IELTS Speaking — Practice Test 20
Theme: goals, ambitions & the future. 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: Plans and goals
1. What are your plans for the next few years?
2. Do you usually set goals for yourself?
3. Do you make New Year’s resolutions?
4. Are you good at planning?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. My immediate goal is to get a Band 7.5 in IELTS so that I can apply for a master’s in public health in Canada. After that, I’d ideally like to gain some work experience abroad before coming back to Bangladesh.
2. Yes, but I’ve learned to keep them realistic. I used to set wildly ambitious targets and then feel discouraged, so now I break big goals down into small, manageable steps.
3. I used to, but I gave up because I never kept them past February! Now I prefer to set goals whenever I feel the need, rather than waiting for a particular date.
4. Reasonably good, though I’m better at making plans than sticking to them. I’m a great one for colour-coded timetables that last about a week.
Band 7
1. My main goal is to get Band 7.5 in IELTS so I can apply for a master’s in public health in Canada. Then I would like to work abroad for a few years before returning to Bangladesh.
2. Yes, but I try to make them realistic. Before, my goals were too big and I felt disappointed, so now I divide them into small steps.
3. I used to, but I stopped because I never kept them for long. Now I set goals when I need to, not only at New Year.
4. Quite good, but I find it easier to make plans than to follow them. I often make nice timetables that I only follow for a week.
Band 5–6
1. My main goal is get Band 7.5 in IELTS so i can apply master in public health in Canada. Then i want work abroad few year and come back.
2. Yes but i try make it realistic. Before my goal was too big and i feel disappoint so now i divide in small step.
3. Before yes but i stop because i never keep it long. Now i make goal when i need, not only New Year.
4. Quite good but making plan is easy than follow. I make nice timetable but follow only one week.
| 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: Jobs and careers
1. What job would you like to do in the future?
2. What job did you want to do when you were a child?
3. Is it easy to find a good job in your country?
4. Would you prefer to work for a big company or a small one?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. I’d love to work in public health policy, ideally for an international organisation. I’m particularly interested in maternal health, which is an area where Bangladesh has made huge progress but still has a long way to go.
2. A pilot, like a lot of children. I was fascinated by planes and used to stand on the roof watching them come in to land. Then I discovered I was terrified of heights, which rather ended that dream!
3. Not especially, I’m afraid. There’s fierce competition for every decent position, and many graduates end up in jobs unrelated to their degree. Having good English and practical skills definitely gives you an edge, though.
4. A big one, at least at first, because they usually offer structured training and more job security. Later on, I could see myself in a smaller organisation where you have more responsibility and can see the impact of your work.
Band 7
1. I would like to work in public health policy, maybe for an international organisation. I am especially interested in mothers’ health, because Bangladesh has improved a lot but there is still more to do.
2. A pilot, like many children. I loved planes and used to watch them from the roof. Then I found out I was afraid of heights, so I gave up that dream!
3. Not really. There is a lot of competition for good jobs, and many graduates work in jobs that are not related to their degree. Good English and practical skills help a lot.
4. A big company at first, because they give good training and more job security. Later, I might prefer a smaller organisation where I have more responsibility.
Band 5–6
1. I want to work in public health policy, maybe international organisation. I am interest in mother health because Bangladesh improve a lot but still more to do.
2. Pilot like many children. I love plane and watch from roof. Then i know i am afraid of height so i give up!
3. Not really. There is many competition for good job and many graduate do job not related with degree. Good English and skill help a lot.
4. Big company first because they give training and job security. Later maybe small organisation with more responsibility.
| 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: Learning new skills
1. Is there a skill you would like to learn?
2. Do you prefer learning alone or with a teacher?
3. What is the most useful skill you have learned?
4. Is it easier to learn new things when you are young?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. I’d really like to learn to code, even at a basic level. So many jobs now involve data, and I feel I’d be at a disadvantage without at least some understanding of it.
2. It depends on the skill. For something like grammar, I’m happy working through a book on my own, but for speaking or anything practical, having a teacher to give feedback is invaluable.
