Hello, everyone.
My name is Maria.
And I'm Rory.
And we're the hosts of the IELTS Speaking for Success podcast, the podcast that aims to help you improve your speaking skills, as well as your listening skills.
We're doing this podcast for you to learn how a native English speaker would answer IELTS speaking questions.
I ask Rory questions and Rory answers them using fabulous vocabulary and gorgeous grammar.
From Band 9.
Today we're speaking about names because in speaking part one section they can ask you about names and specifically today we'll be speaking about Rory's name.
Rory, let's talk about your name.
So the first question, how did your parents choose your name?
It's a combination of factors actually.
My parents chose my first name because it's easy to spell, but it's quite traditionally Scottish at the same time.
And then my second name, Fergus, was actually quite embarrassing.
It's one of the names of a friend's dog.
My parents had a friend whose dog was called Fergus, so this is one of the reasons they chose it.
They like the sound of the name.
Exciting.
Does your name have any special meaning?
Yes.
So, like I say, my middle name, Fergus, is after a dog, so it's kind of like a family joke.
But my first name, Rory, actually means red-haired.
I have dark hair so I'm not too sure what my parents were thinking, but it does have a special meaning.
Right.
Is your name common or unusual in your country?
Actually, my name is both common and unusual in Scotland, because it's common in the sense that there are people called Rory, but it's unusual in the fact that it uses the English spelling of the Scottish name.
Like I say, this is because my parents chose it because it was easier to spell.
If you could change your name, would you?
Actually, I have changed my name.
I didn't change my first name or my middle name, but I did change my surname.
I changed it from Duncan to Duncan Goodwillie.
Duncan is my father's name and Goodwillie is my mother's maiden name.
So, I wanted to have both of their surnames in my surname as opposed to just one of them.
Super!
Now, dear listeners, let's have a look at the vocabulary and grammar Rory has just used.
Rory.
So, speaking about names, you've used, for example, the first name, my middle name, and also you've said maiden name.
What does it mean maiden name?
Maiden name is what a lady's surname is before she is married.
Right.
How can we use it in a sentence?
Well, my mother's maiden name was Goodwillie, for example.
Exactly, yes.
So we can say my first name, my middle name, what else, my surname.
Yes, absolutely.
You could also use the word.
I didn't use this in my answers, but because I have two surnames, this is what's called a double-barreled surname.
So it means that you have two names joined together to make one surname.
Yeah right, um you also you've used some of the grammar structures for a higher score.
For example, you said my parents were thinking.
Right, so this is like the past continuous.
For example, why did your parents choose your name?
And you say Well, my parents were thinking about this, because it was easier.
But also I suppose the pronunciation is quite important as well, like not pronouncing where as much as thinking, for example.
Yeah, exactly.
So, we're thinking, yeah.
Also, you've used the present perfect.
I've changed my name.
What else can you say with the present perfect about names?
For example, if students don't know how to answer the question like what's the meaning of your name?
And you can say, I've never thought of that.
Absolutely.
And I suppose most people haven't thought about the meanings of their names.
So this would be quite an acceptable answer and you get to demonstrate that you can use present perfect.
Exactly, yeah, that's like a very natural response.
So, dear listeners, if you have no idea what your name is, you can just admit it, saying like oh, I've never thought of that.
I've never thought about that.
You were pretty natural when you were answering the questions and you said something actually at the same time.
So what are the kind of like linking phrases or some words like actually can you use to sound natural?
Actually, anyway... That's a good point.
Actually helps to sort of buy time to collect your thoughts.
So starting off your sentences with things like actually, well, and to be honest...
All of these phrases.
While they're quite short, they buy you the extra time in order to think and put your answer together in your head.
So if you can practice these as much as possible, then this really does help.
Yeah, these words are time buyers.
Can our listeners say, like, to my mind?
To my mind, my parents chose my name, blah, blah, blah.
It's not entirely unusual.
It's not something that I've heard many native speakers say, but then, of course, there are lots of things that native speakers say or don't say that can and cannot be said by non-native speakers, and it's still comprehensible.
But more naturally, you say, in my opinion or, i guess absolutely, or to be honest, or frankly speaking, exactly yes.
So, dear listeners, please don't overuse this.
To my mind, to my mind all the time.
Rory, could you tell us your full name?
Sure.
My name is Rory Fergus Duncan Goodwillie.
So Rory is your first name.
Yes.
Then?
Then my middle name is Fergus.
And after that?
My surname is Duncan Goodwillie.
Is your second name similar to our patronymic?
In Russia we have a name, a surname and a patronymic.
We don't have the same concepts in Scotland or in the UK.
Usually people's names aren't so connected with people in the past as they are in Russia.
My parents sort of combined a name that they liked the sound of, so they liked the sound of the name Fergus, with a joke.
Obviously, it's after a dog.
But...
In addition to this, a lot of other families have middle names because they think it sounds more fancy, much posher than just normal names.
So there's a bit of class competition there.
Some upper middle class families.
Some middle class families have middle names for their children, although it's becoming increasingly common for working class people.
Rory, thank you very much for your answers.
Dear listeners, could you now listen to Rory's answers again and notice good grammar and good vocabulary Rory has used.
You can use these words, these grammar structures in your own answers to get band 8, band 9 for IELTS speaking.
How did your parents choose your name?
It's a combination of factors, actually.
My parents chose my first name because it's easy to spell, but it's quite traditionally Scottish at the same time.
And then my second name, Fergus, was actually quite embarrassing.
It's one of the names of a friend's dog.
My parents had a friend whose dog was called Fergus, so this is one of the reasons they chose it.
They like the sound of the name.
Does your name have any special meaning?
Yes.
So, like I say, my middle name, Fergus, is after a dog, so it's kind of like a family joke.
But my first name, Rory, actually means red-haired.
I have dark hair so I'm not too sure what my parents were thinking, but it does have a special meaning.
Is your name common or unusual in your country?
Actually, my name is both common and unusual in Scotland, because it's common in the sense that there are people called Rory, but it's unusual in the fact that it uses the English spelling of the Scottish name.
Like I say, this is because my parents chose it because it was easier to spell.
If you could change your name, would you?
Actually, I have changed my name.
I didn't change my first name or my middle name, but I did change my surname.
I changed it from Duncan to Duncan Goodwillie.
Duncan is my father's name and Goodwillie is my mother's maiden name.
So I wanted to have both of their surnames in my surname as opposed to just one of them.
So that's all for now.
Thank you very much for your attention and listening.
Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
