Describe a newspaper or magazine you enjoy reading – The IELTS Speaking test is very close to the candidate’s daily life.
Describe a newspaper or magazine that you like to (or, often) read.
You should say:
- what newspaper/ magazine it is
- what the newspaper/ magazine is about
- how often you read it
- what kinds of people generally read this newspaper/ magazine
and explain why you like to read it.
Sample Answer
One of my favorite rituals is curling up with a book or magazine on a rainy day, so I do have my fair share of magazines to stock my shelves with. The one I want to tell you more about today is “National Geographic”, which is a magazine that covers many intriguing and thought-provoking articles.
I have been a loyal subscriber of the magazine ever since 2020, when the pandemic first hit and forced people around the world to commit to strict social distancing policy, and I was no exception. An excessive amount of time spent at home with little to do inspired me to kill time reading magazines, and National Geographic grabbed my attention.
In general, it features topics of science, geography and world culture and is renowned for its photojournalism approach, a style in which articles and news stories are accompanied by photos. The intended audience for the magazine is a pretty wide demographic – with readers ranging from young adults to readers over 55 years old. The core characteristic that links all these people together, however, is a passion dedicated to education and exploration.
The reasons why I am drawn to this magazine are plenty. The most notable one is, beyond doubt, the topics they cover. As someone who is quite concerned about environmental issues, the way that National Geographic has proved to be an ally of environment-lovers in the last few decades is heartwarming. The magazine has remained outspoken about many green issues such as global warming, endangered species or waste management.
Another reason for my undying love is the absolutely stunning photographs of a plethora of different subjects, taken in even the most distant and remote areas around the world. The photos are usually of incredible quality, and its significance in transferring messages and inspiring readers to learn more is undeniable. Lastly and a more personal reason, this magazine satiates my hunger for knowledge and adventure.
As I am quite snowed under with work most of the time, National Geographic provides me with the opportunity to see the world from the sofa of my living room. I believe I’ve acquired much more scientific and cultural knowledge since I started subscribing to this magazine, and isn’t knowledge the most powerful tool of humankind?
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Newspapers
1. Do you think people will use the internet to read news online?
Isn’t it the norm these days? I believe the number of people turning to the Internet for news and information has become massive in the last few decades. It is inevitable, considering how convenient online news is – it is updated to the seconds, usually is cheaper in terms of price and in many cases, cost absolutely nothing. That is not mentioning how readers can easily access information of different kinds on many devices such as smartphones or iPads and laptops, as long as there’s stable Internet connection.
2. What kind of marketing practices do these newspapers use?
One common way is to use them as a means of advertising. This can be done by placing ads in magazines that are read by the target market for the product or service being advertised. Another way to use magazines in marketing is to distribute them to potential customers. This can be done by mailing them out or by handing them out at trade shows or other events.
3. Do you think newspapers manipulate real stories to increase their sales?
Hmmm, to be honest, as I am an outsider of the journalism industry, my claims would mostly be assumptions. I do think some broadsheets and reputable magazines tend to be more cautious and honest with their coverage of news. However, certain levels of fabrication definitely exist, at least in a few tabloids that focus on sensational news of showbiz, for instance.
Unscrupulous journalists and editors could manipulate real stories they get hold of by different means, like adding embellishments, omitting crucial details or just outright spewing lies… You know, the usual gutter press. Unfortunately, these scandalous news and stories still receive lots of public attention, hence increasing the newspapers’ profits. So it is a vicious cycle of “let’s provide readers with what would sell even if it means we are being untruthful.”
