Describe a person you know who has chosen a career in the medical field (e.g. a doctor, a nurse).| SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2024 NEW CUE CARDS SAMPLE ANSWER | NEW CUE CARDS 2024 | Makkar IELTS September To December 2024 Speaking Pdf final version | New Cue Cards Sep To Dec 2024 | makkar ielts | ielts one stop

 

1. Describe a person you know who has chosen a career in the medical field (e.g. a doctor, a nurse) 

   - Who he/she is 

   - What he/she does 

   - Why he/she chose this career 

   - How you feel about him/her 

 

Vocabulary and idioms

 

 Vocabulary:

1. Neurologist – A doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the brain and nervous system.

2. Challenging field – A difficult or demanding area of work or study.

3. Hardworking – Putting a lot of effort and diligence into tasks.

4. Dedicated – Committed to a task or purpose.

5. Job security – Assurance that one’s job is stable and unlikely to be lost.

6. In demand – A field or profession that has high job availability and is needed by society.

7. Healthcare – The organized provision of medical care to individuals or a community.

8. Fascinated by – Extremely interested in something.

9. Make a difference – To have a positive impact or effect on something or someone.

10. Admire – To regard someone with respect or warm approval.

11. Fulfilled – Satisfied or happy because of fully developing one’s abilities or character.

12. Noble profession – A job that is highly respected, often because it involves helping others.

13. Influenced – To have an effect on someone’s choices or behavior.

14. Practical reasons – Logical or sensible motivations based on real-world concerns.

 

 Idioms:

1. None other than – Used to emphasize the identity of a particular person.

   - Meaning: The person I’m talking about is someone you already know or would recognize.

 

2. Runs in his blood – Refers to something that is a natural part of someone due to their family background.

   - Meaning: A trait or profession that has been passed down through the family.

 

3. Takes it in stride – To deal with something difficult or challenging in a calm and accepting way.

   - Meaning: To handle something with composure and without letting it become overwhelming.

 

4. Goes the extra mile – To make an extra effort to achieve something beyond what is expected.

   - Meaning: To do more than what is required or expected to achieve success.

 

 

 

Sample answer

The person I’d like to talk about today is none other than my best friend, Rahul, who has chosen a career in the medical field. Rahul is currently working as a neurologist, which means he specializes in treating disorders related to the brain and nervous system. It's a challenging field, but Rahul has always been a hardworking and dedicated individual, so it suits him perfectly.

 

As for why he chose this career, I believe there are a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the medical field is always in demand, and doctors are highly respected members of society. There’s a real sense of job security in this profession, and Rahul is the type of person who values stability. But another important factor is that he comes from a family of doctors. Both his parents are in the medical profession, and I think growing up in that environment really sparked his interest in healthcare from a young age. You could say it runs in his blood! Ever since we were kids, Rahul was always fascinated by science, and he used to tell me stories about how he wanted to help people and make a difference in their lives. So, in a way, he was destined to become a doctor.

 

One thing I really admire about Rahul is his passion and dedication to his job. Not everyone has the patience and determination to study medicine for so many years, but Rahul took it in stride. He’s the kind of person who always goes the extra mile, whether it’s studying late into the night during his medical school days or now, spending long hours in the hospital to make sure his patients receive the best care possible.

 

Personally, I couldn’t be prouder of him. I think being a doctor is one of the noblest professions out there, and I always feel a sense of happiness when I see how fulfilled he is in his career. It’s not just about earning a good living for him—he genuinely wants to make a difference in people’s lives. And that’s something I really look up to.

 

All in all, Rahul’s decision to pursue a career in the medical field was not only influenced by practical reasons, like job demand, but also by his family background and personal passion. He’s truly an inspiration to me, and I feel lucky to have him as a friend.

The Lost City |ielts reading passage | 28 September ielts exam | 28 September ielts reading passage | 28 September ielts exam prediction | 28 September ielts reading prediction

The Lost City

Thanks to modern remote-sensing techniques, a ruined city in Turkey is slowly revealing itself as one of the greatest and most mysterious cities of the ancient world. Sally Palmer uncovers more.