3. Probably touch-typing, oddly enough. It seemed trivial when I learned it, but it’s saved me countless hours writing assignments and emails.
4. In some ways, yes — children seem to absorb languages effortlessly. But adults have advantages too, like discipline and knowing why they want to learn something, so I don’t think it’s ever too late.
Band 7
1. I would like to learn coding, even at a basic level. Many jobs now use data, so I think it is important to understand it.
2. It depends. For grammar, I can study alone with a book, but for speaking or practical skills, a teacher’s feedback is very helpful.
3. Probably typing without looking at the keyboard. It seemed unimportant, but it has saved me a lot of time writing assignments and emails.
4. Partly, yes. Children learn languages very easily. But adults are more disciplined and know why they are learning, so it is never too late.
Band 5–6
1. I want learn coding, even basic. Many job now use data so it is important.
2. It depend. For grammar i can study alone with book but for speaking teacher feedback is very helpful.
3. Maybe typing without see keyboard. It look not important but it save me lot of time for assignment and email.
4. Partly yes. Children learn language very easy. But adult is more disciplined and know why they learn so never too late.
| 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 an ambition that you have.
You should say:
- what the ambition is
- when you first had this ambition
- what you need to do to achieve it
and explain why this ambition is important to you.
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. Use a mix of tenses — past (when it started), present (what you are doing now) and future / conditionals (what you will do, how you would feel) — and finish with a personal reason.
Useful phrases: One ambition I’ve had for a long time… · It all started when… · In order to achieve this, I’ll need to… · If I manage to…, I’ll… · It matters to me because…
✅ Long turn at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations try your own first!
Band 9 ~2 minutes
One ambition I’ve had for a long time is to set up a small health clinic in my grandparents’ village in Kishoreganj, where people currently have to travel for over an hour to see a qualified doctor.
It all started when I was about fifteen. My grandmother fell seriously ill one night during the monsoon, and because the roads were flooded, it took the family almost four hours to get her to a hospital. Thankfully she recovered, but I remember the doctor saying that if she’d arrived any later, it might have been a very different story. That night stuck with me, and it’s the main reason I chose to study public health.
In order to achieve this, I’ll need to do quite a lot. First, I’m hoping to complete a master’s abroad, which is why I’m preparing for IELTS at the moment. After that, I’d like to gain experience working on community health projects, ideally with an NGO, so that I understand how to run a clinic sustainably. And of course, I’ll need funding, so I’ll have to learn how to write grant proposals and build partnerships with local organisations.
I’m under no illusion that it will be easy — it could easily take ten or fifteen years.
But it matters to me enormously because it feels like a way of giving something back to the community my family comes from. If I manage to achieve it, I think it would be the most meaningful thing I could ever do, far more satisfying than any personal success or salary.
Band 7 ~1.5–2 minutes
One ambition I have had for a long time is to open a small health clinic in my grandparents’ village in Kishoreganj, because people there have to travel more than an hour to see a doctor.
It started when I was about fifteen. My grandmother became very ill one night in the rainy season, and because the roads were flooded, it took almost four hours to get her to hospital. She recovered, but the doctor said that if she had arrived later, it could have been very serious. I never forgot that night, and it is why I chose to study public health.
To achieve this, I need to do several things. First, I want to do a master’s abroad, which is why I am preparing for IELTS now. Then I would like to work on community health projects, maybe with an NGO, to learn how to run a clinic. I will also need money, so I must learn how to apply for grants and work with local organisations.
I know it will not be easy, and it may take ten or fifteen years.
But it is very important to me, because it is a way to help the community my family comes from. If I achieve it, it will be the most meaningful thing in my life.
Band 5–6 ~1–1.5 minutes
One ambition i have long time is open small health clinic in my grandparents village in Kishoreganj because people there must travel more than one hour for doctor.
It start when i was fifteen. My grandmother become very sick one night in rainy season and road was flood so it take four hour to go hospital. She recover but doctor say if she come late it was very serious. I never forget and this is why i study public health.
