​In this lesson, you will find sample answers to three questions with regard to hometowns and cities. 
These will be incredibly helpful for students preparing for an English-speaking exam. 

​​​
Here are the questions we are going to focus on: 
(At the end of this post, you will find a list of 10 additional questions you can use for more speaking practice.) 
​

1. Is your hometown a nice place to live? 
2. Is your city suitable for young people? 
3. Is it easy to find a job in your city? 

Is your hometown a nice place to live? 

In IELTS Speaking, you might be asked about the city where you live. 
⠀
If the examiner asks, 'Is your hometown a nice place to live?', you need to think of reasons why it is or isn't. 
⠀
In that case, you can mention: 
⠀​

• how friendly the people are 
• how safe the city is 
• how affordable the city is 
• how convenient it is to live in this city in terms of transport, grocery stores, entertainment and other amenities 
• whether or not you have access to green spaces 

​
EXAMPLES

1. There's a strong sense of community in my hometown, and everyone knows everyone. 
2. It's a very diverse city and the people are extremely welcoming. I feel truly safe here/there. 
3. The cost of living in my hometown is very reasonable, and it's a pretty safe place to live, too. 
4. There is a wide variety of affordable food options, including street food and drinks. 
5. In my city, you will find a wide selection of coffee shops and restaurants. There are also plenty of entertainment options to choose from. 
6. Living in my city is quite convenient because there are lots of shops and services just around the corner. 
7. It's a compact city. You can access everything you need within walking distance and easily get around without a car. 
8. My hometown has a lot of space and it's very scenic. There are a lot of places where people can enjoy outdoor activities pretty much all year round. 
9. There's a river running through the heart of the city where people can do water activities such as paddle boarding and kayaking. 
10. In my city, you will find a lot of parks close by. There are plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy. 

VOCABULARY 

• a (strong) sense of community (phrase) (B1) - the feeling of sharing things and belonging to a group in the place where you live | SYNONYM: a strong community spirit 
• a (culturally) diverse city (collocations) (B2) - including many different types of people and cultures 
• the cost of living (phrase) - the amount you need to pay for food, clothes, etc. 
• extremely/very reasonable (collocations) (B2) - fair and not too expensive 
• a wide range/choice/variety/selection of something 
• entertainment options - e.g. theme parks, cinemas, museums, art galleries, nightclubs, etc. 
• (just) around/round the corner (idiom) - not far away; very near 
• a compact city = a small city 
• within (easy) walking distance (phrase) - near enough to walk to easily 
• scenic /ˈsiːnɪk/ (adjective) - having beautiful natural scenery 
• in the heart of a city (phrase) - the city centre (BrE), the city center (AmE) 

​Is your city suitable for young people? 
​
Some cities are far more attractive to a young demographic than others. Why is that? What makes them so appealing to young adults? An obvious reason is that they offer a lot more job opportunities. OK, that's fair enough. What about some other reasons? 
⠀
If you were taking an English-speaking test and the examiner asked, 'Is your city suitable for young people?', what would you say? 
⠀
In your answer, you could consider mentioning: 
⠀

• the access to educational institutions 
• some industries and employment opportunities for young professionals 
• the easy access to cultural and sporting events throughout the year 
• the cost of living in the city 
• how affordable it is to buy your own home 

EXAMPLES 

1. My city is home to plenty of universities, which makes it attractive to a young demographic. 
2. It's a great place to raise kids mainly because of the wide range of educational institutions the city has to offer. 
3. The city has a large economy. There are plenty of job opportunities for young professionals of all kinds. 
4. The city has a vibrant atmosphere. It's been growing a lot in recent years, and there are plenty of job opportunities in various areas, including the industrial sector, small businesses, and big retail stores. It's an exciting place to be, especially for working people. 
5. Throughout the year, there are a lot of open-to-the-public events and festivals around the city. 
6. It is especially popular with young professionals looking for a more active social life. 
7. The city has a vibrant nightlife as many people often gather after work or school to unwind and socialize in bars and clubs. 
8. However, I believe the city is not entirely affordable, as the cost of living is quite high for young workers trying to cover their living expenses. 
9. Rental prices in my city tend to be quite high. It can be challenging to find an affordable place to live, especially for university students or young professionals. 
10. My city draws a lot of young adults in because of its low cost of living and affordable housing. 

VOCABULARY 

• home to someone/something - the place where somebody/something can be found 
• attractive to someone - having features or qualities that make something seem interesting and worth having | SYNONYM: appealing 
• a young demographic - young people 
• a large economy | OPPOSITE: a small economy (collocations) 
• popular with someone | popular among someone (prepositions) 
• entirely affordable (collocation) (B2) 
• the high/low cost of living/housing 
• cover something (B2) -  to provide enough money for something 
• living expenses (collocation) (B2) - money that you spend on rent, food, and things such as electricity, gas etc. 
• draw someone ↔ in (phrasal verb) - to get someone involved in something 
• affordable housing = housing affordability 

​
​Is it easy to find a job in your city? 

Why do people relocate to a new city? Well, one of the top reasons why many professionals move to a different city is to find better employment opportunities. 
⠀
If you were taking an English-speaking test and the examiner asked, 'Is it easy to find a job in your city?', what would you say? 
⠀
In your answer, you could consider mentioning: 
⠀

• the top industries in the city that provide employment 
• whether the city is business-oriented or more focused on tourism 
• different types of employment opportunities that are available in the city 
• challenges that young professionals may face when applying for jobs 
• how easy it is for young professionals to enter the job market without prior work experience 

EXAMPLES 

1. ​There's a booming job market, especially in the tech industry, where both tech giants and startups are constantly looking out for new talent for various roles. 
2. The city is home to major pharmaceutical companies and is a leader in healthcare innovation. 
3. The city's economy thrives on three key sectors: tourism, agriculture, and film production. 
4. My city provides a very friendly environment for career growth and business opportunities. Many multinational companies have established their headquarters in this city, making it a magnet for talent. 
5. It's a business-friendly city that has a lot to offer. It's a place where your career can really take off. 
6. Seasonal jobs in my city are much easier to secure due to the high demand for workers during the summer and holiday seasons. 
7. The city has a diverse economy with plenty of job opportunities in finance, technology, and healthcare. Overall, it's easy for recent graduates to gain work experience. 
8. Finding a job in this city can be challenging due to high demand, but young professionals can sharpen their skills through volunteer work and internships. 
9. Despite the competitive job market, fresh graduates can still find entry-level positions and internships to gain valuable hands-on experience. 
10. The job market in this city is highly competitive due to the large number of applicants. As a result, fresh graduates often find it difficult to land their first job without previous experience. 

