IELTS Speaking Samples and Answers
IELTS Speaking Test # 106
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- Written by IELTS Mentor
IELTS Speaking Test # 106
Part 1 Topic: "Television programmes".
Part 2 Topic: "Describe someone you know who has started a business."
Part 3 Topic: "Choosing work" & "Work-Life balance".
Part 1 - Introduction & Interview:
[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: Television programmes:
Q. What is your full name?
Answer: My name is Ricky Ramsay. But you can call me "Ricky" if you like.
Alternative Answer: My full name is Mohammed Rishad Ahmed.
Q. Can I see your ID?
Answer: Sure, here is my ID.
Alternative Answer: Sure, here is my passport.
Q. Where do you usually watch TV programmes/shows? [Why?/Why not?]
Answer: I usually watch TV shows in the sitting room/living room obviously because that’s where my family keeps the TV! Besides, when I watch any TV show, the chances are that other members of my family are doing the same, and this living room just happens to be spacious enough to accommodate all of my family members!
Alternative Answer: I usually watch TV programmes on my laptop or smartphone, rather than a traditional television. It's simply more convenient for me because I can choose when and where to watch them - whether I’m relaxing at home or commuting. Streaming services make it so easy to catch up on missed episodes without being tied to a schedule.
Q. What’s your favourite TV programme/show? [Why?]
Answer: I have a number of favourite TV shows, but the one I really like the most is "The Daily Talk Show" which is a political talk show. I like it because I think that politics is at the centre of everything in this world. Besides, I am passionate about writing on political issues in our local newspapers and watching those shows help me remain more informed on the current political situation in my country.
Alternative Answer: At the moment, I’m really enjoying a show called Planet Earth. It’s a beautifully filmed nature documentary series narrated by David Attenborough. I love how it captures breathtaking landscapes and rare animal behaviours. It’s both educational and visually stunning, and it really makes me appreciate the wonders of our planet. I also like to watch science documentaries a lot.
Q. Are there any programmes/shows you don’t like watching? [Why?/Why not?]
Answer: I hope that I am not really offending here, but I don’t exactly like the wrestling show because I find them a bit too “physically violent” for my taste. Besides, I don’t really see any value in watching a show, like wrestling, that uses vulgar and foul language every now and then. Besides, I don't like some reality TV shows which seem quite banal and low-standard.
Alternative Answer: Yes, I’m not a fan of reality TV shows, especially the ones that focus on drama or conflict among contestants. They often feel scripted and exaggerated, and I find them neither informative nor entertaining. I prefer watching something that offers real insight or value.
Q. Do you think you will watch more TV or fewer TV programmes/shows in the future? [Why?/Why not?]
Answer: I think that I will watch fewer TV shows in the future primarily because life is becoming very busy and hectic. Besides, most shows on TV are becoming too ‘commercially’ motivated without offering any real or educational value for them. I would like to read more books than watch TV programmes in the future.
Alternative Answer: I think I’ll probably end up watching fewer shows in the future. Life tends to get busier, and I expect to have more responsibilities. Besides, I prefer spending my free time reading or pursuing hobbies that are more interactive. That said, I might still make time for the occasional documentary or film.
Part 2 - Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card:
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe someone you know who has started a business.
You should say:
- who this person is
- what work this person does
- why this person decided to start a business
and explain whether you would like to do the same kind of work as 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?]
Model Answer: Click here for the answer to this cue card/ candidate task card topic
Part 3 - Detailed Discussion/ Two-way Discussion:
Discussion topic: "Choosing work"
Q. What kinds of jobs do young people not want to do in your country?
Answer: Well, it varies from person to person, and it also depends on what kinds of educational qualifications one possesses. However, to be a bit more specific, jobs which involve working in the fields and farms, teaching jobs, truck driver’s jobs, maintenance jobs, behavioural therapist jobs, librarian’s jobs, and other jobs which don’t pay them enough are not preferred by young people in my country. Most of the fresh graduates have high hopes and better expectations for their careers. So young people in my country often feel like avoiding jobs which are not adequately rewarding, prestigious and promising.
