In this actual IELTS speaking test, we answer some recently asked questions.

These are just examples / ideas of how you could answer. You can choose your own words. Never copy an example word-for-word. IELTS Examiners are trained to spot a memorized answer!

Actual IELTS Speaking Test & Answers

PART 1 – Introduction and Interview

Duration: 4–5 minutes. The examiner asks the candidate introductory questions and then moves through two or three familiar topic areas. Each answer should be 2–4 sentences — extended but not over-rehearsed.

Examiner Introduction

Examiner: Good morning. My name is Sarah. Can you tell me your full name, please?

Candidate: Good morning. My name is Linh Nguyen.

Examiner: And where are you from?

Candidate: I'm from Hanoi, Vietnam, though I've been living in Ho Chi Minh City for the past four years or so.

Examiner: Can I see your identification, please? Thank you. Now I'd like to ask you some questions about yourself.

Topic A: Hometown and Daily Life

Examiner: Let's talk about where you currently live. Do you enjoy city life?

Sample Answer: Yes, for the most part I do. City life has a certain energy that I find motivating — there's always something happening, always somewhere to go. But I'll be honest, it can be exhausting too. My daily routine is quite full-on: I commute, I work long hours, I try to squeeze in exercise. And living in a big city, you can't really escape things like traffic congestion or the amount of plastic waste on the streets, which does bother me from time to time.

Examiner: What do you typically do in your free time?

Sample Answer: Mostly I spend time with a few close friends — we like trying different restaurants or sometimes just staying in and watching something together. I also enjoy watching movies on my own, particularly foreign films. I find it's actually a surprisingly effective way to pick up vocabulary in foreign languages without it feeling like studying. And if there's a band or performer I like, I try to watch them perform live when they come to the city — there's nothing quite like that experience.

Examiner: Has your daily routine changed much compared to when you were younger?

Sample Answer: Enormously, yes. When I was at a young age, my routine was obviously structured around school, but beyond that it was very free. I have so many childhood memories of just being outside, playing with the neighbours, no real schedule. Now every hour feels accounted for. I think parents prepare you for responsibility as best they can, but the sheer pace of adult life in a big city is something you really have to experience to understand.

Topic B: Languages

Examiner: Do you speak any languages other than your native language?

Sample Answer: Yes, I speak English — which I'm obviously still improving — and I also have a basic level of French. I started French at school, so children learn it quite young in some Vietnamese schools, though it's not as common as it used to be. I've always been drawn to learning multiple languages; I find the process genuinely enjoyable, even when it's frustrating.

Examiner: Do you think it was easier to learn languages as a child?

Sample Answer: Definitely. Children learn in a very unconscious way — they absorb sounds and patterns without overthinking. As an adult, you tend to translate everything back into your native language in your head, which slows you down. I remember when I first started seriously studying English as a teenager, I used to struggle a lot with pronunciation, and I'd often feel like I was going to fail before I'd even properly started. But persistence really does matter.

Examiner: Is learning a foreign language popular in Vietnam?

Sample Answer: Very much so, especially English. There's a strong awareness among Vietnamese people that being fluent in a foreign language opens up career opportunities, so parents often enrol their children in private language centres from quite an early age. Over the last few decades, the demand for English has grown massively, and now you see a lot of people learning online as well, through apps or YouTube. It's become quite a central part of education here.

Topic C: Shopping

Examiner: Do you enjoy shopping?

Sample Answer: I'd say I have a complicated relationship with it. I don't particularly enjoy shopping for its own sake — I'm not someone who browses for fun. But I do find myself buying things online fairly regularly, which probably says something about my shopping behavior that I'm not entirely proud of. It's just so convenient that you end up buying things you didn't plan to.

Examiner: Do you prefer shopping online or in physical stores?

Sample Answer: It really depends on what I'm buying. For everyday items, I people prefer online — it saves so much time. But for clothes or anything where I want to see and touch the actual product, I'd rather go in person. And there are certain markets in Hanoi that I genuinely love visiting, partly for the shopping but also just for the atmosphere and the history of the place.

