IELTS speaking tests

Test 1 Good afternoon, my name is Andy. Could you tell me your name please? Michael Galovic is my name. Thank you Michael. I’d like you to tell me about your home-town or city please. It is Belgrade, ah capital of former Yugoslavia, now Serbia. Uh One and a half million inhabitants placed at uhhh the congregation of two big rivers – [unknown]. Can you tell me about the most interesting things in Belgrade? Um probably its past – uh a colourful past I would say. And then physically, the configuration and dynamics of the place. And could you describe places of special interest I could visit near where you live? Oh yes, there are ah many ah wonderful, ah natural interest places so to say, and places of historical interest. But mostly the famous monasteries – medieval monasteries from say 13th century on. Hmm and what would be the best way for me to get to those places? I guess the best would be to simply umm look up the travel agency that deals with err inter- Serbia tours, especially the monastery tours. And they are well guided, and you will be well taken care of. Hmm should I go there at any special time of year? Uhh certainly, as in whole Europe, I think the best time is sometime in Spring or Autumn. Hmm … Springtime or Autumn? Yes, say April, May uh; and then perhaps September, early October. Oh I see, Ok, thank you for that. I’d like to ask you a few questions about food and diet now. What do you usually eat for breakfast? Umm well I’m not much of a breakfast eater…but so I tend to have a light breakfast. But say, people tend to eat a lot for breakfast, and uh it’s also things I guess that are meat-based and milk - hot milk, and hot tea is accompanying all that. Mmhmm and what is the most important meal of the day, in your opinion Michael? Uhh well in my opinion, as I am told it should be the breakfast. But for me personally I love early dinners – that’s my preference. I am not saying it is the most important; it’s the one that I like the most. Mmhmm mmhmm and what should we eat to stay healthy? Um I would say certainly not err heavy food that takes a lot to digest, so I would recommend a lot of vegetables and fruit, and err fish and chicken rather than red meat although I wouldn’t discard red meat just like that at all. Mmhmm will peoples diet change in the future? I have impression, because we are witnessing the obesity daily in many countries. So it’s all around us and it’s uh becoming a very serious problem. And I have impression that everybody 1 starts focusing on that, so I have impression that we’ll get err more attention to diets that will make us feel light and agile and err being able to perform. So I guess the clever combination of our food intake is more important than only what we eat. Err it is not just about what we shouldn’t eat I think, it’s more about how we eat it and when. So we should maybe start our meals with easily digestible things such as fruit and finish with heavier stuff, rather the other way round. Thank you thank you. Speak one-to two minutes on topic, with one minute to plan answer. Topic: Describe a celebration you recently participated in. Um By the end of um January, precisely on 27th of January last, I was at a friend’s place on Central Coast. As err err a guest to his family feast, and he was celebrated- celebrating sorry- his family was celebrating, their family patron Saint day, which is a very important feast for the Serbs in the orthodox tradition. So it was interesting to see how that particular feast is being celebrated. Umm originated centuries ago, it is still very strong, going strong. And very few things have changed I was amazed to witness. But the main thing was that err um over there in Europe err, given the time of the year, these feasts are usually celebrated in November, December, January – it is cold, so the food, accompanying food is corresponding, it’s heavy, and all that you need to eat during that time. Whereas here we were sweating in the hot January and yet we had the same type of food that we would be eating in January in Europe. So that was interesting. But the most important thing about that type of feast and celebration is that the host, both my friend and his wife, were standing on their feet all the time-the whole day, absolutely um err being impeccable hosts to every whim or need that we ah guests would have, some 20 of us. So um it was really a special day and all of us, 20 people there, felt very, very special. Thank you Michael. Michael, are there many similar celebrations where you come from? Yes, but this is the most important one I think. Thank you. Now let’s talk more about traditions and celebrations. What role do traditional ceremonies play in the social life of people in your country? Umm they have always played an important role. But I have impression that it is err more so the case these days, when even the youth is embracing them – simply feeling need to go back to their roots. And what traditions were important for your grandparents, say 50 years ago? Apart from- Apart from that Slava, or family patron saint day, all other major and secondary orthodox Christian festivities or err festive days are important, or were important as well. Such as Christmas or Easter for instance, or that keeps being the major focus of my tradition and people. Mmmhmm. And which traditions are we likely to continue to celebrate in the future? Umm But, I will say precisely those that we mentioned before. I have a feeling that they are 2 simply going strong, that they err are not fading. Simply because in this time and era people are overwhelmed by-by the velocity, by the speed, so at the same time they feel need to go back to their own beginnings and traditions, so it is simply err reviving what we already have. How would you describe young people’s attitudes towards tradition? Um I would say that at the beginning many of young people