IELTS Speaking Practice 11 Test 01
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.
Where is your hometown?
I’m from a medium-sized city in southern China. It’s quite busy now, but the neighborhood where I grew up is still fairly quiet and familiar.
What do you like most about your hometown?
What I like most is the food. There are lots of small local restaurants, and I can get dishes I grew up eating without spending much money.
Has your hometown changed much in recent years?
Yes, quite a lot. There are more apartment buildings, shopping centers, and metro connections now, so getting around is easier, although traffic has also become heavier.
Do you use ATMs often?
Not very often. I mostly pay by phone, so I usually only use an ATM when I need cash for a small shop or some special situation.
Do you prefer withdrawing cash or paying by phone?
I definitely prefer paying by phone because it’s faster and I don’t have to carry much cash. I only withdraw money when I know I’ll actually need it.
Are ATMs easy to find in your area?
Yes, they’re fairly easy to find. There are several banks near my workplace and apartment, although I notice fewer people using the machines than a few years ago.
Do you use headphones often?
Yes, almost every day. I use them on my commute and sometimes at work when I need to focus without being distracted by conversations around me.
What kind of headphones do you prefer?
I prefer lightweight wireless headphones. I don’t need anything very expensive, but I care about comfort because I often wear them for an hour or two.
When do you usually wear headphones?
I usually wear them on the bus or metro, especially when I’m listening to music or a podcast. I also use them occasionally while doing repetitive work.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a time you used public speaking
- When it happened
- Where you spoke
- What you talked about
- How you felt before and after speaking
One time I had to use public speaking was at work about a year ago. My team had finished a small project, and my manager asked me to explain the results during a department meeting. There were around twenty people in the room, including a few managers I didn’t know very well. I spoke about what our team had changed, what problems we had run into, and how the new process saved us some time. I made a few simple slides, but I tried not to read from them because I knew that would make me sound nervous. Before I started, I was definitely anxious. My hands felt a little cold, and I kept thinking I might forget an important point. Once I had spoken for the first minute, though, I became much more comfortable. People were listening and a couple of them nodded, which made me feel that I was doing fine. Afterwards, I felt relieved but also proud of myself. The presentation wasn’t perfect, but I realized public speaking was less frightening than I had imagined. Since then, I’ve been more willing to speak during meetings instead of staying quiet.
Would you recommend this experience to your friends?
Yes, I would. It was uncomfortable at first, but it helped me become more confident, so I think it’s worth trying at least once.
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Discussion
Develop your ideas with reasons, examples, comparisons or qualifications where they fit.
How has technology changed the way people speak to large audiences?
Technology has made public speaking much more flexible. A speaker no longer needs to be in the same room as the audience, because presentations can be streamed live to thousands of people. Slides, videos, and interactive polls also make talks easier to follow. At the same time, technology creates new problems, such as technical failures or people paying less attention online. So it has expanded the audience, but speakers also need more technical skills than before.
Do you think schools should train students to speak in front of others more often?
Yes, I think they should, because speaking clearly is useful far beyond school. Students may need it for interviews, university presentations, or workplace meetings later on. Schools don’t need to force every student to give long formal speeches, though. They could start with short group presentations or simple classroom explanations. That would give shy students repeated practice in a lower-pressure environment and gradually make public speaking feel more normal.
How important is spoken communication in daily life?
Spoken communication is extremely important in daily life because so many things depend on explaining yourself clearly. We use it when asking for help, solving problems at work, meeting new people, or even discussing small issues with family members. Written messages are convenient, but tone and meaning can be misunderstood easily. Speaking allows people to clarify things immediately. Of course, some jobs require more speaking than others, but almost everyone benefits from being able to express ideas calmly and clearly.
Why are some people more confident speakers than others?
Some people have more practice, while others naturally feel less nervous around strangers. Family background and school experience can also matter. For example, a child who is often encouraged to explain opinions may become comfortable speaking much earlier. Confidence can also grow from knowing a subject well, because people worry less about making mistakes. I don’t think confident speakers are simply born that way; in many cases, repeated experience and supportive feedback make a major difference.
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