SPEAKING
Speaking Test Model Answers
4. Appearance
Appearance is a topic which can often be part of other speaking topics where you are asked to describe someone. Being prepared to describe people's appearance is therefore essential for IELTS.
1. Are you tall?
Yes, I'm pretty tall and lanky.
2. What is the most interesting haircut you have ever had?
One time I dyed my hair black, which really stood out. I have a fair complexion so it looked a little weird.
3. Do you like to wear make-up?
No, I think I would really stand out if I put on make-up! The only times I’ve used make-up is when I was dressing up for a fancy dress party.
4. Do you try to stay in shape?
Yes, I’m pretty active and do a lot of sport so I like to stay in shape. The only time my waistline increases is during the Christmas holidays when I tend to eat a lot.
5. Do you usually wear fashionable clothes?
I like nice clothes, and I have my own taste in clothes, but I don’t think I’m very fashionable. I prefer looser, comfortable fabrics and I don’t like to spend lots of money on designer labels.
6. What kind of things do you do to improve your appearance?
I don’t use any cosmetics, but my skin tends to get dry so I use a moisturiser every morning. I also try to look after my teeth - I brush them twice a day and floss regularly.
7. Do you look similar to other members of your family?
Although I take after my father more in terms of personality, in terms of appearance I resemble my mother more. We both have straight fair hair, a fair complexion and blue eyes.
8. What does your best friend look like?
My best friend is tall, and quite well built. To be honest, he usually has quite an unkempt appearance as his hair is normally scruffy from riding a motorbike and wearing a helmet, and he’s usually not clean-shaven.
PART 1
Listen:
Model Answer:
Well, celebrities usually are attractive, so there are so many to choose from, but I’ll tell you about one who I saw in a recent film - Scarlett Johansson.
She’s an American movie star who has been incredibly successful in her career and has starred in several popular films, including some blockbusters. I don’t know a lot about her personal life, but I believe she’s from New York.
I think she’s beautiful because she has a gorgeous face, a cute smile and a slender figure. No doubt she turns heads wherever she goes. She has a fair complexion and usually has blonde hair, so I guess that she’s naturally blonde and doesn’t dye it. Her hair is often shoulder-length, but I’ve seen some pictures where she has longer hair too. Personally, I think blonde hair suits her the most, but she looks really good with different hair colours too. She has an athletic physique and normally looks really toned.
Although there are so many stunning film stars, in my opinion she stands out because she is really attractive while also looking fit and athletic, and she dresses well too.
PART 2
Describe a famous person who you think is beautiful/ handsome.
You should say:
who he/she is
what you know about him/her
and explain why you think he/she is beautiful/ handsome
Listen:
PART 3
1. Is it important to have a good appearance?
I think it helps in a lot of situations, especially at work. First impressions are important and a good appearance helps you make a good impression when you meet people. This is especially important if you are meeting customers, your boss or even work colleagues. A good appearance suggests that you are professional and hardworking. However, when you’re at home and relaxing with family or close friends, you don’t need to be well-groomed and you can have a more scruffy and unkempt appearance.
2. Is it possible to look good without spending a lot of money?
Yes, I think it is, if you have good taste and you’re willing to spend time on it. You can find good quality and stylish clothes if you look hard enough.The truth is, if you want to turn heads without spending a fortune then you need to spend a lot more time looking for bargains in discount stores, markets and online. On the other hand, another aspect of looking good is staying in shape, and you don’t need a lot of money to exercise or go for a run. You can have a well-built physique if you’re a man, or an attractive athletic figure if you’re a woman, simply by working out regularly.
3. Do people worry too much about their appearance as they get older?
Well, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with making an effort to look good when you are older. I like to see old people wearing nice clothes and taking care of their appearance. For me, it shows that they are still interested in trying new things and taking part in the modern world. On the other hand, I don’t think there’s any point in spending a lot of money on expensive cosmetic treatments. They don’t make you look much more youthful and they’re very costly. In my opinion, you’re better off spending the money on enjoying life.
4. Do different cultures think differently about beauty?
Yes, sure, the ideal of beauty changes over time and it’s different in different parts of the world. For example, in Europe people think it’s beautiful to have tanned skin, whereas in some places in Asia, it’s more beautiful to have a very pale complexion. Also, at times in the past it was considered attractive to be plump, and at other times to be skinny. One thing I would say though is that these days, due to globalisation, ideas about beauty are probably becoming more similar around the world.