Examiner: Do you think people buy too many things they don't need?

Sample Answer: Honestly, yes. I include myself in that. Online businesses have made it incredibly easy to impulse buy, and I think a lot of people fail to realise how much they're spending until they look back at the end of the month. There's also an environmental cost — all that packaging, all that plastic waste from deliveries. It's something I've become more conscious of recently, and I've been trying to be more intentional about what I actually purchase.

PART 2 – Individual Long Turn

Duration: 3–4 minutes including preparation time. The candidate has 1 minute to prepare and then speaks for 1–2 minutes. The examiner may ask one or two brief follow-up questions.

Task Card

Describe a famous person you find interesting or admirable. You should say:

Who this person is and why they are famous
How you first heard about them
What it is about them that you find interesting or admirable
And explain what influence, if any, they have had on you

Preparation time: 1 minute.

Sample Answer

OK, so the person I want to talk about is someone who's very well known among Vietnamese people, particularly people around my age and younger. She's an entrepreneur who built one of the first successful large-scale online businesses in Vietnam — I won't say her exact name because honestly I'm not sure how to pronounce it correctly in English, but she's widely recognised in Vietnamese business circles.

I first came across her story a few years ago through a documentary that one of my close friends recommended to me. It was about how private companies in Vietnam evolved over the last few decades, and she was one of the central figures in it. She grew up with very limited resources, started her business at a young age with almost no support, and slowly built it into something genuinely impressive. What struck me most was that she didn't come across as particularly extraordinary at first — she wasn't a natural talent in the way that some founders are described, you know, the kind of person who seemed destined for success from childhood. She was just very persistent, very calm, and very clear about her goals.

I think what I find most admirable about her is that she's managed to stay a calm person throughout enormous pressure. I've read interviews where she talks about periods when everything seemed to be falling apart — investors pulling out, the business nearly collapsing — and she just talks about it very matter-of-factly, without drama. A lot of people fail and disappear, but she treated failure as data rather than defeat. That framing has genuinely changed the way I think about my own setbacks.

She also speaks publicly and quite passionately about environmental protection and the responsibility that businesses have — especially online businesses — in reducing plastic waste and changing consumption patterns. It's not something you'd necessarily expect from a businessperson, and I respect that she uses her platform for that kind of message. Celebrities influence young people in so many ways, and I think the way she uses her influence is really positive — she models a kind of quiet, purposeful ambition that I find much more inspiring than the flashier, louder kind of success you often see celebrated.

I suppose on a personal level she's influenced my thinking about what kind of career I want and what kind of person I want to be professionally. She's shown me that having an interesting job doesn't mean it has to be glamorous, and that real impact often comes from sustained, unglamorous effort over a long time.

Follow-up Questions

Examiner: Do you think famous people always have a positive influence on the people who admire them?

Sample Answer: Not always, no. I think celebrities influence young people in both directions, and sometimes the influence is quite harmful — particularly around things like body image or the way they model spending and shopping behavior. But I do think people have more agency than we sometimes give them credit for. It's about having the tools to think critically about what you're seeing.

Examiner: Thank you.

PART 3 – Two-Way Discussion

Duration: 4–5 minutes. The examiner leads a more abstract discussion related to the Part 2 theme. Answers should be more analytical — around 4–8 sentences, developing a clear point of view.

Theme: Fame, Influence, Culture, and Society

Examiner: In general, do you think the way famous people are chosen has changed over the last few decades?

Sample Answer: Absolutely, and quite dramatically. In the past, becoming famous usually required either exceptional talent — being a great musician, athlete, or actor — or some kind of extraordinary achievement. Fame was, more often than not, a byproduct of something else. But now, fame itself has become the goal for many people, and social media has made it technically accessible to anyone. That's both exciting and a little troubling. On one hand, it means that interesting, unconventional people can build audiences without going through traditional gatekeepers. On the other hand, it means that the content of what someone does is sometimes less important than how well they perform for a camera. The relationship between fame and substance has become much more complicated.

