IELTS Practice Speaking Questions & Sample Answers 05-04
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 are you studying?
I’m studying international business at university. My courses include marketing, economics, basic finance and some classes about how companies operate across different countries.
Why did you choose this subject?
I chose it because I was interested in both business and other cultures. I also liked that the degree could lead to different types of jobs rather than one very specific career.
What do you find most challenging about your studies?
Group projects are probably the hardest part because everyone has different schedules and working habits. The academic content can be difficult too, but at least I can usually manage that on my own.
Are you good at introducing yourself?
I’m reasonably comfortable with it, although I still feel slightly awkward in formal situations. In casual settings, I can usually introduce myself without thinking too much about it.
What do you usually say when meeting someone new?
I normally say my name first and then mention why I’m there, such as what I study or who I know. After that, I usually ask the other person something simple.
Do you think introductions are easy or awkward?
They can be awkward at first because neither person knows what the other is like. Still, once someone asks a natural question, the conversation usually becomes much easier.
Do you track your screen time?
Yes, I check it occasionally using the settings on my phone. I don’t look every day, but I like seeing which apps are taking up most of my time.
Do you think you spend too much time on your phone?
Probably a little too much, especially in the evening. Sometimes I open one app for a few minutes and then realize I’ve been looking at my phone for nearly an hour.
How can people reduce screen time?
Turning off unnecessary notifications helps a lot. People can also keep their phones away while studying or eating and set specific times for checking social media instead of opening it automatically.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a time you met someone from another country
- Who they were
- Where you met them
- What you talked about
- What you learned from them
A memorable person I met from another country was a German exchange student named Jonas. I met him last year at a university orientation event for international students. I was helping as a volunteer, mainly showing new students where different buildings were and answering basic questions about campus. Jonas asked me where he could buy a local transport card, and after I explained it, we started talking while walking toward the cafeteria. We talked about university life, food and the differences between our cities. He had only been in China for a few days, so he was curious about things that I had never really thought about, such as why some restaurants serve hot water instead of cold water. I asked him about Germany as well, especially student life and public transport there. What I learned from him was that everyday habits can seem completely normal until someone from another culture asks about them. That conversation made me notice my own routines more carefully. We later met several more times during the semester and joined a few group activities with other students. We aren’t extremely close friends, but we still follow each other online and occasionally exchange messages. Meeting him made international communication feel much more ordinary and personal rather than something abstract that only happens through travel or textbooks.
Is this person still important to you now?
Yes, although we don’t speak very often now. We still keep in touch online, and I’m glad we met during his exchange semester.
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Discussion
Develop your ideas with reasons, examples, comparisons or qualifications where they fit.
How can international communication change people’s views of the world?
It can make people realize that their own habits and opinions are not universal. When you regularly speak with people from different countries, you hear explanations of events, education, family life and social rules from another perspective. That doesn’t mean you automatically agree with everything, but it can make you less likely to assume that your own way is the only normal or sensible one.
Why is it valuable to meet people from other countries?
It gives people direct experience that is difficult to get from books or social media. You can ask questions, notice differences in communication and also discover how much you have in common. Personal contact can make another culture feel less distant. It is especially valuable because countries are often discussed through politics or stereotypes, while individual conversations are usually much more nuanced.
Should children learn about cultural differences from an early age?
Yes, because attitudes formed in childhood can last for a long time. Schools can introduce children to different languages, customs, foods and family traditions in a simple, positive way. The goal shouldn’t be to make children memorize facts about every culture, but to teach them that differences are normal and that they should ask respectful questions rather than judge unfamiliar behavior immediately.
Can stereotypes be reduced through personal contact?
Yes, often. Stereotypes are usually broad ideas about groups, while personal contact introduces individual people who may not fit those expectations at all. A good friendship or working relationship can make someone question an unfair assumption. However, one meeting may not be enough, and people can sometimes keep their stereotypes despite contrary evidence. Regular, meaningful contact is much more likely to change attitudes.
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