IELTS Speaking Test India 2018: Sample Answers

The IELTS Speaking Test is designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in English. In this guide, we explore the actual Speaking Test in India – January 2018, including Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 questions, along with sample answers and useful vocabulary. This will help IELTS candidates understand the type of questions asked, the expected responses, and ways to naturally incorporate advanced vocabulary for a higher IELTS Speaking band score.

Speaking Part 1

In the IELTS Speaking Part 1, the examiner asks basic questions about yourself, your background, and everyday topics. These questions are designed to help you speak naturally and confidently. Below are the sample answers for common questions.

1 What is your full name?

My name is “Shanice” 

2 Which city are you from?

I come from Hyderabad, a city that is full of life. The city has the charm of a bygone era on one end and the glamour of the future times on the other. Like any other city, the city is busy at all times. The language here is very funny, and the people mingle with others easily.

3 How far is it from here to your current place of residence?

Our place is situated in the heart of the city, so it is approximately 6km from here to here and can probably take a 15-minute drive if the traffic is not too heavy.

4 What do you think about your hometown?

Well, I think my hometown is one of the best places to live. It is well known all over the country for its amazing history, architecture, and food. What makes my hometown more special is the fact that the highest mountain in our country is located there, which offers breathtaking views of the white, fluffy sea underneath.

5 Do you like to travel?

Yes, definitely! I think seeing the world, from great historical monuments to white sandy beaches, is what life is all about. It’s a very interesting way to learn about new cultures and explore new places.

Speaking Part 2

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 am a foodie and a frequent traveler, so I often get the chance to try dishes from different cultures. Last year, during my trip to Beijing, China, I visited a traditional restaurant and tried a dish made of seaweed. Seaweed is a vegetarian food grown in the sea and is highly nutritious.

I loved it the first time I tasted it. The flavor was unique and hard to describe, and it felt special not only because of the taste but also due to its abundance of nutrients.

As someone interested in global food trends, I was intrigued because scientists suggest seaweed farms as a potential solution to future food shortages. This experience gave me a first-hand understanding of the future of human nutrition.

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.

• Foodie: a person with a particular interest in food; a gourmet. 
  Eg: The foodie in me couldn’t resist when I saw the scrumptious apple pie. 
• Nutritious: efficient as food; nourishing.
  Eg: The hostel serves nutritious food prepared under hygienic conditions. 
• First-hand Experience: If you experience something first hand, you experience it yourself
  Eg: Industrial visits gave the students a firsthand experience to learn the industrial process practically. 
• Abundance: an amount that is more than enough. 
  Eg: This book has an abundance of information and facts about ancient history. 
• Shortage: a state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts
  Eg: The school is facing a shortage of teachers. 

Speaking Part 3

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 do you think about the fast food trend?

Honestly speaking, I’m not against the fast-food trend, but eating them everyday is not healthy. Nowadays, many people prefer eating fast foods because of their hectic schedules. Also, it’s more convenient. Many people are addicted to fast food, and it has become an integral part of our lives.

2 Do you think science and technology affected food and agriculture in a positive or a negative way?

In a way, science and technology have significantly impacted the food and agriculture industry positively and negatively. One such positive impact is the increased productivity. The negative impacts of science and technology are severe pollution and degradation of soil, water, etc.

3 What do you think is the impact of the ability to transport the food over long distances?

I think transportation of food over long distances has environmental and economic consequences. Transporting food through air freight generates significant quantities of carbon dioxide emissions which is 50 times more carbon dioxide than sea shipping. These CO2 emissions have a significant impact on the environment and contribute to global warming.

4 Do you think technology has also affected the food that we have traditionally been cooking at home?

Yes, Of Course! In fact, technology has changed the way people have been cooking  at home. Technology has fastened the process of cooking. With the advent of kitchen aid tools like electric choppers, mixers, and grinders, food can be prepared in the blink of an eye. This saves time as well.

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:

• Hectic: extremely busy 
  Eg: It was a hectic week so I decided to go on a weekend getaway to Goa. 
• Convenient: suitable for your purposes and needs and causing the least difficulty
  Eg: She opted for work from home as it was convenient for her. 
• Addict:  a person who cannot stop doing or using something, especially something harmful
  Eg: The old man is an alcohol addict. 
• Consequences: a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient
  Eg: “Your decision to move out of the city has dangerous consequences>”

The January 2018 IELTS Speaking Test in India highlights the importance of being prepared for all three parts of the test: personal questions, cue card topics, and abstract discussions. Using real examples, detailed explanations, and relevant vocabulary not only helps in clarity of expression but also boosts your band score. By practicing these sample answers and incorporating the provided vocabulary, candidates can approach the Speaking Test confidently and improve their performance. Further, practice more of the latest IELTS Speaking Topics Part 2 & 3 to score 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