IELTS exam questions | Writing and Speaking sections!

IELTS exam questions | An overview! 

Every year over 3 million people sit for the IELTS exam to seek admission to international colleges or migrate abroad for work. Applicants take IELTS Academic or General Training tests based on their purpose. However, it is imperative to learn about the structure and the kind of IELTS exam questions asked in the exam to be fully prepared. 

This blog will particularly cover the details about the sample questions of the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS Academic test. But before that, let’s take a look at the different sections and the structure of the exam. 

IELTS section	Duration	Description
Listening	30 minutes – Computer-based test 40 minutes – Pen-paper-based test	40 questions
Reading	60 minutes	40 questions
Writing	60 minutes	2 tasks
Speaking	11-14 minutes	3 parts

Now that you know about the basic exam pattern, let’s delve deep and learn about the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS exam. 

IELTS exam questions | Writing task 

IELTS Writing Task 1 primarily demands applicants to answer questions about graphs, tables, flowcharts, and diagrams. They are expected to explain and compare data wherever needed. Sometimes, the question also asks candidates to describe a process or a flow of events based on the diagram given. Applicants should write at least 150 words in task one and spend around 20 minutes on this task. 

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires the candidate to compose an essay responding to an argument, request, point of view, or problem. The academic section’s responses must be written in a formal style. Here, applicants must write at least 250 words, and we suggest they complete the task in 40 minutes. 

IELTS Writing task | Sample question 

Writing task 1 

The graph below shows the number of internet and phone users in different months in the year 2019.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Writing task 2 

Some people enjoy spending large sums of money on automobiles, gadgets, and fancy items they do not require. Others believe that it is important to save money for future needs. 

Discuss both points of view and also provide your opinion. 

Write a minimum of 250 words. 

IELTS exam questions | Speaking section 

The IELTS speaking section comprises three parts where-

• Part 1 of the test includes general questions that the candidates need to answer. These questions can range from talking about themselves, family, work, studies, etc. This part lasts for around 4-5 minutes. 
• In Part 2, the candidates are given a card, and they are expected to talk about the topic mentioned on that card. They can prepare for a minute and then speak for around 2 minutes on the topic. The examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions after the candidates are done speaking on the topic. The duration of this part of the test is 3-4 minutes. 
• Part 3 includes a two-way discussion on the questions related to the topics in Parts 1 and 2 of the test. It lasts for around 4-5 minutes. 

Speaking section | Sample questions

Here are some sample questions for you to ace this section- 

Part 1 

1. What do you do in your free or spare time? 
2. Do you enjoy spending your free time with friends or family? 
3. What was your favorite pastime, or what did you do as a kid? 
4. What is the difference between your leisure time during the week and on weekends? 
5. What do people in your city do in their spare or free time? 

Part 2 

Describe an occasion when you spoke with someone for the first time in a foreign language. 

You should say-

• which language you spoke
• when and where it occurred
• who you spoke with
• how did you feel after the conversation

You have 1 minute to prepare your answer.

Part 3 

1. What is your perspective on the importance of children learning a foreign language? 
2. Why are certain language lessons boring, and what can be done to improve them? 
3. Some people travel to learn a new language. Do you believe this is a good reason to travel? 
4. What is the most effective method for learning a foreign language? 
5. Why do certain people learn languages more quickly than others? 

Key takeaways 

• While many students sit for IELTS to get the desired score, only a few make it to the mark. This may be because of some gaps in their strategies, especially in the Writing and Speaking sections.
• One of the best strategies to prepare for the test is to practice the previous year’s IELTS exam questions. It offers you a general concept of the types of questions to expect and assists you in understanding your progress. 
• We advise you to take timed mock tests before your exam to know your strengths and weaknesses and work on them. This will help you be confident during the actual exam.

All the best! 

We hope you found this blog on IELTS exam questions insightful. If you get stuck, have any problems, or are still unsure about taking the test, please contact us or leave a comment below. 

Like this blog? Read next- GRE accepting universities in UK | A handy guide! 

FAQs 

Question 1: Why should I take the IELTS practice exam? 

Answer: Taking the IELTS practice exam will give you an idea about the IELTS exam questions and help you gauge your preparedness for the exam. This way, you will be be able to plan your preparation and strategize the right way to score well.

Question 2: Can I take the IELTS test at home? 

Answer: Yes, according to the most recent IELTS online home examination issued by the IELTS test-conduction organization, you can take this test online from the comfort of your own house, provided you have the equipment and internet access set up as instructed by IELTS officials. 

Question 3: What is the IELTS examination score range? 

Answer: IELTS scores range from 0 to 9, and you can easily compute your test score using an IELTS score calculator to assess your language proficiency.