In part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, you might have to describe your favourite film ('movie' is American English). My advice is to look for your film on amazon.com. You will find reviews of almost any film, from The Godfather to Titanic.
The only problem is that the reviews are often quite difficult or too detailed. I recommend stealing a few ideas or a few bits of good vocabulary.
For example, here is some good vocabulary from a review of The Godfather:
- one of the greatest films ever made
- a masterpiece
- a brilliant story
- the actors' performances are outstanding
- it's compelling to watch
Make sure you can summarise the film's plot (the story). Try to remember where and when you first saw the film. Explain how it made you feel and why you like it.
Dear simaon,
Your web site is really helpful.
Thank you for your great lessons
Posted by: Behrang | December 02, 2011 at 09:15
Hi Simon,
I going to sit in exam tomorrow...i am desperate to get 7 in each module in academic.i tried before and got 8.5 in listening,8 in reading but 6.5 in writing and speaking.....I hope i will achieve 7 this time.
Thanks for your help...
Posted by: Mandeep Brar | December 02, 2011 at 10:58
No problem Behrang.
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Good luck tomorrow Mandeep!
Posted by: Simon | December 02, 2011 at 11:08
Hi, Simon!
I have a question.
When I have to talk about film, Could I talk about an animation such as Arthur Christmas?
Thank you so much! ^^
Posted by: Yuna | December 02, 2011 at 12:54
Just to share with everyone about one of my favorite movies. Hope you like it.
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Today I'd like to talk about Armageddon, which is one of my favorite movies of all times.
This is an American disaster film released in 1998 and it starred famous Hollywood actors Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. Even though this movie had mixed reviews from critics, I really liked its story line and it became, in fact, the highest-grossing film of that year. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armageddon_(1998_film))
Armageddon tells the story of a possible scenario in the future, which is the approach of a large asteroid to Earth and that could end all living organisms in the planet, including human beings. In the movie, NASA discovers such asteroid and sends a group of oil drillers to the asteroid with the intention of destroying it by setting a nuclear bomb in the heart of the asteroid. This was evidently a mission to save mankind, and they ended up having success after many struggles and sacrifices.
I first saw this film with my friends at the movie theater right after it was released. I really lost count of how many times I've watched it afterwards, but the truth is that I've memorized almost the entire script! I like this movie very much because it has a combination of reality, humor, romance, and suspense. Every time when I watch it, I feel that the world is so wonderful that we should all enjoy it as much as we can, or as long as we are allowed to.
All in all, although this is an old movie, it was a great success in the film industry and I would recommend it to all of my friends.
Posted by: Martin | December 02, 2011 at 19:50
Dear Simon,
Thank you sooooo much ,I got my result today and I achieved what I wanted .I needed overall7 and not less than 6.5 in each section.
I got Listening 8.5
Reading6.5
Writing7
Soeaking 7
I really want to thank you for alllll your help,your wonderful website and your sincere dedication.I bought your ebook very helpful,topic 2 was already answered by you.....I actually took a course in Worcester but it was useless in the reading and the speaking.Your strategy in the writing is perfect,I know I should have got better but anyway Iwas verrrry tense n I got what I need .Thanks again
Posted by: Moka | December 02, 2011 at 20:24
Hi Simon!
When taking speaking test part 2, I always feel nervous. I frequently look my main points and don't have eyes contact with interviews. Is it problem?
Posted by: Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao | December 03, 2011 at 02:33
Hi Simon, I've got a question.
Im wondering how many questions i should answer to get 6 in listening part. Because there are different grading charts. Some believe you should answer 23 Qs and others believe you should give 26 right answers to get 6.
Thank u so much.
Posted by: Serdar | December 03, 2011 at 05:00
Hi Simon,
I was sad because I felt failed today's IELTS TEST in reading. I definitely need your help
Posted by: daniel luo | December 03, 2011 at 08:27
Mandeep ,i have the same pblm that u face,..i got my result yesterday.,.6.5 for speaking and writing ...like u ,i need 7 band in each module...i have been trying to achieve a 7 band for these difcult modules for the last one year...
Posted by: Jobs | December 03, 2011 at 11:49
Hi Simon,
I'm a little bit confused about the question " Do you like taking photos?". Does that question mean "Do you like taking photos of other subjects, say, other people, flowers,etc." or " Do you like having a picture taken by others" ?
Actually, I like taking photos of my friends, because I think it's funny to record their expressions when they make faces. And I am also fond of taking photos of something beautiful, say, flowers. But I don't like to have my pictures taken, because I'm not photogenic.
How do I answer that question clearly in the IELTS speaking test?
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks a lot!
Posted by: Jennifer | December 04, 2011 at 09:35
Hi Simon,
another question, how to say "Elizabeth I", is it "Elizabeth one", or "Elizabeth the first"? Perhaps I need to use it to describe a historical film.
Posted by: Jennifer | December 04, 2011 at 09:43
Hi Yuna,
Yes, an animated film is fine.
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Thanks Martin. I'm sure students will find it really useful to read your description.
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Hi Moka,
That's great news! You definitely worked hard and deserve your excellent scores. Well done!
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Hi Nguyen,
Read this lesson about eye contact:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/09/ielts-speaking-part-2-forget-about-eye-contact.html
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Hi Serdar,
I think you need 23. Read this lesson:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/08/students-questions-reading-scores.html
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Hi Daniel,
Don't give up! Keep following the lessons and practising using the Cambridge books. You won't improve your score in just a week or two - it takes time to improve your language skills, but you will get there if you keep working hard.
