IELTS Speaking Practice 14 Test 04

I'm studying computer science at university. Most of my courses involve programming, databases and basic software development, although I also have some mathematics and general business classes.

I chose it because I've always enjoyed figuring out how technology works. I also liked the idea of learning practical skills that could be used in many different industries after graduation.

Debugging is probably the most challenging part. Sometimes a program fails because of one tiny mistake, and finding it can take much longer than writing the original code, so patience is essential.

It's possible, but it takes some planning. The cafeteria has healthy options, although the quickest and cheapest meals are often fried or high in salt, so I try not to choose those every day.

I often bring fruit, yogurt and a simple sandwich from home. If I buy lunch on campus, I usually choose rice with vegetables and some chicken rather than fast food.

Convenience is the biggest problem. When people are busy or tired, they usually choose whatever is fastest and closest, and healthier meals sometimes cost more or take longer to prepare.

Yes, very much. I get bored if I do the same thing for too long, so learning a new skill or understanding how something works is usually enjoyable for me.

The last thing I learned was how to use a new data visualization tool for a class project. I followed a tutorial and then built a few simple charts with our project data.

Children may learn some things more naturally because they're less afraid of making mistakes. Adults, though, often have clearer goals and more experience, so I don't think one group always learns more easily.

People should first look at who published it and whether the author has relevant knowledge or a clear reputation to protect. Then they can check whether important claims are supported by evidence and whether other reliable sources report the same facts. The date also matters, because an accurate article can become outdated. I think people should be especially cautious when a headline is extremely emotional or seems designed mainly to make them angry. No single check is perfect, so comparing several signals is usually safer.

A good article can introduce evidence or a perspective that the reader has never considered before. Because articles have more space than short posts, they can explain context and show how different ideas connect. Sometimes the effect is personal: a real story may make an abstract issue feel much more immediate. Of course, not every article changes minds. People are more likely to reconsider their views when the writing feels credible and when the new information connects with something they already care about.

For serious topics, yes, I think they should treat social media as a starting point rather than the final source. Short posts often remove context, and algorithms reward content that gets strong reactions, not necessarily content that is accurate. Social media can still be useful for discovering issues or hearing personal experiences, but important claims should be checked elsewhere. I wouldn't tell young people to avoid these platforms completely. Learning how to verify what they see is more realistic and useful.

Critical thinking helps people separate evidence from opinion and notice when information is incomplete, exaggerated or trying to manipulate them emotionally. Online, anyone can publish something that looks professional, and false claims can spread very quickly through repetition. A critical reader asks basic questions: Who is making this claim? What evidence supports it? What might be missing? That doesn't mean distrusting everything. It means giving confidence in proportion to the quality of the evidence rather than accepting or rejecting information instantly.