EXAMPLE PART 1 with Notes and Sample Answer diving. Unfortunately, I live quite far from the beach!

tunately, I live quite far from the beach! So, it's not always
possible to go diving every week, but I do try to get to the beach once or
Let’s talk about your outdoor hobbies. twice a month. I really like scuba diving because it's almost like a different
Do you prefer indoor hobbies or outdoor hobbies? Why? world when you're down there. It's unlike any other sport I've ever tried. It
Notes: takes you to a place where you can just look at the fish, listen to the sounds
of the water and completely forget about your problems. It's a completely
Do you prefer indoor hobbies or outdoor hobbies? In this ques on alien landscape and it's just mesmerizing. It's just marvellous to unwind
they're just asking for an introduc on to your daily ac vi es or your under the water like that.'
hobbies. You don't need to expand too much on the answer. You just need to
give a reasonably complete answer.
What outdoor ac vi es do you want to try in the future? Why?
So, for example, you could say something like 'Well, that's an interes ng
ques on. I actually enjoy both indoor hobbies and outdoor hobbies. I think Notes:
that it's very important to have a balance of both, so that you can spend Are there any hobbies that you'd like to try in the future? This is typical
some me in the fresh air, do some exercise and stay healthy. For example, I style of ques on for this part of the exam. What they want to know here is
to play football once a week. I also think it's important to spend some me whether you can use modal verbs correctly and whether you can speculate
indoors and be able to relax and read, or maybe pursue some sort of about things that you have thought about doing.
learning. For instance, I like to learn English and Spanish.'
For example: 'Actually, it's funny you should ask me that, .. I have been
itching to try something like paragliding because I've always been drawn to
What kind of outdoor hobbies do you enjoy? Why do you enjoy them? extreme sports, but I've never had the opportunity to try one. I AM a li le bit
Notes: scared of trying but I think I would be brave enough to do it if I went with
friends.'
What kind of outdoor hobbies do you enjoy and why do you enjoy them?
In this ques on they're asking you to expand a li le bit further. What you I’m itching to try = I really want to try
need to do here is choose perhaps one, two or maybe a maximum of three I've always been drawn to = I’ve always been a racted to
hobbies to talk about and you need to give them a substan al reason why
you like each one of them without talking for too long. You could say
something like; Let’s move on to talk about hobbies in general.
Why do people say that it’s important to have hobbies?
'Wow, I enjoy a lot of different things, but two hobbies that spring to
mind are watching football and prac cing scuba diving. I like to watch Notes:
football every week with my friends. We all meet up in a bar or a cafe and As the examiner asks you more ques ons in part 1 you might find
we sit there and watch the football and catch up. It's a really important part yourself repea ng some of the same answers in different ways, but don't let
of my week because it's the only chance I get to see my friends and share a this distract you. Con nue to focus on being natural, relaxed and cha y.
few laughs. It really helps me unwind. Another hobby I really enjoy is scuba

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Why do people say that it's important to have hobbies? You could say answers in the speaking test. You do need to provide a natural response and
something like: 'I think people say it's important to have hobbies because you need to show that you can express your ideas clearly.
nowadays many people work long hours and in many cases they struggle to For example: ‘It depends on the me of the year because some mes I
switch off when they get home, partly due to communica on devices like have more work than others (obviously like everyone) and some mes I have
mobile phones. I believe it's essen al to be able to unwind and find things more exams than others. If I don't have any exams and I'm just going to class
that distract you from your daily rou ne, as it can prevent burnout and other and working, I get to prac ce my hobbies. As I said, I go scuba diving once or
stress related issues. It's also crucial to have some physical as well as twice a month and I watch football with friends. I also play a li le bit of
intellectual hobbies, as it provides balance and s mula on, and enables tennis some mes and I also like to go to concerts and live gigs. However,
people to maintain good physical and mental health.' when I have exams It's impossible for me to pursue any of my hobbies, as
I’m WAY too busy!’
Tell me about your favourite hobby. What’s the most interes ng thing about it in your opinion?

