Duolingo English Test Speaking Topics with Sample Questions and Answers
The Duolingo English Test (DET) contains different types of speaking question on a wide range of speaking topics. This page shows you many sample questions and answers for the “Read the Speak” question.
This question type is very similar to the IELTS part 2 question.
📋Topic list - These are common topics
✏️ Describe a hobby - Sample question
Describe a hobby that you like to do
- What is this hobby?
- What do you like about it?
- How long does it take to learn this hobby
- Why would someone else dislike this hobby?
✏️ Sample answers for hobbies
“Ok, so I’d like to talk about a hobby that I love to do. This hobby is reading novels and I’ve enjoyed this hobby all my life. Reading novels is a great way to learn about so many things, and I’ve learnt so much about different people, places, and things. It’s really fascinating.
I really love reading books about people’s adventures and travels, and my favourite book is a book called “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac. I think he’s an American author, or maybe he’s Canadian, I can’t remember.
Ya, the nice thing about reading is that you can take a book or an ebook with you anywhere. It feels so good to sit outside and read with a coffee, and I never feel bored in my life. Ya, it’s a great feeling having a good novel with you.
Of course, almost everyone learns to read when they are children, and people learn at different speeds.
Actually, I don’t know why people would dislike reading. I think the problem is people don’t have enough time in their busy lives, or maybe they don’t know what to read.
There are so many interesting novels and different styles of books. I think sometimes you just have to pick up a book and start reading the first few pages. Then you can easily become addicted! Ya it’s a great hobby.”
“Ok, so one of my favourite hobbies is playing the guitar. I’ve been playing the guitar for just over 5 years and I highly recommend this hobby to anyone because it gives so much pleasure and enjoyment.
One of the things I really like about it is you can play solo guitar on your own, or you can jam with others in a group, which is a lot of fun. The guitar is so portable as well and I can easily take it with me on a train to friend’s houses or to rehearsals without any big headache. My friend who is a drummer is often jealous as he has to spend a lot of time moving and transporting his drums – ya the portability of a guitar is great.
So when I first started learning, my confidence was very low, but after learning a few chords and melodies I began to build my ability and my fingers got used to the different shapes and techniques. Actually, it didn’t take me very long to be able to play a simple tune from beginning to end, and after a few weeks I was playing along to many of my favourite songs – ya, it’s a really great feeling.
Why would someone dislike playing the guitar? Well, I think there could be several reasons. When you begin you have to have a bit of patience, and also you need good teaching materials, like Youtube for example. Another reason might that some people just aren’t music fans, so, well, it’s a shame as they are missing out on a lot of fun.”
“So I’d like to talk about a hobby that I’ve been doing for over 20 years that is drawing and sketching by hand.
One of the aspects of this hobby that I really love is the amount of relaxation and pleasure it gives me. For me, there is nothing more pleasurable than drawing in my notepad wherever I am in the world.
Whether I’m on a train, or sitting in outdoor cafe, it’s always easy to draw and sketch the things and people I see around me. When I think about it, it doesn’t require any specialist equipment, just a simple pencil or pen, and a sketchbook are the only necessary items that you need.
What makes this hobby great is that anyone can start drawing at any time in their life. It’s a very accessible hobby and even very young children can get immense amounts of joy from it with very little skill. Of course, if you draw and sketch a lot, you will develop your artistic skill much quicker than just drawing now and again.
When I think about why someone wouldn’t like this hobby, it’s difficult for me to answer because I love this hobby so much. Perhaps some individuals just don’t have the patience to draw or maybe they lack the confidence to keep going . It’s a shame, as you don’t need to be Leonardo DaVinci to get a huge amount of pleasure from this activity.”
ℹ️How can I use these samples for my Duolingo English Test preparation?
Sample answers are very good for understanding different possiblities when you speak. They can also show you different options with grammar and vocabulary. However, you need to build your own ‘bank of ideas‘ and experiences.
⚠️ Please don’t memorise these sample answers – It isn’t a helpful approach
In your test you need to have some general ideas about what kinds of things you will describe, but always focus on speaking naturally and not robotically.
Use our speaking simulator to help you practice speaking about your own ideas.
👪 Describe a family member - Sample question
Describe a family member:
- Who is this member?
- How would you describe them
- What do you admire about them?
- What is their job?
