Speaking For IELTS

Sample Band 8 Essay Writing Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. @Speaking Write about the following topic: In many countries, young people are finding it harder and harder to find permanent jobs. Why is this happening? What can be done to improve the situation? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words. In this fast-moving age, with the development of education and modern technologies, people strive to have a secure job after graduating from colleges and universities. Despite their efforts, so many young adults in different parts of the world have a negative experience of finding a long-term job. It so happens that most colleges and universities focus on students’ academic performance much more than their practical skills. Unfortunately, many companies reserve permanent job opportunities for experienced applicants because there is no need to invest much in their training. Lack of practical experience in new graduates puts them at a disadvantage as far as companies are concerned. The situation is made worse by the abundance of advanced technologies that can easily replace human labor. Robots and computers work more efficiently and with higher precision than humans. That shrinks the pool of available job placements even more, as companies only need to hire highly educated and experienced staff. Fortunately, there is a number of solutions that can help inexperienced workers gain permanent employment. An obvious one is that universities could offer internships to their students, or arrange workshops in addition to classwork. This would help students to get training and experience in their respective fields. Also, the government could examine the demands of changing labor market and steer young people towards professions that will be popular in the coming years. Together with colleges and universities the government could create special awareness programs for graduates, providing them with an overview of various job offers and their benefits. This way students would be able to choose the right jobs for themselves. To sum up, lack of demand in the labour market and insufficient experience are two major reasons why many young people have trouble finding a permanent position. Helping them gain hands-on experience as part of their studies and educating them about career options early on is key to improving the employment outcome for them. @Speaking #writing

IELTS test in New Zealand – October 2021 (General Training) Writing task 1 (a letter) You bought a piece of furniture from a store in another town recently. There is a problem with the item you bought. Write a letter to the store manager. In your letter, – Provide the details of your purchase – Describe the problem that you have with it – Suggest what can be done about it. Writing task 2 (an essay) Some people participate in extreme and dangerous sports. What can be done to avoid danger? How could these sports be made safer? Speaking test Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – What do you do? – Do you like your job? – Are you feeling stressed often? – How do you relieve stress? – Do you do any physical activities or exercises? – What do you do? – How often do you do it? – What is your favorite activity? Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about any equipment that you use at home. Please say – What it is – What you use it for – How often you use it – And explain why it is important to you. Part 3 (Discussion) – What other useful equipment do you have at home? – Do you think younger generation is more comfortable with modern equipment than older people? Why? – Nowadays many factories use machines and automatic equipment instead of manual labor. Why do you think it is? – Is it beneficial for the environment? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS test in the Philippines – October 2021 (Academic Module) Writing task 2 (an essay) One way to solve the problem of congestion is to increase tax on private vehicles. Do the advantages of this solution outweigh its disadvantages? Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – Let’s talk about science. – Did you like science at school? – When did you start learning science, in primary school or high school? – Do you think science classes are important? – If you could use science to invent something, what would it be? Why? – Do you like barbecue parties? – How often do you eat barbecue food? – Do you invite your friends or family to barbecue parties? – What kind of food do you like to cook on a barbecue? Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about some interesting local news from your city. Please say – What was the news – Where you heard or read the news – Who was involved – And explain why people were interested in it. Part 3 (Discussion) – Why do people like to read the local news? – Why do people like the local news more than international news? – How do people get the news? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS Speaking test in Japan – October 2021 Speaking test Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – What do you do for work? – Do you like it? – Do you use technology at work? – What can you improve by using technology? – What is your favorite public holiday? Why? – What did you do during the last public holiday? – Would you like more public holidays? – Do you like flowers? – Have you ever grown flowers? – Did you give flowers to someone recently? Part 2 (Cue Card) Describe a tall building that you like or dislike. Please say – Where and what is it? – What is it used for? – What does the building look like? – And explain why you like or dislike it. Part 3 (Discussion) – Is it common to live in a tall building in Japan? – What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a tall building? – Do you think the number of tall buildings will continue to rise? – Why do people want to custom-design their own houses? – Why is it difficult to get a job as an architect? – Is it difficult to be an architect in your country? @Speaking #recent_exam

