IELTS Speaking: describe a piece of furniture

Here are some ideas for last week's question:

• I'm going to talk about my favourite chair. It's a big, leather armchair that sits in my living room at home, just under my living room window.
• I didn't actually buy the armchair. One of my friends was moving house and was going to buy some new furniture. I had always liked his leather armchair, so he said I could have it if I managed to move it. The chair wouldn't fit in my car, and it was tricky to get it out of my friend's apartment. I had to hire a small van to take the armchair home.
• Obviously I use the armchair for sitting! It's my favourite place in the house to relax, read a book, watch TV or even do some work; the chair's arms are quite wide and flat, so my laptop fits nicely on either of them. Last night I fell asleep in my armchair while I was watching a film.
• The main reasons why I like this piece of furniture are that it's comfortable and it's in the perfect position in my living room. The only drawback might be that I enjoy sitting in the armchair too much, and sometimes I think it makes me lazy!

Remember to highlight any useful words or phrases that you found in my description. Also, did you notice some of the strategies that I used to make the answer more interesting?

Comments

[jay]

I didnt get you Simon..

wts strategy behind making more interesting answer??

[jay]

Hi Simon

In part 2, the utmost worry is that how to manage 2 to3 mins to cover all sub topics, many times in real exam before covering all sub topis, examinar stopped me suddenly.

Shoud we put clock on our desk in exam??

[Simon]

Hi Jay,

I'll explain my strategies in tomorrow's lesson.

I wouldn't use a clock. Just practise timing yourself at home. Try getting through all of the points and then returning to one or two of them if you have more time.

[FARYAL]

CAN ANYBODY HELP ME IN FIXING MY PROBLEM.......I NEED 7 EACH..5TH JANUARY TEST IS MY 4TH ATTEMPT...INITIALLY MY WRITING IS WEAK. THIS TIME I MANAGED TO GET 7 IN WRITING BUT GOT 6.5 IN SPEAKING...I GOT BAND 7 IN SPEAKING IN TWO PREVIOUS TESTS..DO YOU THINK EOR HELPS ME IN GETTING A RISE OF 0.5 IN SPEAKING OR ITS BETTER NOT TO WASTE MONEY ON IT....

[Ruru]

Hi, simon. I used your website to prepare Ielts. my speaking improved from 5.5 to 6.5. writing is 6.5, others are 8. really want to know how to achieve band 8. I know it takes time, i will work on it. I hope I can visit your Ielts teaching centre to learn more from you. :D

[Vahid]

Thank you so much for all your useful lessons.

I am from Iran.I had taken IELTS exam 7 times before using your website and I got 6.5 in writing in last three exams. I required at least 7 in each skill.
With your lessons this time, 5th Jan 2013, I got Lis.:8/Rea.:9/W:7/S:7/Overall:8

I appreciate your help.
Best Wishes,
Vahid

[Md. Kamruzzaman]

Hi Vahid,

Congrats.... Could u plz share ur experience how u've improved somuch in Writing .....

[IETLSTAKER]

Hi Faryal,

Its purely luck game if you apply for EOR.If you are confident then go for it.If you are sure you have messed up then dont go.

Have a look at below page about students experience about re-mark.

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2012/07/ielts-advice-asking-for-a-re-mark.html

[Martin]

Dear All,

Here is my description to share with everyone. Hope you find it useful, too!

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Today I'm going to talk about my office desk.

This is one of the best and most beautiful office desks I've ever bought. It's a white, wooden, L-shaped desk. Its corners are well-rounded and the edges are smooth, which gives the desk a very modern look overall. It's also very wide and deep, which gives me plenty of room to place my computer, printer, books, and all the paperwork from work.

I bought this desk about 2 years ago at IKEA. It came as a one-piece table top with five metal legs and can be easily assembled. The price was very reasonable; the table top and all metal legs costed me around 100 US dollars.

I use this desk almost every day to have classes with students, correct their essays, chat with family and friends, or even do some photo editing work. This desk is so spacious that my wife and I can work next to each other.

All in all, this is definitely one of my favorite pieces of furniture that I own and I'm extremely satisfied with it. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new desk!

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Best,
Martin

[Martin]

In Part2, the use of examples or even a short story can make the description sound more vivid and interesting.

Also, when describing something that is your "favorite", try to relax and show some positive emotions!
I've noticed that many students are too focused when speaking that they forget to be themselves, which could end up delivering flat monotone speeches.

[Tika]

Hi vahid,
Could you please advice me on the reading section.. My weakest module is reading all the time as I have already appeared in exam for 4th time . Would please suggest me I,m really struggling with the reading section... !!!
Tika

[khoory]

I was lucky enough to buy a small cupboard from charity shop 10 months ago. It has oriental paintings on the front, back and sides plus on the top and inside of the doors. It is a homemade 150 cm high. It belonged to a very wealthy family from the Victorian era. It is of pinewood construction.
The main reasons why I like this furniture are it is lightweight and very easy to carry around, all kitchen items can be kept out of the way in this cupboard in addition to its luxurious style.
The only drawback is many friends who came by visited me regularly at my house were looking at buying it.

[Makhabbat]

I would like to talk about my comfy sofa in my living room which is in front of my TV. First of all I have to say I didn't bought my sofa, it was kind of present from my friend, who wanted to get rid off it. The size is not big because I don't have enought place to swing a cat and it made from brown leather. I like after busy day, you can even lie on the sofa with a cap of hot chokolate and watch your favorite movie

[Makhabbat]

Sorry I've made a mistake
I like after busy day lie on the sofa with a cap of hot chocolate and watch your favorite movie

[Harriet Kim]

Good to meet you all and cheers!
I'm going to talk about the strategies Simon's done.
I noticed that you made the answers a short story about a chair.
I got the idea that I didn't need to buy that piece of furniture.
If I'm asked about any item I could buy or put in my house, I could probably answer with a story like you did.
Thank you :)

[nosir]

HI
i want to do some speaking by means of skype with someone in orderti to improve my speaking skills.... can anybody write down his/her own skype nick name please???

yours sincerely