Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Speaking Topics
Speaking Topics
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Q. How popular are fast food restaurants where you live? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Ahh, fast food restaurants are ubiquitous in the place where I live. You just
have to walk around a few blocks to find a row of different fast-food shops and
restaurants, and their number is growing faster than ever. They are hugely popular,
especially among the young, due to their taste and variety. Many adults like to have
them because it saves them time and money. Despite knowing that fast food is not
healthy, people often opt for them because they are busy and have little time to cook a
healthy meal at home.
Describe some technology (e.g. an app, phone, software program) that you decided to
stop using.
and explain how you feel about the decision you made.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Q. Do you agree that students are often better at using technology than their
teachers?
Answer: Well, in general, young people are better prepared and skilled in handling
technology than the elder generation since the latter are introduced to technology at a
later stage in their life. In this regard, many young students are better than their elder
teachers when it comes to technology. But this gap is narrowing with time as teachers,
all around the world, both young and old, are adopting and learning technology as part
of their personal and professional requirements.
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Topic - "Summer"
Q. Did you enjoy the summer holidays when you were at school? (Why/Why not?]
Answer: The summer holidays in my childhood are some of the best days in my life. My
parents used to take me to different places (mostly near a sea, lake, hill or river) during
the summer vacations, and I could enjoy different activities there. The fact that I did
not have to attend school and I could visit many new places and enjoy numerous
activities made the summer vacations even more enjoyable during my school days.
Part 2 - Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you.
Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
and explain whether you think you will ever own this item.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Q. Which expensive items would many young people (in your country) like to buy?
Answer: Most young boys in my country would like to purchase the latest smartphones,
tabloid PC, gaming devices, motorbikes, cars, smart watches and branded clothes. Girls,
on the other hand, would like some of the electronic gadgets as boys do, and would
also like to buy a lot of expensive pieces of jewellery, and fashion items. Some really
rich young would want to buy sports cars, apartments and sports gear.
Q. How do the expensive items that younger people want to buy differ from those that
older people want to buy?
Answer: I believe younger people mostly want to buy expensive items that they can
either use or enjoy having, like electronic items, sports cars and so on. Older people,
due to their experience in life, would go for expensive items that have great future
return potential like expensive properties, antique items, famous artworks and so on.
However, in many cases, both generations want the same types of expensive items like
the latest cars.
Q. Do you think that people are more likely to buy expensive items for their friends or
for themselves?
Answer: It depends on so many factors including the social and economic conditions of
the person. But broadly speaking, most people would buy expensive items for
themselves every now and then - if they can afford them. But they would buy luxury
items for friends on special occasions like on their wedding days or when they expect
something in return. There could be some really broad-minded rich people who would
not hesitate to buy luxury items for their friends as they would do for themselves, but
the number of such people, I believe, is so small.
Q. In what ways might rich people use their money to help society?
Answer: The resource distribution in the world often seems unfair as just a few per cent
of the super-rich own the majority of the global resources. When millions of people
struggle to buy food and manage a place to live in, rich people definitely can do a lot to
help society. They can share some of their fortunes to feed the poor and build hospitals,
schools, and old homes to make society a better place. They can also create
employment and offer some charity to poor people. Finally, they can use their money to
ensure clean drinking water, road safety and public infrastructure.
Part 1 - Introduction & Interview
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Alternative Answer: I have been working in a multinational company for over three
years, and I work most of the time with my colleague "Emily". We two go together
really well, and it is well-known that we can solve many problems together. This is why
the management often assigns us to the same projects and tasks.
Q. Are there times when you study/work better by yourself? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Even though I prefer study groups and study partners for most parts of my
academic life, I prefer to study alone when it comes to preparing for the exam. This is
because I can control the pace of my study when I do so alone.
Alternative Answer: Sometimes I need to think outside the box and do some
brainstorming to solve a tough problem or bring innovation to an approach. In times
like this, I like to work alone. Besides, I often like to work on small presentations, like
making a few slides, all by myself. It gives me more freedom and time to think.
