IELTS Speaking Practice 17 Test 04
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.
What are you studying?
I’m studying digital marketing at the moment. The course covers website content, search engines, social media, and basic data analysis, so it’s quite practical.
Why did you choose this subject?
I chose it because I’m interested in how businesses attract customers online. I also wanted to study something I could use on real projects rather than only learning theory.
What do you find most challenging about your studies?
The most challenging part is analysing data and deciding what it actually means. It’s easy to see numbers, but understanding why people behaved in a certain way takes more thought.
Do you like going on holiday?
Yes, definitely. Holidays give me a break from my normal routine, and I enjoy seeing a different place even if the trip is only a few days long.
What’s your ideal holiday like?
My ideal holiday would be somewhere near the sea with good food, comfortable weather, and a few interesting places to explore without having a very strict schedule.
Do you prefer relaxing holidays or active ones?
I prefer a mixture. I like having one or two active days for sightseeing or walking, but I also want enough time to relax and not rush everywhere.
Do you often take notes?
Yes, especially when I’m studying or planning a project. Writing short notes helps me organise information and remember what I need to do next.
Do you prefer taking notes by hand or digitally?
I usually take notes digitally because they’re easier to search and edit. For quick ideas, though, I still like using a notebook and pen.
When do you usually review your notes?
I normally review them before starting the next study session or when I’m preparing for an assignment. If the notes are only reminders, I check them whenever needed.
Long Turn
Speak continuously and develop the cue card as one natural response.
Describe a time you stayed up late
- When it was
- What you were doing
- Why you needed or wanted to stay up
- How you felt the next day
One time I stayed up very late was last year when I had to finish a group presentation for a course. We had agreed to combine everyone’s slides two days before the deadline, but one member sent his part much later than expected. I was responsible for putting the final presentation together, so I started editing everything at around nine in the evening. At first I thought it would take an hour or two, but the formatting was inconsistent and some information had to be rewritten. I also needed to check that our charts and references were correct. I kept working because the presentation had to be uploaded the next morning, and I didn’t want the group to lose marks for something that could still be fixed. I finally finished at about three-thirty in the morning. The next day I felt terrible. I had a headache, I was slow to concentrate, and even coffee didn’t help much. Fortunately, the presentation itself went well, so the effort wasn’t wasted. Still, the experience taught me that leaving important work until the final night creates unnecessary stress, even when the delay isn’t completely your fault.
Would you recommend this experience to your friends?
No, not if it can be avoided. Finishing the work felt satisfying, but losing that much sleep made the next day far more difficult than necessary.
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Discussion
Develop your ideas with reasons, examples, comparisons or qualifications where they fit.
Why do so many people stay up late nowadays?
Many people stay up late because entertainment and communication are available all night. Phones, streaming services, games, and social media make it easy to delay sleep without noticing the time. Some people also work or study late because their days are busy and nighttime feels like the only period they control. The problem is that this habit can become regular, even when there’s no real reason to stay awake.
Do you think young people have worse sleep habits than older people?
In many cases, yes. Young people often use phones late at night, have irregular study schedules, and may not feel the effects of poor sleep immediately, so they take it less seriously. Older adults may have more stable routines because of work or family responsibilities. However, age isn’t the only factor. Plenty of adults sleep badly because of stress, shift work, or long working hours, so poor sleep habits can affect any generation.
Do people find it harder to keep healthy routines now than in the past?
Yes, because modern life offers more distractions and often less separation between work and personal time. People can answer messages, shop, study, or work from home at almost any hour, which makes routines less clear. On the other hand, people today also have more information about exercise, nutrition, and sleep. So the challenge isn’t lack of knowledge; it’s turning that knowledge into consistent behaviour when life feels busy.
What is the best way to build a healthier daily routine?
The best approach is to make small changes that can realistically continue. Someone who suddenly plans to wake at five, exercise every day, cook every meal, and stop using their phone may give up quickly. It’s better to start with one habit, such as a regular bedtime or a short daily walk, and build from there. Tracking progress can help, but the routine should be flexible enough to survive busy days rather than collapsing completely.
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