A

The low granite mountain, known as Kerkenes Dag, juts from the northern edge of the Cappadocian plain in Turkey. Sprawled over the mountainside are the ruins of an enormous city, contained by crumbling defensive walls seven kilometers long. Many respected archaeologists believe these are the remains of the fabled city of Pteria, the sixth-century BC stronghold of the Medes that the Greek historian Herodotus described in his famous work The Histories. The short-lived city came under Median control and only fifty years later was sacked, burned and its strong stone walls destroyed.

B

British archeologist Dr Geoffrey Summers has spent ten years studying the site. Excavating the ruins is a challenge because of the vast area they cover. The 7 km perimeter walls run around a site covering 271 hectares. Dr Summers quickly realised it would take far too long to excavate the site using traditional techniques alone. So he decided to use modern technology as well to map the entire site, both above and beneath the surface, to locate the most interesting areas and priorities to start digging.

C

In 1993, Dr Summers hired a special hand-held balloon with a remote-controlled camera attached. He walked over the entire site holding the balloon and taking photos. The one afternoon, he rented a hot-air balloon and floated over the site, taking yet more pictures. By the end of the 1994 season, Dr Summers and his team had a jigsaw of aerial photographs of the whole site. The next stage was to use remote sensing, which would let them work out what lay below the intriguing outlines and ruined walls. “Archaeology is a discipline that lends itself very well to remote sensing because it revolves around space,” says Scott Branting, an associated director of the project. He started working with Dr Summers in 1995.

D

The project used two main remote-sensing techniques. The first is magnetometry, which works on the principle that magnetic fields at the surface of the Earth are influenced by what is buried beneath. It measures localised variations in the direction and intensity of this magnetic field. “The Earth’s magnetic field can vary from place to place, depending on what happened there in the past,” says Branting. “if something containing iron oxide was heavily burnt, by natural or human actions, the iron particles in it can be permanently reoriented, like a compass needle, to align with the Earth’s magnetic field present at that point in time and space.’ The magnetometer detects differences in the orientations and intensities of these iron particles from the present-day magnetic field and uses them to produce an image of what lies below ground.

E

Kerkenes Dag lends itself particularly well to magnetometry because it was all burnt at once in a savage fire. In places the heat was sufficient to turn sandstone to glass and to melt granite. The fire was so hot that there were strong magnetic signatures set to the Earth’s magnetic field from the time – around 547 BC – resulting in extremely clear pictures. Furthermore, the city was never rebuilt. “if you have multiple layers confusing picture, because you have different walls from different periods giving signatures that all go in different directions,” says Branting. “We only have one going down about 1.5 meters, so we can get a good picture of this fairly short-lived city.”

F

The other main sub-surface mapping technique, which is still being used at the site, is resistivity. This technique measures the way electrical pulses are conducted through sub-surface oil. It’s done by shooting pulses into the ground through a thin metal probe. Different materials have different electrical conductivity. For example, stone and mudbrick are poor conductors, but looser, damp soil conducts very well. By walking around the site and taking about four readings per metre, it is possible to get a detailed idea of what is where beneath the surface. The teams then build up pictures of walls, hearths and other remains. “It helps a lot if it has rained, because the electrical pulse can get through more easily,” says Branting. “Then if something is more resistant, it really shows up.” This is one of the reasons that the project has a spring season, when most of the resistivity work is done. Unfortunately, testing resistivity is a lot slower than magnetometry. “If we did resistivity over the whole site it would take about 100 years,” says Branting. Consequently, the team is concentrating on areas where they want to clarify pictures from the magnetometry.

G

Remote sensing does not reveal everything about Kerkenes Dag, but it shows the most interesting sub-surface areas of the site. The archaeologists can then excavate these using traditional techniques. One surprise came when they dug out one of the fates in the defensive walls. “Our observations in early seasons led us to assume that wall, such as would be found at most other cities in the Ancient Near East,” says Dr Summers. “When we started to excavate we were staggered to discover that the walls were made entirely from stone and that the gate would have stood at least ten metres high. After ten years of study, Pteria is gradually giving up its secrets.”

Questions 14-17

The Reading Passage has seven paragraphs A-G

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter A-G, in boxes 14-17 on your answer sheet.

14 The reason why various investigative methods are introduced.

15 An example of an unexpected discovery.

16 The methods to surveyed the surface of the site from above.

17 The reason why experts want to study the site.

Questions 18-25

Complete the following summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage

Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the Reading Passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 18-25 on your answer sheet.

