IELTS Speaking — Practice Test 16
Theme: history, museums & old buildings. Press “Ask” to hear the examiner’s question, record your answer, then compare with three sample answers (Band 9, 7 and 5–6) — each explained in Bangla — and grade yourself. নিজের উত্তর রেকর্ড করে ব্যান্ড ৯/৭/৫ নমুনার সাথে মিলিয়ে দেখো।
How this works — কীভাবে দেবে
- The whole test takes 11–14 minutes: Part 1 (4–5 min), Part 2 (3–4 min), Part 3 (4–5 min). পুরো টেস্ট ১১–১৪ মিনিট।
- Speaking is marked by a human. Record yourself, listen back, compare with the Band 9 / 7 / 5–6 samples, and use the checklist. নিজের রেকর্ডিং শুনে নমুনা ও চেকলিস্ট দিয়ে যাচাই করো।
- The Record button needs microphone permission. Your recording stays in your browser. রেকর্ডিং শুধু ব্রাউজারেই থাকে।
- Answer before reading the samples; don’t memorise. নমুনা দেখার আগে নিজে উত্তর দাও।
Part 1 — Introduction & interview
4–5 minutes · everyday questions about you
Keep answers to 2–3 sentences — give a reason or an example. প্রতিটি উত্তর ২–৩ বাক্য।
Topic: History
1. Did you like studying history at school?
2. What period of history interests you most?
3. Do you watch historical films or documentaries?
4. Is it important to know about history?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. Not especially, to be honest. It was taught mostly as a list of dates to memorise, so it felt quite dry. It was only later, reading on my own, that I realised how fascinating it can be.
2. I’m drawn to the Liberation War of 1971, partly because my grandfather lived through it and his stories bring it to life in a way textbooks never could.
3. Quite often. I find a good documentary is a painless way to learn, and some historical dramas are brilliant, although I take their accuracy with a pinch of salt.
4. Definitely. Understanding where a country has come from helps explain why things are the way they are today, and it can stop us repeating the same mistakes.
Band 7
1. Not really. We mostly memorised dates, so it was boring. Later, when I read about history myself, I found it very interesting.
2. I am interested in the Liberation War of 1971, because my grandfather lived through it and his stories make it feel real.
3. Yes, quite often. Documentaries are an easy way to learn, and some historical dramas are very good, but they are not always accurate.
4. Yes, very important. Knowing our history helps us understand the present and avoid making the same mistakes again.
Band 5–6
1. Not really. We only memorise date so it was boring. Later i read myself and find it interesting.
2. I am interest in Liberation War 1971 because my grandfather live in that time and his story make it real.
3. Yes quite often. Documentary is easy way for learn and some drama is very good but not always correct.
4. Yes very important. Know history help us understand present and not make same mistake.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detail | very short | reason added | reason + example |
| Grammar | frequent errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | basic, repeated | adequate | wide, precise |
Topic: Museums
1. Do you often visit museums?
2. What was the last museum you went to?
3. Were you taken to museums as a child?
4. Should museums be free to enter?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. Not as often as I should. I tend to visit when friends or relatives come to stay, which is a bit of a shame, because there are some excellent ones in Dhaka.
2. The Liberation War Museum, a few months ago. It’s incredibly moving — the personal belongings and letters on display make the history feel very human.
3. Yes, on school trips mostly. I remember being far more interested in the gift shop than the exhibits, which I think is fairly typical for a ten-year-old!
4. Ideally, yes, or at least very cheap, because heritage belongs to everyone. That said, museums need funding, so perhaps free entry for students and a small charge for tourists would be fair.
Band 7
1. Not very often. I usually go when relatives visit, which is a pity, because there are some excellent museums in Dhaka.
2. The Liberation War Museum, a few months ago. It is very moving, because you can see personal things and letters from that time.
3. Yes, mostly on school trips. I remember I was more interested in the gift shop than the exhibits!
4. I think they should be free or very cheap, because history belongs to everyone. But museums need money, so maybe students could enter free and tourists could pay.
