Describing Character

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Part 3 Preparation

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Learning Objectives

In this lesson you will:

Practice answering questions based on Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test.
Learn and practice some different ways to talk about people, and language for comparing other people's ideas with your own.
Practice pronouncing /tr/ as in "train" and /tʃ/ as in "chain."

Exercise 1

Warm-Up: Pronunciation Practice

Listen and Repeat

Listen and repeat after your tutor.

A) train

B) chain

A) trick

B) chick

A) try

B) chai

A) trip

B) chip

A) trees

B) cheese

Quiz

Your tutor will choose 5 words and say them aloud. After each word, say whether it is from Group A or Group B.

Quiz Your Tutor

Choose 5 words and say them aloud. After each word, your tutor will say whether it is from Group A or Group B.

Tongue Twisters

Practice saying these tongue twisters with your tutor. First say them slowly, then try to speed up.

Cheap tricks teach children to be terrible trouble.
Chicken tricks are tricking chickens.

Exercise 2

Helpful Vocabulary

Adjectives for Describing People

Listen and repeat these words with your tutor. If you don't know a word, ask your tutor to read the definition and example sentence.

honest

Adjective

intolerant

Adjective

laid-back

Adjective

like-minded

Adjective

loyal

Adjective

arrogant

Adjective

inconsiderate

Adjective

reliable

Adjective

Tell your tutor which are positive and which are negative adjectives.

For example:

"Honest is positive."
"Intolerant is negative."

Listen and repeat these phrases with your tutor.

Expressions for Describing People

to look down your nose at someone
to be a laugh
to be full of yourself
to be on the same wavelength
to be down to earth

Tell your tutor which expressions have positive meaning and which are negative.

For example:

"To look down your nose at someone is negative."
"To be a laugh is positive."

Exercise 3

Speaking Test Part 3 Dialogue

Read the dialogue based on Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test with your tutor. You will be the examiner. At the end, you will need to answer 3 questions.

	Examiner What would you say are the least appealing qualities in a person?
	Daisuke Most people would probably argue that arrogance is one of the least appealing characteristics, and I'd tend to agree with them. I really can't stand people who are full of themselves and who look down their noses at others. I think most people would also agree that being narrow-minded or intolerant are also undesirable qualities.
	Examiner What would you say are the most important characteristics for a friend to have?
	Daisuke I think being honest, reliable, and down to earth are the most important qualities for a friend. You could argue that friends need to be on the same wavelength, but I don't think that's necessarily true. As long as they're a laugh, it doesn't matter if they have different opinions!
	Examiner Why is it good to maintain friendships?
	Daisuke You often hear people say how important friendships are because they add value to your life and this is true, in my experience. It's really good for your mental health to know that you have people you can rely on. My friends also make me feel like the world is a happier place, and that's also really important.

Questions

What personal qualities does Daisuke think are unappealing?

According to Daisuke, what qualities should good friends have?

Why does Daisuke think it's a good idea to maintain friendships?

Exercise 4

Useful Language

Daisuke uses these phrases to compare other people's ideas with his own. Listen and repeat them with your tutor.

Most people would probably argue that ... and I'd tend to ...
I think most people would also agree that ...
You could argue that ... but ...
You often hear people say ... and in my experience, ...

Exercise 5

Fill in the Blanks

Read the dialogue based on Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test with your tutor and fill in the blanks. Your tutor will be the examiner.

	Examiner What would you say are the least appealing qualities in a person?
	Haruto Most people (1)probably argue that qualities such as being inconsiderate and being (2) are really unappealing, and I'd (3) to agree. I also find it hard to be friends with anyone who is inconsiderate of others. In (4) experience, people with these qualities don't make for good friends.
	Examiner Why is it good to maintain friendships?
	Haruto You often (5) people say that spending time with people who are laid-back and are a bit of a (6) is good for mental health and happiness. And I completely agree! I think most people would also agree (7) me that maintaining friendships with people who are reliable and (8) is essential because they will support you no matter what.

Choose answers from the options below that fit in blanks 1 to 8

Answer Pool (Questions 1-8)

loyal
tend
hear
with
laugh
my
arrogant
would

Exercise 6

Part 3 Test Practice

Answer these questions based on Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test.

What would you say are the least appealing qualities in a person?

What would you say are the most important characteristics for a friend to have?

Why is it good to maintain friendships?

Who is your closest friend? Why do you think you're so close?