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Target: 5.0-5.5

Module 1: Ships, Shipwrecks and Sea Stories

Build your sea vocabulary and grammar tools before speaking.

⏱️ Time: 25 minutes

💡 How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫 For Teachers:

Guide students through Module 1 vocabulary and grammar warm-up to build essential language.

Set a 25-minute timer for the overall lesson and review AI feedback scores together after each recording task.

🧑‍🎓 For Learners:

Complete the vocabulary, collocation, sentence pattern, and fun fact exercises in Module 1 first.

Then, practice your speaking in Modules 2 and 3 before unlocking the model answers.

Unit Vocabulary Word Bank

deck anchor cargo voyage ship navy mast wreck pump hull

Vocabulary Review (5 Questions)

1. The trade vessel was carrying a heavy _____ of tea and spices across the ocean.

____ a. deck ____ b. cargo ____ c. voyage ____ d. navy

2. During the sudden ocean storm, a strong gust of wind snapped the sailboat's main _____.

____ a. mast ____ b. hull ____ c. pump ____ d. anchor

3. Divers explored the old wooden _____ resting on the dark ocean floor.

____ a. navy ____ b. voyage ____ c. wreck ____ d. deck

4. The sailors lowered the heavy metal _____ to stop the boat from drifting away.

____ a. navy ____ b. hull ____ c. anchor ____ d. mast

5. Water leaked into the bottom of the boat, so the crew used an electric _____ to remove it.

____ a. pump ____ b. cargo ____ c. deck ____ d. voyage

Collocation Matching (6 Items)

Match each sea phrase on the left to its correct meaning on the right.

1. maiden voyage

____ A. lower a heavy metal weight to stop moving ____ B. a vessel's very first journey across water ____ C. wild ocean water with huge waves

2. drop anchor

____ A. lower a heavy metal weight to stop moving ____ B. valuable gold or coins lost at the bottom of the ocean ____ C. large goods transported by a trade vessel

3. rough seas

____ A. the person who leads the crew on a boat ____ B. a vessel's very first journey across water ____ C. wild ocean water with huge waves

4. sunken treasure

____ A. large goods transported by a trade vessel ____ B. valuable gold or coins lost at the bottom of the ocean ____ C. lower a heavy metal weight to stop moving

5. ship's captain

____ A. the person who leads the crew on a boat ____ B. wild ocean water with huge waves ____ C. a vessel's very first journey across water

6. heavy cargo

____ A. lower a heavy metal weight to stop moving ____ B. the person who leads the crew on a boat ____ C. large goods transported by a trade vessel

Useful Sentence Patterns

Pattern 1

By the time..., ... had already...

"By the time the storm reached the coast, the fishing boats had already returned to the harbour."

Pattern 2

After I had..., I...

"After I had completed the safety check, I boarded the ferry."

Pattern 3

I'd rather... than...

"I'd rather travel by boat than take a long flight over land."

Pattern 4

If I had the chance, I would...

"If I had the chance, I would explore an underwater museum."

Complete sentence 1:

"By the time the rescue team arrived, the submarine _____ already sent a signal."

____ (Type answer...)

Complete sentence 2:

"After I _____ checked the weather forecast, I decided to take the sea trip."

____ (Type answer...)

Complete sentence 3:

"I'd rather sail on a quiet lake _____ travel on a crowded cruise vessel."

____ (Type answer...)

Complete sentence 4:

"If I had the chance, I _____ sail across the ocean."

____ (Type answer...)

Ocean Fun Facts (Guess the Number!)

Fact 1

The Mary Rose Warship

How old was the famous warship Mary Rose when she sank in 1545?

____ 14 years ____ 34 years ____ 54 years

Source citation: Mary Rose Trust, 2026.

Fact 2

Recovered Artifacts

How many historical objects have people taken out of the Mary Rose wreck?

____ 19,000 ____ 1,900 ____ 190,000

Source citation: Royal Museums Greenwich, 2026.

Module 2

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Quick answers about your personal experiences.

🎙️ 4 Practice Questions

Question 1

Do you like to be near the sea, a river or a lake?

AI Grading Criteria:

Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases Show Model Answer Hide Model Answer

"Well, to be honest, I really enjoy spending time near a calm lake. It helps me unwind after a busy week, you know, just watching the peaceful water and taking in the fresh air."

Useful phrases & notes:

enjoy spending time: like using time doing an activity
It helps me unwind: it helps me relax and clear my mind
taking in the fresh air: breathing clean outdoor air

Question 2

Have you ever travelled on a big boat or a ship?

AI Grading Criteria:

Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases Show Model Answer Hide Model Answer

"Yes, I have! A couple of years ago, I went on a ferry trip across a river with my family. To tell you the truth, I was a bit nervous at first, but it turned out to be a great experience."