Band 5–6
1. Not very often. I go when relative visit, it is pity because Dhaka have good museum.
2. Liberation War Museum some month ago. It is very emotional, you can see personal thing and letter.
3. Yes in school trip. I remember i like gift shop more than exhibit!
4. I think free or cheap because history is for everyone. But museum need money so student free and tourist pay.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detail | very short | reason added | reason + example |
| Grammar | frequent errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | basic, repeated | adequate | wide, precise |
Topic: Old buildings
1. Are there many old buildings in your city?
2. Do you prefer old or modern buildings?
3. Should old buildings be preserved?
4. Would you like to live in an old house?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. Yes, particularly in Old Dhaka, where there are Mughal-era mosques, colonial mansions and narrow lanes that haven’t changed much in a century.
2. Old ones, generally. They have so much more character — the carved woodwork, the courtyards, the thick walls that keep them cool. Many modern blocks look identical.
3. The important ones, absolutely. Once they’re demolished, they’re gone forever. Unfortunately, a lot have been torn down to make way for flats, which I think is a real loss.
4. In theory, yes, it sounds romantic. In practice, though, old houses can be damp and expensive to repair, so I’d probably want one that had been carefully modernised inside.
Band 7
1. Yes, especially in Old Dhaka, where there are Mughal mosques, old mansions and narrow streets that have not changed much.
2. I prefer old ones. They have more character, with wooden carvings and courtyards, and the thick walls keep them cool. Many modern buildings look the same.
3. The important ones, yes. When they are destroyed, they are lost forever. Sadly, many have been knocked down to build flats.
4. It sounds nice, but old houses can be damp and expensive to repair, so I would prefer one that has been modernised inside.
Band 5–6
1. Yes specially in Old Dhaka there is Mughal mosque, old mansion and narrow street which not change much.
2. I prefer old. It have more character, wood design and courtyard and thick wall keep it cool. Modern building look same.
3. Important one yes. When it destroy it is lost forever. Sadly many is broken for build flat.
4. It sound nice but old house can be damp and expensive for repair so i prefer modern inside.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detail | very short | reason added | reason + example |
| Grammar | frequent errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | basic, repeated | adequate | wide, precise |
Part 2 — Long turn (cue card)
3–4 minutes · 1 minute to prepare, then talk for 2 minutes
Task card
Describe a historical place that you have visited.
You should say:
- what the place is
- where it is
- when you went there and who with
and explain what you learned or felt during the visit.
Recording starts automatically and stops at 2 minutes (press the button again to stop early). রেকর্ডিং নিজে থেকে শুরু হয় ও ২ মিনিটে থামে।
💡 How to build a strong 2-minute answer · গঠন
Cover all four points. Give a short description of the place and a little history, then talk about your visit (past tense) and end with what you learned or felt.
Useful phrases: The place I’d like to describe is… · It dates back to… · What struck me most was… · It made me realise…
✅ Long turn at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations try your own first!
Band 9 ~2 minutes
The place I’d like to describe is Paharpur, or Somapura Mahavihara, which is the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery in Naogaon district, in the north-west of Bangladesh.
It dates back to the eighth century, and at its height it was one of the largest monasteries south of the Himalayas, with students coming from as far away as China and Tibet. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What survives is an enormous square courtyard surrounded by the remains of over a hundred monks’ cells, with a huge, terraced brick temple rising in the middle.
I visited it about three years ago on a trip with my cousins during the winter holidays. We drove up from Bogura early in the morning, and there was still a light mist hanging over the fields when we arrived, which gave the whole place an almost mysterious atmosphere.
What struck me most was the terracotta plaques on the temple walls. There are hundreds of them, showing animals, musicians and scenes from everyday life, and it’s astonishing to think that someone carved them by hand more than a thousand years ago.
I think the visit made me realise how rich and diverse the history of this region is. At school we hardly learned anything about this period, so it was quite humbling to discover that my own country was once a major centre of learning. I came away feeling proud, and also determined to read more about our past.
Band 7 ~1.5–2 minutes
The place I would like to describe is Paharpur, which is the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery in Naogaon, in the north-west of Bangladesh.
It was built in the eighth century, and it was one of the biggest monasteries in South Asia, with students coming from countries like China and Tibet. Now it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a large square courtyard with the remains of more than a hundred small rooms for monks, and a big brick temple in the middle.
I visited it about three years ago with my cousins during the winter holidays. We drove from Bogura early in the morning, and there was some mist over the fields, so it looked quite mysterious.
