IELTS Speaking Actual Test in the UK with Sample Answers

Preparing for the IELTS Speaking test becomes easier when you have access to real questions and Band 9 model answers. This blog provides actual questions from the test, complete with sample answers, useful vocabulary, and tips for Parts 1, 2, and 3. By practicing these examples, you can boost your fluency, confidence, and overall speaking score.

IELTS Speaking Part 1

In IELTS Speaking Part 1, the examiner asks about yourself, your background, and daily life. These questions are simple but help you show fluency and confidence.

What is your full name?

Hello, my full name is Sarah Jacob

Can I see your ID?

Yes, of course! Here you go! My ID number is SJ2603

Where are you from?

I am currently based here in Delhi, but my parents are basically from Mumbai.

Are you working or studying?

I am currently pursuing my final year in Bachelors of Commerce (BCom) and interning at the same time.

What do you do?

I’m working as a part-time sales intern.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Cue Card

IELTS Speaking Part 2 requires you to speak for 1–2 minutes on a given topic. Organize your ideas and use linking phrases to sound natural.

Describe a decision you disagreed with.

You should say:

• what the decision was
• who made that decision
• why you think it was the wrong decision

Sample Answer

It was a few years back when I was still in college where I got offered an opportunity to go on a voluntary trip to [___], the most worth-living city in our country. I was over the moon when I first heard the news but all my anticipation and happiness flew away when my parents flatly rejected the idea. I was dumbfounded since my time and effort spent on the preparation for our project was going to be in vain. However, I was old enough to know better than making a fuss about it at the moment; instead, I gave myself time and peace before reasoning with my parents. It came as no surprise to me when they took their all-time-favourite excuse that I was too immature to take care of myself and that there were plenty of untrustworthy people willing to take advantage of me out there. As much as I tried to assure them how well I would manage to stay safe and help other underprivileged people, I just couldn’t get through to them. As a result, I had no options but to withdraw from the project with regrets. However, I didn’t hold any grudge against my parents because I understood they were just being overprotective and were genuinely concerned about my well-being.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Vocabulary 

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.

• Offer/ give/ provide an opportunity
• Be over the moon: to be very pleased
• Anticipation (n): a feeling of excitement about something (usually something good) that is going to happen
• Flatly (adv): in a way that is very definite and will not be changed
• Come as no surprise to someone: will not be surprising [for someone] to learn [something]
• Underprivileged (a): having less money and fewer opportunities than most people in society
• Get through (phrasal verb): succeed in communicating with someone in a meaningful way
• Withdraw (v): to stop taking part in an activity or being a member of an organization; to stop somebody/something from doing these things
• Hold a grudge against someone: to stay angry (at someone or something)
• Overprotective (a): too anxious to protect somebody from being hurt, in a way that restricts their freedom
• Genuinely (adv): in a sincere and honest way that can be trusted

IELTS Speaking Part 3

IELTS Speaking Part 3 includes abstract and opinion-based questions. Learn how to extend your ideas and give detailed, balanced answers.

How can decisions affect a person’s life?

As they say, our life is defined by the choices we make. Some of these choices are ours, and some of the choices are made by others for us, but every choice or every decision we make will have consequences. The consequences could be positive or negative. And we have to learn to accept these consequences. That’s why every time before taking a decision, we should think it through to make sure we’re making the right choice. For example, I took up engineering because I thought that I would get a job and settle down early in life, but I realised that it didn’t make me happy and only stressed me out, I regret that decision till date.

What are the main decisions youngsters have to make nowadays?

Nowadays, youngsters sometimes get under a lot of pressure from their family and peers regarding a lot of short-term and long-term decisions that they have to make. I guess the main decision they would have to make would be related to what they want to pursue after high school. This is a tough decision to make, as a lot of us wouldn’t be sure, during that time, about what we wish to pursue.

Do you get advice from somebody before making crucial decisions?

It really depends on the situation. There are times when I consult my parents, friends or colleagues before making a decision if I feel that they may have more knowledge regarding the issue or situation than me. Most of the time seeking advice from someone else helps me get a new perspective to the situation and in turn, helps me in making the right decision. But there are also other times when I take a decision on my own without consulting anybody.

Why do people make wrong decisions sometimes?

Life is filled with decisions and choices. Even if we spend a lot of time thinking through before making a decision, some may turn out great, but there will always be others that may end up being wrong. Nobody can ever make only right choices throughout their life. And no matter the consequence, we need to learn to accept it and learn from it.

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.

• Thrive on: enjoy or be motivated by. Eg: She thrives on challenges.
• Incentive: motivation. Eg: Bonuses are an incentive to work harder.
• A prize at stake: something to gain. Eg: The championship was a prize at stake.
• On blast: visible to everyone. Eg: Her achievement was on blast on social media.
• Standing out: being noticed. Eg: He stood out in the crowd.

Practicing with real IELTS Speaking questions and Band 9 model answers helps you understand how to structure responses, use advanced vocabulary, and manage fluency under exam conditions. Regular practice with Parts 1, 2, and 3, along with topic-specific vocabulary, can significantly boost your confidence and overall IELTS Speaking score. To achieve Band 9 in IELTS Speaking, focus on:

• Expanding your ideas with explanations and examples
• Using idiomatic expressions and precise vocabulary
• Speaking fluently without long pauses
• Giving opinions confidently and clearly

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