IELTS Speaking Samples and Answers
IELTS Speaking Test Sample # 99
- Details
- Last Updated: Monday, 21 July 2025 17:14
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 151448
IELTS Speaking Test # 99
Part 1 Topic: "Bicycles".
Part 2 Topic: "Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help people".
Part 3 Topic: "Helping other people in the community" & "Community Services".
Part One - Introduction:
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Topic - Bicycles:
Q. How popular are bicycles in your home town? [Why?]
Answer: If I talk about the time when I was a child, the bicycle was the primary means of transportation for people in my hometown. However, this is not the case nowadays as motorised vehicles have replaced bicycles to a great extent. Around only 5-8% of people, these days in my hometown, use this environmentally friendly vehicle, while it was more than 70% in the past!
Q. How often do you ride a bicycle? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Honestly speaking, these days I scarcely ride a bicycle and mostly use my car. I used to be very fond of riding a bicycle in my teenage years, but after I started working in a different city, I was forced to buy a car to commute to and from my work. Moreover, as we get used to driving a car, bicycles seem less appealing and convenient.
Q. Do you think that bicycles are suitable for all ages? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I do believe that bicycles are suitable for all ages. The physical activity that a cyclist does is beneficial for his/her health, and this is perhaps the most environmentally friendly transportation in the world. There is no age restriction for commuting using a bicycle, I believe.
Q. What are the advantages of a bicycle compared to a car? [Why?]
Answer: Well, first of all, a bicycle is eco-friendly and does not harm the environment the way motorised vehicles do. Furthermore, it is cheap and does not require a high maintenance cost per month. Moreover, bicycle riding involves physical movement, and it helps us maintain good health. Finally, this type of transport does not cause much traffic congestion, unlike automobiles.
Part 2 - Cue Card / Candidate Task Card:
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help people.
You should say:
- who this person is/was
- where this person lives/lived
- what he/she has done to help people
and explain how you know about this person.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Click here for the answer to this Cue Card topic:
Part 3 - Detailed Discussion/ Two-way Discussion:
Discussion topics: Helping other people in the community:
Q. What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? Which is most important?
Answer: I believe "being friendly and having a generous mentality" is something every community member expects from others. An ideal community member should stand beside other members when needed and abide by the rules. Sometimes, people in a community face obstacles and natural calamities and a good member would always extend his/her helping hands to others. Being part of activities like, cleaning the streets, taking part in charity programmes, and doing voluntary works, is another great way to show support for the community.
I believe abiding by the rules and having respect towards other community members are the most important qualities.
Alternative Answer: The way I see it, there are countless ways people can help others in the community, ranging from formal volunteering to small, everyday acts of kindness. Some choose to assist at food banks or homeless shelters, while others mentor young people, organise local events, or simply check in on elderly neighbours.
In my opinion, the most important form of help is direct, personal support, especially for vulnerable individuals like the elderly, people with disabilities, or single parents. For instance, helping an older neighbour with groceries or giving a lift to someone without transport may seem small but can have a huge impact on their day-to-day life. While large-scale volunteering is valuable, it's these personal connections that often provide the most meaningful support.
Q. Why do you think some people like to help other people?
Answer: I think this is in their DNA; I mean, some people are helpful from their childhood, and they keep helping others throughout their lives. Apart from that, people sometimes become philanthropic from their life experience and vow to help others in whatever way possible. These are good people who set examples for others.
Alternative Answer: I think many people enjoy helping others because it gives them a sense of purpose and emotional fulfilment. Knowing that you've made a positive difference, no matter how small, can be incredibly rewarding. For some, it’s also tied to moral or religious values. In addition, helping others often leads to a stronger sense of community and belonging. For example, people who volunteer regularly tend to develop deeper social bonds and feel more connected to the place they live in.
Q. Some people say that people help others in the community more now than they did in the past. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Answer: I do believe the sense of community is stronger among people these days than it was in the past. By saying so, I do not imply that people in the past were less helpful; rather, the concept of community has grown stronger. People meet others, discuss personal issues with community members more openly these days, and as a result, the relationships of people have become stronger.
Alternative Answer: I would say I partially agree. On the one hand, with the rise of social media and digital platforms, it's now easier than ever to raise awareness, organise community events, and contribute to charitable causes. Crowdfunding, online petitions, and virtual volunteering have all opened up new avenues for helping others that didn’t exist a generation ago.
However, in the past, especially in smaller or rural communities, helping others was often a natural part of everyday life. Neighbours supported each other without needing formal structures or publicity. So while the methods may have changed, the spirit of helping has remained fairly consistent. I believe it just looks different now.
Discussion topics: Community Services:
Q. What types of services, such as libraries or health centres, are available to the people who live in your area? Do you think there are enough of them?
Answer: Well, the community I come from has numerous facilities for its members. We have two large public libraries, one free medical checkup centre, three sports centres, a fair-price shop, cleaning service, complaint board, evening school and many such mentionable good services, including the necessary community amenities like a playground, park, convention hall and so on.
I believe those facilities need more expansion as the number of community members has increased significantly these days compared to the past.
Alternative Answer: Well, in my area, there are several essential community services, including public libraries, community health clinics, counselling centres, and recreational facilities like sports halls and swimming pools. These services are vital for promoting both physical and mental well-being.
That said, I don’t believe there are enough of them. For instance, waiting times at health clinics can be quite long, and some libraries are underfunded or operate on reduced hours. While the infrastructure exists, demands often exceed supply, which limits their effectiveness.
Q. Which groups of people generally need the most support in a community? Why?
Answer: People who are economically less fortunate need more community services. Besides, elderly people, women and children often need various support from the community they live in.
I believe people with less per capita income often find their lives challenging and cannot support important things in their lives. For instance, some people near my town cannot afford warm clothes during the winter, and they need help from other community members. Children and women are often subject to domestic violence or discrimination, and they need to turn to the community for help. Elderly people need companions, caregivers and some facilities for them, and they need support from the community as well.
Alternative Answer: The groups that tend to need the most support are usually the elderly, people with disabilities, single parents, and low-income families. These individuals often face barriers when it comes to accessing education, healthcare, and stable employment. For example, elderly people may struggle with mobility or loneliness, while single parents may find it difficult to juggle work and childcare. If communities fail to support these vulnerable groups, it creates inequality and social tension. Providing them with the help they need is crucial for building a compassionate and cohesive society.
Q. Who do you think should pay for the services that are available to the people in a community? Should it be the government or individual people?
Answer: I think community members should bear the maximum ratio of the expenses as it is almost impossible for the government to provide the funds for each community for everything they need. However, the government must contribute to good causes and community services for the overall benefit of less fortunate members of a community. For instance, a government can allocate a budget to run evening schools and free medical centres, and this can be a great way to show support for the citizens.
Alternative Answer: I firmly believe that the government should bear the primary responsibility for funding community services. These services, like libraries, clinics, and shelters, are fundamental rights, not luxuries, and ensuring equal access is part of a government’s duty to its citizens.
Having said that, individuals can still contribute, whether through volunteering, fundraising, or donations. But relying solely on public contributions can lead to inconsistent and unequal services. A tax-funded, government-managed approach ensures that support is consistent, regulated, and fairly distributed, regardless of location or income level.
Report