Unit 32: My Life in 10 Years
Warm-up and Vocabulary
Let’s talk about the future. Where will you be in 10 years? What is your dream? Today, we will learn how to talk about your future plans and dreams. Let’s learn the words!
| Word | Definition (in simple English) |
| future | The time that is coming. |
| dream | A big hope or wish for the future. |
| university | A school you go to after high school. |
| job / career | The work you do to make money. |
| live | To have your home in a place. |
| travel | To go from one place to another. |
| family | The group of people you are related to. |
Activity 1: Vocabulary Match
Drag the word to the correct picture.
Activity 2: Check Your Vocabulary
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
Building Your 45-Second Answer
In the IELTS Speaking test, success is not just about what you say, but how you say it. To score well, you must demonstrate several skills at once, particularly Fluency and Coherence (speaking smoothly and logically) and Pronunciation (speaking clearly).
A strong spoken answer integrates these three essential skills:
- Coherence (Logical Structure): Your answer must be easy to follow. The “Opinion + Reason + Example” framework is the most effective way to ensure your answer is logical.
- Fluency (Steady Pace): You must speak at a steady, natural pace. This is achieved by “chunking”—speaking in groups of words or ideas—rather than speaking word-by-word or pausing in unnatural places.
- Pronunciation (Clarity): Your message must be easily understood. A key part of this is using correct intonation, such as a falling tone at the end of statements.
To deliver a high-scoring answer, you should not just start talking and hope for the best. Using a consistent framework is essential. This simple 4-part structure ensures your answer is always complete, logical, and fully developed.
- Opening (The Direct Answer): Begin by answering the question directly. State your main idea clearly.
- Reason (The “Why”): Explain why you have this opinion. This is a crucial step. The easiest way to do this is by using the word “…because…”
- Example (The Support): Support your reason with a specific, personal example. This makes your answer unique and demonstrates your ability to elaborate. Use phrases like “For example,…” or “For instance,…”
- Conclusion (The Summary): Wrap up your answer with a single sentence that repeats or summarizes your main point from the opening.
Let’s apply this framework to a common question.
Question: “What is your dream for your life in 10 years?”
Model Answer:
(Opening) “In 10 years, my dream is to be an engineer.”
(Reason) “The main reason is because I love to build things.”
(Example) “For example, I love to build robots with my friends at school, and I am good at math.”
(Conclusion) “So, being an engineer is my biggest dream for the future.”
This answer is effective because it is fully structured, easy for the examiner to follow, and it directly answers the question with clear support.
Tips:
- Fluency First: The examiner is testing your ability to communicate, not the quality of your ideas. This 4-part structure is a tool to help you speak fluently. It gives you a “map” of what to say next, so you can focus on your pronunciation and pace.
- Framework, Not a Script: Do not memorize this answer. The examiner is trained to spot memorized (or “scripted”) responses, which will result in a lower score. Use this 4-part structure as a framework to organize your own, natural thoughts.
Skill Practice
Activity 1: Put the Answer in Order
Activity 2: Shadowing
Listen to the model answer again. This time, click “Record” and try to copy the speaker’s pace and intonation.
[Audio] “(Opening) In 10 years, / my dream is to be an engineer.” [Audio] “(Reason) The main reason is / because I love to build things.” [Audio] “(Example) For example, / I love to build robots / with my friends at school.” [Audio] “(Conclusion) So, / being an engineer / is my biggest dream for the future.”Activity 3: Crossword