IELTS Speaking Test in 2018 with Band 9 Model Answers & Audio

Preparing for the IELTS Speaking test can be challenging without knowing the types of questions asked. In this blog, we provide actual IELTS Speaking questions from October 2018, along with sample Band 9 answers and useful vocabulary. These examples cover Speaking Parts 1, 2, and 3, helping you structure answers, improve fluency, and gain confidence.

These examples will help you understand how to structure your answers, extend your responses naturally, and use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar for a Band 8 or 9 performance in the IELTS Speaking. 

IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1 includes questions about your daily life, preferences, and hobbies. Short, clear, and natural answers work best.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Plants 

Here, you talk about your interest in plants and gardening habits.

1 Do you like plants? Why?

Yes, I really like plants! I think they add to the ambience (charm; feeling) of our homes. I can’t explain it in words, but they just make you feel better somehow. Maybe it’s because of the oxygen and the physical appeal.

2 What plants do you like?

I really like orchid flowers. I have several of them, both white and purple, around my home. My friends always give me orchid flowers for special occasions since they know I like them so much! Apart from that, I also love the look and symbolism of the lotus, but it’s a bit difficult to find them here in Spain since they aren’t native to this part of the world.

3 Have you ever grown any plants?

I would love to, but I’ve never really had the chance. Since I live in an apartment without a balcony, it’s quite difficult for me to get the necessary sunlight. Oh, how I dream of having a big back yard (grassy green area behind the house, usually in the US) with a vegetable and herb garden one day! I want to grow my own tomatoes and basil especially.

4 Did you grow any plants when you were a child?

I never grew any plants as a child, but I used to help my grandmother on her olive tree farm in the countryside of southern Spain. I’ve learned that olive trees need mild winters and long, warm, and dry summers to sustain themselves.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Painting

This section covers your interest in drawing and painting, including experiences from childhood to now.

5 Do you like drawing or painting?

I like both of them, but I enjoy drawing more. When I paint, I often make a mess and just cannot blend the colours properly. I find drawing to be easier and something that you can do on the go, such as on the underground or doodling (drawing without proper form) on your notes during class.

6 What kinds of things do you like to draw?

Definitely portraits. I’ve always been inclined to draw the human face, capturing their intricate (detailed) features and expressions. When I travel, I take photographs of local people then later replicate them to keep those memories alive.

7 Did you enjoy taking art lessons when you were a child?

Of course! It was one of my favourite classes. Since I was never a math or science person, art was always a creative outlet (way of expression) for me. I felt like I needed it after all the stress of logical thinking throughout to do, not to mention my art teacher was really cool and zany (unique; quirky).

8 Do you ever draw or paint pictures now?

Absolutely! Not as often as I used to, because of time and adult responsibilities, but I still manage to draw a few times per week, especially to unwind (relax) a bit before bed. And I make sure to go on a 2 or 3 week holiday abroad each year, so I sketch (draw) the local people there.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Cooking

These questions explore your cooking habits and skills.

9 Do you like cooking?

Moderately! Since I’m a vegetarian, and there are just a few vegetarian options in this town, it’s critical for me to cook for myself. I wouldn’t say that I love it, but it is growing on me (starting to like). I feel accomplished when my own concoctions turn out well!

10 How often do you cook?

Pretty much every day. Since I’m a busy bee (busy person), I usually prepare meals for the week on Sunday afternoons. For example, I prep some tofu, beans, and rice then just heat them up with some stir-fried vegetables throughout the week.

11 How good are you at cooking?

I would consider myself to be average. I’ve mastered some dishes, but could still use work (need to practice) on others. For example, I’m quite good at preparing vegetable curry and falafel. That is what I usually prepare when I have guests.

12 Does anyone in your family like to cook?

Not really. I can remember that my grandmother enjoyed entertaining and preparing food for family and friends. I distinctly remember her corned beef and cabbage. However, she died when I was quite young along with that tradition.

IELTS Speaking Part 2

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.

