MEAL/FOOD

What food do people where you live usually eat?

Carbs are a staple (a basic food, something we often eat)  in our diet. Along with this, meat, fish, and tofu are very popular. Since meat was difficult to attain in the past due to poverty, we know have a meat-based diet. As we live near the sea, seafood is quite popular as well, especially squid, crabs, shrimp, and clams. Even though tofu prepared in different ways is popular as well, you will find few vegetarians here.

Which meal of the day do you think is the most important?

I would definitely say breakfast, since it’s always been called  the “most important meal of the day”. I think it’s way gives us the fuel for our day. We should eat nutritious, high-calorie foods in the morning to boost our energy and metabolism for the rest of the day. I do notice I feel better when I have a balanced, hearty breakfast.

What do you usually eat for lunch (breakfast, dinner)?

For breakfast, I usually have some porridge with rice, meat, and vegetables with a fresh fruit juice and 2 cups of coffee. Unfortunately, I’m a caffeine addict. For lunch, I usually have some sort of carb, like noodles or rice, with some meat, tofu, or seafood, and vegetables. For dinner, I always have steamed white rice with vegetables and meat or fish. My family always shares several small plates, as it is our eating culture. Moreover, we always take our time eating since it’s a tedious (takes a long time, very detailed) process to prepare.

Do you think it is better to eat one big meal a day or is it better to eat several smaller meals each day?

The latter! It’s always been said that that is the healthier way. I know for example that after a huge meal, I tend to feel tired and want to take a nap. However, if I steadily (slow; non-stopping) eat throughout the day, I feel more energized, not to mention I always feel food. Although I don’t follow this, I certainly feel better this way! Maybe if I did this I would have a better body.

Is there any special food that you particularly like?

Several! However, I’m a cheese addict. I’m not something that we often consume in my country, so it’s a special treat for me. I just adore the rich, fatness of it! Moreover, I love that it can be added to almost everything and it instantly makes it delicious!

Would you like to try any new food?

I would try many foods, but not all. For example, I could never try dog or cat. Since I’ve had these animals as pets, I couldn’t bear (tolerate) to eat them. Maybe all animals are equal, but for me personally, I think some animals are okay to eat, but I feel that eating pets is too much! They are our friends, not food.

IELTS PODCAST 5- Part 1 Topic : Birthday

Birthday

How do children celebrate birthdays in your country?

Birthdays are a big deal (very important)in my country! We usually have some sort of gathering with our immediate family, typically a meal together at the birthday boy or birthday girl’s restaurant of choice for adults. Apart from this, we normally go out with drinks for an evening on the town or have a get together with drinks involved at home. On the other hand, children usually have a large party with family and friends. The parents often hire some sort of special entertainment, like a clown or even animals!

How did you celebrate your last birthday?

I took it easy my last birthday. I had a simple meal with my family at home. As my mother is quite thoughtful, of course she made my favorite dish of hers, Shepard’s Pie, and my favorite type of cake, red velvet. After dinner, some of my mates and I went out to local brewery to celebrate. They of course treated me (paid for me)!

What kinds of birthday gifts do you like to receive?

Any really! Of course I appreciate all gifts, but if I could choose, I would prefer gift card or cash. Since I’m a college student, these really help with my living costs and allow me to treat myself to something nice- like a massage, shopping, or a nice meal. To be honest, I don’t enjoy when my mother picks out (chooses) clothing for me because I end up (do without wanting or planning)looking like a grandma!

Is there a difference between the way you celebrate your birthday in the past and in the present?

Oh for sure! Birthdays are a huge deal when you’re a child. 30+ family members and friends used to gather for my special day, but now only my parents, sister, and closest mates. I used to look forward to this day all year long and make birthday lists, but now I just get some cash in a card.  Although they still make it memorable for me by their thoughtful gestures, sometimes all my birthdays feel the same.

IELTS Podcast 2: Part 1 – Space Travel

Audio

https://ieltsmaterial.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Part-1-Topic-Space-travel.m4a

Do you like to travel by air?

Certainly! It’s the quickest and most efficient way. I would choose this over a 12+ hour bus or car ride any day!  Furthermore, whenever I set foot on (enter; step into) a plane, I tend to feel sleepy and end up drifting off (sleep) for pretty much the entire flight.

What do you think about travelling to the outer space?

I think it’s quite intriguing, as I believe that other life forms may exist. Moreover, it’s fascinating to find out more about the other complex galaxies surrounding us. I believe there is much more to the universe than only Earth.

Do you want to travel to the space?

Yes, of course! I would be really interested to see what else it out there. I’m not sure if this would happen in my lifetime though. However, I’ve heard that one day we may be able to take trips to space. I think it’s a possibility! The future never ceases (fails) to amaze me.

Who would you like to go with?