would maybe not embrace fully the idea of going through every painstaking detail of preparations and err behaviour codes for all these celebrations and feasts. But then uh, gradually it will become a part of their lives, and um that would be their connection with their families and extended families, so they would kind of grow more and more into it, and trying to adhere to every rule that tradition was brought to them by their parents and grandparents. So at the beginning maybe the youth would take it lightly on the surface only, but then later um I think the traditions will be embraced fully. And do you think customs and traditions are changing these days? Um, I would say so inevitably because of the adjustment to urban- to the urban living if you wish, and to the fast times that we live in. So definitely there are concessions to what err used to be done before. But the core, which is much more important, is always preserved. At least has been the case so far. Do you think traditions and customs are affected by advertising? I never actually gave it a thought. Uh there might be, but again in my personal experience I haven’t seen any kind of uh direct influence that would uh change or alter, take people from their original directions whatever the advertisement is about. Do some countries celebrate traditions more than others? Um I wouldn’t say so, I have impression that all countries celebrate traditions, or rather the people who live in these countries. Even in some new countries, a conglomerate of different people, and all these people would stick to their old traditions. That’s how I see it. So, people who wouldn’t follow the traditions would do it in all sorts of countries, or in any country. Thank you Michael, that’s the end of the speaking test. 3 Test 2 Good afternoon, my name is Anna. Could you tell me your full name please? Roberto Rossi. What should I call you? Robert. Thank you. Do you work, or are you a student? I’m a student. Can you tell me about your studies? Um well, uh my studies are in relation to cultures in the world. Uh When I was- when I was young, my father used to travel a lot and used to come back home, giving me a picture of a very vast world where people used to live and think and behave in different ways. So in comparison to what I used to study in geography, the world seemed to be a lot more interesting to go and- and explore. So as soon as I got rid of all that and I finished school I decided to uh go and experience uh first-hand what it really means to live in direct contact with a different culture. So I ended up looking for the most traditional and isolated cultures in the world at that time a few years ago, and uh I decided to go and live as one of the local people; which I did for a period of time. So that experience really changed my life and made me understand also, a lot better, what I wanted to study umm at University. What is your favourite subject? Anthropology, and social anthropology in particular. So in reality what I do, is I go back to one of these places where I’ve been in the past and I- and I see in what way the society changes as the rest of the world changes, and uh in what way it is affected by the outside world. So I ended up learning the language and I and I ended up understanding probably a lot more what really goes on in uh- in uh the inside of a person who lives in a little dot in the middle of the ocean, and all he or she knows is that and that is the universe- in comparison to us, um being sort of constantly bombarded by- by a lot more information. What is your study plan? I’m starting to and- I’m thinking of furthering my studies by doing a Masters and perhaps a PhD. I’m very interested in following umm what I started already. And err, and err, again, not only from my professional point of view, but also for a personal point of view I think it is very important to do things combined together, and what we learn and understand in life can really be of help to other people if we- umm if we develop it to a certain extent. Thank you. Do you have any hobbies or interests? Oh yes, a number of them. I like to umm read a lot, and I also like to play soccer. Um But err, I can say that lately, unfortunately, I don’t much time to do either of them. 4 What hobbies are popular with young boys and girls in your country? Well, young boys and girls mm like to interact and meet and have a good time together. So, we start generally since we very young by meeting at the end of the day when we get out of school at the local bar or corn- corner in the area where we live in the square and in the same area with lots of other people, older and younger than us. And uh hobbies generally for the young boys umm are sport and socialising and dancing. And same for the girls, except that the girls are certainly a lot more into fashion and umm dancing. Do people usually continue their hobbies when they get older? When they can, they do. Generally that depends on what kind of commitments they are involved to and uh with, and if they can afford, only also in terms of time uh in what they like to do. Thank you. Now I’d like to ask you to speak one-to two minutes on a topic. You have one minute to plan your answer. Topic: Describe a movie, which made a strong impression on you. Well um, the name of the film is [inaudible]. It is actually a very famous movie. It won the Oscar in 1989. And um…it’s a movie about the story of a kid who grows up in a small village in Sicily. And we can see very clearly through the film uh in what way the community influence him, and uh also his first love story with a local girl and how much they affect his life. So it’s actually a movie in retrospective because it goes back, and uh he tries to get in touch with the same girl. And by doing that, you basically revisit the most important part or his life. Parts. And uh, it is really showing us in what ways all these