Sample Audio

Sample Answer

I’m going to tell you about my real dream. First, let me give you some background. I think that I have a pretty decent singing voice, but I’m rather shy so I usually limit myself to singing in the shower. I’ve always dreamt of having the courage to sing my heart out (sing passionately)in front of a large audience. But I’ve always dreaded (not looked forward to) being in the spotlight. So, I must work to overcome this fear to pursue my dream.

I recently read on a Facebook ad that there is a singing competition happening in Istanbul, about 100km in my house in November. I know it’s a bit far, but I really want to make that journey. You have to pay $500 dollars to enter, but I feel that this will be a worthy investment. Last year’s winner, Aybars, won a new car and singing lessons with the American winner of The Voice. There will be over 100 contestants, so the competition is stiff. There is a preliminary round to see if you are able to continue, then there will be two other elimination rounds. It will even be on live air on the local Turkish television.

I’m feeling really nervous and apprehensive because I have never sung in front of an audience, let alone (neither) on TV, before! I’m afraid that I may do something embarrassing like trip and fall on TV, or even not make it past the preliminary round. I even have nightmares about these situations sometimes! However, I feel quite confident with my voice so I think I can make it far (do something successfully).  Even if I don’t win, I would still love to have this experience. It will be one for the books (something memorable).

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.

• sing my heart out: sing passionately.
  Eg: She sings her heart out whenever she is happy.
• Stiff: rigid or firm
  Eg: The stiffness of the shed was commendable.
• preliminary round: introductory rounds
  Eg: Niten couldn’t qualify the preliminary rounds.
• on live air: live on radio/television
  Eg: Sania’s songs will be live on air.
• apprehensive: anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
  Eg: He is apprehensive about something.
• Let alone: neither.
  Eg: That much food will not satisfy anyone, let alone our son.
• trip and fall: to lose balance and fall down.
  Eg: she tripped and fell down.
• make it far: do something successfully.
  Eg: There’s minimal hope whether he will be able to make it that far.
• for the books: something memorable.
  Eg: the win will be one for the books.

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.

1 Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?

Well, there are a lot of competitive people in this world. Some people thrive on (makes them excited) it, so learning would become fun with it. For this reason, I think teachers use it to appeal to all different types of personalities. Secondly, it gives us an incentive (motivation for a reason) to pay attention and try harder in class. If we are never tried (tested), we may keep silent in the back of the classroom. But when there is a prize at stake (something you are able to get), people tend to put a lot more effort into it. All in all, it is a fun way to spark interest and attention in the classroom, not to mention students of any age always smile when they receive some sort of prize.

2 Is it a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?

I would say yes because it is an incentive to put effort into your studies. However, I don’t think the teacher should build a prize in every lesson because then the children may focus on that instead of actually gaining knowledge, which is the real prize. I think it’s fun and healthy competition to bring in a small prize for pupils, such as candy, but definitely not something to do on a daily basis.

3 Would you say that schools for young children have become more or less competitive since you were that age? Why?

It’s tough to say really, but I would say that they are becoming more competitive and I think one of the reasons for this is social media. Now that our lives are on blast (something everyone can see), children see this and begin to compare themselves with others. For example, maybe some student may post pictures of their high scores online or their parents may post it and praise them on their Facebook status.  So, this creates more of a comparative, hence competitive sense. Furthermore, the job market is becoming more and more competitive, so as a society we must put more effort into standing out (being remembered; being different from others). The students may not be aware of this, but it might be a factor as to why nowadays parents put more pressure onto their children to be better than the others. 

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: makes them excited.
  Eg: He thrives on stress
• Incentive: motivation for a reason.
  Eg: the incentive encouraged Rahul to work harder.
• tried: test
  Eg: She has never tried alcohol.
• a prize at stake: something you are able to get.
  Eg: The prize of the game is at stake
• on blast: something everyone can see.
  Eg: the mark sheets were on blast on the bulletin board
• standing out : being remembered; being different from others.
  Eg: she stood out from all her classmates

Preparing for the IELTS Speaking test becomes much easier when you learn from real test questions and Band 9 model answers. The examples from the IELTS Speaking Actual Test with model answers show how to respond naturally, use topic-specific vocabulary, and organize your ideas effectively. By practicing these questions and learning useful expressions, you can boost your fluency, confidence, and overall speaking band 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