IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE TEST
In this IELTS speaking practice test, we answer questions about:
- Part 1: Work & Studies, Maps, Foreign Food
- Part 2: Favorite Song
- Part 3: Popular Music, Musical Skills, Learning Music
IELTS SPEAKING PART 1
Work/studies
What do you study? / What is your job?
I’m studying computer engineering with a specialization in AI, artificial intelligence.
Why did you choose to study that subject?
I’ve always been fascinated by computers and what they can do, even as a child, and so it was an obvious choice to study computer engineering at university.
Currently, I’m doing a master’s degree and then I would like to do my doctoral degree overseas, possibly in Europe or in the USA.
Why did you choose your university?
It wasn’t an easy choice. I thought long and hard about it, but the university has an excellent reputation for computer engineering and has also done some important research in the field.
The faculty also includes some world-class professors and graduates from the university are also highly sought after by some of the world’s biggest tech companies, so the employment prospects are excellent.
How was your first day at university?
It was a while ago now, but I can remember being a little disoriented the first day. There were a lot of forms to fill out, and then I had to find my way around the campus; you know, find the faculty building, the lecture auditoriums, cafeteria, and so on. I think it took me a couple of weeks to really get to know my way around.
Luckily my best friend also attended the same university on the same course as me, so we basically found our way around together, so it wasn’t so bad.
Maps
How often do you use maps?
Not very often really. Only when I need to go someplace I haven’t been before. I would guess maybe a couple of times per month, something like that.
Do you think it's better to use a paper map or a map on your phone? Why?
Well, I usually use the maps on my phone, but I guess if you went someplace where there was no cell signal or internet connection it might be difficult to use electronic maps, and you would have to buy a paper map.
Which one is better? Electronic maps are easier to use because they’re on your phone, almost anywhere you go. So, it’s much easier to handle and you can just type in an address and the location is automatically displayed.
With a paper map, you need to know the address and then search for it on the map, which, if you don’t know which part of the city or place it is in, could take you several minutes just to find it.
Do you ask people on the street for directions to locations?
Yes, sometimes if I can’t find a place and I’m in a hurry. Asking locals where somewhere is can sometimes be a lot quicker than trying to find it using a map. Especially if you’re not familiar with the location.
Foreign food
Did you eat food from other countries in your childhood?
No, well, not regularly. Sometimes my family went out and we would maybe go to a restaurant that served foreign food, just for a change, on a special occasion maybe. But it’s not something we did frequently.
And my mother used to cook local and traditional food most of the time, she wasn’t a big fan of cooking foreign food, although sometimes she would try a recipe she has seen on Tv or someplace else, just for fun.
Which foods from other countries are popular in your country?
The usual I guess, pizza, burgers, and the usual Italian, Chinses, Mexican restaurants. The biggest influence is probably from Asia and the U.S.
There are a couple of new places which have opened recently in my hometown; a waffle restaurant and an Asian fusion restaurant which blends several different types of Asian foods and dishes.
This seems to be a recent trend which has become popular across the country.
Have you recently tried food from another country? What was it? Did you like it?
Yes, about a week ago, I went with some friends to a Sushi bar and we had various different Sushi dishes which were delicious.
I had tried Sushi before, but we hadn’t been to that particular restaurant; it just opened, so we thought we’d give it a try. And it was a really great experience. From the food to the atmosphere, and the service, it was all superb!
IELTS SPEAKING PART 2
Talk about your favorite song?
You should say:- what kind of song it is
- when you first heard it
- why you like that song
Sample Answer: Favorite song
Let me tell you about my favorite song - the one that springs to mind is “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. It's a classic rock song that has that timeless quality, making you feel like it was written just yesterday. I first stumbled upon it on a lazy summer afternoon during my high school years while rummaging through my parents’ old record collection.
What really hooks me about this song is its simplicity yet profound message. It speaks of hope, of looking forward to brighter days after a long, cold, lonely winter, as George Harrison puts it. In our lives, we all go through our metaphorical winters, don’t we? This song is like a gentle, reassuring pat on the back saying, "Hang in there, things will get brighter."
Every time “Here Comes the Sun” plays, it’s like a switch flips inside me. No matter the stress or the chaos of the day, its melodic tunes and uplifting lyrics wash over me, bringing a sense of peace and an inexplicable smile to my face. It’s almost magical how it fills me with optimism and the energy to face whatever comes my way. It’s like basking in the first rays of sunshine after days of rainfall – utterly rejuvenating.
Listening to it feels like being wrapped in a warm, comforting hug, reminding me that there is always light after darkness, warmth after cold, and that good times are just around the corner. It’s more than a song to me; it’s a companion through life’s ups and downs, a melody that whispers, “the best is yet to come.”
IELTS SPEAKING PART 3
Popular Music
What kind of popular music is famous in your country? Why?
Literally, anything and everything – music is so global now that all the big artists are popular with some people here. Young people listen to all kinds of music; hip-hop, reggaetón, pop music, rock music, rap, and loads of others.
It's popular because music is promoted in films, TV shows, and across social media so that as many young people as possible listen to these artists. It's designed to be addictive and it's distributed everywhere to maximise the money the music producers will make from a song worldwide.
Do you think that popular music nowadays is different from music in the past?
Yes, it’s a lot more commercial nowadays. A lot of pop and rock music in the past was produced by very talented people, it was like art, experimental and innovative, something to experience.
In which ways do you think it is different?
Today, most of the hugely successful pop stars simply sing songs written by two people. Most pop songs are produced to a formula, like a computer algorithm, which controls the melody, rhythm, loudness, and all the other elements of a song.
The artists just present the song and typically has little creative input to the process.
That’s why so many pop songs sound very similar, they’re designed to sound familiar and be instantly catchy and hook you into listening to them.
There is less diversity nowadays in music, and it’s become more of business than an art form.
Musical skills & learning music
Do you believe people are born with musical talent or can they learn music through training and practice?
Both, I think some people are born naturally talented, just like people are born with other talents, like being good at soccer, gymnastics, or being incredibly smart at math or singing.
But, natural talent is one thing; it has to be harnessed and controlled and perfected. Even with raw natural talent, a person who wants to become a professional musician, for example, will need to practice and hone their skills, perfect their craft, to make the most of their natural talent.
And it’s possible for anyone to learn music or any other skill, if they dedicate enough time to it, and have enough discipline to practice and learn the necessary skills.
It might be more difficult for someone with less natural talent, but it can be still be done if they really want to do it.
Do you think that teaching music to children is important?
It’s something that children should be exposed to, so they can explore it and decide if it’s something they want to learn more about.
But, in the modern world, it’s probably not one of the necessary life skills that children need to learn in order to survive in the adult world.
It’s much more important to be able to manage technology, research and collaborate with others – those are the skills which the world of work demands, so children should be encouraged to develop those.
There are very few people who make a living from music compared to the people who still have to pay their bills by working in regular jobs.
So, teaching music should be encouraged to allow children to explore the subject, and even study it further if they have a natural ability or serious interest in learning music.
But there are other skills which will probably be more important for most children.
What are some of the benefits of studying music for children?
It allows them to explore their creative side, like doing art, or physical activities. It’s a different perspective and some children respond better to creative stimuli than traditional academic subjects.
That’s why it’s important for children to have the chance to learn something about music because it’s maybe not something their parents or other family members would do with them.
Children can also learn creativity, the importance of practice, discipline, and even some aspects of cultural history through music. It all depends on how music is taught and presented to the children. They can potentially learn a lot of interesting things from learning about music, learning to play a musical instrument, and so on.
How would you answer the questions in this IELTS speaking practice test?