VOCABULARY 

• a booming/thriving market (collocations) (C1) - extremely strong and successful 
• a job market (BrE) / a labor market (AmE) (collocations) - the number and type of jobs that are available in a particular place 
• in the tech industry (collocation) 
• look out for someone/something (phrasal verb) (B2) - to keep trying to meet someone or find something 
• fresh/new talent (collocations) (B1) 
• a leader in something (B1) - the product or company that is the best or most successful 
• thrive on something (phrasal verb) (formal) (C1) - to grow, develop, or be successful 
• multinational companies/corporations (collocations) (B2) - a corporation that operates in many different countries 
• establish/set up a company (collocations) (B2) - to start a company or an organization 
• headquarters (B2) - the main offices of a business company 
• a magnet for someone/something (collocation) (C1) - a person, place or thing that someone/ something is attracted to 
• take off (phrasal verb) (B2) - to suddenly start to be successful or popular 
• secure a job (collocation) (formal) (B2) - to get something, sometimes with difficulty 
• high demand (collocation) (B2) - a lot of people want something 
• demand for something (B2) - the need or desire that people have for particular goods and services 
• a diverse economy - based on a broad range of economic activities in a region or country 
• a fresh/new/recent graduate (collocations) 
• get/gain experience (collocations) (B1) 
• sharpen/master/improve a skill (collocations) (B1-B2) - to learn it so that your skill is very good 
• a competitive job market (collocation) (B2) - a market in which the number of individuals looking for employment exceeds the number of available positions 
• an entry-level job/position/worker (collocations) - a job, etc. at the lowest level in a company, profession, trade, etc. 
• useful/valuable experience (collocations) 
• first-hand/hands-on experience (collocations) - experience gained by doing something yourself 
• extremely/highly/very competitive (collocations) (B1) 
• a large/great number of someone/something (collocations) 
• find something + adjective - find it hard, find it more difficult, etc. 
• land a job (collocation) (informal) (C2) - to succeed in getting a job, especially one that a lot of other people want 

Here is a list of some IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions to help you practise and prepare for the test: 

1. Let's talk about your hometown. What kind of place is it? 
2. Have you always lived there? 
3. How long have you lived there? 
4. Is the city where you live crowded? 
5. What do you like most about your hometown? 
6. Is your hometown a popular place for tourists to visit? 
7. Is your hometown suitable for young people? 
8. What kind of jobs do people in your hometown do? 
9. Has your hometown changed much in recent years? 
10. Are you planning to live in your city for a long time? [Why? / Why not?] 

Leave a comment with your answers! 



IELTS-related blog posts: 
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a city you have visited 
IELTS Speaking Test: Home and Living in the City 
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities 


​Other blog posts: 
City Life - Going out 
Cities - Talk about your area 
Cities - Advantages and Disadvantages of Urban Life 
Collocations for Urban Life 
​
​

Discover the fascinating transformation from Father Christmas to the jolly Santa Claus we know today. Where does Santa Claus truly call home? Journey with us to uncover the legends surrounding his magical residence. 

When was the first commercial Christmas card designed? 
Can you guess who is regarded as 'the father of the American Christmas card'? 

Share your newfound knowledge and spread the holiday spirit! 



QUIZ TIME! 



Multiple-choice test 


​1. What was the first name used for Father Christmas in a carol from the early 15th century? 
  A. Sir Christmas 
  B. Old Christmas 
  C. Mr Christmas 
  D. Captain Christmas 

2. What did the Dutch settlers celebrate that contributed to the American Santa Claus tradition? 
  A. Christmas 
  B. Sinterklaas 
  C. New Year 
  D. Epiphany 

3. What was the name of the magazine that featured the first picture of Santa Claus driving a reindeer-pulled sleigh? 
  A. Harper's Magazine 
  B. The Children's Friend 
  C. New Amsterdam 
  D. A Christmas Carol 

4. Who is primarily credited with shaping the modern image of Santa Claus? 
  A. American writers and artists 
  B. European folklore 
  C. Traditional Christmas stories 
  D. Children's books 

5. Who was responsible for fixing the modern idea of what Santa Claus looks like? 
  A. Clement Clarke Moore 
  B. Thomas Nast 
  C. Charles Dickens 
  D. Mark Twain 

6. What was the significant change in the way Father Christmas was depicted after 1850? 
  A. He was depicted with a goat 
  B. He started wearing red robes 
  C. He became associated with reindeer 
  D. He was no longer associated with children 

7. What was the real home of Santa Claus claimed by the Finns in 1927? 
  A. New York 
  B. The North Pole 
  C. Lapland 
  D. Myra 

8. Who designed the first Christmas card commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in 1843? 
  A. Tom Smith 
  B. Linnie Watts 
  C. Henry Payne John 
  D. John Callcott Horsley 

9. What was the price of the Christmas cards that Sir Henry Cole decided to sell? 
  A. One shilling 
  B. Two shillings 
  C. Five pence 
  D. Ten pence 

10. Who is regarded as 'the father of the American Christmas card'? 
  A. Clement Clarke Moore 
  B. Louis Prang 
  C. Charles Wesley 
  D. Thomas Nast 



True-or-false test 


1. Santa Claus is originally based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop. 
  True 
  False 

2. Clement Clarke Moore's poem, The Night Before Christmas, was the first to mention Santa Claus's reindeer. 
  True 
  False 

3. Clement Clarke Moore's poem included the idea of Santa Claus being small enough to fit down a chimney. 
  True 
  False 

4. The modern image of Santa Claus is primarily influenced by European writers and artists. 
  True 
  False 

5. Thomas Nast was an American cartoonist who influenced the modern image of Santa Claus. 
  True 
  False 

6. The transformation of Father Christmas into Santa Claus was complete by the early years of the 20th century. 
  True 
  False 

7. The Finns claimed that Santa's real home was in the North Pole. 
  True 
  False 

8. The first Christmas card was designed by John Callcott Horsley. 
  True 
  False 

9. The first commercial Christmas card was commissioned in London in 1843. 
  True 
  False 

10. Louis Prang was responsible for making Christmas cards more affordable in the United States. 
  True 
  False 
​



​
Answers 


Multiple-choice test 

1. A. Sir Christmas 
2. B. Sinterklaas 
3. B. The Children's Friend 
4. A. American writers and artists 
5. B. Thomas Nast 
6. B. He started wearing red robes 
7. C. Lapland 
8. D. John Callcott Horsley 
9. A. One shilling 
10. B. Louis Prang 


True-or-false test 

1. True 
2. False 
3. True 
4. False 
5. True 
6. True 
7. False 
8. True 
9. True 
10. True 

​

Learn how the Christmas tree became a symbol of joy and togetherness in the English-speaking world. Explore the tradition of decorating Christmas trees. From candles to dazzling lights, Christmas tree decorations have come a long way. 

