Coffee (Part 1--IELTS Speaking)

1. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
   
   Sample Answer 1:
   Well, actually neither. But if I have to choose, I'd go for tea. I find coffee too bitter for my taste.
   
   Sample Answer 2:
   In all honesty, neither of the two. I think I just haven't developed the taste. But if I have to choose, I'd go for tea. I find it refreshing in all kinds of weather.
   
   Sample Answer 3:
   Oh, coffee any day. My proclivity for coffee is so bad that I have to hold myself back from having too much it because of health reasons.
   
   Sample Answer 4:
   Well, it's always tea over coffee for me. I do enjoy both but given a choice I am through and through a tea person.
   
   Sample Answer 5:
   I do like both equally. However, unfortunately, I've been advised by my doctor to avoid them. Both tea and coffee lead to an increase in blood pressure, an ailment I suffer from. I do sometimes cheat and have them--around once a week maybe.
   
   Sample Answer 6:
   Well, if offered, I will take tea too. But coffee is always my go-to drink.
   
   Sample Answer 7:
   Actually, I have never tasted either tea or coffee, so obviously I can't choose either of the two. Since childhood my mom always told me that both of these beverages are bad for health. So, this thing is really ingrained in me.
   I'm bit of a health freak. So, I'd have either turmeric milk or may be milk with some other healthy options.
   
   
   Points to note in the above answers:
• Observe the beginners. Instead of just saying 'I prefer tea' or 'I prefer coffee', try different, more natural sounding beginners.
  Some ideas to replace commonly used words here:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0WayXzZN3Y
  
  
• To develop taste: To start liking something after eating or drinking it many times
  
  
• Proclivity: Strong liking for something
  
  
• To hold myself back: To stop myself from doing something
  
  
• Through and through: Completely
  
  
• Go-to: A thing that one uses regularly/A person who one depends on
  
  
  
2. Apart from tea and coffee, what beverages do you like?
   
   Sample Answer 1:
   Well, I think the top of the list would certainly be water. But after that, there's lemonade and fresh juice. I am a bit of a health freak, so fizzy drinks are a complete no-no for me.
   
   Points to note in the above answer:
   
   
• Health freak: Someone who is very particular/careful about their health (exercise, diet, etc.)
  
  
• Fizzy drinks: Carbonated drinks/Drinks which have small bubbles. E.g., Coke, Pepsi.
  
  
  
3. Is coffee a popular drink in your country?
   
   Sample Answer 1:
   Certainly, it is. And its popularity has been skyrocketing since international cafes such as Starbucks have come into picture.
   
   Sample Answer 2 (if tea is liked a little more, but coffee is liked almost equally):
   Not really. I think tea is preferred by most of the residents of my country, although coffee is a close second.
   
   Sample Answer 3 (if tea is like a lot more than coffee):
   Not really. Tea is any day the preferred choice for my fellow country people and coffee doesn't compare at all.
   
   Points to note in the above answers:
   
   
• Skyrocketing: Suddenly increasing a lot
  
  
• Come into picture: Have started/Have become involved
  
  
• A close second: There is very little difference between the first and the second thing
  
  
• Doesn't compare at all: There is not comparison (Used when two things are drastically different)
  
  
  
4. Do you prefer to make coffee at home or have outside somewhere?
   
   Sample Answer 1:
   More often than not, you'd find me having coffee at home, although once in a while, I love to hang out with friends in a café. But I never go out for a cup of coffee all on my own.
   
   Sample Answer 2: 
   Well, given a choice, outside. It's not always practical--both time-wise and financially; coffee at cafés doesn't come cheap. And my sister is quite the barista. So, I am usually able to convince her to make coffee for me.
   
   Points to note in the above answers:
   
   
• More often than not: Usually/Generally
  
  
• You'd find me: You'd see me
  
  
• Once in a while: Sometimes
  
  
• Hang out: Spend time socializing or relaxing
  
  
• All on my own: Alone
  
  
• Doesn't come cheap: Is expensive
  
  
• Barista: A person who makes/serves coffee (usually at a café)
  
  
  
5. Is coffee good for health?
   
   Sample Answer 1:
   Well, it has caffeine in it. And as far as I know, it has some negative impact on one's health. But honestly speaking, I don't know much about the details of it.
   
   Sample Answer 2:
   I think it is debatable. To the best of my knowledge, only excess is problematic. Within limits, it is actually beneficial.
   
   Points to note in the above answers:
   
   
• As far as I know/To the best of my knowledge: Use these phrases when you want to convey that you don't know much about something.
  
  
• Debatable: Something that is not 100% confirmed and so, can be argued (A useful word for Writing Task 2 also)
  
  
6. Have you read up on impact of coffee on health?
   
   Sample Answer 1:
   Not really. I can't live without coffee and I don't want to see stuff that could change my mind or make me feel conflicted. So, I just read about it.
   
   Sample Answer 2:
   I haven't gone out my way to look for the information. However, you do come across articles sometimes which is why I have a vague idea that excessive consumption of coffee can lead to certain health issues.
   
   Sample Answer 3:
   I certainly have. And what I have understood is that coffee consumption within limits--may be a couple of cups a day--is not an issue at all.
   
   Points to note in the above answers:
   
   
• Feel conflicted: Be confused or worried
  
  
• Go out of one's way: Make special effort to do something
  
  
• Come across something: To see something or meet someone by chance