A Wild Animal – IELTS Speaking Practice Test with Answers

Wild animals are always an intriguing topic to discuss since we encounter them rarely. Therefore, discussing the topic, A Wild Animal, as part of IELTS Speaking practice tests questions helps to learn a lot of them as well as be prepared for the IELTS exam. Make sure you focus on one idea only and then expand that idea into a long meaningful sentence using IELTS Grammar patterns and vocabulary, which can help you get Band 8.0+ for IELTS Speaking.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 - A Wild Animal

Given below are the actual IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions and answers based on a wild animal, which will help you prepare more IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics for the exam.

1 Do you like animals?

Yes, but to be honest I like animals that are friendly to human beings like cats and dogs. And I fear others.

2 Are people in your country fond of animals?

Partially yes, because many people have pets and are very fond of animals but on the other hand, some people don’t like animals at all. Some people are allergic to the smell and touch of animals

3 What kinds of animals as pets do people have in your country?

In most places, you will find either a dog, cat, fish or a bird. Some people also have turtles as their pets.

4Do you think cities are suitable places for keeping a pet?

I don’t think so. Cities are not very suitable for keeping pets as there is always a buzz and heavy traffic on the roads. Also, roads are so dangerous and prone to accidents that animals can’t roam. Moreover, every area has construction sites that may have equipment that harms animals.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 - A Wild Animal

You will have exactly one minute to prepare and speak on a specific topic like the ‘Describe a method to save money' for IELTS Speaking Part 2. Check out the sample answer for this topic and learn how to answer similar IELTS Cue Card topics.

Sample Answer 1

In India, the tiger is one of the most commonly-found wild animals. It belongs to the cat species and can grow up to 11 feet with a weight of more than 300 kgs. Generally, the lifespan of a tiger is up to 25 years. To live comfortably, this animal requires a larger habitat that is capable of accommodating the prey as well.

In terms of appearance, a tiger is built similar to other smaller domestic cats; however, the former is more powerful and much bigger. Usually, it is reddish-orange or orange in color with uneven, bold black stripes. A tiger also has white areas on the belly, neck, chest, and inside of the legs. The stripes act as camouflage; thus, making it difficult for a tiger to be spotted when it is among shrubs or trees of a jungle. Generally, a tiger is approximately 6 – 9 ft in length. Its tail is almost 36 inches long, and it can weigh around 160 – 250 kg. This animal also has strong jaws and teeth. Its paws are heavily padded and soft, sheathing large and sharp claws.

Tigers can be found in the grasslands and forests of southeastern and eastern Asia. They live in varying countries, such as Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Russian Far East. The Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India and Bangladesh. Owing to its powerful characteristics, I find it an intriguing animal. Unfortunately, tigers are on a rapid extinction; thus, we should take correct measures to avert this issue and maintain a balanced ecosystem.

Sample Answer 2

I’ll describe an endangered animal in northeastern China. It’s called the Manchurian or Siberian tiger. Manchurian tigers are very impressive animals. Like all tigers, they have orange and black stripes and a white underside, and powerful claws and teeth. The largest is nearly 1.5 meters tall, and can weigh between 300 and 400 kilos of muscle! They are the largest of the cat family and the most effective and dangerous hunters. They are found all over Siberia and in a few places in northeastern China. They usually hunt and live alone, and only meet other tigers during the mating season. I think there are less than 50 of them in the wild in China. There are more kept in captivity, in zoos, or special parks. There is one wildlife park in Harbin that is famous for its many Manchurian tigers.

Most Chinese admire the tiger as a symbol of strength and fierceness. Tigers have had a place in Chinese culture for thousands of years. They are found in Chinese literature new and old and are the subject of many famous paintings, But I don’t think many Chinese know that this special breed of tigers is all but wiped out in the wild. I hope more efforts will be made in the future to protect the tiger’s environment. Without the forests they live and hunt in, Manchurian tigers can only exist in captivity.