things really affect all us. How much we keep on dreaming, and how much we keep on hoping in our lives; especially when we can’t leave- err what we really wish and desire to leave, especially when it comes to emotional things. And uh it’s a film that ah is also based on a true story, and um I think um the public can really feel that. So it’s also shot in a very, very good way and we can see Sicily through 50 years of life. And from the end of the Second World War to today, which is also more or less perhaps, you know, the period of time of my life, of my father’s life. Anyway, the main actors in the film are [unknown] and the famous actor who I don’t remember. Thank you. Do you go to the movies often? Yes, yes, most often as I can. I really like films, especially the European movies - French, Italian, and English. I really like the way they represent the- the European culture. Thank you. Now I’d like to ask you a few more questions about films and movies. Are films popular where you come from? Yes, they are very popular. Actually, cinema and movies is a big industry in Italy. And uh it has been the second major industry in the world in terms of films uh in the 50’s, so you have probably seen yourself a number of Italian movies. But uh, actually, it is a particular kind of way of making films and uh they still remain very popular. Yes. 5 Do you think people are going to the cinema more these days compared with 25 years ago? Umm…No, I don’t think so. I think that today TV and videos and DVDs actually have replaced often what people used to go only going to the theatre. A few years ago when I was younger, I remember, there were a lot of people going to the cinemas and it was packed, and the same movie was left there for weeks and weeks and weeks where now normally, a show in the same cinema for a lot less. What films are popular with young people these days? We have in Italy a very strong American influence and as well, so a lot of American movies, and a lot of high-tech movies with special effects. And uh but at the same time we also keep maintaining a kind of our own genre and some Italian movies they never get to the overseas market, they also remain- become very popular in Italy. Do peoples taste in films change as they get older? I think so; I think so- I think movies also a little mirror of how we change in life, what interests us and what we see in them. And um ah, as you know, in our 20s we are perhaps a little more romantic and we like certain kinds of movies, and then perhaps we like to think a bit more about our life… and we see different kinds of films. Has technology made a difference in the quality of modern films? I think so, yes, a big difference. Um the effects now seem to really suck you in when you see a movie. And the way the film edited, they also keep your attention a lot better than in the past. You can see the way that they are put together, and also the sound quality is a lot better, and umm I think there’s been certainly, technologically speaking, a big improvement there. How will technology be used to improve films in the future? Well, ah I am not an expert but I think that if we will ever get 3-D movies, ah or movies in 3-D, ah we will uh find ourselves even more immersed in what uh for only at the moment only our eyes and our ears can see in two dimensions. Why have the forms of popular entertainment changed over the years? Because the society has changed a lot. And now uh we seem to be rushing all the time, and we want to consume everything a lot faster. So I think every form- form of entertainment is also reflecting that kind of very fast, quick way of ah wanting something different, and wanting something very quickly and ah…yes. Will people still go to the cinema in the future? I hope so. I don’t know, but I think there will be people that, like today, like to see not only the new movie but also the old movie because it represents what they have seen what they were younger and what they and also what they were dreaming at that time and I think that remains within us all our life. Thank you, that is the end of the speaking test. 6 Test 3 Good afternoon, my name is Renee. Could you tell me your full name please? My full name is ah Jahan Verki. Can I check your identification? Sure. Thank you. Do you work, or are you a student? At the moment I’m working. Could you describe what kind of work you do? Uh…At the moment I’m a manager of the um Persian T.V. This is essentially a 24-hour station that’s going to operate in Sydney. This station is going to be for the Persian people. And at the moment we are trying to televise some program from America but we are trying to build our studio in Sydney as well. The plan is I’m going to operate and organise for this studio to be able to produce some program from Sydney as well. So at the moment I’m doing everything, like to do- to organise for everything like subscription, studio, anything – equipment, but a little bit later I’m going just to focus and stay just in the studio for producing and directing the program, which is going to happen later. What do you like about your job? I have to confess, this job is my passion from long time ago. Umm just, I start from drama I study drama in my country and then when I move to Australia I continued in different course which was T.V. and film production and because all the time when I act, I really- finally I wanted just to make my film. I made some children program in my country for T.V. Here I start to expand my experience and then I got lots of new experience: I made some film- short film, documentary and I find, okay, I’m in the right pathway so I wanted to continue. So now I think I- I catch it, now I need a little bit more time just to do this job. What kind of job do you hope to do in 10 years time? That’s a good question. My dream is finally- without having any problem, like life and the other problem that