Notes:
Tell me about your favourite hobby. What's the most interes ng thing
about it in your opinion? You probably answered this already in the first
ques on. If this was a real exam the examiner might skip this one and go to
the next ques on instead. But if they do ask you, you could say something
like:

'Well, if I had to choose, I'd probably say that my favourite hobby is scuba
diving. As I men oned earlier, I don't always have the opportunity to go
every week. It's usually once a month or twice a month maximum, but I find
it really therapeu c. I always manage to de-stress every me I go, and I
always really look forward to it. It allows me to clear my head and be in real
contact with nature. I always get my best ideas a er I've been scuba diving! '

Is it easy to find me to prac se your hobbies? (Why-Why not?)

Notes:
Is it easy to find me to prac ce your hobbies? You can say yes, or you
can say no, it doesn't really ma er. There are no wrong right or wrong

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 8.5 Level Speaking Phrases for IELTS Part 1
Please don’t try to learn all these, just read through the list and choose a Agree
few that you like and that you feel comfortable using. Make a note of these
and use them in your prac ce answers. We see eye to eye.

Opinion Yeah, I’d go along with that.

As far as I’m concerned, Absolutely!

As I see it, You took the words right out of my mouth.

From my point of view, I couldn’t agree more.

In my humble opinion, You have a point there.

I’d say that… I’m with you 100% on this one.

Disagree (*try not to argue or disagree with the examiner!)

Personalise
I tend to disagree with that.
Speaking from personal experience,… For
That’s not always the case
me personally,..
Isn’t it more a case of…
This is a topic that is par cularly close to my heart…
It’s funny I was just thinking about this the other day.
Impressive structures (don’t overuse these)
My gut/ini al reac on is…
Another point I’d like to add about … is…

Likes/dislikes It’s also worth bearing in mind that…

I’m into… I’d also like to point out that…

I’m a keen/avid (surfer) I think it’s important not to forget that…

I’m keen on/fond of (surfing) The vast majority of people tend to think that…

I (go surfing) to unwind, to escape the stresses and strains of my day to At the end of the day…
day life. When all’s said and done…
I like nothing more than (to go surfing)
I’m itching to try/go…. (I really want to)

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SECRET # 6. IELTS SPEAKING PART 2

Speak slowly
SECRETS Speak slowly and with purpose.
*This will allow you to feel calmer.
In this sec on you’ll find a sample speaking test part 2 (long turn) that
we’re going to analyse one ques on at a me. For each ques on, you’ll find *It will allow you to express yourself be er.
some guide notes underneath, with a sample response and some ps. *It will allow you to think
* It will allow you to pronounce and emphasise your sentences far be er.
Key Informa on about part 2:
In part 2 of the speaking test you have to speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Try to Keep it simple
speak for the full 2 minutes un l the examiner interrupts you once you
One of the most important things you can do to improve your IELTS score
reach the 2 minutes maximum.
in the speaking test is not to try to sound as smart as possible and use
The examiner will interrupt with a follow-up ques on or by saying complex structures, complex sentences or obscure words to explain simple
'thank you' and then he or she will go into the follow-up ques on usually. things. Try to keep things simple because that's what natural, na ve-level
It's important that you speak for the two minutes if you want to get communica on is about. Learn alterna ve words and structures to use but
the higher grades, because it shows that you have the fluency and the you should prac ce those structures and those words so much at home, that
ability to expand your answers. they come out naturally when you do the test. In the test you should be
You have the ques on card with some sub points that give you some focusing on being natural and being talka ve, not on using complex
guidance as to what to talk about. You can change the order of these, or vocabulary or using complex sentences. When candidates try to use complex
you can adapt them if you want, it doesn't really ma er, but it's normally sentences to impress the examiner, what usually happens is that they make
be er to follow them, because it's one less thing to concentrate on. more mistakes and they sound less natural in English. When na ve speakers
who are educated to degree level, or Masters level , or PHD level speak, they
Don't try to be too formal. don't usually try to complicate their language as much as possible, because
it would be unnatural and would make communica on worse. Study
A very important rule in the IELTS speaking test is don't try to be too vocabulary and structures the way I men oned in the introduc on and then
formal. Remember that the IELTS speaking test is a semi-formal exam. By focus on keeping it simple and being cha y and sociable in the test. This will
that I mean you should be respec ul towards the examiner, but you always get you an 8.5.
need to bear in mind that you're not in an academic presenta on to a
lecturer, you're in an exam that wants to test your real level of English
speaking. Don't use slang or talk about controversial topics or topics that
could be offensive to people. Keep your language neutral and try to be semi-
formal in your approach.