Vocabulary for Cue Card

Here are some IELTS Vocabulary to use while answering the cue card 'Describe a wild animal from your country' with examples:

• Endangered: (of a species) Seriously at risk of extinction.
  Eg: Tiger is one of the endangered species worldwide.
• Fierceness: Wild or hostile
  Eg: Cheetah is known for its fierceness
• Captivity: The condition of being imprisoned or confined.
  Eg: He was under 366 days of captivity
• Mating: The action of animals coming together to breed
  Eg: “These birds start mating in May.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3 - A Wild Animal

In IELTS Speaking Part 3, you will be asked some questions related to the topic of the cue card you have been given in Part 2. So, some follow-up questions related to the topic, 'Describe a wild animal from your country' are given below with expert-curated sample answers.

1 Do many people in China like to have a pet?

I think the number of Chinese who like pets is less than half the total population. Many Chinese are afraid of common pets. I think it’s very funny, but some are scared of animals, even very tiny and harmless ones. This may be because of something in their childhood, I don’t know. Many people in China like pets, but not the majority, for sure.

2 What kinds of pets are the most popular in China?

Dogs and cats are by far the most common. I think the single most common pet is either the Pekingese dog or the Pug dog. I think they are both quite ugly, but sometimes they’re so ugly they’re cute. A lot of people also keep guard dogs to protect their property.

3 What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a pet?

A pet can be a good friend: sometimes the best friend. Pets are also great playmates for children. I think it’s very good for kids to have a pet when growing up. The disadvantages are that pets are expensive to feed and care for, and require a lot of time, depending on the kind of pet.

4 Do you think there should be laws to protect the welfare of pets and farm animals?

I don’t know. I guess there should be laws, but we really shouldn’t need them. People should be responsible enough to treat pets and farm animals well. But since many people are too selfish to care, we must have some laws. But the laws shouldn’t become so important that they are nearly equal laws protecting the welfare of human beings.

5 Are there any wild animals in China that are not found in any other country?

Yes. The giant panda and the Tibetan antelope. There are probably also some birds and other animals that are only found here, but I don’t know anything about them. It’s sad, but the animals that are found only in China are the ones that are the most endangered. I think that’s the same for other countries, though.

6 How do Chinese people feel about the protection of wild animals?

Many Chinese are only now beginning to learn about the importance of protecting wild animals, as well as the environment they live in. The new generations are being taught to respect wild animals. But people never even see them except on TV, so they only have a vague idea of the need to protect them. I admire the many brave people who have made sacrifices to protect wild animals, like the Kekexili mountain patrol. There was a recent movie made about them.

7 What do you think are some of the benefits to humans of protecting wild animals?

I’m not sure what benefits there are, but I know that everything in nature is there for a reason. If one species dies out, it can upset the balance of nature and do a lot of damage in the long run. Wild animals don’t always directly affect people, but often, they fill a special role in the balance that we are also part of and affect other species of plants that we are directly dependent on. So we should protect them, because we may be protecting ourselves without knowing it.

8 What is the purpose of having zoos?

Zoos are a compromise, I think. They are a way for people who live in the city, especially children, to see wild animals. But I think that unless the zoos are of the best quality, they shouldn’t be operated, as it’s cruel to keep wild animals in small cages or dirty surroundings. High-standard zoos can be good, as they educate the general public about the world around them. But I still think it would be better if people could learn about animals straight from nature, not seeing them in zoos.

9 How do you think zoos in China could be improved?

Many zoos in China are poorly equipped, due to a lack of funding. Zoos are not so popular or common. I think that they could be improved by more cooperation with other zoos in the west that are well-operated and have good techniques and facilities we can learn from.

Vocabulary for Speaking Part 3

Boost your IELTS band score by using the impressive vocabulary given below while answering the follow-up questions about a wild animal.

• Antelope: A swift-running deerlike ruminant with smooth hair and upward-pointing horns
  Eg: A lot of antelope can be found in the forest reserves
• Vague: Of uncertain
  Eg: Patients are showing vague symptoms of coronavirus
• Compromises: An agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.
  Eg: John compromised with Kim.
• Patrol: An expedition to keep watch over an area
  Eg: The night patrol has begun.

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