comes to the anybody- my dream is just to direct my film. That’s the thing that I’m going to do. I have, in my past, I’ve had lots of experience- life experience, lots of things that I want to talk to the people. So, for me, film is a tool to talk to the people. Do you play any sports? Yes. What are the most popular sports in your country? Good question. In my country is just the people are mainly- I come from Iran- in my country people mainly play soccer. Anywhere – in the street, at home, anywhere you can see- people play soccer. Is it better to play sport or to watch it? Okay, um you know it’s it’s very um, it depends. To me, sometimes when you are in the right 7 mood or the right time you are better just to play. But sometimes, particularly when it is- when it is a professional sport, you would like to watch it. That depends to the situation, to you, and many, many things. Can sport be dangerous? Ah I think it could be dangerous, or it’s not going to be dangerous. Its depend. I think even if you’re walking in the street it could be dangerous for you, so I cannot say. But I can say – if you’re not playing a sport it’s going to be dangerous, because it’s just affecting your health. But- But playing- Accident could be anywhere – this is my opinion. Do men and women play different sports in Iran? Of course. I mean, as you know during the last 24 years. Because of the Government and the things that happen in my country, so women couldn’t do the same sport that men do. Even, they couldn’t go to the stadium like watch the soccer. However, recently, there has been a movement for the women, they have a chance. There is not enough facility for them just to do lots of sport. Thank you very much. Now I’m going to give you a topic and I’d like you to speak on it for one or two minutes. Topic: Describe a vacation you have really enjoyed. Alright, um we went to the [unknown] actually, we went to the [unknown] with my wife and kids, just mainly to visit my wife’s family. I liked [unknown] because when I went to the [unknown], which is about five hours far from Sydney, the road, the nature – uh it was very similar to the scene that I had in my country and it remembered me the nature and the road that we had over there. I liked [unknown], I liked everything over there, I can tell you. The smoke, the fog, I liked the environment, I liked the friendship that was there. I loved the food, I loved everything over there- the stars at night. I love the moon, I loved morning, and when it was morning it remembered the morning that I had in my country- it was very similar because nature are similar anywhere. So, I spent lots of time over there and it helped me to remember the things that I had before. It gives security, it’s very mysterious feeling to me. So I loved them because it helped me more and more back to the memory that I had from my country. Animals, horse, you know farm – everything, it really attract me- see the people who work in the farm. That was a nice thing- I like these things and I think this is my nature and I love to be in this nature and that nature was very similar to the things that I had before, and I liked just to be there. That was something that I had over there. So I spent time with my wife and I explained the things that had happened to my country and I told her ‘look, Calla, I will show this to you in my country again.’ Would you go there again? Sure, I love it. If I get any chance, I’m sure I will go over there. Now I’d like to ask you a few more questions about vacations and holidays away. Are people taking more holidays and travelling more these days? 8 I have to say I don’t think so, because the lifestyle is not letting the people to do the things that they want. They have to work more and more, and even you know when they got some family they have to work more. To me, in my point of view, I think they haven’t enough time to pay attention to holidays. Where did people go on holidays in your Grandparent’s time, say, 50 years ago? I think in that time, you know, to go to another- another city, which was very far – like 5 to 10 hours, they go to visit their relative somewhere else in their country. Where do people usually like to go for a holiday away these days? Uh it’s easy things that people like just to go to a very- very close and easy things. If they can get to anywhere around themselves you know, even if in Sydney they will go to Harbour or Opera House or anywhere around as because it’s very cheap and it helps them just to stay sometimes out of the- you know the routine of their life. Why do people want to travel, to go away for a holiday? Life is very hard. All of us need just to go- to go out of this stress during the week. You know- the technology, the Government, the people, the boss and so on and so on and so you know, just pushing you shoulders, so that’s a time that you can say that okay, I am human so you can just do something that you like. Is tourism having an effect on the environment, do you think? Sure, I think tourism just definitely effecting the environment because they bring the wave of the culture and you know, many, many things by themselves and they bring it and show to- to the new culture. So I’m sure, it’s very effective. Like if you think- like when I’m coming from my country, the food that I’m having, the think I interests, the way that I treat you know my family and the way that I love, the way that I dance- all of these things when they come together, it’s giving things like [unknown]. It’s giving some information about outside to anybody, to the other people. How important is the tourist dollar for the economy? I love their dollar. Hahaha. You know, it’s very good. I mean you have to think –you have to think about this issue and just have some study. You have to prepare yourself for the tourist interest. You have to put these things in their hand. Not in the country, in their