IELTS Speaking — Practice Test 17
Theme: time, routines & busy lives. 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: Daily routine
1. What is your daily routine like?
2. Are you a morning person or an evening person?
3. Has your routine changed recently?
4. What part of the day do you like best?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. On weekdays it’s fairly predictable. I get up around six, have a quick breakfast, and I’m on the metro by seven-thirty. Classes run until mid-afternoon, then I study at the library and usually get home around eight.
2. Definitely a morning person. My mind is at its sharpest first thing, so I try to tackle the hardest tasks before lunch. By ten at night I’m practically useless.
3. Quite a bit, since I started preparing for IELTS. I’ve had to squeeze in an extra hour of practice every evening, which means I’ve cut back on social media quite drastically.
4. Early morning, before the city wakes up. It’s cool and quiet, and having a cup of tea on the balcony while everyone else is still asleep is my little moment of peace.
Band 7
1. On weekdays it is quite regular. I get up at six, have breakfast, and take the metro at seven-thirty. I have classes until the afternoon, then I study in the library and get home at about eight.
2. I am a morning person. I can concentrate best in the morning, so I do difficult tasks before lunch. At night I get tired quickly.
3. Yes, since I started preparing for IELTS. I practise for an extra hour every evening, so I spend much less time on social media.
4. Early morning, because it is cool and quiet. I enjoy drinking tea on the balcony before everyone wakes up.
Band 5–6
1. In weekday it is regular. I wake up six, have breakfast and take metro seven-thirty. I have class until afternoon then study in library and come home eight.
2. I am morning person. I can concentrate good in morning so i do difficult work before lunch. In night i become tired.
3. Yes from i start IELTS preparation. I practise extra one hour every evening so i use less social media.
4. Early morning because it is cool and quiet. I enjoy drink tea in balcony before everybody wake up.
| 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: Being on time
1. Are you usually on time?
2. How do you feel when other people are late?
3. Do you wear a watch?
4. Is punctuality important in your culture?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. I try to be, although Dhaka traffic doesn’t always cooperate! I’ve learned to leave at least half an hour earlier than I think I need to, just to be on the safe side.
2. It depends on the situation. If it’s a friend and the traffic’s bad, I’m fairly understanding. But if someone keeps me waiting for an hour without even sending a message, I find it quite disrespectful.
3. Not any more. I used to wear one my father gave me, but these days I just check the time on my phone, like most people my age.
4. Officially, yes, but in everyday life people are quite relaxed about it. There’s even a joke about “Bangladeshi time”, meaning an event that starts at seven might really begin at eight.
Band 7
1. I try to be, but the traffic in Dhaka makes it difficult. I usually leave thirty minutes earlier than necessary, just in case.
2. It depends. If a friend is late because of traffic, I understand. But if someone makes me wait for an hour without a message, I think it is rude.
3. Not anymore. I used to wear one from my father, but now I check the time on my phone, like most young people.
4. In theory, yes, but in daily life people are quite relaxed. People joke about “Bangladeshi time”, which means a seven o’clock event may start at eight.
Band 5–6
1. I try but Dhaka traffic make it difficult. I leave thirty minute early just in case.
2. It depend. If friend late for traffic i understand. But if someone make me wait one hour without message, it is rude.
3. Not anymore. Before i wear watch from my father but now i check time in phone like most young people.
4. In theory yes but in daily life people is relax. People say “Bangladeshi time”, seven o’clock event start at eight.
| 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: Free time
1. How much free time do you have?
2. What do you usually do in your free time?
3. Do you think you use your time well?
4. Would you like more free time?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. Not a great deal during term — maybe an hour or two in the evening and part of Friday. In the holidays it’s a different story, and I sometimes struggle to fill the time.
2. I’m quite a homebody, so I mostly read, watch series or cook something new. Once a week I meet friends for tea and adda — long, aimless chats that can go on for hours.
3. Not always, to be honest. I can easily lose an hour scrolling through my phone without noticing. I’ve started using an app that limits my screen time, which has helped a bit.
4. Who wouldn’t? But I think what I really need is to use the time I already have more wisely, rather than simply having more of it.
Band 7
1. Not much during term — maybe one or two hours in the evening and some of Friday. In the holidays I have much more.
2. I usually stay at home and read, watch series or cook something new. Once a week I meet friends for tea and a long chat.
3. Not always. I sometimes waste an hour on my phone without noticing. Now I use an app to limit my screen time, and it helps.
4. Of course. But I think I need to use my time better, not just have more of it.
Band 5–6
1. Not much in term time, maybe one or two hour in evening and some Friday. In holiday i have more.
2. I stay home and read, watch series or cook new thing. One time in week i meet friend for tea and chat.
3. Not always. Sometime i waste one hour in phone. Now i use app for limit screen time and it help.
4. Of course. But i think i need use time better not only more time.
| 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 time when you were very busy.
You should say:
- when it was
- what you had to do
- how you managed your time
and explain how you felt during this busy period.
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. List the tasks clearly, explain your strategy (lists, priorities, cutting things out), and describe your feelings at the time and afterwards.
Useful phrases: I’d like to talk about… · On top of that,… · The only way I could cope was… · Looking back,…
✅ Long turn at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations try your own first!
Band 9 ~2 minutes
I’d like to talk about the last month of my final year at university, which was without a doubt the busiest period of my life so far. It was around April last year.
