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Cambridge IELTS 04 General Training Speaking Test 1 (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

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

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

Part 1 · Question 2

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

  • 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

Do you laugh more when you're with other people?

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, you're

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

Part 1 · Question 4

Do you enjoy comedy programmes?

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: enjoy, comedy, programmes

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

Part 2 · Question 5

Describe a time when you were unwell and then got better.

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: unwell, better, wrong

  • 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 6

How does a period of illness change the way someone views their own health?

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: period, illness, change

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

Part 3 · Question 7

What makes people delay seeing a doctor when they know something is wrong?

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: makes, delay, seeing

  • 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 8

How well does the health system in your country serve people in remote areas?

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: health, system, country

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

Part 3 · Question 9

Should medical care always be free at the point of use?

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: medical, point

  • 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

In what ways has the relationship between doctors and patients changed?

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: relationship, between, doctors

  • 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 might treatment at home replace time spent in hospital in future?

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: might, treatment, replace

  • To be honest, …
  • …, which is something I have always found useful.
  • The main reason for that is …
Part 1
Answer questions 1–4
Question 1:
What kind of things make you laugh?
Click the mic icon to start recording...
0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 2:
Who is the funniest person you know?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 3:
Do you laugh more when you're with other people?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 4:
Do you enjoy comedy programmes?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 5:
Describe a time when you were unwell and then got better.
You should say:
  • what was wrong
  • how long it lasted
  • who looked after you
and explain what helped you recover.
Click the mic icon to start recording...
0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 6:
How does a period of illness change the way someone views their own health?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 7:
What makes people delay seeing a doctor when they know something is wrong?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 8:
How well does the health system in your country serve people in remote areas?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 9:
Should medical care always be free at the point of use?
Click the mic icon to start recording...
0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 10:
In what ways has the relationship between doctors and patients changed?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 11:
How might treatment at home replace time spent in hospital in future?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s