Do you know who introduced the first Christmas tree to the United Kingdom?
Have you ever wondered how the Christmas tree became an American holiday staple?

Dive into the history of this evergreen tradition — download our PDFs for the full story! 



QUIZ TIME! 



Multiple-choice quiz ​


1. Where did the tradition of decorating Christmas trees first begin? 
  A. Germany 
  B. France 
  C. Italy 
  D. the United States 

2. What was the first Christmas tree decoration recorded in Freiburg in 1419? 
  A. Gingerbread 
  B. Tinsel 
  C. Paper ornaments 
  D. Lights 

3. Who is typically credited with starting the tradition of decorating Christmas trees? 
  A. Queen Victoria 
  B. Martin Luther 
  C. Prince Albert 
  D. Queen Charlotte 

4. In which century did the tradition of the Christmas tree, as we know it today, start? 
  A. 15th century 
  B. 16th century 
  C. 17th century 
  D. 18th century 

5. What did Martin Luther decorate the tree with to recreate the beauty he saw? 
  A. Tinsel and ornaments 
  B. Ribbon garlands 
  C. Lit candles 
  D. Fruits and nuts 

6. Which royal figure is claimed to have introduced the first Christmas tree to Britain? 
  A. Queen Victoria 
  B. Prince Albert 
  C. Queen Charlotte 
  D. King George III 

7. What did the first Christmas tree in Britain spark among the nobility? 
  A. A new holiday 
  B. A new tradition 
  C. A new decorating idea 
  D. A new royal decree 

8. Who popularized the Christmas tree tradition in the English-speaking world? 
  A. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert 
  B. King George III and Queen Charlotte 
  C. FW Woolworth 
  D. Martin Luther 

9. What helped Christmas trees become more popular in the United States? 
  A. Royal family gatherings 
  B. Pagan rituals 
  C. Illustrated London News images 
  D. Christmas carols 

10. What is the name of the famous Christmas tree in New York City? 
  A. Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree 
  B. London Christmas Tree 
  C. Times Square Christmas Tree 
  D. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 

​
​
Get the answers here. 



True-or-false test 

1. The tradition of bringing evergreens into the home during the winter solstice dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome. 
  True 
  False 

2. Martin Luther is credited with starting the tradition of decorating Christmas trees. 
  True 
  False 

3. Queen Victoria was the first to introduce Christmas trees to Britain. 
  True 
  False 

4. Queen Charlotte introduced the first Christmas tree to Britain after marrying King George III.
  True 
  False 

5. The first Christmas trees were decorated in France. 
  True 
  False 

6. The first Christmas trees were decorated in Germany in the 19th century. 
  True 
  False 

7. The first Christmas trees were decorated with glass baubles in the 16th century. 
  True 
  False 

8. The use of glass baubles for Christmas tree decorations dates back to the mid-19th century. 
  True 
  False 

9. Christmas trees were widely accepted in the United States from the beginning due to their popularity. 
  True 
  False 

10. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is located in New York City. 
  True 
  False 

Craving some Christmas cheer? Charles Dickens’ stories brought joy, laughter, and a little ghostly mischief to the holiday season. Dickens turned Christmas into an occasion for family, feast, and festivity. Want to know how he did it? Let’s explore the Christmas traditions inspired by his work. 

Join us on a Victorian adventure and learn how Christmas as we know it came to be. Check out our quizzes! 

Click on the button at the end to download the PDFs, with and without key. 

​

QUIZ TIME! 



Multiple-choice test


1. What is the title of Dickens' most popular work related to Christmas? 
  A. David Copperfield 
  B. Oliver Twist 
  C. Great Expectations 
  D. A Christmas Carol 

2. What was the condition of Christmas celebrations in Britain at the start of the 19th century? 
  A. Widely celebrated 
  B. Rarely celebrated 
  C. A public holiday 
  D. A time for family gatherings 

3. What was Christmas treated like for most people in Britain at the start of the 19th century? 
  A. A festive holiday 
  B. Another average working day 
  C. A time for family gatherings 
  D. A day for charity 

4. What inspired Dickens to write A Christmas Carol? 
  A. His childhood memories 
  B. His love for Christmas 
  C. An 1843 parliamentary report on child labor 
  D. A dream he had 

5. What did Dickens aim to highlight through A Christmas Carol? 
  A. The joy of wealth 
  B. The conditions of the poor 
  C. The importance of consumerism 
  D. The celebration of Christmas traditions 

6. What did Dickens' novella help to boost during the Victorian era? 
  A. Interest in Christmas 
  B. Interest in wealth 
  C. Interest in factories 
  D. Interest in urbanization 

7. What is one of the Christmas traditions mentioned in A Christmas Carol? 
  A. Lighting fireworks 
  B. Hanging stockings 
  C. Building snowmen 
  D. Singing Christmas carols 

8. Who visited Scrooge on Christmas Eve? 
  A. The Ghost of Christmas Past 
  B. The Ghost of Christmas Present 
  C. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come 
  D. All of the above 

9. What did Scrooge do after his transformation on Christmas Day? 
  A. He continued to be greedy 
  B. He moved to a different city 
  C. He donated to charity 
  D. He ignored his family 

10. What is the main message of A Christmas Carol? 
  A. The joy of wealth 
  B. The importance of family and goodwill 
  C. The significance of consumerism 
  D. The celebration of Christmas traditions 
​


Get the answers here.



True-or-false test 


1. Charles Dickens invented Christmas as we know it today. 
  True 
  False 

2. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol to promote materialism during the festive season. 
  True 
  False 

3. Christmas was rarely celebrated in Britain at the start of the 19th century. 
  True 
  False 

4. A Christmas Carol was published in 1843. 
  True 
  False 

5. Throughout the novella, Ebenezer Scrooge is portrayed as a generous and kind man. 
  True 
  False 

6. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol to draw attention to the conditions suffered by the wealthy in society.
  True 
  False 

7. Dickens' writings helped to boost interest in Christmas during the Victorian era. 
  True 
  False 

8. A Christmas Carol focuses on the importance of wealth and materialism during Christmas. 
  True 
  False 

9. Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol after reading a report about child labor and the poor working conditions in factories in the United Kingdom. 
  True 
  False 

10. The introduction of paid leave for Christmas was influenced by A Christmas Carol. 
  True 
  False 


​

Christmas traditions often vary from culture to culture, but they commonly include festive activities such as decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and attending religious services. 