Exploring the Ancient City of Pteria

The relevant work was done ten years ago. To begin with, experts took photos of the site from the ground and then from a distance in a 18…………………………… To find out what lay below the surface, they used two leading techniques. One was magnetometer, which identifies changes in the magnetic field. These changes occur when the 19…………………………… in buried structures have changed direction as a result of great heat. They match with the magnetic field, which is similar to a 20…………………………. The other one was resistivity, which uses a 21…………………………….. to fire electrical pulses into the earth. The principle is that building materials like 22………………………… and stone do not conduct electricity well, while 23……………………………. does this much better. Archaeologists preferred to use this technique during the 24……………………………………, when conditions are more favourable. Resistivity is mainly being used to 25……………………………….. some images generated by the magnetometer.

Question 26

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in box 26 on your answer sheet.

How do modern remote-sensing techniques help at the site?

A They avoid the need for experts to dig any part of the site.

B They bring parts of the site into light so that key areas can be researched further.

C They show minute buried objects for the archaeologists to dig up.

D They make the investigation more flexible as they can be used at any time of year.

ANSWER

14. B

15. G

16. C

17. A

18. hot-air balloon

19. iron particles

20. compass/compass needle

21. thin metal probe

22. mudbrick

23. looser damp soil

24. spring season

25. clarify

26. B

Describe a person who has strong opinions | SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2024 NEW CUE CARDS SAMPLE ANSWER | NEW CUE CARDS 2024 | Makkar IELTS September To December 2024 Speaking Pdf final version | New Cue Cards Sep To Dec 2024 | makkar ielts | ielts one stop

 

Describe a person who has strong opinions 

   - Who this person is 

   - What opinions he/she has 

   - How you feel about his/her opinions 

   - Why he/she has strong opinions 

 

Vocabulary

1. Speak his mind – To express one’s opinions openly and honestly.

2. Firm in his beliefs – Strongly convinced about certain ideas or principles.

3. Steadfast – Firm and unwavering in attitude or belief.

4. Advocate – A person who publicly supports a particular cause or idea.

5. Non-negotiable – Something that cannot be changed or compromised.

6. Continuous learning – The ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge.

7. Fast-changing world – A dynamic and rapidly evolving environment.

8. Balanced diet – A diet that includes a variety of different types of food in the right proportions.

9. Overwhelming – Something that is very intense or overpowering.

10. Motivates – Provides someone with the reason to do something.

11. Resilient – Able to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks.

12. First hand – Direct experience or knowledge gained by actually doing or seeing something.

13. Turn his life around – Make significant positive changes in one’s life.

14. Resolute – Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

15. Solid experiences – Genuine and meaningful life experiences.

16. Right on the money – Exactly correct or accurate.

 

Sample Answer

 

One person who comes to mind when I think of someone with strong opinions is my older brother. He’s someone who doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind, no matter what the situation is. From a very young age, he’s always been firm in his beliefs, especially when it comes to education, fitness, and lifestyle choices.

 

One of his most steadfast opinions is that education is the key to success. He often says that without proper education, it’s like trying to climb a mountain without the right gear—impossible. He believes that continuous learning is essential in this fast-changing world, and he’s always encouraging everyone in the family to pursue higher education. Moreover, he’s a huge advocate for a healthy lifestyle. He’s convinced that regular exercise and a balanced diet are non-negotiable if one wants to live a long, happy life.

 

Personally, I admire his strong opinions, even though, at times, they can be a bit overwhelming. While I don’t always agree with everything he says, I can’t deny that his opinions often make a lot of sense. His belief in education, for instance, has pushed me to focus more on my studies, and I can see the benefits now. His passion for health also motivates me to stay active and eat healthy, even when I feel lazy.

 

I think the reason my brother holds such strong opinions is because he’s seen firsthand how these things can impact someone’s life. He struggled a lot with his health a few years ago, and after turning his life around with fitness and education, he became determined to stick to these principles. His life experience has made him quite resolute, and he’s always willing to share his perspective, whether you ask for it or not.

 

In a nutshell, while my brother’s opinions may be strong, they are certainly based on solid experiences, and most of the time, he’s right on the money.