country. You have to advertise you have to show what things is available here. Because they bring more. Money. It’s very easy. Lots of countries just depend on the-just the tourism when they put their money. And you have to think about all the issues. To make the situation ready for them to let them to be happy to spend their money and when they back- back again. For as it as it as it as it revisit again to advertise for the other people to come over here. Will the tourist industry grow in the next 10- 20 years? I’m sure you know. Because many people are still um the attraction of seeing- And the tech I think is helping the people just to be more close together and find. If it was in the 9 hands of a few countries just had the attraction for the tourism. Now, many people from far, they can just advertise themselves on the Internet. They say look- I’m very far here, I have a nice beach, you don’t need to pay this money you know - to that company… half the price for you come over here - and we’re right. What do you think of tourism designed not to damage the environment? I think the government and the council - all of them and all and all the policy has to help - has to really have a close watch to this issue. If they think it is going to affect anywhere they have to put this policy to not things - you know, to not do anything wrong. Thank you, that is the end of the speaking test. 10 [...]... privacy of famous people? No, I think there should be a very strong and tough code that they shouldn’t allowed to interfere in other people’s lives, even if they are famous Thank you That is the end of the speaking test 14 Test 5 Good Afternoon My name is Darrell Could you tell me your full name please? My name is Shi-in Lee And what should I call you? You can call me Shi-in please Thank you Do you work... one or two minutes on a topic You have one minute to plan your answer Here is a pencil and paper to make notes Here is your topic: I’d like you to describe your favourite teacher Thank you Can you start speaking now please? You have one to two minutes I will tell you when the time is up My favourite teacher, um, his name is Kwan Sing Pak He was my English teacher when I was in High school in Korea You... in the past And you use like different equipment, like computer and things, all these audio-visual teaching material I guess in that way education has changed a lot Ok thank you That is the end of the speaking test 17 18 Test 6 Good afternoon Can I have your full name, please? Hasan Can Yuksel All right, and can I see your passport, please? Yeah, sure Thank you That's fine Uh, now, in the first part... student I'm a student in English class And why did you decide to study English? Er, before, because I want to study in Masters, at Masters program, er, that's why I have to study English and I have to get a IELTS score That's why I study English OK Is it an interesting subject to study? Yeah It's, er, IT, my study, er Your Masters? Yeah, my Masters, yeah Oh, OK And why did you decide to study IT? Er, because... healthiest drinks? What do you think are the healthiest drinks? Er, I like healthiest drinks, especially milk, um, yeah, er, yeah, just milk I think OK All right Well, now we have the second part of the Speaking Test I'm going to give you a card about a topic, and I'd like you to talk about it for one to two minutes Before you start, you can have one minute to think about what you are going to say, and... describe a house or an apartment you have lived in and which you liked Er, I wanna All right, so remember, you can talk for one to two minutes, and I'll tell you when the time is up Right? Can you start speaking now, please? OK I will describe my, er, apartments in my country Eh, it's, ah, ooh, my apartments has a, er, eight level, eight floor, and we lived in, er, seventh floor, and I like, I like it... it's, er, and you can go everywhere It's the centre like, um, it's the people prefer the like the safe areas So, convenience? Yeah, convenience Right, OK Well, thank you very much That's the end of the Speaking Test Yeah, thank you 22 Test 7 Good afternoon Could I have your full name please? Good afternoon My full name is Luo Xiaojing; that is my Chinese name All right And can I see your passport, please?... little drink is better to your health, but I'm not sure because I think the men is always drink a lot and they cannot control, so I think drink is lot to their body Right Now we have the second part of the Speaking Test I'm going to give you a card about a topic, and I'd like you to talk about it for one to two minutes Before you start, you can have one minute to think about what you are going to say, and... it is when you're going to do it why it will be difficult and explain why you want to do it All right? So remember, you can talk for one to two minutes I'll tell you when the time is up Could you start speaking now, please? Yeah, now I will describe a house to you Um, once I have been to Sydney I live in a big, very big house The house has in Willoughby You know Willoughby is quite far from the Macquarie... you You just live by yourself, and maybe you just stay at home and watch the TV and, uh, call your friend I think, uh, it's bad for the young people OK Well, thank you very much That's the end of the Speaking Test 26 . would do it in all sorts of countries, or in any country. Thank you Michael, that’s the end of the speaking test. 3 Test 2 Good afternoon, my name is Anna. Could you tell me your full name please? Roberto. also the sound quality is a lot better, and umm I think there’s been certainly, technologically speaking, a big improvement there. How will technology be used to improve films in the future? Well,. at that time and I think that remains within us all our life. Thank you, that is the end of the speaking test. 6 Test 3 Good afternoon, my name is Renee. Could you tell me your full name please? My