Speaking Sample Test
Part 1: Introduction & Interview
Q1
How do you usually get to work or school?
Sample response
I usually get to work by metro, and then I walk for about ten minutes from the station to my office. It’s pretty convenient because I can avoid traffic jams, which are quite common in the morning. I also like that I can read or check messages on the way instead of focusing on the road.
Q2
Do you prefer travelling by car, bus, train, or bicycle? Why?
Sample response
I’d say I prefer travelling by train or metro most of all. It’s usually more reliable than going by car, especially during rush hour, and I don’t have to worry about parking. On top of that, it feels less stressful because I can just sit back and relax.
Q3
Is it easy to move around the area where you live?
Sample response
Yes, for the most part it is, because my area has decent roads and a few public transport options. There are buses and a metro line nearby, so getting to the city centre isn’t too difficult. The only problem is that it gets a bit chaotic at peak times.
Q4
How often do you use public transport?
Sample response
I use public transport almost every day, mainly on weekdays. It’s become part of my routine because it’s cheaper and often faster than taking a car. I tend to use it less on weekends unless I’m going somewhere busy.
Q5
What kind of travel do you enjoy the most for short distances?
Sample response
For short distances, I enjoy walking the most. If a place is within fifteen or twenty minutes, I’d rather walk because it gives me a chance to clear my head and notice what’s going on around me. It also feels healthier than jumping into a vehicle for every little trip.
Q6
Did you use the same way of getting around when you were a child?
Sample response
No, not really. When I was a child, I mostly walked to school or went there on the back of my parents’ motorbike, depending on the weather. My daily travel is much more independent now, and I use public transport far more often.
Q7
Are there any problems with traffic in your town or city?
Sample response
Yes, definitely, especially during the morning and evening rush. Some roads get seriously congested, and even a short journey can take twice as long as it should. The noise and air pollution are problems too, so it affects people even when they’re not driving.
Q8
Do you think people in your area rely too much on private cars?
Sample response
Yes, I think so. A lot of people choose private cars for comfort and convenience, even for relatively short trips, and that makes congestion worse. I can understand why they do it, but in the long run it isn’t really sustainable.
Q9
Would you like to change the way you travel every day? Why or why not?
Sample response
Yes, I would, actually. If cycling lanes were safer and better connected, I’d love to cycle more often because it would save money and help me stay fit. At the moment, though, public transport still feels like the more practical option for my daily routine.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Describe a journey you took using public transport. You should say: - When and where you took this journey - What kind of public transport you used - What happened during the journey And explain how you felt about this experience.
Sample response
Well, one public-transport journey I remember clearly was a train trip I took last summer from my city to a coastal town about three hours away with two friends. We wanted a cheap weekend break, and instead of driving, we booked seats on an intercity train early on a Saturday morning. To begin with, I chose the train because it was more relaxing than going by car or bus. The seats were reasonably comfortable, the windows were huge, and we could move around a little, which made the trip feel less tiring. What stood out to me was the atmosphere. There were families, students and tourists all sharing the same space, so it felt lively but not too crowded. During the journey, a few small things happened that made it memorable. First, the train was delayed by about twenty minutes because of heavy rain, so for a while I was worried we might arrive too late. Then, while we were waiting, an elderly couple sitting near us started chatting with us and recommended a quiet beach that wasn’t in any guidebook. We ended up going there later that day, and it was probably the best part of the whole weekend. Another thing is that the scenery was beautiful—green fields, small stations, and then the sea as we got closer to the town. Overall, I felt very positive about the experience. It was affordable, convenient and surprisingly enjoyable, and it reminded me that public transport can be part of the trip, not just a way to get from one place to another.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Q1
What are the main differences between travelling in cities and in rural areas?
Sample response
I think the biggest difference is the level of choice people have. In cities, there are usually buses, trains, taxis and sometimes bike-sharing schemes, whereas in rural areas people often depend on one or two options, or even just their own vehicle. Another difference is traffic: cities are far more crowded, but rural travel can involve longer distances and fewer direct routes. For example, someone in a city might complain about delays, while someone in the countryside may struggle to find any service at all after a certain time. So each setting has its own challenges, but urban transport is generally more available.
Q2
Why do some people prefer using private cars even when public services are available?
Sample response
In my opinion, convenience is the main reason. Even if public transport exists, it may not be frequent, clean or direct enough, so people feel a car gives them more control over their time. Private cars also offer privacy and comfort, which matters a lot to families or people commuting with children. In some places, owning a car is also seen as a status symbol, so the decision is not purely practical. For instance, someone may still drive to work simply because they don’t want to deal with crowded buses every morning.
Q3
How can governments encourage people to use greener ways of getting around?
Sample response
I’d say governments need to combine better infrastructure with real incentives. First of all, they should make public transport cleaner, safer and more punctual, because people won’t change their habits unless the alternative is genuinely attractive. They can also build more cycle lanes, improve pavements and introduce lower fares or travel passes. On top of that, measures like congestion charges or limited parking can discourage unnecessary car use. Cities like Copenhagen show that when cycling is made safe and convenient, large numbers of people are willing to switch.
Q4
What problems can heavy traffic cause for a city and its residents?
Sample response
Heavy traffic creates a whole chain of problems for both cities and the people living in them. The most obvious one is lost time, because commuters can spend hours stuck on the road instead of working, resting or being with family. It also worsens air pollution and noise, which can damage people’s health over time. Economically, congestion can reduce productivity and even discourage tourism or business investment. So it’s not just an annoyance; it has social, environmental and financial consequences as well.
Q5
Do you think new technology will change the way people travel in the future?
Sample response
Yes, absolutely, I think technology will reshape travel quite a lot. We’re already seeing this through navigation apps, digital ticketing and ride-sharing platforms, which make journeys more efficient and flexible. In the future, electric vehicles, autonomous transport and smarter traffic systems could reduce emissions and cut down travel time. For example, if buses used AI-based traffic management, they could become far more reliable than they are now. That said, technology alone won’t solve everything unless cities also improve planning and infrastructure.
Q6
How important is it for a country to invest in better public transport systems?
Sample response
I think it’s extremely important because transport affects almost every part of daily life. A strong public transport system helps people get to work, school and hospitals more easily, and it also reduces dependence on private cars. That means less congestion, lower pollution and, ideally, a better quality of life in cities. It also matters for equality, because not everyone can afford to own and maintain a car. So when a country invests in public transport, it’s really investing in economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection at the same time.