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 Part 2 Exam Trick EXAMPLE PART 2 with Notes and Sample Answer
A special IELTS speaking trick for part two of the test is to use the Candidate Task Card
Past/Present/Future method. In the IELTS speaking test you are not graded
on answering the ques on exactly the way they say, so you do have a li le Describe your ideal
outdoor place.
bit of flexibility. It's not the same as the wri ng where you have to answer
the task exactly the way the exam sets it. So if you struggle with speaking for
2minutes about a topic, what you can do is use the past, present, future You should say:
method. This method is basically like this: if you are presented a task like
this: Where it is

Instead of answering the task exactly the way the examiner presents it, When did/will you go
you can talk about
there
1. One example from the past where you answer the whole task in about
30 seconds or 40 seconds What ac vi es you can do
there
2. Then you choose one example from the present where you answer
thetask again in about 30-40 seconds
and say why is it ideal for
3. Then another example from the future where you answer the you
wholeques on again in 30 to 40 seconds.

Remember:
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
You have one minute to think about what you're going to say.
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Ok, so for this method what we're going to do, is first we're going to talk
about an ideal place in the past. Something that was an ideal outdoor place
for me in the past.
We're going to say:
-where it was

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-when I went there or when I used to go there track of me and forget all of my worries. It allowed me to get some fresh air
-what ac vi es I used to do or I did there and share some laughs with my friends.

-and why it was ideal for me However, a perfect place for me now, would be, maybe the beach. I live
near the beach now and I really enjoy going to there a er the gym and
ge ng in the sea. A er I get in the water, I usually chill out under the sun
Then, we're going to talk about an ideal outdoor place I currently enjoy. and have a quick read. The reason why it's ideal for me is for the same
-where it is reason as my first example. I think it allows me to de-stress and forget about
my schedule. It helps me get fresh ideas, go back to work and be more
-when I go there
produc ve.
-what ac vi es I do there
An ideal outdoor place for me in the future might be somewhere like a
-and why it's ideal for me villa by the sea. There are some stunning villas in my area.
I would like to have my own villa with a swimming pool in the future, so I
Then finally, we're going to take the last 30-40 seconds to talk about an can work from home.
ideal outdoor place for me in the future. So, somewhere I would like to go or The reason why this would be perfect for me, is it would allow me to
where I plan to go in the future. disconnect and really focus on work when I need to. I think that I would be
more produc ve and that I would also be able to enjoy a li le bit of leisure
me. I could have friends come round to my house for BBQs and drinks, and I
-where it is could organise family get-togethers.’
-when I will go there
-what ac vi es I can do
-and say why it will be ideal for me

So, in this par cular example, we could say something like:

'Ok. The ul mate outdoor place for me when I was a kid, was a football
pitch near my house. It was about half a mile away from my house. I used to
go there every day to play football a er school. I used to really enjoy playing
football there with my mates. it was ideal for me because it was a way of
unwinding and forge ng about school. I remember I would completely lose

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 Why is this method so effec ve in the IELTS Speaking Test?
1. The first reason why this method is so effec ve is that it allows you
todivide the ques on into three sec ons, which gives you a lot more to talk
about. It will give you more ideas and it will make it easier for you to carry
on talking for the full 2 minutes. Basically, when you have 3 examples to talk
about, there is a lot less pressure and you will feel less nervous.

In this chapter you’ll find a sample speaking test part 3 (discussion) that
2. The second reason why this is so effec ve is that because we’re going to go through one ques on at a me. You’ll find some notes
you'respeaking about three examples from different mes, (one from the under each ques on, with a sample response and some ps.
past, one from the present, and one from the future), it allows you to use
different tenses and different construc ons that you would not normally use
Clear Communica on Checklist
if you were speaking about one example. This allows you to show the
examiners more of your English and allows you to keep your answer more 1. Keep your sentences simple and direct
organised. 2. Remove unnecessary words to make your communica on more
3. The third reason why this method is so good, is because when effec ve and powerful. Remember that no ma er who you’re speaking
you'reusing three different examples, you have the to talk about three to, they are human, so relate to them as a human.
different topic areas, which will enable you to show the examiners that you 3. Be as specific as possible.
have a wide range of vocabulary. 4. Avoid the Passive Voice like the plague, unless you have no choice.
Instead of saying “the project was launched by the government” use an
ac ve sentence like “The government launched the project”. Ac ve
The Rounding off ques ons sentences tend to sound more alive and as a result more interes ng.
If the examiner asks you a follow-up ques on you should provide a short
natural response. Don't go into any long explana ons or details about
anything. Just provide a natural response to the ques on, as if you were When the examiner asks you a ques on you’ve already talked about.
having a relaxed conversa on. The whole point of this ques on is simply to Don't be surprised if the examiner asks you a ques on which you've just
finish this part of the exam. It's the end of part 2. answered in your previous response. Some mes when you respond to a
ques on you will inadvertently answer the next ques on that the examiner
was going to ask. The examiner might just ask you again anyway. Don't be
SECRET # 7. IELTS SPEAKING PART 3 surprised and don't feel bad. Don't assume that the examiner hasn't
understood you or hasn't listened, just answer the ques on as if you hadn't
SECRETS answered it before. If you want, you can try to answer in a slightly different

