✦ IELTS Topic: Weather – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Bitterly cold
   e.g., It was bitterly cold last night — well below freezing.

2. Scorching hot
   e.g., It gets scorching hot here in August — almost unbearable.

3. Mild and pleasant
   e.g., Spring is usually mild and pleasant in this part of the country.

4. Pouring with rain
   e.g., We couldn’t go outside because it was pouring with rain.

5. Overcast skies
   e.g., The whole day was gloomy with overcast skies.

6. A light breeze
   e.g., A light breeze made the walk more enjoyable despite the heat.

7. Thunderstorm rolling in
   e.g., We stayed indoors as a thunderstorm was rolling in.

8. Changeable weather
   e.g., The weather in the mountains is very changeable — sunny one minute, raining the next.

9. Freezing fog
   e.g., Driving was dangerous this morning because of freezing fog.

10. A spell of sunshine
    e.g., After days of rain, we finally had a spell of sunshine.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – Weather

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. What’s the weather like where you live?

2. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?

3. What do you usually do on rainy days?

4. How does weather affect your mood?

5. Have you ever experienced extreme weather?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a time when the weather affected your plans.
You should say:

• what the weather was like

• what your plans were

• what you did instead
  and explain how you felt about it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. It’s usually mild and pleasant, though we do get some overcast skies in winter.
2. I prefer warm weather, but not when it’s scorching hot.
3. On rainy days — especially when it’s pouring with rain — I like to stay indoors and read.
4. Weather definitely affects my mood. A spell of sunshine lifts my spirits.
5. Yes, once I got stuck in a thunderstorm while hiking. It was scary!

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Part 2 Sample Answer

Last autumn, my friends and I planned to have a picnic in the park. The forecast said it would be mild and pleasant, but just as we arrived, it started pouring with rain.

Within minutes, the sky turned dark and overcast, and we could see a thunderstorm rolling in from the west. It wasn’t safe to stay outside, so we packed up and went to a café instead.

Although we were disappointed, we made the best of it. I remember saying how changeable the weather can be in our city — you never know what to expect.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Weather Vocabulary

1. "It was bitterly cold last night — well below freezing."
Q: How cold was it?

2. "It gets scorching hot here in August — almost unbearable."
Q: What is the summer like?

3. "Spring is usually mild and pleasant in this part of the country."
Q: How is spring described?

4. "We couldn’t go outside because it was pouring with rain."
Q: Why did they stay indoors?

5. "The whole day was gloomy with overcast skies."
Q: What was the sky like?

6. "A light breeze made the walk more enjoyable despite the heat."
Q: What helped make the walk better?

7. "We stayed indoors as a thunderstorm was rolling in."
Q: Why did they avoid going out?

8. "The weather in the mountains is very changeable — sunny one minute, raining the next."
Q: What’s the weather like in the mountains?

9. "Driving was dangerous this morning because of freezing fog."
Q: What made driving dangerous?

10. "After days of rain, we finally had a spell of sunshine."
Q: What happened after several rainy days?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Extremely cold, below zero.

2. Very hot and uncomfortable.

3. Nice and comfortable.

4. Because of heavy rain.

5. Cloudy and grey.

6. A soft wind cooled things down.

7. Because of the approaching storm.

8. It changes quickly and unexpectedly.

9. The fog was icy and thick.

10. The sun came out for a while.

 

🧛 Dracula – Chapter 2: Strange Days in the Castle

Jonathan Harker’s Journal – May 5th
I spent my first full day in Castle Dracula, and already I feel like a prisoner.

The Count is kind and well-mannered. He speaks perfect English, though with a strange accent. We talk about business—he wants to buy a house in London—but something about him makes me nervous.

He never eats with me. In fact, I never see him eat or drink anything.

He only appears at night, never in the daylight.

Today, I woke early and explored the castle. The doors are locked. Every exit is barred. I can walk the halls and rooms—but I cannot leave.

The Count warned me, “Don’t sleep in any room except your own.”
Why would he say that?

May 7th
I noticed something odd. There are no mirrors in the castle.

I used a small mirror from my shaving kit. As I leaned over the sink, I saw my face—but not the Count’s. He stood directly behind me, but he had no reflection.

Startled, I turned around. He reached out and grabbed the mirror, throwing it to the ground.

“A broken mirror is bad luck,” he said calmly. But I saw anger in his eyes.

What kind of man casts no reflection?

Later, I noticed that his hands are covered in hair, and his nails are sharp—more like claws than fingers.

I’m beginning to fear him.

May 10th
Today, I looked out the window and saw something terrible. The Count was crawling down the wall of the castle, headfirst, like a spider.

No human could move like that.

I tried the doors again. Still locked. Still no way out.

I am trapped.

May 12th
At night, I hear strange noises. Whispers. Scratching sounds in the walls.

One night, I couldn’t sleep and wandered into another room—disobeying the Count’s warning.

