Topic 8: Sports
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Directive for Part 1:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Short responses with personal experiences or opinions.
Questions:
- Do you play any sports?
- What is your favorite sport to watch?
- Do you think sports help people stay healthy?
- Is there a sport that you would like to try?
Sample Answers for Part 1:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Yes, I play tennis and badminton regularly. Both are great for staying fit and challenging yourself physically.
My favorite sport to watch is soccer because it’s fast-paced and exciting.
I believe sports are crucial for good health. They help improve cardiovascular fitness and can reduce stress.
I’d like to try rock climbing. It seems like a thrilling way to test your limits physically and mentally.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Fluent, fully developed responses with clear explanations.
- Rich vocabulary and complex sentences.
- Well-organized and natural delivery.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“I play tennis on weekends. I really enjoy it because it keeps me active.
I like watching football because it’s exciting.
Sports definitely help people stay healthy. They keep you fit and active.
I’d like to try swimming because it’s great for full-body fitness.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Clear and relevant answers with adequate details.
- Some minor vocabulary or grammar errors.
- Mostly well-structured ideas.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“I play tennis sometimes. It’s fun.
I watch football, and it’s exciting.
Sports help keep people healthy, I think.
I want to try swimming because it’s good for health.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple answers with minimal development.
- Basic vocabulary with some minor errors.
- Lacks depth and complexity.
Part 2: Cue Card
Directive for Part 2:
- Preparation Time: 1 minute
- Speaking Time: 2 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: A detailed and well-organized response with clear personal examples.
Cue Card:
Describe your favorite sport or physical activity.
You should say:
- What sport it is
- How you became interested in it
- How often you play or do this activity
- And explain what you enjoy about it.
Sample Answers for Part 2:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“My favorite sport is tennis. I became interested in tennis when I was a child because my parents often played and I would watch them. Over time, I started playing myself and found that I enjoyed the fast pace and the mental challenge of the game. I play tennis at least twice a week, usually on weekends, either with friends or in a local club. What I love most about tennis is the combination of physical exercise and strategy. It’s a great workout, but it also requires focus and quick decision-making, which keeps me mentally sharp.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Fully developed, fluent answer with clear, well-organized points.
- Natural use of vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
- Detailed, coherent response with good fluency.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“My favorite sport is football. I first started playing when I was in school, and I’ve always loved it. I play football about twice a week with my friends, usually at the local park. I enjoy it because it’s a team sport, and there’s a sense of camaraderie among the players. It’s also a great way to stay active and improve my coordination. The fast-paced nature of the game keeps me engaged.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Clear and relevant answer, but could be elaborated further.
- Vocabulary is appropriate, but lacks some variety.
- Straightforward grammar and sentence structures.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“I like playing football. I started when I was young because my friends played. I play football once or twice a week. I like it because it’s fun and keeps me healthy. I enjoy running and kicking the ball.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple and direct answer, lacks development.
- Basic vocabulary with limited detail.
- The response is somewhat repetitive and lacks depth.
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Directive for Part 3:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Longer, more detailed answers with explanations, opinions, and examples.
Questions:
- What are the benefits of playing sports?
- Why do people enjoy watching sports?
- Should schools focus more on physical education? Why or why not?
- How do you think sports will change in the future?
Sample Answers for Part 3:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Playing sports has many benefits, both physical and mental. Physically, sports improve your health, stamina, and fitness levels. Mentally, sports help reduce stress and increase concentration. They also teach teamwork and perseverance.
People enjoy watching sports because it’s exciting to see athletes perform at a high level, and there’s a sense of connection to a team or a country. It’s also an opportunity to socialize with friends and family.
I believe schools should emphasize physical education because it promotes a healthy lifestyle and teaches essential skills, such as teamwork and discipline, which are valuable in life.
In the future, I think sports will become even more technologically integrated, with virtual reality and artificial intelligence allowing us to have new ways of training and experiencing sports.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Thorough, detailed answers that are fully developed.
- Complex ideas presented with clear reasoning and examples.
- Sophisticated vocabulary and a variety of sentence structures.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“Playing sports helps you stay fit and healthy, and it’s also a good way to relieve stress. It teaches people to work with others and build discipline.
People enjoy watching sports because they like to see great athletes in action, and it can be exciting to support a team.
I think schools should give more attention to physical education because it can help students stay active and healthy.
Sports will probably change in the future with new technology and better equipment, which will make them safer and more interesting.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Clear and well-structured responses.
- Adequate vocabulary and grammar but lacks some complexity.
- Ideas are logical but could be more elaborated.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“Sports are good for health, and they help with fitness. They also teach teamwork.
People watch sports because they like to see the competition.
Schools should have more sports because it helps kids stay fit.
In the future, maybe sports will use more technology.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple answers with limited details.
- Basic vocabulary with limited complexity.
- The response is short and lacks depth or elaboration.