BRAND LOYALTY RUNS DEEP | ielts reading passage | 28 September ielts exam | 28 September ielts reading passage | 28 September ielts exam prediction | 28 September ielts reading prediction

 BRAND LOYALTY RUNS DEEP

At almost any supermarket in Sydney, Australia, food from all over the world fills the shelves. Perhaps you fancy some Tick Tock Rooibos tea made in South Africa, or some Maharaja’s Choice Rogan Josh sauce from India. Alongside local Foster’s beer, Chinese Tsingtao and Indonesian Bintang are both to be found. For homesick Britons, the confectionary aisle is stocked with Mars Bars and Bountys, while for pining Poles sweets manufactured by firms like Wawel or Solidarposc are available. Restaurants in Sydney range from Afghan to Zambian, catering for different ethnic groups as well as the rest of the curious general public.

All of this variety is a result of population movement and changes in global trade, and, to a lesser extent, reduced production and transportation costs. While Australia can claim around 40% of its population as the first generation, other countries, like Switzerland, may have fewer international migrants, but still, have people who move from city to city in search of work. Even since the 1990s, taxes or tariffs on imported goods have decreased dramatically. The World Trade Organisation, for example, has promulgated the idea of zero tariffs, which has been adopted into legislation by many member states. It is estimated that within a century, agriculture worldwide has increased its efficiency five-fold. Faster and better-integrated road and rail services, containerisation, and the ubiquitous aeroplane have sped up transport immeasurably.

Even with this rise in the availability of non-local products, recent studies suggest that supermarkets should do more to increase their number to match more closely the proportion of shoppers from those countries or regions. Thus, if 10% of a supermarket’s customers originate in Vietnam, there ought to be 10% Vietnamese products in store. If Americans from southern states dominate in one northern neighbourhood, southern brands should also be conspicuous. Admittedly, there are already specialist shops that cater to minority groups, but minorities do frequent supermarkets.

Two separate studies by Americans Bart Bronnenberg and David Atkin have found that brand loyalty (choosing Maharaja’s Choice over Patak’s, or Cadbury’s over Nestlé) is not only determined by advertising, but also by a consumer’s past. If a product featured in a person’s early life in one place, then, as a migrant, he or she is likely to buy that same one.

In the US context, between 2006 and 2008, Bronnenberg analysed data from 38,000 families who had bought 238 different kinds of packaged goods. Although the same brands could be found across America, there were clear differences in what people purchased. In general, there were two leading brands in each kind of packaged good, but there were smaller brands that assumed a greater proportion of consumers’ purchases than was statistically likely. One explanation for this is that 16% of people surveyed came from interstate, and these people preferred products from their home states. Over time, they did buy more products from their adopted state, but, surprisingly, it took two decades for their brand loyalty to halve. Even people who had moved interstate 50 years previously maintained a preference for home-state brands. It seems the habits of food buying change more slowly than we think.

Bronnenberg’s findings were confirmed by Atkin’s in India although there was something more unexpected that Atkin discovered. Firstly, during the period of his survey, the cost of all consumables rose considerably in India. As a result, families reduced their spending on food, and their calorific intake fell accordingly. It is also worth noting that although India is one country, states impose tariffs or taxes on products from other Indian states, ensuring that locally-produced goods remain cheaper. As in the US, internal migrants bought food from their native place even when it was considerably more expensive than local alternatives, and at a time when you might expect families to be economising. This element made the brand-loyalty theory even more convincing.

There is one downside to these findings. In relatively closed economies, such as India’s, people develop tastes that they take with them wherever they go; in a more globalised economy, such as America’s, what people eat may be more varied, but still dependent on early exposure to brands. Therefore, according to both researchers, more advertising may now be directed at minors since brand loyalty is established in childhood and lasts a lifetime. In a media-driven world where children are already bombarded with information, their parents may not consider appropriate yet more advertising is hardly welcome.

For supermarkets, this means that wherever there are large communities of expatriates or immigrants, it is essential to calculate the demographics carefully in order to supply those shoppers with their favourite brands as in light of Atkin and Bronnenberg’s research, advertising and price are not the sole motivating factors for purchase as was previously thought.

Questions 14-18

Choose the correct letter: A, B, C, or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.

14 In this article, the writer refers to food products that are sold

A at markets.

B wholesale.

C online.

D retail.

15 In Sydney, shoppers can buy beer from

A China and Indonesia.

B India and South Africa.

C Poland.

D Vietnam.