Some families have unique traditions that have been passed down through generations, like baking special holiday cookies, singing carols, or participating in charitable activities to help those in need. The atmosphere created by these traditions and decorations contributes to the joy and warmth of the Christmas season. 
​
How much do you know about Christmas? Let's find out. 

It is time to put your Christmas knowledge to the test. 

Click on the button at the end to download the PDFs, with and without key. 



QUIZ TIME! 



Multiple-choice test 


1. What was the primary association of Christmas for most of its history? 
  A. Giving gifts 
  B. Celebrating with family 
  C. Feasting 
  D. Religious observance 

2. What ancient civilizations had the tradition of bringing evergreens into the home during the winter solstice? 
  A. Ancient Egypt and Greece 
  B. Ancient Egypt and Rome 
  C. Ancient Rome and Persia 
  D. Ancient Greece and Persia 

3. What do holly and ivy symbolize in relation to winter and spring? 
  A. Fertility and love 
  B. Death and destruction 
  C. Wealth and prosperity 
  D. Luck and renewal 

4. What was the purpose of bringing holly into the home during the winter months? 
  A. To attract fairies 
  B. To ward off evil spirits 
  C. To celebrate Christmas 
  D. To decorate for spring 

5. What symbolized new life at the darkest part of the year in Christmas decorations? 
  A. Holly and ivy 
  B. Christmas trees 
  C. Glass baubles 
  D. Tinsel 

6. What type of ornaments were originally used to decorate Christmas trees? 
  A. Edible items 
  B. Tinsel 
  C. Glass baubles 
  D. Plastic ornaments 

7. What type of lights were first attached to Christmas trees? 
  A. Fairy lights 
  B. Electric lights 
  C. Candles 
  D. LED lights 

8. What was the first type of tinsel made from? 
  A. Plastic 
  B. Tin foil 
  C. Leftover metal shavings 
  D. Glass 

9. What type of Christmas tree decorations became popular in the 19th century? 
  A. Plastic ornaments 
  B. Glass baubles 
  C. Tinsel 
  D. Candles 

10. What did the decorations on Christmas trees evolve to include in the 19th century? 
  A. Only edible items 
  B. Angels and the star 
  C. Only lights 
  D. Only tinsel 


​
Get the answers here. 


​​
True-or-false test 


1. The custom of giving presents at Christmas was established in the 4th century. 
  True 
  False 
​
2. Evergreen plants like holly and ivy were brought indoors during the winter because they were believed to bring luck and assure the return of spring. 
  True 
  False 

3. The custom of leaving gifts for children in hung-up stockings is linked to the feast of St. Nicholas. 
  True 
  False 

4. The custom of hanging stockings for gifts became popular in the mid-19th century. 
  True 
  False 

5. The first decorations on Christmas trees were primarily made of non-edible items. 
  True 
  False 

6. Tinsel was originally made from leftover metal shavings. 
  True 
  False 

7. The first lights attached to Christmas trees were electric lights. 
  True 
  False 

8. The Christmas tree tradition originated in America. 
  True 
  False 

9. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees became popular in Britain and America in the mid-19th century. 
  True 
  False 

10. The German Christmas tree tradition was popularized in the English-speaking world by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. 
  True 
  False 

Do you know when to use "high"? How about "tall"? 

In this lesson, you will learn what the difference is between these two adjectives and how to use them accurately. There are two short exercises for you to practise at the end of the lesson. 

* Sometimes these adjectives can be used interchangeably. 


HIGH  

🔸 We use "high" to measure the distance from the bottom to the top. 

🔸 We use it to describe: mountains, statues, towers, walls, fence, buildings, etc. 

🔸 We use "high" to describe things that are a long way above the ground. 

🔸 Buildings can be "high" or "tall". (Both are correct.) 


Examples: 
​

• The window has a great view, but it's too high on the wall. 
• The room has a high ceiling. Why don't you hang the plant on the wall? 
• On average, the Great Wall of China is 7.8 meters high. 
• The highest tides occur when the Moon is full. 
• I always use a ladder to reach the high shelves. ​
• Most dining tables are around 70-75 cm high. 
• The door handle is too high. 

❗️ Don't use "high" to talk about people. Use "tall". 



TALL 

🔸 We use "tall" when a person, building, tree, etc. has a greater than average height. 

🔸 We use it to describe: people, trees, plants, grass, buildings and parts of buildings. 

🔸 We use "tall" to describe things that are high and thin. 

🔸 Buildings can be "high" or "tall". (Both are correct.) 


Examples: 

• He's as tall as his sister. 
• He's (a little) taller than his sister. 
• He's a tall man in his late twenties with dark hair and brown eyes. (Intermediate level) 
• There are so many places to visit in Toronto. For example, you can go up the CN Tower, which is one of the tallest buildings in the world. There, you'll be able to see the whole of the city. 
• Do you know how tall the Eiffel Tower is? 
• How tall should models be? 
• This plant can grow as tall as one meter. 
• Most dining tables are around 70-75 cm tall. 

❗️ Don't use "tall" to talk about mountains or walls. Use "high". 

​
​

Exercise 1 

Is it high or is it tall? 

1. a ............... door 
2. a ............... window  
3. a ............... shelf 
4. a ............... bookcase 
5. a ............... office chair 
6. a ............... rose 
7. a ............... fence 
8. a ............... building 
9. a ............... glass of wine 
10. a ............... box 

Answers: 
1; tall; 2. high/tall; 3. high; 4. tall; 5. tall; 6. tall. 7. high; 8. high/tall; 9. tall; 10. tall; 



Exercise 2 

Complete the sentences with high or tall. Use the comparative or superlative form of each adjective where necessary. 

1. The apartment has spacious rooms with ............... ceilings. 
2. I'm not ............... enough to reach the top shelf. 
3. The house was surrounded by ............... walls. 
4. These trees grow hundreds of feet ............... . 
5. The Burj Khalifa of Dubai is by far the ............... building in the world. 
6. Mount Everest, located in Nepal and Tibet, is said to be the ............... mountain in the world. 
7. These plants grow ............... in warmer regions. 
8. Grandiflora roses tend to grow from 6 to 8 feet ............... . 
9. The windows are so ............... that you'll probably need a ladder if you want to clean them. 
10. The ............... palm trees can grow up to a height of 60 meters. 

Answers: 
1. high; 2. tall; 3. high; 4. tall; 5. highest/tallest; 6. highest; 7. taller; 8. tall; 9. high; 10. tallest; 



Other lessons: 
Confusing words: Come vs. Go 
Confusing words: Bring vs. Take 
Confusing words in English: Famous vs. Popular 
Confusing words in English: Fast, Quick or Quickly 
Confusing words in English: Slow vs. Slowly 
​

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​

You can ask someone about their job in many different ways. 

