ACTIVITY SHEET EPISODE 7: THE SPEAKING TEST
Practise and consolidate your learning about the IELTS Speaking Test by completing
our activities. The answers for all activities are on the last 2 pages.
ACTIVITY 1
Match the language function in the left-hand column with the appropriate question in
the right-hand column.
Language function Question
1 identifying A Should schools be allowed to sell fast
8 foods in their canteens?
2 describing B Is it important to conserve water in your
6 country? Why/ Why not?
3 comparing C What measures should be taken to reduce
4
traffic jams?
4 evaluating 1 D What can we do to educate children about
eating healthily?
5 describing changes E Why is it important to exercise?
9
6 giving an opinion F What are the benefits of studying abroad?
2
7 explaining G How has the environment changed in the
5 last 20 years in your country?
8 making suggestions H What kind of developments will your
10 country undergo in the future?
9 giving reasons I How has technology changed your life?
5
10 speculating J What is the difference between the family
3 unit today compared to the past?
Page 1 of 5
ACTIVITY 2
Tick (√) the information that is most relevant to the questions
Question 1
What are the benefits of studying English in an English-speaking country?
• native English speaking teachers
• learn the language more quickly
• get a taste of English cuisine
• forced to communicate in English
Question 2
What qualities would be desirable for a teacher?
• likes giving orders
• a good speaker
• creative
• patient
Question 3
What is the importance of playing sports?
• earn a lot of money
• builds character
• good for health
• reduce stress
Question 4
What can be done to reduce traffic jams?
• restrict the number of cars entering the city
• government should increase the tax on petrol
• improve public transport
• improve the efficiency of cars
Question 5
What advice would you give someone learning another language?
• model your pronunciation on that of native speakers
• use a monolingual dictionary
• learn at least five new words every day
• translate everything you don’t know
Page 2 of 5
Question 6
What might the negative effects of the Internet be?
• exposes children to inappropriate material
• addictive
• no censorship of hate literature
• wealth of information
Question 7
Would you agree that dieting is a good thing?
• no, you may lose weight but then gain all the weight and more once you stop
• yes, it helps keep your weight under control
• yes, being overweight is unattractive
• no, it can be very stressful monitoring your weight
Question 8
What effect has tourism had on your country?
• increase in pollution
• provide jobs reducing unemployment
• enhance understanding of the country
• decrease in global warming
Question 9
Should children have to wear school uniforms? Why/Why not?
• yes, one less expense for parents
• yes, brings discipline to the classroom
• yes, helps them focus on their studies
• yes, children are equal
Question 10
What are the advantages of having a part time job while studying?
• ease the financial burden on parents
• good experience for the future
• gives a sense of competition
• make a lot of money
Page 3 of 5
ACTIVITY 1 ANSWERS
1. D
2. I
3. J
4. B
5. G
6. A
7. F
8. C
9. E
10. H
ACTIVITY 2 ANSWERS
Tick (√) the information that is most relevant to the questions
Question 1
What are the benefits of studying English in an English-speaking country?
√ • native English speaking teachers
√ • learn the language more quickly
• get a taste of English cuisine
√ • forced to communicate in English
Question 2
What qualities would be desirable for a teacher?
• likes giving orders
√ • a good speaker
√ • creative
√ • patient
Question 3
What is the importance of playing sports?
• earn a lot of money
√ • builds character
√ • good for health
√ • reduce stress
Question 4
What can be done to reduce traffic jams?
√ • restrict the number of cars entering the city
√ • government should increase the tax on petrol
√ • improve public transport
• improve the efficiency of cars
Page 4 of 5
Question 5
What advice would you give someone learning another language?
√ • model your pronunciation on that of native speakers
√ • use a monolingual dictionary
√ • learn at least five new words every day
• translate everything you don’t know
Question 6
What might the negative effects of the Internet be?
√ • exposes children to inappropriate material
√ • addictive
√ • no censorship of hate literature
• wealth of information
Question 7
Would you agree that dieting is a good thing?
√ • no, you may lose weight but then gain all the weight and more once you stop
√ • yes, it helps keep your weight under control
• yes, being overweight is unattractive
√ • no, it can be very stressful monitoring your weight
Question 8
What effect has tourism had on your country?
√ • increase in pollution
√ • provide jobs reducing unemployment
√ • enhance understanding of the country
• decrease in global warming
Question 9
Should children have to wear school uniforms? Why/Why not?
√ • yes, one less expense for parents
• yes, brings discipline to the classroom
√ • yes, helps them focus on their studies
√ • yes, children are equal
Question 10
What are the advantages of having a part time job while studying?
√ • ease the financial burden on parents
√ • good experience for the future
√ • gives a sense of competition
• make a lot of money
Page 5 of 5