Alternative Answer: It is highly important for me to like the people who I work with.
Whenever someone works in a group, he or she needs friendly, understanding,
agreeable members in the group. It is even more prevalent in an office setup where we
spend most of our waking hours and solve tough problems.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you.
Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Q. Do you agree that some tourist attractions (e.g. national museums/galleries) should
be free to visit?
Answer: Yes, I wholeheartedly believe that most museums and galleries that are funded
by or supported by the state should offer free entry. This is primarily because when I
see young people and tourists hanging out at a bar or shopping mall regularly, but
scarcely visiting a museum or art gallery, it worries me. Some art galleries and
exhibitions are expensive and not accessible for young students. This has a huge
negative consequence. Due to this, our younger generation is learning very little about
our history, art and culture. The same goes when tourists roam around the city except
for places where lies our national history. This is not desirable at all.
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Topic - "Languages."
Q. What do you think would be the hardest language for you to learn? [Why?]
Answer: Well, I haven’t exactly tried to learn any other languages than the ones I can
already know about. But, I think that Chinese, Mandarine to be more exact, language is
going to be the hardest language to learn because one literally has to memorize
thousands of its characters.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you.
Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
and explain what you liked or disliked about using this website.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Q. What kinds of things do people in your country often buy from online shops?
Answer: With the increasing popularity of online shopping among all kinds of
customers, no wonder that many people in my country are also taking its advantages,
especially during this time of the pandemic, by ordering foods, medicines and regular
grocery items. Other than these things, people are using online shops also to buy
electronic devices, home appliances, clothing items, cosmetics, perfumes, computers,
mobile/smartphones, and fashionable items from wristwatches to sunglass and every
other thing in between.
Q. What are some possible disadvantages of buying things from online shops?
Answer: There are several disadvantages to buying things from online shops. The
major one is probably the "delivery" as most of the times, delivery doesn’t arrive on
time, and even if it arrives on time, the product/the product package gets damaged.
Then, of course, the price of the product is also an issue as it gets higher because of
adding the shipping charge with it. Finally, there are also chances of being scammed as
the delivered products can be inferior in quality to the products that are shown on the
websites.
Q. Why do many people today keep buying things which they do not need?
Answer: Well, people like to attribute different reasons to the culture of consumerism,
but the major ones could be summarized like these: we think that possessing more and
more things will make us feel more secured and happy in life. Then we try to impress
other people or want to feel more important in front of others with the things that we
own. And finally, we, in general, are more susceptible to the advertisements on the
media and their catchy messages than we like to believe.
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Topic - "Email".
Q. Do you reply to emails and messages as soon as you receive them? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I do have a habit of replying my emails as soon as possible because I want
the message senders to know that the message has reached the right person. Besides, I
do it also because doing so gives me peace of mind, knowing that I value other people
as well as their needs.
Q. Are you happy to receive emails that are advertising things? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: No, I don’t really feel happy to receive emails that send advertising because
they waste my valuable time by confusing me to a point where I just don’t know
whether to read them or not. Besides, sometimes such emails carry computer viruses or
other harmful things.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you.
Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
and explain whether you think this is a nice hotel to stay in.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
On my recent visit to Thailand, which I took about a couple of months ago, I stayed at a hotel
in Bangkok. Frankly speaking, I think that it was one of the best hotels in a very serene
environment, in which I have ever stayed, and today I would like to talk about it here.
Anyway, located in the Dusit district of Bangkok, a little more than 8 kilometres away
from Bangkok downtown, this stunningly beautiful looking, private urban sanctuary sits
on 3 acres of a lush garden and by one of the famous rivers of Bangkok. Easily being
considered one of the best heritage-style, luxury hotels in Bangkok, it has all the
ingredients to “awe-inspire” the guests with its marvellous antiques and decoration.
