As part of your IELTS exam preparation, it's essential to do plenty of practice using genuine IELTS exam materials. Here are Cambridge IELTS 11 speaking Test 4 answers to help you practice!
IELTS Book 11 Speaking Test 4 Answers
Part 1
The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.
NamesExaminer: So, let's start with talking a bit about yourself. Can you tell me your name?
Candidate: Hi! My name is Maya. It's nice to meet you.
Examiner: Maya, that's a lovely name. How did your parents choose it?
Candidate: Thanks! Actually, it's funny. My mom loved the name because it means "illusion" or "dream" in Sanskrit. She's a big yoga fan, you see? But my dad just liked the sound of it. They kind of compromised, I guess!
Examiner: Interesting! Does it feel like it suits you?
Candidate: I think so! I'm a pretty creative person, and I always have big dreams for the future, so maybe the meaning fits in a way.
Examiner: Is Maya a common name in your country?
Candidate: It's not super common, but it's not unheard of either. There are always a few Mayas in my class at school. I actually kind of like that it's unique but still easy to pronounce for people overseas. That'll be helpful when I go abroad to study!
Examiner: Speaking of studying abroad, if you could change your name, would you?
Candidate: Honestly, no. I've grown to like my name, and it carries a bit of family history now too. My younger cousin is even named after me! Maybe if it was something really difficult to spell or pronounce, I might consider it, but Maya works for me.
IELTS 11 Speaking Test 4 Part 2
Examiner: Okay, let's move on to part two. I'd like you to describe a particularly interesting TV documentary you watched recently. Here's your candidate task card. You'll have one minute to prepare.
Describe a TV documentary you watched that was particularly interestingYou should say:
- what the documentary was about
- why you decided to watch it
- what you learnt during the documentary
IELTS Speaking Test Part 2 Candidate Task card
Candidate: Sure, there was this documentary I saw a few weeks ago about the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It was called something like "Oceans Under Threat."
Well, honestly, I love anything to do with marine life! But this one was different. It wasn't just showing all the cool fish and coral reefs, you know? It focused on the threats the reef is facing from climate change and pollution.
It was pretty shocking, actually. I knew the Great Barrier Reef was in trouble, but I didn't realize how severe it was. The documentary showed the coral bleaching and how it's affecting all the different species that live there. It was really eye-opening.
There were a few reasons it was interesting. First, it wasn't just presenting the problem, it was also showing some of the conservation efforts happening to try and save the reef. That gave me a bit of hope. Second, it used some amazing underwater footage. Seeing the beauty of the reef firsthand made the whole situation hit even harder. It really made me realize how important it is to take care of our oceans.
IELTS 11 Speaking Test 4 Part 3
Different types of TV programsExaminer: Okay, that was fascinating. Now, let's talk a bit more generally about television. What are the most popular kinds of TV programs in your country?
Candidate: Hmm, that's a good question. I'd say there are a few main ones. Reality shows are definitely huge right now. Everyone seems to be obsessed with cooking competitions, talent shows, and dating programs!
Examiner: Why do you think reality shows are so popular?
Candidate: Well, they're kind of addictive, I guess. There's always some drama, some competition, and sometimes even a bit of romance! It's easy to get sucked into the lives of the contestants and see how they do. Plus, with social media these days, you can chat about the shows with your friends online in real time, which adds to the whole experience.
Examiner: Do you think there are too many game shows on TV nowadays?
Candidate: Maybe! Sometimes it feels like you can't turn a channel without seeing someone answering trivia questions or trying to guess the price of a household appliance. It can get a bit repetitive after a while. I wouldn't mind seeing more documentaries or even educational programs in prime time.
Examiner: Interesting. Do you think TV is the main way for people to get the news in your country?
Candidate: Not necessarily. There are still plenty of people who watch the evening news on TV, especially older generations. But for younger people like me, we get a lot of our news online now. There are news websites, social media feeds, and even news apps on our phones. It's all very convenient and allows you to personalize what kind of news you see.
TV advertising
Examiner: Okay, that's interesting about how people get their news. Now, let's talk about TV advertising. What types of products are advertised most often on TV?
Candidate: It really depends on the channel you're watching. If you're on a cooking channel, you'll see a lot of ads for food products and kitchen gadgets. Prime time seems to be full of commercials for cars, mobile phones, and the latest clothing trends. And, of course, there are always those late-night infomercials selling weird exercise equipment or miracle cleaning solutions!
Examiner: Do you think that people pay attention to adverts on TV? Why do you think that?
Candidate: I think it depends on the ad itself. Some are really creative and funny, and you can't help but watch them. But others are just boring and repetitive. Honestly, most people probably channel surf or reach for their phones during commercial breaks. That's why companies are trying to make their ads more interactive these days, with things like QR codes or social media challenges.
Examiner: How important are regulations on TV advertising, especially for products aimed at children?
Candidate: Super important! Kids are especially vulnerable to advertising because they might not understand the persuasive techniques used. Regulations that limit junk food ads during children's programming and ensure commercials are age-appropriate are definitely a good thing. It helps protect kids from unhealthy influences and lets them make decisions based on what they truly need, not just what looks cool on TV.