C1.1A Class Google Site:
https://sites.google.com/eoipalma.com/c11a/home
C1.1B Class Google Site:
https://sites.google.com/eoipalma.com/c11b/home
Class Blog:
EF p 129. Health and Medicine. Speaking Mock Exam
TOPIC 4: HEALTH Preparation time: 5 minutes
PART 1. CONVERSATION
Talk to each other about some or all of the following. (8 minutes approx.)
What do you think about our health care system?
How can we help teens to develop healthy eating habits?
What are the negative effects of not living a healthy lifestyle?
Traditional versus alternative medicine. Which one do you prefer? Why?
PART 2. MONOLOGUE
Talk about at least two of the following ideas. (4 minutes approx.) The examiner may ask you further questions about the topic.
CANDIDATE A
Health benefits of regular physical activity.
Ways to cope with work stress and avoid burnout
What do you think about new diet trends? Are they all healthy?
CANDIDATE B
Health benefits of social interaction .
What advice do you hear about getting and staying healthy?
What do you think are the benefits or potential dangers of online medical advice? Would you consult a medical service on the Internet?
cswweMonologue. Sample Answer. Cloze
1. To what extent should alternative medicine be integrated into conventional healthcare systems? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of such integration?
2. Although mental health is just as important as physical health, it is often neglected. Why do you think this is the case, and what measures could be taken to address the imbalance?
3. With increasing access to online health information, many people are experiencing 'cyberchondria' — excessive health anxiety fuelled by internet searches. What are the causes and consequences of this trend, and how might it be managed?
Sample answer:
Health in the Modern World: A Holistic Approach
To begin (1)____________, health – in all its forms – is absolutely fundamental to our well-being, both as individuals and as a society. In today’s fast-paced and highly connected world, we’re no longer just focused on curing illness. We’re increasingly looking at how to integrate alternative therapies, prioritise mental health, and cope with the overwhelming (2)______________ of online health information. So today, I’d like to explore these three key aspects and how they interconnect.
1. Alternative Medicine: A Complementary Approach?
First and (3)________________, let’s take a look at the integration of alternative medicine into conventional healthcare systems. It is generally accepted that treatments (4)________________ acupuncture, herbal remedies, and chiropractic care have grown in popularity in recent years. From my (5)_____________ of view, there is value in incorporating some of these therapies – but only when they’re backed by scientific evidence and properly regulated.
For example, mindfulness programmes and acupuncture are now used alongside traditional treatments for stress and chronic pain – a sign that collaboration can work. However, there can be no (6)______________ that many alternative therapies still lack the rigorous testing that conventional medicine requires. What’s (7)_________________, inconsistent regulation could lead to confusion or even exploitation of patients.
(8)____________ short, I believe we need a balanced approach: openness to new ideas, but always grounded in solid, evidence-based research.
2. Mental Health: Ending the Stigma
(9)________________ examining that, let’s now (10)_______________ on to the topic of mental health – something which, as everyone (11)________________, is just as important as physical health, yet still often neglected.
Why is this the case? I strongly (12)______________ that the stigma surrounding mental illness plays a major (13)_____________. To my (14)______________, many people still feel embarrassed or even ashamed to seek help. On (15)_____________ of that, healthcare systems often prioritise physical conditions, leaving mental health services chronically underfunded.
So what can be (16)_______________? First of (17)______________, we must educate people from an early age – mental health should be (18)_______________ about as openly as physical health. Besides, governments need to invest more heavily in accessible support services. Let’s not forget workplaces either – they can play a crucial role in promoting well-being through supportive workplace practices and mental health days.
All things (19)___________________, a healthy society requires both body and mind to be equally (20)________________ for.
3. Cyberchondria: The Perils of Dr Google
This (21)________________ directly to my next point – cyberchondria, or the anxiety caused by compulsively searching for symptoms online. Have you ever (22)______________ why something so simple can cause so much distress?
It (23)_______________ to me that the combination of easy access to information and a lack of medical training creates the perfect (24)______________. People want answers quickly, and the internet often shows the most extreme possibilities first. As a (25)______________, a mild headache can suddenly seem life-threatening.
The consequences are serious – unnecessary panic, self-diagnosis, wasted resources, and sometimes even delaying proper medical treatment.
So how do we manage this? Firstly, public education is vital – people need to learn how to distinguish between reliable and (26)_______________ sources. In (27)________________, healthcare providers should offer vetted online tools to help guide patients. And finally, tech platforms must take more responsibility (28)________________ how they present health content.
Conclusion
All things (29)_______________, health today is about much more than medication or hospital visits. It’s about finding balance – between traditional and alternative approaches, between body and mind, and between knowledge and anxiety in the digital age.
