IELTS Speaking Part 3 Model Answers: Sport

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Here are some IELTS questions and model answers for the topic of sport in Speaking Part 3. This topic can appear in part 1 and part 2 as well.

This topic isn’t just about sport, but also about exercise in general. Make sure you don’t confuse exercise and sport – they are two different things even though they overlap. This part of the test takes 4-5 mins and it is the part when you can speak more freely, give longer answers, express your opinions and talk about the world in general. It’s also the part when the examiner can challenge your answers so be ready for that – this is the discussion part of the IELTS Speaking Test. These questions are not about you personally, but world issues.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions & Answers: SPORT

Note: These questions appear each year in the test so they are definitely worth preparing for. The model answers below are only an example of the many ways the questions can be answered. You can give whatever opinion you wish, but do explain it well for a high score.

1. Do you think children get enough exercise these days?  ANSWER

No, I don’t. Personally, I think that children spend too much time sitting in front of computers or tablets instead of being outside playing and exercising. A few generations ago, children were much more active but nowadays they only do exercise at school during PE lessons. I think that’s a problem because it will really impact their health later on. It’s hardly surprising that obesity is on the rise.

  • Comment: Is it ok to give information that isn’t asked for, such as giving your opinion about the effects of lacking of exercise when it isn’t asked for? The answer – yes, it’s fine. You can take the questions in any direction you want and the examiner will direct you from there. Part 3 is the flexible part of the speaking test and you should allow the examiner to guide you through it by challenging your answers or asking for more details.

2. Do you think exercise is important? ANSWER

Yes, very much so. Of course, there are the health implications. I mean, exercise is essential to ensure that we burn off calories and encourage blood to circulate as well as all the other health benefits it brings. But it’s also important for our mental health. It’s a way to release stress and become more mindful. As technology develops, people are living more and more sedentary lifestyles so we must focus on exercise to ensure we lead a balanced life.

  • Comment: The examiner isn’t testing your knowledge. So, just try to speak naturally and give your opinions confidently. Even an answer like the one above, which contains limited ideas will still get a good band score because ideas are not marked in IELTS Speaking (ideas are marked in IELTS Writing Task 2)

3. Is there a difference between exercises or sports that boys like and those that girls usually enjoy?  ANSWER

Well, I’m not sure. Traditionally, boys tended to prefer doing more strenuous, active and competitive sports which required more strength and stamina, such as football, boxing or basketball, whereas girls often preferred more relaxing and gentle exercises, like yoga or walking. However, these days things are different. There are many female football teams now and many boys take up yoga. I don’t think sports are so gender oriented any more, which is great, and I hope sports will continue to diversify in the future.

  • Comment – it’s great not to take a black and white new of issues in the speaking test. Part 3 is a discussion and it’s great to open topics up to discussion about how things have changed or your personal views on things. It takes confidence to do this in English which is great for your band score. And as you will notice, it also means, particularly in the answer above, that you could end up using a variety of tenses.

4. How can parents encourage their children to take more exercise? ANSWER

To be honest, I don’t think it’s easy for parents to encourage their children to be more active. However, one possible way would be for parents to get involved in sports themselves and take their children along to join in. I think, if exercise is made fun for children and they can do it together with their parents, it would probably result in more children being more active.

  • Comment – you are not restricted to how many solutions you offer in your answer. But for the speaking test, it’s always best to explain what you mean in detail rather than giving a list of solutions. The more details you give, the better.

5. Do you think sports have changed much over the last few decades? ANSWER

Yes, I do. I think one of the main changes has been in sports technology which is so much more advanced now than it was years ago. For example, the speed with which tennis players can hit the ball now is so much faster mainly because rackets are made from compost materials which provide more durability and power. Also, there is a trend for more extreme sports such as such as skydiving, bungee jumping and kitesurfing, which are getting more and more popular.

6. What are the benefits of international sports events? ANSWER

That’s an interesting question. Let me see, well I guess one of the main benefits is that it encourages international cooperation. I mean, sports are a neutral, non-political activity that can bring countries together in a peaceful way. Although, they are competitive, events still promote international harmony between countries and reminds us all that we are all on one planet living together. Also, it’s a great way for people to open their eyes to cultures and countries that are different from their own. It’s a way to promote tolerance and understanding, which are seriously needed in the world today. And of course, international sporting events are just great fun for everyone. It’s a time for people to feel proud of their country and support their sports professionals. I think that can be really inspiring for young people.

