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Cambridge IELTS 05 Academic Speaking Test 4 (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

When did you last eat in a restaurant?

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: restaurant

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

Part 1 · Question 2

Who chooses the restaurant when you go out?

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: chooses, restaurant

  • 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 book a table in advance?

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: table, advance

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

Part 1 · Question 4

What kind of restaurant would you take a visitor to?

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: restaurant, visitor

  • 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 something you ordered online and were pleased with.

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: ordered, online, pleased

  • 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 trustworthy are the customer reviews people rely on when shopping?

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: trustworthy, customer, reviews

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

Part 3 · Question 7

What has the growth of online shopping done to town centres?

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: growth, online, shopping

  • 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

Why is it so easy to spend more than you intended on a website?

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: spend, intended, website

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

Part 3 · Question 9

Are delivery drivers treated fairly in your country?

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: delivery, drivers, treated

  • 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

What do shoppers lose by never handling a product before buying it?

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: shoppers, handling, product

  • 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

Which kinds of shops will survive the shift to buying online?

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: kinds, shops, survive

  • 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:
When did you last eat in a restaurant?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 2:
Who chooses the restaurant when you go out?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 3:
Do you book a table in advance?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 4:
What kind of restaurant would you take a visitor to?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 5:
Describe something you ordered online and were pleased with.
You should say:
  • what you ordered
  • why you bought it online rather than in a shop
  • how long it took to arrive
and explain why you were pleased with it.
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 6:
How trustworthy are the customer reviews people rely on when shopping?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 7:
What has the growth of online shopping done to town centres?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 8:
Why is it so easy to spend more than you intended on a website?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 9:
Are delivery drivers treated fairly in your country?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 10:
What do shoppers lose by never handling a product before buying it?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s
Question 11:
Which kinds of shops will survive the shift to buying online?
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0 words
Speaking Time: 0s