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Describe a pet that you or someone you know once had. v.1

Describe a pet that you or someone you know once had. v. 1
Describe a pet that you or someone you know once had. You should say: what kind of pet it was what kind of care it needed what you liked/disliked about this pet and say whether this is a popular type of pet or not.   Model Answer 1: I am not exactly a “pet-friendly” person, so I never really owned any pet before. But, I don’t mind other people having pets as long as they teach their pets how to behave. Today, I would like to talk about one such good pet – as in a properly trained pet dog called peddle – which used to be owned by someone, I knew a long time ago. The pet, I am talking about, was a special kind of dog called poodle. It was a standard size white poodle, with a height of about 50 centimetres and over 20 inches at the shoulder. Not sure, how old it really was, but I saw it live in my neighbourhood for about 5 years. However, I would assume that the poodle wasn’t really that old because I found him to be busy and active almost always in the streets of my neighbourhood. I am not really an expert on the dog or any kind of pet, but I thought that the poodle was of a gentle breed since I had seldom heard any barking from it except on some occasions when the weather was rainy and/or windy. I also liked the fact it would never fight with other dogs or animals. In fact, if anything, it actually liked to play with other animals like cats and cattle. It even used to play with the little birds sometimes without ever trying to harm them. By the way, this dog didn’t really need that much care except an exercise of about 40 minutes on a daily basis and some routine grooming. Besides, I don’t really think that the poodle ate that much food except some dry dog foods and some occasional rice-chicken diet. Anyway, the poodle is a popular type of pet because they are mostly good family dogs — fun, energetic, smart and easy to train. And, they would never disappoint us if we want to take some exercise outside and enjoy some outdoor activities. After all, they are very sociable and playful dogs, and they even like to play with the cats! All in all, it is a good pet to have at our home.   Sample Answer 2: It is a very long time since I had a pet!   However, when we were small my sister and I did both have pets, I’m going to tell you all about them.   What kind of animal, how we looked after them, why we liked them and what makes them to this day a popular children’s pet. The animal in question was a guinea pig!   My sister and I had one each, mine was called Treacle, and her’s was called Toffee.   They were father and son, Treacle was the older guinea pig and Toffee was a bit younger.   Despite their name, guinea pigs are neither from Guinea and nor are they related to pigs.   They are rodents, with distinctive front teeth, they are quite small, compact, rounded creatures, fur-covered, with short legs and no tail.   They are also highly social, I think they come from South America, and ‘naturally’ would live in groups of up to ten individuals so it is really important they are kept with others when in captivity or they become very stressed and unhappy.   The guinea pigs lived together in a shared hutch in the garden.   They weren’t difficult to look after, but they did need a lot of daily care.   First thing in the morning we would open the hutch and let the guinea pigs out so they could run around the garden.   They never strayed very far, and kept the lawn beautifully short, they ate grass in preference to any of the planted flowers.   Whilst they were running around we would clean out the hutch every day.   The hutch was in two parts, an enclosed sleeping area, and a larger living area with a wire mesh side.   We would take everything out in the morning and replace it with new bedding.   First a layer of sawdust and then newspaper covered by lots of soft fresh hay in the sleeping area so it was warm and cosy. Then in the living area, we would scatter a deep layer of sawdust before putting out fresh food, a mixture of vegetables – carrots and cabbage, together with a special guinea pig food we brought from the pet food shop which contained grains like crushed maize as well as grass pellets.    They also had a water bottle hanging up which we filled up freshly each day.   The guinea pigs spent all day in the garden, but as evening fell they would put themselves to bed in their hutch.   Last thing at night we would check they were safe and well, and lock them in and pull a cover down over the front of the hutch.   This kept them warm and dry even if the weather was bad and protected them in case foxes might visit at night. I loved my guinea pig.   He was a beautiful warm chestnut colour.   He had sort of rosette shapes in his coat – not like smooth-haired guinea pigs which I think are more usual today.   I liked to cuddle him, which he tolerated, but honestly, when I look back I don’t know if he really enjoyed it as much as I did. Poor Treacle.   He and his brother Toffee were very talkative.   They made a delightful squeaking and chattering noise when they were excited – for example when they could hear you were on your way over to feed them. Guinea pigs are really good pets I think.   They are gentle and not too difficult to look after.   However, it’s really important they have the companionship of the same species, a proper diet, fresh food and water every day and lots of room to move about.   They are incredibly active, running around for about 20 hours each day.   Having a pet is a big responsibility, but I think I learned a lot from looking after our guinea pigs.   You have to care for them every day, and that is an important lesson for a child to learn. Sadly, in time they grew old and died.   We were very upset, but that was perhaps a useful life lesson too.   I gained a lot from my friendship with Treacle, but even so, I worry about animals being kept as pets, they are not all looked after as well as they should be.   If children are given pets, I think it’s really important they know how to care for them properly and that an adult is around to supervise, then everyone can be satisfied that the animal is safe and well and that the children and pets are both as happy as each other! [ Written by - Lucy Marris |  Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
Describe
a pet that you or someone
you know
once had. You should say: what
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
kind
of pet it was what
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
kind
of
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
care
it needed what you liked/disliked about this pet and say whether this is a popular type of pet or not.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Model Answer 1:

