TALKING about films, books and music
In Part 2 of the speaking test, the examiner may ask you to talk about a film (movie) or book that you like or that has influenced you in some way. An examiner may also ask you to talk about a band or a piece of music that you like. The discussion in Part 3 of the test will then also be about film, books or music but in a more general context.
Film
If you are talking about a film, you could include:
- Who the main actors are (perhaps you could mention other films they have been in) and who the director is if you know.
- What 'genre' or type of film it is (action film, thriller, murder mystery, romance, comedy, documentary etc)
- A synopsis, or summary, of the plot or story line.
- The reasons why you liked (or disliked) it.
In Part 3, conversation topics may involve a wider discussion about film; the advantages or disadvantages of watching film in the cinema or on DVD at home; whether or not you would like to act in or be involved in the production of a film, giving reasons; something about the local (Hong Kong) film industry; local film stars such as Jackie Chan or Chow Yung Fat, or similar.
Book
If you are talking about a book, you could include:
- The name of the author or writer and a little information about them, if you know it.
- What kind of book it is (novel, short story collection, documentary, biography etc).
- A synopsis, or summary, of the plot or story line.
- The reasons why you liked (or disliked) it.
In Part 3, conversation topics may involve a wider discussion about the importance of reading for adults or children, the function of school or university textbooks, the role of books in our computer technology and internet information era, the role of public libraries, the teaching of reading and literacy, local writers, novels or documentary books about Hong Kong etc.
Music
If you are talking about a song or piece of music, you could include:
- Who composed the music and/or wrote the lyrics (words) and a little information about them, if you know it.
- What kind of music it is (classical, jazz, pop, Canto-pop, alternative, soul, country etc)
- The reasons why you liked (or disliked) it.
In Part 3, conversation topics may involve a wider discussion about music in general; whether you can play an instrument or have had musical training; the teaching of music in schools, the beneficial effects derived from music, the influence of technology on modern music, different kinds of music in different cultures, Chinese classical music, the Hong Kong music scene etc.
Example
Example 1
Practice
Record yourself talking about the type of music you like, a book you have recently read, or a movie you have seen. After you have finished listen to yourself. Think about your use of vocabulary, your fluency, and your intonation. How could you improve?