Speaking test Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – Do you use headphones? – What type of headphones is your favourite? – When do you use headphones? – In what settings wouldn’t you use headphones? – Are you spending a lot of time alone? – When was the last time you were alone? – What do you like to do when you are alone? – Is spending time alone important? Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about a cafe you like to visit. Please say – where the cafe is situated – what it looks like – what kind of food or drink you had there – and explain why you like this cafe. Part 3 (Discussion) – Do you go to cafes often? – Why do people like going to cafes? – Why do some people prefer working or studying in a cafe? – Do people in your country prefer drinking coffee or tea? – Who drinks coffee more, younger or older people? @Speaking #recent_exam

Sample Band 9 Letter Writing Task 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You recently bought some food at a supermarket, but, when you got home, you found that the food was in bad condition. Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket. In your letter, – explain what happened to you – give details of the day and time of the purchase – ask the manager what he/she intends to do about your experience You should write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir / Madam, Dear Sir / Madam, I am a regular customer at Nelly’s supermarket and have never experienced a lack of quality in your products. However, last week, I made a rather disappointing purchase at your store that I would like to complain about. Last Friday, I purchased a series of products that proved to be very unacceptable in quality and condition. Firstly, a bag of mandarins were completely covered in mould. I could not see this when I was at the supermarket, as the bag was covered in advertisements and the mandarins were not visible. Furthermore, I bought three pineapples, two of which had worms in the middle when I cut them open at home. Lastly, two sets of Vanilla Yoghurt were also three weeks past their sell-by date. This did not actually cause a problem as they were still in a good condition, but I noticed this as I began to inspect everything after having detected the damaged mandarins and pineapples. I made these purchases on Friday the 12th of October, at around 3pm in the afternoon and I would now like to know what you intend to do about this problem. Is there a possible refund or other means of compensation? I am looking forward to hearing from you. Kind Regards, John Bloomsrock @Speaking #recent_exam

Writing task 2 (an essay) Nowadays more people are traveling to other countries. Why is this happening? Is it a negative or positive development? Speaking test Interview – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – What do you do? – Do you like your job? – What do you like about your job the most? – Would you continue in your current job in the future? – Have you ever lost your way? – How did you feel when you got lost? – Do you use technology to find a way to get to a place? – What is your favorite color? – What was your favorite color when you were a child? Cue Card Talk about your favorite famous person. Please say – Who he/she is – Why you like him/her – How you learned about him/her – And explain why he/she is your favorite famous person. Discussion – Why do some people try to enter the private life of celebrities? – What are the advantages of being famous? – What are the disadvantages of being famous? – What do you think about the poor behavior of some celebrities? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS Speaking test in India – October 2021 Interview – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – What do you do? – Do you live in an apartment or a house? – Do you like living there? – Would you like to move somewhere else? – Let’s talk about clothes. – How often do you wear special clothes? – Do you remember wearing special clothes in your childhood? – When was the last time you wore a special outfit? – Do you like wearing traditional clothes? ⇒ Go here to learn how to score Band 7+ in Speaking ⇐ Cue Card Describe a talent or an interest you had in your childhood (such as singing, dancing, doing crafts, etc). Please say – What was the talent or interest? – How did you discover your talent? – How did you try to develop it? – Why were you interested in that? Discussion – Do your friends know about your talent? – Do you think it is important for a children to have a special talent? – Should parents help them to develop their talent? – What do you think about parents forcing their children into something? – What should everyone do to take their special talent to the next level? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS test in Vietnam – October 2021 (Academic Module) @Speaking Writing task 2 (an essay) Schools should not force children to learn a foreign language, because some students don’t have a natural ability for languages. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Speaking test Interview – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – What do you do? – Do you want to live in the countryside? – Is it easy for you to concentrate in a noisy environment? – How important is a daily routine to you? – When did you start to learn science? – Which science subject do you find interesting? Cue Card Describe an activity you usually do that is a waste of your time. Please say – What is it? – When do you usually do it? – Why do you do it? – And explain why you think it wastes your time. Discussion – What makes people feel stressed? – Why do you think it is? – What technological problems can cause people to feel stressed? @Speaking #recent_exam