Let’s look at the most common questions you might be asked and how to answer them. 

To find out what someone's job is you can ask: 


🔸 What do you do? – This is the most commonly asked question. 
🔸 I'm a/an ... What about you? 

Sample answers: 

• I’m in the fashion business. | I work in the fashion industry. 
• I work in sales/education, etc. 
• I work in marketing. | I work in the marketing field. 
• I’m a marketing assistant at SAP. 
• I’m a market research analyst and I work for PHD. 
• I work as a sales manager. 

​
* market research analyst = marketing analyst 


​🔸 Where do you work? 

Sample answers: 

• I work in London. 
• I work at home near London. 
• I work for PwC in Toronto. I’m an IT consultant. And you? 
• I work in a hospital. 
• I work at a local coffee shop. 

🔸 And what do you do at SAP? 

Sample answers: 

• I’m a software developer. 
• I work there as a market analyst. 
• I’m doing an internship in the HR department. 

🔸 Who do you work for? 

​Sample answers: 

• I work for an HR agency. 
• I work for a small hair care company. 
• I work for a company that produces skin care products. 
• I work for an Italian wine producer. 
• I don’t work for a company. I’m self-employed. 

🔸 What do you do for a living? 

​Sample answers: 

• I help companies decide which products and services to sell, to which customers, and at what price. (market research analyst / marketing analyst) 
• I help shoppers find the goods and products they are looking for. (sales assistant) 

This questions basically means "What do you do as a job?” 

* for a living – someone's job or profession 
* living (noun) (B2) (= money) – the way that you earn money 


Instead of mentioning your company name or position, you can mention the benefits of your job. 


Other lessons: 
Collocations with Job (Part 1) 
Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: Prepositions with WORK 
​Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 
​

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In this lesson, you are going to learn how to talk about your job role, job responsibilities, as well as what you like or dislike about your job. 

Read the other related lessons to learn collocations and phrases to talk about work and jobs. 

While reading this lesson, pay attention to what tenses, prepositions, linking words, phrases and collocations have been used. 


Chelsea 

• I'm a Client Manager at .............................. (company name) 
• What I'm in change of doing is essentially managing communication between the client and the company. 
• What I love most about my job is communicating with people – just being able to interact with a bunch of people on a daily basis as well as understanding what my clients' goals are, and working with my team to deliver a product that they are truly excited about. 
• One of the most difficult parts of my job is keeping everyone on schedule because within this company everyone has million different clients and projects that they are working on at any given time. 
• One of the main responsibilities is being super detail-oriented. Everything that we send out be it a digital ad, a report, be it a direct mail piece has to be meticulously proofed.
• Going along with being detail-oriented, it's important to remember that mistakes happen, so you have to be resilient and be a problem-solver. So, if something does go wrong, you have to own your mistakes and be prepared to make things right. 

VOCABULARY 

• meticulously (adverb) /məˈtɪkjələsli/ – in a way that pays careful attention to every detail 
• resilient (adjective) /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – able to become strong, happy, or successful again after a difficult situation or event | SYNONYM: tough 

Melissa 

• Once I graduated, I applied to a bunch of different jobs within the marketing, advertising, and public relations field and I landed a job as a PR specialist at a content marketing firm. 
• My responsibilities there started off as just communicating with journalists and editors at online publications like Huffington Post and BuzzFeed. 
• We would take content that we'd created for our clients that was relevant to those journalists and ask them to write a story about it.  
• I excelled in that role and within nine months I was actually promoted to a manager of the department. 

Sarah 

• I ended up doing a year-long program that was education-related. 
• I had some of the skills that actually really helped me in that job. Some of them were the ability to communicate differently with different types of people, different types of learners, as well as the ability to be flexible and think on my feet. 
• After that, I did a year as a coordinator at a non-profit that's related to health research, and I like that too, but I found myself a bit frustrated with feeling a bit limited. 
• My organization was great, but it was only six people big, and I realized there weren't a ton of ways for me to grow. 
• Consulting was a really lucky opportunity for me and I got out of it exactly what I was hoping to, which was the opportunity to gain some real discipline and specific skills that would prepare me for leadership. 
• Through the consulting firm, I was also able to get a certification in project management.  

VOCABULARY 

• end up doing something 
• think on one's feet (phrase) – to make a quick decision or give an answer quickly 
• frustrated at/with something ​

TIPS 

• study for a 4-year degree - It will set you up for success. 
• pursue internships – both paid or unpaid 
• seek out companies that you can help – even if it's just filing paperwork or doing secretarial work 
• offer your services to gain work experience so that you can build your resume 
• gain experience working with others and collaborating with others 
• having certifications in Microsoft Office is also very helpful 

TASK: 
Write down a comment with information about your job role, your responsibilities, and what you like and/or dislike about your job. 


Other lessons: 
Collocations with Job (Part 1) 
Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
English Lessons: Jobs and Skills 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 


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In this lesson, we are going to look at different ways you can use to talk about transport and how you get from one place to another. 

In English, you can ask transport related questions such as: 

• How do you travel to work? 
• How do you commute to work? 
• What kind of transport do you use to get to work? 
• How did you commute to school when you were a child? 

You can use: 

• travel (verb) 
• a means / mode / form / kind / method of transport (collocations) 
• commute (verb) ; (noun) 

Let's analyse how you can use "commute" as a verb and also as a noun. 


"Commute" as a verb means to travel a long distance to get to and from work and it is something you do on a regular basis. 

Examples: 

• I normally spend two hours a day commuting to and from work. 
• I live in Incheon but I work in Seoul, which means I have to commute long distance to get to and from my place of work. 
• I commute to work by bike every day. It normally takes me around 30 minutes one way. 
• I have to commute one hour to and then from my job every day. That's two hours of travel without even factoring my actual work day. 
• Luckily, I work close to home, so I don't have to commute long distance every day. 
• I live closer to my job, so I don't have to commute long distance. 

"Commute" as a noun is the journey that a person makes to and from work every day. 

Examples: 

• My morning commute to work takes an hour. 
• I have a short commute to work. It takes me around 15 minutes on foot. 
• I have a pretty long commute to work. I get in my car and drive to the train station, look for parking and then get on a train for an hour and a half. 
• The average American commute is nearly 30 minutes one way. 
• My daily commute is nearly an hour round trip. 
• If you have a longer commute, you can catch up on reading, listen to podcasts, get some work done and take advantage of your alone time. 

Can you ask: 
What other modes of commute do you have available to travel to your place of work? 

In this case, you cannot use "commute" because there isn't such a collocation "modes of commute". 

You can say: 

• modes of transport 
• forms of transport 
• means of transport 
• methods of transport, etc. 

