Oxford ESL 9280 · Start here

The Three Themes and All Topics

The three themes and every topic behind all four 9280 papers, with a word bank and ready-to-use ideas for each topic.

British & IGCSE › Oxford International GCSE English as a Second Language

Every part of the 9280 exam is built on three themes. The reading texts, the writing tasks, the listening recordings and the speaking photocards all come from these themes. This page gives you every topic, a word bank for each one, and ready-made ideas you can use in any paper. Learn the words in sentences, not alone.

The three themes at a glance

Theme	Topic	Sub-topics / what it covers
1 Identity and culture	Me, my family, friends and people I know	Relationships with family, and relationships with friends and people I know
	Technology in everyday life	Social media and mobile technology
	Free-time activities	Music, cinema and TV, sport, and customs and festivals
2 Local, national, international and global areas of interest	Home, town, neighbourhood and region	Where you live and what it is like
	Social issues	Charity/voluntary work and healthy/unhealthy living
	Global issues	The environment and poverty
	Travel and tourism	Holidays, trips and visiting places
3 Current and future study and employment	My studies	Subjects, learning and exams
	Life at school/college	The school day, rules, activities, pressures
	Education post-16	What you study after 16: sixth form, college, university, apprenticeships
	Jobs, career choices and ambitions	Part-time work, careers, future plans

How the themes appear in each paper

Paper	How the themes are used	What this means for you
Reading (9280/R)	All four texts are linked to the themes, e.g. an email about a charity event, an advert for holiday activities, an article about careers, a travel memoir.	Knowing theme vocabulary makes texts faster to read and helps you guess unknown words.
Writing (9280/W)	Questions 1, 2 and 3 are each based on one theme. Question 4 can draw on one or more themes.	Have ideas ready for each topic so you never sit with an empty page.
Listening (9280/L)	All five tasks are linked to the themes: everyday announcements, interviews, talks, podcasts.	Theme words help you catch key details on the first listening.
Speaking (9280/S)	The photocard covers one theme. The conversation covers the other two themes.	You must be ready to talk about ALL three themes, because you do not choose.

How to study this page

Take one topic a day. Read the word bank aloud. Cover the meanings and test yourself.
Write five sentences about YOUR life using new words from the topic.
Use the 'ideas' lists as building blocks: each idea can become a paragraph in writing or a one-minute answer in speaking.
Look for the same words when you read English articles. Real texts repeat theme vocabulary all the time.

THEME 1: Identity and culture

This theme is about you: the people in your life, how you use technology, and what you do for fun. It is the most personal theme, so it is easy to use in Speaking and in personal writing such as blogs, diaries and letters.

Topic 1.1 Me, my family, friends and people I know

Sub-topics: relationships with family, and relationships with friends and people I know. Expect texts and questions about who you are close to, arguments, support, role models and growing up.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
get on well with (someone)	have a friendly relationship
fall out with (someone)	argue and stop being friends for a time
make up	become friends again after an argument
close-knit family	a family whose members support each other
extended family	grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins
sibling	a brother or sister
only child	a child with no brothers or sisters
role model	a person you admire and want to copy
look up to (someone)	respect and admire someone
generation gap	differences in ideas between young and old people
supportive	helping and encouraging others
reliable / trustworthy	you can depend on them; they keep secrets
loyal	always supporting a friend
peer pressure	pressure from people your age to behave like them
acquaintance	someone you know, but not well
bring up (a child)	care for a child until adulthood
independence	being free to make your own decisions
strict	having many rules
share the same interests	like the same things
keep in touch	stay in contact

Ideas you can use

Family gives security and advice, but teenagers also need independence and privacy.
A good friend is loyal, honest and supportive in difficult times, not only in good times.
Grandparents pass on traditions and experience; the generation gap can be closed by spending time together.
A role model does not have to be famous: a parent, teacher or older sibling can inspire us most.

