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Speaking

Cambridge IELTS Book 15 Speaking

Cambridge IELTS Book 15 Speaking

The following are the questions that appear in speaking tests in Cambridge IELTS Book 15. These are just the questions for you to practice with. I will add model answers when time permits.

TEST ONE

Email

What kinds of emails do you receive about your work or studies?
Well, I’m working and most of my inbox gets filled up with messages from my clients. Then, I also get occasional emails from my boss. I always dread getting those.

Do you prefer to email, phone or text your friends?
Communications with my friends and acquaintances would depend on the urgency of the message. I use email for announcements, but prefer texting, so that they can respond when available. Phone calls would be necessary if I need an urgent response.

Do you reply to emails and messages as soon as you receive them?
I believe it is courteous to reply to emails and text messages as soon as possible. Sometimes, depending on the answer, it may take a little thinking to reply, but text messages usually only require a short response.

Are you happy to receive emails that are advertising things?
I really can’t stand spam, I do my best to set up filters on my email settings, so that I do not receive them. I am also one of those people who writes to companies that send spam and politely request to be removed from their marketing lists.

Describe a successful businessman you know.
You should say:
who this person is
how you know this person
how he/she has become so successful
and explain why you consider him/her as a successful business person.

After graduation from university with finance and accounting majors, I was looking for employment. My father knew a friend that had a wholesale and retail pet and animal feed business and he said he would put in a good word for me. I acquired the job and began to realise while working with Bill my employer what makes a successful businessman.


He started small finding wholesale and filling request from friends and relatives. Over the years he expanded his inventory selection into pet supplies and farm equipment. He would identify his customers’ needs and acquire the inventory which he sold at a fair price. He was what many would say was a workaholic putting in long hours at work and social activities.

Bill donated and participated in community activities by supporting local team sports with uniforms and equipment and was a major sponsor of the fall fare and exhibition. He was respected both by his employees and community which is, I believe the measure of success.

Staying in hotels

What things are important when people are choosing a hotel?
Foremost location is the most important consideration for choice of hotel. It must be close or have good transportation to and from places I need to go. The next feature should be a safe, clean .and comfortable premise that fits within my budget.

Why do some people not like staying in hotels?
Many people prefer the comfort and convenience of their home and don’t enjoy an unfamiliar environment. They might miss their friends and family. Additionally, hotels are usually in city centres with traffic congestion and noise.

Do you think staying in a luxury hotel is a waste of money?
Personally, I believe, expensive hotel accommodations are unnecessary for my stay or visit. I only need a hotel room for a limited time to rest and relax. I would prefer to venture out at a restaurant or an attraction.

Working in a hotel

Do you think hotel work is a good career for life?
Hotel management may appeal to many people. Hotel work provides an opportunity to meet many people and provides a sense of satisfaction when assisting tourists.   But it’s not my cup of tea. I prefer to focus on a task without interruption

How does working in a big hotel compare with working in a small hotel
Likely working in a large hotel would give you an opportunity to meet many co-workers. Also, you would have more opportunity for advancement. A small hotel, however, would provide more variety of duties.

What skills are needed to be a successful hotel manager?
Hotel managers meet good communication skills to supervise their employees and handle customer concerns Also, a good manager needs to delegate duties follow-up and encourage employees to complete duties in an effective manner.

https://youtu.be/JVBdlwdvDM0

TEST TWO

PART 1

Languages

• How many languages can you speak?
• How useful will English be to you in your future?
• What do you remember about learning languages at school?
• What do you think would be the hardest language for you to learn?

PART 2

Describe a website that you bought something from.

You should say:
what the website is
what you bought from this website
how satisfied you were with what you bought
and explain what you liked or disliked about using this website

PART 3

Shopping online

What kinds of things do people in your country often buy from online shops?
Why do you think online shopping has become so popular nowadays?
What are some possible disadvantages of buying things from online shops?

The culture of consumerism

Why do many people today keep buying things which they do not need?
Do you believe the benefits of a consumer society outweigh the disadvantages?
How possible is it to avoid the culture of consumerism?

TEST THREE

PART 1

Swimming

• Did you learn to swim when you were a child?
• How often do you go swimming now?
• What places are there for swimming where you live?
• Do you think it would be more enjoyable to go swimming outdoors or at an indoor pool? [Why?]

PART 2

Describe a famous business person that you know about.

You should say:
who this person is
what kind of business this person is involved in
what you know about this business person
and explain what you think of this business person.

PART 3

Famous people today

What kinds of people are most famous in your country today?
Why are there so many stories about famous people in the news?
Do you agree or disagree that many young people today want to be famous?

Advantages of being famous

Do you think it is easy for famous people to earn a lot of money?
Why might famous people enjoy having fans?
In what ways could famous people use their influence to do good things in the world?

TEST FOUR

PART 1

Jewellery

• How often do you wear jewellery?
• What type of jewellery do you like best?
• When do people like to give jewellery in your country?
• Have you ever given jewellery to someone as a gift?

PART 2

Describe an interesting TV programme you watched
about a science topic.

You should say:
what science topic this TV programme was about
when you saw this TV programme
what you learnt from this TV programme about a science topic
and explain why you found this TV programme interesting.

PART 3

Science and the public

How interested are most people in your country in science?
Why do you think children today might be better at science than their parents?
How do you suggest the public can learn more about scientific developments?

Scientific discoveries

What do you think are the most important scientific discoveries in the last 100 years?
Do you agree or disagree that there are no more major scientific discoveries left to make?
Who should pay for scientific research – governments or private companies?

See more model answers for Cambridge IELTS Book 15