Taking elegance to the extreme, this hotel offers plenty of panache with its silent
marble corridors, arranged around a central courtyard under glass with some incredible
vegetation and plenty of natural light. With about 40 spacious rooms, this vast property
is scattered with pieces from the owner's art collection, including breathtaking wooden
Buddha statues from the 16th century, and has everything from an infinity pool to
multiple dining venues to a library, cinema, gym, and spa -- while maintaining an
intimate vibe. Secluded Villas offer private pools, hot tubs, and rooftop terraces.
All rooms include breakfast, butler service, and free long-tail boat service along the
river. Besides, its huge public area, and enormous banana trees, surrounding its water
pond on a three-storied high atrium, would make one feel like he or she is in a huge
garden.
Anyway, I think that this is one of the nicest hotels, I have ever seen and where I have
stayed. One of the best features of this hotel is that it makes sure that all of its guests
have plenty of space around them so that they never feel congested. Another
remarkable aspect of this hotel is that every element in it, including the art pieces,
decoration and design, feels like they all are the functional parts of the overall design
of this luxury retreat.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you very much for this topic. As a traveller, I think that hotels are an essential
part of the travel experience. They provide a temporary home away from home, and it is
crucial to find one that suits our needs. I have stayed in many hotels in different parts
of the world, but the one that stands out is the Marriott Hotel.
And explain whether you think this is a nice hotel to stay in:
In my opinion, the Marriott Hotel is an excellent place to stay. The staff is friendly and
helpful, and the service is of the highest standard. The hotel's facilities are excellent,
and the food is delicious. The location is convenient, and you can easily get to different
parts of the city. The Marriott Hotel is a perfect choice for both business and leisure
travellers, and I would highly recommend it.
Q. How does working in a big hotel compare with working in a small hotel?
Answer: I think that working in a big hotel has more advantages than working in a
small hotel. For example, a big hotel usually would have more opportunities for career
growth since they will always need more skilled people to do the jobs. Besides, the
chances of getting “laid-off” at a big hotel are rather slim since there will probably be
another opportunity in a different department. Finally, working at a big hotel, like a
large hotel chain, will offer you a better job satisfaction since people would value you
more for working at a bigger and famous place.
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Topic - Photographs:
Q. When you visit other places, do you take photos or buy postcards? [Why/Why not?]
A. This is another intriguing question for me. Whenever I visit a new place, I love to
capture the memory in my smartphone and camera. Buying postcard was something I
did in my childhood, but not these days. Postcards have become less common and they
are hard to find these days, especially in my country.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand you. Read it
carefully and then make some brief notes.]
and explain why you thought the weather was perfect on this day.
[ You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
And explain why you thought the weather was perfect on this day:
I considered this day perfect because the weather was ideal for outdoor activities, it
was not too hot or cold, and the clear blue skies made the scenery even more beautiful.
It was a day that brought joy and positivity to my life, and it left me feeling energized
and rejuvenated. The beautiful weather and the stunning scenery made me appreciate
the beauty of nature, and it reminded me of how lucky I am to be alive.
Q. Are there any important festivals in your country that celebrate a season or type of
weather?
A. Yes, people in Singapore have many such festivals. Every year in July, we have an
authentic Asian culinary fare especially to celebrate the food festival in Singapore.
Another such festival is called the Mid-Autumn Festival and it is observed on the 15th
day of the lunar month, the Mid-Autumn. This festival is also known as the Mooncake
or Lantern Festival and it is traditionally celebrated during the farming year of the
abundant harvest.
Q. How important do you think it is for everyone to check what the next day’s weather
will be? Why?
A. The weather greatly affects the daily routine and schedule of each individual. From
a schoolboy to a corporate big shot, everyone has a plan for the next day and if proper
preparation is not taken based on the weather forecast, the day may simply be ruined.
This is why everybody should look at the weather forecast for the next day and prepare
accordingly. I myself regularly check the weather prediction in AccuWeather, an online
weather forecasting application, and plan my days ahead.
