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A Gift that Took a Long Time to Choose (May, 2015)
Describe a gift you gave that took a long time to choose.
You should say:
what it was
who you gave it to
how you chose it
and explain why you spent a long time choosing it. *
or
and explain how the receiver of the gift reacted when you gave it to him or her. *

Please critique my speech and estimate a band for me if possible Thank you so much

http://www.ieltsnetwork.com/download/file.php?id=672

Part 1
Home
• Do you live in a house, or a flat (= an apartment)?
• Could you describe it a little?
• What do you think are the advantages of living in a ______ ? (flat or house, whichever you live in).
• What are the differences between the place you live now and where you lived before? N
• Did you like the place you lived in as a child? N
• Would you like to make any changes to your house?

http://www.ieltsnetwork.com/download/file.php?id=673

Film
• Do you watch (many) films (movies)?
• What kinds of films do you like?
• Did you like (or watch) the same kinds of films when you were a child (or, when you were younger)?
• When was the last time you watched a film in a cinema?
• How often do you go to the cinema?
Spending Time Alone
• Do you spend much time alone?
• Do you prefer having people around you, or spending time alone?
• What do you prefer to do alone?
• (Possibly) Are there any hobbies that you prefer to do alone? *
• Do you like spending your leisure time alone?
• What did you do the last time you spent time alone?
• Would you like to have (or, to spend) more time alone?
• Would you like to live alone?
• Do you prefer to travel alone, or with friends?

http://www.ieltsnetwork.com/download/file.php?id=674

• Do you think females are more likely to place importance on giving gifts than males? FQ
• (Similar to above) Do you think females give gifts more often than males? FQ
• Are men and women different when choosing gifts? FQx2
• What factors do people usually consider when choosing a gift for someone? F
• Do you think that the gifts that people give to others should be useful (= practical)? FQ
• What are some examples of practical gifts? FQ

Hello Ling Xia,

Thanks for sharing your speech with us. I didn't have time to review all your recordings, but here are some insights:
1. You're Chinese, right? Overall your pronunciation is very good, I couldn't easily tell where you from by just hearing you speak;
2. Pay attention to word endings, it looks like you have some problems with words ending with T, like gift, housemates, desserts. You are not pronouncing it clearly.
3. I hid the cake (not "hidden");
4. I told her (not "told TO her");
5. films... watching them (not "watching IT");

I wouldn't dare to give you a score, as I also struggle to tell the differences between bands. Keep up with the good work!

Just one more thing: your pets are a bit noisy. Keep that in mind next time you are recording something... hahah

willhunting, Thank you for your feedback. Yes, I am from China. I do have problems with endings and th.words. I am working on it.

This is not my pets. They are magpies on the roof... LOL

Hi, lingxia,
Thanks so much for sharing your recording with us. What a thoughtful gift!

I think willhunting hit upon some important areas for you to improve, so I’m just going to add a few thoughts of my own. These notes are for the first recording about the gift you took a long time to choose.

Grammar/Vocabulary:

--Tooks me long time to choose
--I really want – I really wanted (Be sure to use past tense when you’re telling a story.)
--Jewelries – jewelry (non-count noun – You can say “pieces of jewelry.”
--Were out of my option – were not an option for me
--One of the best cake – CAKES
--I google online – I googled online
--Finally, in the party – AT the party
--She was very touching and surprised – she was very touched and surprised

Pronunciation:
--Invited – didn’t say v
--Watch the /th/ sound – grandmother/together

Best wishes as you continue to practice!

Here are some notes on the recording on films and spending time alone:

--Watching it – (films) THEM
--Child – pronounce D at the end of the word
--I used to go to cinema once a month – to go to THE cinema
--Too much friends – too MANY friends
--It depends on the situations – on the SITUATION
--I will hope – I WOULD hope
--To go outside for dinner – to GO OUT FOR dinner
--Repetition of “I will/would hope”
--If it is just one day trip, I probably just go by myself – If it is just A day trip, I WOULD probably just go by myself.
--So that we can share the accommodation – accommodationS

You had a nice introduction to this answer. Well done.
Here are some notes on the last recording about the differences between males and females when they give gifts:
--They are the one - ONES
-- Buy gift to the other – buy A gift for ANOTHER PERSON/SOMEONE
--Men and women different when choosing gifts – ARE different
--If she have no interest in such things – if she HAS
-- Affordable to us – affordable FOR us
-- Too much weight in – too much weight ON
--On the person who give us the – GAVE (for past tense)/GIVES (present tense)

lmoore wrote:You had a nice introduction to this answer. Well done.
Here are some notes on the last recording about the differences between males and females when they give gifts:
--They are the one - ONES
-- Buy gift to the other – buy A gift for ANOTHER PERSON/SOMEONE
--Men and women different when choosing gifts – ARE different
--If she have no interest in such things – if she HAS
-- Affordable to us – affordable FOR us
-- Too much weight in – too much weight ON
--On the person who give us the – GAVE (for past tense)/GIVES (present tense)

Thank you Imoore, Much appreciated for your comments. I feel it is hard to avoid mistakes when I am thing about ideas....