IELTS Speaking Actual Test in the UK – April 2017 & Sample Answers

Janet

7 min read

Updated On Jul 08, 2021

IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Speaking Part 3

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IELTS Speaking Part 1

What is your full name?

Hello, my full name is Sarah Jacob

Can I see your ID?

Yes, of course! Here you go! My ID number is SJ2603

Where are you from?

I am currently based here in Delhi, but my parents are basically from Mumbai.

Are you working or studying?

I am currently pursuing my final year in Bachelors of Commerce (BCom) and interning at the same time.

What do you do?

I’m working as a part-time sales intern.

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Watches

Do you like to wear watches?

Well, I am more a cosmetics girl than accessories, hence, there are not many watches and jewellery in my possession. However, I have nothing against wearing a beautiful piece of art on my wrist and do own a few exclusive timepieces which suit perfectly with my clothing on some special occasions, giving me a sense of identity and uniqueness.

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Vocabulary

In someone’s possession: if something is in someone’s possession, they have it
Have nothing against: to dislike or not approve of someone or something for a particular reason
On (special) occasions: once in a while

Why do people like expensive watches?

Just like any other accessories, the more luxurious a timepiece looks, the higher the social status the owner may hold. Watches are widely used by either gender and one of the visual indicators presenting how professional, smart, and attractive a person is. Therefore, if one wants to be acknowledged and taken seriously, he/she will prefer a high-end watch rather than a collection of low-end ones.

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Vocabulary

Timepiece (n): a clock or watch
Social status (n): a person’s standing or importance in relation to other people within a society
Indicator (n): a sign that shows you what something is like or how a situation is changing
Acknowledge (n): to accept that somebody/something has a particular authority or status
High-end (a): expensive and of high quality
Low-end (a): at the cheaper end of a range of similar products

Holidays

What do you usually do during public holidays?

Well, I often spend my holidays with my beloved family and friends. Maybe go shopping, take advantage of the sales which my favourite shops are offering or hanging out with friends and having a whale of a time in some entertaining places.

Vocabulary

Take advantage of (phrase): to use an opportunity to achieve results
Have a whale of a time (n): to have an exciting or fun time; to have a big-time

Do you like short holidays or long holidays?

Both options have their own merits, but if I have to choose one, I would pick short holidays. The reason for this is that I can feel more prepared to go back and study and feel less fatigued than spending a week playing or traveling. The purpose of a holiday should be to give people a temporary rest and help them recharge the batteries for a fresh period ahead. Therefore, it is advisable that people don’t turn their days off into a long holiday, indulge themselves, and neglect their studies and work completely.

Vocabulary

Fatigued (a): feeling extremely tired, either physically or mentally
Indulge (v): to have or eat something that you enjoy but that you should not have much of

Shoes

Do you like shoes?

I’ve had a lifelong passion for shoes ever since I was a child. When I’m not overloaded with work, I go to the shopping complex to indulge myself in tons of different stylish shoes. Until now I reckon that I’ve spent more money on shoes than on anything else.

Vocabulary

To have a passion for (v): to be enthusiastic about something.
Overloaded with (v): having or supplied with too much of something
Indulge myself in (phrase): to allow oneself the pleasure of something

Have you ever bought shoes online?

Online shopping has never been more convenient and affordable and of course, how can I possibly miss the opportunity to take full advantages of the many occasional big sales promotions, especially on clothing and footwear. Although buying shoes or any items online comes with the inability to actually try them on, competitive prices, wide product ranges and other exclusive customer’s experiences on some websites are quite attractive. Once, I even got my hands on a limited-edition pair of running shoes thanks to the accumulated points I received from my previous online shopping and I have been their loyal customer ever since.

Vocabulary

Affordable (a): cheap enough that people can afford to buy it or pay for it
Take full advantages of (phrase): make good use of the opportunities offered by (something)
Footwear (n): things that people wear on their feet, for example, shoes and boots
Competitive (a): as good as or better than others
Accumulate (v): to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time

Cue Card

Describe a decision you disagreed with.

You should say:

what the decision was
who made that decision
why you think it was the wrong decision

Band 9.0 Sample Answer

It was a few years back when I was still in college where I got offered an opportunity to go on a voluntary trip to [___], the most worth-living city in our country. I was over the moon when I first heard the news but all my anticipation and happiness flew away when my parents flatly rejected the idea. I was dumbfounded since my time and effort spent on the preparation for our project was going to be in vain. However, I was old enough to know better than making a fuss about it at the moment; instead, I gave myself time and peace before reasoning with my parents. It came as no surprise to me when they took their all-time-favourite excuse that I was too immature to take care of myself and that there were plenty of untrustworthy people willing to take advantage of me out there. As much as I tried to assure them how well I would manage to stay safe and help other underprivileged people, I just couldn’t get through to them. As a result, I had no options but to withdraw from the project with regrets. However, I didn’t hold any grudge against my parents because I understood they were just being overprotective and were genuinely concerned about my well-being.

Vocabulary

Offer/ give/ provide an opportunity
Be over the moon: to be very pleased
Anticipation (n): a feeling of excitement about something (usually something good) that is going to happen
Flatly (adv): in a way that is very definite and will not be changed
Come as no surprise to someone: will not be surprising [for someone] to learn [something]
Underprivileged (a): having less money and fewer opportunities than most people in society
Get through (phrasal verb): succeed in communicating with someone in a meaningful way
Withdraw (v): to stop taking part in an activity or being a member of an organization; to stop somebody/something from doing these things
Hold a grudge against someone: to stay angry (at someone or something)
Overprotective (a): too anxious to protect somebody from being hurt, in a way that restricts their freedom
Genuinely (adv): in a sincere and honest way that can be trusted

Also check :

IELTS Speaking Part 3

How can decisions affect a person’s life?

As they say, our life is defined by the choices we make. Some of these choices are ours, and some of the choices are made by others for us, but every choice or every decision we make will have consequences. The consequences could be positive or negative. And we have to learn to accept these consequences. That’s why every time before taking a decision, we should think it through to make sure we’re making the right choice. For example, I took up engineering because I thought that I would get a job and settle down early in life, but I realised that it didn’t make me happy and only stressed me out, I regret that decision till date.

What are the main decisions youngsters have to make nowadays?

Nowadays, youngsters sometimes get under a lot of pressure from their family and peers regarding a lot of short-term and long-term decisions that they have to make. I guess the main decision they would have to make would be related to what they want to pursue after high school. This is a tough decision to make, as a lot of us wouldn’t be sure, during that time, about what we wish to pursue.

Do you get advice from somebody before making crucial decisions?

It really depends on the situation. There are times when I consult my parents, friends or colleagues before making a decision if I feel that they may have more knowledge regarding the issue or situation than me. Most of the time seeking advice from someone else helps me get a new perspective to the situation and in turn, helps me in making the right decision. But there are also other times when I take a decision on my own without consulting anybody.

Why do people make wrong decisions sometimes?

Life is filled with decisions and choices. Even if we spend a lot of time thinking through before making a decision, some may turn out great, but there will always be others that may end up being wrong. Nobody can ever make only right choices throughout their life. And no matter the consequence, we need to learn to accept it and learn from it.