IELTS · Speaking
IELTS Speaking Practice Test 2
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 Nagpur, right in the centre of India, and it is famous for its oranges and its wide, tree-lined roads. It is not too crowded compared to the big metros, so life there feels calm and quite friendly.
Do you prefer living in a city or a smaller town? Why?
Honestly, I lean towards a smaller town because the pace is gentler and you actually know your neighbours. That said, a city like Pune tempts me with its job options, so it really depends on which stage of life I am in.
How do you usually spend your mornings?
My mornings are fairly fixed. I get up around six, make myself a strong cup of filter coffee, and go for a quick walk before the traffic picks up. That little bit of quiet sets me up for the whole day.
Has your daily routine changed much in the last few years?
Yes, quite a lot actually. Earlier I used to commute for nearly an hour each way, but now I work partly from home, so I have swapped that travel time for reading and some light exercise.
What is your favourite time of the day, and why?
I would say early evening is my favourite, roughly around six, because the heat has faded and the streets come alive with people out for chai and a chat. It has a lovely, unhurried feeling to it.
Do you like the weather where you live?
Not always, to be honest. The summers in central India can be brutal, sometimes crossing forty-five degrees, but I absolutely love the first monsoon showers when everything suddenly turns green.
How do people in your area usually travel to work or school?
Most people here rely on two-wheelers because they are cheap and easy to squeeze through traffic. Buses and shared autos are common too, though a lot of youngsters have started using app-based cabs for longer trips.
Is there anything you would like to change about your neighbourhood?
If I could change one thing, it would be the lack of green public spaces. We have plenty of markets but very few decent parks, so families end up with nowhere relaxing to unwind in the evenings.
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 pick up is public speaking, or more specifically, being able to give a confident presentation in front of a large audience. Right now I can hold a decent one-on-one conversation, but the moment I face a room full of people, my mind goes blank and my voice starts to shake. Why do I want to learn it? Well, in my line of work I often have to pitch ideas to clients and seniors, and I genuinely believe that people who speak well tend to get noticed and promoted faster. It is not just about the job, though. I want to feel comfortable proposing a toast at a family wedding or speaking up in a community meeting without my heart pounding. As for how I would go about it, I think I would join a local Toastmasters club in my city, because they give you a safe space to practise every week and get honest feedback. Alongside that, I would record myself on my phone and watch the videos, which is painful but really eye-opening. In terms of how it would help me, I think it would open doors, both professionally and personally. Confident communication is a skill that carries over into everything, so learning it properly would be an investment that keeps paying off for years.
Part 3: Discussion
Why do some people find it hard to learn new skills as adults?
I think the main reason is that adults simply have less free time and far more responsibilities, so learning has to compete with work and family. On top of that, there is a psychological barrier. As we get older we become more afraid of looking foolish, and that fear of failing in front of others often stops people before they even start.
Should schools teach more practical skills? Why or why not?
Absolutely, I feel schools lean too heavily on theory and exams. Teaching things like basic finance, cooking or how to handle a simple contract would prepare young people for real life far better. That said, I would not want practical skills to completely crowd out academic subjects, because both build the mind in different ways, so it is about striking a sensible balance.
Do you think some skills are becoming less important because of technology?
Some are, definitely. For instance, very few people bother memorising phone numbers or doing long calculations by hand anymore because our devices do it for us. However, I would argue that the underlying thinking skills still matter. If you rely on technology blindly without understanding the logic beneath it, you become helpless the moment the tool fails you.
Is it better to learn a skill from a teacher or by yourself?
I think it really depends on the skill and the person. A good teacher can save you a huge amount of time by correcting your mistakes early and keeping you motivated when you feel like quitting. On the other hand, self-learning through videos and apps builds independence and lets you go at your own pace, so ideally people should blend the two.
How has the way people learn new skills changed over the years?
It has changed dramatically, mostly because of the internet. Earlier, if you wanted to learn something, you had to find a physical teacher or an expensive institute, whereas today a curious person in a small village can learn coding or a language for free on their phone. The challenge now is not access to information but staying disciplined enough to actually finish what you start.
Do you think governments should help adults retrain for new careers?
Yes, I strongly believe they should, especially as automation is wiping out certain jobs. If governments fund short retraining programmes and skill centres, they can help workers move into growing fields instead of being left behind. In the long run this benefits the whole economy, because a skilled, adaptable workforce is far more valuable than one stuck with outdated abilities.
Book a Demo
Get Real Feedback on Your Speaking
Sample answers show the target; only a tutor can score your fluency, vocabulary and pronunciation. Book a ₹299 demo for a live speaking assessment, one to one.
Book a ₹299 Demo Class1
Take the demoA real level assessment.
2
See how it worksLive 1-on-1 online.
3
Target your weak areasBand-focused coaching.