This is the fifth sample article candidates of the ECPE examination (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English of the University of Michigan) My first post to deal with articles , explains what needs to be present in this type of piece of writing. As stated, examiners are looking for articles that elaborate on ideas and have solid arguments; are well organized; make use of a wide lexical and grammatical range; have an original ring to them (in other words, readers are able to distinguish the author's unique "voice"). Before reading, take a look at the following post if you haven't already done so. It will help you focus on the vital aspects you need to be aware of while reading the article and what you should make sure to use when you write your own. The question appeared in Practice Tests for the ECPE Book 1 (revised 2021 version) and is accompanied by the following three writing prompts:
Please note that the following questions can be used by teachers and students or anyone who wants to improve their spoken English. All you have to do is talk about the topic with your speaking partner or tutor.
For those taking the IELTS exam, please read the tips for Part 2 of the oral component of the test here:IELTS Speaking: Part 2 Sample Questions (List 1) & Tips.
You can find more information about the Speaking exam if you also read
IELTS Speaking: The Basics
IELTS Speaking – Part 2
Questions (Cue Card)
1) Describe a comedian from your
country.
Say:
- who he/she is
- where they perform
- what is special about them
- why this comedian is well known in your country
2) Describe a typical street market
you have been to.
Say:
- where it was
- what you can buy there
- what the vendors and visitors were like
- whether you enjoyed visiting it
3) Describe a special childhood
friend.
Say:
- what your friend is like
- when and where you first met
- how you became friends
- why this friend is special to you
4) Describe a person who talks a lot.
Say:
- who the person is
- what this person does for a living
- what this person usually talks about
- whether this habit of theirs annoys you
5) Describe a sport you have seen on
TV and would like to try.
Say:
- what sport it is
- what equipment you need to do this sport
- why you haven’t done it before
- what you would most enjoy about it
6) Describe an animal you like.
Say:
- what kind of animal it is
- what it looks like
- what such an animal usually does during the day
- why you like this animal so much
7) Describe a city/country you would
like to live or work in, in the future.
Say:
- what country/ city it is
- what it is like
- what you think you would like most about being there
- what kinds of difficulties you think you would face there
8) Describe a person you met
recently and would like to meet again.
Say:
- who the person is
- where you met
- what you discussed
- why you would like to meet them again
9) Describe your favorite TV
program.
Say:
- what the program is called
- how often you watch it
- what the focus of the program is
- why it is your favorite program
10) Describe an outing that didn’t
cost much money.
Say:
- where you went
- who you went with
- what you did
- whether you would change something about this outing
11) Describe a recent event that
made you happy.
Say:
- what the event was
- where it occurred
- what happened
- why it made you so happy
12) Describe your favorite story.
Say:
- when you first heard it
- who you heard it from
- what happens in the story
- why this is your favorite story
13) Describe a job you would like to
do.
Say:
- what kind of job it is
- what the job involves
- why you would enjoy it
- what benefits you get from doing this job
14) Describe a nice photo of you
that you like.
Say:
- when the photo was taken
- where you are in this photo
- who the photo was taken by
- who else is in the photo with you
- why you like this photo so much
15) Describe your favorite season.
Say:
- what season it is
- what you usually do during this season
- whether there is anything you dislike about it
- why it is your favorite season