IELTS Speaking Samples and Answers
IELTS Speaking Test # 115
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IELTS Speaking Test # 115
IELTS Band 8/9 level Speaking sample.
Part 1 Topic: "Languages".
Part 2 Topic: "Describe a website that you bought something from".
Part 3 Topic: "Shopping online" & "The culture of consumerism".
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 - "Languages."
Q. How many languages can you speak? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: I can speak three different languages - my mother tongue, English, and Spanish. I can speak the first language, obviously because it is the language of my home country. As for the two foreign languages, I can speak English because I learned it at school, and the other one is because it is very similar to my mother tongue.
Alternative Answer: I can speak two languages. My mother tongue is the one I use every day, and I also learned English at school. I’ve been using English quite a lot over the years, but I haven’t had the chance to seriously study any other languages.
Q. How useful will English be to you in the future? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Well, since "English" arguably is the most widely spoken language around the world, there is no doubt that this language is going to be very useful for my future, especially in regards to finding a better career opportunity and communication. Moreover, I wish to travel to as many countries as possible in the future, and I believe English will be the language to communicate with others. Finally, it will help me read many books that I wish to read in the future.
Q. What do you remember about learning languages at school? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: As far as I can remember, it wasn’t really much of an issue for me to learn any of the languages, which I can speak, mainly because I overall enjoyed learning them. In some cases, I even used to boast about my foreign language learning skills and abilities to my classmates. My language teachers always appreciated my effort and performance in the class while learning a foreign language and it inspired me to do even better.
Q. What do you think would be the hardest language for you to learn? [Why?]
Answer: Well, I haven’t exactly tried to learn any other languages than the ones I already know about. But, I think that Chinese, Mandarine to be more exact, language is going to be the hardest language to learn because one literally has to memorize thousands of its characters.
Alternative Answer: For me, Arabic would probably be one of the hardest languages to learn. The script is unfamiliar, and it’s written from right to left, which takes some getting used to. Plus, the grammar is quite complex, and there are many different dialects depending on the region.
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 website that you bought something from.
You should say:
- what the website is
- what you bought from this website
- how satisfied you were with what you bought
and explain what you liked or disliked about using this website.
[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:
Discussion topic: "Shopping online".
Q. What kinds of things do people in your country often buy from online shops?
Answer: With the increasing popularity of online shopping among all kinds of customers, no wonder, many people in my country are also taking advantage of it by ordering food, medicines and regular grocery items. Other than these things, people are using online shops also to buy electronic devices, home appliances, clothing items, cosmetics, perfumes, computers, mobile/smartphones, and fashionable items from wristwatches to sunglasses and every other thing in between.
Q. Why do you think online shopping has become so popular nowadays?
Answer: Online shopping has become popular all over the world nowadays for several reasons. The number one reason is that it saves our time and energy since we don’t have to run to a physical store, deal with the crowds and stand in lines to buy things. Another reason is that it offers a wide range of options in choosing a product and price comparison before actually buying a product.
Alternative Answer: Online shopping has become immensely popular due to its convenience and accessibility. With the advancement of technology and the widespread use of smartphones, people can now shop from anywhere, at any time, without the need to visit physical stores. Additionally, online shopping provides an extensive range of products that may not be available locally, and the ability to compare prices easily allows consumers to find the best deals. The convenience of home delivery further enhances the appeal, allowing shoppers to avoid the hassle of long queues and crowded shopping centres.
Q. What are some possible disadvantages of buying things from online shops?
Answer: There are several disadvantages to buying things from online shops. The major one is probably the "delivery" as most of the time, delivery doesn’t arrive on time, and even if it arrives on time, the product/the product package gets damaged. Then, of course, the price of the product is also an issue as it gets higher because of adding the shipping charge to it. Finally, there are also chances of being scammed as the delivered products can be inferior in quality to the products that are shown on the websites.
Alternative Answer: While online shopping offers many benefits, there are some notable disadvantages. One major issue is the inability to physically inspect products before purchasing. For example, when buying clothing online, customers often struggle with sizing or material quality, which can lead to returns and dissatisfaction. Another disadvantage is the risk of online fraud, as some websites may not be secure, leading to potential financial loss. Additionally, the over-reliance on online shopping can contribute to environmental concerns due to excessive packaging and carbon emissions from delivery services.
Discussion topic: "The culture of consumerism".
Q. Why do many people today keep buying things which they do not need?
Answer: Well, people like to attribute different reasons to the culture of consumerism, but the major ones could be summarised like these: we think that possessing more and more things will make us feel more secure and happy in life. Then we try to impress other people or want to feel more important in front of others with the things that we own. And finally, we, in general, are more susceptible to the advertisements in the media and their catchy messages than we like to believe.
Q. Do you believe the benefits of a consumer society outweigh the disadvantages?
Answer: Well, it is a tough question to answer as there is no conclusive research data or evidence to simply say “yes” or "no". But, when we look at our societies which seem to have become more affluent and happy with their work and lifestyles, it is really hard to suggest that consumerism trend has many disadvantages. Besides, given the fact that the culture of consumerism has resulted in more international commerce and communication among people from different parts of the world, it also suggests that it has many benefits. On the other hand, the way people have become materialistic and self-centred, and the way the gap between the rich and poor has widened, makes it hard to say that this trend only has positive effects.
Alternative Answer: No, I don’t believe the benefits of a consumer society outweigh the disadvantages. While consumerism drives economic growth and innovation, it often leads to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and increased waste. For example, the fast fashion industry promotes excessive production and consumption, resulting in significant environmental harm, including water pollution and landfill overflow. Moreover, consumerism encourages a culture of overconsumption, where people focus on accumulating goods rather than prioritizing experiences or personal well-being. This constant desire for more can lead to financial stress and a loss of true happiness, as individuals may find themselves trapped in an endless cycle of purchasing. Therefore, the long-term impact of consumerism on both individuals and the environment makes its disadvantages more significant.
Q. How possible is it to avoid the culture of consumerism?
Answer: In my humble opinion, in this age of international trade and commerce, it is so difficult to avoid the culture of consumerism because we have become so used to the luxury and comfort of life. After all, it is mostly the culture of consumerism which encourages us to become more productive in our lives, which, in turn, makes sure that people have food on their tables, houses to live in, and clothes to wear. We have to have some kinds of genuine hope to survive in this world, and the culture of consumerism does just that.
Alternative Answer: Avoiding the culture of consumerism can be challenging, but it is possible with conscious effort. One way to reduce consumerism is by practising minimalism, where people prioritise quality over quantity and focus on buying only what they truly need. For instance, individuals can choose to invest in durable, high-quality items that last longer instead of constantly purchasing cheap, disposable products. Another approach is to focus on experiences rather than material possessions - choosing travel, education, or leisure activities over shopping sprees. However, completely avoiding consumerism is difficult, especially in a society where advertising and media are constantly promoting new products.
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