7. Are there any downsides to international sports events? ANSWER

Yes, there are. I think the most obvious disadvantage is the cost. When a country offers to host an big sporting event, like the Olympics, they have to build new facilities, expand infrastructure, spend money on security and pay for labour costs. For countries that aren’t rich, this is a huge burden. Certainly, there can be financial advantages to hosting, but it the costs are still enormous. Some countries have also been known to use slave labour for sporting events which really goes against everything that international sports events represent.

8. Do sports people make good role models? ANSWER

That’s a good question. I haven’t really thought about that before. I guess I would say that on the whole, they make good role models. I mean a professional sports person is someone who has dedicated their time and energy to their discipline and that is a great lesson for all young people, particular those who lack the motivation or determination to apply themselves to something. However, not all of them are good role models. I mean, some of them have been caught taking drugs to enhance their performance, which is obviously a terrible model for young people.

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Note: As you see, my answers are written in speaking style with expressions like “I mean” and “let me see”. The IELTS Speaking Test is informal so do get used to using a more relaxed way of speaking.

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Model Answer for IELTS Speaking Part 2: A Service

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The model answer for the IELTS speaking part 2 topic A SERVICE was produced by an ex-IELTS examiner. It shows how you can extend your ideas to showcase your English for a high band score. The topic has been repeated many times in the IELTS and will continue to be used yearly.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card: A GOOD SERVICE

An occasion you received a good service from a company or shop

You should say:

  • where it was
  • when you received the service
  • who was with you at the time
  • and explain how you felt about receiving the service.

Model Answer: A GOOD SERVICE

I’d like to tell you about a recent purchase I made and the service I received which I thought was outstanding.

I bought a necklace from a small online shop that I found whilst surfing the net. It wasn’t a shop that I had bought things from before so I was slightly apprehensive about it. The shop didn’t have a wide range of gold jewellery but what it had was unique in style without doubt.

So, about three weeks ago, I selected a gold necklace to buy from this shop and within just three days it arrived through the post. The delivery came beautifully wrapped in fine Japanese style wrapping paper along with a gift voucher for a discount on my next order. I was truly impressed with the care that had been taken in wrapping it and the personal note that also came with it. But what impressed me the most was the free gift that arrived as well. I wasn’t expecting that at all. Along with my necklace was a matching bracelet which was also exquisitely made.

I remember the day it all arrived because my best friend was visiting me at the time. When I opened the parcel, we were amazed at both items of jewellery. My friend immediately went online and put in an order of her own. So, I suppose it goes to show that good customer service has its own rewards.

It’s hard to describe how I felt. Of course, as I said, I was amazed but it was more than that. Life can be tough sometimes and when you get such a lovely, unexpected present, it makes you feel as though anything is possible in the world. I’m pretty sure that small shop will do very well in the future. I know I will certainly order from that shop again.

Feedback:

Fluency: a full talk, delivered without unnatural pauses and without effort.

Grammar: past simple, past perfect, past prefect passive, past continuous, present simple, future form, frequent complex sentences. Error free

Vocabulary: flexible, an awareness of collocations and with a strong range of words: slightly apprehensive, unique in style, beautifully wrapped, Japanese style wrapping paper, matching bracelet, exquisitely made, put in an order, it goes to show, good customer service, its own rewards

Similar Cue Card Topics in IELTS Speaking Part 2

  1. A time you had to return something you bought
  2. A time you received poor service at a shop
  3. A successful business
  4. A time you helped someone
  5. A restaurant you frequently go to
  6. A local shop
  7. Someone with good people skills
  8. Someone who likes helping others

Tips for Speaking Part 2

  • Use your 1 mins effectively. Plan extra details to add, plan a past memory or a future plan to boost your grammar score.
  • Be natural and chatty. Talk as though you were chatting with a friend.
  • Remember that there are no questions to answer. There are guidelines of what to put in your talk which you can use or not use as you wish.
  • Following these links and prepare ideas: Common Speaking Part 2 Topics 
  • Check out another model answer for speaking part 2. Click on the link: Model Answer Speaking Part 2 Holidays
  • Learn How to Start your Part 2 Talk
  • See How your IELTS Speaking is Scored: IELTS Band Scores Explained
  • ALL FREE MODEL ANSWERS & TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic: Shoes

