IELTS Speaking Practice 20 Test 04

I’m studying digital marketing at the moment. The course covers things like website content, search engines, social media, and basic data analysis.

I chose it because I’m interested in how businesses attract customers online. It also seems practical, because almost every company now needs some form of digital marketing.

The most challenging part is analysing data and deciding what it actually means. It’s easy to look at numbers, but much harder to understand why people behaved in a certain way.

I’d say I’m fairly fast because I use a computer every day for studying and messaging. I’m not a professional typist, but I rarely need to look at the keyboard.

Definitely. I type notes, assignments, messages, and almost everything else. I mainly write by hand when I’m making a quick list or filling in a form.

Yes, because so much study and office work is done on computers now. Typing quickly isn’t everything, but being accurate and comfortable with a keyboard saves a lot of time.

Yes, occasionally. I like cola and lemon-flavoured drinks, but I don’t usually keep them at home because I’d probably drink them too often.

Maybe once or twice a week, usually when I’m eating out with friends. Most of the time I drink water, tea, or coffee instead.

Yes, especially because many of them contain a lot of sugar. I don’t think they need to be completely avoided, but drinking them every day probably isn’t a great habit.

Birthday parties seem more organised and commercial than they used to be, especially for children. Families can now book themed venues, entertainers, photographers, and customised cakes quite easily. Social media has probably influenced this because people see creative party ideas online and want something similar. At the same time, simple home celebrations still exist. The main change is that people have many more options and may feel more pressure to make the event look special.

For children, birthdays often feel more important because a year is a much bigger part of their life, and they may look forward to the party for weeks. Adults usually treat birthdays more casually, especially as they get older. Still, adult celebrations can be meaningful because they give friends and family a reason to meet. So I’d say birthdays are more exciting for children, but they can still be socially important for adults.

Probably. Technology may make celebrations more connected for people who live far apart, with virtual participation, shared videos, or other interactive features. People may also choose smaller experiences, such as trips or private dinners, instead of large traditional parties. However, I don’t think face-to-face celebrations will disappear. For major occasions, most people still value being physically together, so the format may change while the basic social purpose stays the same.

Celebrations give people a reason to stop their normal routines and recognise something meaningful, whether it’s a birthday, wedding, festival, or achievement. They create shared memories and help maintain relationships, especially when people are busy and don’t meet often. They can also give people a sense of continuity because certain traditions repeat across generations. Of course, celebrations don’t need to be expensive; the important part is usually the attention and time people give each other.