IELTS Speaking — Practice Test 18
Theme: gifts, celebrations & helping others. 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: Gifts
1. Do you like giving gifts?
2. What was the last gift you received?
3. Is it hard to choose gifts for people?
4. Do you prefer to give money or a present?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. I really do — probably more than receiving them. There’s something very satisfying about seeing someone’s face light up when you’ve picked exactly the right thing.
2. A fountain pen from my aunt when I passed my HSC exams. It’s beautifully made, and although I rarely use it, it means a lot because she chose it so carefully.
3. Sometimes, especially for people who seem to have everything already. With close friends it’s easier because I know their tastes, but older relatives can be a real challenge.
4. A present, generally, because it shows you’ve put some thought into it. That said, at weddings in Bangladesh money is often the more practical gift, since the couple can spend it on what they actually need.
Band 7
1. Yes, I do, maybe more than receiving them. I love seeing people look happy when I choose the right thing.
2. A fountain pen from my aunt when I passed my HSC exams. It is very nice, and although I do not use it often, it is special because she chose it carefully.
3. Sometimes, especially for people who already have everything. It is easy for close friends, but it is difficult for older relatives.
4. Usually a present, because it shows you thought about it. But at weddings money is often more useful, because the couple can buy what they need.
Band 5–6
1. Yes i do, maybe more than receive. I love when people look happy for my gift.
2. Fountain pen from my aunt when i pass HSC exam. It is very nice and it is special because she choose carefully.
3. Sometime, specially for people who have everything. For close friend easy but older relative difficult.
4. Usually present because it show you think about it. But in wedding money is more useful because couple can buy what they need.
| 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: Celebrations
1. How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
2. What is the most important festival in your country?
3. Do you enjoy big parties?
4. Have celebrations changed since you were a child?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. Fairly quietly. My mother always cooks my favourite dishes, and in the evening a few close friends come round for cake. I’m not one for big fuss.
2. Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest, after a month of fasting, but Pohela Boishakh — Bengali New Year — is probably the one that brings absolutely everyone together, whatever their religion.
3. In small doses. I enjoy the atmosphere for an hour or two, but after that I find the noise draining and start looking for a quiet corner to chat with one or two people.
4. Quite a lot. They’ve become much more elaborate and expensive, partly because of social media — everyone wants the perfect photos. When I was little, celebrations were simpler but somehow felt more personal.
Band 7
1. Quite quietly. My mother cooks my favourite food, and in the evening some close friends come over for cake. I do not like a big party.
2. Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest, after a month of fasting, but Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, brings everyone together, whatever their religion.
3. Only for a short time. I enjoy the atmosphere for an hour or two, but then the noise makes me tired, and I prefer to talk quietly with one or two people.
4. Yes, a lot. They are bigger and more expensive now, partly because of social media, because everyone wants nice photos. When I was a child, celebrations were simpler but more personal.
Band 5–6
1. Quite quiet. My mother cook my favourite food and evening some close friend come for cake. I don’t like big party.
2. Eid-ul-Fitr is biggest after one month fasting, but Pohela Boishakh, Bengali New Year, bring everyone together.
3. Only short time. I enjoy one or two hour but then noise make me tired and i prefer talk with one or two people.
4. Yes a lot. Now it is bigger and more expensive for social media, everyone want nice photo. In my childhood it was simple but more personal.
| 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: Helping others
1. Do you often help other people?
2. Have you ever done any volunteer work?
3. Who helped you most when you were growing up?
4. Do you think people help each other less nowadays?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. I like to think so. Mostly it’s small things — helping my neighbour carry shopping up the stairs, or explaining maths problems to my younger cousins.
2. Yes, during the floods in Sylhet a couple of years ago, I joined a student group that collected and packed relief supplies. It was exhausting but incredibly rewarding.
3. My grandmother, without question. She practically raised me while my parents were at work, and she taught me most of the values I live by today.
4. In big cities, perhaps a little, because people are busier and don’t know their neighbours. But whenever there’s a disaster, you see an incredible outpouring of generosity, so I don’t think the spirit has disappeared.
Band 7
1. I think so. Usually small things, like helping my neighbour carry shopping or helping my younger cousins with maths.
2. Yes, during the floods in Sylhet two years ago, I joined a student group that collected and packed relief goods. It was tiring but very rewarding.
3. My grandmother. She looked after me while my parents were at work, and she taught me many important values.
4. Maybe a little in big cities, because people are busy and do not know their neighbours. But when there is a disaster, many people help, so I think people are still kind.
Band 5–6
1. I think yes. Small thing like help neighbour carry bag or help my cousin with maths.
2. Yes in Sylhet flood two year ago i join student group, we collect and pack relief. It was tiring but very good feeling.
3. My grandmother. She look after me when my parents work and she teach me many value.
4. Maybe little in big city because people is busy and don’t know neighbour. But in disaster many people help so people is still kind.
| 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 gift you gave to someone.
You should say:
- what the gift was
- who you gave it to
- why you chose this gift
and explain how the person reacted when they received it.
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. Explain the occasion, how you chose the gift (the thinking behind it), then describe the reaction in a vivid way and how it made you feel.
Useful phrases: The gift I’d like to talk about… · I wanted something that… · I came up with the idea of… · Her reaction was… · It was worth every taka.
✅ Long turn at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations try your own first!
Band 9 ~2 minutes
The gift I’d like to talk about is a photo book I made for my grandmother on her seventy-fifth birthday, about a year ago.
My grandmother is the kind of person who insists she doesn’t want anything, so buying her a present is always a challenge. She has no interest in clothes or jewellery, and she always says that her family is the only gift she needs. So this time I wanted something that would be genuinely personal rather than expensive.
