IELTS Practice Speaking Questions & Sample Answers 07-03
Practice Part 1 questions, a Part 2 cue card, and Part 3 discussion questions, with sample answers on one page.
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Introduction and Interview
Answer familiar questions naturally and directly.
What do you do for work?
I work in customer support for an online business. Most of my day involves answering customer questions, checking orders and helping solve problems through messages.
What do you like about your job?
I like solving practical problems for people. It’s satisfying when a customer starts out frustrated but becomes calmer because I’ve explained the situation clearly and found a solution.
What skills are important in your work?
Clear communication is probably the most important. You also need patience, attention to detail and the ability to stay calm, because sometimes several customers need help at the same time.
How often do you use social media?
I use it every day, but usually in short periods. I check a few platforms during breaks or after work rather than spending hours scrolling continuously.
What are the advantages of social media?
It makes it easy to keep in touch with people and discover information quickly. It’s also useful for small businesses because they can reach customers without needing a huge advertising budget.
What are the disadvantages of social media?
The biggest disadvantage is that it can waste a lot of time. There’s also misinformation, pressure to compare yourself with other people, and sometimes very negative behavior in comment sections.
Do you study in cafes or libraries?
Occasionally. I sometimes go to a library when I need to concentrate, but I rarely study in busy cafes because I find them a little too noisy.
Why do people study in public places?
Some people concentrate better when they leave home. Public places can also provide a change of environment, and libraries in particular give people desks, internet access and fewer household distractions.
What distracts you when studying outside?
Conversations around me are the biggest distraction, especially if I can clearly hear what people are saying. I also lose focus if people keep walking past my table.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a time you introduced yourself to someone
- Who you introduced yourself to
- Where it happened
- What you said
- How the conversation went
A time I remember introducing myself to someone was when a new colleague joined my team at work. She had just moved to the city and looked slightly nervous on her first morning, so I decided to speak to her before our team meeting started. We were in the office kitchen making coffee. I simply said my name, told her that I worked in customer support, and asked whether it was her first day. I also mentioned that I sat only a few desks away, so she could ask me if she needed help finding anything or understanding our internal system. The conversation was quite easy after that. She told me a little about her previous job and said she was worried about learning all the new procedures. Since I had felt exactly the same when I started, I explained that nobody expected her to remember everything immediately. We ended up talking for about ten minutes before going back to our desks. I remember the moment because it was very ordinary but useful. Later, we worked together on several difficult customer cases and became good colleagues. It reminded me that introducing yourself doesn’t need to be clever or impressive. Sometimes just being friendly at the right moment can make another person feel much more comfortable.
Do you often think about this person?
Yes, from time to time. We still work together, so I sometimes remember how nervous she seemed on her first day compared with how confident she is now.
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Discussion
Develop your ideas with reasons, examples, comparisons or qualifications where they fit.
How has online communication changed the way people make introductions?
Online communication has made introductions much easier because people can connect before meeting in person. For example, colleagues may already know each other through a group chat, or people may first meet through social media. That can reduce some awkwardness, but online introductions also provide fewer clues about tone and personality. A short message can seem cold even when the sender doesn’t intend it that way.
How can first introductions affect later relationships?
First introductions can shape expectations very quickly. If someone seems friendly, respectful and interested, the other person is usually more willing to continue the relationship. A bad first impression can create distance, although I don’t think it should be treated as permanent. People may be nervous, tired or simply having a bad day, so later interactions can completely change the original impression.
Why are first social contacts important in daily life?
They matter because many everyday relationships begin with a very short first contact. It could be a new neighbor, colleague, teacher or customer. A positive beginning makes future communication easier because both people feel more comfortable approaching each other again. Of course, a first conversation doesn’t determine the whole relationship, but it can create either trust or unnecessary awkwardness at the beginning.
How can people become better at starting conversations?
Practice helps a lot. People can start with simple questions about the situation they’re in instead of trying to say something especially interesting. Listening is also important, because a conversation becomes easier when you respond to what the other person actually says. For shy people, setting small goals, such as starting one brief conversation at an event, can gradually make social situations feel less intimidating.
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