5. How has people’s idea of beauty changed over the years?
Ideas about beauty definitely change. Just in my lifetime I’ve seen fashions change significantly. For example, the type of physique that is considered most attractive has changed. In the 90’s the ideal of beauty for women was a more androgynous look, and models tended to be really skinny. These days, I think more voluptuous but also toned physiques are most popular in the media. For men things have changed too. In the past, it was fashionable to have a more rugged, scruffy, and unkempt look, whereas right now more and more men seem to have a more clean-cut and well-groomed.
6. Do you think that the media influences our ideas about what is attractive?
Yes, of course. The media has a very big influence on our ideas about beauty. If all of the models in adverts and pictures have a certain style or physique, then people believe that this is the style or physique they should copy. Right now it’s interesting to see that the media is presenting a more diverse range of figures and appearances as attractive or beautiful. We’re also seeing older, less youthful images of beauty. Perhaps this reflects a more open-minded approach in fashion and society.
Listen:
VOCABULARY
Topic Vocabulary:
androgynous (adjective):
Definition: Having characteristics that are neither clearly masculine nor feminine.
Example: In the 1920's an androgynous style came into fashion, and some women began to dress more like men.
clean-cut (adjective):
Definition: Having a very neat and tidy appearance.
Example: The young man had a clean-cut appearance with his crisp shirt and neatly combed hair.
clean-shaven (adjective):
Definition: Having no beard or moustache; smooth and free of facial hair.
Example: After shaving, his face felt smooth and clean-shaven.
complexion (noun phrase):
Definition: The appearance of someone's skin, in terms of colour.
Example: He had a fair complexion and burnt easily in the sun
figure (noun [c]):
Definition: The shape of the body (especially for women).
Example: Despite being in her 50's she has an athletic figure.
lanky (adjective):
Definition: Tall and thin, often with long legs and arms.
Example: The lanky teenager had to bend down to avoid hitting his head on the door frame.
physique (noun [c]):
Definition: The size and shape of a body.
Example: He has a toned physique from regular exercise and a healthy diet.
resemble (verb):
Definition: Someone or something that looks similar to another person or thing.
Example: The two sisters resembled each other closely
rugged (adjective):
Definition: Having a rough, tough appearance; often associated with a natural, outdoorsy look.
Example: The farmers had a rugged appearance.
scruffy (adjective):
Definition: Having an untidy or messy appearance.
Example: He had scruffy hair and messy clothes after sleeping on his friend's sofa.
skinny (adjective):
Definition: Having a very thin or slim body.
Example: She was so skinny that her parents wanted her to see a doctor.
slender (adjective):
Definition: Having a thin and graceful physique; being gracefully thin.
Example: The slender cat was able to squeeze through the small gap in the fence.
stand out (phrasal verb):
Definition: To be noticeable, clearly different from others.
Example: Her bright red dress made her stand out in the crowd.
toned (adjective):
Definition: Having well-defined muscles and a firm physique due to exercise or physical activity.
Example: Her arms were toned from regular workouts at the gym.
turn heads (idiom):
Definition: To attract attention or make people look at you because of your appearance.
Example: Her striking beauty was enough to turn heads wherever she went.
unkempt (adjective):
Definition: Having a messy or untidy appearance, not well-groomed.
Example: His unkempt hair and scruffy clothes suggested he hadn't been home all night.
voluptuous (adjective):
Definition: Curvy and full-figured in an attractive way.
Example: Marilyn Monroe was known for her voluptuous figure and hourglass shape.
well-built (adjective):
Definition: Having a strong and muscular physique.
Example: The athlete had a well-built physique from years of training and exercise.
well-groomed (adjective):
Definition: Neat, tidy, and carefully maintained in appearance, including hair, clothing, and personal hygiene.
Example: With his well-groomed beard and polished shoes, he looked ready for the job interview.
well-trimmed (adjective):
Definition: Neatly and precisely cut or shaped, often referring to hair or facial hair.
Example: Despite having a long beard, he looks smart, as he always keeps it well-trimmed.
