Category: Practice Tests

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 3: Family

Part 1 (4-5 minutes)

How large or small is your family?

What you do together as a family?

Who are you closest to in your family?

Is yours a typical family?

Are there many different types of family in your country?

Part 2 (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe a famous family in your country

You should say:

Who the family members are

How you know about them

Whether they get on well together

And say if you would like to be a member of this family

Follow-up question: Does your family resemble this one?

Part 3 (4-5 minutes)

Family members

What characteristics do elder siblings often have?

Is it better to grow up in a small family or a large extended family?

What role do grandparents play in a family?

Family values

Which are more important: family or friends?

What do you think about single parent families?

Should people be more accepting of alternative family types?

Click here to download a PDF version of this IELTS Speaking practice test for classroom use.

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IELTS Listening: TED x IELTS: Why Is ‘X’ the Unknown?

Questions 1-5 (Summary completion) Write no more than one word for each answer.

The Arabic language is extremely 1. _________________________. Because each part of a sentence is very precise and informative, constructing a sentence in Arabic is bit like writing an 2. _________________________. This partly explains many so-called Western sciences such as mathematics and 3. _________________________ actually have their origins in the Middle East. For example, the English word ‘algebra’ has Arabic roots. Many kinds of Middle-Eastern wisdom arrived in Europe via 4. _________________________, where they were first translated. However, certain Arabic sounds can’t be pronounced by Europeans without a great deal of practice. They also can’t easily be written using existing European 5. _________________________.

Questions 6-10 (Matching)

Match the following statements with the letter or symbol they refer to.

6. It was familiar to Spanish mathematicians. _____

7. It was eventually replaced by another letter. _____

8. It was known throughout Europe. _____

9. It has been in use for nearly six centuries. _____

10. It is unpronounceable in Spanish. _____

  • A. The mathematical symbol X
  • B. The Arabic letter SHeen
  • C. The Greek letter Kai
  • D. The Latin letter X

 

IELTS Listening: TED x IELTS: The World’s English Mania

Questions 1-4 (Short-answer questions) Write no more than three words and/or a number for each answer.

1. What can be positive, worrying or life-threatening? ___________________________

2. How do Chinese students practice English? ___________________________

3. How many English learners are there in the world? ___________________________

4. Which country will have most speakers of English? ___________________________

Questions 5-7 (Multiple choice, multiple answer)

What THREE reasons for learning English in China are given by the lecturer?

  • A. To belong in a single world
  • B. To have a better career
  • C. To pay for education
  • D. To support children in the future
  • E. To order food in restaurants
  • F. To perform well in a test
  • G. To live in another country

Questions 8-10 (Multiple choice, single answer)

8. What does the lecturer consider to be the main effect of the world learning English?

  • A. Other languages will become extinct.
  • B. Discussions are possible at the global level.
  • C. Global problems can easily be solved.

9. What does the lecturer say English will become?

  • A. One of the world’s common languages
  • B. The world’s universal language
  • C. As important as mathematics or music

10. Why is the spread of English a positive development?

  • A. It will help spread technological advances.
  • B. It will help unite countries and cultures.
  • C. It will help people resolve their disputes.

 

IELTS Listening: TED x IELTS: Why videos go viral

QUESTIONS 1-2 (Sentence completion) Write no more than three words for each answer.

Web video now means that anyone can become famous very quickly.

Over 48 hours of video appear on YouTube 1. ________________________.

Only a tiny percentage of videos goes viral and becomes a cultural moment.

The key factors in creating a viral are tastemakers, 2. ________________________ and unexpectedness.

QUESTIONS 3-10 (Note completion) Write no more than three words for each answer.

BEAR VASQUEZ

“Double rainbow” video viewed 3. ________________________ during 2010.

Video first became popular during the summer.

Creator didn’t intend to make a viral; he just wanted to 4. ________________________ a rainbow.

Video had actually been uploaded in 5. ________________________ but only became popular after tastemaker Jimmy Kimmel posted a link on Twitter.

REBECCA BLACK

Song “Friday” has been viewed almost 200 million times.

Viewing peaks all occurred on 6. ________________________.

Its popularity may have begun with a joke about the video on Twitter.

7. ________________________ of “Friday” have been uploaded to YouTube.

Viral videos are born when online communities spread or do something new with content.

“NYAN CAT”

Looped animation has been viewed nearly 50 million times.

YouTube users began creating different versions of the video.

Whole 8. ________________________ emerged that transformed “Nyan Cat” from a simple joke to a participatory movement.

CASEY NIESTAT

Made a unique video to protest bicycle fines in New York.

Made his point using 9. ________________________ and ________________________.

