✦ IELTS Topic: Art – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Work of art
   e.g., That sculpture is a real work of art — so detailed and expressive.

2. Art gallery
   e.g., I visited an art gallery last weekend and saw an exhibition of local artists.

3. Portrait painting
   e.g., She commissioned a portrait painting for her parents’ anniversary.

4. Modern art
   e.g., Some people find modern art confusing, but I think it’s creative.

5. Artistic expression
   e.g., Graffiti can be a form of artistic expression when done well.

6. Famous masterpiece
   e.g., The Mona Lisa is probably the most famous masterpiece in the world.

7. Sculpture exhibit
   e.g., The museum is holding a sculpture exhibit next month.

8. Creative process
   e.g., I’m interested in learning about the artist’s creative process.

9. Abstract style
   e.g., Her paintings use an abstract style with bright, bold colours.

10. Cultural value
    e.g., Art has great cultural value and reflects the society it comes from.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Art

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you like art?

2. Have you ever visited an art gallery?

3. What type of art do you enjoy?

4. Did you learn about art at school?

5. Would you like to learn to paint or draw?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a piece of art you like.
You should say:

• what it is

• where you saw it

• what it looks like
  and explain why you like it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I enjoy looking at different works of art, especially paintings.
2. I went to an art gallery last month — they had a brilliant sculpture exhibit.
3. I really enjoy modern art and paintings with an abstract style.
4. Yes, we studied famous masterpieces in school.
5. I would love to take a class to explore my own artistic expression.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

One of my favourite pieces of art is a portrait painting I saw in a small gallery in Italy. It was painted in an abstract style, but you could still recognise the emotion in the face.

I learned more about the artist’s creative process from a guide at the art gallery. It made me realise how much thought goes into every brushstroke.

The painting had both emotional impact and cultural value, and it’s a work of art I’ll never forget.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Art Vocabulary

1. "That sculpture is a real work of art — so detailed and expressive."
Q: What does the speaker think about the sculpture?

2. "I visited an art gallery last weekend and saw an exhibition of local artists."
Q: Where did the speaker go?

3. "She commissioned a portrait painting for her parents’ anniversary."
Q: What kind of artwork did she request?

4. "Some people find modern art confusing, but I think it’s creative."
Q: What is the speaker's opinion of modern art?

5. "Graffiti can be a form of artistic expression when done well."
Q: What can graffiti be considered?

6. "The Mona Lisa is probably the most famous masterpiece in the world."
Q: What does the speaker say about the Mona Lisa?

7. "The museum is holding a sculpture exhibit next month."
Q: What event is happening?

8. "I’m interested in learning about the artist’s creative process."
Q: What aspect of the artist’s work interests the speaker?

9. "Her paintings use an abstract style with bright, bold colours."
Q: How are her paintings described?

10. "Art has great cultural value and reflects the society it comes from."
Q: What role does art play in culture?

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✦ Answer Key

1. It’s impressive and well-made.

2. An art gallery.

3. A personalised painting of someone.

4. It’s creative, even if confusing.

5. A way to express creativity.

6. It’s extremely well-known.

7. A sculpture exhibit is planned.

8. How they come up with and make their work.

9. They’re abstract and colourful.

10. It shows what a society values or feels.

 

🧛‍♂️ Dracula – Chapter 9 (Adapted)

Title: Lucy’s Burial

After Lucy’s strange and sudden death, everyone was in shock. Arthur, heartbroken, arranged the funeral. Mina returned to help support him and Lucy’s family. Van Helsing, though quiet, remained deeply concerned.

“She is gone,” said Arthur sadly.
“No,” Van Helsing whispered to himself. “Not yet.”

Van Helsing insisted that Lucy be buried with garlic and a crucifix, but during the funeral, these were removed without his knowledge. He was furious, but said nothing—only that he would visit her grave later.

That night, children began disappearing from their homes near the cemetery. Some returned, frightened and confused, with small wounds on their necks. Locals called it “The Bloofer Lady” who walked at night.

Van Helsing immediately connected this with Lucy.

He went to Dr. Seward and said:

“We must go to Lucy’s tomb and see if she is truly dead.”

Dr. Seward was shocked, but agreed. That night, they went together to the cemetery. They found Lucy’s tomb open—and her coffin empty.

“Do you understand now?” Van Helsing said. “Lucy is undead.”

Dr. Seward was horrified.

“But how can this be?”

“She is now a vampire,” Van Helsing said. “And she feeds on children.”

They waited outside the tomb. Near midnight, a white figure appeared—Lucy, beautiful and pale, with sharp teeth. In her arms, she held a child.

Dr. Seward gasped.

“It’s true…”

Lucy saw them and hissed. Van Helsing held out a crucifix. She dropped the child and ran into the darkness.