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way by paraphrasing, but don't feel nervous, don't feel bad and don't feel What to say if you need me to think in the exam
like the examiner didn't understand, it's just part of the process. If you need me to think in the exam because you're not sure of what to
say, you can start by saying:

Socially Strange ques ons.

This is a li le bit controversial but in the IELTS speaking test they o en 'it's quite a difficult ques on, but I suppose/guess...''.
ask weird or strange ques ons that catch students off guard. The reason why
they do this, is so they can focus their assessment on language rather than
ideas and background knowledge of a par cular subject. This is why you Or you can say
o en see generic and obvious ques ons that you wouldn’t normally talk
about in your own language. Forget whether you think the ques on the
'that's a really interes ng ques on .. I suppose/guess'
examiner is asking you is stupid and just play the game to get your band
score. Tell the examiner what he or she wants to hear, and you’ll be
laughing, singing and dancing all your way to university or your new country or you can say
of residence with an 8.5.
Don’t let strange ques ons spoil your good vibes in the exam. Focus on
being open, friendly and cha y, whatever ques on the examiner asks. Don’t 'I've never thought about it before, but I suppose/guess...'
limit yourself to speaking about things that are 100% true for you either,
remember the examiner doesn't know you and doesn't care if what you're EXAMPLE PART 3 with Notes and Sample Answer
saying is true! If you don't know what to say, just invent an answer, nobody
cares! Let’s consider first of all how people’s values have changed.
What kind of hobbies are popular among teenagers in your country? Why do you think these
hobbies are so popular?

To clarify what you just said Notes:

If you want to clarify what you just said you can say
What kind of hobbies are popular among teenagers in your country and
'to put it another why do you think these hobbies are so popular? This type of ques on is
way...' or you can say typical. They like to ask you what type of things are popular with young
people or teenagers or people your own age in your country or in your area.
'what I mean is...' or
For this par cular ques on an example answer might be something like
'what I'm trying to say is...'
this: ‘Most teenagers in my country like to go out and socialise, they like to
play football and they like to listen to music. I think these are very popular
because they are easy ac vi es to pass the me. Music is available at the

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touch of a bu on on your smartphone and you can listen to it anywhere, Notes:
pre y much. Football is fairly inexpensive to prac ce and is the most popular A possible answer might be:
sport (in my country) not just among teenagers, but among adults as well.
Finally, going out and socialising are also something that I think people of all 'I think to a certain extent it does. Peer pressure is much more pronounced
ages like to do. We have great weather most of the year, so people are when you're in your teens, but even adults feel peer pressure in my opinion.
always up for a drink or a coffee outside with friends. Being sociable outside It does influence the kind of hobbies that people choose, because when you
is a very big part of our culture, it helps us connect with each other.’ see that other people prac se a sport or prac se a par cular hobby, it
automa cally becomes more a rac ve to you. So, you are more likely to do
something that you see other people enjoying. There's also added pressure
How do you think things have changed since your grandparents’ me?
for you to join in if your friends prac ce a par cular hobby, as the alterna ve
Notes: is o en to stay at home and not see them'
Another typical exam-style ques on. The exam o en includes a ques on
about how things have changed in some way (comparing past and present
habits or behaviours). The key language you need to dominate here is ‘used
to’, past simple and present tenses. Beyond that, you need to be
comfortable with specula ng.
Here is a simple example:
'Wow, that's a difficult ques on! I'm not en rely sure how things have
changed since my grandparents' me, but if I had to guess I'd probably say
that teenagers spend more me in front of screens with technology now.
They communicate online a lot, whereas this wasn't an op on in my
grandparents' me. They probably listen to a lot more music and they play a
lot more computer games as well!
They probably play a wider range of sports because I mean, let's face it,
the only sport people played 60- 70 years ago was probably football (soccer).
With globalisa on, a lot of different hobbies and sports have spread all over
the world, so I think more people play sports like tennis now and perhaps 70
years ago this was only for the elite. Many teenagers also play basketball
now, but they probably didn't used to 70 years ago.'