👪 Family member - Sample answers
“So, I’d like to describe my older brother. He’s a really good guy and is very helpful and kind to everyone he meets. He also has a very relaxed personality and is very friendly.
He lives in Vancouver in the west of the Canada, and I think he’s just about to start a new part-time job as a salesman , actually, I’m not sure if this is the correct job, but he starts very soon.
So, I know that he loves to eat Italian food and enjoys going to the gym a lot, ya, he really likes to keep fit and stay healthly. Playing basketball with his friends is his favourite hobby and sometimes I like to go with him. I admire his positive attitude and his relaxed personality. He makes friends very easily and people like him because he is quite funny, well, sometimes..!
With his job, as I said, I think he starts a sales job soon, but I know that in the future he’d like to be an actor. He’s always acted in small performances and shows, but he’s never performed in large shows. I think he’d love to be a full-time actor, and I think he’ll achieve his dream with more time and patience.
Actually, I’m going to visit him in about 3 weeks, so it will be good to catch up with him and see how he’s doing. Hopefully we can get out on the basketball court, or maybe do a bit of cycling. I look forward to hearing his latest news.”
“Ok, so I’d like to describe my father who is a wonderful caring man. He’s in his sixties and still works full-time as a self-employed businessman. I’d describe him as an extremely hardworking man, but he also likes to really enjoy himself and have lots of time off and holidays with my mother.
So, he’s had some small problems with his health over the last few years, which have been tough for him, and to be honest, things haven’t been easy for him, however, this never stops him from joking around and having fun. Ya, he’s definitely a positive, optimistic kinda presence.
So, I admire him for lots of different reasons, and perhaps the thing I admire most about him is that he’s a very dependable, honest man. When I’ve had problems in the past, he always has some wise advice and often his solutions to problems are really effective. He thinks carefully about things and always gives you his full attention and honest opinion, I really like that.
As I mentioned, he works as a businessman, and his job involves speaking to clients about tax and finance. I must admit, I don’t know so much about his work, but I know he has to organise people’s accounts and help them prepare their taxes, that kind of thing.
Lastly, one of his main hobbies and biggest passions is playing golf, he really loves it. Yeah, he’s a great guy who has been very supportive all my life.”
“I’d like to describe my mother who is now in her sixties and lives overseas in the south of Spain. One of my mother’s characteristics is her warm and compassionate personality. She always goes out of her way to help anyone and is exceptionally kind to everyone she meets.
Despite being in her late sixties, she’s actually a very active person who likes to practice yoga and do simple exercises to keep fit and healthy. She has a great sense of humour and is very quick-witted and funny, for this reason, she is very likable and people love her very much including all of our family.
I admire my mother for so many different reasons as she has been such a strong figure in our family. There were some challenging moments when myself and my siblings were growing up, however, my mother had an unlimited amount of patience with us. That is admirable considering I was quite a rebellious teenager!
Actually, my mother is retired now, but when she was younger she worked in the medical profession as a senior nurse, which was a job she loved very much. I think she misses many aspects of her past career as it was such a big part of her life. Now, she still does a lot of domestic jobs and keeps her mind occupied by socialising a lot with friends and keeping busy with gardening, things like that. She’s a remarkable person who has led an amazing life, it’s just a shame she lives so far away.”
💡Remember there are no correct answers to the speaking test. You could answer these questions in thousands of different ways. When preparing for the Duolingo speaking test, always try to speak in a fresh and natural way, even if you are describing the same hobby, film, weather, etc.
☁️ Describe your favourite type of weather
Describe your favourite kind of weather:
- What is this weather like?
- How does this weather make you feel?
- Why do you like this weather?
- Do other people like this weather?
👪 Your favourite weather - Sample answers
I’d like to describe British weather which is my favourite kind of weather. Some of my foreign friends don’t understand this because they think the weather here is so miserable. But, for myself I really like rainy days – I think it’s just what you are used to.It’s true that it does rain quite a lot, and the rain can be light or heavy even with hail.
This kind of weather makes me feel very creative because I’m an artist, and I find it much easier to create in this climate. So, while it rains, I usually sit in my studio with a warm cup of tea and paint a lot. It really feels fantastic and it helps my creativity.
Also, I prefer living in cooler climates rather than hotter climates because I get very tired and sleepy in warm weather. If I go for a run on a hot day, I feel so exhausted and sweaty, ya I really don’t like this.A lot of my friends enjoy sunbathing in Spain or other European countries, and they often complain about the weather in the UK. Actually, I think many British people prefer living in hotter climates, and even one of my good friends is about to live in the South of France.But in my opinion, I just love mild, cool, and comfortable weather, therefore, living in England is perfect for me. Maybe I will change my opinion when I’m older, but I doubt it..!