​
COLLOCATIONS 

​within travelling/commuting/driving distance of something - near enough to make travel to or from a place possible 

• My job isn't within travelling distance of my home. 

long-distance travel/journey/flight/commuting, etc. 

• My new job involves long-distance commuting. 

Business English lessons: 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: Phrasal Verbs for Work 
Business English: Prepositions with WORK 
Business English: How to Talk about Money 
Business English: Collocations with Business 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 

IELTS related lessons: 
IELTS Speaking Test: Home and Living in the City 
IELTS Speaking Test: How to Concentrate at Work 
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities 


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​

In this lesson, you will read four Part 1 questions about photographs and sample answers to talk about this topic. You will also learn useful vocabulary to help you answer these questions. 
​
There are answers to other questions included in the IELTS Speaking Exam Preparation Course. 


What type of photos do you like taking? [Why?] 
​
Well, I love taking landscape photographs with my phone as well as pictures of food. Most of the time, though, I take pictures of myself, and then I keep the ones I like the most. 

• a landscape photo - When you take a picture of nature, the environment, river, trees, etc. 
• most of the time – very often or almost always 

Do you prefer taking photographs of people or of places? 

I mostly take photos of my family and friends, so those moments will remain in my memory, and will remind me of the people I love the most. 

• remind someone of something 

How do you store your photographs? 

I always transfer photos from my phone to my computer and store them in folders. That’s the easiest way for me to find them later. 

• transfer something (from something) to something 

When you visit other places, do you take photos or buy postcards? [Why?] 

Well, I usually do both. I love taking photographs with my phone, but I also enjoy buying postcards to show the places I've visited when I go back to my country. Postcards are definitely one of the things I collect every time I go on a trip. 

• collect (formal) - to buy or find things of a particular type and keep them as a hobby 
• go on a trip (collocation) 

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 
Describe your perfect holiday 
Describe a city you have visited 
Describe an area of your country that is well known for its natural beauty 

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 
IELTS Speaking Test: Home and Living in the City 
IELTS Speaking Test: How to Concentrate at Work 
IELTS Speaking Test: Arriving Early and Being Patient 
​

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In this lesson, you will read three Part 1 questions about pets and sample answers to talk about this topic. You will also learn useful vocabulary to help you answer these questions. 
​
This topic was commonly given in May and June 2019. It is not common in 2020.
​There are answers to other questions included in the IELTS Speaking Exam Preparation Course. 


Do you have any pets? 
​
Yes, I do. I have a pet cat, which I think is an excellent companion. I've had it for about two years now.  

• have a cat | a pet cat (collocations) 
• companion – especially someone you spend a lot of time with 
• a good/perfect companion (collocations) 

What do you enjoy about having a pet? 

Well, having a domestic pet gives me a lot of pleasure. Besides, my pets keep me company even when I’m studying. 

• a domestic pet | a household pet (collocations) 
• keep someone company (collocation) – be with someone so that they do not feel lonely 

Which animals are most popular as pets in your country? 

Well, I think that in my country there is a preference for dogs, or to be more precise, for puppies or small dogs. 
​

• to be precise = to be exact 

What pet would you like to get if you could choose any? 

Well, I've always been a cat person. I’d love to have a cat because they’re so lovable and fluffy. 

• fluffy – very soft to touch (e.g. a fluffy little kitten) 

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 
Describe your perfect holiday 
Describe a city you have visited 
Describe a website you like to visit a lot 
Describe one of your possessions you couldn’t live without 

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 
IELTS Speaking Test: Home and Living in the City 
IELTS Speaking Test: How to Concentrate at Work 
IELTS Speaking Test: Arriving Early and Being Patient 


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Get access to 97+ Part 2 topics given between January and December 2019. Click here. 

In this lesson, you will read five recent Part 1 questions about perfume and sample answers to talk about this topic. You will also learn useful vocabulary to help you answer these questions. 
​
This topic a very common Part 1 topic that has been given repeatedly since May 2019.
​There are answers to other questions included in the IELTS Speaking Exam Preparation Course. 

​
Do you like perfumes? 
​
Yes, I do. I’m definitely a perfume junkie. I have different fragrances for different occasions. I also have favourite scents for each and every season. 

In general, I love buying perfumes and having a collection of different day and night scents. The only thing I don’t like is that most perfumes don’t last very long and I need to reapply them. 

• a perfume junkie (informal) 
• junkie – someone who likes something so much that they seem to be dependent on it – used humorously (e.g. a TV / sports, etc. junkie) 
• a collection of – a set of similar things 
• scent – a pleasant smell that something has | SYN: fragrance 
• reapply – to put a substance on again 

What kind of perfumes do you like? 

My go-to scents are usually floral and I don’t tend to go towards the fruit side because I don’t want to smell like a fruit basket. I normally want to smell more flowery like walking through a field of flowers, but in a good way. ​

• flowery – a flowery smell or taste is strong and sweet, like flowers 
• floral – made of flowers 

Do you usually wear perfume? [Why? / Why not?] 

Yes, I do. I normally wear light fragrances, which are eau de toilettes. I always have a mini perfume bottle in my handbag to reapply it when the scent fades away. ​

• a perfume bottle (collocation) 
• a bottle of perfume (phrase) 
• eau de toilette /ˌəʊ də twɑːˈlet/ – a liquid containing a small amount of perfume 
• fade away (phrasal verb) – to gradually disappear 

What is your favourite perfume? 

To be honest, I don’t have a signature perfume. I prefer to switch it up depending on my mood and occasion. 

• a signature scent | a signature perfume - A signature scent is a fragrance you always wear and you wear it so much that it comes to represent you. 

How do you choose the right perfume for you? 

I normally spray fragrances on tester sticks and take a whiff to get a better impression of each scent. It’s much easier to keep track of my choices instead of trying to remember which fragrance I sprayed on which body part. I tend to narrow down the scents I like the most and do a skin test before making a choice. 
​

• get an impression | a good impression (collocations) 
• narrow something ↔ down (phrasal verb) – to reduce the number of things 
• make a choice (collocation) – choose something 

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 
Describe a city you have visited 
Describe a website you like to visit a lot 
Describe a friend you have known for a long time 
Describe an area of your country that is well known for its natural beauty 

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 
IELTS Speaking Test: Means of Transport 
IELTS Speaking Test: Home and Living in the City 
IELTS Speaking Test: Places That Tourists Visit and Being a Tourist 


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In this lesson, you will learn how to use six English verbs to talk about change. 


VARY 

If something varies, it changes depending on the situation. 

