IELTS Speaking Practice Test 90 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 The Trend Of Recording Everything. In Part 2, you will be given a 2-minute cue card for a monologue on the topic "Describe A Time When You Regretted Recording an Event Instead of Enjoying It," 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

The Trend Of Recording Everything

Q1. Do you often take photos or videos of important moments?

A. Yes, I do, especially during special occasions such as family gatherings, holidays, or celebrations. I enjoy capturing memories because photos and videos allow me to revisit those experiences later. However, I try not to record every moment because I don't want to spend the entire time looking through a screen instead of enjoying the experience itself.

Q2. Why do you think people record so much of their daily lives nowadays?

A. I think smartphones and social media are the main reasons. Recording content has become incredibly convenient, and many people enjoy sharing their experiences online. In addition, some individuals like having a digital record of important moments so they can look back on them in the future.

Q3. Have you ever watched a concert or event through your phone screen?

A. Unfortunately, yes. There have been times when I focused too much on recording an event instead of fully experiencing it. Looking back, I realised that some of my strongest memories came from moments when I simply enjoyed the experience rather than trying to document it.

Q4. Do you think recording everything affects people's memories?

A. To some extent, yes. While photos and videos can help preserve memories, relying on them too much may prevent people from being fully present in the moment. Sometimes individuals become so focused on capturing an experience that they don't actually engage with it as deeply as they could have.

Q5. Would you rather keep a memory in your mind or on your phone?

A. Ideally, both. I think certain moments are worth recording because they allow us to revisit important experiences years later. At the same time, I believe some memories are more meaningful when they are experienced naturally without the distraction of a camera. Finding a balance is probably the best approach.

Q6. Do you think people share too much of their lives online?

A. In some cases, yes. Social media has encouraged people to document and share almost every aspect of their daily lives. While sharing experiences can help people stay connected, excessive sharing may reduce privacy and sometimes create unnecessary pressure to present a perfect image online. It's important to decide carefully what should remain private and what should be shared publicly.

Vocabulary

Capturing: Recording or preserving a moment
Revisit: To experience or think about something again
Document: To record information or events
Preserve: To keep something in its original state
Distraction: Something that takes attention away from what you're doing
Privacy: The state of being free from public attention or observation

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Cue Card

Describe A Time When You Regretted Recording An Event Instead Of Enjoying It

You should say:

What the event was
When and where it happened
Why you decided to record it
And explain why you regretted it

Sample Answer

One experience that I still remember clearly was a music concert that I attended about a year ago with a group of friends.

The concert was held at a large outdoor venue, and it featured one of my favourite bands. Since I had been looking forward to the event for months, I wanted to capture as much of it as possible. As soon as the performance began, I started recording videos and taking photos, hoping to preserve the memories and share them on social media later.

At first, it seemed like a good idea. However, as the concert continued, I realised that I was spending more time looking at my phone screen than watching the actual performance. Instead of focusing on the music, the atmosphere, and the excitement of the crowd, I was constantly thinking about camera angles, video quality, and whether I was capturing the best moments.

The turning point came when one of my favourite songs was performed. While everyone around me was singing along and enjoying the moment, I was busy recording it. Later, when I watched the video, I realised that I remembered very little about how the performance actually felt. I had captured the event, but I hadn't fully experienced it.

What made me regret the decision was the fact that the recording wasn't even particularly good. The sound quality was poor, and the video was shaky because of the crowd. More importantly, I had sacrificed a memorable experience for a video that I rarely watch.

Since then, I have changed my approach. I still take a few photos or short clips during special events, but I try to put my phone away and be fully present for most of the experience.

Overall, this incident taught me that not every moment needs to be recorded. Sometimes the best memories are the ones we experience directly rather than through a screen.

Vocabulary

Venue: The place where an event is held
Preserve: To keep something unchanged or remembered
Atmosphere: The feeling or mood of a place
Sacrificed: Gave up something valuable for another thing
Shaky: Unsteady or not stable
Present: Fully focused on the current moment
Memorable: Worth remembering for a long time

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Q1. Why do people feel the need to record so many moments nowadays?

A. I think one reason is that technology has made recording incredibly easy. Almost everyone carries a smartphone with a high-quality camera, so capturing moments requires very little effort. In addition, many people want to preserve memories and share their experiences with others. Social media has also created a culture where documenting events feels almost automatic. Some people even feel that an experience is incomplete unless it is photographed or recorded.

Q2. Do you think recording events affects how people experience them?

A. Yes, to some extent. While recording can help preserve memories, it can also distract people from the actual experience. When individuals focus on taking photos or videos, they may pay less attention to what is happening around them. As a result, they sometimes become observers rather than active participants. This can reduce the emotional impact of the moment.

Q3. Are photos and videos better than memories?

A. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other. Photos and videos provide a permanent record of an event and can help people remember details that might otherwise be forgotten. However, personal memories often capture emotions and feelings that cameras cannot fully record. Ideally, people should strike a balance between preserving moments and experiencing them directly.

Q4. How has social media changed the way people record their lives?

A. Social media has transformed recording from a personal activity into a public one. In the past, people mainly took photos for themselves or their families. Today, many individuals record events with the intention of sharing them online. This has encouraged people to document more aspects of their daily lives, from meals and holidays to routine activities. In some cases, it may even influence what people choose to do in the first place.

Q5. Do you think future generations will record even more of their lives?

A. Most likely, yes. Technology is becoming more advanced and accessible every year. Devices such as smart glasses, wearable cameras, and AI-powered tools may make recording even more effortless in the future. As a result, people may document a much larger portion of their daily experiences than they do today. However, concerns about privacy could also influence how far this trend develops.

Q6. Should there be places where recording is not allowed?

A. Yes, I think certain places should remain free from cameras and recording devices. For example, museums, religious sites, theatres, and some live performances may offer a better experience when people are fully engaged rather than focused on recording. Restrictions can also help protect privacy and encourage people to appreciate the moment instead of viewing everything through a screen. In some situations, being present is far more valuable than creating digital records.