IELTS Speaking Practice 16 Test 03
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.
What do you do for work?
I work in customer support for an online retail company. I mainly answer customer questions, check orders, and help solve problems related to deliveries or products.
What do you like about your job?
I like the problem-solving side of the job. It’s satisfying when a customer starts out frustrated and I can give them a clear explanation or practical solution.
What skills are important in your work?
Clear communication is essential. You also need patience, attention to detail, and the ability to stay calm when several customers need help at the same time.
Have you watched stand-up comedy?
Yes, mostly online. I’ve watched clips from different comedians, and I enjoy stand-up when the humour is based on everyday situations rather than just shocking people.
Do you think stand-up is popular in your country?
It’s becoming more popular, especially among younger audiences in larger cities. There are more live shows and online clips now than there were a few years ago.
What makes a comedian funny?
Timing is really important, but I also think observation matters. Funny comedians notice ordinary things people recognise and describe them from an unexpected angle.
Do you eat different foods in different seasons?
Yes, to some extent. In summer I eat more fruit and cold dishes, while in winter I prefer warm meals like soup, noodles, and hotpot.
What foods do you prefer in winter?
I like hotpot, soup, and roasted sweet potatoes in winter. Warm food feels especially comforting when the weather is cold, even if I eat some of those dishes year-round.
Do you think seasonal foods taste better?
Often, yes, because ingredients that are naturally in season can be fresher and have better texture. They may also be cheaper because they’re more widely available.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a time you saved money for something
- What you wanted to buy or do
- Why you needed to save money
- How you saved it
- How you felt when you finally achieved it
A time I saved money for something was when I wanted to buy a new laptop for work and personal projects. My old one still functioned, but it had become very slow, the battery was weak, and running several programs at once was frustrating. I didn’t want to put the purchase on a credit card, so I decided to save for it over several months. First, I compared models and set a clear target of about 6,000 yuan. Then I looked at my normal spending and found a few areas I could reduce. I stopped ordering takeaway so often, delayed buying some non-essential electronics, and transferred a fixed amount into a separate savings account each payday. I still allowed myself some money for going out, because I knew an extremely strict plan would be hard to maintain. After about four months, I had enough to buy the laptop without borrowing. I waited for an online sale and managed to get the model I wanted slightly below my original budget. I felt proud and relieved because the purchase didn’t create any debt, and the saving process made me much more aware of where my money was going.
Do you often think about this experience?
Yes, because I still use the laptop regularly. It also changed how I approach larger purchases, since I now prefer saving in advance whenever possible.
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.
Why is it important for people to learn how to save money?
Saving gives people a financial buffer when unexpected costs appear, such as medical bills, repairs, or a sudden loss of income. It also makes larger goals possible without relying entirely on debt. More importantly, learning to save builds awareness of spending habits. Someone doesn’t need a high income to understand the principle; even putting aside a small amount regularly can teach planning and reduce financial stress over time.
Do modern payment methods make it harder for people to control spending?
Yes, because digital payments make spending almost frictionless. When people use cash, they physically see money leaving their hands, but tapping a phone or card can feel less significant. Online shopping makes the process even easier because purchases can be completed in seconds. However, technology can also help control spending through banking alerts and budgeting apps. So the tools themselves aren’t necessarily the problem; it depends on how consciously people use them.
Why does saving money require self-control?
Saving usually means giving up something enjoyable now in exchange for a future benefit. That requires self-control because the immediate reward of buying food, clothes, or entertainment is more visible than the future value of money kept in an account. Advertising and easy payment methods make temptation stronger. A clear goal helps because people are more willing to delay spending when they can picture what they are saving for.
Do people find it harder to think about the future than the present?
Yes, because the present feels more concrete. People can easily understand the pleasure of buying something today, while benefits that may arrive years later feel distant and uncertain. This is why retirement saving or long-term health habits can be difficult. However, people can make the future feel more real by setting specific goals and tracking progress. A visible target turns an abstract future benefit into something easier to act on now.
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.