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Hi Jobs,
You're nearly there, so keep trying. Suddenly you will get your 7, and the effort will pay off.
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Hi Jennifer,
It means "Do you like taking photos of other subjects, say, other people, flowers etc." - so your answer is fine.
We say "Elizabeth the first".
Posted by: Simon | December 05, 2011 at 11:19
Thank you very much for your reply,Simon!
Posted by: Jennifer | December 05, 2011 at 12:03
Hello
Preparing for Writing: Become familiar with your grammar and other writing mistakes so you know what to look out for when checking.
Posted by: sunil | December 08, 2011 at 05:11
Dear Simon,
I have just got my Ielts score and I would like to show my deep gratitude for you to help me achieve my desired score.
I knew your website one month prior to Ielts test date and I spent my all time practicing on your website. As a result, I got 7.5 (R:8, L: 8, W:7, S: 6.5).
Thanks you very much.
Yen
Posted by: Yen Le | December 08, 2011 at 13:32
hi Simon,
i have been following your advises and techniques and they are proving to be very helpful..i think you are doing a great job and i really appreciate you for that.
can u please give me outline of this topic that was asked in second part of speaking test.
Describe an outdoor activity that you enjoy. Please say
- What activity is it?
- Where and when do you do it?
- Whom do you prefer to do it with?
Posted by: aneela | December 08, 2011 at 21:33
Plz Simon
I want more describe for part 2
1)Like song of music you like
2)Place you want to visits
3)person in your family is healthy and why.
Plz Simon help me
Good bye
Posted by: Attou | December 09, 2011 at 06:24
Hi Sunil,
Good advice! Learn what your weaknesses are, and try not to make the same mistakes!
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Hi Yen Le,
That's great news! Well done, I'm glad the website helped.
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Hi Aneela,
Just choose an outdoor sport or hobby that you like doing. It could be anything from 'walking in the countryside' to 'sunbathing' to 'having a picnic'. If you choose something that is true (you really do like it), it will be easier to describe.
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Hi Attou,
Have a look at this lesson for some advice about describing a song:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/07/ielts-advice-describe-your-favourite.html
For the 'place' question, you could use my description of London:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/01/ielts-speaking-part-2-describe-a-place.html
For the 'healthy person' question, just say that your brother or sister is healthy because he/she eats well and does a lot of sport.
Posted by: Simon | December 09, 2011 at 11:06
Thank you too much, in a fact I am explicit you are the best teacher and person help people.
I want only skill how can I do well in speaking part 2 because sometimes the examiner asked me question i dont have idea too much .....like describe person healthy in your family or piece of music you love it and why...... In a fact I don't listen to do music...... Can I say that and explain to him why I don't like music...
Thank you Simon
Posted by: Attou | December 09, 2011 at 13:22
Thanks Attou,
I think it will be a problem if you say that you don't listen to music because you won't be able to speak for 2 minutes.
Maybe you could say that you like the music in a particular film - then you could talk more about the film, and say that the music is important because it adds to the atmosphere, tension etc. For example, films like "Jaws" (about the shark) or "Superman" have very famous music.
Posted by: Simon | December 12, 2011 at 12:29
Hi Simon,
Could you please answer this question: Is it OK to describe a sitcom / a TV series?
Posted by: Risa | February 09, 2012 at 12:18
Hi Risa,
No, I'm afraid that's not really answering the question. A series is not the same as a film. Maybe you could pretend that your favourite series is a film instead.
Posted by: Simon | February 09, 2012 at 12:32
Is it advisable to avoid name of film in vernacular language?
If i am being asked about my favorite movie , then do i need to speak about an English movie compulsorily?
Posted by: harsh | May 09, 2012 at 13:48
Hi Harsh,
You can talk about a film in any language.
Posted by: Simon | May 10, 2012 at 10:59
jdg
Posted by: gh | September 20, 2012 at 12:06
Hi Simon,
I am Sachin.I have given IELTS General Training on may 2013.I got 6 overall it includes Reading 6.5, Writing 6, Speaking 5.5,Listening 5, I want to improve it upto 7 in each please suggest me the tips how can i achieve this goals.
I shall be much thankul to you.
Posted by: Prince | October 13, 2013 at 20:58
I am Juana. I have my IELTS GT on Sep 2013. I got 6 overall and it includes Reading 5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 5.5, Listening6.5. I want to improve it to 7 in each. Please guide me to achieve my target score.
Posted by: juana | October 26, 2013 at 11:03
hi simon.
I am going to take an exam 21st of December.itnis my first time .The problem is that i am not self-confident.(((((please motivate me
Posted by: vusqa | December 08, 2013 at 19:33
in speaking,can we use hand gestures?is it good?
Posted by: nishanth | October 29, 2014 at 19:45
hi simon
i have little confusion in speaking test how could we explain cue card
Posted by: furhan | December 04, 2014 at 19:24
hi simon
i am going to take an exam on the 25th of april. it is my first time / i am not native speaker . i have problems with speaking. especially in part 3. what should i do? i have only 3 weeks left
Posted by: nadira | March 31, 2015 at 12:25
hi,Simon
i am gonna describe the film called 'the professional'.can i say 'i suppose this film's plot is more an excuse for stylish gunfights to take place amongst all the character development.'is that sounds natural?
and i also want to ask is that ok to use any slang like wicked in the speech?
Posted by: Dorothy | May 20, 2015 at 08:09
Hi simon
Please answer this cue card
The film you saw in future...
Posted by: preet lehal | May 27, 2015 at 08:57
Hi simon
please help me i want to achieve 6.5 band
Posted by: Dheeraj verma | November 28, 2016 at 02:06