IELTS Speaking Practice 17 Test 02
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.
Do you live in a house or an apartment?
I live in an apartment with my family. It’s fairly small, but it’s comfortable and close to public transport, so it works well for us.
What’s your favorite room in your home?
My favorite room is my bedroom because it’s the quietest part of the apartment. I have a desk there, so I can read, use my laptop, or just relax.
Would you like to move to a different place in the future?
Yes, eventually. I’d like somewhere with more natural light and a little more space, especially an extra room that could be used for work or hobbies.
What are your idiosyncrasies?
One small idiosyncrasy I have is that I always check the door twice before leaving home. I also like arranging things on my desk in a particular order.
Do you like people with idiosyncrasies?
Usually, yes. Small unusual habits can make people more interesting, as long as they don’t create problems for everyone around them.
Should we embrace our idiosyncrasies?
I think so. Harmless quirks are part of someone’s personality, and trying to make everyone behave exactly the same would make life rather boring.
Are you a dilettante?
Yes, in some areas. I enjoy trying different hobbies without becoming an expert, so I’d say I’m a dilettante when it comes to photography and cooking.
What are your dilettante interests?
I’m interested in photography, basic design, cooking, and learning bits of technology. I enjoy understanding the basics even if I don’t study them deeply.
Is being a dilettante good or bad?
It can be good because you explore different interests and stay curious. The downside is that you may never develop real expertise if you constantly move on to something new.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a time you received a complaint
- Who complained to you
- What they complained about
- How you responded
- What you learned from it
A complaint I received happened when I was helping at a small café during a busy weekend. A customer ordered an iced coffee and a sandwich, but her sandwich took much longer than expected because the kitchen had mixed up two orders. She came back to the counter and complained that several people who arrived after her had already received their food. She was clearly annoyed, and at first I felt defensive because I hadn’t personally made the mistake. However, I checked the order instead of arguing and realised that she was right. I apologised, explained that the ticket had been placed in the wrong position, and asked the kitchen to prepare her sandwich immediately. We also offered her a small dessert without charge. She calmed down once she knew what had happened, and she thanked me before leaving. What I learned was that a complaint isn’t always a personal attack. Sometimes the fastest way to solve the situation is simply to listen, check the facts, and acknowledge the problem honestly. Since then, I’ve tried not to react emotionally when someone complains, because even an uncomfortable conversation can contain useful information.
Would you recommend this experience to your friends?
I wouldn’t recommend receiving complaints for fun, but I would recommend treating them as useful experience. Learning to respond calmly is valuable in many jobs.
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Discussion
Develop your ideas with reasons, examples, comparisons or qualifications where they fit.
What is the difference between a fair complaint and an unreasonable one?
A fair complaint is based on a real problem and usually asks for a reasonable solution. The customer may be upset, but their expectations still make sense. An unreasonable complaint might exaggerate what happened, demand something far beyond the actual loss, or blame a worker for something outside their control. The difficulty is that emotions can make the difference less obvious, so staff need to check the facts before deciding how to respond.
Why is it difficult for some people to receive complaints calmly?
People can feel that a complaint is criticism of them personally, even when it is really about a service or mistake. That can trigger embarrassment, anger, or a desire to defend themselves. It’s also difficult when the other person speaks aggressively. Staying calm requires someone to separate the problem from their ego. With experience, people often learn that listening first is usually more effective than arguing immediately.
Why does maturity matter when receiving criticism?
Maturity helps because a mature person is more able to separate useful criticism from the uncomfortable feeling of being criticised. Instead of reacting immediately, they can ask whether the feedback is accurate and what can be improved. They also understand that making a mistake doesn’t mean they are incompetent. This attitude makes criticism less threatening and allows people to respond professionally, even when the person giving feedback could have expressed it more politely.
Do people become better at handling complaints with experience?
Usually, yes. Experience teaches people that complaints follow certain patterns and that many problems can be solved with the same basic steps: listen, clarify, apologise when necessary, and offer a realistic solution. They also become less shocked by emotional customers. However, experience only helps if someone reflects on what happened. A person who always blames others may handle complaints badly even after many years.
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