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“Shoes” is a commonly recycled topic in IELTS Speaking Part 1. Most people think only about the topic of Clothes, but the topic could be very focused on just Shoes. Below are some typical questions for this topic and model answers. You can also find great vocabulary to boost your score for this topic here: SHOES VOCAB LIST

IELTS Speaking Topic SHOES: Questions

  1. What kind of shoes do you usually wear?
  2. Do you have a favourite pair of shoes?
  3. How often do you buy shoes?
  4. Where do you usually buy your shoes?
  5. What do you look for in a pair of shoes?
  6. Would you ever spend a lot of money on a pair of shoes?
  7. Do you think men and women have the same attitude towards shoes?
  8. Are there any shoes in your country that shouldn’t be worn at work?
  9. Do people usually wear different types of shoes in different seasons in your country?
  10. Would you ever buy shoes online?
  11. Do you think the type of shoes someone wears reflects their character?

For IELTS Speaking Part 1, the examiner will only ask you about three or four questions per topic. So, even though the examiner has a long list of questions, you’ll only be asked a few of them.

IELTS Speaking Model Answers for SHOES Topic

  1. What kind of shoes do you normally wear?
    • Well, most days I like to wear comfy shoes that are easy to wear for the whole day, like sneakers or some other kind of flat shoes. I definitely wouldn’t choose to wear heels normally.
  2. What’s your favourite pair of shoes?
    • I love my Red high heeled shoes that match my red evening dress. But even thought they are my favourite, I rarely get a chance to wear them because they aren’t suitable for everyday events, just for fancy evenings.
  3. How often do you buy new shoes?
    • Probably not as often as I should. I guess I get a new pair about once every couple of years. I tend to stick to my favourites until they completely wear out.
  4. Do you think fashion is important to consider when buying shoes?
    • Yes and no. I mean, in some ways yes I think you do need to consider whether your shoes match the clothes you already have and if they are relatively modern. But at the same time, if I was just buying a pair of trainers I wouldn’t bother with fashion and I’d just go with comfort instead.
  5. Do you think men and women have the same attitude towards shoes?
    • Well, this is probably a gross overgeneralisation but I suppose that on the whole women are more conscious of shoes than men and tend to pay out more for their shoes. Certainly, that’s the case with most men and women I know. But I’m sure there are plenty of men and women out there to counter that.
  6. Would you buy shoes online?
    • As long as there’s an easy return policy, I don’t see buying shoes online a problem. In fact, it’s often easier to just order five pairs online and then you have time to think about whether you want to keep them before the deadline for the returns.
  7. Do you think the type of shoes someone wears reflects their character?
    • Yes, I do. People say that first impressions are important and I think that goes for shoes too. If you see a person wearing a worn out pair of shoes, it gives you the impression that they that are sloppy. On the other hand, if you see someone wearing brand name shoes that cost a fortune, you know that the person has plenty of money to splash around and doesn’t care about costs. So, shoes can tell you a lot about someone’s character.

Vocabulary Review

  • comfy = short form of comfortable (short forms are suitable for IELTS Speaking which is informal)
  • gross overgeneralisation = to assume something without really thinking deeply, for example all women do X and all men do Y
  • worn out = tatty, shabby, the worse for wear, tired
  • sloppy = not tidy, lazy, slovenly
  • cost a fortune = very expensive (cost a fortune is a much better idiom to use than cost an arm and a leg).
  • have money to splash around = have money to waste, to throw around

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Maths: IELTS Speaking Topic

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Maths is a topic that can appear in IELTS Speaking Part 1. This topic can also be called Calculations or Numbers. This has been a reported topic since 2015, appearing regularly in the IELTS speaking test.

Below are some questions with useful vocabulary so that you can prepare this topic.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions: Maths

When you prepare at home, don’t write your answers down. Instead, speak your answer out loud and record them on your phone. This way you are practicing more naturally and you can listen back to check your pronunciation and other aspects of language.

  • Are you good at maths?
  • Did you like mathematics when you were at school?
  • What was your teacher like?
  • What kinds of things did you learn in maths?
  • Did you use a calculator when learned maths?
  • Do you find it difficult to do calculations?
  • How do you calculate difficult sums?
  • Do you think maths is an important subject for children to learn?
  • Why do you think children should learn maths?