• Prices vary widely from store to store. 
• The language I speak varies a lot depending on who I'm talking to. 
• The seasons in Sweden vary a lot from north to south. 
• The weather in my country varies a lot throughout the year. It's difficult to say with city has the most unpredictable weather. 
• My taste in music varies greatly, but I usually prefer listening to mainstream music. 

SHIFT 

To change attention or a situation  

• When students have a good knowledge of grammar, they should shift their attention towards conversational English. 
• Retailers like Zara and H&M have shifted their focus towards fast response to changing fashion trends and consumer demand. 

ADAPT 

To change your behaviour in order to deal more successfully with a new situation. 

• I found it hard to adapt to my new school. 
• When I moved to Korea, I could easily adapt to the culture because I've been exposed to it previously and I have a few Korean friends, too. 

To change something to make it suitable for a different purpose.  

• These recipes can easily be adapted to suit vegans and vegetarians. 
• The lesson materials can easily be adapted for use with lower level students. [adapt something for someone] 

SWITCH 

When you change from doing or using one thing to doing or using another. 

• I speak more than one language so I switch from one to the next depending on who I talk to. 
• I can switch easily from Chinese to English. [switch from something to something] 
• I worked as a banking consultant before switching to marketing. [switch to something] ​

To replace one thing with another, or exchange things. 

• It took me a long time to switch to a bigger car. 
• We must have switched our notebooks by mistake. 

​

ALTER 

To change, or to make someone or something change 

• Her new hairstyle has altered her appearance, making her look younger. 
• You can alter the whole appearance of a room by painting the walls in lighter colours. 
• We need to alter the way we see English as either British or American, as it's obviously an international language. 

BECOME 

To change and to start to be something different 

• The weather is becoming warmer. (= is getting) 
• English has become the most important language in the world. 
• She became more confident when her spoken English started to improve. 
• I think customer service has become more important than the product itself. 

Exercise 

Complete the gaps with the correct form of the verbs below. One of the verbs can be used twice. 

vary - shift - adapt - switch - alter - become (2x) 

1. U.S. fast food chains typically have different menus in other countries because they try to .............................. to local tastes. 
2. German .............................. increasingly popular in South America. 
3. You can always .............................. your clothes so that they aren't too big. 
4. I try to .............................. my attention towards learning vocabulary that I will actually need in conversations. 
5. The weather can be quite changeable and it can .............................. between sunshine and rain. 
6. I .............................. from coffee to green tea only for a week. 
7. I .............................. dependent on caffeine. 

Answers:  

1. adapt; 2. is becoming / has become; 3. alter; 4. shift; 5. vary; 6. switched; 7. have become; 



Other lessons: 
Confusing words: Come vs. Go 
Confusing words: Bring vs. Take 
Confusing words in English: Famous vs. Popular 
Confusing words in English: Crowded vs. Congested 

Lessons with English collocations: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Leisure 
English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings 
English Lesson: Collocations for Describing a Conversation 

​
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Have you ever thought about living and studying in the UK? Which city would you choose? 

UK universities rank highest in global university ranking and have good reputations. That's probably the reason why so many international students want to study in the UK. 

Leah is currently a student in Newcastle. Read the conversation below to find out how she decided to study there, what she is studying and what she is planning to do in the future. 


Leah: I'm studying in the UK now. I got here in January this year. 
Reni: Oh, that's great. Which city are you staying in? 
Leah: I'm in Newcastle now, but a few months ago I went to Manchester to do a short course. Then, I went back home and applied for university in the UK. 
Reni: I see. What are you studying? 
Leah: My major is Cross-Cultural Communication, but now I'm taking the pre-master's courses. If I pass the exams, I'll progress to a master's degree. 
Reni: And how long is this programme? 
Leah: It's from January till September. It's not that long. We have three semesters in total. 
Reni: Sounds good. What do you think about your subjects? Do you like what you're studying? 
Leah: I'm taking the compulsory courses to prepare myself for studying at postgraduate level. We have five modules: International Business and Management, EAP (English for Academic Purposes), social and cultural studies, and a few more. It's really academic and the way we study here is totally different from China. I mean, I'm still getting used to everything. 
Reni: I see. What made you choose Newcastle? 
Leah: Well, even though I was accepted in other universities, I really wanted to study at Newcastle University. I checked their website to see what courses they offer, and came across Cross-Cultural Communication. 
Reni: What did you study before that? 
Leah: Well, I didn't major in this field. I studied Financial Management, but that major was chosen by my parents. I didn't like it, actually, and I don't feel like I have taken away much from it. 
Reni: Where in China are you from? 
Leah: I'm from a city called Ningbo. I'm not sure if you've heard it before. It's south of Shanghai. 
Reni: Yes, sounds familiar. Did you study there? 
Leah: Yeah, I studied in my city. I didn't go to college in another city. 
Reni: How old are you? 
Leah: I'm 24 years old now. 
Reni: Well, I think you have a lot of time to explore your interests and to decide what you want to do in the future. 
Leah: Yes, I think so. I feel like it's a really amazing experience for me to come here because it's a very different country and I'm still getting used to everything, especially the food, the transport and the teaching style as well. You know, culture shock. Anyway, I'm glad I can experience what living in the UK is like.
Reni: But you've already been there for about three weeks, so I think that's enough to get used to it. 
Leah: Yes. And I think the experience that I had in Manchester a few months ago helped me a lot as I've been to the UK before. To be honest, my situation was a bit complicated when I was applying for university. I arrived in Newcastle later than anyone else and I missed the orientation week. Basically, when I got here, it took me some time to catch up and I had to deal with everything by myself. That was a little bit frustrating. 
Reni: Was your visa delayed? Was that the reason? 
Leah: The main reason why I was late was because I got my graduate certificate later than others and I registered for my course later. 
Reni: Are there any other Chinese students in your university? 
Leah: Sure. Actually, there are a lot of international Chinese students nowadays. In fact, the UK is a very popular country for Chinese students who want to study abroad. 
Reni: I suppose so. And what are your goals after you finish your education? Are you planning to look for a job in the UK or go back to China? 
Leah: I will definitely go back to China because my friends and parents are there and I'm here just to study something different. I'm not planning on working here – at least not right now. 
Reni: Well, I think that's a great place to be where you can use English every day. 
Leah: Yes, and everybody is really friendly and polite in the UK. They always say 'Thank you', 'Excuse me', 'Sorry'. In my country, we don't say 'Sorry' all the time. We say 'Thank you', but we don't say 'Sorry' a lot unless you make a mistake or something, and you apologise.
Reni: What is your impression of Newcastle and if you compare it with Manchester, which city do you like most? 
Leah: Newcastle is smaller, I think, and it's convenient for me. When I was in Manchester, I lived in a homestay and it would normally take me about 20 minutes to go to university by bus and the transport fee there is quite high. It cost me like £15 per week. In Newcastle, I don't really have to pay for that because I'm living in the city centre and the school is in close proximity. There are also supermarkets around where I go and buy food.
Reni: Do you live on campus? 
Leah: Yes, it's a dormitory, I think. 
Reni: Yes, dormitories are located on campus. 
Leah: Well, the reason why I love living in Newcastle is because it's a very walkable city. I mean, you can get anywhere you want on foot. 
Reni: That's great because you can save money on transport. 
Leah: Yeah, definitely. Before coming here, I was worried about the transport cost but now I know that there's nothing to worry about as it takes me two minutes to get to university and there's no need to pay for transport. 
Reni: How about Ningbo? 
Leah: My city... Well, I mean, in China, the price of transport is not very high. I think, in comparison with the transport fee in the UK, it's much cheaper. And in my city the transport is actually really convenient, but China is really big, so if you travel somewhere, it takes a long time. It's much longer than here in the UK. Everything is in the neighbourhood, so it's convenient here. 
Reni: Yes, everything is withing walking distance. 
Leah: Exactly! 
Reni: How about food prices? 
Leah: The prices of eggs, milk, bread, or chicken are relatively low compared with prices in China, but fruit and vegetables are more expensive. 


