anything? What should people do if they find something? Is it ok to keep the thing you found?
Strangers
Do you often talk to strangers? Is it easy for you to start a conversation with a stranger? Are you afraid of being judged by strangers?
Family
Is family important to you? Who is the favorite member of your family? Who is the oldest member in your family? Do you have a family, not your own that you like, and why do you like them?
Traveling
Do you like travelling? How long was the longest trip you took? What kind of places have you visited?
Street Food
Do you like to try street food? What kind of street food do you like? What street food do people usually eat? Do you like to buy street food when you travel to a new place?
Mobile Phones 2
What was your first mobile phone? How often do you use your mobile phone? Can you describe your mobile phone? How has your mobile phone changed your life?
Taking Photos
Do you like to take photographs? How do you keep your photos? Do you ever delete or throw away photos if they are on paper? Will you take more photos in the future, do you think?
Drawing and Painting
Do you like painting or drawing? Have you ever learned painting or drawing? What do you like to draw? What do you know about painting?
Websites
What kind of websites do you visit? What's your favourite website? What websites are popular in your country? Are there any changes to the websites you use?
Dreams
Do you remember your dreams when you wake up? Do you think dreams affect life? Do dreams have special meanings? Do you like listening about other people’s dreams?
Cinema
Do you like going to the cinema? Did you usually go to the cinema when you were a child? When was the last time you went to the cinema? What kinds of films do you prefer?
New Places
Have you been to a new place recently? How often do you go to new places? Have you ever moved into a new place or a new home? Why is living in the same place for a long time not good?
Driving
Do you like driving? When was the last time you drove? Is driving common in your country? Is it hard to learn to drive? Will you drive more in the future?
Architecture
What kind of architecture do you like the most? If you could live in any home in the world, where would you live? Is architecture an important part in the cities identity?
Concentration 2.0
Are you easily distracted? Why is it difficult for some people to stay focused? What improves concentration? Is it good to do several things at the same time or is it better to focus on one task?
Flowers
What flowers do you like? When was the last time you gave flowers to somebody? What flowers have special meaning in your country? Have you ever planted any flowers?
Colours
What colours do you like to wear? Do people in your country like to wear bright colours? What colours would you never use in your home? Do you think colours influence you?
Animals
What's the most popular pets in your country? What animal would you like to keep as a pet? What's your favourite animal? Would you like to have a pet in the future?
Weather
What's the weather usually like in your hometown? Do you like the weather in your hometown? What's your favorite weather? What do you do in hot weather? 
Watching TV
What types of TV programs do you like to watch? Why do people dislike watching TV? What benefits can people get from watching foreign TV programs? Can you watch TV programs in English in your country?
Spending time with others
Do you like being around other people? Would you prefer to stay alone or with other people? What do you and your friends do together? Do you remember a time when you needed to cooperate with others?
Parks and Gardens
Do you like going to parks? When was the last time you went to a park? Are there any parks where you live? Should parks be free for people?
Shoes
How often do you buy shoes? Have you ever bought shoes online? What's your favorite type of shoes? Do you know anyone who likes to buy a lot of shoes?
Headphones
Do you use headphones? Do you usually use headphones when you listen to music? In what situations would you not use headphones? How often do you buy headphones?
Robots
In the first ever episode, Maria and Rory discuss robots, a topic that sometimes comes up during speaking parts of the IELTS exam
Names
In this episode Rory and Maria discuss "Names" - another very common topic that comes up during IELTS Speaking test
Age
In the third episode of IELTS Speaking for Success podcast Maria and Rory discuss "Age" - a topic that comes up fairly often in IELTS Speaking
Accomodation
This episode Maria and Joe talk about "accommodation" - one of the three topics (along with "studies" and "work") that you can actually prepare for
Water
In the fifth episode Maria and Rory discuss water. Lot's of useful words, grammar and jokes to satisfy your knowledge hunger and brighten up your day
Jeans
Lots of people struggle to talk about Jeans... But have no fear! We have come to the rescue with 12 minutes of useful "Jeans" content".
Patience
Let's see how big your patience reservoir is and whether you can sit through the whole episode without turning it off.