Finally, let’s talk about the role of peer-pressure.

Do you think peer-pressure influences the kind of hobbies people choose to prac se? How or Why?

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8.5 Level Speaking Phrases for IELTS Part 3 In fact..

OK, so here is a long list of possible phrases, structures and words you I tend to disagree…
could use to add a bit of salt and pepper to your speaking in part 3 and get
an 8.5 or even a 9.0. HOWEVER, you do not need to use any of them to get I am unconvinced by…
an 8.5. These are just extra phrases for you to choose the ones you like and Overall,…
are comfortable using and think about adding them to your prac ce. Do not
In the final analysis…
stress, and do not start wri ng them all down and studying their defini ons
please. Focus on 3 or 4 that you like and that you’re comfortable using, and Ul mately,…
then introduce them into your answers when you do the prac ce exercises To conclude…
later on in this book.
In conclusion…
On the other hand…
USEFUL PHRASES
There is no doubt that…
If you consider X… you could be convinced by an argument in favor of….Y
This could involve…
But you have to think about another aspect of the problem…
Thirdly… EXPRESSING VIEWS
I do not feel this is a direct cause of…
I would argue that…
Of course it goes without saying that…
I firmly believe that…
There has been a growing body of opinion that..
It seems to me that..
… the situa on can be addressed by adop ng the methods men oned
above… I tend to think that…

While I admit that… I would argue that… People argue that..

One approach would be… Some people think that…

A second possibility would be to… Many people feel that…

Obviously,… In my experience… It is
undoubtedly true that..
However,
It is certainly true that….
This suggests that…
In addi on…
REFUTING AN ARGUMENT
To sum up…

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 I am unconvinced that… I This is to say…
don not believe that.. To be more precise..
It I hard to accept that… Here I am referring to …
It is unjus fiable to say that…
There is li le evidence to support that… USE SPARINGLY (=a li le)
First/second, etc… Moreover..

PROVIDING SUPPORT In addi on…

For example,… For Furthermore,…

instance,… Nevertheless/nonetheless…

Indeed,… On the one/other hand…

In fact,… Besides…

Of course,… Consequently…

It can be generally observed that… In contrast…

Sta s cs demonstrate… In comparison…

If this is/were the case…

Firstly,… USE MODERATELY While…

Naturally,… Meanwhile…

In my experience… Although…

Let me illustrate… In spite of…/ Despite the fact that…

Even though…

DEFINING/EXPLAINING As a result…

I would argue that… However… Since…

By this I mean… In Similarly…

other words.. Thus…

In turn

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A second possibility would be to…

OTHER USEFUL PHRASES …this could involve…
My response to this argument depend on what is meant by… Many people feel that this is unacceptable because…
There is surely a difference between…. and…. Opponents of… point out that … and argue that…
I intend to illustrate how some of these differences are significant to the On the other hand it cannot be denied that…
argument put forward. Supporters of…argue that…
However, whilst I agree that… I am less convinced that…
I certainly believe that… INTRODUCING A FALSE ARGUMENT
One of the main arguments in favour of…. is that… It could be argued that…
In other words… Some people would argue that…
Admi edly, in some ways… There is also the idea implicit in the statement that…
Surely… It is o en suggested that…
Arguably..
Either way…
In any case…
The most important point is that…
Another point is that…
Of crucial importance , in my opinion, is…
There is , however, another possible way of defining…
…that I am in favor of , although I also realize that…
Therefore…
There is no doubt that…
However, it is possible to tackle this serious issue in a number of ways.
One approach would be..
…would be par cularly beneficial.

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 DEMOLISHING A FALSE ARGUMENT Tell me about your favourite hobby. What’s the most interes ng thing
This is partly true, but… about it in your opinion?

