IELTS speaking part 2 and part 3: Sample questions and answers

Speaking part 2

In the second part of the IELTS speaking test, you will be asked to talk about a topic for one or two minutes. Here is a sample topic.

Examiner: Describe a skill you have learned successfully.

Candidate: I will talk about driving. I think it is the most important skill I have learned. I have been driving since I was 18. I learned this skill from my dad who owned two cars. I grew up in a small village which was several miles away from the town. When I was a child, dad would always drop me at school in his car. I have always had a fascination for cars. I learnt to drive when I was 16 and got my license 3 years later. Learning driving was fun, but I could not pass the driving test the first time, so I enrolled in a driving school. I think it was the professional coaching I received from this school that helped me to become a good driver. Today, I drive every day. My home is a long way away from my office. I am happy that I can drive because I don’t have to depend on public transport which is not always reliable.

Speaking Part 3

In the part 3, you will be asked some general questions about the topic you discussed in part 2. Here are some sample questions.

Examiner: What qualities should a trainer have?

Candidate: Well, in my opinion, a trainer needs to have a lot of patience. Some people learn fast; some need more time. If the trainer rushes through the lessons and activities, only fast learners will be able to pick up. Another important characteristic is the ability to explain things well.

Examiner: Some companies invest a lot of money in training. Why is this so?

Candidate: Well, I think the companies that want to maintain their competitive advantage are also the ones that invest a lot of money in training. Nowadays many jobs require specialist skills. It is, therefore, essential for companies to provide their employees with the training they need to perform their roles efficiently. Training also enhances the skills of employees and makes them more employable in the future.