Useful Language for Maths Topic

  • calculate numbers / data / figures
  • adding up / addition (2 + 4 = 6)
  • subtraction / taking away (6 – 2 = 4)
  • multiplication  / multiplying numbers (multiplying = 2 x 3 = 6)
  • the multiplication table
  • division / dividing (dividing = 6 / 3 = 2)
  • long division (12,000 / 1,500 = 8)
  • estimating powers and roots for positive numbers
  • learning about decimals and fractions (decimal = 0.333 & fraction =  1/3)
  • algebra = learning about using letters and symbols in formulas
  • geometry = calculating angles in triangles or relationships between points on graphs or maps
  • proportions and rates of change
  • maths teaches people how to solve problems
  • maths teaches people how to interpret and understand data
  • maths teaches people how to do simple and complex calculations needed for everyday life

Model Answers

  • Question: Did you like maths when you were at school?
  • Answer: Yes, I did. I enjoyed it at the beginning when we were doing just simple sums but I went off it as we progressed on to complex calculations, like complex algebra and things like that.
  • Question: Did you use a calculator at school for studying maths?
  • We weren’t allowed a calculator for doing sums or long division and things like that. But we were allowed to use one for geometry and other complex calculations.

Speaking part 1 answers are not long. They are quite short, but you should still aim for at least two complex sentences for your answer. Your answer is likely to be shorter for a simple question and longer for a more complex question. In part 3, all your answers will be longer because the questions are more complex.

You can also see that language is very relaxed and natural. This is perfect for IELTS Speaking which is an informal test of your natural spoken English.

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Newspapers: IELTS Speaking Questions and Model Answer

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Below is a list of questions for newspaper that you can get in IELTS Speaking. There is a sample of questions for each part of the test. Two model answers are given at the bottom of the page.

Newspapers: Part 1 Questions

  • How do you usually get your news?
  • How often do you read the newspaper?
  • What type of news do you prefer to read?
  • Do most people in your country follow the news?
  • How do most people in your country access the news?
  • Do you pay much attention to headlines?
  • Do you think it is important to follow the news?

Newspapers: Part 2 Cue Card

Describe an article in a newspaper you have recent read.

You should say:

  • when you read it
  • where you read it
  • what it was about
  • and explain what you found interesting about it.

Newspapers: Part 3 Questions

  • What’s the difference between a newspaper and a magazine?
  • Why do you think some people only skim read a newspaper?
  • Do you think headlines are important?
  • Which is more important – domestic or international news?
  • How have newspapers changed over the last few decades in your country?
  • Do you think everything we read in newspapers is true?
  • Do you think the government has the right to censor the press?

Model Answers

  • How do you usually get the news?
  • Well, it depends on my day. If I have time I buy a newspaper and read through most of the pages and articles but if I’m short of time, I just go online and take a quick look at the main headlines.
  • What is the difference between a newspaper and a magazine?
  • Well, that’s an interesting question. I suppose one of the main differences is in the publication. What I mean is a newspaper is generally published daily whereas a magazine is published either weekly, monthly or quarterly. So, a newspaper is published more often than a magazine. Another big difference is in the content. A newspaper usually contains a range of subject matter from sports news to weather while a magazine is aimed at a specific target group such as readers who are interested in farming or something like that.

 

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IELTS Speaking: Musical Instruments Questions and Answers

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It is possible to be asked about musical instruments in all parts of the IELTS speaking test. Below are some questions which mostly appear in part 1 but questions 4 to 5 can appear in part 1 and part 3. Two model answers are given below as well. This is topic currently being used in 2017.

You can vocabulary for types of musical instruments here: Musical Instruments Word List

Questions: IELTS Speaking Musical Instruments Topics

Check some possible questions for this topic:

  1. Did you ever learn a musical instrument as a child?
  2. If you could learn a musical instrument, what would you choose?
  3. If you had a child, what musical instrument would you encourage him/her to play?
  4. What traditional instruments are there in your country?
  5. Do you think traditional musical instruments have a place in modern society?
  6. How do you think traditional music could be made more popular?

Sample Answers for Part 1

Q. Did you ever learn a musical instrument as a child?

A. No, I didn’t but I always wish I had. If I had had the chance, I would have learned the guitar. The problem was that my parents thought it was more important to focus on school work than learn to play an instrument.

Q. If you could learn to play any musical instrument, what would you choose?

A. I think I’d probably go for the violin. It’s such a beautiful stringed instrument and I think the music that can be played on it, can be really haunting and moving. Yes, I’d definitely choose that one.

