TOEFL Speaking Practice - 14 - Talk about an interesting tourist attraction you have been to. Describe it and say why it was interesting.

I had been to Ooty in the state of Tamil-Nadu in India. This is a hill station in The Nilgiris District and this is a great tourist attraction. This is the right spot for a nature lover. It sparkles with lush green vegetation that adds to the beauty of this spot and this is popularly known as “The Queen of Hill Stations”. The height of the hills in the Nilgiri range varies between 2280 and 2290 meters. I was flabbergasted to see the multitudes of greenery and variety colourful flowers blossoming all over. The lofty mountains, dense, forest and very vast Tea Estates are marvellous. It is lush green all over so cool to watch. I also visited botanical gardens, and fabulous rose gardens just superb. I also enjoyed boating in the Ooty Lake. I stayed here for a week relaxed and enjoyed a lot. The weathers are very pleasant through-out the year; the temperatures are 17 to 20 degrees Celsius in summer and 5 to 13 degrees Celsius in winters. Hence I find this place to be ideal for vacation.

TOEFL Speaking Practice - 13 - Who is an important person in your country? Describe this person and explain why he/she is important.

I strongly feel that Mr. Anna Hazare from Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra India is the most important person for India. Because very few social activists have captured the attention of Indians across the globe as Anna Hazare did during his "fast unto death" over the issue of the Lokpal Bill in New Delhi in April 2011. Hazare, a Gandhian by belief, outlook and practice, has become the face of India's fight against corruption. During his fast over the Lokpal Bill, Hazare, managed to inspire and mobilize the support of even the ultra-modern Indians. The "Anna Hazare fast" can be described as the first real "social networking movement" in India. Hazare, a former Army man, began his social activism from Ralegan Siddhi, village itself where he successfully led a movement against alcoholism and made Ralegan Siddhi a "model village". Hazare's campaign was instrumental in the implementation of the Right to Information Act in Maharashtra, which is considered one of the best RTI Acts in India. A Ramon Magsaysay award winner, Anna Hazare, like his idol, Mahatma Gandhi, has triggered a debate over the use of fast as a means of protest in India. By sheer commitment and simplicity, he has demonstrated that Gandhian principles are relevant even in the 21st-century India.

TOEFL Speaking Practice - 12 - What was your favourite subject at school? Describe it and explain why this subject was your favourite one.

My favourite subject at school was English Language. I was born and raised with the kids of Royal Family where the environment was totally English speaking. For majority of my time I had been in the company of my friends from royal family and the English Nurses. Hence I learnt very good English right from my Nursery days. I was studying in Hindi Medium School where English was one of my subjects. Among all other students, my vocabulary, fluency and command over English were Topmost. I was scoring highest marks in English and was receiving a lot of praise from my teachers and friends from time to time. Also I was always winning in English Debate and Talk competitions. Last but not least, I was getting a lot of love and respect from my school mates because of my knowledge in English. Because of all these reasons English was my most favourite subject during my school days. Even today English and Communication is my passion.