Luyện tập viết IELTS Writing task 2

Oh, excuse me, I wonder if you’d have the time to take part in some market research?

Umm ... What’s it about?

About this club and your experiences and opinions about being a member. It’ll take less than five minutes.

Oh ... OK then ... as long as it’s quick.

Can I start by taking your name?

It’s Selina Thompson.

Is that T-H-O-M-P-S-O-N?

Yes.

Great, thanks ... And what do you do for a living?

Well, I’m an accountant but I’m between jobs at the moment.

I understand, but that’s the job I’ll put down on the form. And would you mind my asking which age group you fall into? Below thirty, thirty-one to fifty and above.

Over fifty ... I think we can safely say.

Great, thanks. And which type of membership do you have?

Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean? Do you mean how long ... ?

No, is it a single person membership ... ?

Oh right ... no, it’s a family membership.

Thanks and how long have you been a member?

Oh ... let me see ... I was certainly here five years ago ... and it was probably two to three years more than that ...

Shall I put down eight?

I remember now ... it’s nine ... definitely ... sorry.

No problem ... I’ve got that. And the last question in this first part is, what brought you to the club?

Sorry ... ?

How did you find out about the club? Did you see any ads?

Well, I did actually but I have to say I wasn’t really attracted to the club because of that. It was through word of mouth.

So you were recommended by a friend?

Actually my doctor ... I’d been suffering from high blood pressure and he said the club was very supportive of people with that condition, so I signed up.

Great ... thanks.

Now for the second part of the form I want to ask a bit more about your experience of the club.

Sure.

How often would you say you use the club ... ?

It varies enormously depending on how busy I am.

Of course ... but on average ... per month?

I’d say it averages out at twice a week.

OK, so eight on average.

Yeah. And four of those are aqua-aerobics classes.

That leads me to the next question ... would you say the swimming pool is the facility you make most use of?

Fair to say that ... yeah.

Right, thanks ... And are there any facilities you don’t use?

One area I realise I’ve never used is the tennis courts ... and there’s one simple reason for that ...

You don’t play tennis?

Actually, I’m not bad at it ... it’s that I’m not happy having to pay extra ... for that privilege.

I’ve made a note of that ... thanks. Now in the last section are there any suggestions or recommendations you have for improvements to the club?

Only about health and fitness?

Anything at all ...

Well, I’d like to see more social events ... it isn’t just a question of getting together for games or classes but other things, you know.

Yes, sure.

And another thing that I was thinking when I had my yoga class in the gym last night - we were all sweltering in the heat - was that I think they should put in ... you know ... air conditioning.

That’s exactly what I mean. The rooms are really light and well designed but they do need proper installations.

Sure ... well I’ve made a note of that ...

Good.

... so is there anything else you’d like to suggest ... about quality of service, for example?

Oh, everyone’s very nice here ... they couldn’t be more friendly and helpful ... oh but I tell you what ... it’s a shame the restaurant isn’t open in the evening on Saturday ... and Sunday as well for that matter.

So ... the club should ...

... open it later on those days.

OK . well thank you very much, that’s all the questions .

Man: Good morning. Can I help you?

Woman: I hope so! I have a friend in Spain and her two daughters are coming to the city to study for a month. So I thought the Tourist Information Centre was the best place to ask hostels. Can you recommend any?

Man: Of course. Ah, I usually suggest one of the Hostelling International places. Hi West End is a big hostel in a residential area, but it’s only ten minutes from downtown (Example) if you take a bus. It’s really popular.

Woman: OK. Sounds good! I need to know how much it costs. The girls want a double room to themselves. They don’t want to share with other people.

Man: That makes it more expensive. The price is under $30 for a bed in a dormitory but they’ll be paying $50 a night. (1) But if they become members of Hostelling International, the price comes down to $41 a night.  Membership costs $35.

Woman: Right.

Man: And membership offers them benefits too on all kinds of activities.

