BEST IELTS Speaking Test, 23rd May

Table of Contents

IELTS SPEAKING TEST

PART – 1 INTRO

What is your full name?

My full name is Waqita Shah.

How may I address you?

You may address me as Waqita.

May I see your ID?

Sure, here you go.

IELTS Speaking Test

What is a goal?

Goal is a dream with a time limit. So, someone might have a dream of becoming a singer but when that person says, I am going to be a singer in next one year, it is then that it becomes a goal.

Can goals help to change your life? How?

Goals certainly shape our lives. It is our goals that decide on what kind of decisions that we will take, the risks that we take, the people that we meet and the life that we choose to live. So, a painter will go out on exhibitions, make changes in life that suit the profession and meet like minded people.

IELTS Speaking Test

How are plans and goals related?

Plans are tend to be more short sighted but goals have a little more time span. So, you might have the plan to go out on a weekend but goals are something more specific. Also, goals are something that are more personal with plans including lot of people.

Are you ambitious enough to achieve the goals you set?

Most of the times yes, I strive very hard to achieve my goals. Because not being able to achieve goals gives me a lot of dissatisfaction that is too annoying to bear.

IELTS Speaking Test

Do you have spiritual/religious goals?

Spiritual goals you may say, yes I do have. I believe that we all have come here on Earth for a purpose, there is a reason for our existence and I wish to find that out for myself. I want that I am able to live a life I am sent for, to be able to do the task that I have been assigned to.

What is something you never learned to do but wish you had?

I could never learn any form of dance and I wish I could have learnt it earlier. However, I am planning to very soon learn a form of dance.

IELTS Speaking Test

PART – 2 CUE CARD

Talk about a difficult word that you learned to pronounce.

You should say:

– What is this word?

– Where did you read it for the first time?

– How did you find the meaning of the word?

– Why did you find it difficult to learn?

IELTS Speaking Test

SAMPLE ANSWERS

One difficult word that I learned to pronounce correctly is “entrepreneur.” It’s a French-origin word that is commonly used in English today, especially in business contexts.

I first came across this word while reading an article on startups in The Economist. The article was discussing how young entrepreneurs were transforming the tech industry with innovative ideas. I found the word quite sophisticated and interesting, so I decided to look it up.

To understand its meaning and pronunciation, I used an online dictionary—Cambridge Dictionary, to be specific. It provided both the UK and US pronunciations, along with audio clips, which were incredibly helpful. The meaning of the word is someone who starts their own business, often taking financial risks in the hope of profit.

IELTS Speaking Test

The reason I found it hard to learn was mainly due to its French pronunciation. The spelling doesn’t clearly indicate how it’s supposed to be pronounced. At first, I used to say it as “enter-pre-nur,” which was incorrect. The correct pronunciation is more like “on-truh-pruh-NUR.” It took me a few days of practice, listening to native speakers and repeating it aloud, to say it confidently. Even now, I sometimes pause before using it, just to make sure I get it right.

Learning to pronounce this word correctly made me realize how important pronunciation is in sounding fluent and professional, especially in academic or formal conversations.

IELTS Speaking Test

PART – 3 FOLLOW UPS

Do you think it is important to have a good vocabulary?

Yes, I believe having a strong vocabulary is extremely important, especially when it comes to effective communication. A rich vocabulary allows a speaker to express ideas more clearly and precisely, which is crucial in both personal and professional contexts. For example, in academic writing or formal presentations, using a variety of appropriate words can enhance the quality of your message and make your arguments more convincing. Additionally, a good vocabulary helps avoid repetition and makes conversations more engaging.

How can people improve their pronunciation of difficult words?

There are several effective strategies. Firstly, using online dictionaries that offer phonetic transcriptions and audio pronunciations is very helpful. Apps like Cambridge Dictionary or Forvo provide native-speaker recordings, which you can mimic. Secondly, listening to English content, such as podcasts, TED Talks, or YouTube videos, helps train the ear to natural pronunciation and intonation. Shadowing – a technique where you repeat what you hear immediately – is also great for muscle memory. Lastly, speaking aloud regularly and recording oneself can help identify and correct errors. Practice is key.

IELTS Speaking Test

Is it more difficult for children or adults to learn correct pronunciation?

Generally, it’s easier for children to acquire correct pronunciation. They have more flexible vocal cords and a greater capacity to imitate new sounds without self-consciousness. Their brains are also more adaptable to language learning, which is why young learners often develop near-native accents. Adults, on the other hand, may struggle due to interference from their first language, fossilized errors, or lack of exposure. However, with consistent practice and motivation, adults can certainly improve significantly over time.

What role does accent play in pronunciation?

Accent plays a crucial role in pronunciation, as it affects how clearly a person is understood. However, having an accent is not necessarily a problem as long as communication is effective. For instance, someone may speak with a French or Indian accent but still be perfectly intelligible. The real issue arises when the accent leads to mispronunciations that hinder understanding. In global communication, a neutral or “international” accent is often preferred because it reduces the chances of miscommunication and improves mutual comprehension.

IELTS Speaking Test

Why do some people struggle with pronunciation even after years of studying English?

There are several reasons. One major factor is lack of exposure to spoken English. Many learners focus more on reading and writing, neglecting listening and speaking. Additionally, their native language might not contain certain English sounds, making it difficult to produce them correctly. For instance, the “th” sound in “think” is difficult for many non-native speakers. Psychological barriers also matter—some people feel shy or afraid of making mistakes, so they avoid speaking, which slows their improvement. Lastly, bad habits can become fossilized over time, making them harder to unlearn.

What do you think is more important—pronunciation or grammar?

Both are important, but if I had to choose, I’d say pronunciation slightly edges out grammar in spoken English. The reason is that communication in speaking depends heavily on being understood, and mispronounced words can easily cause confusion, even if the grammar is correct. For example, saying “desert” when you mean “dessert” could totally change the meaning. However, grammar is essential for writing and for conveying more complex ideas. So ideally, learners should aim to balance both skills.

IELTS Speaking Test

Do people from your country face specific pronunciation challenges?

Yes, many people from my country do face certain pronunciation difficulties, especially when English phonemes do not exist in our native language. For example, the “v” and “w” sounds are often confused. Also, the “th” sound, as in “think” or “this,” is frequently replaced with “t” or “d,” leading to errors like “tink” instead of “think.” Additionally, syllable stress and intonation can be problematic, making speech sound robotic or unnatural. However, with training and exposure, these challenges can definitely be overcome.

SEE MORE POSTS>>