IELTS Speaking — Full Practice Test 1
Parts 1, 2 & 3 · about 11–14 minutes · all questions and model answers are original CILL material at real IELTS difficulty.
The examiner asks about yourself and everyday topics. Keep answers 2–3 sentences — always add a reason, an example or a detail rather than a one-word reply.
1Where is your hometown, and how long have you lived there?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“I'm originally from Sylhet, a city in the north-east of Bangladesh, and I've lived there for most of my life — around twenty years, apart from the time I've spent studying here in Dhaka.”
2What do you like most about it?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“What I love most is the pace of life. It's much calmer than a big city like Dhaka, and it's surrounded by tea gardens and hills, so you're never far from somewhere green and peaceful.”
3Is it a good place for young people to live?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“To be honest, it's a bit of a mixed bag. It's a lovely, relaxed place to grow up, but there aren't as many job opportunities as in the capital, so a lot of young people end up moving away, which is a shame.”
4Has your hometown changed much in recent years?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“Yes, quite a lot, actually. When I was a child it was much quieter, but over the last decade a lot of new cafés, shops and apartment blocks have sprung up, so it feels far more modern now.”
5Would you like to live there in the future?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“I think so, eventually. I'd like to gain some experience working abroad first, but in the long run I can definitely see myself settling back there, mainly to be closer to my family.”
Read the card, then use the 1-minute preparation timer to make quick notes. When it ends, start the 2-minute timer and speak until it stops, covering all four points.
- where it is
- how often you go there
- what you do there
- and explain why you enjoy visiting it.
≈ 280 words (about 2 minutes spoken). Notice how it covers all four bullet points in order, sounds natural and spoken (not memorised), and keeps going fluently for the full two minutes.
Where it is“I'd like to talk about a place I really enjoy visiting — a swamp forest called Ratargul, not far from my hometown, Sylhet. It's a beautiful, watery forest that you explore by small boat, and it's become one of my favourite escapes.
How often you goI try to go whenever I get the chance, though because it's a bit of a journey, that usually works out to be once every couple of months — especially during the monsoon, when the water is high and the forest is at its most impressive.
What you do thereWhen I'm there, I mostly take a small wooden boat through the flooded trees with a local guide. I love just drifting along quietly, taking photographs and watching the birds and the occasional snake sunning itself on a branch. Sometimes I go with friends and we make a whole day of it, taking a picnic and swimming in the clearer parts.
Why you enjoy itThe main reason I enjoy it so much is that it's incredibly peaceful. My everyday life in the city can be quite stressful and noisy, so being surrounded by nothing but water, trees and birdsong is the perfect way to switch off and recharge. On top of that, it reminds me how beautiful and unusual the natural landscape of my country is. Honestly, every time I leave, I'm already planning my next visit.”
Read from the bottom up and listen for what changes: fluency (fewer pauses, no restarts), range of vocabulary, grammar (varied, accurate sentences) and coherence (all four points, well linked). Find the one closest to how you spoke. 🔑 নিচ থেকে উপরে পড়ুন এবং শুনুন কী বদলায়: fluency (কম থেমে যাওয়া), শব্দভাণ্ডার, grammar ও coherence (চারটি পয়েন্ট, ভালোভাবে যুক্ত)।
“I'm going to describe a place I really like visiting in my free time, which is a forest called Ratargul near my hometown, Sylhet. It's a kind of swamp forest that you go around by boat. I don't manage to go very often because it's quite far, so probably once every two or three months, usually in the rainy season when it looks the most beautiful.
When I go there, I take a small boat through the trees and just relax, take photos and look at the birds. Sometimes I go with my friends and we spend the whole day there and have a picnic. The reason I enjoy it is that it's really peaceful and quiet, which is a nice change from the busy city, and it always helps me feel relaxed and refreshed.”
“I want to talk about a place I like to visit, it is a forest called Ratargul near Sylhet, my hometown. It is a forest with a lot of water and you can go there by boat. I don't go there very often, maybe two or three times in a year, because it is a little far from my house.
When I am there, I take a boat and go around the forest and take some photos. I also go with my friends sometimes and we enjoy the day together. I like this place because it is very calm and peaceful and there are a lot of trees and birds. After I visit, I feel very fresh and relaxed.”
“I will talk about a place I like to go in my free time. It is a forest, the name is Ratargul, and it is near my city Sylhet. There is a lot of water and we go by a boat. I don't go there many times, only sometimes, because it is far.
In there I go with the boat and I see the trees and the birds and I take photo. Sometimes my friends also come and we do a picnic. I like this place because it is very quiet and beautiful and I can relax. In the city there is too much noise so this place is good for me.”
“I talk about one place, it is a forest, name Ratargul. It is near my town Sylhet. Have many water and tree. We go there with boat. I not go many time because it is far from my home.
There I see tree, bird, and take photo. Some time friend come also. I like because it is quiet and I feel relax. City is very noise but there is good. That's all, thank you.”
Mark your own long turn
Listen back to your recording and tick each box you can honestly say is true. These four rows are the exact criteria an examiner uses in Speaking — each is worth 25% of your band. 🔑 নিজের recording শুনে, যেটা সত্যি শুধু সেই বক্সে টিক দিন। এই চারটি সারি Speaking-এ পরীক্ষকের criteria — প্রতিটি ২৫%।
The examiner asks broader questions linked to Part 2. Give longer, more developed answers — state an opinion, give reasons, and add an example or compare past and present.
1Why is it important for people to have free time?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“I think free time is absolutely essential for our wellbeing. People who work non-stop tend to burn out, both physically and mentally, whereas having time to relax or pursue a hobby helps them recover and actually makes them more productive when they return to work. It's also when we build relationships — most of our time with family and friends happens outside working hours.”
2How do most people in your country spend their free time?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“It varies quite a lot by age, I'd say. Older generations tend to prefer social activities — visiting relatives, or simply chatting over tea — whereas younger people are increasingly glued to their phones, watching videos or playing games online. Outdoor activities like cricket are still hugely popular with all ages, though, particularly at weekends.”
3Do you think the way people spend their free time has changed compared to the past?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“Definitely — technology has transformed it completely. A generation ago, people would spend their evenings visiting neighbours or listening to the radio together, but nowadays entertainment is much more individual and screen-based. In some ways that's convenient, but I do think we've lost a little of the face-to-face community life that used to be so central.”
4Should governments spend money on public spaces such as parks?
🎙️ Say your answer aloud first.
“Yes, I'd strongly argue they should. Well-maintained parks give people, especially those in crowded cities, somewhere free to exercise, relax and socialise, which benefits both physical and mental health. In the long run, that can even reduce healthcare costs, so I'd see it as an investment rather than an expense — although, of course, it has to be balanced against other priorities like education and healthcare.”