IELTS Speaking Actual Test in India with Model Answers

1 What is your full name ?

My name is Siobhan Bridget O’Connell

2 What’s the origin of your name ?

My parents decided on my name before I was born. My family is Irish and my name is a traditional Irish name. My middle name, Bridget, was the name of my deceased grandmother. The middle name Harry was the name of my grandfather, also recently deceased. I think it’s quite nice that my name continues my family’s Irish heritage and that my grandparents’ names were picked by my parents to be a part of my name, whichever sex I had turned out to be.

3 Do you think your name is special ?

Yes, I do think that my name is special, mostly because of the reasons I gave in answer to the last question. My name is pretty unique to Ireland; I haven’t met anybody who has this name who doesn’t also have Irish family roots. I think that it forms part of my cultural identity and I like that I do not hear the name often when I am meeting people from outside of Ireland. Once I have introduced myself to someone, it always sparks a second question such as ‘where does that name come from?’. It’s a very easy conversation starter.

4 Do you like your name ?

Actually, I never used to like my name when I was a child. It wasn’t until much later – when I was around 15 or 16 – that I started to be proud of my unique name and it’s heritage. Since then, I have worn my name with pride. I think that your name is a gift from your parents and it is a gift that you will carry with you for life; even when you are no longer alive on earth, people will remember you by this name and it will be part of your legacy.

5 Did you use to have a nickname when you were a child ?

Yes, my family called me ‘Bridie’, a play on the name ‘Bridget’. Unlike the nickname given to me by my friends, I adore this nickname. Part of the reason being that my grandmother was called ‘Bridie’ by her friends when she was growing up. Although she is no longer with us, she was a woman I respected enormously and had a deep connection with as a child. I like that I can continue to share this with her, even after her death. I also think that I can continue to advance my career as a professional woman whilst being called this name publicly by those who know me well.

6 Do you live in a house or an apartment ?

For the past 21 years I have lived in a house with my family. And I think if I can move out and start making a living on my own, I would try my best to have an independent place where I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself since sharing a room or a flat with strangers sounds so troublesome to me.

7 Which part of your home do you like the most ?

It’s the dining room where my family spends our time together.  Not only lunch or dinner but all our family reunions take place in the dining room where we can enjoy a harmonious atmosphere. We always try to keep the family dinner as something we cannot go a day without, since for us it’s the family bonding that lies behind.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Cue Card

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you are asked to speak about a topic for 1–2 minutes. You’ll be given a task card with prompts to guide your answer.

Sample Answer

I would like to tell you about Tokyo, the city I want to live the most in the future. It is the capital city of Japan and is the most populous metropolitan area in the world.

The most important reason I wish to settle down in Tokyo is the co-existence of modern and traditional values. It’s the kind of city where the red gates of a centuries-old Shinto shrine may well be found just next door to a glass skyscraper showcasing the finest 21st century technology. Or where a quiet green lane lined with wooden low-rise houses and an old school tofu shop might sit just a short stroll from a neon-lit square packed with flickering billboards and rainbow-bright street fashion.

The hectic life in Tokyo is also an irresistible attraction for young people. Tokyo’s railway system seems like it was designed to win world records. It’s rare to find a location in the metropolitan area that can’t be reached with a train ride and a short walk. It is also common knowledge that you could spend hours drooling over the elaborate pastries and picture-perfect sushi rolls in a department store.

I feel that the city is moving toward the future. I believe Tokyo will become a city that is full of surprises.

Vocabulary for cue card

Learning topic-related vocabulary can help you sound more accurate and natural. Below are some useful words and phrases with examples from the above IELTS cue card.

• Metropolitan: Connected with a large or capital city
  Eg: Metropolitan buildings have become taller than ever
• Settle down: Start to have a quieter way of life
  Eg: I’m not ready to settle down yet
• Co-existence:The state of being together in the same place at the same time
  Eg:The countries in Europe have established a peaceful co-existence
• Shrine: A place where people come to worship
  Eg: Islam’s most sacred shrine is at Mecca in Saudi Arabia
• Showcase: Present
  Eg: I got a chance to showcase my skills.
• A short stroll from: Not far from
  Eg: The beach is only a short stroll away.
• Flicker: Keep going on and off as it shines or burns
  Eg: The lights began to flicker on and off.
• Hectic: Full of activity
  Eg: Today was too hectic for me.
• Irresistible: Cannot be stopped or resisted
  Eg: The very high salary made the job irresistible
• Drool: Let saliva come out of your mouth
  Eg: Babies drool a lot when they are teething.
• Elaborate: Carefully prepared
  Eg: Please elaborate your plan.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion

IELTS Speaking Part 3 focuses on abstract and opinion-based questions. Your answers should be longer and show critical thinking. The sample Band 9 responses below demonstrate how to extend answers with examples and reasoning.

1 What are the advantages of working abroad ?

There are numerous benefits I can think of. Firstly, people have a great chance to improve their use of a foreign language. Working in countries like England or the US, for example helps them practice their English on on a daily basis, which eventually results in the a better level of confidence and activeness in their English communication skills. Also, people have ample chance to broaden their horizons by learning about the progress of other countries, such as management systems or technological advancements, right in their workplace, which not only provides them with knowledge but gives them a chance to accumulate a lot of good skills and experience.

2 What are the disadvantages of living in a foreign country ?

There are many but I would like to focus on two that I believe are the biggest. One of the drawbacks relates to culture shock. You know, differences in working manner or working culture may result in employees’ reluctance in processing their tasks, not to mention the difficulties in understanding others with a foreign language. Secondly, working in a foreign country can also be a challenge of one’s independence. In fact, a number of people have not been able to stay in a foreign country for the long term just because they cannot suffer the loneliness.

Vocabulary for Speaking Part 3

Using precise IELTS Vocabulary can help you strengthen your answers in Part 3. Here are some useful phrases from the sample responses with meanings and examples:

• Drawback:  A disadvantage
  Eg: In spite, however, of these advantages, there were serious drawbacks to my progress.
• Communication: The imparting or exchanging of information
  Eg:  Television is an effective means of communication
• Experience: Practical contact with and observation of facts or events.
  Eg: He had learnt his lesson by painful experience 
• Reluctance:  Unwillingness or disinclination to do something.
  Eg: She sensed his reluctance to continue

This blog on the IELTS Speaking Actual Test in India with Model Answers provides a complete overview of all three parts of the speaking section. From personal questions in Part 1 to a cue card task in Part 2, and discussion questions in Part 3, you now have access to Band 9 sample answers and topic-specific vocabulary. Use these examples to practice structuring your responses, building fluency, and enriching your vocabulary to achieve your target band score in IELTS Speaking. So, practice more of the latest IELTS Speaking Topics Part 2 & 3 to grab a band 9 in your IELTS Speaking test!

Useful Links:

• How to Prepare a Cue Card for IELTS Speaking
• What to Do if You Forget What to Say During IELTS Speaking Test?
• Latest IELTS Speaking Vocabulary to Boost Your Score
• How to Express Your Mixed Feelings in IELTS Writing & Speaking?
• 10 Useful Structures to Express Contrasting Ideas in IELTS Speaking & Writing Task 2
• 75+ Common English Words Used in IELTS Speaking Test
• 5 Silly Things You Say To Decrease Your IELTS Speaking Band Score
• Reasons for the IELTS examiner to interrupt you in IELTS Speaking