IELTS Speaking Samples and Answers
IELTS Speaking Test # 126
- Details
- Written by IELTS Mentor
IELTS Speaking Test # 126
IELTS Band 8/9 level Speaking sample.
Part 1 Topic: "Jewellery".
Part 2 Topic: "Describe an interesting TV programme you watched about a science topic".
Part 3 Topic: "Science and the public" & "Scientific discoveries".
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 - "Jewellery"
Q. How often do you wear jewellery? [Why?/Why not?]
Answer: I don’t wear jewellery very often, to be honest. I usually only wear a watch or maybe a ring for special occasions like weddings or festivals. I prefer a simple style in daily life, and jewellery sometimes feels a bit too flashy for my taste.
Q. What type of jewellery do you like best? [Why?/Why not?]
Answer: I like traditional jewellery the most, especially handcrafted silver or gold pieces. They have cultural significance and often carry sentimental value. I also appreciate minimalist designs because they’re elegant and go well with almost any outfit.
Q. When do people like to give jewellery in your country? [Why?]
Answer: Jewellery is a popular gift during weddings, engagements, birthdays, and religious festivals. In my country, it’s also common to give gold jewellery to brides as a symbol of blessings and financial security. It’s seen as both a valuable gift and a meaningful tradition.
Q. Have you ever given jewellery to someone as a gift? [Why?/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I once gave a bracelet to my sister at her graduation. I wanted to give her something memorable and personal. It wasn’t too expensive, but she really appreciated the gesture because it showed that I had put some thought into the gift.
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 an interesting TV programme you watched about a science topic.
You should say:
- what science topic this TV programme was about
- when you saw this TV programme
- what you learnt from this TV programme about a science topic
and explain why you found this TV programme interesting.
[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: "Science and the public"
Q. How interested are most people in your country in science?
Answer: It really varies. Some people, especially students and professionals in the tech or medical field, show a strong interest in science. But on the whole, I’d say the general public isn’t deeply engaged unless it directly affects their lives - like during the pandemic. From my perspective, science is often seen as too complex, so people avoid it unless it's made simple and relevant.
Q. Why do you think children today might be better at science than their parents?
Answer: That’s a good point. Children today have access to better resources - online videos, interactive apps, and modern school labs. Also, science is taught in a much more engaging and practical way now than in th past. In contrast, their parents probably learned from textbooks alone. For example, kids can now simulate chemical reactions on a tablet, which helps them grasp concepts faster and with more interest.
Q. How do you suggest the public can learn more about scientific developments?
Answer: I think science needs to be made more accessible and relatable. Public lectures, science podcasts, documentaries, and short explainer videos on social media can all help. Schools and libraries can also organise science fairs or community talks. One great example is the TED platform - it makes scientific ideas easy to understand for people from all backgrounds.
Discussion topic: "Scientific discoveries"
Q. What do you think are the most important scientific discoveries in the last 100 years?
Answer: That’s a big question, but I’d say the discovery of antibiotics, the development of the internet, and the mapping of the human genome are among the most important. Antibiotics revolutionised medicine, saving millions of lives. The internet has transformed how we communicate and access knowledge and genome sequencing opened up new possibilities in healthcare and genetics. Therefore, I consider them the most influential and promising discoveries in the last 100 years.
Q. Do you agree or disagree that there are no more major scientific discoveries left to make?
Answer: I strongly disagree with this proposition. Science is constantly evolving, and there’s still so much we don’t understand - like the human brain, deep space, and climate change solutions. New technologies also create new fields of research. Who would’ve imagined things like quantum computing or CRISPR - which stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and revolutionary gene-editing technology - derived just a few decades ago? There’s definitely more to come.
Q. Who should pay for scientific research – governments or private companies?
Answer: Ideally, both of these entities should work and pay for the scientific research. Governments should fund research that benefits society as a whole, like disease prevention or environmental protection. Private companies, on the other hand, can invest in innovation that has commercial potential. However, public funding is essential for unbiased, long-term research. In my opinion, a balanced partnership between the two sectors would ensure both progress and accountability.
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