Examiner: Why do you think young people in particular are drawn to celebrity culture?

Sample Answer: I think it's partly developmental — at a young age, you're trying to figure out who you are, and you naturally look outward for models. Famous people offer a kind of blueprint, even if it's an incomplete or distorted one. Children participate in what you might call imaginative identification — they imagine themselves in the celebrity's shoes, they absorb their values and aesthetics almost without realising it. There's also something about aspiration that's very powerful at that stage of life. Parents prepare their children for the real world as best they can, but celebrity culture offers something parents can't always compete with: the glamour of the exceptional. The issue, of course, is when those models promote things that are harmful or unrealistic.

Examiner: Do you think it's possible for a city's cultural identity to survive rapid development and modernisation?

Sample Answer: That's something I think about quite a bit, actually, living in Ho Chi Minh City. Cities develop at a pace that makes it genuinely hard to preserve everything that matters. The pressure on historical buildings is enormous — land is valuable, investors want returns, and maintaining historical buildings is expensive and often seen as a low priority. But I think the identity question is really important. When people visit historical or unique buildings, or sites, they're not just looking at architecture — they're connecting with something about who they were and where they came from. Once you demolish an unusual building from the colonial era or a traditional neighbourhood, you don't get it back. I think there's growing awareness, at least among younger generations, that something is being lost — but awareness alone doesn't always translate into policy or action.

Examiner: How important is it for people to visit historical and cultural sites, in your opinion?

Sample Answer: I think it matters more than people sometimes realise. When people visit historical places — whether it's a temple, an old market, or a foreign country altogether — they encounter perspectives and contexts that are very different from their daily routine. That kind of encounter tends to generate interesting conversation, and it challenges assumptions in a way that reading about something rarely does. I also think there's an emotional dimension to it. Some of my strongest childhood memories are from visits to historical sites with my family. Those experiences gave me a sense of continuity — a feeling that I was part of something larger than my own life. I worry that as cities become more uniform and modern, those opportunities for genuine encounter with the past are shrinking.

Examiner: Some people argue that environmental protection conflicts with economic growth. What do you think?

Sample Answer: I understand why people make that argument, but I think it's becoming less and less convincing. The framing of "growth versus environment" made more sense thirty years ago, when environmental protection was seen as a constraint. Now, the evidence is pretty clear that ignoring environmental issues creates enormous economic costs — whether that's from climate-related disasters, or public health crises from pollution, or simply the long-term depletion of natural resources. The plastic waste problem is a good example of this: the short-term cost savings of using cheap plastic packaging are vastly outweighed by the long-term environmental and economic damage. I think what's actually changing, slowly, is that more online businesses and private companies are recognising that sustainability is both an ethical imperative and a competitive advantage. Whether that shift is happening fast enough is another question entirely.

Examiner: Do you think elderly people and younger generations have different relationships with the environment and with cultural heritage?

Sample Answer: In some ways yes, and in some ways the opposite of what you might expect. When I talk to an old person in my family — my grandparents, for example — they actually have a very intimate relationship with the natural environment because they grew up in a time before everything was mediated by technology. They know which plants grow in which season, they remember when rivers were clean. In that sense, their connection is very immediate and practical. Younger people, on the other hand, tend to be more politically conscious about environmental issues — they've grown up with climate change as a central concern — but sometimes that concern is more abstract. As for cultural heritage, I think elderly people feel its loss more personally, because they lived it. When an old person describes how a neighbourhood used to look, or talks about a tradition that's disappeared, there's a grief in it that younger people — myself included — can appreciate intellectually but maybe not feel as viscerally.

Examiner: Finally, do you think the way people learn and share knowledge will continue to change significantly in the future?