Topic 1.2 Technology in everyday life

Sub-topics: social media and mobile technology. This topic often appears as an opinion article with good and bad points, which is perfect for collation (list) questions.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
social media platform	a website or app for sharing, e.g. a photo app
post / share	put a photo or message online
followers	people who see your posts
go viral	spread very quickly to millions of people online
online privacy	keeping your personal information safe online
cyberbullying	bullying someone using the internet
screen time	the time spent looking at a phone or computer
addictive	hard to stop doing
notification	a message that pops up on your phone
device	a phone, tablet or laptop
app	a program on a phone
download / upload	take from / put on the internet
stay connected	keep in contact with people
fake news	false information that looks real
digital skills	abilities to use technology well
distraction	something that stops you concentrating
online learning	studying through the internet
password	a secret word to protect an account
influencer	a person who affects what followers buy or think
switch off	stop using a device, or relax

Ideas you can use

Mobile phones keep families in touch and help students learn, for example with dictionary apps and online lessons.
Too much screen time can damage sleep, concentration and physical health.
Social media lets young people share ideas and support charities, but it can also spread fake news and cyberbullying.
The answer is balance: phone-free times such as meals and an hour before bed.

Topic 1.3 Free-time activities

Sub-topics: music, cinema and TV, sport, and customs and festivals. Adverts and brochures for activities (Text 2 style) and diary/blog writing about a celebration can appear here.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
hobby / pastime	an activity you do for pleasure
streaming service	a service that plays films or music online
series / episode	a TV programme in parts / one part
soundtrack	the music of a film
live concert / gig	music performed in front of an audience
genre	a type of music or film, e.g. comedy, rock
box office hit	a very successful film
tournament	a competition with many matches
team spirit	the feeling of working together in a team
work out	do physical exercise
spectator	a person who watches a sport
tradition / custom	something people have done for a long time
festival / celebration	a special day or event of happiness
gather	come together in one place
decorate	make a place look attractive for an event
exchange gifts	give presents to each other
feast	a large special meal
relaxing / thrilling	calm / very exciting
take up (a sport)	start doing a new activity
cultural heritage	traditions and history passed down

Ideas you can use

Hobbies reduce stress after school and help us make friends with the same interests.
Team sports teach cooperation, discipline and how to accept losing.
Festivals such as Eid bring families together: visiting relatives, special food, new clothes and gifts for children.
Streaming is convenient, but watching a film at the cinema with friends is a shared experience.

THEME 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

This theme moves from your home to the whole world: your town, helping others, health, the environment, poverty and travel. Opinion articles (Text 3) and literary travel writing (Text 4) often come from here.

Topic 2.1 Home, town, neighbourhood and region

Expect descriptions of places, advantages and disadvantages of city and village life, and improvements to your area.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
neighbourhood	the area around your home
residential area	an area with mainly houses and flats
suburbs / outskirts	areas at the edge of a city
city centre	the main, busy part of a city
crowded / overcrowded	with too many people
traffic jam	a long line of cars that cannot move
public transport	buses, trains and the metro
facilities	places and services, e.g. sports centres, libraries
peaceful / lively	calm and quiet / full of activity
pollution	dirty air, water or noise
green spaces	parks and gardens
landmark	a famous building or place
local community	the people who live in an area
well-known for	famous for
convenient	easy and near
rural / urban	of the countryside / of the city
new compound	a group of new homes built together with shared services
improve	make better

Ideas you can use

City life offers jobs, shops and entertainment, but brings noise, pollution and traffic.
Village or suburb life is calmer and greener, though facilities and transport may be limited.
My area could be improved with more green spaces, cycle lanes and youth clubs.
A good neighbourhood is safe, clean and friendly, with people who help each other.

Topic 2.2 Social issues

Sub-topics: charity/voluntary work and healthy/unhealthy living. Charity events, sponsored challenges, diets and exercise can appear in emails and articles.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
charity	an organisation that helps people in need
volunteer (n/v)	a person who works without pay / to do this
raise money / funds	collect money for a cause
sponsor (v)	promise money if someone completes a challenge
donate / donation	give money or things / the gift
fundraising event	an event to collect money
the elderly	old people
make a difference	have a good effect
give something back	help the community that helped you
balanced diet	food with the right mix of nutrients
junk food / processed food	unhealthy food with much fat, sugar or salt
obesity	being very overweight
physical activity	moving the body, exercise
mental health	the health of your mind and feelings
stress / anxiety	worry and pressure
sedentary lifestyle	a life with too much sitting
get enough sleep	sleep the hours your body needs
cut down on	reduce
fitness	being strong and healthy
well-being	feeling healthy and happy

Ideas you can use

Volunteering helps others and gives young people skills, confidence and experience for their CV.
Even small actions help: collecting clothes, visiting the elderly, a sponsored walk.
A healthy life needs a balanced diet, regular exercise, enough sleep and time away from screens.
Schools could help by selling healthy snacks and offering more sports clubs.

