IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Sample Band 9 – Describe a TV series you like

Describe a TV series you like

You should say:

• What the TV program is
• How you know it
• What it is like
• Why you like it

 

To be honest, I’m kinda a couch potato, so I watch a multitude of  TV series. Off the top of my head, I’d say the most captivating TV series I have watched is “Friends” – an all-time favorite sitcom.

Friends is an American television sitcom originally aired on NBC from 1994 to  2004, lasting ten seasons. This sitcom has a strong cast, involving both experienced actors and novices in the field of entertainment. By and large, it won’t fail to live up to viewers’ expectation from the first episode.

The series are centered on six friends Ross, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe, who are connected with each other by being roommates, neighbors and old high school friends and they all find themselves living in the same apartment block. They all have their own story and battle with tough jobs, complicated relationships and life in the big city. The TV series center round daily happenings when they live under the same roof. The characters are portrayed with different virtues and qualities, giving the audience a nice picture of the stuff taking place every day in their routine life. As the title suggests, each episode is packed with hilarious jokes and conversational exchanges between friends, which definitely gives you hysterical laughter and is something really effective to let off steam after a backbreaking day at school or work.

What strikes me most about this series is the strong bond between friends. Despite many ups and downs in life, they won’t hesitate to go the extra mile to get over difficulties no matter what are thrown at them and forgive each other for their silly mistakes. It is a TV series worth watching, particularly for those who are fans of comedy and reality TV.  Despite its age, it is still as fantastic as ever and very addictive and I bet it will be watched for many years.

 

Vocabulary

Couch potato: a person who spends little or no time exercising and a great deal of time watching television.

A multitude of: a very large number of people or things

Off the top of my head: immediately and without thinking very much

Captivating: very interesting or attractive in a way that takes all your attention

All time: exceptional, unprecedented, unsurpassed

Sitcom: situation comedy

By and large: generally, as a whole

Live up to one’s expectation: meet one’s expectation

Center on: if something centres around someone or something, or if you centre something around them, they are its main subject of attention or interest

Let off team: to express your feelings of anger or excitement without harming anyone

Backbreaking: physically very hard and tiring

Ups and downs: a variety of situations and experiences that are sometimes good and sometimes bad

Go the extra mile: to make a special extra effort in order to achieve something

 

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

Do you think (watching) TV 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. Indeed, 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

 

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 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

 

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 a 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 about 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.