The following questions were asked on an IELTS speaking test held in Canada in May 2024. Answers are also given.
Part 1 (Interview)
Examiner: What is your name?
Candidate: My name is …………………..
Examiner: Do you work or study?
Candidate: I work. I am an engineer.
Examiner: Do you use public transport?
Candidate: I do. I use public transport to get to work.
Examiner: Are you currently using public transport more than before?
Candidate: Yes, I’m. When I was living in my native place, I rarely took buses or trains. I would drive my car. After I got my job, I moved to this city. Now, I mainly use public transport to get about.
Examiner: What is your reason for using public transport?
Candidate: I live and work in a large city where traffic jams are an everyday occurrence. I don’t enjoy getting stuck in the traffic. Actually, I find the trains a lot more convenient and reliable. Also, both my apartment and my office are close to train stations.
Examiner: Have you ever found using public transport inconvenient?
Candidate: Yes, sometimes I do. Trains are pretty crowded during peak hours. I often leave home early to avoid rush hours.
Examiner: Do you feel that the price of public transportation in your country is fair?
Candidate: It is. Trains, in particular, are quite cheap. Buses are more expensive. Still, taking the bus is less expensive than driving your own car.
Candidate: How could public transport be improved in your city or town?
Examiner: I think they should improve the frequency of bus and train services during rush hours. That will make them less crowded and more comfortable.
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a time when you received money as a gift from a family member. You should say
- when you received the gift
- why you received it
- what you did with the money
and explain how you felt about receiving money as a gift
Candidate: My grandfather gave me a reasonably huge amount of money when I graduated from high school with flying colours. He was happy with my results. Actually, I was the school topper of that year and he was quite proud of me. I am the oldest of his grandchildren. He wanted me to be an inspiration for my siblings and cousins. He probably thought that giving me a cash prize would encourage them to focus more on their students. I didn’t really do anything with the money. I had no idea what I was supposed to do. So, I gave the money to my mother. She bought me a nice laptop and a bicycle with that money. I still ride that bicycle every now and then. The laptop has slowed down a lot. I no longer use it. As for what I thought about the gift, well, it seemed quite an achievement. I was both happy and proud.
Part 3 (Discussion)
Examiner: Is gifting money commonly done in your country?
Candidate: I don’t think so. Most of the time, your parents or relatives will buy you things as a reward. For example, if you did well in the exam, they might buy you a watch or computer. However, money is commonly given as a gift to the groom and the bride on their wedding day. The invitees are supposed to bring some gifts and most of the time they will give the couple an envelope containing cash. Likewise, if someone invites you to their house warming ceremony, you are supposed to bring a gift. Sometimes it is cash.
Examiner: Does money make a good gift? Why or why not?
Candidate: In my opinion, money does make a good gift. If you gift money, the recipient has the opportunity to buy what they want with that money. They also have the option not to buy anything. If we give things, they may or may not like it.
Examiner: What are some other gifts that people can give instead of money?
Candidate: If we want to give a gift to someone we know personally, it is always a good idea to buy something that they like or need. For example, we can give a nice pair of clothing to a boy or a girl conscious of their appearance. Likewise, home appliances make a good gift for families moving to a new home. If we do not know the preferences of the person who receive the gift, it is better to give money.
Examiner: In what situations do you think it is inappropriate to give money as a gift?
Candidate: It is probably not appropriate to gift money to someone much richer than us. I cannot think of any other situations where money makes an inappropriate gift.
Examiner: Do you support gifting money to children? Why or why not?
Candidate: I personally have no reservations against gifting money to children. I just make sure that their parents are aware of this gift.
Examiner: Do you think children should get paid for doing chores? Why or why not?
Candidate: Yes. I support that idea. Children need some motivation to do chores and money makes a good motivator. Of course, they should be given only a small amount and parents should closely monitor what they are doing with that money.
