IELTS Speaking Practice 18 Test 01
Practise Part 1 questions, a Part 2 cue card and Part 3 discussion questions with sample answers.
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Introduction and Interview
Answer familiar questions naturally and directly.
Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Shenzhen, in southern China. It’s a large, modern city, and I’ve spent most of my life there, so I’m very familiar with it.
What do you like most about your hometown?
What I like most is the convenience. The transport system is efficient, there are plenty of places to eat, and it’s easy to find almost anything I need nearby.
Has your hometown changed much in recent years?
Yes, quite a lot. There are more metro lines and high-rise buildings now, and some older areas have been rebuilt. The city feels much busier than it did when I was younger.
Do you use stairs often?
Yes, fairly often. I usually take the stairs if I’m only going up two or three floors, especially when the lift is crowded or slow.
Do you think taking stairs is good exercise?
Yes, definitely. It’s a simple way to get a bit of exercise without planning a workout, and it can improve your stamina if you do it regularly.
Are there many places with stairs in your city?
Yes. Shopping centres, office buildings, metro stations, and apartment blocks all have stairs, although people often choose escalators or lifts when they’re available.
Do you like to be alone?
Yes, sometimes. I enjoy being with other people, but I also like having quiet time after work because it helps me relax and clear my head.
What do you like to do when you are alone?
I usually watch a film, listen to music, or work on something on my computer. Sometimes I just go for a walk without talking to anyone.
Is it important for people to have some time alone?
Yes, I think so. Time alone gives people a chance to rest, think clearly, and do things at their own pace, especially after a busy or social day.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a movie you watched recently
- What the movie was
- When and where you watched it
- What it was about
- Why it left an impression on you
A movie I watched recently was The Martian. I’d seen a few short clips before, but I’d never watched the whole film. I finally saw it at home one Saturday evening on my laptop because I wanted something entertaining but not too heavy. The story is about an astronaut who is accidentally left behind on Mars after his crew believes he has died. He has limited food and equipment, so he has to use science and practical problem-solving to survive until people on Earth can rescue him. What impressed me most was the way the film made technical problems feel exciting rather than confusing. The main character keeps facing serious setbacks, but instead of panicking, he breaks each problem into smaller steps and works through them. I also liked the balance between tension and humour, because the film never felt completely depressing even though the situation was dangerous. After it finished, I kept thinking about how much patience and creativity would be needed in that kind of situation. It left a strong impression on me because it made intelligence and persistence feel genuinely dramatic, rather than relying only on action scenes.
Is this book still important to you now?
No particular book is important to me because of that experience. What stayed with me was the film itself and the ideas it raised.
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Discussion
Develop your ideas with reasons, examples, comparisons or qualifications where they fit.
How have people’s viewing habits changed over the last decade?
People have much more control over what and when they watch now. Streaming platforms let viewers choose from huge libraries instead of waiting for a television schedule, and many people watch on phones or laptops rather than a TV. Short-form video has also changed attention habits. At the same time, people can easily discover foreign films and series, so viewing has become more flexible and international.
What are the differences between watching films at home and in a cinema?
At home, people have more convenience. They can pause the film, choose their own snacks, and watch whenever they want. A cinema offers a much bigger screen, better sound, and fewer everyday distractions, so the experience can feel more immersive. The downside is that cinemas cost more and require planning. I think home viewing is better for casual films, while cinemas still suit big visual releases.
How might films change in the future as technology develops?
Films may become more interactive as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and personalised media develop. Viewers might eventually be able to explore a story from different characters’ perspectives or influence certain scenes. Production could also become cheaper because digital tools can create realistic environments without building physical sets. However, technology alone won’t make a film good. Strong characters and an engaging story will probably remain the most important parts.
Do films affect people differently from books?
Yes, because films and books use different forms of imagination. A film gives viewers specific faces, voices, music, and images, so the emotional effect can be immediate and shared by many people. A book requires readers to create much more of the world in their own minds, which can make the experience more personal. Neither is necessarily stronger; they simply involve the audience in different ways.
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