IELTS Speaking Practice 16 Test 02
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.
Do you live in a house or an apartment?
I live in an apartment with my family. It isn’t very large, but the layout is practical, and it’s close to shops and public transport.
What’s your favorite room in your home?
My favorite room is my bedroom because it’s the quietest place in the apartment. I have a desk there, so I can work, read, or use my computer.
Would you like to move to a different place in the future?
Yes, eventually I’d like somewhere a little bigger and quieter. An extra room for working from home would be useful, and I’d also like more natural light.
What do you usually do on weekdays?
On weekdays I usually get up around seven, go to work, and come home in the early evening. After dinner, I normally study or relax for a while.
Do you prefer a fixed routine or a flexible one?
I prefer a routine with some flexibility. I like having regular times for work and sleep, but I don’t want every evening or weekend planned in advance.
How has your routine changed over time?
My routine has become more structured since I started working full-time. I go to bed earlier now, and I have to plan exercise, study, and errands more carefully.
Do you like receiving packages?
Yes, especially when it’s something I’ve been waiting for. Even ordinary household items are slightly more satisfying when they arrive in a package.
What was the last package you received?
The last package I received contained a wireless mouse and a phone charging cable. I ordered them online because the price was better than at nearby shops.
Do you think online shopping will keep growing?
Yes, I think so. It’s convenient, prices are easy to compare, and delivery is getting faster. Physical shops will remain, but online shopping will probably keep expanding.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a time you updated your phone or computer
- What you updated
- Why you updated it
- How the update went
- What improvements you noticed
A memorable update I did was installing a major operating system update on my laptop last year. I had delayed it for several weeks because I was worried it might slow the computer down or cause compatibility problems. Eventually, I decided to install it because some of the software I used was starting to recommend the newer version, and the update also included important security improvements. Before starting, I backed up my documents and photos to an external drive, plugged the laptop into power, and made sure I had enough free storage. The update itself took around forty minutes and restarted the computer several times. At one point the progress bar seemed stuck, which made me nervous, but I left it alone instead of forcing a restart. Fortunately, everything completed normally. Afterward, the interface looked a little different, and I noticed that the laptop started faster and handled multiple applications more smoothly. A few settings had moved, so I needed time to get used to them. Overall, the update went much better than I expected, and I was glad I had prepared properly instead of continuing to postpone it.
Would you recommend this experience to your friends?
Yes, as long as they back up important files first. Keeping devices updated is useful, but it’s better to prepare rather than install a major update carelessly.
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 do updates reflect the fast pace of technological change?
Updates show how quickly digital products continue to change after people buy them. A phone or computer is no longer a finished object; its software is constantly being adjusted for security, new features, and compatibility with other services. That can be useful because devices improve over time, but it also creates pressure on users to keep adapting. Something familiar can look or behave differently after a single update.
Do you think devices are becoming too complicated for ordinary users?
In some ways, yes. Modern devices offer more features, accounts, privacy settings, cloud services, and connections with other products, which can be confusing for people who only need basic functions. However, interfaces have also become easier in many areas, with automatic setup and clearer menus. The real problem is that complexity is often hidden until something goes wrong. Ordinary users may be comfortable day to day but struggle when they need to fix an unusual issue.
How can people keep up with fast technological change?
People don’t need to understand every new technology. It’s more practical to focus on tools that affect their work or daily life and learn them gradually. Short tutorials, help centres, and advice from more experienced users can make changes less intimidating. It also helps to build general digital skills, such as managing files, passwords, and settings, because those abilities transfer between different devices and platforms.
Do older users find digital changes harder to manage than younger users?
Often they do, mainly because younger people have usually grown up adapting to new interfaces and devices. They may be more willing to experiment without worrying about making a mistake. Older users can still learn very well, but sudden changes may be frustrating if they have spent years using one system. The difference is not simply age, though. Motivation, previous experience, and good instructions can make a bigger difference than someone’s birth year.
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.