This IELTS Speaking Practice Test has 3 Sections. In Part 1, you will be asked questions by your examiner for 4-5 minutes about the topic Vegetable. In Part 2, you will be given a cue card for a monologue of 2 minutes based on the topic Describe A Vegetable You Do Not Like To Eat, 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
Vegetable
Q1. What is your favourite vegetable?
A. My favourite vegetable is spinach. I usually eat it in homemade dishes prepared by my mother, especially with garlic and cheese. I started liking it when I was around twelve because my grandmother often cooked it during winter evenings. Apart from being tasty, it is also extremely nutritious. I try to include it in my diet at least three times a week because it helps me stay energetic and healthy.
Q2. Why do you like this vegetable so much?
A. I like spinach mainly because of its flavour and versatility. It can be used in soups, curries, pasta, and even sandwiches. Moreover, it cooks very quickly, which makes it convenient for busy people like me. I also appreciate the fact that it contains iron and vitamins. Whenever I eat it regularly, I genuinely feel more active and refreshed throughout the day.
Q3. How often do you eat vegetables?
A. I eat vegetables every single day because my family strongly believes in maintaining a balanced diet. Usually, we prepare at least two vegetable dishes during lunch and dinner. Personally, I prefer fresh vegetables bought from a local market near my house in Kolkata. I think eating vegetables regularly is essential nowadays because people tend to consume too much fast food and processed meals.
Q4. Did you enjoy vegetables as a child?
A. Not really. When I was younger, I was extremely picky about food and mostly preferred fried snacks or noodles. I used to avoid vegetables like bitter gourd and cauliflower because I disliked their texture and smell. However, my eating habits gradually changed during my teenage years after learning more about nutrition and fitness. Now, I actually enjoy trying different vegetable recipes.
Q5. Are vegetables popular in your country?
A. Yes, vegetables are incredibly popular in India because they are used in a wide variety of traditional dishes. In many households, vegetarian meals are prepared almost every day due to cultural and religious reasons. Furthermore, vegetables are affordable and easily available in local markets throughout the year. Indian cuisine also uses numerous spices, which makes vegetable dishes far more flavourful and appealing.
Q6. Do you think children should eat more vegetables?
A. Definitely. Vegetables provide essential nutrients that are necessary for children’s physical growth and mental development. Unfortunately, many children nowadays prefer junk food because of advertisements and social media influence. I believe parents should encourage healthy eating habits from an early age by preparing colourful and delicious vegetable-based meals. Schools could also educate students about the long-term benefits of a nutritious diet.
Vocabulary
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Versatility: The ability to be used in many different ways.
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Nutritious: Containing substances that are beneficial for health.
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Convenient: Easy and practical to use or do.
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Balanced Diet: A healthy diet containing the right amounts of different foods.
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Processed Meals: Food that has been altered or prepared industrially before being sold.
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Picky: Too selective about certain things, especially food.
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Nutrients: Substances in food that help living things grow and stay healthy.
IELTS Speaking Part 2
Cue Card
Describe A Vegetable You Do Not Like To Eat.
You should say:
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What the vegetable is
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When you first tried it
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Why do you not like it
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And explain whether you think you will eat it in the future
Sample Answer
A vegetable that I really dislike is bitter gourd, which is commonly known as karela in India. I first tried it when I was around eight or nine years old because my mother insisted that it was extremely healthy and beneficial for digestion.
I still remember that experience quite clearly because I immediately disliked its strong, bitter taste. Even though my mother added spices and cooked it carefully, I found the flavour unpleasant and difficult to tolerate. Apart from the taste, I also do not enjoy its texture because it becomes slightly soft and watery after cooking. Whenever bitter gourd is served at home, I usually avoid eating it and choose another dish instead.
Another reason I dislike this vegetable is that its smell is not very appealing to me. Some of my family members genuinely enjoy it, especially my grandfather, who believes it helps control blood sugar levels. However, I have never been able to develop a liking for it despite trying different recipes such as fried bitter gourd chips and stuffed karela.
Although I dislike it now, I think I may eventually start eating it in the future because it has numerous health benefits. As people grow older, they often become more health-conscious and willing to eat nutritious food even if it is not particularly tasty. Therefore, I might gradually include small amounts of bitter gourd in my diet someday.
Vocabulary
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Beneficial: Helpful or good for health or well-being.
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Digestion: The process by which food is broken down in the body.
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Pleasant: Enjoyable or satisfying.
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Texture: The way a food feels in the mouth.
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Appealing: Attractive or interesting.
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Numerous: Many in number.
IELTS Speaking Part 3
Q1. Why do some people dislike certain vegetables?
A. I think people mainly dislike certain vegetables because of their taste, smell, or texture. For example, vegetables like bitter gourd or broccoli can have strong flavours that are not appealing to everyone. In addition, childhood experiences play a significant role because children who are forced to eat vegetables may develop negative feelings towards them. Cooking methods also matter a lot since badly cooked vegetables often become bland or soggy.
Q2. Do you think children today eat enough vegetables?
A. Not really. Many children nowadays prefer fast food and packaged snacks instead of fresh vegetables. One major reason is the growing influence of advertisements and social media, which constantly promote unhealthy food. Furthermore, busy parents sometimes rely on processed meals because they are more convenient. As a result, many children fail to develop healthy eating habits at an early age.
Q3. How can parents encourage children to eat vegetables?
A. Parents can encourage children by preparing vegetables in creative and attractive ways. For instance, they can make colourful salads, soups, or vegetable-based pasta dishes that look more appetising. I also think parents should avoid forcing children because that can create resistance. Instead, they should patiently explain the health benefits of vegetables and set a good example by eating healthy food themselves.
Q4. Are eating habits changing in your country?
A. Yes, eating habits in India are changing quite rapidly, especially in urban areas. In the past, most families preferred homemade meals containing rice, vegetables, and lentils. However, nowadays, many young people frequently consume fast food because of their busy lifestyles and the increasing popularity of international restaurant chains. Despite this trend, there is also growing awareness about fitness and nutrition among health-conscious individuals.
Q5. Why are vegetables important for people’s health?
A. Vegetables are extremely important because they contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre that help the body function properly. They strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of illnesses such as obesity and heart disease. Moreover, vegetables improve digestion and provide long-term health benefits. I believe a balanced diet without vegetables would be incomplete and unhealthy.
Q6. Do you think governments should promote healthy eating?
A. Definitely. Governments should actively promote healthy eating habits because unhealthy diets can increase medical expenses and create serious public health problems. They could organise awareness campaigns, improve food education in schools, and encourage restaurants to provide healthier meals. Some governments also place restrictions on junk food advertisements aimed at children, which I think is a very effective step.
Vocabulary
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Appetising: Looking or smelling attractive and making people want to eat.
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Resistance: Refusal to accept or do something.
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Urban Areas: Cities or heavily populated towns.
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Nutrition: The process of obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.
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Immune System: The body’s defence system against diseases.
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Restrictions: Official limits or controls placed on something.