To a certain limited extant, there is some truth in this… However, Is it easy to find me to prac se your hobbies? (Why-Why not?)

the implica on that… is oversimplifica on.

This argument has certain specific logic, but…
Part 2: – Individual long turn

PROPOSING A CORRECT ARGUMENT

Candidate Task Card
It is clear that…
The real situa on… Describe your ideal
outdoor place.
Obviously…
I think is therefore quite wrong to suggest You should say:
that…
Where it is
PRACTICE SPEAKING TEST 1
When did/will you go
there
Note: The examiner will introduce himself or herself and then ask you for
your name and ID before you start.
What ac vi es you can do
there
Part 1:
and say why is it ideal for
Let’s talk about your outdoor hobbies. you
Do you prefer indoor hobbies or outdoor hobbies? Why?
What kind of outdoor hobbies do you enjoy? Why do you enjoy them?
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
What outdoor ac vi es do you want to try in the future? Why?
You have one minute to think about what you're going to say.
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
Let’s move on to talk about hobbies in general.
Why do people say that it’s important to have hobbies?

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Rounding off ques ons

Are you planning on going back there soon?
PRACTICE SPEAKING TEST 2
Is it easy for you to go there?
Note: The examiner will introduce himself or herself and then ask you for
your name and ID before you start.
Part 3: Two-way discussion

Part 1:
Let’s consider first of all how people’s values have changed.
Let’s talk about your home town or village.
What kind of hobbies are popular among teenagers in your country? Why
do you think these hobbies are so popular? Can you describe what kind of place it is?

How do you think things have changed since your grandparents’ me? What’s special about your town/village?
What kind of free- me ac vi es do the people in your town/village
usually enjoy?
Finally, let’s talk about the role of peer-pressure.
Would you say your town/village is a good place to live? (Why?)
Do you think peer-pressure influences the kind of hobbies people choose
to prac se? How or Why?
Let’s move on to talk about accommoda on.
What kind of accommoda on do you live in?
How long have you lived there?
What are the advantages of living there?
What sort of accommoda on would you like to live in? Why?

Part 2: – Individual long turn

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 Candidate Task Card

Describe an occasion
when you lost something.

You should say:

what you lost

how you found it

and how you felt when you

found it.

You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.

You have one minute to think about what you're going to say.
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Rounding off ques ons

Why do some people repeatedly forget things?
What can people do to become less forge ul?
Part 3: Two-way discussion
Let’s consider how people value possessions.
What’s the best thing to do if you find something valuable on street?
What types of possessions are considered important in your country?
Has this always been the case, or did people value different things in the
past?

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PRACTICE SPEAKING TEST 3 Candidate Task Card

Describe a meaningful
Note: The examiner will introduce himself or herself and then ask you for event in your life so far.
your name and ID before you start.
You should say:

Part 1: When the event happened

Let’s talk about yourself.
Who you were with
Are you currently a student or do you work?
Why did you choose to do this course/job? What happened
Tell me a li le about your daily rou ne.
And explain why you feel it
Is there anything you would like to change about your rou ne? was special or meaningful.

Let’s move on to talk about shopping.

You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
Who does the majority of the shopping in your household?
You have one minute to think about what you're going to say.
Is shopping a popular ac vity among young people in your country?
(Why/why not?) You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
What type of shops do young people like best in your country?
Part 2: – Individual long turn Rounding off ques ons
How o en do you think about this event?
Is there anything you would change about this event?
Part 3: Two-way discussion
Let’s talk about important events in your country.
What are the most important events in your country?
Why is it important to have na onal celebra ons?

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 Has the way people celebrate important events changed over the years in
your country? Why? PRACTICE SPEAKING TEST 4
Note: The examiner will introduce himself or herself and then ask you for
your name and ID before you start.

Part 1:
Let’s talk about the place where you live.
Tell me a li le bit about the place where you live.
What do you like about it?
Is there anything you would change about it?
Describe your ideal place to live.

Let’s move on to talk about clothes.

Do you enjoy shopping for clothes?
What sort of clothes do you like to wear?
Is fashion important in your country?
Have you ever had to wear a uniform?

