Part 1

What kind of sport do you prefer?

I don't prefer a specific kind of sport, but I really like working out in the gym… That helps me to keep my body in a good shape… A few years ago I had a sports coach, but now I developed my own fitness program and train alone…

Do you do any kind of sports during weekends?

Yes, sure! I have a lot of spare time during weekends and I do javelin on Saturdays… In summertime I also go cycling with my friends... Generally, I don’t like staying at home all day... I prefer active rest…

Tell me about your hobbies. Is there anything you like to do in your leisure time?

I used to play tennis as a hobby… But a few months ago my family moved to a new place, and there were no tennis courts nearby... That's why I took up wrestling... But I still play tennis every once in a while.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

Part 2
Now, have a look at the card and prepare a monologue.
Describe a place that you visit to keep fit. You should say:

• What is it
• When do you go there
• What do you do there
and say why do you like it

I would like to talk about my local gym that I visit three times a week... It’s a new sports centre with the latest fitness equipment… It has everything you would ever need to keep fit: treadmills, various dumbbells and exercisers for different muscle groups. Moreover, it offers a wide range of different classes for every taste... I developed my own strength-building strategy, so usually I start with a short warm-upwhen I jog on the treadmill for a few minutes to sweat... Then, I go to the weights sections and start doing lifting exercises... Finally, I end my workout with stretching... I try not to miss my trainings, because they help me to relax and forget about the daily routine.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

Part 3
Should people go in for sports more?

Yes, definitely… Sport should be an essential part of everyone’s life. Not only is it good for your health, but it also helps you to be in a good mood… So people should certainly train more.

Which sport is the best for people, who aren’t used to work-out?

In my point of view, everybody should start with light trainings, maybe jogging or brisk walk every day... It is better to avoid strenuous exercises for the first couple of months, so powerlifting is definitely out of the question…

Why some people enjoy sports more than others?

It is a tough question… I would say, the main reason is it's hard to find your perfect kind of sport… if you don’t like football or basketball it doesn't mean you won't enjoy cricket, for example… It's important not to fear trial-and-error methodand you’ll inevitably find your ideal sport.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

Do you want me to translate new words? If yes, let me now by reactions.

Let’s work on the topic Education.

Part 1

Do you work or are you a student?

At the moment I'm studying. I’m doing a graduate degree in molecular biology in the Vanderbilt University.

Why did you choose that subject?

I've always loved life sciences, particularly biology... And when I received my bachelor's degree I took a research internship in a laboratory where I studied interactions between proteins... And then I understood that I want to pursue my career in biochemistry or molecular biology.

Can you describe yourself as a good student?

Well, overall I think I am a good student. ... I am not an eager beaver, nor the teacher's pet... but I'm good at scientific subjects and, most importantly, I like studying.

Do you study English now?

Yes, of course. I've taken an intensive course this year, where I've attend classes three times a week... And I plan on pursuing my studies in the future, too...

Did you enjoy/Do you enjoy studying at school?

I've never really liked school... I'm not a bookwormand a lot of humanities subjects seemed too boring to me. However, the workload was not too big... The other good thing about school is being able to see your friends. And fortunately, I had wonderful classmates.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

Part 2
Now, have a look at the card and prepare a monologue.
Describe a period of time from your studies that was the most difficult for you so far. You should say:

• When it was
• Why was it hard
• What you were doing at that time

I would like to talk about my last school year. It was really diffucult due to enormous amounts of homework I had to do and all the exams I had to prepare for... Em, so I studied hard, having no time to goof around ... Moreover, I forgot a lot of things from the school curriculum, that's why I had to do a lot of revision... But despite the tough preparation, I managed to set aside some time to rest and interact with my friends and family... After all, my efforts were not in vain... I passed all the exams well and was admitted to the university of my dream.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

Part 3
What are some essential qualities every teacher should have?

As for me, every teacher should be able to catch student's attention. It is very important to make your subject interesting to the others... Also, teacher should be a subject specialist and a kind, helpful person..

What are some pros of studying on a distance learning course?

To be honest, I think it's very advantageous to study in such way... It gives you more time flexibility, especially if you have a job... Not to mention that it is fairly cheap, compared to face-to-face classes...

Does everybody get equal opportunities to study?