The thing I remember most is the terracotta plaques on the temple walls. There are hundreds of them, showing animals, musicians and daily life, and it is amazing that people made them by hand so long ago.
The visit showed me that our region has a very rich history. We did not learn much about this at school, so I felt proud of my country and decided to read more about our past.
Band 5–6 ~1–1.5 minutes
The place i want to describe is Paharpur. It is ruin of old Buddhist monastery in Naogaon in north-west Bangladesh.
It was made in eighth century and it was one of biggest monastery in South Asia, student come from China and Tibet. Now it is UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is big square courtyard with more than hundred small room for monk and big brick temple in middle.
I visit it three year ago with my cousin in winter holiday. We go from Bogura early morning and there was fog in field so it look mysterious.
I remember most the terracotta plaque in temple wall. There is hundred of them with animal, musician and daily life, it is amazing people make by hand long time ago.
The visit show me our region have rich history. In school we don’t learn much so i feel proud and want learn more.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length / fluency | hard to reach 2 min | near 2 min | full 2 min, fluent |
| Learned / felt | one line | clear but short | reflection + feelings |
| Grammar | frequent errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | simple, repeated | good range | wide, precise |
Follow-up questions: “Do many tourists visit this place?” · “Would you recommend it to foreign visitors?” Try answering these too. এই ফলো-আপ প্রশ্নগুলোরও উত্তর দাও।
Part 3 — Discussion
4–5 minutes · deeper questions about history & heritage
Answers here should be longer and more developed — opinion, reason, and often the other side too. উত্তর আরও দীর্ঘ।
1. Why do some people find history boring?
2. Should governments spend money on preserving historical sites?
3. How can museums attract more young people?
4. Is it better to learn history from books or by visiting places?
5. Can we really learn lessons from history?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. Largely because of the way it’s taught. When history is reduced to names and dates for an exam, it loses all its human drama. If students explored real stories — how ordinary people lived, what they feared and hoped for — I think most would find it gripping.
2. Yes, I think it’s money well spent. Historical sites are part of a nation’s identity, and once they’re lost they can’t be replaced. They also attract tourists, so they can generate income. The challenge is balancing that against urgent needs like healthcare.
3. By making them more interactive. Young people are used to screens and participation, so things like touchscreens, virtual reality reconstructions and hands-on workshops could help. Social media campaigns and evening events with music might also change the image of museums as dusty and dull.
4. Ideally, a combination of both. Books give you the context and detail, but standing in the place itself creates an emotional connection that no textbook can match. Visiting tends to make the facts stick.
5. I believe we can, although we don’t always choose to. History shows clear patterns — for example, how economic crises can fuel extremism — so it gives us valuable warnings. The problem is that each generation tends to think its situation is unique.
Band 7
1. Mostly because of how it is taught. When students only memorise names and dates, history is boring. If they learned real stories about how ordinary people lived, I think they would enjoy it.
2. Yes, I think so. Historical sites are part of a country’s identity, and if they are lost, they cannot be replaced. They also attract tourists and bring money. But the government must also spend on important things like hospitals.
3. They could be more interactive, with touchscreens, virtual reality and workshops. They could also use social media and organise evening events, so young people do not think museums are boring.
4. Both are useful. Books give details and background, but visiting a place makes you feel connected to it, and it helps you remember the facts.
5. Yes, but we do not always do it. History shows patterns, for example how economic problems can lead to extremism, so it gives us warnings. However, people often think their situation is different.
Band 5–6
1. Because of teaching style. When student only memorise name and date history is boring. If they learn real story about normal people, they enjoy.
2. Yes i think. Historical site is part of country identity and if it lost it cannot replace. Also tourist come and bring money. But government also need spend for hospital.
3. They can be more interactive with touchscreen, virtual reality and workshop. Also use social media and evening event so young people not think museum is boring.
4. Both is useful. Book give detail but visit place make you feel connected and help remember.
5. Yes but we not always do. History show pattern, example economic problem make extremism, so it give warning. But people think their situation is different.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development | opinion only | opinion + reason | opinion + reason + other side |
| Grammar | frequent errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | simple, repeated | good range | wide, precise |
Grade yourself — the 4 speaking criteria
Listen back to your recordings and tick each statement that is true. নিজের রেকর্ডিং শুনে প্রতিটি সত্য বাক্যে টিক দাও।