✦ IELTS Topic: Cars, Traffic & Driving – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Heavy traffic
   e.g., We were stuck in heavy traffic for over an hour.

2. Rush hour
   e.g., I try to avoid driving during rush hour whenever possible.

3. Traffic congestion
   e.g., Traffic congestion is a major problem in the city centre.

4. Pedestrian crossing
   e.g., Drivers must stop at the pedestrian crossing for people to cross safely.

5. Speeding fine
   e.g., He got a speeding fine for going 20 km/h over the limit.

6. Driver’s licence
   e.g., You can’t rent a car unless you have a valid driver’s licence.

7. Public transport alternatives
   e.g., More people would leave their cars at home if there were better public transport alternatives.

8. Road rage
   e.g., Road rage incidents have increased due to poor driving habits.

9. Fuel-efficient vehicle
   e.g., Many people are choosing fuel-efficient vehicles to save money and protect the environment.

10. Parking space shortage
    e.g., Finding parking in the city is difficult due to a shortage of spaces.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – Cars & Traffic

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you drive often?

2. Is traffic a problem in your city?

3. How do you usually get around?

4. What rules should drivers always follow?

5. Have you ever taken a driving test?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a journey you took by car.
You should say:

• where you went

• who you were with

• what happened during the journey
  and explain how you felt about it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I drive to work most days, although I try to avoid rush hour.
2. Definitely. We deal with heavy traffic and parking space shortages all the time.
3. I use a fuel-efficient vehicle, but sometimes I take the train — it's one of the few public transport alternatives available.
4. Drivers should always stop at pedestrian crossings and avoid speeding.
5. Yes, I passed my driving test a few years ago after lots of practice.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

Last summer, I went on a road trip with my family to the countryside. We set off early to avoid rush hour, but we still hit some traffic congestion near the city.

Luckily, we were in my dad’s fuel-efficient vehicle, so we didn’t waste much petrol even though we were moving slowly.

Along the way, we passed lots of signs reminding drivers to stop at pedestrian crossings, and we even saw a bit of road rage when two drivers argued near a roundabout.

Despite that, it was a great trip. I enjoyed the scenery, and having a reliable car made the whole journey smooth and relaxing.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Cars, Traffic & Driving

1. "We were stuck in heavy traffic for over an hour."
Q: What was the problem?

2. "I try to avoid driving during rush hour whenever possible."
Q: Why does the speaker avoid certain times?

3. "Traffic congestion is a major problem in the city centre."
Q: What happens in the city centre?

4. "Drivers must stop at the pedestrian crossing for people to cross safely."
Q: What rule should drivers follow?

5. "He got a speeding fine for going 20 km/h over the limit."
Q: What was the penalty?

6. "You can’t rent a car unless you have a valid driver’s licence."
Q: What is required to rent a car?

7. "More people would leave their cars at home if there were better public transport alternatives."
Q: What would help reduce car use?

8. "Road rage incidents have increased due to poor driving habits."
Q: What has caused road rage?

9. "Many people are choosing fuel-efficient vehicles to save money and protect the environment."
Q: Why do people choose certain cars?

10. "Finding parking in the city is difficult due to a shortage of spaces."
Q: What problem do drivers face?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Traffic was slow or stopped.

2. Because roads are busiest at that time.

3. Too many vehicles causing delays.

4. Stop to let people cross.

5. A fine for driving too fast.

6. A legal driving document.

7. Better buses or trains.

8. Bad driving and stress.

9. To use less fuel and pollute less.

10. Not enough places to park.

 

🧛 Dracula – Chapter 3: Jonathan’s Secret Plan

Jonathan Harker’s Journal – May 15th

Each day in Castle Dracula feels longer and colder. The Count speaks politely but keeps me locked inside. I try to stay calm, but I know—I am a prisoner.

The Count asks me to write letters to my fiancée Mina and my employer in England. But he gives me the words to write.

He watches while I write.

The letters say I will leave the castle soon. But it’s not true.

I feel like I’m in a trap.

May 16th

I’ve begun to explore every corner of the castle. I search for ways to escape.

This morning, I found a small window in an unused room. I climbed up and looked out. Below me is a steep cliff. If I jump, I’ll die. If I stay, I’ll die slowly.

I must find another way.

May 18th

Today I discovered the Count’s bedroom. It was hidden behind a heavy door.

Inside was a large coffin. It was filled with earth—and in it lay the Count, asleep.

He was not breathing.

He looked dead.

But I knew better.

I picked up a shovel, ready to attack… but I couldn’t do it. I was frozen with fear.

I ran back to my room.

May 20th

I’ve decided. I must try to escape, even if it means climbing down the castle wall.

I’ve made a rope from torn sheets. Tomorrow, I’ll try to use it.

If I don’t write again, it means I have failed.

Please, God—let me survive.

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📖 Glossary

Word / Phrase	Meaning
Fiancée	The woman someone is engaged to marry
Employer	A person or company you work for
Trap	A dangerous situation that is hard to escape
Coffin	A box in which a dead person is placed
Frozen with fear	Too scared to move or act

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What does Count Dracula make Jonathan do with the letters?

2. Why are the letters dishonest?

3. What dangerous place does Jonathan find?

4. What does he discover in the hidden room?

5. What is inside the coffin?

6. Why doesn’t Jonathan attack Dracula?

7. What escape plan does Jonathan prepare?

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✅ Answers

1. He makes him write them while watching and gives him the words to use.

2. They say Jonathan will leave soon, which is not true.

3. A window overlooking a steep cliff.

4. Dracula’s secret bedroom.

5. Dracula lies inside, sleeping in a coffin filled with earth.

6. He is frozen with fear.

7. To climb down the wall using a rope made from sheets.

 

✦ 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.