16 The greater variety of goods and brands now available is mainly due to:

A cheaper production and more migration.

B changes in migration and international trade.

C cheaper production and transport.

D changes in migration and transport.

17 The writer thinks supermarkets ............ should change their products slightly.

A in Australia

B in India and the US

C in Switzerland

D worldwide

18 The writer suggests that:

A the quality of products at specialist shops will always be better than at supermarkets.

B specialist shops will close down because supermarkets will be cheaper.

C specialist shops already supply minority groups, so supermarkets shouldn’t bother.

D specialist shops already supply minority groups, yet supermarkets should compete with them.

Question 19

Which chart below – A, B, or C – best describes the relationship between shoppers at one Sydney supermarket, and what research suggests that same supermarket should sell?

Write your answer in box 19 on your answer sheet.

Questions 20-26

Which study/studies do the following statements relate to?
In boxes 20-26 on your answer sheet, write:

A if the information relates only to Atkin’s study

B if the information relates only to Bronnenberg’s study

C if the information relates to both Atkin’s and Bronnenberg’s studies

20 There was a correlation between brands a shopper used in childhood, and his or her

preferences as an adult.

21 One reason for the popularity of smaller brands was that many people surveyed came

from another state where those brands were bigger.

22 Even living in a new state for a very long time did not mean that shoppers chose new

brands.

23 In general, food became more expensive during the time of the study. Despite this,

families bought favourite brands and ate less.

24 Taxes on products from other states also increased the cost of food. This did not stop

migrants from buying what they were used to.

25 Children may be the target of more food advertising now.

26 Advertising and price were once thought to be the main reasons for buying products. This theory has been modified now.

 

ANSWER

14. D

15. A

16. B

17. D

18. D

19. B

20. C

21. C

22. B

23. A

24. A

25. C

26. C

Describe a place in your hometown/city that is different from other places and that you enjoy visiting with your parents/friends | SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2024 NEW CUE CARDS SAMPLE ANSWER | NEW CUE CARDS 2024 | Makkar IELTS September To December 2024 Speaking Pdf final version | New Cue Cards Sep To Dec 2024 | makkar ielts | ielts one stop

 

Describe a place in your hometown/city that is

different from other places and that you enjoy

visiting with your parents/friends.

- You should say:

- Where it is

- What it is like

- What you often do there

- Who do you often go there with

- And explain why you think it is different

 

 

 Vocabulary:

1. Outskirts – the outer parts of a city or town

2. Unique – being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

3. Breathtaking – extremely beautiful or impressive

4. Atmosphere – the feeling or mood in a place

5. Hustle and bustle – busy and noisy activity

6. Getaway – a place where one can escape for relaxation

7. Unwind – to relax after a period of stress or work

8. Tranquility – the state of being calm and peaceful

9. Recharge – to restore energy or strength

10. Charm – the quality of being pleasant or attractive

 

 Idioms:

1. Stands out – to be noticeably different

2. A breath of fresh air – something that is new, different, and exciting

3. To sum it up – to summarize

Sample answer

 

There is a place in my hometown that I absolutely love to visit, which stands out from all the other spots. It’s called Sunset Garden, and it’s located on the outskirts of the city, about 10 kilometers from the center. Unlike the usual parks or malls, this place is unique because of its peaceful and natural environment.

 

The garden is beautifully designed, with walking paths, flower beds, and a small pond in the center. The most attractive part is the hilltop where you can see the sun setting, which is simply breathtaking. The atmosphere is always calm and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which makes it a perfect getaway. It’s like a breath of fresh air, literally!

 

I often go there with my parents on weekends, especially during the evenings. We usually enjoy long walks, take some pictures, and sometimes even pack a picnic to eat by the pond. I also love to visit this place with my close friends. We have a habit of just sitting on the hilltop and chatting for hours, enjoying the stunning view. It's the ideal place to unwind after a hectic week.

 

What makes Sunset Garden different from other places is its tranquility. Most parks in the city are crowded and noisy, but here, it feels like time slows down. Also, it has a mix of nature and modern design, which adds to its charm.

 

To sum it up, I think Sunset Garden offers the perfect blend of relaxation and beauty, which is why it’s my go-to place whenever I want to spend quality time with my family or friends. It’s not just a park, but a place where I can recharge and find peace.

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