Q. What is the best way to get accurate information about the weather?
A. These days, reliable and large weather forecasting service providers are the best
source for this. AccuWeather, CNN weather, BBC Weather are some of the most reliable
weather forecasting service providers who cover almost every city and country in the
world for offering their service. With the widespread popularity of smartphones, many
authentic applications have emerged to provide this service as well. Weather
forecasting news on TV channels are also reliable but they are less convenient to
follow, in my opinion.
Q. How easy or difficult is it to predict the weather in your country? Why is that?
A. Well, it is not that difficult these days and many solid predictions of storms and
disasters have saved countless people in recent years. However, it was not that easy
only a decade ago when the weather forecasting department had to rely on primitive
devices. With the advancement of satellite and computer technology, this has become
easier and more accurate. Having said that, I must mention that 'it is still a prediction'
and not "something 100% accurate".
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Homemade food, our traditional food, fish, vegetables and fruits that I prefer are far
better than the street food and fast food in terms of their food value and nutritional
aspects. I believe eating habit takes time to grow and for a long, I have tried to follow a
good diet.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand you. Read it
carefully and then make some brief notes.]
and explain what you like or dislike about this person’s house/apartment.
[ You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Q. What kinds of home are most popular in your country? Why is this?
A. In urban areas, high-rising buildings are the most common accommodation type for
people in my country. Even though many of them like an independent two-storied
bungalow, this is not affordable for all. Only rich people have such houses.
The villages have mud houses, and tent houses which look quite different and have a
great traditional value in my country. With the modernisation and increasing
population, the traditional houses are being replaced by high-rising modern buildings.
Q. What do you think are the advantages of living in a house rather than an apartment?
A. Houses are usually capacious, have spaces in front of it and offer better views than
the apartments. A house owner can design the house the way he/she likes, expand it
and can change the architect on his/her wish. Moreover, a homeowner enjoys great
freedom and have access to fresh air and enough sunlight that the apartment dwellers
often miss.
Q. Do you think that everyone would like to live in a larger home? Why is that?
A. I believe so. If people have had a choice, almost everyone would love to live in a
large house rather than an apartment.
An apartment is a minimum arrangement for a family to have some rooms to live in. It
does not offer open space, facilities to have gardens, flower plants and yard. The
homeowners, on the contrary, can enjoy these facilities and have greater freedom
which is unimaginable in an apartment.
Q. Do you think it’s better to rent or to buy a place to live in? Why?
A. I think owning a house is far better than renting one. However, this varies from
person to person and if the person wants to permanently settle in a place, he/she
should think about purchasing a place rather than renting one. However, for a brief
staying, renting is a better option in my opinion.
Q. Do you agree that there is a right age for young adults to stop living with their
parents? Why is that?
A. I do not think that someone should ever leave his/her parents permanently, at least I
would never do that. However, it is quite logical that someone needs to leave his/her
house for better education and job opportunities but this does not mean that someone
has to decide it at a certain age.
But, if someone decides that he has lived with his parents for a long period of time and
now the time has come for him to start living with his fiance or friends, that would be a
different case. In my country, a boy or a girl leaves the house for higher studies and
reunite with the family after she/he has a job.
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Topic - Names:
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand you. Read it
carefully and then make some brief notes.]
[ You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Q. What are the most popular kinds of TV programmes in your country? Why is this?
A. I guess the news, talk shows and TV series are the most popular TV programmes in
our country. People love to get updates and most of the TV channels have some sort of
news programmes. This is why people want to watch the news daily. Talks shows give
an insight into a pressing issue and bring many popular personalities to the programme
and people love to watch what they have got to say on an issue. TV series is highly
entertaining and have many genres and viewers can always pick their favourite series
based on their preferences. Personally, I like TV series and news programmes. Apart
from that, some music and sports channels have gained huge popularity in recent days
and I am a fan of these channels as well.