Animals
Maria and Rory talk about animals - allergenic and hypoallergenic, wild and domesticated, dogs and cats, sharks and alligators
Sharing
In this episode, Maria and Rory talk about sharing and discuss lots of useful vocabulary related to the topic!
Season Finale
In the final episode of season 1 Rory takes a full IELTS Speaking test
Hairstyle
The topic of the first episode of 2020 and Season 2 is "Hairstyle". Maria and Rory discuss bad haircuts, fringes and of course, ridiculous decisions that Rory made when he was a teenager.
Perfume
Tune in to find out the difference between aftershave and body spray, perfume and cologne, fragrance and scent, as well as what vocabulary one can use to describe how something smells.
Teamwork
We’re back with a new episode. This time Maria and Rory discuss “Teamwork” - a topic that might come up in parts 1 and 3 of your IELTS Speaking test.
Pens
We are back with weekly episodes! This week Maria and Rory talk about "Pens" as it is of the new topics of 2020 IELTS Speaking test and you guys should be ready for it!
Art
Listen to the episode to find out whether Rory has a painting of Maria in his bedroom or not, as well as what it takes him to be cultured and sophisticated.
Books
In this episode (our longest episode so far) Maria and Rory discuss books. Page-turners and door-stoppers, fiction and non-fiction, encyclopedias and fairytales, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, Pushkin and Lermontov and of course, red riding hood
Coffee
In this episode we are finally talking about Coffee - the second most traded commodity in the world and a drink loved all around the globe. We'll discuss different types of coffee, ways to describe its taste and smell.
Toys
What words should you use when describing something like a toy? What do toys teach children? Do modern parents spend too much on toys for their kids? Innovative or innovAtive?
Boredom
If you have ever wanted to know 10 ways to say "I am bored", if you are in your 20s/30s but still wondering what has Papa Roach's song "Last Resort" got anything to do with resorts this episode is for you.
Science
This time Maria and Rory talk about Jessie Pinkman's field of expertise - SCIENCE! Why do planets go around the sun? Do all sciences end with "_ology"? Is a tomato a fruit, a vegetable, a cherry, or a berry?
Cake
Tune in to hear Rory's sweet answers, find out about the the most popular dessert (or desert?) in Scotland and whether Rory is a good cook (or cooker?).
Dreams
Do you often have dreams? Do you think we can learn something from dreams? Do you think dreams affect life?  Do you believe that dreams have a meaning?
Morning routine
What’s your morning routine? How is your morning routine different from when you were a child? What would you like to change about your current routine?
Crowded Places
Which places in your city are crowded? How do you feel in these crowded places? Have you ever felt comfortable in a very crowded place?
Plants
Do you know a lot about plants? Have you ever had a plant? Would you give a plant as a present? Do you know how to cultivate plants?
Food
Are you a foodie? What kinds of food do you particularly like to eat? What kinds of foods are most popular in your country? How many meals a day do you have?
Seasons
Which season do you like the most? What’s the weather like in your hometown?  Do you prefer dry or wet weather? Rory how do people in your country deal with bad weather?
Films
Do you enjoy watching films? What kinds of movies do you like best? Do you prefer foreign films or films made in your country? Who’s your favorite film star?
Friends and Friendship
Do you have many friends? How often do you see your friends? What kind of people do you like to make friends with? Do you think you are a good friend to others?
Hotels
What are some good hotels in your city? What qualities make a hotel a good one? What problems do people usually have in hotels?
Social Media
Which social media websites do you use? How much time do you spend on social media? What kind of information about yourself have you put on social media?
Insects
Do you like insects? What kinds of insects make some people scared? Do you think insects are useful? Are many different insects in the place where you live?
Numbers
Do you have a favorite number? Do any numbers have special importance in your country? Were are you good at math, at school? What numbers do people often have to memorize?
Health
Is health awareness important? Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years? What can be done to make people more aware of their health?
History
Do you like history? Did you enjoy learning history when you were a child? When was the last time you read about history? Do you think children should learn history?
Public Transport
Do you travel by public transports? When was the last time you traveled by public transport? What’s the most popular modes of transportation in your hometown?
Music
What kind of music do you listen to? What kinds of music do you dislike? Do you prefer listening to music alone or with someone? Does music influence your mood?