Definitely not. I think it really depends on a country you live in... Moreover, it depends on your financial capabilities... Some schools and universities are just too expensive... Only a small fraction of people can afford to study there.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

~Bachelor's degree - bakalavr diplomi
~To pursue one's career - ish faoliyatini davom ettirish
~Eager beaver - tirishqoq, izlanuvchan odam
~Teacher's pet - o'qituvchining yoqtirgan studenti, odatda hamma aytganlarini qiladi va darsda yaxshi qatnashadi
~Intensive course - tezlashtirilgan kurs
~To attend classes - darslarga qatnash
~Bookworm - kitobsevar
~Workload - ish hajmi

@SpeakingSampleAnswer

~Enormous amounts of - juda katta miqdorda
~To goof around - bekorchilik qilib yurmoq
~To set aside some time - ozgina vaqt ajratmoq

@SpeakingSampleAnswer

~To catch one's attention - kimningdir e'tiborini tortmoq
~Subject specialist - fan ustasi
~Fairly cheap - anchagina arzon
~Face-to-face classes - ananaviy darslar
~Financial capabilities - moliyaviy holat (biror narsaga pulingiz yetish yoki yetmasligi)
~Small fraction of - juda kichik qismi

@SpeakingSampleAnswer

Let’s work on the topic Weather.

Part 1

What's the weather in your country?

The weather in my country is pretty nice. We have a mild climate, so it's never boiling hot in the summer or freezing cold in the winter.

Does the weather affect your mood?

Yes... Cold, gloomy days put me in a bad mood. I love summertime, when it's warm and sunny.

Do you like rainy days?

Yes, absolutely! I like when it rains... I love all the freshness around, the cool breeze after a heavy rain. It's wonderful!

What is your favourite season?

Well, I think it's spring... The weather is very pleasant and it's nice to see everything come back to life and blossom.

Do you like winters?

No, not really... For me winter is the most depressing season, because where I live it's freezing cold in the winter. Moreover, the days are short and you can't do a lot of outdoor activities.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

Part 2
Now, have a look at the card and prepare a monologue.
Describe your favourite weather. You should say:

• What the weather is like
• Why do you like it
• Where you can exprerience such weather conditions.

It may sound strange, but my favourite weather is when it is cloudy, windy and drizzling as it makes me feel calm and relaxed... I like such weather especially at night because I can hear the little raindrops falling and see the dew on the window, and it helps me to sleep... It is very pleasant... Also, I love foggy weather... It's very romantic and gives me a sort of feeling like I'm in an old black and white movie. However, I don't like heavy rains and downpours. And I hate when temperature goes below zero, it's too cold for me. Probably, the type of weather I like is common for the United Kingdom... But in my hometown such type of weather is very rare. Usually, we have dry and sunny days with occasional spells of rainy weather.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

Part 3
Does air pollution affect the weather?

Yes, it does... It affects the overall temperature of the world, making the weather warmer. Also, it often causes smogand gloomy weather.

Do you think that weather affects people's behaviour?

Yes, I think that people respond to bad weather... In my opinion, during cold and dull days people are more depressed and irritated than usual... While bright sunshine and warmth makes us feel good.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

~mild climate - o'rtacha, unchalik issiq ham, sovuq ham bo'lmaydigan iqlim;
~boiling hot - daxshat issiq;
~freezing cold - daxshat sovuq;
~gloomy days - qorong'u kunlar (yorug'lik kam bo'lgan, odatda bulut tufayli);
~breeze - shabada;
~heavy rain - kuchli yomg'ir;
~drizzle - maydalab yomg'ir yog'ishi;
~foggy weather - tumanli ob-havo;
~downpour - jala quyishi;
~ temperature goes below zero - harorat nol gradus selsidan pastlashi;
~ occasional spells of rainy weather - onda sonda qisqa muddatli yomg'irlar yog'ishi;
~smog - tutun;
~bright sunshine - kuchli, yorug' quyosh nuri.

Speaking samples || @engzenith

These are part 2 cue cards that are currently in use, and most of them will continue to be used in real exams. Although some new cue cards will be added in September, most of the current cue cards will still be in use. This is because they do not usually replace all topics; half of them, at most, are usually replaced with new ones. So, make use of them. If you are lucky, you may be given one of these cue cards.

When new ones are added in September, I will send model answers for them as well.