So I’d to describe my favourite kind of weather which is hot and pleasant weather.Currently, I’m living in a cooler climate with weather that is a little too cold for me, so in the future, I’d prefer to live somewhere hotter.
Hot weather makes me feel much more relaxed and happier when compared to chilly weather below 10 degrees or so… Ya, I don’t understand how some people can live in cold climates all year round, but I guess everyone’s different.
So I like warmer temperatures because you can do more things outside. It feels great to go walking and hiking on a warm day with lots of sunshine, it’s just so relaxing. Similarly, eating food in outdoor restaurants and cafes is so nice with the sun’s rays coming down. Ya, it’s unimaginable for me to do the same things on a rainy, miserable, cold day.
So, I think a lot of people would agree with my opinion on this topic, and many people I know have moved house to live in warmer weather. But! then again, I have some friends who prefer cooler climates, and I even have a friend who lives in Alaska, so it really depends on your own preferences.
I just know for myself, that I feel happier and healthier in a hot place, and my ideal temperature would be around 25-28 degrees. Hopefully one day I can move somewhere warmer.
Ok, so my favourite kind of weather is mild and temperate weather as I’m not a sun lover at all. Although it’s true that most people in northern Europe prefer the sun, I’m quite content with milder temperatures, it’s just me.
To be honest, I think I’m more productive and creative in cooler climates whereas in hot climates I feel zapped of energy and feel a lot of fatigue. This is probably because I’m just not used to this kind of weather, and, ya, it takes me a long time to acclimatize to hot conditions – I’ve really noticed this when I’ve visited hot tropical climates in the past.
Being British I guess I’m used to rainy and overcast cloudy weather, so when I experience significantly hotter temperatures it’s a shock for my body. I definitely feel less agitated in cooler climates because you are not always sticky and sweaty. But! this is just me, and as I said, I think it’s what you are used to.
I think a lot of British people are fed up with the rain and the grey skies in the UK, so consequently many people travel to the south of Spain to get some sunshine. However, there are a lot of people who share my view and prefer moderate weather conditions, even if that means you have to carry an umbrella around with you all the time!
Actually, one of the downsides is that it’s almost impossible to plan outdoor events in the UK, but having said that, this is fine with me and I don’t think I will change my preferences in the future.
📱 Describe an electronic device
Describe an electronic device that you own. You should say:
What is it and what does it do?
When did you buy it?
Why you like it?
How does the device help you?
📱 An electronic device- Sample answers
So, I’d like to describe my smartphone. I really like this phone, and I use it everyday for many different things. It’s an Android phone and I’ve had it for around 4 years, so it’s quite old.
It’s so useful and I use it to chat to my friends and family most of the time. One of my favourite apps is Instagram because I can easily share photos with everyone, ya, I like this app a lot. I also like to use Google maps and this is very helpful when I visit new places.
So, as I said, I bought this phone just over 4 years ago and I got it from my local electronic store in my city. I did look at other phones, but this one had everything I needed and wasn’t very expensive.
Ya, I really like this phone because it’s very easy to use and the call quality is very good. My previous phone always had some problems with the speaker, so I am happy this phone doesn’t have the same problem. It’s also faster than my last phone. When I touch an app it loads very quickly in a few seconds, it’s great and again is much better than my last phone.
So, this phone is very helpful because it helps me to organise my life. I use the calendar a lot to remind me of different things in my life, and I also use the torch light everyday.
It really helps me to see my door and keys when it’s dark at night. Ya I love this phone, and I can’t imagine my life without it.
Ok, so the device I’d like to describe is an iPhone that I bought two months ago. I really love this phone because it has so many useful features and apps that I use daily. Some of the apps are essential for things like banking and email, but to be honest, I use social media apps like Facebook and Instagram the most.
As I said, I bought this phone just a couple of months ago and it still feels new, it’s great. – I do try to look after it well, and I made sure to buy a protective screen cover when I first bought it.
So, there are many things I really love about this phone. Firstly, the camera quality is absolutely stunning and I’m always impressed with the photos I take, I think it has an image stabiliser feature which definitely helps me as I’m not a good photographer. The screen quality is high-definition and is very bright on a sunny day, which really helps me a lot.