Q. Who is best at advising young people about choosing a job: teachers or parents?
Answer: I would say that neither of them is in the best position to advise young people on what kinds of jobs to choose primarily because neither the teachers nor the parents are able, despite their best intentions, to fully understand what kinds of jobs a young person would enjoy doing. Of course, teachers and parents would somewhat be able to ascertain the potential of young people, but that is never enough to advise them on choosing a certain career path. So, at the end of the day, it all depends on the young people themselves because, after all, they will be the ones who will spend a very significant part of their life and time in their careers, not their teachers or parents.
Alternative Answer: I believe teachers are generally in a better position to advise young people on career choices because they often have a broader and more objective perspective. Teachers usually interact with a wide range of students over the years and can identify strengths, learning styles, and potential career paths based on academic performance and classroom behaviour. Unlike parents, who may unintentionally project their own preferences or expectations, teachers tend to give advice based on merit and market trends. So, while parental input is certainly valuable for emotional support, teachers are often better equipped to provide practical and informed guidance when it comes to career planning.
Q. Is money always the most important thing when choosing a job?
Answer: From where I stand, I am pretty confident to say that money isn’t, and shouldn’t be “always” the most important thing when choosing a job because money simply can’t buy everything in life. For example, if our job pays a lot of money but doesn’t offer the “job satisfaction” of doing something significant in order to make a difference in the lives of people around us, then we wouldn’t probably enjoy doing the job for too long. Besides, if a job doesn’t offer the opportunity for growth, money matter would probably be irrelevant at certain points also.
Alternative Answer: No, I don’t think money is always the most important factor when choosing a job. While a decent salary is essential for meeting basic needs and ensuring financial security, many people place equal or even greater value on job satisfaction, work-life balance, and personal growth.
For example, someone might choose to work as a teacher or social worker- not because these jobs are highly paid, but because they find them meaningful and emotionally rewarding. In contrast, a high-paying job that causes chronic stress or leaves no time for family can quickly lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Of course, in some situations - especially for people from low-income backgrounds - money might understandably take priority. But in general, a fulfilling career tends to involve more than just a paycheck.
Discussion topic: "Work-Life balance"
Q. Do you agree that many people nowadays are under pressure to work longer hours and take less holiday?
Answer: Yes, I do agree that many people nowadays are under tremendous pressure to work longer hours and take fewer holidays primarily because of the stiff competition from competitor companies and organizations. This is so also because more and more "young but unemployed and qualified professionals" are posing “threats” to job security, and many companies are just taking advantage of this ‘vulnerability’ among their employees. Finally, some people are under pressure to work longer hours because they need to earn extra money in order to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Q. What is the impact on society of people having a poor work-life balance?
Answer: Unfortunately, having a poor work-life balance is never really good for society as it creates some kinds of restlessness in our lives. For example, if a person is working too much and not spending enough time with his or her family, then he/she is risking a weaker family bond which would only get worse over time. Besides, if a person works long hours then the chances are that they will become mentally depressed due to the lack of quality social interaction which will only result in poor productivity and efficiency. A prosperous society relies on its happy and productive members and the poor work-life balance of its members disrupts the harmony of such a society.
Q. Could you recommend some effective strategies for governments and employers to ensure people have a good work-life balance?
Answer: Sure. The main strategy, which comes to my mind, is that the government can always announce tax incentives (ie. tax cuts) for companies that encourage their employees to work fewer hours. In the same way, it can offer some extra financial help for those who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, in the form of ‘rationing’. On top of that, the government can also use different media outlets in order to raise awareness of the benefits of work-life balance among its citizens.
Besides, employers have much to do to ensure the work-life balance of their employees. They can make the office environment safe and healthy for their employees, encourage employees to leave the office on time and take paid leaves, and look after their financial, physical and psychological well-being by providing counselling and financial aid.
Alternative Answer: Yes, there are several practical strategies both governments and employers can implement to promote a healthier work-life balance.
Firstly, governments can introduce legislation that limits excessive working hours and guarantees paid leave, including vacation time, parental leave, and sick days. For instance, countries like Sweden and the Netherlands have strict labour laws that protect personal time, and as a result, they rank highly in terms of worker satisfaction and productivity.
On the employer side, companies can adopt flexible working arrangements, such as remote work, compressed workweeks, or staggered hours. This allows employees to better manage their personal commitments without compromising on job performance. A great example of this is how many tech companies now allow hybrid models, which have proven to increase both morale and output.
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