Woman: Ah, what kind of things?

Man: Oh, er, skydriving and white-water rafting. Things like that.

Woman: Mm, I don’t think they’re interested in that kind thing. (2) If they become members, will they get cheaper entrance tickets to museums?

Man: Oh, yes and also discounts on bicycle and car hire.

Woman: OK. It’s problably worth it. Is the hostel very noisy? They’re coming here to do some studying.

Man: Ah, I think it is quite noisy as it’s a really big hostel. And if they want to use the Internet this hostel still makes a charge unfortunately. It’s $1 for 15 minutes and (3) $3 for an hour.

Woman: Mm… it might not be ideal for them. What else can you recommend? Is there anything in a quite area?

Man: There’s Elliscoat Hostel.

Woman: Mm, how do you spell that?

Man: (4) E-L-L-I-C-O-A-T.

Woman: I’ve never heard that name before. And where is that?

Man: It’s on the beach looking over the bay. Here, look on the map. It’s quite but not far from Dragon Island – there’s plenty going on there in the evening.

Woman: Oh, that’s a nice area. And if they want to go to Dragon Island (5) it only takes a couple of minutes to walk down to the ferry.  So how much is a room there?

Man: It’s in such a nice spot that the rooms area a bit more expensive. They’re $62.

Woman: Does that include any meals?

Man: Unfortunately not. It is possible to buy meals in a hostel at a reasonable price but because it isn’t very busy in the winter, (6) they only cook in summer.

Woman: Oh, I think I know the place you mean. It’s an old building isn’t it?

Man: Yes, it’s well known as it’s one the hostels in the city. (7) There’s been a hotel there since 1887 when it was first built. It was turned into a hostel in 1985 and they’ve invested a lot of money restoring it inside.

Woman: Mm, they’d like that but I’m just looking on the map at where their college is – it’s right in the centre. It is a bit far for them from there.

Man: (8) The hostel actually has scooters for hire at a very good price. So they could do that. Er, it would be quicker than cycling or walking to the centre.

Woman: Mm, it is a bit expensive… But it sounds like the best one so far unless there’s something a bit cheaper?

Man: OK. Er, well, what about the Backpackers Hostel? That’s not so expensive. It’s in a side street (9) in the entertainment district. They wouldn’t need to go far to find everything they want – they could walk everywhere. And it’s very reasonable. Only $45 and another $5 if they want to have breakfast.

Woman: Mm, but what about the other meals?

Man: There’s no café but on each floor in this hostel (10) there’s a kitchen for residents to cook in. I’m not sure how well equipped they are but it should be fine for basic meals.

Woman: Well, that’s really very helpful. I’ll pass all this information on now.

Man: Do ask your friends to ring me if they need to know anything else.

Woman: I will. Thank you.

Woman: Hello, how can I help you?

Man: Hi. I’m Carlton Mackay, and you booked me some flights recently, to Australia – and some internal ones?

Woman: Oh, yes. Mr Mackay, I remember you now, of course.

Man: Well, I find I’m going to need car hire while I’m in Sydney after all. I think you said you could recommend a good-value company?

Woman: Yes, that’s right. Costwise Cars. They’re very good and don’t charge lots of extras. They have three offices in the Sydney area, including one office right at the airport.

Man: So I’ll just book it online?

Woman: Yes, you can book online but you should have their phone number too, just in case.

Man: Mm, of course.

Woman: That’s 1800 705 639. It’s on the website. And you can get a discount if you quote (1) your booking reference from us.

Man: Oh, what’s that?

Woman: I mean the one you got from me when we booked your flights. I have it here – 743002.

Man: Oh, thanks. I guess I’ve got it at home, but I’ll write it down again in case. A discount is good. So where exactly is the office? I’ll be coming to the domestic terminal from Melbourne.

Woman: (2) It’s immediately outside the international terminal.

Man: OK. And, another thing I want to check is, will they be open when I arrive? Or is it just office hours?