I also love the long battery life on this phone which easily lasts throughout the whole day. This is impressive because my last phone wasn’t that great, and only lasted around 5 to 6 hours before dying…
This phone helps me in so many ways. Keeping in touch with friends and staying up-to-date with the news is very important for me, and also whenever I’m out and about I use the navigation feature a lot. Ya, I’m definitely really happy I bought this phone.
Ok, I’d like to describe my smartphone which is one of my favourite devices out of all the devices I own. This phone isn’t the latest model, actually, it’s an iPhone 10, which is a little old now, but that’s fine with me as it has all the functionality I need. I use it almost every day, and find it highly useful as it’s so versatile and has so many different features.
ya, One of the things it does, of course, is make calls, but this phone has lots of additional functions such as GPS navigation, and the ability to download a large number of apps such as Facebook and Whatsapp, and many others. Whatsapp is particularly useful for me as I’m able to call my friends without having to pay and it’s just much more convenient especially the instant messaging feature.
I bought this phone from the internet and I think I spent a few days looking for an inexpensive phone. I wanted to have a balance between good quality and affordability, and luckily on auction sites like Ebay it’s easy to find a bargain.
Whereas many of my friends always buy the latest phones, I prefer to save money and use a phone that is a few years old. Personally, I’d just rather save my money!
I really like this phone because it has exceptionally good screen resolution and definition. The screen is so detailed and precise, so it’s a real pleasure to watch movies even on this tiny little screen. Furthermore, I really love the GPS and navigation,in fact, I would find it very tricky to live without this feature as I use it when I drive. Ya, it’s a necessity for me to have this feature as I live in an urban area so I use it almost every day. This phone helps me in so many ways, but its main role is to help me keep in touch and connect with friends and family, ya I love it.
🎾 Describe a sport you like
Describe a sport you like:
- What is this sport?
- Why do you like it?
- Where do you play it?
- Is it popular in your country?
🎾 A sport you like- Sample answers
Ok, so the sport I would like to describe is table tennis. Table tennis is also called ping-pong and is quite popular in the UK. It’s a smaller version of the traditional sport of tennis and can be played indoors or outdoors.
Both table tennis and full-sized tennis are sports I love, but the nice thing about table tennis is I can play at home with my friends and family.
Playing table tennis is a lot of fun, and it’s a very fast game, much quicker than ‘normal’ tennis. I often play during the day and sometimes even very late at night. You don’t any special clothes or equipment, just the racket, ball and the table.
As I mentioned, I have a table at home. In the summer time I move the table into the garden, but most of the year it stays indoors near the kitchen.
Table tennis is fairly popular in the UK, but I don’t think it’s as popular as traditional tennis. I think it is extremely popular in China and my Chinese friend is much better at it than me, ya she always beats me….
Many of my friends didn’t play before they met me, but now they love to have a game whenever they come around to my place. It’s really good fun and you don’t need much skill to have an enjoyable game.
I’d like to describe a sport that I play regularly with my friends. This sport is soccer and I’ve been playing this sport all my life.
So, soccer has become more popular in the United States over the last couple of decades and many people play on the weekends for fun. The game I play with my friends is indoor soccer. This a little different, because instead of having 11 players on a team, there are only 5 players on each team. This is much better in my opinion, because we can easily organise everybody and it feels more friendly and relaxed.
I really enjoy playing soccer because I forget about any stress in my life and I just focus on enjoying the game and having fun with friends . During the week I don’t get much exercise, so playing soccer is also really benefical for my health and wellbeing.
After we finish playing in the sports centre, we go for a drink and socialise for a few hours. It’s really nice to catch up with everybody and we have known each other for a long time, so it’s nice.
As I mentioned, soccer is much more popular than it used to be 30 years ago. I think this could be due to the World Cup football tournament, because the USA has a better team compared to the past. Lots more people follow the game on TV and there are many celebrities and soccer stars than in the past. Ya, I really like this sport and will continue playing it in the future.
I’m not such a sporty person, but having said that, there is a sport that I really like which is tennis. Tennis is a racket sport usually just for 2 players, although sometimes 4 people can compete together.