Handwriting 2
Do you often write things? Do you prefer to write by hand or using a computer? Is your handwriting easy to read? Did you like writing things when you were a child?
Shopping
Do you often buy things? Do you enjoy buying expensive things? Do you compare the price in different shops before you buy something? Do you usually search for bargains?
Staying up late
Do you stay up late? How do you feel when you’ve stayed up late to the night before? What do you usually do when you stay up late? How do you stay awake if you stay up late?
Laughter
Do you often laugh? When was the last time you laughed? Do you like watching funny TV programs? What kinds of things make you laugh?
Holiday
How often do you go on holiday? Do you like taking one long holiday or a couple of short ones? Do you prefer a holiday in a city or at the beach?
Languages
Do you like learning languages? Are you learning any foreign languages now? Is it important to learn a foreign language? How did you learn the languages that you speak?
Rubbish
Why do some people throw garbage on the streets instead of using trash bins? What do you do if you see rubbish on the street? Do you help in keeping the streets tidy?
Tidiness
Should you force yourself to be tidy? Is a bit of chaos good for creativity? What's the difference between vacuuming and hoovering?
Clothes
Do the clothes we wear say something about who we are? Unconventional = free thinking and creative? Formal = industrious and work-oriented? Do you think men and women have the same view of clothing?
Meeting new people
How and where do you meet new people? Should you care about other people's opinions about you? How much should you trust the first impression of someone? Has your star sign got anything to do with how much of an extrovert/introvert you are?
Mobile phones
Should there be laws and regulations on the use of mobile phones? At what age should we give a mobile phones to our children? Voice messages or text messages? What's the future of mobile phones?
Baking
Do you like baking? What do people usually bake in your country? Do you think you’ll be baking more in the future? What would you like to bake?
Goals
What's more important: short-term goals or long-term ones? What kind of personal goals do people usually set in their life? Not having goals = stagnating?
Maps
What kind of maps are available in the world? Why do people prefer electronic maps to paper maps? Would Rory survive without a map?
Bicycles
Are bicycles suitable for all ages? What are the benefits of riding a bicycle for a child? What are some of the world's countries with the bike-friendliest cultures?
Parks
IELTS Speaking model answers (Parks) - What are the benefits of having gardens in the city? Is it important for cities to have public parks? Why do people living in cities like public gardens? Can you really walk anywhere in Scotland?
Neighborhood
What do you like and dislike most about your neighborhood? What are some of the changes you have noticed in your area? What facilities are there in your neighborhood?
Newspapers
Is the Internet is a good way to get news? Is it important to stay informed about what's happening in the world? What effect do newspapers have on society?
Picnics
What are some of the places that one could go to to have a picnic? Does Rory like mosquitoes and do they like him back? Why in general do people go on picnics? Where and when was Rory's last picnic?
Concentration
What are some of the things you could do to improve your concentration? Is multitasking real? What distracts you the most?
New Activities
What's neophobia and why are some people afraid of trying new things? Is it better to have new experiences when you're young or when you're older? Should you try new activities alone or with friends?
Fish and fishing
Is Fishing a good hobby or do you need to have patience of a saint to succeed? Where do people go fishing in Scotland? Fish or fishes? Where can you buy fish from? Is it a good idea to keep fish as pets?
Being in a hurry
What are some of the things that you should and should not do in a hurry? Why do people make mistakes when they're in a hurry? Should you always try and do everything planned?
Weekend
Would you say that weekends were more important to you as a child or now? What would your ideal weekend be like? Do men and women usually do the same kind of things on the weekend?
Text messages
Why do people send texts? What do you prefer: sending or receiving messages? In what situations are phone calls better than text messages and would you say that in general, phone calls are better than texts?
Gifts
Do you prefer to give or receive gifts? How often do you buy gifts for other people? What gifts did you get when you were a child? Have you ever received a gift which you didn't like?
Furniture
What furniture do you own? What's your favorite item of furniture? Have you ever received furniture as a gift? What style of furniture do you prefer: modern or traditional?
Change
What has been the greatest change in your life so far? Have there been any changes in your hometown recently? What do you plan to change next year?
Sport
What are the benefits of doing sport? What was your favorite sport when you were a child? Do you like to watch sports on TV? What kinds of sports would you like to try in the future?