Woman: (3) Mm… they open at quarter to seven and close at 6.15 in the evening. So, let’s see, you’re due to land at ten past six. By the time you’ve collected your bags and so on, which will take a little while, they won’t be open, but if you arrange it in advance, (4) they can wait for you. You do have to pay an extra $30 for that, though.

Man: OK. Well, I’m staying near the airport the first night, so I could go back in the morning and save a day’s hire?

Woman: Yes, that’d be better. That’d save you about $50.

Man: Do you know what kind of cars they have?

Woman: Quite a variety, I think. Er, the best value should be under $60 a day with luck. (5) That would be the ‘Echo’, I guess.

Man: Sorry?

Woman: E-C-H-O, like when your voice bounces back?

Man: I suppose I have to book online before I leave?

Woman: Mm, that’s the best way. Er, they won’t deduct any charges until you finish with the car, but (6) they do need your credit card number when you book and of course they’ll want to see your driving license when you collect. How long will you need it?

Man: (7) I’m in Sydney for seven days. I’ll only actually need to use it on three or four of those days, I hope, but I’ll keep it for the whole week. I guess it’s going to be a few hundred dollars. Can you suggest anything I can do to keep the cost down?

Woman: (8) Oh, you get quite a big discount if you do less than 1,000 kilometres in the week.

Man: Oh, that’s good. I don’t suppose I will be driving that far actually.

Woman: But, oh, yes, the other thing I should mention is the insurance. It’s included in the price.

Man: Oh, that is good value then.

Woman: Yes, but what you must remember is that doesn’t cover anything expect the car, so you must be careful not to leave anything at all in it when you park (9) because your luggage isn’t insured, even if it’s out of sight, locked in the boot.

Man: Yeah, well, I think my travel policy will cover that actually.

Woman: Good!

Man: OK. And can I return the car outside office hours? My flight home is very early in the morning. Can I put the keys through the door, or something?

Woman: (10) There’s a secure box just outside the office on the pavement. You just drop the keys in there.

Man: Oh, good.

Woman: And one other thing: you should remember to buy petrol before you leave it. If you don’t drop the car back with a full tank you get charged to fill it. I recommend you go to a supermarket before you go out to the airport.

Man: Thanks for the tip!

Woman: Not at all. Do call in again if there’s anything else I can help with.

Man: I will. Many thanks.

Sally: Good afternoon. Megequip. This is Sally speaking. How may I help you?

Oskar: Oh hello. Um, I’d like to order some items from your catalogue.

Sally: Yes. Are you an existing customer?

Oskar: Er, no. I’ve only just moved here from South Africa. But I picked up your winter catalogue in the city centre yesterday.

Sally: Fine. The winter catalogue is our current one. As you’re a new customer, I need to take a few details from you.

Oskar: Sure.

Sally: Your name is?

Oskar: Oskar Greening. That’s (1) Oskar with a ‘K’.

Sally: O-S-K-A-R?

Oskar: Yes.

Sally: Greening. And your address?

Oskar: Um, York Terrace.

Sally: Here in the city?

Oskar: Yes.

Sally: What number?

Oskar: It’s a flat. (2) Number 52C.

Sally: C. Got that. And would that be the same address for delivery?

Oskar: Um, no. Actually, I’m out all day. (3) But my neighbor can take delivery at number 5 York Avenue. It’s just round the corner.

Sally: OK, fine, number 5, I’ve got that. And will you be paying by debit card or credit card?

Oskar: Well, er, I don’t have any cards yet. I’ll have some shortly, but I want these things this week if possible. (4) Could I come to the store and pay cash in advance?

Sally: Well, I guess so. I’ll make a note. I’m afraid that payment method doesn’t entitle you to a discount.

Oskar: No, I didn’t expect one for that. But what about my address? It says on the cover of the catalogue …

Sally: Oh yes, you’re right. Of course (5) York Terrace is within the city so you get free delivery and 5% discount on your order.