I find tennis really enjoyable, maybe because it’s one of the only sports that I’m fairly good at and can play with some level of confidence and ability. It’s a great way to keep in shape and you can play at your own pace, I mean if you’re playing one-to-one tennis, you can decide how fast you want to play with your opponent. What’s more, I also like this sport because it’s a great spectator sport, so whenever it’s on TV, I generally like to watch big tournaments such as Wimbledon and the ‘French Open’ which are usually very exciting.
So, tennis is played on grass, but come to think of it, it can also be played on clay or other hard surfaces. Personally, I play tennis at my local sports club whenever I get an opportunity to play with my friend who is also a fan of the sport. But of course, big championships like Wimbledon are played on massive courts with a huge seating capacity for many fans.
In the UK, tennis is hugely popular and has a large following of fans who appreciate the sport. I wouldn’t say it is our national sport as I believe cricket, or maybe football is, but without a doubt, tennis is watched and played by many people. You can find free communal tennis courts in most cities in the UK where you don’t have to pay anything, this is another reason why the popularity of tennis is so high.
☕ Describe a cafe you have visited and like
Describe a cafe you have visited and like:
- Where it is located?
- What kinds of food and drink do they serve?
- What do you do there?
- Explain why you like to go there?
☕A cafe - Sample answers
I’d like to describe a really relaxed cafe I visited in Liverpool in the north-west of England. I was visiting my friend there and one day we decided to check out this interesting cafe.
This cafe was interesting because the decorations were all from the 1960’s, and there were posters on the walls about the famous music group ‘The Beatles’.
When we sat down, the waitress gave us a menu with a variety of different snacks and all types of coffee. As it was quite a hot day I decided to have an iced coffee and my friend had the same. We were surprised when the drinks arrived because there was a lot of cream on the top of the drink, a little bit strange, but it was nice.
I remember we had a light lunch, maybe a salad and some bread rolls. Ya, the food was quite simple, but tasty and nice.
We stayed there for maybe 1 hour and we just chatted about our work and the different things we were doing in our lives. I thought that the cafe had a very nice atmosphere and the music wasn’t too loud. Sometimes cafes can be very noisy, but this place was really calm and peaceful.
So, I went there because my friend thought I would like it and she was right, it was worth going there. Of course, I am not a local person, so I doubt I will go back there soon, but it was a nice experience and very good to see all the decorations on the walls.
Ok, so I’d like to describe a cafe that I sometimes go to called “Baristas Friend” which is situated very close to where I live in north London. It’s not too far to walk and if you have a bicycle, you can easily park your bike outside, which is really convenient.
So, they offer a wide variety of coffee from around the world and I really like to be adventurous and check out new varieties when I can. Most people I know like to drink a latte or an espresso, but it really depends on what time of day it is as a large amount of my friends prefer a cappuccino in the morning.
With regard to food, they have a wide selection of tasty cakes and delicious sandwiches, but to be honest, I don’t think people buy so much food there as it’s quite over-priced…
So when I go there, I either go alone and work on my laptop, or I often go with friends as it’s a great place to socialise. It’s actually a really pleasant atmosphere as they play soft music in the background, which is really calming especially when you are working alone.
What’s more, having this peaceful environment is great for reading, so sometimes when I go, I take a novel with me and just chill out.
I go there because the coffee is absolutely heavenly and miles better than what I have at home, and in addition to this, I really like this cafe because the baristas are so friendly and welcoming, it’s a great atmosphere there.
So, at the end of the day, it’s just a fabulous place to hang out, and the smell and aroma of a coffee shop just can’t be beaten, ya I definitely enjoy going there when I can.
🚆 Describe a journey you have made
Describe a journey you have made:
- Where were you going?
- Why were you going there?
- How did you go there?
- What did you see on the journey?
🚆A journey - Sample answers
So, I’d like to describe a trip that I made to Wales in 2020. Wales is in the west of the United Kingdom and it’s a beautiful place so I was excited to go there again.
This journey was to see one of my best friends who recently moved there. I thought the journey would be a quick 2-hour drive from London, however, I was wrong as my car broke down during that journey..!
So, when I left London in the morning I thought I would easily arrive in Wales for lunch.
But, as I was driving on the motorway I heard a terrible sound coming from the engine. So, I stopped the car (pulled over) and was very surprised to see some smoke coming from the engine. At first I didn’t know what to do because I have no experience with cars, so I decided to call the insurance company and ask them for help.
The woman on the phone was very helpful and she said she would send a breakdown recovery vehicle to help me.
