IELTS Speaking Practice 17 Test 01
Practise Part 1 questions, a Part 2 cue card and Part 3 discussion questions with sample answers.
Use the microphone beside any question to practise speaking aloud. Your microphone audio is visualised in your browser only and is not recorded or uploaded.
For the full experience, create an account or sign in, then open Speaking Simulator from your Dashboard.
Introduction and Interview
Answer familiar questions naturally and directly.
Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Shenzhen, in southern China. It’s a fast-growing city with a lot of modern buildings, but some older neighborhoods still feel familiar and relaxed.
What do you like most about your hometown?
What I like most is how convenient daily life is. Public transport is good, food is easy to find, and most things I need are within a short distance.
Has your hometown changed much in recent years?
Yes, quite a lot. There are more metro lines, shopping areas, and high-rise buildings now. Some places I remember from childhood have been completely redeveloped.
Have you ever made origami?
Yes, but only simple things. I’ve made paper cranes and small boats before, mostly when I was younger or when friends showed me how to fold them.
Do you think origami is difficult?
Some designs are easy, but detailed ones can be quite difficult. You have to follow each step carefully, because one wrong fold can affect the whole shape.
What can children learn from origami?
They can learn patience, concentration, and how to follow instructions. It also encourages creativity because a simple sheet of paper can become many different things.
Do you like visiting bookstores?
Yes, I do. I like walking around bookstores because I can discover books I wouldn’t think to search for online, and the atmosphere is usually quiet.
How often do you buy books?
Maybe once every month or two. I don’t buy books constantly, but if I find something I genuinely want to read, I prefer having my own copy.
Do you prefer big bookstores or small ones?
I prefer smaller bookstores because they often feel more personal and less crowded. Big stores have more choice, though, so I use both depending on what I need.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a time you traveled by airplane
- Where you went
- Why you traveled
- What happened during the flight
- How you felt about the experience
One memorable flight I took was from Shenzhen to Chengdu for a short holiday with two friends. We wanted to spend a few days exploring the city, trying local food, and visiting some nearby attractions. It was only a domestic flight, but I still remember it because the weather became quite rough halfway through the journey. At first everything was normal, and I was looking out of the window and listening to music. Then the plane started shaking because of turbulence, and the seat belt sign came on. The cabin crew asked everyone to remain seated, and for about fifteen minutes the flight felt much less comfortable. I’m not usually afraid of flying, but I was definitely more alert than usual. One of my friends hates turbulence, so I tried to joke with him and keep the conversation going. Eventually the air became smooth again, and the rest of the flight was completely normal. When we landed, I felt relieved but also quite excited because the trip was finally beginning. The experience reminded me that flying is incredibly convenient, even though passengers sometimes have to accept situations they can’t control.
Is this experience still important to you now?
Yes, it is, mainly because it made me more comfortable with flying. I still remember that turbulence, but I don’t let it stop me from travelling.
Want the full speaking experience?
Create an account or sign in, then open Speaking Simulator from your Dashboard. No Next button. It moves on automatically.
Discussion
Develop your ideas with reasons, examples, comparisons or qualifications where they fit.
How has air travel changed tourism and business?
Air travel has made both tourism and business much more international. People can visit countries that would once have required extremely long journeys, so short holidays abroad are now common for many travellers. Businesses also use flights for meetings, conferences, and managing offices in different regions. At the same time, cheaper flights have increased visitor numbers in popular destinations, which can create overcrowding and environmental pressure.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling by plane?
The biggest advantage is speed. Flying allows people to cross countries or continents in a few hours, which makes long-distance travel practical. It can also connect places that are difficult to reach by road or rail. The disadvantages are cost, delays, airport procedures, and the environmental impact. Some passengers also find flying stressful or uncomfortable, especially on long journeys. So it’s extremely useful, but not always the most pleasant form of transport.
Do people travel more for work or for leisure now?
I think leisure travel is probably more common overall, because millions of people take holidays, visit relatives, or travel for personal reasons. Business travel is still important, but video calls have reduced the need for some meetings. Companies are more willing to handle routine discussions online now. However, certain industries still require frequent travel, especially when people need to inspect sites, meet major clients, or attend international events.
Will international mobility continue to increase in the future?
Yes, although the pace may vary. Cheaper transport, international study, remote work, and global businesses all encourage people to move between countries more often. Some people may even live in one country while working for an organisation based somewhere else. However, costs, visa rules, environmental concerns, and political changes could limit this growth. I think international mobility will continue, but it may become more selective rather than increasing endlessly.
Move from questions to a full speaking simulation.
Create an account or sign in, open Speaking Simulator from your Dashboard, choose your setup, and start an automatically paced Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 session.