Oskar: Oh, good.

Sally: so what would you like to order? You have our current catalogue, you say?

Oskar: Yes. I need three things for the room where I study – My office, I guess. Um, the most urgent is a desk lamp. Is your catalogue, number 664 in stock?

Sally: 664? That’s, um, not ‘Home Office’? (6) It’s in the ‘Living’ section of the catalogue?

Oskar: It is. I want a small one that clips onto the edge of the desk.

Sally: Yes, no problem. In which colour?

Oskar: I’d like the greyish-coloured one, please.

Sally: Oh you mean the shade we call ‘slate’. Yes, it’s a nice colour.

Oskar: And, um, I wondered, could I get that when I come in to pay rather than waiting for delivery? I really need to be able to read at night and the lights in this flat are useless.

Sally: Yes, I’m sure that’ll be OK. (7) I’ll note down that’s ‘customer will collect’. What else did you want?

Oskar: Well, I need a chair which gives good support when I’m using my computer. I saw one in your ‘Home Office’ section and I think it would suit me. It’s on page 45, item number, oh, um, 129.

Sally: Um, yes?

Oskar: And it’s fully adjustable, isn’t it?

Sally: Let me see. Height, yes, back, yes, I’m not sure about the arms though.

Oskar: Oh that could be a problem… I’m very tall.

Sally: What about 131 on the same page? That has adjustable arms, seat, everything!

Oskar: (8) But can I get that in the same colour, I mean the green, like the one it shows?

Sally: Oh, they all come in the full range of colours.

Oskar: OK, so I’ll go for 131 in green then.

Sally: Mm… I think you’ll like that. My brother’s very tall and he uses one. We can make sure there’s one on the delivery van to you early next week.

Oskar: Oh good, thanks. And so, lastly, I need a filing cabinet for my documents. A little filing cabinet. With two drawers?

Sally: OK. Two drawers. Do you want the ordinary one or the lockable one? It’s an extra twenty pounds.

Oskar: Sorry, what’s that?

Sally: (9) You can have it with a lock, which is more secure.

Oskar: Oh, yes, please.

Sally: OK… so that’s number 153.

Oskar: It doesn’t by any  chance come in slate, does it?

Sally: Well, it’s similar. But the commercial office furniture doesn’t come in so many shades.

Oskar: So it’s grey?

Sally: That’s right.

Oskar: Fine, that’ll do.

Sally: Now, about delivery. The two items will probably come at different times as we have the chair in stock here so our van will bring it, as I said. (10) The filing cabinet will be coming direct from London, so – today’s the 29^th of September, say, not more than four days, that’ll be delivered on or before the 3rd of October. You’ll have them both within four days.

Oskar: That’s fine. I’ll drop in tomorrow morning to pay and get the lamp. Um, thank you for all your help.

Sally: Thank you for your order. Let me know if we can do anything else for you.

Oskar: Thank you. I will. Bye.

Sally: Bye.

Tutor:     So. Sharon and Xiao Li, in your presentation last week you were talking about the digital divide - the gap between those who can effectively use communication tools such as the Internet, and those who can't. And you compared the situation here in Northern Ireland with South-East China. Right, so I asked you to do some sell evaluation, watching the video of your presentation and thinking about the three main criteria you're assessed by - content, structure and technique. What do you think was the strongest feature of the presentation, when you watched it? Sharon?

Sharon:    Well. I was surprised actually, because l felt quite nervous but when I watched the video, it didn't show as much as I expected.

Tutor:     So which of the criteria would that come under?

Sharon:    Er, confidence?

Tutor:     That’s not actually one of the criteria as such Xiao Li?

Xiao Li:    Technique? It's body language and eye contact, isn't it. Well, I didn't think I looked all that confident, but I think, that our technique was generally good like the way we designed and used the PowerPoint slides.