After waiting for 1 hour, the recovery van turned up and the mechanic quickly looked at the engine. He told me the engine wasn’t in condition and he would have to tow me back to London.
Awwww, I was very annoyed because the car was only 2 years old. Anyway.. the man was very friendly and after 20 minutes we drove back to London.
During the journey home, I called my friend in Wales. She was very understanding, and wasn’t as annoyed as I was…! We spoke for about 10 minutes, but my battery was low, so we decided to talk later in the evening.
So, it wasn’t the most enjoyable journey I have taken in my life..! But, it wasn’t so bad, because the next day I took a train back to Wales to visit my friend. In the end, it was a great trip and it was great to see her.
Ok, so I have very fond memories of journey that I took with 2 of my best friends in the summer of 2018. It was a roadtrip and it was from Chicago to Las Vegas. It was a very long drive and it took us 5 to 6 days to get there, but it was a very memorable journey.
So, my friends and I always used to talk about going to Las Vegas for a holiday, and then one day my friend, who had just bought a new car, said “Ok, let’s just go”. So, after a little bit of planning and preparation we decided to go the following week.
As we all like rock climbing, we thought that we would also do some camping and climbing in Colorado. It was the perfect opportunity to combine these activities because Colorado is inbetween Chicago and Las Vegas.
Although we didn’t have lots of money, we easily had enough to survive for 2 weeks or so. I thought “As long as we don’t gamble and lose all our money in Las Vegas, we’ll be fine”.
It was an amazing trip, and the views and scenery in Colorado were breathtaking. When we arrived in Las Vegas, it felt strange because we had come from a very natural environment to the unnatural artificial environment of a casino. Anyway, it was good fun there, and we didn’t gamble much at all.
We drove back to Chicago after a few days, and we all agreed it was a great experience and a trip we would never forget. I wish we could have spent more time there, but maybe we will do a similar trip to New York next year.
I’d like to talk about a journey I made from London to Scotland two years ago.
I was invited to a friend’s wedding party in a small village located very near Edinburgh in the east of Scotland. I was really delighted and thrilled to accept the invitation as I hadn’t seen my friend for a long time and I’d never been to Scotland before. Edinburgh, which is quite a long way from London, is an amazing city, so I really wanted to plan in advance and visit other places when I was there.
So I had to decide how I was going to get there and I thought about several options. Ideally, driving would have been the best choice as it would have given me freedom and mobility, but sadly the drive is around 8 hours which is far too long. So, my remaining choices were by train or plane. After some decision making, I came to the conclusion that it would be best to go by train as the journey is only 5 hours and it is a lot less hassle than driving to the airport and having all the headache of parking..
So when the day came to make my journey I was full of excitement, and I arrived early at Euston train station. Luckily the train wasn’t so packed, and I was really fortunate to get a window seat. It was a direct train so I didn’t have to change at any other station, which is always a worry if the train is delayed, so I felt happy to be on my way..
It’s always nice to see the breathtaking scenery of Yorkshire and the Lake District so I enjoyed those views, but mainly I just used this journey to relax. When I arrived in Edinburgh my friends were there to greet me at the station and it was a fantastic 4 or 5 days. Ya, the wedding was full of laughter, plenty of fun, and lovely people. It was a journey definitely worth taking..
👨🍳 Describe a restaurant
Describe a restaurant that you have been to and liked:
- Where the restaurant is located?
- How would you describe the food?
- What was the service like?
- Why do you like this restaurant?
👨🍳A restaurant - Sample answer
“Ok, so I’d like to describe a restaurant that I visited in the heart of London in an area called Soho which is a very busy and crowded area. It was a sushi restaurant so the the style of cuisine was obviously Japanese.
Usually, this kind of food is very light when compared to more heavy food like steak or pizza. Sushi, which generally consists of rice and raw fish, has an amazing variety of flavours and comes with lots of different types of toppings and sauce such as soy sauce. The food there was so fresh, delicious and tasty – It really felt like a real “taste of Japan”. You know, sometimes when you buy sushi from a supermarket it can taste very bland and stale, but this restaurant wasn’t like that at all.
The hospitality at this restaurant was amazing actually, and all the staff were really pleasant and friendly when we arrived. Actually, when I think about it, it would be impossible for me to give a rating of less than 5 stars to all of the waiters and waitresses, they definitely made the evening really memorable and unforgettable.
