Politeness— Part 1 Report

Suggestion: Your answer is clear, relevant, and well supported with a specific example. To sound more natural, add commas after introductory phrases, use “behaviour” consistently, and finish with a concluding detail. Since this is IELTS Speaking Part 1, aim for two or three smoothly connected sentences rather than combining too many ideas in one sentence.

Example: My parents taught me good manners from a young age. If I was rude, they would gently correct me and explain why my behaviour was inappropriate. For example, they always reminded me to say “please” and “thank you,” especially when I was asking for something.

Suggestion: Your first two sentences give a direct opinion and clear reasons, but the final sentence is incomplete and contains unclear wording. “Courtes” should be “courteous,” but the whole phrase should be rewritten as “if you are courteous, people are more likely to respond positively.” Complete your example so that it clearly explains the result of being polite.

Example: Yes, I think being polite is very important because it creates a good impression and shows respect for other people. It also makes social interactions easier and more pleasant. For example, if you are courteous when asking for help, people are more likely to respond positively and assist you.

Suggestion: You answer the question directly and provide relevant examples. However, the first sentence contains a comma splice, so separate it into two sentences or use “and.” Also, say “maintain a good relationship” and make the example grammatically complete by adding “it is important to be polite.”

Example: We should be polite wherever we are, but it is especially important in formal situations. For example, when speaking with your boss or meeting new people, it is important to use respectful language because politeness shows consideration and helps build good relationships.

Suggestion: Your answer contains a relevant idea, but it is unfinished and has several grammar problems. Use the past tense consistently: “when I met an adult who was a friend of my parents, I would smile and say hello.” Replace “smile to them” with “smile at them,” and complete the final idea, such as offering them a glass of water when they visited your home.

Example: When I was a child, I would smile and say hello whenever I met an adult who was a friend of my parents. If they visited our home, I might also offer them a glass of water. These were simple ways of showing respect and good manners.

× When I was a child and I miss some adult who is my parent friend, I will smile to them and say hello, then maybe give them some water during the

✓ When I was a child and I met an adult who was my parent’s friend, I would smile at them and say hello, and then maybe give them some water.

Because the answer refers to repeated actions in the past, use past-tense forms: met and was. Use would to describe a repeated past habit. Also, smile is followed by the preposition at, not to.

× When I was a child and I miss some adult who is my parent friend, I will smile to them and say hello, then maybe give them some water during the

✓ When I was a child and I met an adult who was my parent’s friend, I would smile at them and say hello, and then maybe give them some water.

The correct preposition after smile when referring to a person is at: smile at someone. Do not use smile to someone in this context.

× When I was a child and I miss some adult who is my parent friend, I will smile to them and say hello, then maybe give them some water during the

✓ When I was a child and I met an adult who was my parent’s friend, I would smile at them and say hello, and then maybe give them some water.

The pronoun them is appropriate because it refers to an adult whose gender is not specified. The main pronoun-related improvement is to use a clear noun phrase, an adult who was my parent’s friend, before using them.

× No matter where we are, we should try to be polite, it is especially important in formal situations. For example, when speaking with your boss or meeting new people because politeness shows respect and helps maintain good relationship.

✓ No matter where we are, we should try to be polite. It is especially important in formal situations, for example, when speaking with your boss or meeting new people, because politeness shows respect and helps maintain a good relationship.

Relationship is a singular countable noun, so it needs the article a: a good relationship.

× Yes, I think being polite is very important because it creates a good impression and shows respect for other people. Politeness also makes social interactions easier. For example, if you are courtes and broken are more likely you

✓ Yes, I think being polite is very important because it creates a good impression and shows respect for other people. Politeness also makes social interactions easier. For example, if you are courteous, people are more likely to respect you.

The final sentence is incomplete and has an incorrect word order. A complete conditional sentence needs a clear subject and verb in both parts: if you are courteous, people are more likely to respect you.

× No matter where we are, we should try to be polite, it is especially important in formal situations. For example, when speaking with your boss or meeting new people because politeness shows respect and helps maintain good relationship.

✓ No matter where we are, we should try to be polite. It is especially important in formal situations, for example, when speaking with your boss or meeting new people, because politeness shows respect and helps maintain a good relationship.

The original response joins two complete sentences with only a comma, creating a comma splice. Separate them with a full stop. The phrase beginning with For example is also incomplete unless it is connected to the main sentence.

× When I was a child and I miss some adult who is my parent friend, I will smile to them and say hello, then maybe give them some water during the

✓ When I was a child and I met an adult who was my parent’s friend, I would smile at them and say hello, and then maybe give them some water.

The original sentence ends with the incomplete phrase during the and does not specify what it refers to. Remove this unfinished phrase and complete the sentence with a clear object, such as give them some water.