I came up with the idea of collecting old family photographs and turning them into a printed book. I spent almost a month quietly borrowing pictures from aunts and uncles, scanning faded black-and-white prints from the 1960s, and gathering more recent ones from cousins abroad. Then I arranged them in order, from her wedding day to her great-grandchildren, and under each photo I wrote a short caption, sometimes with a funny story or a quote from a relative.
I gave it to her at a small family dinner. At first she just turned the pages silently, and I was worried she didn’t like it. Then she suddenly started laughing at a picture of my father as a chubby toddler, and before long she was in tears, telling stories about every photo. She kept the book on her bedside table and showed it to every visitor for weeks.
Her reaction made me realise that the best gifts aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones. It cost very little money, but it was worth every hour I spent on it.
Band 7 ~1.5–2 minutes
The gift I want to talk about is a photo book I made for my grandmother on her seventy-fifth birthday, about a year ago.
My grandmother always says she does not want anything, so choosing a present for her is difficult. She is not interested in clothes or jewellery, and she says her family is the only gift she needs. So I wanted to give her something personal, not expensive.
I decided to collect old family photos and make a printed book. For almost a month, I secretly borrowed photos from my aunts and uncles, scanned old black-and-white pictures, and got newer ones from cousins abroad. I put them in order, from her wedding to her great-grandchildren, and wrote a short note under each photo.
I gave it to her at a family dinner. At first she looked at it silently, and I was worried. Then she laughed at a photo of my father as a baby, and soon she was crying and telling stories about the photos. She showed the book to all her visitors.
Her reaction showed me that the best gifts are not always expensive. It did not cost much, but it was worth all the time I spent.
Band 5–6 ~1–1.5 minutes
The gift i want to talk is photo book i make for my grandmother in her seventy-fifth birthday one year ago.
My grandmother always say she don’t want anything so choose present is difficult. She is not interest in cloth or jewellery, she say family is only gift she need. So i want to give something personal.
I decide to collect old family photo and make print book. Almost one month i take photo from aunt and uncle, scan old black and white picture and get new photo from cousin abroad. I put in order from her wedding to great-grandchildren and write small note under photo.
I give it in family dinner. First she look silently and i was worry. Then she laugh at photo of my father as baby and soon she cry and tell story about photo.
Her reaction show me best gift is not always expensive. It cost little money but it was worth for my time.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length / fluency | hard to reach 2 min | near 2 min | full 2 min, fluent |
| Reaction described | one line | clear sequence | vivid sequence + reflection |
| Grammar (past tenses) | frequent errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | simple, repeated | good range | wide, vivid |
Follow-up questions: “Do you think people spend too much money on gifts?” · “What gift would you like to receive?” Try answering these too. এই ফলো-আপ প্রশ্নগুলোরও উত্তর দাও।
Part 3 — Discussion
4–5 minutes · deeper questions about gifts, generosity & charity
Answers here should be longer and more developed — opinion, reason, and often the other side too. উত্তর আরও দীর্ঘ।
1. Why do people give gifts?
2. Has gift-giving become too commercial?
3. Should people give money to charity?
4. Why do some people volunteer their time?
5. Should children be taught to share?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. There are lots of motives. Mostly, gifts are a way of expressing love, gratitude or respect, especially in cultures where people don’t always say those things out loud. But gifts can also be about obligation or status — some people give because it’s expected, or to impress.
2. To a large extent, yes. Retailers have turned almost every occasion into a shopping event, and advertising suggests that the price of a gift reflects how much you care. Having said that, many people still value handmade or thoughtful presents, so I don’t think the meaning has been completely lost.
3. I believe those who can afford it should, but it’s worth doing some research first. Some charities spend a large share of donations on administration, so giving directly to trusted local organisations, or through zakat to people you know are in need, can have a greater impact.
4. Partly out of a sense of duty, especially among religious people, but also because it’s genuinely fulfilling. Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose and connection to your community, and for young people it can also provide valuable experience for their CVs.
5. Without a doubt. Learning to share teaches empathy and cooperation, which are essential for getting along with others throughout life. However, I think it should be encouraged gently rather than forced, otherwise children may simply resent it.
Band 7
1. There are many reasons. Usually gifts show love, thanks or respect, especially in cultures where people do not say these things openly. But sometimes people give gifts because they have to, or to impress others.
2. Yes, mostly. Shops have made every occasion a shopping event, and adverts suggest that expensive gifts show more love. However, many people still like handmade or thoughtful presents.
3. Yes, if they can afford it, but they should check first. Some charities spend a lot of money on administration, so it may be better to give to local organisations or directly to people in need, for example through zakat.
4. Some people feel it is their duty, especially for religious reasons, but it is also satisfying. Volunteering makes people feel useful and connected to their community, and it also gives young people experience for their CV.
5. Yes, definitely. Sharing teaches children to care about others and work together, which is important all their lives. But parents should encourage it gently, not force it.
Band 5–6
1. Many reason. Usually gift show love, thanks or respect. But sometime people give because they must, or for impress other.
2. Yes mostly. Shop make every occasion for shopping and advertisement say expensive gift is more love. But many people still like handmade present.
3. Yes if they can afford but they should check first. Some charity spend lot of money for office, so better give local organisation or direct to poor people like zakat.
4. Some people think it is duty for religion but also it give good feeling. Volunteer make people feel useful and also young people get experience for CV.
5. Yes definitely. Sharing teach children care other and work together, it is important all life. But parents should not force.
| 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।