So, there are plenty of different reasons to like this restaurant other than the food and service. One of which is the interior of the restaurant which looked typically Japanese with authentic tatami mats and Japanese stylings. There were also some traditional pictures of Japan on the walls and they even had traditional Japanese music playing in the background. All of these little details helped me to have a positive experience at this restaurant.
So, all in all, even though this evening was very expensive, it was a special occasion and I’d definitely go again if I have the chance!”
🌍 Describe an area of your country
Describe an area of your country you know and like.
- Where is this area?
- What are its attractions and features?
- What do you and other people do in this area?
- Explain why you like it.
🌍An area of your country - Sample answer
“Ok, so I’d like to describe a beautiful, picturesque place called the New Forest in the south of England. The New Forest is a vast forest area that’s famous for its natural beauty and scenery. It probably takes around 2 hours to drive there from London and for many Londoners, it’s a fantastic peaceful place to visit to escape the city.
It is a very well-known area and has many woodlands and breathtaking landscapes. It really is in contrast to London life which is so busy and hectic, so it feels great to come here. I think it’s the perfect place for walking, doing forest trails, and you can also visit a nice quiet pub for lunch. It really is a relaxing place and it feels great just to soak up the atmosphere.
A lot of people are attracted to this location as they can go camping and horse riding. When I was there I took my bicycle and combined cycling with trips to many historic buildings in the area. Because the area is quite spacious there are so many places you can visit for short day trips or longer visits.
In the summer time, it can get quite touristy in some parts, similarly, many of the tourist attractions I mentioned can also become busy and overcrowded. One great aspect is, as it’s mainly a rural area, you can escape the crowds and just enjoy a peaceful environment.
Personally, I find it a very nice place to explore and it is especially good to see lots of different wildlife there, something you don’t get to see in London. All in all, it’s an ideal destination to take a break from city life and recharge your batteries and unwind.
📚Describe a book - Question
Describe a book you have read.
- What style is the book and what was it about?
- What did you like about it?
- What do you know about the author?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend?
📚Describe a book - Example answer
So, the book I’d like to describe is called ‘Absolute Power’ written by David Baldacci who is a popular American author.
The style of the book is a thriller and it has a very interesting and engaging storyline. The plot is about a man who tries to break into people’s houses and steal things. However, on one occasion he is robbing a massive house when he hears the owners of the house come back. He then has to quickly hide so that he won’t be discovered, so he finds somewhere easy to hide and just stays in this hiding place. What is astonishing is the actual owner of the house is the president of the United States and he has a woman with him he is romantically trying to seduce.
The thief can’t do anything and just remains hidden listening to what is happening. After a while, he hears the president arguing in an aggressive way with this woman and eventually, after some time, he hears the president murder this woman. I can’t recall the exact details as it’s been a while since I read this book, but he manages to escape from the house and is later suspected of the murder himself.
I really like this book as it has a fascinating narrative which is full of suspense, you could easily call this book a ‘page turner’. Of course, the characters are fictional, but the author really makes them come to life in the book. I also liked the unpredictable storyline as you wouldn’t expect this kind of situation with a president murdering someone, ya it’s interesting.
As for the author, I don’t know a huge amount about him, but I do know that he has written many best-selling books that are widely read and very popular. He is American, and I think almost all his books are in the thriller and action genre.
Would I recommend this book to people? Yes, I think I definitely would as it’s very accessible and you don’t have to think so deeply. When I think about it, this book is perfect for a holiday or short trip away, it’s just a well-written thriller with a lot of interesting twists and turns, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
🐕 Describe a pet - Question
Describe your favourite pet (animal).
- How would you describe this pet?
- How do people keep these animals?
- What are some problems with keeping animals?
- Why you like this animal?
🐕Describe a pet - Example answer
“So, it’s easy to choose my favourite pet as without a doubt this has to be a dog. This animal comes in all shapes and sizes, and they’re renowned for their loyalty, and friendly nature. Most of the dogs I know have really calm temperaments and are devoted to their owners, which are really nice qualities.
I think people keep dogs for many purposes, but the primary one is to be a companion and a pet above everything else. However, when I think about it, dogs also serve many other very diverse roles such as working dogs, guide dogs and maybe therapy dogs.
So, I think a lot depends on the breed of a dog because, obviously, some dogs are bred for a specific purpose like a guide dog.