Sample Answer: I think it already has changed beyond recognition, and I'm sure it will continue to do so. The idea of people learn foreign languages entirely through apps, or that children participate in school from home via screens — those things would have seemed radical to previous generations but are now completely normal. What interests me is whether the depth of learning is changing along with the format. There's a lot of access to information now, but I'm not convinced that access automatically produces understanding. Learning multiple languages, for instance, still requires a significant investment of time and mental effort — no app has really changed that underlying reality. What has changed is who gets access to the resources, and that's genuinely positive. But I think the risk is that we confuse information with knowledge, and exposure with education.

Examiner: Thank you very much. That is the end of the speaking test.

IELTS Speaking Test Part 1

Are you working or studying?

I am currently _____ (working/studying) _____ in the _____ (field/university). I work in a ____ (job position) at ___ (company name), and I study at ____ (university).

Have you undertaken any special training in your work?

My work requires ongoing training, which I have obtained by in-house training seminars. On the side, I am currently pursuing further professional studies at {name} university. What plans do you have for future studies or training in connection with your work?

I plan to study/take the following courses/training in the next 12 months. I'm currently taking _____. And then I'll do ____, and finish with ____.

Do you prefer to read about the news in a newspaper or online?

I prefer to read about the news in a newspaper because I like the feel of paper under my fingertips.
Reading online is more efficient because it saves time and is easy to access.
Online, you can look at multiple pages at once. But with print media, you have to go back and forth between pages.

Do you usually discuss the news at work?

Yes, I like to talk about the news with my co-workers
No, I prefer not to discuss news when I'm at work.
It depends on the type of news and who I'm working with.

(if you can't think of an answer for this question, say no).

Which interests you most, national or international news? Why?

National news because it's easier to relate to the topics being covered
International news because I think that events overseas have a greater impact on society as a whole.
Both national and international news interest me equally. It depends on the day, what stories are being discussed and how important they seem at the time.

What do you like most about your hometown?

There are three things:

My friends live there, so it makes it easy to visit them (talk about your friend's house, school, events you might have gone to together)
The scenery - hills/mountains that are great for hiking & camping
Safety. I can walk around at night without worrying about my safety.

Is there anything that your hometown lacks?

Yes, I can think of a couple of things:

There is no movie theater, so it's difficult to see new releases
The job market there is very poor for my major
Sometimes I feel isolated since I don't know anyone outside of my hometown

No, my hometown has everything I want.

What would you change about your hometown?

I would add more grocery stores and shopping centers, so it's easier to get what you need.
There are not many opportunities to meet people from other places when you grow up in a small town.
The city is very spread out, so walking is difficult. It can take a long time to get from one place to another.

IELTS speaking actual test with answers

IELTS Speaking Test Part 2

Describe some things you do to keep yourself healthy.

You should say:
- what you do
- why you do these things
- what the benefits are
and explain how you started doing these things.

IELTS Speaking Test - Sample Response

I make sure to get plenty of exercise and fresh air, eat a healthy diet, and avoid stress.

I try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. I love going for walks or hikes in nature, swimming, biking, and playing sports. Getting regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health!

I also make sure to get plenty of fresh air and sunshine. Exposure to natural light helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm - which is vital for overall health.

And finally, I try to keep my stress levels under control. If I'm stressed out, it harms me mentally and physically. So I practice yoga and meditation daily.

When I was in college, I started running. Eventually, I got into marathons and then triathlons. And I started meditating and doing yoga to relax at around the same time.

Now that I have kids, I try to find time for exercise every day (even if it's just a walk around the block) because it makes me feel like myself again!

I've recently started to incorporate more mindful practices into my day-to-day life. It's something I'm consciously trying to do in order to stay balanced and healthy. For example, when I'm feeling overwhelmed, I take a few minutes to practice deep breathing or simply sit outside in the sun and enjoy nature.

I find that listening to calming music while doing yoga or meditating helps me relax even more, so I make sure to always have some soothing tunes playing.

Making conscious efforts like these help me maintain my well-being and give me the energy needed for all of life's tasks! They also remind me how important it is to take care of myself on a regular basis - something that can easily be forgotten amidst our hectic lives.

IELTS speaking test with answers

IELTS Speaking Test Part 3

Is health the individual's responsibility or that of society?