Topic 2.3 Global issues

Sub-topics: the environment and poverty. These topics suit Writing Question 4 (argue or persuade) and opinion articles in Reading.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
climate change / global warming	the rise in Earth's temperature
greenhouse gases	gases that trap heat, e.g. carbon dioxide
carbon footprint	the amount of carbon your activities produce
renewable energy	energy that does not run out, e.g. solar, wind
fossil fuels	coal, oil and gas
recycle / reuse / reduce	the three ways to cut waste
single-use plastic	plastic used once and thrown away
endangered species	animals or plants that may disappear
deforestation	cutting down forests
drought / flood	no rain for a long time / too much water
conserve	protect and not waste
sustainable	can continue without harming the planet
poverty	being very poor
homeless	without a home
basic needs	food, water, shelter and health care
inequality	unfair differences between people
developing country	a country with less money and industry
aid	help, often money or food, for people in need
access to education	the chance to go to school

Ideas you can use

Individuals can help the environment: recycling, using less plastic, saving water and electricity, walking instead of driving.
Governments should invest in renewable energy and public transport.
Education is the strongest way to break the cycle of poverty.
Rich countries and charities can provide aid, but long-term jobs and fair pay matter most.

Topic 2.4 Travel and tourism

Holiday adverts and brochures (Text 2) and travel memoirs (Text 4) are typical. Writing Question 1 photographs may look as if they come from a holiday brochure or travel blog.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
destination	the place you travel to
sightseeing	visiting famous places
tourist attraction	a place tourists visit
accommodation	a place to stay, e.g. a hotel
book in advance	reserve before you go
package holiday	a holiday with flight and hotel together
itinerary	a plan of a journey
breathtaking / stunning	extremely beautiful
off the beaten track	away from places most tourists go
souvenir	something you buy to remember a place
local cuisine	the food of a place
ancient ruins	the remains of very old buildings
coastline	the land along the sea
guided tour	a visit led by a guide
set off	start a journey
eco-tourism	travel that protects nature and helps local people
jet lag	tiredness after a long flight across time zones
budget	the amount of money you plan to spend
broaden your horizons	learn about new ideas and cultures

Ideas you can use

Travel broadens your horizons: new cultures, languages, food and friends.
Tourism brings jobs and money, but too many tourists can damage historic sites and nature.
Egypt has world-famous attractions: the pyramids, Luxor's temples and the Red Sea coast.
A holiday at home (exploring your own country) can be cheaper and greener than flying abroad.

THEME 3: Current and future study and employment

This theme is about your studies now and your plans for the future. Letters to parents about school events, reports on school activities and articles about careers or apprenticeships are typical.

Topic 3.1 My studies

Subjects you like and dislike, how you learn best, homework, revision and exams.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
compulsory / optional subject	a subject you must / can choose to study
timetable	the plan of lessons in the week
revise / revision	study again before an exam
revision schedule	a plan for when to revise each subject
assignment	a piece of work set by a teacher
deadline	the last date to hand in work
make progress	improve
struggle with	find something very difficult
excel at	be very good at
concentrate	give all your attention
memorise	learn by heart
practical / theoretical	learning by doing / learning ideas
grade / result	the mark you get
pass / fail	succeed / not succeed in an exam
tutor / private lessons	a teacher for one student or a small group
motivated	wanting to do well
learning style	the way you learn best, e.g. by seeing or doing

Ideas you can use

My favourite subject is useful for my future career and taught in an interesting way.
A revision schedule, short breaks and past papers help students prepare for exams.
Some students learn best in groups, others alone and in silence.
Exams create stress, but good planning and sleep reduce it.