For achieve this i need do many thing. First i want do master abroad so i am preparing IELTS now. Then i want work in community health project maybe with NGO for learn how to run clinic. Also i need money so i must learn apply for grant.
I know it is not easy and maybe take ten or fifteen year.
But it is very important for me because i can help community of my family. If i achieve, it will be most meaningful thing in my life.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length / fluency | hard to reach 2 min | near 2 min | full 2 min, fluent |
| Range of tenses | mostly present | past + future | past, present, future + conditionals |
| Grammar | frequent errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | simple, repeated | good range | wide, idiomatic |
Follow-up questions: “Do your family support this ambition?” · “Do you think you will achieve it?” Try answering these too. এই ফলো-আপ প্রশ্নগুলোরও উত্তর দাও।
Part 3 — Discussion
4–5 minutes · deeper questions about ambition, success & the future
Answers here should be longer and more developed — opinion, reason, and often the other side too. উত্তর আরও দীর্ঘ।
1. Is it important for young people to be ambitious?
2. Do parents put too much pressure on children to succeed?
3. How do you define success?
4. What jobs will be important in the future?
5. Is it better to stay in your home country or work abroad?
✅ Sample answers at 3 levels (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations
Band 9
1. I think a healthy level of ambition is important, because it gives young people direction and motivation. However, ambition can become harmful if it’s measured only in terms of money or status, or if it leads to constant comparison with others. The key is having goals that genuinely mean something to you.
2. In many cases, yes, particularly in South Asia, where there’s enormous emphasis on exam results and a narrow range of “respectable” careers like medicine and engineering. Parents usually mean well — they want security for their children — but excessive pressure can lead to anxiety and stop young people from discovering what they’re actually good at.
3. For me, success isn’t just about wealth or job titles. I’d define it as doing work you find meaningful, having close relationships, and being able to look after the people you care about. Of course, financial stability is part of that, but beyond a certain point, more money doesn’t seem to make people much happier.
4. Anything related to technology and data will obviously remain in demand, as will healthcare, given that populations are ageing. Interestingly, though, I suspect jobs that require human qualities — creativity, empathy and complex judgement — will become more valuable precisely because they’re hardest to automate.
5. There’s no right answer; it depends on the individual. Working abroad can offer higher salaries, valuable experience and money to send home, which supports millions of Bangladeshi families. On the other hand, the country needs skilled people to stay and build its future. Ideally, I think people should gain experience abroad and then bring those skills back.
Band 7
1. Yes, I think some ambition is important, because it gives young people direction and motivation. But it can be harmful if it is only about money or status, or if people always compare themselves with others.
2. Often, yes, especially in South Asia, where exam results are very important and only a few careers, like medicine and engineering, are respected. Parents want security for their children, but too much pressure can cause anxiety.
3. For me, success is not only about money. It means doing meaningful work, having good relationships and being able to take care of my family. Money is important, but after a certain level it does not make people much happier.
4. Jobs in technology and data will be important, and healthcare too, because people are living longer. Also, jobs that need creativity and empathy will be valuable, because machines cannot do them easily.
5. It depends on the person. Working abroad gives higher salaries, experience and money to send home, which helps many Bangladeshi families. However, the country also needs skilled people. I think it is best to work abroad for a while and then come back.
Band 5–6
1. Yes some ambition is important because it give direction and motivation. But it is harmful if only about money or always compare with other.
2. Often yes, specially in South Asia. Exam result is very important and only doctor and engineer is respected. Parents want security but too much pressure make anxiety.
3. For me success is not only money. It is meaningful work, good relationship and take care family. Money is important but after some level it not make more happy.
4. Technology and data job will be important and healthcare also because people live longer. Also creative job is valuable because machine can’t do easily.
5. It depend on person. Abroad give high salary, experience and money for send home. But country also need skilled people. Best is work abroad some time and come back.
| 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।
1. Fluency & coherence
2. Lexical resource
3. Grammatical range & accuracy
4. Pronunciation
You have completed all twenty speaking tests! · IELTS Speaking guide