IELTS Speaking: Essential Vocabulary and Ideas for the Topic of Films

Hello everyone, I’m Huong Giang, an 8.5 IELTS instructor at ECE. In this post, we’ll explore ideas for the topic of “films”—a subject that, while familiar, can be tricky to handle in a way that truly impresses the examiner in IELTS Speaking. Let’s dive into this topic through the following questions:

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Films

1. Do you like to watch films?

→ To be honest, these days I hardly ever have the time to sit through an entire film because I’m constantly juggling work and other commitments. I’m always busy as a bee. That said, back when I was a university student and had far more free time on my hands, I could easily binge-watch a whole series in just a couple of days.

• Juggle work and other commitments: balancing multiple tasks and responsibilities
• Sit through an entire film: watch a movie from start to finish
• Busy as a bee: extremely busy
• Binge-watch: watch multiple episodes or movies in one sitting

2. What types of movies do you like? Why?

→ Animated films are usually my go-to choice whenever I manage to carve out some time to go to the cinema. Some people might find them a bit predictable in terms of storyline, but what I genuinely appreciate is the visual artistry. The animation is often incredibly vibrant, and the characters feel so expressive and endearing. There’s a certain charm and emotional warmth in animated films that I don’t quite get from other genres.

• Go-to choice: a preferred or reliable option
• Carve out some time: find time in a busy schedule
• Visual artistry: the creative design and aesthetic quality of the visuals
• Endearing: lovable or charming

3. Do you still enjoy watching the movies you loved as a child?

Honestly, yes, I do. As a child, I was always thrilled whenever I was allowed to watch cartoons. What has changed over time, though, is the way I experience them. When I was younger, I tended to focus on the moral lessons behind the stories. Now, I’m more drawn to how comforting and relaxing they are. There’s something incredibly soothing about watching those adorable characters and simply switching off from the real world for a while.

• Moral lessons: ethical teachings or values
• Be drawn to: feel attracted to or interested in something

4. Do you prefer watching movies at home or at the cinema?

→ I’d definitely say the cinema. As I’ve mentioned before, I tend to associate movies with going out rather than staying in. When I’m at home, I constantly feel the urge to tick things off my to-do list, whether it’s housework, meeting deadlines, or giving feedback to my students. It’s hard for me to completely switch off in that environment. At the cinema, though, I’m physically removed from all those responsibilities, so I can fully immerse myself in the film and genuinely enjoy the experience without distractions.

• Tick things off my to-do list: complete tasks on my schedule
• Switch off: mentally disconnect from work or stress

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Films

Describe a movie you watched recently that you felt disappointed about

You should say:

• When it was
• Why you didn’t like it
• Why you decided to watch it
• And explain why you felt disappointed about it

To tell you the truth, I’m a huge fan of animated films, especially those known for outstanding visual artistry. I remember being incredibly excited about a movie called Ne Zha 2. It was actually released last year, but it’s still the most recent film I watched that truly disappointed me.

I was completely hooked the first time I saw the trailer. A friend of mine shared a short clip on Facebook, and those few scenes were both hilarious and surprisingly emotional. As someone who absolutely loves the vibrancy and charm of animated characters, I genuinely thought it was going to be a masterpiece.

However, when I finally got the chance to watch the full movie, it was such a let-down. The plot turned out to be painfully predictable, and to make matters worse, most of the interesting scenes had already been revealed in the trailer. The remaining parts felt disconnected and, at times, rather tedious.

What made it even more embarrassing was that I had convinced my husband to watch it with me. I had hyped it up so much beforehand, telling him it would be amazing. But halfway through the film, we both started feeling drowsy, and honestly, it was a struggle to sit through the entire thing.

Looking back, I think my disappointment mainly stemmed from having overly high expectations. It taught me not to judge a movie solely based on an impressive trailer.

• Hooked: captivated or very interested
• Painfully predictable: very easy to guess the outcome
• A let-down: a disappointment
• Hyped it up: promoted or praised something excessively
• Sit through: endure until the end

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Films

• Do you believe movie reviews?

I think movie reviews can be a useful reference point, especially when I’m unsure whether a film is worth my time. For instance, I sometimes watch review videos on YouTube to get a general sense of the storyline and overall quality before deciding to book a ticket. It helps me assess whether the film aligns with my personal taste. That said, I don’t rely on them entirely. Reviews often reveal key plot details, which can diminish the suspense and overall viewing experience. Moreover, some reviewers may be sponsored or financially incentivised to promote certain films, which raises questions about their objectivity. So while reviews can be informative, I prefer to treat them as guidance rather than a decisive factor.

Useful reference point: a helpful source of information
Aligns with my personal taste: matches my preferences
Diminish the suspense: reduce the excitement or mystery
Financially incentivised: motivated by money or sponsorship

• What are the different types of films in your country?

There’s quite a wide range of film genres in my country, but I’d say romantic comedies are probably among the most popular. Many of them revolve around family dynamics and everyday life, so they’re light-hearted and easy to watch. In fact, they’re the kind of films families can enjoy together during a relaxed evening meal. Quite a few are also adapted from foreign productions but localised to suit Vietnamese culture. Because of their relatable themes, they tend to appeal to viewers of all ages. Another genre that has gained popularity, particularly among younger audiences, is action films. In the past, Vietnamese viewers mainly relied on Hollywood blockbusters for this type of entertainment. However, in recent years, domestic filmmakers have started producing their own action movies, and the quality has improved considerably. I think this reflects the gradual development of our local film industry.

Revolve around: focus on a specific subject
Adapted and localised to suit Vietnamese culture: modified to fit local cultural contexts
Appeal to viewers of all ages: suitable for everyone

• Are historical films popular in your country? Why?

I would say historical films are moderately popular in my country, but they’re not necessarily mainstream. They tend to attract viewers who are particularly interested in history or national identity rather than the general public. One reason is that historical films often require a substantial budget for costumes, set design, and visual effects, so they aren’t produced as frequently as romantic comedies or action films. When they are well-made, though, they can generate a lot of interest, especially if they portray significant events or legendary figures from Vietnamese history.

• National identity: the sense of belonging to a nation
• Substantial budget: a large amount of funding
• Set design: the creation of the scenery for a film
• Portray: depict or represent
• Legendary figures: famous or heroic people from the past

I hope these suggestions and ideas help you approach this topic with more flexibility and improve your use of thematic vocabulary.