I am not exactly a “pet-friendly” person,
so
I never
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
owned
any pet
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
before
.
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
But
, I don’t mind
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
other
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
people
having
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pets
as long as they teach their
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pets
how to behave.
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
Today
, I would like to talk about one such
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
pet
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
as in a
properly
trained pet
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
dog
called peddle
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
which
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
used
to be
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
owned
by someone, I knew a long time ago.

The pet, I am talking about, was a special
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
kind
of
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
dog
called
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
poodle
. It was a standard size white
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
poodle
, with a height of about 50
Possible spelling mistake. 'centimetres' is British English.
centimetres
and over
Writing for an international audience? Consider adding the metric equivalent.
20 inches
at the shoulder. Not sure, how
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
old
it
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
was,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
saw
it
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
live
in my
Possible spelling mistake. 'neighbourhood' is British English.
neighbourhood
for about 5 years.

However
, I would assume that the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
poodle
wasn’t
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
that
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
old
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
I found him to be busy and active almost always in the streets of my
Possible spelling mistake. 'neighbourhood' is British English.
neighbourhood
. I am not
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
an expert on the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
dog
or any
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
kind
of pet,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
thought
that the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
poodle
was of a gentle breed since I had seldom heard any barking from it except on
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
occasions when the weather was rainy and/or windy. I
also
liked the fact it would never fight with
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
other
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
dogs
or
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
animals
. In fact, if anything, it
actually
liked to play with
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
other
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
animals
like cats and cattle.

It even
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
used
to play with the
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
little
birds
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
sometimes
without ever trying to harm them. By the way, this
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
dog
didn’t
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
need that much
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
care
except an exercise of about 40 minutes on a daily basis and
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
routine grooming.
Besides
, I don’t
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
that the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
poodle
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
ate
that much
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
food
except
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
dry
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
dog
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
foods
and
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
occasional rice-chicken diet.

Anyway
, the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
poodle
is a popular type of pet
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
they are
mostly
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
family
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
dogs
— fun, energetic, smart and easy to train. And, they would never disappoint us if we want to take
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
exercise outside and enjoy
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
outdoor activities.
After all
, they are
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
sociable and playful
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
dogs
, and they even like to play with the cats! All in all, it is a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
pet to have at our home.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Sample Answer 2:

It is a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
long time since I had a pet!
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
However
, when we were
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
small
my sister and I did both have
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pets
, I’m going to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
tell
you all about them.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
What
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
kind
of
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
animal
, how we looked after them, why we liked them and what
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
makes
them to this day a popular children’s pet. The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
animal
in question was a guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pig
!
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
My sister and I had one each, mine
was called
Treacle, and
Did you mean "her" or "hers"?
her’s
was called
Toffee.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
They were father and son, Treacle was the older guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pig
and Toffee was a bit younger.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Despite their name, guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pigs
are neither from Guinea and nor are they related to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pigs
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
They are rodents, with distinctive front teeth, they are quite
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
small
, compact, rounded creatures, fur-covered, with short legs and no tail.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
They are
also
highly
social, I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
they
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
come
from South America, and ‘
naturally
’ would
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
live
in groups of up to ten individuals
so
it is
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
they are
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
kept
with others when in
Use a comma before 'or' if it connects two independent clauses (unless they are closely connected and short).
captivity or
they become
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
stressed
and unhappy.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
The guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pigs
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
lived
together in a shared hutch in the garden.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
They weren’t difficult to look after,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
they did need a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
of daily
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
care
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
First
thing in the morning we would open the hutch and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
let
the guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pigs
out
so
they could run
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
around
the garden.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
They never strayed
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
far, and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
kept
the lawn
beautifully
short, they
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
ate
grass in preference to any of the planted flowers.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Whilst they were running
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
around
we would clean out the hutch every day.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
The hutch was in two parts, an enclosed sleeping
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
area
, and a larger living
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
area
with a wire mesh side.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
We would take everything out in the morning and replace it with new bedding.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
First
a layer of sawdust and then newspaper covered by
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lots
of soft fresh hay in the sleeping
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
area
so
it was warm and
Possible spelling mistake. 'cosy' is British English.
cosy
. Then in the living
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
area
, we would scatter a deep layer of sawdust
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
before
putting out fresh
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
food
, a mixture of vegetables
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
carrots and cabbage, together with a special guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pig
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
food
we brought from the pet
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
food
shop which contained grains like crushed maize as
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
well
as grass pellets.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
  