As I (30)_____________ it, the future of health depends on three key principles: open-mindedness, critical thinking, and collaboration – between medical professionals, policymakers, and the public.
To put it simply: take care of your body, nurture your mental health, and use technology wisely – to empower us, not to overwhelm us.
To (31)_________________ up, health is no longer just a medical issue — it’s a human one.
Well, I truly appreciate you (32)______________ the time to listen, it’s been a pleasure sharing these thoughts with you.
KEY
1. with
2. amount
3. foremost
4. like
5. point
6. doubt
7. more
8. In
9. After
10. move
11. knows
12. believe
13. role
14. mind
15. top
16. done
17. all
18. talked
19. considered
20. cared
21. leads
22. wondered
23. seems
24. storm
25. result/ consequence
26. unreliable
27. addition
28. for
29. considered
30. see
31. sum
32. taking
EF C1.1 p 133. HOLIDAYS AND TRAVEL. Speaking Mock Exam
TOPIC 7: HOLIDAYS AND TRAVEL Preparation time: 5 minutes
PART 1. CONVERSATION
Talk to each other about some or all of the following. (8 minutes approx.)
How can travel broaden our mind?
‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ Discuss.
What impact does tourism have on an area?
The future of travel and tourism.
PART 2. MONOLOGUE
Talk about at least two of the following ideas. (4 minutes approx.) The examiner may ask you further questions about the topic.
CANDIDATE A
Advantages and disadvantages of travelling solo.
What is the best travel advice you have ever received?
What is the positive and negative impact of having free public transport?
CANDIDATE B
Advantages and disadvantages of travelling with a group.
Do you feel that your physical and psychological well-being improves when you go away on holiday? In what ways?
What is the best age to travel? Why?
EF p 117. Art and Entertainment. Monologue. Speaking Sample
.jpg)
Discuss these questions:
1. Films are a powerful form of artistic expression that can both inspire and educate. Discuss the impact of cinema on society, considering its influence on culture, values, and social change.
2. Is it fair to claim that some works of art hold greater cultural value than others, or should artistic value be determined by audience perception and appreciation? What truly gives art its value?
3. How does art make our lives better? Think about its role in our emotions, culture, and society. Does art help us express ourselves, learn new things, or see the world differently? Would life be fulfilling in the absence of art?
Sample answer:
The Role and Value of Art in Society
First of all, I’d like to point out that films are a powerful form of artistic expression that influence our society in profound ways. It is generally accepted that cinema has the ability to inspire, educate, and provoke thought. For example, films can (1)____________ awareness of social issues, as seen in documentaries that highlight climate change or human rights violations. Moreover, they shape cultural values and reflect societal norms. A case in (2)___________ is how films from different eras portray gender roles, influencing how we perceive relationships and identity.
This (3)_____________ directly to my next point: how we determine the value of art. There can be no (4)_____________ that some works of art are considered more culturally significant than others. However, should this judgement be based on historical prestige, expert opinion, or public appreciation? To my (5)____________, art derives its value from its impact—how it resonates (6)__________ people, challenges perspectives, and stands the test of (7)____________. Besides, what is considered ‘high art’ today may not have been appreciated in its own era. Take Van Gogh, for instance; his work was largely dismissed during his lifetime, yet today, it is regarded (8)____________ invaluable. This raises the question: does cultural elitism protect or limit artistic expression? In my opinion, while it can preserve heritage, it also risks alienating innovative and accessible forms of art.
Speaking (9)___________ accessibility, let’s now take a look at the broader impact of art on our lives. Nobody will (10)____________ that art enriches our daily existence, whether through music, literature, painting, (11)____________ cinema. It is a fact that art allows us to express emotions, understand different cultures, and escape from reality. Furthermore, it inspires creativity, helping individuals find meaning and identity. In (12)_____________ to that, art has therapeutic benefits, as seen in art therapy, which helps people cope (13)_____________ stress and trauma. Could we live happily without art? Frankly, I don’t think (14)_____________. Even in the most practical aspects of life, from architecture to fashion, artistic influence is everywhere.
Finally, and perhaps most (15)______________, art serves as a bridge between past, present, and future, preserving heritage (16)____________ also shaping new ideas. All in (17)______________, its significance cannot be overstated. (18)____________ conclusion, I would say that art, in all its forms, (19)_____________ an essential role in society, culture, and personal development. To cut a long story (20)_____________, art is not just a luxury—it is a necessity.
KEY
1. raise
2. point
3. leads
4. doubt
5. mind/ knowledge
6. with
7. time
8. as
9. of
10. deny
11. or
12. addition
13. with
14. so
15. importantly
16. while
17. all
18. In
19. plays
20. short
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)