IELTS Speaking Practice Test 47 with Sample Answers

Key Highlights

IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Speaking Part 2
IELTS Speaking Part 3

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 of Favourite Play. In Part 2, you will be given a cue card for a monologue of 2 minutes based on the topic Describe A Play That You Enjoyed Watching, 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

Favourite Play

Q1. Do you enjoy watching plays?

A. Yes, I do. Although I do not watch plays very frequently, I really enjoy them because they feel more realistic and emotional than movies in some ways. I especially like stage performances where actors perform live in front of the audience because the expressions and dialogue feel much more natural and engaging. Another thing I enjoy is the atmosphere inside theatres, since the audience reacts together during emotional or funny scenes, which makes the experience more memorable.

Q2. What is your favourite play?

A. One of my favourite plays is Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. I first read it during my school years and later watched a stage adaptation at a local theatre. I found the storyline very emotional and tragic, and I was especially impressed by the dialogue and dramatic performances of the actors. Even though the play was written centuries ago, its themes of love and conflict still feel very relevant today.

Q3. Did you watch plays when you were a child?

A. Yes, occasionally. During school events and cultural festivals, we often watched small stage dramas and performances. I still remember watching a comedy play during a school function, and the audience laughed throughout the entire performance. Those experiences made plays feel very entertaining and memorable for me. In addition, participating in small classroom performances helped me become more confident while speaking in front of others.

Q4. Why do some people prefer plays over movies?

A. I think some people prefer plays because live performances create a unique atmosphere that films cannot fully provide. In theatres, audiences can directly feel the emotions, energy, and reactions of the actors. Moreover, plays often focus more on dialogue and storytelling rather than special effects, which many people appreciate. Some theatre lovers also enjoy the artistic stage design and the direct interaction between performers and the audience.

Q5. Do you think traditional theatre is still popular today?

A. To some extent, yes. Although movies and online streaming platforms have become more common nowadays, many people still appreciate traditional theatre because of its artistic and cultural value. In cities like Kolkata, theatre festivals and stage performances still attract audiences who enjoy literature and live acting. I think theatre remains important because it preserves cultural traditions and gives actors an opportunity to perform in a more authentic and expressive way.

Vocabulary

Realistic: Appearing natural and similar to real life
Engaging: Interesting and enjoyable
Adaptation: A changed version of a book or story made for theatre or film
Tragic: Extremely sad, usually involving suffering or death
Relevant: Connected to the present situation or topic
Interaction: Communication or involvement between people
Authentic: Genuine and real, not artificial

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Cue Card

Describe A Play That You Enjoyed Watching

You should say:

What the play was
Where you watched it
What the story was about
And explain why you enjoyed it

Sample Answer

One play that I really enjoyed watching was The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. I watched it during a theatre festival at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata about a year ago with my cousin Farhan. Since I already had some interest in literature and drama, I was quite excited before the performance started.

The play mainly revolved around friendship, money, and justice. One of the central characters, Shylock, was a moneylender who demanded a very unusual punishment when a loan was not repaid on time. Although the story was serious in many parts, there were also moments of humour and clever dialogue that kept the audience entertained throughout the performance.

What impressed me most was the acting quality. The actor who played Shylock delivered his dialogues with such strong emotions and confidence that the entire audience became completely focused on the stage. I also admired the costumes and stage decorations because they beautifully recreated the atmosphere of old Venice.

Another reason I enjoyed the play was the live theatre experience itself. Watching actors perform directly in front of the audience felt much more engaging than watching a movie on a screen. The emotions, expressions, and reactions seemed more genuine and powerful.

Overall, it was a memorable experience because the play was both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it increased my appreciation for classical theatre and literature.

Vocabulary

Revolved Around: Focused mainly on a particular subject or idea
Moneylender: A person who lends money to others with interest
Punishment: A penalty given for doing something wrong
Entertained: Kept interested or amused
Recreated: Made something appear again in a similar way
Genuine: Real and sincere
Thought-provoking: Making people think deeply about something

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Q1. Why do some people enjoy watching plays instead of movies?

A. I think many people enjoy plays because live performances create a stronger emotional connection with the audience. In theatres, actors perform directly in front of people, so the expressions, dialogues, and reactions feel more genuine and immediate. Unlike movies, plays also provide a unique atmosphere where audiences experience everything collectively at the same moment. In addition, theatre performances often feel more artistic because viewers can appreciate the actors’ talent without camera effects or editing.

Q2. Do you think traditional theatre is losing popularity nowadays?

A. To some extent, yes. Nowadays, many people prefer movies and online streaming platforms because they are more convenient and easily accessible. However, traditional theatre still attracts audiences who appreciate literature, live acting, and cultural performances. In cities with strong artistic traditions, theatre festivals and stage dramas remain quite popular. I think theatre lovers value the emotional intensity and authenticity that live performances provide.

Q3. How can schools encourage students to become interested in theatre?

A. Schools can encourage interest in theatre by organising drama competitions, cultural events, and acting workshops. Allowing students to participate in stage performances can help them develop creativity, communication skills, and self-confidence. I think interactive activities are much more effective than simply teaching drama through textbooks. Teachers can also introduce famous plays in a more entertaining way instead of focusing only on written analysis.

Q4. What skills can people learn from acting in plays?

A. Acting in plays can teach many useful skills, such as teamwork, public speaking, confidence, and emotional expression. People also learn how to communicate clearly and react quickly in unexpected situations during performances. In my opinion, theatre can be very beneficial for shy individuals because it helps them become more comfortable speaking in front of others. Moreover, memorising dialogues and performing on stage can improve concentration and body language as well.

Q5. Do you think theatre will continue to exist in the future?

A. Yes, definitely. Although digital entertainment is becoming more dominant, I believe theatre will always survive because it offers a unique human experience that technology cannot fully replace. Live performances create direct interaction between actors and audiences, which makes theatre feel more personal and authentic compared to recorded entertainment. I also think cultural organisations and theatre festivals will continue supporting stage performances because they are an important part of artistic heritage.