Part 2: – Individual long turn

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Candidate Task Card Has people’s a tude towards higher educa on changed since your
parents’ me? Why?
Describe something you Does educa on guarantee a good job where you live?
have learnt recently that you
found useful.
Now let’s talk about technology and educa on
You should say:
How important is it for educa onal ins tu ons to have computers for
their students?
What you learnt
How valuable is the internet as an educa onal tool?
What you enjoyed about
learning it

What you would change

PRACTICE SPEAKING TEST 5
about the experience
Note: The examiner will introduce himself or herself and then ask you for
And explain why it was your name and ID before you start.
useful to you.

Part 1:
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. Let’s talk about food.
You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. Tell me about your favourite food.
You can make some notes to help you if you wish. What’s your least favourite food?
How has your taste changed over the years?
Rounding off ques ons Describe your ideal meal.
How o en do you think you will use this knowledge in the future?
Is there another skill you would like to learn? (What is it and why?) Part 3: Let’s move on to talk about going out.
Two-way discussion Let’s talk about educa on. Do you eat out o en?
Is the pursuit of higher educa on important to people in your country? What’s the most important thing for you when you go out?
Why is it important to complete higher educa on for some people? Where do young people like to go out where you live?

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 Do you like to go out on your own or do you prefer to go out with friends? Part 3: Two-way discussion Let’s
talk about diets.
Part 2: – Individual long turn Why do you think some people choose to be vegan?
How has people’s diet changed in your country over the last twenty years?
Candidate Task Card
How do you think the way people eat will change in the future?

Describe somewhere you What is a typical meal in your home town?

like to eat. Do you think that a region’s food defines its culture? If so, how?

You should men on

Where is it

What kind of food you can

eat there

Why do like to eat there

and how o en you eat

there

You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.

You have one minute to think about what you're going to say.
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Rounding off ques ons

How important is it to eat a healthy, balanced diet?
Do most people in your country eat a healthy diet?

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PRACTICE SPEAKING TEST 6 Candidate Task Card

Talk about an exci ng

Note: The examiner will introduce himself or herself and then ask you for experience you have had.
your name and ID before you start.
You should men on

Part 1: when the experience took

Let’s talk about leisure. place

Tell me about the things you enjoy doing in your free me.
where it happened
What did you used to enjoy doing in your free me when you were
younger? what happened
How many days off do most people get in your country?
and explain why the event
How important is leisure me for you?
was so exci ng.

Let’s move on to talk about music.

How o en do you listen to music? You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.

What’s your favourite kind of music? You have one minute to think about what you're going to say.

What’s a tradi onal type of music in your country? You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Why is music important to so many people?

Part 2: – Individual long turn Rounding off ques ons
How important is it to experience different things in life?
Do most people you know like to experience different things?
Part 3: Two-way discussion Let’s
talk about risks.
In what ways is life becoming riskier?
In general, is life easier or more difficult than it was in your parents’ me?

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 Is taking risks a posi ve or a nega ve?
Do you think people in general take less risks as they get older? Why-Why Part 2: – Individual long turn
not?
Candidate Task Card
Now let’s move on to talk about adventure
Describe a news website,
How important is it for people to experience adventure? newspaper, magazine or blog
Are young people in your country adventurous? you enjoy reading.

You should say:

PRACTICE SPEAKING TEST 7 what kind of news
website,
Note: The examiner will introduce himself or herself and then ask you for magazine or blog it is, e.g.
your name and ID before you start. technology

how o en you read it

Part 1:
Let’s talk about your home town. what kind of topics it
Tell me about your hometown. What is it like? usually discusses

Has it changed since you were younger? If so, how? and explain why you enjoy
What do people there usually do for entertainment? reading it.

Let’s move on to talk about reading.

You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
How o en do you read?
You have one minute to think about what you're going to say.
Do you prefer reading fic on or non-fic on? Why?
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
What kind of news do you usually follow?
How do most people get the news in your country? Why?
Rounding off ques ons

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Do you prefer reading online or offline sources? Why? Note: The examiner will introduce himself or herself and then ask you for
Do you think it’s important to encourage children to read? Why-Why not? your name and ID before you start.

