IELTS Speaking Practice 18 Test 04

I’m studying digital marketing at the moment. The course covers website content, search engines, social media, and basic data analysis, so it feels quite practical.

I chose it because I’m interested in how businesses attract customers online. I also wanted a subject where I could apply what I learn to real projects quite quickly.

The most challenging part is analysing data and understanding what it actually means. Looking at numbers is easy, but explaining why people behaved in a certain way takes more thought.

Yes, especially when I travel abroad. I usually choose a basic policy that covers medical emergencies, cancellations, and lost luggage rather than buying the most expensive option.

People mainly get it to protect themselves from unexpected costs. Medical treatment, cancelled flights, or lost belongings can become very expensive, especially when someone is travelling overseas.

It depends on the trip. For a short domestic visit, I might not bother, but for an international trip I’d still want basic coverage because even a small emergency could be costly.

Yes, although I don’t do it very often because city lights make the sky quite bright. I enjoy it much more when I’m somewhere outside the city.

Yes, once during a trip to the countryside. It disappeared so quickly that I almost wasn’t sure I’d actually seen it, but everyone around me noticed it too.

I usually think about how enormous space is and how small everyday problems seem in comparison. It sounds a bit dramatic, but the night sky can be very calming.

Some people find budgeting difficult because their income or expenses change from month to month, so a fixed plan doesn’t always match reality. Others simply dislike tracking small purchases and only notice the total after the money is gone. Emotional spending is another problem, because people may buy things when they’re stressed or bored. A budget also fails if it’s too strict. If there’s no room for normal enjoyment, people may give up on it completely.

Yes, at least at a basic level. Students should understand income, expenses, saving, interest, debt, insurance, and how to make a simple budget before they become financially independent. These are practical skills that almost everyone will need. Schools don’t have to turn children into investment experts, but they can teach them how everyday financial decisions work. That could help young adults avoid common mistakes when they first start earning or borrowing money.

Probably, because people have more ways to spend money instantly than before. Online shopping, subscriptions, digital payments, and easy credit can make spending feel almost invisible. At the same time, housing, education, and other major costs are high in many places. That means people may need to monitor their finances more carefully. Technology can help with budgeting, but it also makes impulsive purchases easier, so discipline will remain important.

Budgeting gives people a clearer picture of what they can afford before making a decision. For example, someone may realise that buying an expensive phone would mean delaying a holiday or reducing savings for several months. That doesn’t automatically mean they shouldn’t buy it, but the trade-off becomes visible. A budget can also reduce small impulsive purchases because people know how much room they have left for optional spending. It turns vague financial goals into practical daily choices.