Video has now been seen 10. ________________________.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 50 Practice Questions by Topic

Role models

  • Which type of people are respected most in your society?
  • Do you agree with this situation?
  • What happens when young people lack good role models?
  • What standards of behaviour should teachers set?
  • Do you agree that you should never meet your heroes?

Travel and transport

  • How easy is it to travel around your country?
  • Which method of travel do you consider safest?
  • Has travel become safer in recent years?
  • What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel?
  • How do you think people will travel in the future?

Universities

  • Is higher education too expensive in your country?
  • Should all students pay for their university education?
  • What advantages do universities bring to society?
  • Which is more important, research or teaching?
  • How should students spend their summer vacations?

Sports and competition

  • Why are some sports fans so passionate?
  • Is there any violence at sporting events in your country?
  • Should athletes be better role models?
  • What benefits do international sporting events bring?
  • Is it important for a country to win lots of medals?

Leadership and politics

  • Do you think people are born to be leaders?
  • Can leadership skills be taught?
  • Why are elected politicians often so unpopular?
  • What should a leader do to remain popular?
  • Do you think unelected heads of state are a good idea?

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IELTS Speaking Part 2: 10 Practice Questions

Special person

Describe someone who has had a special influence on your life. You should say:

  • Who the person is
  • When you met this person
  • What special qualities this person has

And explain how this person has influenced your life.

Memorable journey

Describe a memorable journey you have made. You should say:

  • Where you went
  • How long the journey lasted
  • What happened during the journey

And say if you will ever make the same journey again.

Study method

Describe a good study method you use. You should say:

  • What the method is
  • Where you learned it
  • Whether you think many other people use it

And explain why this method is effective for you.

Sporting event

Describe a competitive sporting event you have attended. You should say:

  • When the event was held
  • What happened
  • Which team or player you supported

And explain why you think the winner was successful.

Good leader

Describe someone you consider a good leader. You should say:

  • Who the person is
  • How you know the person
  • What the person’s style of leadership is like

And explain what makes this person a good leader, in your view.

Continue reading →

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 50 Practice Questions by Topic

You and IELTS

  • Why are you taking IELTS?
  • How many times have you taken IELTS?
  • What do you enjoy about learning English?
  • Is there anything you dislike about learning English?
  • How will you use English in future?

Lifestyle

  • What do you do in your free time?
  • Do you have a busy social life?
  • Do you lead an active life?
  • Has your life changed much in the last year?
  • What would you like to change about your lifestyle?

Family

  • How many people are there in your immediate family?
  • Who do you get on best with in your family?
  • Do you have a large extended family?
  • What do you do together with your family?
  • Why is family important to you?

Friends

  • Do you have a lot of friends?
  • Who is your best friend and why?
  • Who would you most like to be friends with and why?
  • What kind of person is it easy to make friends with?
  • Who are more important to you, friends or family?

Work

  • Do you have a job right now?
  • What did you want to be when you were a child?
  • Are there good job opportunities in your home country?
  • What job do you think you will be doing in five years?
  • What skills and qualifications are required for this job?

Continue reading →

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 2: Work

Part 1 (4-5 minutes)

Do you have a job right now?

What kind of work would you like to do in the future?

What qualifications are required for this job?

How many hours would you like to work each week?

Do you consider it important to have a career?

Part 2 (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions below and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe a job that you consider highly important

You should say:

what the job is

what the job involves

why it is important

and explain if people who do this job are appreciated enough by society

Follow-up question: Would you consider doing this job yourself?

Part 3 (4-5 minutes)

Jobs in your country

What jobs are most popular among young people these days?

Are there enough jobs for people who want to do this kind of work?

Is it easier to change jobs now than in the past?

Careers

Do people usually choose the right career?

Is it a good idea to leave a secure job in order to pursue a dream?

What career advice should be given to young people?

Click here to download a PDF version of this IELTS Speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 1: Childhood

PART 1 (4-5 minutes)

Where did you grow up?

Was that a good place to grow up?

What do you remember most about growing up?

What kind of child were you?

Did you ever get into trouble at home or school?

Do you miss anything about your childhood?

PART 2 (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions below and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe your best friend during childhood.

You should say:

who the person was

why you became friends

what you used to do together

and explain if you keep in touch with your friend now.

PART 3 (4-5 minutes)

Childhood friends

Do children find it easy to make friends?

Why do some people grow apart from their childhood friends?

Is it better for children to have a few close friends, or many?

Childhood changes

Has the image of childhood changed in your country?

At what age do children become adults?

Do you think children should be treated the same as adults?

Click here to download a PDF version of this IELTS Speaking practice test for classroom use.