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 Teddy Bears. In Part 2, you will be given a cue card for a monologue of 2 minutes based on the topic Describe A Toy You Did Not Like, 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
Teddy Bears
Q1. Did you have a teddy bear when you were a child?
A. Yes, I did. I had a brown teddy bear named Bobby that my parents gave me on my sixth birthday. I was very attached to it and used to carry it around the house almost everywhere. I even slept with it every night because it made me feel safe and comfortable. Looking back, it was one of my favourite childhood possessions.
Q2. Do children still like teddy bears nowadays?
A. Yes, I think so. Although children now have access to smartphones, tablets, and video games, many still enjoy playing with soft toys. My little cousin Zara has a large collection of teddy bears and often treats them as if they were her friends. I think teddy bears provide emotional comfort in a way that electronic devices cannot.
Q3. Why do people give teddy bears as gifts?
A. Teddy bears are often given as gifts because they symbolise affection, care, and warmth. They are especially popular on birthdays and special occasions. Last year, my friend Tania received a giant teddy bear from her sister, and she absolutely loved it. Since teddy bears are cute and memorable, they make thoughtful gifts for people of different ages.
Q4. Do you think adults like teddy bears too?
A. Yes, many adults do. Some people keep teddy bears because they remind them of their childhood, while others receive them as meaningful gifts. My aunt still has a teddy bear that she received when she was a teenager, and she keeps it on a shelf in her bedroom. I think sentimental value often makes teddy bears special for adults.
Q5. Would you buy a teddy bear for someone?
A. Yes, definitely. If I wanted to give someone a simple but meaningful gift, a teddy bear could be a good choice. They are attractive, comforting, and suitable for many occasions. I once bought a small teddy bear for my younger cousin on her birthday, and she was delighted with it. Seeing her reaction made the gift feel worthwhile.
Q6. Are teddy bears as popular as they were in the past?
A. I think they are still quite popular, although children today have many more entertainment options than before. Soft toys continue to be sold widely and are often featured in gift shops and toy stores. In addition, teddy bears remain popular as decorative items and sentimental gifts. So while their role may have changed slightly, they are still loved by many people.
Vocabulary
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Attached: Emotionally connected to someone or something
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Possessions: Things that someone owns
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Symbolise: To represent an idea or quality
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Affection: Feelings of love and care
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Sentimental: Connected to emotional memories and feelings
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Delighted: Very pleased and happy
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Worthwhile: Valuable enough to justify the time, effort, or money spent
IELTS Speaking Part 2
Cue Card
Describe A Toy You Did Not Like
You should say:
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What the toy was
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When you got it
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Why did you not like it
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And explain what you did with it
Sample Answer
One toy that I did not like was a remote-controlled robot that I received as a birthday gift when I was around eight years old. It was given to me by one of my relatives, who thought I would enjoy playing with electronic toys.
At first, I was quite excited because the robot looked impressive. It could move forward, turn around, and make different sounds. However, after using it for a few days, I lost interest in it. The main reason was that it was quite complicated to operate. The remote control had too many buttons, and I often became confused while trying to make the robot perform different actions.
Another reason I disliked the toy was that it was not very interactive. Unlike board games or building blocks, which allowed me to be creative, the robot repeated the same movements again and again. As a result, I found it rather boring after a short period of time. My friend Arman, who visited my house frequently, also felt that the toy was less entertaining than other toys we had.
Eventually, I stopped playing with it and kept it in a storage box. A few years later, I gave it to a younger cousin who was interested in electronic gadgets. Surprisingly, he enjoyed it much more than I did.
Overall, I did not like the toy because it lacked creativity and became repetitive very quickly. Although it looked modern and exciting initially, it failed to keep me engaged for long.
Vocabulary
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Complicated: Difficult to understand or use
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Operate: To control or use a machine or device
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Interactive: Involving active participation or engagement
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Creative: Involving imagination and original ideas
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Repetitive: Doing the same thing again and again
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Entertaining: Enjoyable and amusing
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Engaged: Interested and fully involved in an activity
IELTS Speaking Part 3
Q1. Why do children like teddy bears so much?
A. I think children like teddy bears because they are soft, comforting, and easy to become attached to emotionally. Many children treat teddy bears as friends and even talk to them while playing. My cousin Zara carries her favourite teddy bear almost everywhere because it makes her feel secure. In addition, teddy bears are cute and harmless, which makes them especially appealing to young children.
Q2. Why do parents often buy teddy bears for their children?
A. Parents often buy teddy bears because they are safe, affordable, and suitable for children of different ages. Unlike electronic gadgets, teddy bears encourage imaginative play without requiring batteries or screens. My aunt bought a large teddy bear for her daughter when she started school because she thought it would help her feel less anxious. Many parents also see teddy bears as meaningful gifts that children can keep for years.
Q3. Do you think teddy bears are still popular nowadays?
A. Yes, definitely. Although children now have access to smartphones and video games, teddy bears remain popular because of their emotional value. Many gift shops still sell a wide variety of teddy bears in different sizes and colours. My friend Tania recently received a teddy bear on her birthday and was delighted despite being a university student. This shows that teddy bears appeal to people of different age groups.
Q4. Why do some adults keep teddy bears?
A. Many adults keep teddy bears because they are connected to special memories and emotions. Some people received them as gifts from family members or close friends, so they have sentimental value. My aunt still keeps a teddy bear she received during her teenage years because it reminds her of happy moments from the past. I think people often keep such items because they create a sense of nostalgia.
Q5. Are teddy bears better gifts than electronic toys?
A. It depends on the person receiving the gift. Teddy bears are more personal and emotional, while electronic toys are often more entertaining and interactive. For example, a young child might enjoy a teddy bear because it provides comfort, whereas an older child may prefer a remote-controlled car or gaming device. I think teddy bears are better when the purpose is to express affection and care.
Q6. Do you think soft toys have educational value for children?
A. Yes, to some extent. Soft toys can help children develop imagination, communication skills, and emotional intelligence. For instance, children often create stories and conversations involving their teddy bears, which encourages creativity. My younger cousin used to pretend that her teddy bear was her student and would teach it lessons every day. Although soft toys are not educational in a traditional sense, they can still contribute to a child's development.
Vocabulary
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Comforting: Making someone feel relaxed and safe
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Imaginative: Involving creativity and original ideas
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Anxious: Worried or nervous about something
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Sentimental: Connected to emotional memories
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Nostalgia: A feeling of happiness mixed with longing for the past
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Affection: Feelings of love and care
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Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage emotions effectively