Work and Studies
What's the most interesting part in your work/studies and what's the most difficult one? What do you dislike about your work/studies? What kind of work would you like to do in the future?
Recycling
What kind of things do you recycle? Did you learn about recycling when you were a child? Do people usually recycle in your hometown? Have your attitudes towards recycling changed over the last couple of years?
Making Lists
How often do you make lists? Do you make a shopping list when you go shopping? Why don't some people like making lists? Do you prefer to make lists on paper or on your phone?
Famous People
Have you ever met celebrities or pop stars in person? Who's your favorite movie star? Do you read news about celebrities? How do celebrities influence their fans in your country?
Hometown
What's your hometown like? What did you like about your hometown when you were a child? What's your hometown known for?
Jokes
Are you good at telling jokes? Do you like listening or telling jokes? How do you know what jokes are proper to say to your friends?
Discussions
Who do usually have discussions with? Have your discussion topics changed since you were a child? Do you often change your opinions? Do you prefer to talk or to listen?
Borrowing Things
Have you ever borrowed money? Do you mind if someone asks to borrow something from you? How do you feel when people don't return things they borrowed from you?
Your Country
Where is your country located? Which part of your country do most people live in? What are the main industries in your country? What are some of the good things about living in your country?
Colours
What colour would you like to paint your bedroom? Is colour, very important to you when you are buying something? Are there any colours that have a special meaning in your country?
Home
What can you see from the windows where you live? What do you like about living there? What do you dislike? Would you change anything about your home?
Smiling
Do you like smiling? When do you usually smile? What can make you smile? Can you identify a fake smile?
Evenings
Do you do the same thing every evening? Do you prefer to spend your evening with family or friends? Do you do the same thing in the evenings as you did when you were a child?
Ads
How do you feel about advertisements? Is there much advertising in your country? What do you think is the purpose of advertising?
Car trips
Do you like traveling by car? What's the farthest place you've traveled to by car? When will your next car trip beam?
Environmental Protection
What can people do together to protect the local environment? What's the importance of environmental education? What do you personally do to protect the environment?
Special Costumes
Did you wear any special costumes when you were young? When was the last time you wore a special costume? Do you ever buy special costumes?
Wild Animals
Is it important to protect wild animals? Should children learn things about animals? In which country do you think you can see wild animals?
Sky and Stars
Do you like to watch the sky? What's the sky like at night in your hometown? What's your favorite star? Is it important to study stars?
Primary School
Did you like primary school? What did you like to do when you were in primary school? What did you do in your free time at primary school?
Relaxing
What do you do to relax? Do you think vacation is a good time for you to relax? Do you think students need more time to relax?
Make-up
What does wearing make-up mean to you? Do you give make-up as a gift? What do you think when you see a man wearing make-up?
Mirrors
Do you think mirrors are a necessary decoration? Where do you put mirrors? Do you have a mirror in your bag?
Politeness
Do you think people should be polite? Is it important to be polite in your country? How important is politeness for you?
Mobile Apps
What apps do you usually use? Do you use your smartphone more now than in the past? What kind of smartphone will you use in the future?
Rain
Do you like rainy days? What do you do on rainy days? Does it rain much in your country? Is there any part of your country where it doesn't rain much? Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown?
Tiredness
What do you do when you feel tired? Who do you usually talk to when you feel mentally tired? Are you often tired? Do you like to talk to strangers when you feel mentally tired?
Markets
Do you like to go to street markets? Which do you prefer markets or shopping malls? Have your shopping habits changed over the years?
Islands
Do you like islands? Are there any islands in your country? Do you want to live on an island? What would you like to do if you were on an island?
Amusement parks
Do you like amusement parks? When was the last time you went there and what did you do? Are there many amusement parks where you live?
Getting lost
Have you ever got lost? How can you find your way when you are lost? Have you ever helped someone who got lost? Do you ever use any applications with maps?
Handwriting
How did you learn to write? Do you usually writes by hand? Do you have good handwriting? Do you like receiving handwritten letters?
Show more
Study with us
Social media
Additional Info
PODCOURSES LLP
2ND FLOOR COLLEGE HOUSE 17 KING EDWARDS ROAD, RUISLIP, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM HA4 7AE