Speaking test practice questions
Here are some sample questions and answers.
Examiner: Where are you from?
Candidate: I am from Bhopal. It is the capital of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is famous for its old mosques and monuments.
Examiner: Do you work or study?
Candidate: I am studying. Actually I am doing research in archeology.
Examiner: Why did you choose the subject?
Candidate: Well, history has always fascinated with me. I especially enjoy visiting historical sites and studying the buildings and artefacts. Seeing this interest, my mother suggested that I should pursue higher studies in archeology. I did and now I am absolutely happy with this choice.
Examiner: Do you like walking in a park?
Candidate: I do. There is a park near my apartment. It has lots of tall trees and beautiful flowers. I enjoy walking in this park. It is an oasis in the midst of a concrete jungle.
Examiner: How often do you walk there?
Candidate: I go there every morning. I make it a point to walk for at least 30 minutes a day. As this park is close to my home, I go there every morning to take a walk.
Part 3
Examiner: Which sport is the most popular in your country?
Candidate: In India cricket is the most popular sport. Football also enjoys tremendous popularity, but cricket is a bit like a religion here.
Examiner: Do you think media plays an important role in the popularity of sports?
Candidate: Certainly. In my opinion television has played a tremendous role in popularizing sports. Television makes it possible for people to watch sporting events live. Before live broadcasting became possible, only those who were present in the stadium could enjoy the games. Now billions watch events like World Cup Football from their home. This has certainly made sports more popular.
Examiner: Why do people spend money on watching sports?
Candidate: Well, I think that is because watching an event sitting amidst cheering crowds is an altogether different experience. While it is possible to watch the same event live on television, being present in the stadium is the best way to enjoy it. People also enjoy the opportunity to see their favourite players in person. I also feel that for many people, it is a matter of pride.
When the examiner asks in simple present should we reply the same tense. For example when examiner asks do you work or study? So can we answer I am working instead of I work?
There is little difference between I work and I am working. Generally speaking, when you use the present continuous tense (am working/am studying), you are suggesting that it is temporary. The simple present tense is used to talk about more permanent situations. So, for example, if someone asks me ‘Do you work?’ I am more likely to say, ‘I work at a bank/factory.’ I used the simple present here because jobs are more permanent. Some of us will do the same job for 30 or 40 years. But if someone asks me ‘Do you study?’ I am more likely to say ‘I am studying medicine/law/science at the moment’. Studies typically last 5 or 6 years, so the present continuous seems more appropriate to me. In any case, these differences are insignificant.