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Written by IELTS Mentor

IELTS Speaking Test # 112

IELTS Band 8/9 level Speaking Sample:

Part 1 Topic: Neighbours.
Part 2 Topic: A very difficult task that you succeeded in doing as part of your work or studies.
Part 3 Topic: Difficult jobs & Personal and career success.

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 - "Neighbours"

Q.  How often do you see your neighbours? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: I try to see my neighbours as often as possible because it helps me build up a solid and steady relationship with them, especially, if they live in close proximity to me. Besides, seeing neighbours as often as possible is important so that we can help each other during the time of need and emergency.

Alternative Answer: Very often, actually. We live in a friendly neighbourhood where people interact regularly. I usually see my neighbours when I leave for class or when we cross paths in the hallway or garden. It feels nice to have that sense of connection.

Q.  Do you invite your neighbours to your home? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I do try to invite my neighbours to my home whenever I can because it helps us understand each other better, by exchanging our views and opinions with each other, on issues which affect our lives. Inviting neighbours to my home also brings me joy and happiness when I feel down and depressed.

Alternative Answer: Yes, we do that quite often. We sometimes have them over for tea or dinner, and they also invite us in return. It helps build a good relationship, and we enjoy each other’s company during festivals or casual get-togethers.

Q.  Do you think you are a good neighbour? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I do think that I am a good neighbour. Of course, I reckon that everybody will say the same thing about being a good neighbour.  But as far as I am concerned, and since I have never really had any complaints from my neighbours in the past nor have I ever had any arguments with them, I guess that it is fair to suggest again that I am a good neighbour.

Alternative Answer: Honestly, I’m not the best person to judge that - maybe my neighbours could give a more accurate answer! But I like to think I’m a good neighbour. I try to be respectful, and helpful and maintain a friendly attitude.

Q.  Has a neighbour ever helped you? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I have been lucky to have some good neighbours in my life, and they all have helped me many times in one way or another. For example, one of my neighbours helped me about a year ago or so by looking after our home and property for a whole week when I and my entire family had to leave the town because of an emergency.

Alternative Answer: Yes, many times. One recent example was when I had a flat tyre just before an important exam. One of my neighbours offered to drive me to the exam centre without hesitation. That act of kindness really meant a lot to me.

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 a very difficult task that you succeeded in doing as part of your work or studies.

You should say:

• what task you did
• why this task was very difficult
• how you worked on this task

and explain how you felt when you had successfully completed this task.

[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:

Discussion topic: "Difficult jobs"

Q.  What are the most difficult jobs that people do?
Answer: Well, before answering this question, please allow me to classify the difficult jobs into two general categories. One category of "difficult jobs" is very physically demanding, and the other kind is very intellectually demanding. The most difficult jobs, which are physically demanding, may include general cleaning and maintenance jobs, farming and agriculture-related jobs, security-related jobs (ie. police and army) and construction work. As far as the other type of difficult jobs, which are very intellectually demanding, is concerned, they may include the jobs of surgeons/medical doctors, Astronauts and nuclear scientists.

Q.  Why do you think some people choose to do difficult jobs?
Answer: Again, it depends on what category of difficult jobs we are talking about here. Some people choose to do difficult jobs (which can be physically demanding) either because they just don’t have any other types of skills, education or qualifications to do other jobs, or they are just paid really well for their work. Then, there is another group of people, in my opinion, who like to do difficult jobs, primarily because they enjoy doing those jobs, and they like challenges and adventure. Finally, there is another group of people who choose to do difficult jobs, purely because they just suit their lifestyles perfectly.

Q.  Do you agree or disagree that all jobs are difficult sometimes?
Answer: Yes, I do agree that all jobs can be difficult sometimes, even if they are generally considered to be easy jobs, mainly because it all depends on the mood and the circumstances of individuals who do those jobs. For example, the job of a salesperson at a flower shop may seem to be easy and very straightforward, but if that salesperson somehow feels sick or less energetic at his job, the chances are, he or she will find even that simple job a bit more difficult than usual.  Some jobs may prove out to be difficult sometimes also because the chances are that the individuals, who do those jobs, just don’t have the right set of skills or expertise. Finally, it could also be the case that a rather seemingly easy job involves tasks that are really difficult and we outsiders do not realise them.

Discussion topic: "Personal and career success"

Q.  How important is it for everyone to have a goal in their personal life?
Answer: A long time ago, when I was just a schoolboy, I heard for the first time that a life without a goal is very much like a boat without a radar. Back then, of course, I didn’t quite understand and appreciate the meaning of those words, but as time progressed, I started to decipher the meaning of each and every word of that statement. So, yes, it is absolutely important for everyone to have a goal, be it small or big, in their personal life, if they really want to have a meaningful and productive life – a life which will not only benefit their family but also the society, in which they live, in large.

Q.  Is it always necessary to work hard in order to achieve career success?
Answer: Yes, in my humble opinion, it is always necessary to work hard in order to achieve career success, primarily because if we achieve something in our life comparatively easily, then the chances are that we won’t be able to understand the proper value of our success. And, if such is the case, then the chances are also that we won’t be able to hold onto our success for a long time. However, it is also worth mentioning here that while we can achieve our career success by working hard always, it would become a bit easier for us to do so if we work a bit smartly too sometimes.

Q.  Do you think that successful people are always happy people?
Answer: No, I don’t really think that successful people are always (and “always” is the operative word here) happy people, especially, because there is no single and acceptable definition of success or happiness as yet. Social scientists have been working very hard and for very long to find some sort of correlation between the two, but they are yet to find any conclusive evidence to suggest that successful people are “always” happy people, be they successful in their personal lives or professional lives. But, of course, we can easily say that success plays a huge role in making people happy in general, at any given time, but not always.

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