VOCABULARY 

• have a good / bad reputation (collocations) 
• ​apply for university (collocation) 
• pre-master's courses - Preparation courses designed for international students which help them prepare academically and make the transition to the British education system, improve their English skills, and progress to their chosen degree. 
• compulsory courses - courses within your programme that you must pass in order to meet the regulations to be eligible to graduate 
• postgraduate level - studying for a master's degree 
• totally different | completely different (collocations) 
• come across (phrasal verb) - discover something by chance 
• take something away from something (phrasal verb) - to learn something from an experience or activity 
• catch up (phrasal verb) - to find out about things that have happened 
• live in a homestay - live with a host family 
• in close proximity - near something 
• campus - the buildings of a university or college and the land around them 
• on campus - Most students live on campus. 
• dormitory - a building for university or college students to live in 
• save on something - to use less money 
• nothing to worry about (spoken) - used to tell someone that something is not as serious or difficult as they think 
• pay for something - I'll pay for the tickets. 
• within walking distance (phrase) - near enough to walk to easily 
• food prices (collocation) 
• compared to/with something - When you consider the size, quality, or amount of something in relation to something similar. 

Other lessons:
Story Time: Travelling in Spain 
Story Time: Travelling in France 
Travel Tips: How to Ask for Information and Make Recommendations 
English Lesson: How to talk about your higher education 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 
English Conversation: Buying sunscreen products at a store 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


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In this lesson, we give you common expressions to talk about your higher education, educational background, student life and university. Read the expressions below and complete them to make them true for you. This lesson will also be suitable for students preparing for the IELTS speaking test. 

Note: You don't have to remember every single expression. Learn the ones that you relate to. 

If you are taking the IELTS exam or any other speaking test where you might be asked to talk about your education and it will be better for you to extend your answers. 

Example: I majored in Financial Management, but that wasn't a course I was interested in. I decided to study something different, so I sent applications to UK universities and registered for a course at Newcastle University. 

​EXPRESSIONS TO TALK ABOUT YOUR UNIVERSITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION 
​

• I went to college in another city. 
• I didn't go to college in another city. 
• I wanted to study at  .................... (university: Newcastle University) 
• My major is .................... (course: Linguistics with Chinese) 
• I majored in .................... (course: Business Accounting and Finance) 
• I majored in Business Management. 
• I majored in economics at the University of Bristol. 
• I'm studying in .................... (place: city, country) 
• I'm a third year media student at Newcastle University. 
• I'm studying part time. | I'm studying full time. 
• I'm a part-time student. | I'm a full-time student. 
• I'm studying an undergraduate course part time. | I'm studying an undergraduate course full time. 
• My first degree is in International Marketing. (= Bachelor's degree) 
• I did English as my undergraduate degree, but I really wanted to change my career path because I didn't want to be an English teacher, so therefore I applied for a master's degree in something completely different. 
• I'm a postgraduate student at .................... (university) 
• I'm doing a PhD in Journalism and Public Relations. 
• Before I enter the lecture, I have to scan my student card on the reader, so that the university can keep a record of my attendance. 
• My attendance on campus is quite flexible. 
• At my university, we have seminars on .................... (subject: Public Relations) 
• I particularly enjoy the Public Relations seminars because they're a lot more practical than other modules. 
• My course has a great variety of modules. 
• .................... is probably my favourite module on the course. (subject: Marketing) 
• 'What modules do you do?' -- 'I do PR and Marketing, so it's a really good mix of practical and theoretical. PR is more practical.' 
• I'm taking a course in marketing. 
• I'm taking German and economics next semester. 
• I didn't major in this field. 
• You can get a job in a field you didn't study. 
• For many jobs you need to have a university degree. 
• For many jobs you need to have a college degree. 
• Students can take advantage of distance learning and study online at their own pace. 
• The location of the university is fantastic. It's right in the centre of town which means you can go anywhere you want fairly quickly. You're five minutes away from everything. 
• Newcastle is a great student city. 
• The annual tuition fee is .................... 
• My tuition fee is not fixed for the duration of my studies. 
• The scholarship pays the tuition fees but students still need to find money for meals, books and accommodation. 
• The university offers a huge variety of postgraduate courses. 
• I graduated from .................... in .................... (university; year) 

VOCABULARY 

• distance learning (also long-distance learning) - when the student is not present at university 
• tuition fee - the money that you pay to be taught, especially in a college or university 
• a university degree | a college degree 
• first degree - an academic qualification given by a university or college, for example a BA or BSc, that is given to somebody who does not already have a degree in that subject 
• bachelor's degree - the first degree that you get when you study at a university. Bachelor's degrees include Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) 
• an undergraduate degree (a Bachelor's degree) 
• a postgraduate degree (a Master's degree) 
• a PhD - the abbreviation for ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (a university degree of a very high level that is given to somebody who has done research in a particular subject) 
• do a PhD | have a PhD 

​TASK: 

1. What did you study at university? | What are you studying at university? 
2. What do you think about your course? 
3. What is your student experience? ​

(Leave a comment below.) 

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Other lessons: 
City Life – Going out 
Cities – Talk about your area 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 

Lessons with English collocations: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Leisure 
English Lesson: Collocations for Success 
English Lesson: Collocations for Making Decisions 

Click below to read some of our IELTS related lessons: 
IELTS Speaking Test: Home and Living in the City 
IELTS Speaking Test: How to Concentrate at Work 
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities 

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