Q. Do you think there are too many game shows on TV nowadays? Why?
A. I think the number of sports and game shows is on the rise and it is interesting to
notice that a good number of sports channels has gained tremendous followers these
days. Game shows are entertaining and exciting and people love to watch their
favourite sports team win a competition. Following the national team compete in the
international stage is a passion for many and the TV channels want to reach those
audiences. Apart from that, quiz shows, game shows and other shows related to sports
are also gaining popularity.
Q. Do you think TV is the main way for people to get the news in your country? What
other ways are there?
A. I think TV is still the main source for people in my country to get news and updates
on current events. With the increasing popularity of the Internet and social networking
platform, many young people opt to the Internet for getting news. However, TV is still
the main source for news for the whole nation.
Among other common sources for news, people rely on radio, newspaper and
magazines. Obviously, a great proportion of people these days depend on the Internet
for the latest news.
Q. Do you think that people pay attention to adverts on TV? Why do you think that is?
A. I think people pay attention to TV ads even after they are bombarded with those
adverts constantly. Sometimes people pay attention to those adverts willingly and
sometimes unconsciously. I believe that whenever someone has to pick a product from
a store, which offers a large number of brands and manufacturers, people opt for the
one they have noticed on TV. Besides, whenever someone is in front of a TV set, his
eyes and ears concentrate on the things shown on the screen, and even though many of
us are irritated with the number of adverts shown on TV, we have no alternatives if we
want to watch our favourite programmes on TV.
[This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking
the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. In the interview, the
examiner asks the candidate about his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Topic - Friends:
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand you. Read it
carefully and then make some brief notes.]
[ You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think
about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I
stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Q. What kinds of books are most popular with children in your country? Why do you
think that is?
Answer: Well, from my experience and observation I can say that comics, detective
books, rhyme collections, fairy tales, and fictions are more popular among children in
my country. Young children prefer comics and books that have nice illustration while
teenagers like to read detective books and fiction. Among girls, fairy tales are more
endured. In my childhood, I had been a great fan of detective books and mystery books.
Q. Why do you think some children do not read books very often?
Answer: Reading books is a habit and once a child starts feeling the unbound pleasure
a book can offer, he/she becomes a book-lover. However, there are some who do not
develop this habit either because he/she was too busy with other activities to dive his
nose on a good book or because his parents did not inspire him to try reading books
outside of the academic syllabus. Young children mimic their parents and if neither of
the parents is a good reader, it is less likely that a child would start reading all by
himself/herself.
Q. Are there any occasions when reading at speed is a useful skill to have? What are
they?
Answer: Well, as far as I can recall, being able to read at a fast speed is quite helpful for
everyone, especially for students. Many exams, including IELTS and TOEFL, require a
student to skim through the passages and get the gist as quickly as possible to answer
the questions. Slow reading would deter a candidate to effectively end the exam in
time and score well.
Besides, some reading competitions arranged in schools demand a student to read very
quickly and meticulously. Finally, to finish some assignments given in the college, a
student has to read many books and chapters. Those who do not have the speed-
reading skill, find it very challenging to complete those assignments.
Q. Are there any jobs where people need to read a lot? What are they?
Answer: Well, I can say that researchers, journalists, teachers, bloggers, business
analysts, writers and editors need to read a lot. I am pretty sure there must be many
other professions, apart from the ones I have mentioned, where people are required to
read every now and then. From my experience, I can say that reading is a must for a
researcher and so is it for a journalist. Bloggers have to read a lot to generate ideas and
get to know the competitors and this is true for a business analyst and editor as well.
Writers, always prefer to read and they are natural readers.
Q. Do you think that reading novels is more interesting than reading factual books?
Why is that?
Answer: This is really a tough question to answer and I am sure the answer will vary
from person to person. Personally, I was a die-hard fan of novels in my whole life and
found factual books less interesting. But this choice of mine has changed very recently.
These days, I prefer factual books more than a novel. I believe this choice has
something to do with the reader's taste, experience and age.