At this point in time, I can just imagine going alone with a specialized person. Down the road (in the future) I could imagine going with my partner, and perhaps my children as well. I would love for all of us to share this experience together.

What would you prepare on a trip to the outer space?

Definitely appropriate astronautical gear, as I’ve seen in pictures. Furthermore, I would like to bring some kind of camera or video to be able to show my friends on earth what I saw. Lastly, I would like to bring some kind of gift from earth just in case I came across (encountered by accident) another life form there.

Where would you like to go to?

The moon or mars! I would say the moon because I’m interested to know what it feels lie to walk on it. I’m also curious if the myth that it’s made out of cheese is accurate. On the other hand, I’ve heard there is water on Mars, suggesting that there could be life there,  so I’d be fascinated to investigate that firsthand.

Do you think it’s necessary to see other planets?

I would say it’s a luxury more than a necessity for average people. However, I think it’s necessary for scientists to investigate other planets so that we have better research and understanding of what is going on around us. Lastly, it’s good for us humans to realize that Earth isn’t the only planet.

Plunge oneself into something (phrase) to suddenly start doing something with energy and enthusiasm, but sometimes without thinking about it first

Every now and then (idiom) sometimes

Get-together (noun) a small informal meeting or social gathering

Some people say that economic growth is the only way to end hunger and poverty, while others say that economic growth is damaging the environment so it must be stopped. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Essay Plan:

Introduction: (1) refer to the first view (2) refer to the second view (3) my opinion – completely agree with the second view.

Paragraph 2: the first view – one main argument: progress and economic development is the only way to cure hunger and poverty, because the wealth from profits will find its way into the pockets of the poor. The argument made for imperialism.

Paragraph 3: the second view – many examples to support it. (1) Deforestation to produce cash crops for export (2) fossil fuels used for economic growth….global warming….sea level rise….homeless poor in Bangladesh.

Conclusion: economic growth which is not sustainable must be stopped. Production for human need, not profits, is the way forward.

Model Essay:

It is true that some people contend that economic growth is the only solution to the global problems of hunger and poverty. Others, however, argue for an end to economic growth in order to conserve our environment. I agree completely with this second view.

Those who see economic growth alone as the sole cure for the tragedy of world hunger and poverty propose one major argument. Only the growth of the economies of the developing countries will provide the poor with the wealth to afford the basic necessities of life. The profits made by corporations who are responsible for this economic growth will trickle down in the form of financial benefits to be enjoyed by the starving and needy. This view has justified the age of imperialism and the destruction of the livelihood of millions in the name of progress.

On the other hand, there are countless examples to support the opposing view that economic growth results in environmental destruction. Firstly, this is true for developing countries, where lowland rainforests have been cleared and unsustainable agricultural practices introduced to produce cash crops, often for export. Secondly, it is also true for developed economies. For example, the continued use of fossil fuels, which provide the energy for growing industrialization, is causing global warming. This is leading to a rise in sea levels, which will eventually make tens of millions of poor people in Bangladesh homeless.

In conclusion, economic growth which is not sustainable must be stopped. If it is not based on meeting human needs rather than generating profits, such growth will only create more poverty and lead to more hunger in the world by destroying natural resources.

277 words by IELTS Ngoc Bach 

Vocabulary for IELTS

 to contend [verb]:

Meaning: to say that something is true (especially in an argument)

Example: Although Brazil did not win the World Cup, my friend contends that they were the best team.

 tragedy [noun]:

Meaning: a very sad event or situation

Example: It is a tragedy that many children die of starvation in the world today.

 the basic necessities of life [expression]:

Meaning: the things which you must have in order to live and survive

Example: Many people cannot afford the basic necessities of life, such as food and clothing.

 to trickle down [phrasal verb]:

Meaning: to spread money from rich people to poor people, through the economic system of a country

Example: Although the corporation made a lot of money last year, none of this trickled down to its employees.

 livelihood [noun]:

Meaning: means of earning money in order to live

Example: Communities on the island depend on fishing for their livelihood.

 in the name of [expression]:

Meaning: used to give a reason for doing something, often when what you are doing is wrong

Example: Many wars have been fought in the name of religion.

 countless [adjective]:

Meaning: very many (too many to be counted)

Example: I’ve told John countless times, but he still doesn’t remember my phone number.

 unsustainable [adjective]:

Meaning: that cannot be continued at the same rate or level

Example: The use of oil at the present rate is unsustainable – there are reserves only for 20 or 30 more years.

 cash crops [noun]:

Meaning: crops grown for selling, not for use by the person who grows them

Example: The best land in the country is using for growing cash crops like pineapples for export to Europe.

 to generate [verb]:

Meaning: to produce or create something

Example: In order to generate more electricity, the government is providing funding for wind farms.