I found a beautiful, empty bedroom. I lay on the bed and closed my eyes.

Then I heard a soft laugh.

Three women were standing at the end of the bed—pale, with red lips and glowing eyes.

One whispered, “He’s young and warm. Shall we kiss him?”

I couldn’t move. My body was frozen with fear.

As they leaned closer, I felt their cold breath on my neck.

Suddenly, the Count appeared. He was furious. “He belongs to me!” he shouted.

The women hissed and disappeared into the darkness.

The Count looked down at me. “You should not have left your room,” he said.

I’m certain now—he is not human.

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📖 Glossary

Word / Phrase	Meaning
Prisoner	Someone who cannot leave a place
Barred	Locked with metal bars
Reflection	The image seen in a mirror
Shaving kit	Small set of tools used for shaving
Claws	Sharp nails, like those of an animal
Hissed	Made a sharp "sss" sound, like a snake

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What makes Jonathan feel like a prisoner?

2. What strange things does he notice about the Count?

3. What happens with the mirror?

4. How does the Count move down the castle wall?

5. Who are the three women Jonathan sees?

6. How does the Count react when he finds them with Jonathan?

7. What is Jonathan now sure about?

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✅ Answers

1. All the doors are locked, and he cannot leave the castle.

2. The Count has no reflection, doesn’t eat, only appears at night, and crawls like a spider.

3. Jonathan sees no reflection of the Count; the Count becomes angry and breaks the mirror.

4. He crawls headfirst like a spider.

5. Three strange, vampire-like women.

6. He becomes angry and says Jonathan “belongs to him.”

7. That Count Dracula is not human

 

✦ IELTS Topic: The Coast – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Sandy shoreline
   e.g., We spent the afternoon walking along the sandy shoreline.

2. Rocky cliffs
   e.g., The rocky cliffs offered spectacular views of the ocean.

3. Coastal town
   e.g., She grew up in a small coastal town known for fishing.

4. Waves crashing against the shore
   e.g., I love falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

5. Seaside resort
   e.g., They booked a week at a luxury seaside resort.

6. Seagulls calling overhead
   e.g., You could hear the seagulls calling overhead as we ate by the harbour.

7. Stretch of coastline
   e.g., This stretch of coastline is protected as a nature reserve.

8. Tide coming in
   e.g., We had to move our things because the tide was coming in quickly.

9. Fishing village
   e.g., The fishing village still maintains its traditional way of life.

10. Harbour full of boats
    e.g., The harbour was full of boats swaying gently in the water.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – The Coast

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you like visiting the coast?

2. What activities do people enjoy at the beach?

3. Is there a popular coastal area in your country?

4. Would you prefer to live near the sea or inland?

5. Have you ever stayed in a seaside resort?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a coastal place you’ve visited.
You should say:

• where it is

• what it looks like

• what you did there
  and explain why you enjoyed it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I find the coast very relaxing, especially when I can walk along a sandy shoreline.
2. People love swimming, sunbathing, and listening to the waves crashing against the shore.
3. We have a famous coastal town that’s popular in summer.
4. I’d prefer to live by the sea—it’s peaceful, and I love the sound of seagulls calling overhead.
5. Yes, once I stayed in a beautiful seaside resort with ocean views.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

One coastal place I’ll never forget is a small fishing village I visited in southern Italy. It had narrow streets, colourful houses, and a harbour full of boats.

We arrived just as the tide was coming in, and the sun was setting. You could hear seagulls calling overhead, and the smell of the sea was everywhere.

I walked along the rocky cliffs for a bit, then relaxed on the sandy shoreline. The whole stretch of coastline felt quiet and untouched.

I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, the fresh seafood, and the simplicity of life by the sea.

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✦ Comprehension Test: The Coast

1. "We spent the afternoon walking along the sandy shoreline."
Q: What kind of surface did they walk on?

2. "The rocky cliffs offered spectacular views of the ocean."
Q: What did the cliffs provide?

3. "She grew up in a small coastal town known for fishing."
Q: What kind of town did she grow up in?

4. "I love falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the shore."
Q: What sound helps the speaker relax?

5. "They booked a week at a luxury seaside resort."
Q: Where did they stay?

6. "You could hear the seagulls calling overhead as we ate by the harbour."
Q: What birds were mentioned?

7. "This stretch of coastline is protected as a nature reserve."
Q: What is special about this coastline?

8. "We had to move our things because the tide was coming in quickly."
Q: Why did they move?

9. "The fishing village still maintains its traditional way of life."
Q: What is unique about the village?

10. "The harbour was full of boats swaying gently in the water."
Q: What was the harbour like?

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✦ Answer Key

1. A sandy beach or coastal path.

2. Amazing ocean views.

3. A town by the sea.

4. The sound of ocean waves.

5. A luxury hotel by the sea.

6. Seagulls.

7. It’s protected for nature.

8. The sea level was rising.

9. It keeps old traditions.

10. Full of boats and calm water.