IELTS · Speaking
IELTS Speaking Practice Test 1
A full IELTS Speaking test in three parts. Answer out loud, use the timers for the Part 2 cue card, optionally record yourself and play it back, and compare with a band 8+ sample answer. For real feedback on your fluency and pronunciation, a tutor assesses you in your ₹299 demo. Original practice material.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Where is your hometown and what is it like?
My hometown is Pune, in western India, and it has this lovely mix of old and new. There are quiet lanes with temples and small shops, but also busy IT parks and colleges, so it never feels boring.
Do you prefer living in a city or a smaller town? Why?
Honestly, I lean towards a smaller town. Big cities like Mumbai have more opportunities, but the traffic and crowds wear me out, whereas a smaller place feels calmer and people actually know their neighbours.
What is your typical daily routine on a working day?
On a working day I am up by around six, I go for a short walk, and then I get ready and commute to office by bus. Evenings are for dinner with family and a bit of reading before I sleep.
Has your daily routine changed much over the last few years?
Yes, quite a lot actually. Since I started working from home part of the week, I have more time in the mornings, so I have picked up cooking and I exercise a bit more than I used to.
What do people usually do in their free time where you live?
Most people here spend their free time with family, honestly. On weekends you will see folks at the local markets, in gardens, or heading out for street food, and cricket in the evening is almost a ritual for the younger crowd.
Is there anything you would like to change about your hometown?
If I could change one thing, it would be the traffic and the parking. The city has grown so fast that the roads just cannot cope during peak hours, so better public transport would make a huge difference.
Do you think you will keep living in the same place in the future?
Probably yes, at least for the next few years. My family and my job are both here, so it makes sense to stay, though I would not rule out moving abroad for a while if a good opportunity came up.
How easy is it to get around in your area?
It is fairly easy, to be fair. We have buses and app based autos and cabs, so you are never really stuck, although during the monsoon everything slows down because of waterlogging in some areas.
Part 2: The Long Turn (Cue Card)
Describe a skill you would like to learn. You should say:
- what the skill is
- why you want to learn it
- how you would learn it
- and explain how it would help you
Ready
Optional: record yourself and play it back.
The skill I would really love to learn is public speaking, or presenting confidently in front of a large audience. I can hold a normal conversation just fine, but the moment I have to stand on a stage, my mind goes blank and my voice starts to shake, so it is something I have wanted to fix for years. The main reason I want to learn it is my career. I work in a marketing team in Bengaluru, and more and more I am being asked to pitch ideas to clients and present at internal meetings. If I could speak clearly and hold people’s attention, I honestly think it would open a lot of doors for me. As for how I would go about it, I would probably join a local Toastmasters club, because I have heard they give you regular practice in a friendly setting where nobody judges you harshly. Alongside that, I would record myself on my phone and watch it back, which is painful but really shows you your habits. In terms of how it would help, it goes beyond just work. Being a confident speaker would help me in social situations, at family functions, even in job interviews. Basically it is one of those skills that quietly improves almost every part of your life, so it feels like a worthwhile investment of my time.
Part 3: Discussion
Why do some people find it hard to learn new skills as adults?
I think the biggest barrier is time, honestly. Adults have jobs, families and endless responsibilities, so they simply cannot devote hours the way a child can. On top of that, there is a fear of looking foolish. Kids are not embarrassed to fail, but adults often feel they should already know things, and that self consciousness really holds them back.
Should schools teach more practical skills? Why or why not?
Yes, I strongly feel schools should give practical skills more weight. A lot of students in India leave school knowing how to solve equations but with no idea how to manage money, cook a meal or handle a simple job interview. I am not saying academics do not matter, but a healthier balance would prepare young people far better for real, everyday life.
How has technology changed the way people learn new things?
Technology has completely democratised learning, I would say. Earlier you needed a physical teacher or an expensive institute, but now someone in a small village can learn coding on a phone through YouTube or a free app. The flip side is that it demands a lot of self discipline, because with no teacher watching over you, it is very easy to get distracted and give up.
Are some skills more valuable than others in today’s world?
To an extent, yes, though it depends on the context. In today’s economy, digital skills like data analysis or communication tend to be rewarded more, simply because there is huge demand for them. That said, I would be careful about dismissing so called soft skills. Being able to work in a team or empathise with people is often what separates a good professional from an average one.
Do you think it is better to learn a skill alone or with a teacher?
It really depends on the person and the skill, I think. For something technical like playing an instrument, a good teacher can correct your mistakes early and save you years of bad habits. But for other things, learning alone builds a kind of independence and problem solving ability. Personally, I feel the ideal approach is a mix, some guidance combined with plenty of solo practice.
Will the skills that are useful today still be useful in the future?
That is a tricky one, because the pace of change is so fast now. Certain technical skills will definitely become outdated as automation takes over routine tasks. However, I genuinely believe the core human skills, things like critical thinking, adaptability and communication, will only grow in value. If anything, the ability to keep learning itself is becoming the most future proof skill of all.
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