This IELTS Speaking Practice Test has 3 Sections. In Part 1, you will be asked questions for 4- 5 minutes about Travel by Train by your examiner. In Part 2, you will be given a cue card for a monologue of 2 minutes based on the topic: Describe A Time When You Taught Someone Something. followed by more in-depth questions for another 4-5 minutes based on the cue card in Part 3. Overall, the speaking test takes 15 minutes.
IELTS Speaking Part 1
Travel By Train
Q. Do you like to travel by train?
A. Yes, I quite enjoy travelling by train. It’s comfortable because you can relax, look out of the window, read a book, or use your laptop. In comparison, travelling by bus can be less convenient due to limited space and constant movement, which can sometimes make people feel motion sick. The only drawback in my country is that trains are often delayed, which can disrupt your plans.
Q. Where do you usually go by train?
A. I mainly use trains for long-distance journeys, especially when visiting friends or attending appointments in other cities. For shorter trips, such as commuting to work or travelling locally, I usually prefer to drive or take the bus. Since train journeys allow you to read or work comfortably, they are more suitable for longer distances.
Q. When was the last time you travelled by train?
A. Let me think… it was probably last year when I travelled to the north of the country to visit some friends I hadn’t seen in a while. The journey took around three hours, and I had to change trains once. The first train was quite crowded and noisy because some passengers were heading to a football match, but overall, it was a fairly pleasant trip.
Vocabulary
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Convenient: Easy and suitable to use without difficulty.
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Drawback: A disadvantage or negative aspect of something.
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Disrupt: To interrupt or cause problems in a plan or activity.
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Commuting: Travelling regularly between home and work.
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Suitable: Appropriate or right for a particular purpose.
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Pleasant: Enjoyable or nice.
IELTS Speaking Part 2
Cue Card
Describe a time when you taught someone something.
You should say:
- Who you taught
- What you taught
- How you taught it
- And explain how you felt about the experience.
Sample Answer
One memorable time I taught someone something was when I helped my younger cousin learn how to ride a bicycle. He was around 7 years old and had recently received a new bike for his birthday, but he was scared to ride it without training wheels. His parents had tried to teach him, but he lacked the confidence and would often give up easily.
Since I had some free time during the summer holidays, I offered to teach him. I started by taking him to a nearby park every evening. I first showed him how to balance by letting him coast down small slopes without pedalling, just so he could get used to the feel of the bike. I stayed beside him the whole time, holding the back of the seat to prevent him from falling. After a few days, I noticed he was gaining more control and confidence, so I slowly started letting go without telling him. To his surprise, he realised he was riding on his own.
The moment he understood that he could do it himself was unforgettable. His face lit up with pure joy and a sense of accomplishment. I felt incredibly proud and fulfilled. It reminded me how rewarding it can be to help someone overcome their fear and learn a new skill. It also strengthened our bond, and to this day, he still remembers me as the one who taught him to ride a bike.
Vocabulary
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Memorable: Worth remembering or easily remembered because it is special or meaningful.
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Confidence: A feeling of self-belief and trust in one’s abilities.
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Accomplishment: Something successfully achieved after effort and hard work.
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Rewarding: Giving a feeling of satisfaction or happiness because something valuable was achieved.
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Overcome: To successfully deal with or defeat a problem, fear, or difficulty.
IELTS Speaking Part 3
Q. What kinds of possessions give status to people in your country?
A. That’s an interesting question. I think it largely depends on the context and social setting. In public, items such as the car someone drives often signal status. For example, owning a luxury car like a Mercedes-Benz is widely seen as a symbol of wealth and success, particularly because many people cannot even afford a basic vehicle. Property is another strong indicator of status. Owning a large house in a desirable neighbourhood, along with high-quality furnishings, often reflects financial stability and social standing.
Q. Has it always been the same, or were different possessions considered valuable in the past?
A. I believe it was somewhat different in the past. Luxury cars and modern consumer goods were not always widely available, so they could not serve as status symbols in the same way they do today. In earlier times, valuable items such as gold and jewellery were stronger indicators of wealth and prestige. While these are still considered valuable today, they were once among the primary ways people demonstrated their social position, especially before the rise of modern consumer culture.
Q. Why do you think people feel the need to show their status in society?
A. I think the desire to display status is closely linked to social pressure and human nature. Many people associate wealth and success with personal achievement, and society often reinforces the idea that financial success is something to aspire to. As a result, individuals may use visible symbols, such as luxury cars or expensive properties, to demonstrate their accomplishments. Additionally, higher status often brings respect and, in some cases, preferential treatment, which further motivates people to showcase their success.
Vocabulary
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Indicator: A sign that shows something exists or is true.
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Desirable: Worth having or wanting; attractive.
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Furnishings: Furniture and decorative items inside a house.
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Prestige: Respect and admiration given to someone because of their success or importance.
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Aspire (to): To strongly hope or aim to achieve something.
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Preferential Treatment: Receiving better treatment than others because of a special advantage.
