Describing a TV show

It is possible that in the IELTS speaking test you will be asked to describe a TV show, for example your favourite TV show or a TV show that is popular in your country. In this post, I will give you some useful tips and vocabulary to help you with that.

Understand the question

Firstly, listen to the question or read the cue card carefully! If the question is about your favourite show, but you don’t have a favourite show, don’t worry. You can say something like:

• Well, I don’t have a favourite TV show, so I’m going to tell you about a show that is popular in my country.

Then talk about a show that you know or a show that you have heard of.

Stating the name of the show

If you get a cue card about a TV show in part two of the Speaking test, you can begin your answer with something like:

• I’m going to tell you about a show called México Baila.

What happens in the show?

If you are asked to describe what happens in the show, try to keep it simple in order to not to confuse the examiner. For example:

• The show is about celebrities dancing with professional dancers.
• In this show you can watch celebrities dancing with professional dancers.
• The show features a number of celebrities who perform dance routines with professional dancers. (advanced)

How often is it on?

If you are asked how often the show is on TV, you can say:

• The show is on once a week.
• The show is broadcast once a week.
• The show is aired once a week. (advanced)

Useful vocabulary

The words below will help you talk about the different people involved in a TV show.

• a contestant — a person who takes part in a TV show contest or competition
• a presenter — the person who presents a TV show
• the cast — all the actors and actresses who play in a TV programme
• a series — a set of television programmes with the same characters but a different story in each programme
• an episode — a separate programme that is part of a television series

Types of TV show

Learn these terms for different types of TV show:

• a game show
• a soap opera
• a sitcom
• a sports show
• a drama series
• a makeover show (= a show that helps people change their image or lifestyle)
• a reality show (e.g. Big Brother)
• a cookery show

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