Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Are you studying English at a school?
Samira: Yes … I’m taking an intensive course at a local private language school …
I attend classes three times a week …
Examiner: Would you say you are a good student?
Samira: I’m OK I think … I’m pretty good at meeting deadlines and I’m keeping up
with my studies… plus I find it quite easy to learn things by heart which is useful
when learning a language …
Examiner: When you were younger did you enjoy your time at school?
Samira: Yes … I liked school … it was an ordinary state school … nothing special … a
single-sex school … which I’m not sure I liked … but the teachers were great … I had
lots of friends and I never played truant like some pupils there …
Part 2-style task
Describe a time during your education that you really enjoyed. You should say:
when this period was
where you were
what you were studying at the time
and say why you were so happy.
Samira: I’d like to tell you about my time at university … I was a mature student … I
didn’t go to university until I was 25 … and it was my first time away from my parents so
it was very exciting … I was doing a Bachelors Degree and it was a bit of a challenge
… some people take a year out but I’d been away from education for 8 years … plus I
had to work my way through uni so I was very busy … and sitting exams at the end
of each year was a new experience for me as well but I really enjoyed higher
education learning about a subject I loved … history … and the social life was great as
well … I don’t think I’ve ever had so many friends … I had my graduation
ceremony last year in the local cathedral and I know my parents were really proud …
so yes … that was a really happy time … I’m thinking of doing a Masters Degree soon
… though that might be through distance learning as I have a full-time job now …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What qualities do you think a good teacher has?
Samira: They should be patient … they should be subject specialists and be able to
explain the subject clearly … they should give feedback quickly … for example not
hang on to essay for ages like some of my teachers …
Examiner: What are the advantages of studying on a distance learning course?
Samira: It’s a more flexible way of studying especially if you have a job … tuition
fees are usually cheaper … but you have to be very motivated … and I would imagine
more people fall behind with their studies compared to face-to-face classes …
Examiner: Do all children get equal opportunities in education?
Samira: In my country I think it is quite equal but in the UK I’ve heard that most people
who go to the top universities have studied at public schools … you have to be very
rich to study in a school like that … they’re usually boarding schools as well so the
fees are enormous …
Definitions
to attend classes: to go to classes
bachelors degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time
distance learning: a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the
Internet or by post
face-to-face classes: as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of
studying in a classroom with colleagues and a teacher
to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others
to give feedback: to offer guidance on a student’s work
a graduation ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or
her academic degree
higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed
after high school or secondary school
an intensive course: a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal
in as short a time as possible
to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind
to learn something by heart: to memorize it
a mature student: a student who is older than average and who has usually
returned to education after a period at work
masters degree: a period of study which often follows the completion of a
bachelors degree or is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-
level academic course
to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
to play truant: to stay away from classes without permission
private language school: an independent school run as a business concern
public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK
a single-sex school: a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a
mixed-sex school)
to sit an exam: to take an exam
state school: a school paid for by public funds and available to the general
public
subject specialist: a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the
subject they teach.
to take a year out: to spend a year working or travelling before starting
university
tuition fees: the money paid for a course of study
to work your way through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to
support yourself financially