They brought the child to safety, then went back to the tomb. Van Helsing said they must end Lucy’s suffering.

“It is the only way to free her soul,” he said.

The next night, Arthur joined them. When Van Helsing explained the truth, Arthur was filled with sorrow—but also courage.

He agreed to help.

Van Helsing opened the coffin, revealing Lucy sleeping inside, her face strangely peaceful. Arthur drove a wooden stake through her heart while Van Helsing prayed.

Lucy’s body changed. Her face looked calm and pure again—just like before.

“Now she is at peace,” said Van Helsing.

But the work was not over.

“The vampire who turned Lucy still lives,” Van Helsing said. “We must find and destroy him.”

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Funeral	A ceremony after someone dies
Burial	Placing a body in the ground or tomb
Tomb	A stone place where the dead are buried
Undead	Neither fully alive nor dead; often used for vampires
Horrified	Extremely shocked or scared
Stake	A sharp wooden stick used to kill vampires
Sorrow	Deep sadness
Crucifix	A Christian cross with Jesus on it

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Van Helsing want to put garlic and a crucifix in Lucy’s tomb?

2. What strange things began happening near the cemetery?

3. What did Van Helsing and Dr. Seward discover when they visited Lucy’s tomb?

4. What did Lucy look like when she appeared at night?

5. What did Arthur do to help Lucy’s soul rest?

6. What was Van Helsing’s next goal?

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✅ Answers

1. To protect Lucy’s body from becoming a vampire.

2. Children went missing and returned with strange neck wounds.

3. Lucy’s coffin was empty—she was no longer dead.

4. She looked beautiful but pale, with sharp teeth and glowing eyes.

5. He drove a wooden stake through her heart.

6. To find and destroy the vampire who turned Lucy.

 

✦ IELTS Topic: Books & Literature – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Page-turner
   e.g., That mystery novel was a real page-turner — I couldn’t put it down.

2. Hard to follow
   e.g., The plot was a bit hard to follow with so many characters.

3. Well-developed characters
   e.g., I enjoy stories with well-developed characters that feel realistic.

4. A gripping story
   e.g., It was such a gripping story, full of suspense and emotion.

5. Classical literature
   e.g., I studied classical literature like Shakespeare and Homer in school.

6. Light reading
   e.g., On holiday, I prefer light reading like romance or travel books.

7. Non-fiction book
   e.g., I just finished a non-fiction book about climate change.

8. Borrow a book from the library
   e.g., I usually borrow books from the library instead of buying them.

9. Fictional world
   e.g., Fantasy novels let readers escape into a fictional world.

10. Literary prize
    e.g., That novel won a major literary prize last year.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Books & Literature

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you enjoy reading?

2. What kind of books do you like?

3. How often do you read?

4. Do you prefer paper books or e-books?

5. Have you ever read a book more than once?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a book you have read recently.
You should say:

• what the book is

• what it is about

• when you read it
  and explain why you liked or disliked it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I read almost every day — mostly fiction.
2. I love novels with well-developed characters and a gripping story.
3. I try to read for at least 30 minutes a day.
4. I prefer real books, but e-books are great for light reading while travelling.
5. Yes, I’ve read a few page-turners multiple times.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

A few weeks ago, I read Educated by Tara Westover, which is a non-fiction book about her life growing up without formal education.

I borrowed it from the library and finished it in just a few days. It was a real page-turner — very emotional and powerful.

What made it interesting was how honest and personal it was. Although it wasn’t a fictional world, the story felt just as dramatic.

It even won a literary prize, which I think it truly deserved. I’d definitely recommend it.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Books & Literature

1. "That mystery novel was a real page-turner — I couldn’t put it down."
Q: What kind of book was it?

2. "The plot was a bit hard to follow with so many characters."
Q: What was difficult about the story?

3. "I enjoy stories with well-developed characters that feel realistic."
Q: What does the speaker value in a story?

4. "It was such a gripping story, full of suspense and emotion."
Q: How did the speaker feel about the story?

5. "I studied classical literature like Shakespeare and Homer in school."
Q: What type of books did they study?

6. "On holiday, I prefer light reading like romance or travel books."
Q: What kind of books does the speaker read on holiday?

7. "I just finished a non-fiction book about climate change."
Q: What kind of book was it?

8. "I usually borrow books from the library instead of buying them."
Q: Where does the speaker get books?

9. "Fantasy novels let readers escape into a fictional world."
Q: What do fantasy novels offer?

10. "That novel won a major literary prize last year."
Q: What recognition did the book receive?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Exciting and hard to stop reading.

2. It was confusing due to many characters.

3. Believable and strong characters.

4. It was very exciting and emotional.

5. Classic or historical literature.

6. Easy, enjoyable books.

7. A factual, real-life topic.

8. From the library.

9. An imaginary setting or escape.

10. A writing award.