Tutor:     Mmm. So you both feel happiest about that side of the presentation? OK, now on the negative side, what would you change if you could do it again?

Xiao Li:    Well, at first I'd thought that the introduction was going to be the problem but actually I think that was OK. We defined our terms and identified key issues. It was more towards the end, the conclusion wasn't too bad but the problem was the questions, we hadn’t really expected there'd be any so we hadn't thought about them that much.

Tutor:     Uhuh OK. Anything else?

Sharon:    Well, like Xiao Li says, I thought the conclusion was OK, but when I watched us on the video I thought the section on solutions seemed rather weak.

Tutor:     Mmm. Can you think why?

Sharon:    Well, we explained what people are doing about the digital divide in China and Northern Ireland but I suppose we didn't really evaluate any of the projects or ideas, it was just a list. And that was what people were asking us about at the end mostly.

Interviewer:    So how many bears can we find today and are any of them in danger of extinction?

Alison:    Well I'll answer your first question first. There are eight species of bear in all; among them the American Black Bear and the Brown Bear - from which evolved the newest species of bear - the Polar Bear.

Interviewer:    So how old is the Polar Bear?

Alison:    Oh, he's a relative newcomer - just 20,000 years old.

Interviewer:    And could you tell us a little about them? Which is the largest bear, for instance?

Alison:    Well, the largest bear existing today is either the Polar Bear or the Brown Bear.

Interviewer:    Right ... Don't we know?

Alison:    Well, it depends which criteria you use. The Polar Bear is the heaviest; the male weighs up to 1,500 pounds but his narrow body actually makes him look smaller than the much more robust Brown Bear.

Interviewer:    So the Brown Bear appears the biggest.

Alison:    Yes.

Interviewer:    And the smallest?

Alison:    Well, the Sun Bear is the smallest of the eight species. They only weigh between 60 and 145 pounds.

Interviewer:    That makes him a comparative junior!

Alison:    Yes. And then next we have the so-called Giant Panda ... but that's a small bear too, comparatively speaking.

Interviewer:    And are all bears meat eaters?

Alison:    No, not at all. In fact the Giant Panda is almost entirely herbivorous living on a diet of 30 types of bamboo.

Interviewer:    Oh, yes of course. Pandas are famous for that.

Alison:    And another interesting bear is the Sloth Bear which eats insects, particularly termites. He can turn his mouth into a tube and suck the insects out of their nests.

JANE       It's going to be different from school, isn't it!

TIM          Yeah, particularly the lectures. Have you got any special strategy for listening to lectures?

JANE       Well I'm going to use a cassette recorder and record them all.

TIM          What! Are you allowed to?

JANE       Sure. Lots of people do it nowadays. It means you can listen to the lectures all over again later, and make really good notes.

TIM          I couldn't do that. I like to take notes as I'm listening. I usually find I get all the important points. Reading is different of course. My approach is to skim the book first to see what's important and what isn't. It saves hours of time.

JANE       But what if you miss something?

TIM          You don't mean you're going to read every word, do you?

JANE       Well, that's what I usually do.

TIM          Well, that's up to you, but I think you're crazy!

JANE       What's your first lecture on, anyway?

TIM          Oh, it's a lecture on the French Revolution.

JANE       The French Revolution! How boring!

TIM          It's not boring at all! It was an amazing period of history. It changed everything in Europe. So what's your first lecture about?

JANE       It's about animal behavior. It sounds really interesting.

TIM          Look, I was on my way to the library. I'm going to get some of these books out and start reading for the first essay I've got to write.

JANE       And what have you got to write about?

TIM          Well, you'll never believe it, I think our professor must have a sense of humor.  He's given us the title "Why study history?"

JANE       That's a good one. When you find the answer, let me know!

TIM          I'm going to enjoy writing it. Have you been given any writing assignments yet?

JANE       Yes, I've got to write about animal language.

TIM         Hmm! That sounds a challenge. I suppose you'll be off to the zoo to do field research.