Topic 3.2 Life at school/college

The school day, rules, uniforms, clubs, trips, events and the pressure students feel.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
school day	the hours of lessons and breaks
break / lunch break	free time between lessons
school uniform	the clothes students must wear
rules / discipline	what you must do / obeying rules
extracurricular activities	clubs and activities outside lessons
school trip	a visit to a place with your class
sports day / swimming gala	a day of sports races / swimming races
assembly	a meeting of the whole school
head teacher / principal	the person in charge of a school
classmate	a student in your class
facilities	e.g. a science lab, library, playground
pressure	a feeling that you must do well
bullying	hurting or frightening a weaker person again and again
school council	students who represent others
charity concert	a concert to raise money
parents' evening	a meeting between teachers and parents
canteen	the place to buy and eat food at school

Ideas you can use

Clubs and trips make school more enjoyable and build friendships and confidence.
School uniform creates equality and saves time, though some say it limits self-expression.
A school council lets students share ideas and improve their school.
Long school days and homework can leave little time for rest and hobbies.

Topic 3.3 Education post-16

What students do after 16: staying at school or sixth form, going to college, university, apprenticeships or training.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
sixth form	the last two years of secondary school in the British system
A levels	advanced exams usually taken at 18
vocational course	a course that trains you for a particular job
apprenticeship	a job with training; you earn while you learn
university degree	a qualification after studying at university
graduate (n/v)	a person with a degree / finish university
tuition fees	money paid for teaching at a college or university
scholarship	money to pay for study, given for good results or need
entry requirements	the grades you need to be accepted
apply for / application	formally ask for a place
gap year	a year off between school and university
campus	the buildings and land of a university
student loan / debt	money borrowed to study / money you owe
qualification	a certificate showing you passed
further / higher education	study after school / at university
study abroad	study in another country

Ideas you can use

University opens doors to professions such as medicine and engineering, but it is expensive.
Apprenticeships give practical skills and a salary with no student debt.
A gap year can build maturity through travel or volunteering, but some students lose motivation.
Studying abroad improves your English and independence, but you may miss your family.

Topic 3.4 Jobs, career choices and ambitions

Part-time jobs, work experience, dream careers and what makes a job good.

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
career / profession	the work you do for most of your life
part-time / full-time job	work for some / all of the week
work experience	a short time working to learn about a job
salary / wage	money you earn (monthly / hourly or weekly)
employer / employee	the person who gives work / the person who works
job satisfaction	feeling happy with your work
ambition	a strong wish to achieve something
skills	abilities, e.g. teamwork, communication
CV	a document listing your education and experience
interview	a meeting to decide if you get the job
promotion	moving to a higher position at work
well-paid / badly paid	with a high / low salary
work long hours	work many hours a day
self-employed	working for yourself
responsibility	being in charge of something
work-life balance	time for work and time for family and rest
career path	the route of jobs you take over time
unemployment	not having a job

Ideas you can use

My ambition is to become an engineer because I enjoy solving problems and want to build useful things.
A good job offers a fair salary, job satisfaction and a healthy work-life balance.
Part-time jobs and work experience teach responsibility and time management.
Skills such as teamwork, communication and technology are important in every career.

Use one idea in all four papers

Here is how one idea from Topic 2.2 (volunteering) can help you everywhere:

Paper	How the idea helps
Reading	You meet 'raise funds', 'sponsor', 'volunteers' in an email about a charity walk and understand them instantly.
Writing	Q2 letter: invite parents to a charity concert. Q4: explain why young people should volunteer.
Listening	An interview with a teenage volunteer: you catch 'donations' and 'the elderly' easily.
Speaking	Photocard of students cleaning a beach: describe it, then give your opinion with reasons.

Which theme does a text about choosing between university and an apprenticeship belong to?
Show answer
Theme 3 (Current and future study and employment), topic: Education post-16.
Your speaking photocard is about Theme 2. Which themes will the general conversation cover?
Show answer
Theme 1 (Identity and culture) and Theme 3 (Current and future study and employment): the two themes NOT on the photocard.
Give a word that means 'give money to a charity'.
Show answer
Donate (noun: donation).
What is the difference between 'salary' and 'wage'?
Show answer
Both mean money from work. A salary is usually a fixed yearly amount paid monthly, while a wage is usually paid by the hour or week.
Explain 'off the beaten track'.
Show answer
A place away from the usual tourist areas, not visited by many people.
Give two disadvantages of social media and one solution.
Show answer
For example: (1) cyberbullying and (2) too much screen time, which harms sleep. Solution: phone-free times, such as an hour before bed.

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All pages in this course

Start here: the exam

Reading (9280/R)

Writing (9280/W)

Listening (9280/L)

Speaking (9280/S)