Useful phrases & notes:

went on a ferry: traveled on a passenger boat across water
To tell you the truth: speaking honestly
a bit nervous at first: slightly worried in the beginning
a great experience: a pleasant event

Question 3

Do you enjoy films or books about the sea?

AI Grading Criteria:

Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases Show Model Answer Hide Model Answer

"Definitely! I'm a big fan of ocean adventure movies. You know, stories about historical shipwrecks always catch my attention because they feel full of mystery and show how brave sailors were in the past."

Useful phrases & notes:

a big fan of: really liking something
catch my attention: make me interested or curious
full of mystery: exciting and containing unknown secrets

Question 4

Would you like a job that takes you to different countries by sea?

AI Grading Criteria:

Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases Show Model Answer Hide Model Answer

"Well, I'm not sure. On one hand, visiting new places sounds amazing, but on the other hand, I easily get seasick on long voyages. So, I'd prefer to travel just for fun instead."

Useful phrases & notes:

visiting new places: traveling to different locations
on the other hand: presenting an opposite point or idea
I'd prefer to: I would rather choose to do something

Module 3

IELTS Speaking Part 3

In-depth discussion on broader ocean topics.

🎙️ 4 Discussion Questions

Question 1

Why do some people spend years looking for old ships under the sea?

AI Grading Criteria:

Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases Show Model Answer Hide Model Answer

"Well, to be honest, I think people spend years searching for old shipwrecks mainly because of historical curiosity. Finding an ancient ship lets us uncover hidden secrets about how people lived long ago, which is really exciting. Also, you know, some searchers are hoping to find sunken treasure like old coins or valuable gold items. For instance, my uncle loves watching documentaries about deep-sea divers who spend months looking for lost cargo. So, in my opinion, it is a mix of learning history and the thrill of discovery that keeps them going."

Useful phrases & notes:

historical curiosity: desire to learn about the past
uncover hidden secrets: discover unknown information
sunken treasure: valuable objects lost under water
thrill of discovery: excitement of finding something new

Question 2

Should an old ship be kept in a museum, or should it stay where it sank?

AI Grading Criteria:

Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases Show Model Answer Hide Model Answer

"That is an interesting question! Personally, I believe it depends on the condition of the vessel. If a ship is in good shape, placing it in a museum is great because it allows the public to take a close look and learn from history. For example, I visited a local maritime museum last year, and seeing real boat parts made history come alive for me. However, if moving the wreck would damage it, it might be better to leave it intact underwater to preserve its story naturally without destroying anything."

Useful phrases & notes:

take a close look: examine something carefully
learn from history: gain knowledge from past events
leave it intact: keep something in its original complete state
preserve its story: protect the historical background of something

Question 3

Is travelling by sea more interesting than flying?

AI Grading Criteria:

Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases Show Model Answer Hide Model Answer

"In my view, going by sea is definitely more exciting than flying. When you fly on a plane, you mostly just sit in a small seat and look at clouds. But on a boat, you can enjoy the scenic view, feel the fresh ocean breeze, and enjoy various activities on deck. You know, last summer my friends and I took a short ferry trip, and we had so much fun watching the ocean waves. Flying is much faster, of course, but sea travel gives you a real sense of adventure that planes just cannot match."

Useful phrases & notes:

enjoy the scenic view: appreciate beautiful surroundings
fresh ocean breeze: cool, clean air near the sea
sense of adventure: feeling of excitement from new experiences

Question 4

Do you think that people in the past were braver than people today when they travelled?

AI Grading Criteria:

Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases Show Model Answer Hide Model Answer

"Well, I would have to say yes. In the past, travellers faced unpredictable weather and scary ocean storms without modern technology like GPS or weather forecasts. They really had to face unknown dangers every single day. For instance, my grandfather told me that old sailors spent months at sea without any way to call their families. Nowadays, we have smartphones, safety equipment, and fast rescue teams, which makes travelling much safer. So, in my opinion, ancient travellers needed incredible courage to set sail into the unknown."

Useful phrases & notes:

unpredictable weather: weather conditions that change suddenly without warning
face unknown dangers: deal with risky situations that cannot be predicted
incredible courage: extraordinary bravery

IELTS Speaking: Ships and Sea Stories

Module 1: Ships, Shipwrecks and Sea Stories

💡 How to use this lesson

Unit Vocabulary Word Bank

Vocabulary Review (5 Questions)

Collocation Matching (6 Items)

Useful Sentence Patterns

Ocean Fun Facts (Guess the Number!)

The Mary Rose Warship

Recovered Artifacts

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

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Vocabulary & Pronunciation: Ships and Sea Stories

IELTS Writing Task 1: Ships and Sea Stories

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