@Speaking Writing Band 9 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Many cities have areas where the only cars are taxis and buses. Is this a positive or a negative development? What are the effects of this on individuals and society? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words. Sample Band 9 Essay Banning cars from the centre of various cities around the world has been a strategy to reduce pollution and encourage people to use public transport. It has had various positive effects for both individuals and for society as a whole. Banning cars from the centre of cities seems to be a very positive development. Fewer cars on the road means less pollution and fewer fossil fuel resources being used up. Although the effect on resources might be relatively negligible, it can create a newer way of thinking regarding the dynamics of transport within cities and this could be the most important benefit to society. Some people working in the centre of these cities may complain about inconvenience, but many would agree that this is a small price to pay. A reduction in the reliance of people on private vehicles is likely to encourage them to use public transport or even bicycles. Using public transport, especially the types that run on clean sources of power, will significantly raise air quality levels in cities, which will of course benefit everyone. The clean air could even further encourage the use of bicycles, which would in turn promote more healthy lifestyles and less obesity. This would contribute on an individual level to people’s well-being and a better and longer life, and on a societal level, it would lessen the strain on public health resources. Governments could encourage this by creating more bicycle lanes to make cycling easier and safer. In conclusion, it is clear that banning cars from the centre of cities is significantly beneficial. Better health and ecology, as well as improvement in longevity and well-being can benefit individuals and the entire society. @Speaking #writing

Writing task 2 (an essay) @Speaking It is impossible for the government to help everyone around the world, so it should focus on its own country’s development. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Speaking test Interview – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – What subject are you studying? – Why do you think people choose such a subject in your country? – Which subject is your favorite? – Where do you live? – How livable is your city? – Nowadays children spend more time watching TV than in the past, is it a good or a bad habit? – Do you watch television? – Which shows are your favorite? Cue Card Talk about a book that you have read recently. Please say – What was its title? – Who is the author? – What did you learn from it? – And explain why you liked or disliked it. Discussion – When did you read the book? – Why did you choose this book? – Would you recommend it to your friends? – What kind of people would like this book? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS Speaking test in Iran – October 2021 @Speaking Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your identification? – Tell me about your hometown. – When do people use headphones? – Do you use headphones? – Can you concentrate in noisy places? – What do you do to concentrate in noisy places? – Were you a student who listened to every lesson at school? Part 2 (Cue Card) Describe an exciting book that you have read. Please say – What the book was – How you heard about it – When you read it – And explain why you consider this book exciting. Part 3 (Discussion) – Who reads more, boys or girls? – What kinds of books do old and young people like? – Let’s talk about films based on books. – Is it better to read the book first and then watch the film or the other way around? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS test in Nigeria – September 2021 (Academic Module) @Speaking Writing task 2 (an essay) Intelligence is the most important quality of a leader. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Speaking test Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Do you work or study? – Did you have pets when you were a child? – What are the most popular pets in your country? – What kind of weather do you have in your home country? – What are the benefits of a computer for children? – What do you think about computers? – What are the benefits of being a student? Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about a creative person you know that you admire. You should say – Who he/she is – How you know him/her – What creative work he/she has done – And explain why you think he/she is creative. Part 3 (Discussion) – Are you a creative person? – Can creativity be learnt? – What kind of jobs require the ability to be creative? – Do you think leaders need to be creative? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS Speaking test in India – August 2021 @Speaking Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Do you work or study? – Where are you from? – Do you like watching the sky? – Can you see the stars and the moon from where you live? – Did you learn about stars and planets at school? – Would you like to travel to other planets in the future? Why? Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about a town or a city that you would like to work in. Please say – What town/city is it? – Where is it located? – Why would you like to work there? Part 3 (Discussion) – Did you have barbeques when you were a child? – What kind of barbeque food do you like to eat? – Do you like to have a barbeque with your family or friends? – Where can you go for a barbeque in your city? – Why do you go for a barbeque? – Why are people choosing urban life and move to big cities? – What are the disadvantages of living in a large city? – Do you think large cities affect the environment? In what way? – Do you think it is possible to design buildings in harmony with the nature? – Whose responsibility should it be? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS Speaking test in India – September 2021 Writing test @Speaking Speaking test Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your identification? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – Are you living in a house or an apartment? – What type of home would you prefer in the future, and why? Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about an activity that you do after work/study. Please say – what the activity is – where you do it – how long it takes – and explain how you feel about this activity. Part 3 (Discussion) – How do you prefer to relax? – Is it better to relax outdoors or indoors? – Did people have different ways to relax in the past? – Can technology help children relax? – Does technology have any negative effect on children? @Speaking #recent_exam

