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Barrons IELTS Practice Exams General Training Speaking Test 2 (Online Test)

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Model answer notes

Built from each question on this page — a shape to follow and some phrases to borrow, not a script to memorise. Examiners mark you down for answers that sound learned by heart.

Part 1 · Question 1

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.

Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.

Pick up and paraphrase: pairs, shoes

  • To be honest, …
  • …, which is something I have always found useful.
  • The main reason for that is …

Part 1 · Question 2

What kind of shoes are you wearing today?

Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.

Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.

Pick up and paraphrase: shoes, wearing, today

  • What springs to mind is …
  • …, and that is fairly typical where I am from.
  • If I had to pick one, it would be …

Part 1 · Question 3

Where do you buy your shoes?

Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.

Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.

Pick up and paraphrase: shoes

  • It depends, but generally …
  • …, whereas ten years ago it was quite different.
  • A good example of that would be …

Part 1 · Question 4

Is comfort or appearance more important to you in a pair of shoes?

Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.

Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.

Pick up and paraphrase: comfort, appearance, important

  • I would say so, yes, mainly because …
  • …, at least that has been my experience.
  • On the other hand, some people would argue …

Part 1 · Question 5

Do people take their shoes off indoors in your country?

Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.

Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.

Pick up and paraphrase: shoes, indoors, country

  • Not particularly, no — the thing is …
  • …, which makes a real difference day to day.
  • That said, I can see why others might …

Part 1 · Question 6

Do shoes tell you much about a person?

Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.

Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.

Pick up and paraphrase: shoes

  • To be honest, …
  • …, which is something I have always found useful.
  • The main reason for that is …

Part 1 · Question 7

What kind of things make you laugh?

Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.

Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.

Pick up and paraphrase: laugh

  • What springs to mind is …
  • …, and that is fairly typical where I am from.
  • If I had to pick one, it would be …

Part 1 · Question 8

Who is the funniest person you know?

Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.

Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.

Pick up and paraphrase: funniest

  • It depends, but generally …
  • …, whereas ten years ago it was quite different.
  • A good example of that would be …

Part 2 · Question 9

Describe a game that you enjoy playing.

Aim for 180–220 words — the full two-minute long turn.

Use the one minute of preparation to jot a word per bullet. Take the bullets in the order they are printed, spend the most time on the last one, and close by answering the final line of the card. Keep talking until the examiner stops you.

Pick up and paraphrase: enjoy, playing, usually

  • I would say so, yes, mainly because …
  • …, at least that has been my experience.
  • On the other hand, some people would argue …

Part 3 · Question 10

Why are games so appealing to people of every age?

Aim for 80–110 words, roughly 40–60 seconds.

Give your position, justify it, illustrate it with a general example rather than a personal story, then acknowledge the other side. Part 3 rewards discussion, not autobiography.

Pick up and paraphrase: games, appealing

  • Not particularly, no — the thing is …
  • …, which makes a real difference day to day.
  • That said, I can see why others might …

Part 3 · Question 11

How much free time should young people spend in front of screens?

Aim for 80–110 words, roughly 40–60 seconds.

Give your position, justify it, illustrate it with a general example rather than a personal story, then acknowledge the other side. Part 3 rewards discussion, not autobiography.

Pick up and paraphrase: young, spend, front

  • To be honest, …
  • …, which is something I have always found useful.
  • The main reason for that is …

Part 3 · Question 12

Are competitive games good for children's development?

Aim for 80–110 words, roughly 40–60 seconds.

Give your position, justify it, illustrate it with a general example rather than a personal story, then acknowledge the other side. Part 3 rewards discussion, not autobiography.

Pick up and paraphrase: competitive, games, children's

  • What springs to mind is …
  • …, and that is fairly typical where I am from.
  • If I had to pick one, it would be …

Part 3 · Question 13

What skills can someone pick up from playing games regularly?

Aim for 80–110 words, roughly 40–60 seconds.

Give your position, justify it, illustrate it with a general example rather than a personal story, then acknowledge the other side. Part 3 rewards discussion, not autobiography.

Pick up and paraphrase: skills, playing, games

  • It depends, but generally …
  • …, whereas ten years ago it was quite different.
  • A good example of that would be …
Part 1
Answer questions 1–8
Question 1:
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 2:
What kind of shoes are you wearing today?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 3:
Where do you buy your shoes?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 4:
Is comfort or appearance more important to you in a pair of shoes?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 5:
Do people take their shoes off indoors in your country?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 6:
Do shoes tell you much about a person?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 7:
What kind of things make you laugh?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 8:
Who is the funniest person you know?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 9:
Describe a game that you enjoy playing.
You should say:
  • what kind of game it is
  • who you usually play it with
  • how often you play
and explain why you find it enjoyable.
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 10:
Why are games so appealing to people of every age?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 11:
How much free time should young people spend in front of screens?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 12:
Are competitive games good for children's development?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 13:
What skills can someone pick up from playing games regularly?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s