They
also
had a water bottle hanging up which we filled up
freshly
each day.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
The guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pigs
spent all day in the garden,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
as evening fell they would put themselves to bed in their hutch.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Last thing at night we would
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
check
they were safe and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
well
, and lock them in and pull a cover down over the front of the hutch.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
This
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
kept
them warm and dry even if the weather was
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
bad
and protected them in case foxes might visit at night. I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
loved
my guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pig
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
He was a
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
beautiful
warm chestnut
Possible spelling mistake. 'colour' is British English.
colour
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
He had sort of rosette shapes in his coat
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
not like smooth-haired guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pigs
which I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
are more usual
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
today
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
I liked to cuddle him, which he tolerated,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
honestly
, when I look back I don’t know if he
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
enjoyed it as much as I did. Poor Treacle.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
He and his brother Toffee were
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
talkative.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
They made a delightful squeaking and chattering noise when they
were excited
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
for example
when they could hear you were on your way over to feed them. Guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pigs
are
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pets
I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
They are gentle and not too difficult to look after.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
However
, it’s
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
they have the companionship of the same species, a proper diet, fresh
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
food
and water every day and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lots
of room to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
move
about.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
They are
incredibly
active, running
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
around
for about 20 hours each day.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Having a pet is a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
big
responsibility,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
I learned a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
from looking after our guinea
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pigs
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
You
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
have to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
care
for them every day, and
that is
an
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
lesson for a child to learn.
Sadly
, in time they grew
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
old
and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
died
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
We were
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
upset,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
that was perhaps a useful life lesson too.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
I gained a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
from my friendship with Treacle,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
even
so
, I worry about
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
animals
being
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
kept
as
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pets
, they are not all looked after as
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
well
as they should be.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
If children are
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
given
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pets
, I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
it’s
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
really
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
they know how to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
care
for them
properly
and that an adult is
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
around
to supervise, then everyone can
be satisfied
that the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
animal
is safe and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
well
and that the children and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
pets
are both as happy as each
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
other
!
Don't put a space after the opening parenthesis
[
Written by
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
-
Lucy
Possible spelling mistake found.
Marris
|
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam)
Don't put a space before the closing parenthesis
]
15Linking words, meeting the goal of 7 or more
103Repeated words, meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
54Mistakes

IELTS speaking Describe a pet that you or someone you know once had. v. 1

Speaking
  American English
7 paragraphs
1218 words
5.5
Overall Band Score
Coherence and Cohesion: 5.5
  • Structure your answers in logical paragraphs
  • ?
    One main idea per paragraph
  • ?
    Include an introduction and conclusion
  • ?
    Support main points with an explanation and then an example
  • Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately
  • ?
    Vary your linking phrases using synonyms
Lexical Resource: 5.0
  • Try to vary your vocabulary using accurate synonyms
  • Use less common question specific words that accurately convey meaning
  • Check your work for spelling and word formation mistakes
Grammatical Range: 5.5
  • Use a variety of complex and simple sentences
  • Check your writing for errors
Task Achievement: 5.0
  • Answer all parts of the question
  • ?
    Present relevant ideas
  • Fully explain these ideas
  • ?
    Support ideas with relevant, specific examples
Labels Descriptions
  • ?
    Currently is not available
  • Meet the criteria
  • Doesn't meet the criteria
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