IELTS test in the USA – October 2021 (General Training) Writing test @Speaking Writing task 1 (a letter) You are renting a house in an English-speaking country and the landlord has been very helpful during your stay. Your friend is interested in renting your place. Write a letter to your landlord to inform him/her that you will be moving out. In your letter, – Tell your landlord that you are leaving and explain why – Thank your landlord for being helpful – Recommend your friend as a prospective tenant. Writing Task 2 (an essay) Some people think that being creative during your time off is helpful. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this and express your own opinion. @Speaking Speaking test Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you study or work? – How do you organise your time as a student? – What are the best education tools for learning? – How do you travel to school? – What means of transportation do you prefer? Why? Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about something you borrowed from someone a few weeks ago. Please say – What you borrowed – Who you borrowed from – Why you borrowed this item – And explain how you felt about borrowing it. Part 3 (Discussion) – What are the advantages and disadvantages of accommodating someone’s needs? – Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? – Should awards or prizes at work be given to individuals or groups of workers? @Speaking #recent_exam

Sample Band 9 Report @Speaking This report is describing two pie charts, one that shows the sources for UK tax revenue and another that shows how the UK government spent their money. Both charts show statistics from last year. It can be clearly seen that income tax was the biggest source of revenue for the UK, and pensions were the largest expenditure area. The sources that the UK government was most dependent on last year were income tax, which made up 28% of tax revenue, national insurance taxes, which made up 21% and value added tax, which made up 17%. The sources that contributed the least to tax revenue were fuel duty, business rates and council tax, each making up 5% of total revenue. The remaining sources of money for the UK government were corporation tax (8%) and other, undefined sources (11%). The pie chart describing the total UK government spending for last year shows that most of the money gained from taxation went on pensions (20%), health care (18%), welfare (17%) and education (14%). The least amount of money went to general government and to transport, both areas receiving 3% of the money each. 7% of the money went to other spending, and the remaining money went to defense (7%), interest payments on debt (6%) and protection in the form of law, police, fire department etc. (5%). @Speaking

Speaking test @Speaking Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Where do you live? – Do you like to keep flowers at home? – Have you ever seen wildlife up close? – Where in your country can a person see wildlife? – Why these particular places? ⇒ Go here to learn how to score Band 7+ in Speaking ⇐ Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about someone much older than you, whom you like very much. Please say – Who the person is – How you know him/her – How long you usually spend with him/her and where – And explain why you like him/her. Part 3 (Discussion) – What activities do older people like to do in their free time? – Are there any other activities they find engaging? – Do you think there should be a fixed retirement age? – Why or why not? – What factors should the retirement age be based on? @Speaking #recent_exam

Speaking test @Speaking Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – What do you do? – What sort of work do you do daily? – Do you use any technology at work? – What is the most important part of your job? – Do you like it? – Do you like flowers? – When was the last time you bought flowers? – Why do you grow flowers? – On which occasions are flowers used in your country? – Do you enjoy public holidays? Why? – Should there be more public holidays? Why? – What do people do on public holidays? – What did you do last holiday? – Did you enjoy it? Part 2 (Cue Card) Talk about something you bought from a street or outdoor market. Please say – When and where it was – Who was there with you – What you bought – And explain how you felt about it later. Part 3 (Discussion) – Do you like to shop? – Do you prefer shopping alone or with others? – Do others feel the same way you do? – What kind of markets are there in your country? – Do you think rural people go to cities to shop? Why? – What are the differences between shopping in shopping malls and in street markets? – Do you think small markets will disappear in the near future? – Do you think people changed their buying habits in recent years? – Why do people choose online platforms to buy? – Do you like shopping online? – Why is that? @Speaking #recent_exam

Speaking test @Speaking Part 1 (Interview) – What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Do you work or study? – What do you do? – Do you like your job? – Do you live in a house or an apartment? – Do you like it there? – Which kind of home would you like to live in, in the future? Part 2 (Cue Card) Describe an instance when you discussed something with someone. Please say – Who did you talk to? – What did you discuss? – Why did you discussed it? – What was the conclusion of that discussion? Part 3 (Discussion) – What is a good way to teach children to share things with friends? – Do you like to have rules? – What rules are necessary? – Do you like to share accommodation with others? – Would you prefer to live alone or with someone? @Speaking #recent_exam