It's both. We each have a personal responsibility to take care of our health, but society also has a responsibility to ensure that all citizens have access to affordable healthcare and a healthy environment.

Many things contribute to our overall health, including our genes, the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. So it's not always easy for individuals to stay healthy in today's world. But with good nutrition, exercise, and preventive care, most people can maintain their health if they make it a priority.

Healthcare should be available to everyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay. And society should do whatever is necessary to ensure that all citizens have access to clean air.

What are some of the differences between how men and women work out? Why do you think these differences exist?

There are a few key differences between how men and women work out. Women often have a higher percentage of body fat than men. So they tend to start with lower levels of muscle mass and strength. This means that women may need to do more repetitions or sets of an exercise to see results and may also need to focus on overall toning rather than building bulk.

Another difference is that women's hormone levels can fluctuate throughout their menstrual cycle. This fluctuation can affect their energy level, strength, and motivation when working out. They must be aware of these fluctuations and make adjustments accordingly.

In your country, do people work out in the same way as in other countries? How is it different?

It's hard to say because there are so many variables but, generally, people work out differently based on their culture and environment.

For example, in countries like America and Canada, people often go to the gym or participate in outdoor activities like running or cycling. But in other parts of the world, such as Asia and the Middle East, people may be more likely to do activities like martial arts or yoga. These activities are more traditionally associated with those cultures.

At the end of the day, it depends on what functions best for each individual - and what exercise facilities are available in their community.

Do health awareness programs supported by the government and other organizations create any real impact on people?

It really depends on the program. Some health awareness programs are more successful than others.

One example of a successful health awareness program is the "5-A-Day" campaign in the U.S. This campaign encourages people to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Research shows that the campaign has succeeded in increasing fruit and vegetable intake among adults and children in the U.S.

Another example of a successful health awareness program is Canada's Eat Better, Feel Better campaign. This campaign aimed to improve the diets of Canadians by promoting healthy eating habits. The goal of this campaign was to reduce rates of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic diseases in Canada.

Discover how to move to Canada

IELTS Speaking Actual Test - FAQ

How difficult is the actual speaking test in IELTS?

The speaking test can be difficult for some people because it's an oral exam and you are being assessed on your ability to speak English fluently.

There are different things that the examiner will be looking for, such as your ability to communicate effectively, use of correct grammar, pronunciation, and natural expression. You will also be asked to complete a task and speak about a familiar topic.

The best way to prepare for the speaking test is to practice by speaking in English as often as possible. This will help improve your fluency and confidence when speaking in front of an examiner.

Are IELTS speaking recent actual test questions accurate?

Yes, the questions are drawn from recent actual tests. The test assesses four areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

The Speaking Test is designed to assess your ability to communicate in everyday social and work situations. It consists of three parts:

Part 1 – Introduction and Interview (the interviewer asks you some questions)
Part 2 – Summary (you are given one minute to say what you think about a topic
Part 3 – Discussion (a more open-ended discussion based on the topic in Part 2)

In IELTS speaking actual test results are based on what?

The IELTS speaking test is scored on a 9-band scale, with each band corresponding to a level of competence. Your speaking ability will be assessed in four areas: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resources, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.

Your Speaking Test score is based on the following assessment criteria:

Task achievement (the extent to which you have completed the task)
Coherence and cohesion (the logical connection between your ideas)
Fluency (the ease and naturalness of your speech)
Pronunciation (your pronunciation accuracy)
Grammar and Vocabulary

Are IELTS speaking recent actual test questions a good guide?

Definitely. IELTS Speaking questions are designed to test your ability to speak fluently and coherently on various topics. So the best way to prepare for the test is to practice speaking on a range of topics as often as possible.

It's also vital to familiarize yourself with the types of questions likely to be asked in the test. You can do this by looking at past IELTS Speaking question papers and sample responses. This will help you get a sense of the topics you need to talk about to achieve a high score on the test.

Search This Blog

Actual IELTS Speaking Test - How to Answer Questions