IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Topic: Describe your favorite movie

You should say:

When and where you saw it

What type of film it was

What the film was about

And explain why it is your favorite film

As a frequent moviegoer, I watch a multitude of films. One of the movies I’m much into is “One day”, an American romantic drama movie. It is directed by Lone Scherfig based on a novel of the same name. I watched this movie at least three times yet still love to watch again and again.

The movie opens with a short scene of the day after their graduation on 14 July 1988 of two main characters, Dexter Mayhew (Jim Surgess) and Emma Morley (Anne Hathaway). They spent the night together but came up with an agreement to be just friends, and spent the following day together, the 15th, St. Swithin’s day. However, they couldn’t keep the promise. They went through different circumstances, troubles got married and lived apart from each other until 2004, Emma and Dexter finally realized they were a perfect match and got engaged and married. Unfortunately, despite many efforts, they have not yet had kids. On 15th July 2006, Emma had a car accident when she was crossing the street. Dexter became inconsolable and was particularly desolated each year on that day. The movie ends up with the scene back to 1988 when they first met and promised to always be best friends.

This movie usually gets me burst into tears no matter how many times I’ve watched it. Not only was the story itself so miserable but also the actor and actress outperformed the ordinary. This movie also aimed to encourage people to appreciate the happiness and true love from the ones who have always been there for them.

Vocabulary

Moviegoer (noun) a person who goes to the cinema

To do Sth again and again (v) to love constantly repeating Sth

To spend the night (v) to sleep over

To come up with (v) to think of Sth

To keep the promise (v) to do what you said you would do

A perfect match (n) to perfectly fit with another

Inconsolable (adj) so unhappy or disappointed that no one can make you feel better

To always be there for SO (v) to strongly and consistently support SO anyhow

To outperform the ordinary (v) to perform significantly well

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

1. Do you think (watching) films have (has) educational benefits?

Absolutely, I think. Take romantic films as an example, they can help educate people about the value of love, honesty, and faithfulness. They can make the audience sympathize with other people and respect what they have. Indead, films can teach people good virtues to become better citizens through stories. Besides, in most high school and college courses, movies, whether documentary or narrative, are a creative approach in teaching, helping students have a brief idea about the history, social issues, or scientific experiments. History, for example, indeed becomes more approachable and interesting in movies.

Vocabulary

Good virtue (n) behavior showing high moral standards

Sympathise (v) to feel sorry for somebody, to show that you understand and feel sorry about somebody’s problems

2. In what ways are documentary films and films only for entertainment different?

From my perspective, they are different in various aspects, especially their purposes. Documentaries are a reliable source of information and a powerful means of conveying a social message to the world. It brings many benefits to the society. For instance, by watching documentaries together, many sensitive social issues, such as homosexuality, are discussed freely between parents and children instead of attempting to hide it. Films for entertainment, in another way, are mostly for people who need to chill out after work or study. Those movies tend not to discuss nothing but relationships between people.

Vocabulary

Means of Sth (n) a tool or a way to do Sth (commonly used with unc. noun transportation, entertainment)

Homosexuality (n) sexual attraction to people of one’s own sex

To chill out (v) to relax

3. Why do you think documentary films are not so popular?

Personally, I think the foremost reason which makes documentary films are not as popular as entertainment films is that documentaries require the audience to think critically about current issues, b help them escape from the harsh realities of everyday life. For example, the series of “Prison life – love in prison”, which describes the prison sex, is an educational and emotional documentary that brings a different view of prisoners. Another reason is this kind of movie aims to provide education and lack entertaining features compared to other kinds of movies, therefore, it’s hard to reach a wide range of audience.

Vocabulary

Rather than (phrase) used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish

Harsh reality (n) the difficulties

(The) naked truth (n) the complete, unembellished truth

To aim to do Sth (v) to have a purpose to do Sth

4. How are movies and real life different?

Life in movies is so much different than real life. In real life, there is no script and you will write your own story day by day. Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. However, they both inspire each other since real life is a great material for making movies.

Vocabulary

Ups and downs (n) good and bad times

Twists and turns (n) challenges or turning points in life

To make a movie (n) to produce a move

5. Do men and women like to watch the same kinds of films?

It depends, I guess. It is thought that men like action movies with shocking and dangerous scenes like Fast and Furious or sci-fi movies with imaginative, futuristic plots like Avatar while most women prefer romantic movies or comedies with meaningful messages. It seems logical; however, there are still many converse cases. Therefore, I think there is no boundaries for preferences between men and women when it comes to films.

Vocabulary

Sci-fi movies (n) science-fiction movies

When it comes to (phrase) speaking about

6. Do different age groups like the same kinds of films?

Obviously. It’s undeniable that different generations prefer different kinds of movies. Children, for example, are usually fond of cartoons or funny movies such as Frozen or Tangled. Adults, on the other hand, tend to watch various types of movies such as action films, romantic films, documentaries or romantic films depending on their tastes.

Vocabulary

To be fond of (adj) to be interested in

7. Do you like any particular film star? Why?

I like Emma Watson, a British actress, model and activist. She is famous for her first professional acting role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. What I love about her is that not only is she an outstanding actress with admirable personalities but also she is the spiritual inspiration as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. My favorite quote is “I don’t want the fear of failure to stop me from doing what I really care about”, encouraging me to chase my dream despite many troubles ahead.

Vocabulary

To be famous for (adj) to be known about by many people

To care about (v) to feel concern or interest; attach importance to something.