Owning a pet of any kind is a lot of work and I think you need to dedicate a large amount of time to training and domesticating an animal, especially a dog as they can be very demanding and time-consuming. This can be problematic for many people, but I think it’s worth it because the pleasure they give you seems to outweigh any of the hard work it takes to train them.
So why do I like dogs?
Well, I think they’re just so full of life and they emit such joyful, happy energy. They are also very non-judgemental and in my experience, always a lot of fun to be around. Ya, having a four legged friend in your life must be amazing as you can take them on walks and play fetch because they make excellent retrievers.
Unfortunately in my life, I have never been the owner of a dog although I have looked after other people’s dogs while they were on holiday. One day I’d love to own a dog. “
🆘 Describe a time you gave advice - Question
Describe a time when you gave advice or helped somebody.
- Who did you give this advice to?
- What was the situation?
- What was the advice you gave?
- How did the person react to this advice?
🆘Giving advice - Sample answer
“Ok, I’d like to speak about a time when I offered to help out to one of my oldest friends who was having difficulties with money. Actually, this happened quite recently, so my memory of this event is still very vivid in my mind.
So, I was unaware, until my friend told me, just how dire things were financially with him. One evening he explained to me that he’d invested money into his business, but it hadn’t been a wise investment, and in fact, he had lost almost all of his money.
I was shocked at this news as my friend is normally very level-headed and careful with money, so this came as quite a surprise. To be honest, I didn’t know what to say at first, and I just tried to listen and sympathise with his situation.
It became clear that he had very little money indeed, and he desperately needed borrow some money to keep him going for the next few weeks. Of course, I know my friend very well and he is a very trustworthy person, so I immediately offered to lend him some money, and he was very thankful.
I also recommened he speak to his family and maybe get advice from his bank to see if they could freeze any interest he had to pay on his debts.
The advice I offered him was just very simple and obvious, nevertheless,he thought it was a good idea to call the bank and also to break the news to his family. I was just happy to help in a small way.”
🤣 Describe TV/Streaming program that made you laugh - Question
Describe a TV or streaming program that made you laugh.
- What was the program about?
- Why did it make you laugh?
- How would you describe the storyline?
- Would you recommend this program to others?
🤣TV program - Sample answer
“Ok, so I want to tell you about a British TV show that used to make me laugh a lot, and actually, it still does make me laugh!
It’s a a classic show called Mr. Bean that is about an odd and unusual British man who lives in England. The majority of British people know this timeless and I think it has been very popular internationally. It’s very amusing because he is a grown man, yet he always gets himself into a lot of trouble and childish chaos .
With regard to the storylines, well, they are quite ridiculous and far-fetched. For instance, in several episodes, he tries to lock and protect his little car, but he uses strange methods like removing the steering wheel or putting a padlock on the door. Another unusual aspect of his personality is that he owns a teddy bear, which is very bizzare for an adult man, however, the actor, Rowan Atkinson, who plays Mr. Bean, acts his role perfectly and makes his character really likable.
I can recall another episode when he is late for a dentist appointment and decides to drive to the dentist while brushing his teeth. Yeah, I think it’s a very well-written show with interesting twists and turns in the storylines.
So, I would highly recommend this show to anyone as I think it’s appealing to different types of audiences. In my opinion, this show is very unique and has become hugely successful around the world to non-native speakers.”
🎞️ Describe a film you like- Question
Describe a film you like.
- What is the film?
- What is the story of the film?
- Who are the actors?
- Would you recommend this film?
🎞️Film - Sample answer
The film I’d like to describe is a classic 1980’s blockbuster movie called “Back to the Future”. When this film first came out it was hugely popular among many people, I think this was due to it having many cutting-edge and state-of-the-art special effects.
The film is quite unusual as the main protagonist, Marty McFly, who is played by Michael J Fox, goes into the future and past using a time machine. It’s difficult for me to remember the exact storyline of this film in detail, but he has to go back in time to fix things in the future. It’s an interesting concept for a film, and when it was released it was a groundbreaking movie.
I think this film definitely comes from a Hollywood Studio such as Paramount or Universal Studios because the effects in it are so advanced and pioneering. Also, the soundtrack of the film features many famous musicians of the time, so I imagine the budget for this movie was very large indeed.
I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone, it really is a classic in my opinion. Even though the movie is almost 40 years old, it looks so modern, fresh and innovative in every way. Making film recommendations can be tough as there are so many good films! However, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this film to anyone. It’s well worth checking out.
İt is very beautiful