Sample Answer for Part 3

Do you think traditional instruments have a place in modern society?

Absolutely yes. Traditional instruments are part of our heritage and our identity. I believe that all school children should have the opportunity to learn to play one of them a part of their music lessons. For example, the tabla, which is like a pair of wooden hand drums, is a traditional instrument in our country and is part of most traditional songs. So, learning it would enable children to appreciate their country’s musical history more.

Recommended for IELTS Speaking:

Common Topics for Speaking Part 1

Free Video: Common Question Types in Speaking Part 1

Part 3 Common Mistakes

Current Topics in Speaking 2017

All Speaking Tips & Model Answers

Musical Instruments Vocabulary

All Vocabulary for IELTS

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IELTS Speaking Part 1: Clothes

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Clothes is a common topic for IELTS Speaking Part 1. Below are questions and model answers for this topic.  Clothes topic regularly appears in the test. There is rarely a year when it doesn’t appear. So, this is a topic you must prepare for.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions: Clothes

  • Do you often buy clothes?
  • Are clothes important to you?
  • What kinds of clothes do you prefer to wear?
  • Do you prefer wearing smart or casual clothes?
  • Do you spend a lot of time deciding what to wear?
  • Would you ever spend a lot of money on clothes?
  • Do you think fashion is important when choosing clothes?
  • Do you think men and women have the same view of clothing?
  • Did you wear a uniform at school?
  • What do people usually wear to work in your country?

The examiner will only ever ask about three or four questions for each topic in part 1 speaking.

Model Answers for Clothes Topic

Below are some model answers for Clothes in IELTS speaking part 1. Note the frequent examples of vocabulary relating to clothes.

  1. What kinds of clothes do you prefer to wear?
    • I generally go for casual clothes like jeans, t-shirt and a jumper. I do have some smart clothes but I mainly go for comfort on an average day.
  2. Do you spend a lot of time deciding what to wear?
    • It depends. If it’s my day off then I just throw on something casual, warm and comfy. But if I know I’m going to meet a friend for coffee or go out, I’ll take my time to decide what I want to wear and match my clothes to my bag and jewellery as well.
  3. Do you think fashion is important when choosing clothes?
    • I suppose I do to some extent. I mean I’m not likely to choose something that was fashionable a few decades ago, but I can’t say that I follow current trends closely. I mean, I’ve been wearing the same boot cut style of jeans for years even though they’ve come in and out of fashion over that period.
  4. Did you wear a uniform at school?
    • Yes, we had a pretty strict uniform. We had to wear a blue skirt, over the knee, a blue jacket, white shirt and also a tie. I must admit I did prefer it because I didn’t have the stress of deciding what to wear or being judged for what I was wearing.

As you see, you should be giving examples of vocabulary relating to Clothes. This is called “topic vocabulary” and the examiner will pay close attention to your flexible use of topic vocabulary.

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Sample Answers for Travel and Transport in Speaking Part 1

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Below are sample answers for the the topics of travel and transport for part 1 of the IELTS speaking test.

Travel

Q. Do you often travel abroad?

A. Not much, to be honest. I don’t get many days off in a year but when I do have time off, I mainly spend that time with my family in my hometown.

Q. When is the best season to travel in your country?

A. I guess it would be spring. That’s when the weather starts warming up and all the flowers start blossoming. It’s a really beautiful season and most places are at their best at that time. Unfortunately, it’s a busy time for tourists as well but that still doesn’t diminish the beauty of the countryside.

Q. Where would you recommend a foreign to visit in your country?

A. Without doubt, London. Not only is it our capital, but it also has some of the most iconic buildings in our country. I don’t think any visit to England is complete without seeing the Tower of London, London Bridge or Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. They really are very impressive pieces of architectural work and can’t be missed.

Transport

Q. How did you get here today?

A. I came by bike because the roads are pretty congested at this time and a bike is quicker. It only took me about 15 minutes to get here.

Q. Do you often use public transport?

A. Yes, I do. I use the bus almost everyday. It’s the cheapest way to get around even though it’s really overcrowded and not particularly punctual.

Q. How could the transportation system be improved in your country?

A. Well, I think the first step to improvement would be to widen the roads and build to overpasses and underpasses to help traffic flow more freely which would reduce the congestion in the city center. Also, it would help if the bus service was improved to make it run more frequently which would help with the overcrowding in rush hour. I think those are the two main changes that need to happen.

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