Part 3: Two-way discussion Let’s

talk about newspapers. Part 1:

What advantages do newspapers have for finding out about the news Let’s talk about your lifestyle.
compared to listening to the radio or watching tv? Would you describe yourself as an ac ve person?
Do you think newspapers and news websites should be free to publish What kind of things do you like to do to unwind? Why?
what they want? Why? Is it important to have a variety of free- me ac vi es? Why?
How important is it to have an ac ve lifestyle?
Now let’s move on to talk about reading and online news.
What are the advantages of online newspapers? Let’s move on to talk about sport.
Do you think it’s important to follow the news every day? Why? Did you prac se a lot of sport as a child?
Is reading becoming increasingly important? Why? What is your favourite sport now as an adult? Why?
How o en do you follow sports on tv?
Extra ques ons: How do most people keep fit in your area?
What kind of stories do the mainstream media publish about famous
people in your country?
Should they be allowed to release stories about people’s private lives?
Part 2: – Individual long turn
Why-Why not?
Do you think online newspapers will one day replace tradi onal
newspapers? Why-Why not?

PRACTICE SPEAKING TEST 8

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 Candidate Task Card What are the best ways to keep fit?
Should everyone be encouraged to exercise? Why-Why not?
Describe a special
Are people in your country less healthy than they were in your parents’
spor ng event or
compe on you have either me?
par cipated in or watched.
Now let’s move on to talk about sport.
You should say:
What is the most popular sport in your country? Why do you think this is?
what type of event or Is sport a part of the culture of a country? Why-Why not?
compe on it was

when and where it was Extra ques ons:

Should sport and fitness be given more importance in schools and
what happened universi es? Why-Why not?
How can young people be encouraged to stay healthy?
and explain why it was
interes ng or special. Should governments take ac on to ensure people are physically
healthier? Why-Why not?

You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.

You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. IELTS PRACTICE CARDS
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Rounding off ques ons

How did it make you feel?
Part 3: Two-way discussion
Let’s talk about exercise and fitness.
What advantages of regular exercise?

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Goals Restaurants & Food

What’s your What is What’s your Do you like to eat
biggest goal at the something you’ve favorite type of in restaurants?
moment and how do never learned but food? (Italian, Describe the best
you plan to achieve wish you had? Spanish, French, restaurant you
it? American, Mexican, remember going to.
Chinese, Thai etc..?)
What "shor erm" What "long term"
goals do you have at goals do you have?
the moment? Are you a good Describe the
cook? What’s your worst restaurant you
star dish? remember going to.

Think of a me Why are goals

when you didn’t important? In your
achieve one of your opinion, is it
goals, describe the essen al to have Do you like ‘junk Have you ever
situa on and how goals in life? food’?. Do you think eaten at an ‘all you
you felt. ‘junk food’ should be can eat’ restaurant?
more regulated by Was the food as
the government? good as a normal
restaurant?
Have you got any What is success to
goals that you think you? (What would
are unrealis c? be your defini on of
success?) What’s the most What do you think
important thing in a about children crying
restaurant? ‘Value in a restaurant when
for money’, taste, you are trying to eat?
atmosphere or Does it bother you?
décor?

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 Work
At what age What’s the worst
would you like to job you have ever
re re? What do you done?
think you will do
a er you re re?

On a scale of 110, What changes

how would rate your would you introduce
job? (10 the best and to improve your
1 the worst scores). current job?

What’s your If you won ‘a

dream job? (If gazillion’ dollars in
money was not an the lo ery
issue, what job tomorrow, would
would you choose?) you re re? How
would you spend
your me?

What jobs give Would

people a high status introducing a 4-day
in your country? work-week be
realis c in your
country? Why or
why not?

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Job Interviews Inven ons

Is it important to What skills, What are the How did the
be good at job abili es and most important inven on of the TV
interviews? Why or quali es do inven ons of the change people's
interviewers 20th and 21st lives?
why not?
generally look for in centuries in your
a candidate? opinion?

How has the What do you

internet changed think is the worst
On a scale of 110, Are job interviews people’s lives? Has it inven on in history?
how would rate your a fair assessment of been a posi ve or a
job interview skills? someone’s skills and nega ve change?
suitability for a job?

What are the How do you feel

Which two If someone
most common job when you have to do
inven ons would invented a me
interview ques ons? a job interview?
you like to see in the machine, what me
Pick one and answer
next 10 or 15 years? would you like to
it with your partner.
Why? visit? Why?

How could What 3 pieces of

employers make job advice would you
How has the What would you
interviews fairer for give someone who is Internet influenced invent if you were a
candidates? about to do a job communica on, scien st? Why?
interview? correspondence and
access to
informa on?

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