I had an almost absurd number of things to do at the same time. My final exams were coming up, I had to submit my undergraduate thesis, and on top of that, I’d agreed to help organise my cousin’s wedding, which was scheduled for the week after the exams. As if that wasn’t enough, I was also tutoring two school students in the evenings to earn some money.
The only way I could cope was by becoming extremely organised, which doesn’t come naturally to me. Every Sunday I wrote out a timetable for the week, broken down hour by hour, and I prioritised ruthlessly — the thesis and exams came first, and anything that wasn’t urgent was simply postponed. I also had to learn to say no, which was hard. I turned down invitations, deleted social media from my phone for the whole month, and even delegated some wedding tasks to my younger brother.
Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster. There were days when I felt completely overwhelmed and wondered how I would ever get through it, and I definitely lost some sleep.
But looking back, I’m actually quite proud of how I handled it. I submitted the thesis on time, did well in my exams, and the wedding went smoothly. More importantly, I learned time-management skills that I still use every day.
Band 7 ~1.5–2 minutes
I would like to talk about the last month of my final year at university, which was the busiest time of my life. It was in April last year.
I had a lot to do at the same time. I had my final exams, I had to submit my thesis, and I had also agreed to help organise my cousin’s wedding the week after the exams. I was also teaching two school students in the evenings to earn money.
To manage, I became very organised. Every Sunday I made a timetable for the week, and I decided what was most important — the thesis and exams came first, and I did other things later. I also learned to say no. I refused invitations, deleted social media from my phone for a month, and asked my younger brother to help with some wedding tasks.
I had mixed feelings. Some days I felt very stressed and did not know how I would finish everything, and I did not sleep much.
But now I feel proud. I submitted the thesis on time, did well in my exams, and the wedding was successful. I also learned how to manage my time.
Band 5–6 ~1–1.5 minutes
I want to talk about last month of my final year in university. It was most busy time in my life, in April last year.
I have many work same time. I have final exam, i must submit thesis and also i help organise my cousin wedding one week after exam. Also i teach two student in evening for money.
For manage i become very organise. Every Sunday i make timetable for week and decide what is important, thesis and exam is first and other thing later. I also learn to say no. I delete social media from phone one month and my younger brother help in wedding work.
I feel very stress some day and don’t know how i finish everything and i don’t sleep much.
But now i feel proud. I submit thesis on time, do good in exam and wedding was successful. I also learn time management.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length / fluency | hard to reach 2 min | near 2 min | full 2 min, fluent |
| Strategy explained | vague | clear steps | specific steps + results |
| Grammar (past tenses) | frequent errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | simple, repeated | good range | wide, idiomatic |
Follow-up questions: “Do you work better under pressure?” · “What do you do to relax after a busy day?” Try answering these too. এই ফলো-আপ প্রশ্নগুলোরও উত্তর দাও।
Part 3 — Discussion
4–5 minutes · deeper questions about time, work & modern life
Answers here should be longer and more developed — opinion, reason, and often the other side too. উত্তর আরও দীর্ঘ।
1. Why do people seem busier today than in the past?
2. Is it important to have a work–life balance?
3. Should schools teach time management?
4. Do people waste too much time on their phones?
5. Would a four-day working week be a good idea?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. Partly because technology has blurred the line between work and home. With emails and messaging apps, people are expected to be available around the clock. There’s also greater pressure to achieve — to have a career, a side hustle and an active social life all at once.
2. Absolutely. Without one, people burn out, their health suffers and, ironically, they become less productive. Employers are slowly recognising this, but in many companies long hours are still seen as a sign of commitment.
3. I think it would be enormously useful. Many students struggle not because they lack ability but because they can’t organise themselves. Simple techniques like breaking tasks into smaller steps and prioritising could make a real difference, and these skills last a lifetime.
4. Many do, myself included at times. Apps are deliberately designed to be addictive, so it’s not simply a question of willpower. That said, phones also save us a great deal of time — banking, shopping and directions are all instant now — so it’s about how we use them.
5. It has a lot of potential. Trials in several countries suggest that people are just as productive in four days and much happier. However, it might be difficult for sectors like healthcare or retail, which need staff every day, so it would probably have to be introduced flexibly.
Band 7
1. Partly because of technology. With emails and messaging apps, people are expected to answer all the time, even at home. There is also more pressure to be successful in many areas at once.
2. Yes, very important. Without it, people get exhausted, their health gets worse, and they become less productive. Some companies understand this, but many still think long hours show hard work.
3. Yes, I think it would be very useful. Many students have problems because they cannot organise their time, not because they are not clever. Simple skills like planning and prioritising could help them all their lives.
4. Yes, many people do. Apps are designed to be addictive, so it is not easy to stop. However, phones also save time, for example for banking and shopping, so it depends on how we use them.
5. I think it could be good. Some trials show that people are just as productive in four days and happier. But it might be difficult for hospitals or shops, which need workers every day.
Band 5–6
1. Because of technology. With email and messaging app people must answer all time even at home. Also more pressure to be successful.
2. Yes very important. Without it people become tired, health become bad and they work less good. Some company understand but many think long hour mean hard work.
3. Yes it is useful. Many student have problem because they can’t organise time, not because not clever. Planning skill can help all life.
4. Yes many people. App is made to be addictive so not easy to stop. But phone also save time for bank and shopping, so it depend how we use.
5. I think it can be good. Some test show people work same in four day and more happy. But difficult for hospital and shop because they need worker every day.
| 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।