Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Q1-Q3 art
Examiner: Let’s talk about art. Do you like art?
Candidate: To be honest, I don’t know a great deal about art. I can’t really tell the difference between one painting style and another. But I do enjoy looking at colourful or creative designs, even if I don’t fully understand them.
Examiner: What kind of art do you like?
Candidate: I prefer things that are easy to understand, like a beautiful painting of a landscape or a nice sculpture in a park. I’m not really a fan of modern art that is too strange or abstract. I just like to see something that looks good.
Examiner: Have you ever been to an art gallery?
Candidate: Yes, I have, but only a couple of times. Once was during a school trip, and another time when I was travelling overseas. To be honest, I didn’t understand many of the paintings, but I still enjoyed the atmosphere. It felt calm, and it made me look at things more carefully than I normally would. Even though I’m not an art expert, I think galleries can be quite inspiring.
Q4-Q6 colours
Examiner: Now, let’s talk about colours. What’s your favourite colour?
Candidate: I’m quite fond of blue. I find it very calming and serene, especially when I see it in nature, like the sky or the ocean. I think it also has a very professional and trustworthy feel, which is why a lot of corporate logos use it.
Examiner: What colours do you like to wear?
Candidate: I tend to wear a lot of neutral colours like black, white, and beige. I find they are easy to mix and match. However, when I want to add a splash of colour, I’ll often go for something in a deeper shade of blue or a rich emerald green.
Examiner: Do you think colours are important in our lives?
Candidate: I think they are, yes. Colours have a significant impact on our emotions and can even influence our behaviour. For example, some studies show that warm colours like red can stimulate hunger, which is why they are often used in restaurants. They can also represent different meanings in various cultures, making them a very powerful form of communication.
Q7-Q9 walking
Examiner: Let’s move on to walking. Where do you like to walk?
Candidate: Oh, I really enjoy walking in places with lots of nature. There’s a park near my home with a long trail, and I often go there in the evenings just to relax a bit. It is so nice to be surrounded by greenery and breathe fresh air after sitting indoors all day.
Examiner: Do you prefer walking alone or with others?
Candidate: I’d say it depends. Usually, I like walking with friends or family because it’s a nice way to chat and catch up without distractions. But sometimes, I go alone, maybe with some music, just to clear my head and think. Both are nice in their own way.
Examiner: Do you think walking is a good way to stay healthy?
Candidate: Absolutely. It’s probably one of the easiest exercises you can do. You don’t need any special equipment, and it’s gentle on the body. Plus, it’s not just good for your legs or heart; walking really helps me relax and feel less stressed, so it’s great for mental health, too.
Q10-Q12 weekends
Examiner: Finally, let’s talk about weekends. What do you usually do on the weekend?
Candidate: My weekends are usually a mix of relaxation and productivity. On Saturdays, I might meet up with friends for coffee or go to the gym. On Sundays, I usually dedicate time to running errands, doing some chores, and preparing for the week ahead.
Examiner: Do you think people have enough free time on the weekends?
Candidate: I don’t think so. It seems like many people, especially in urban environments, are constantly busy with work or studies. By the time the weekend comes, they’re often too exhausted to truly relax. The fast pace of modern life makes it difficult to have a real break.
Examiner: Do you think the weekend is getting shorter?
Candidate: It feels that way. With the rise of technology and constant connectivity, work can easily spill over into the weekend. I think the line between work life and personal life is becoming increasingly blurred. It’s a challenge to truly disconnect and enjoy our time off.
Part 2: Individual Long Turn
Examiner: Thank you. Now, I’m going to give you a topic, and I’d like you to talk about it for one to two minutes. Before you start, you’ll have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes if you wish. Do you understand?
Candidate: Yes, I do.
Examiner: Here is your topic.
Describe a memorable journey you went on.
You should say:
- where you went
- how you travelled
- what you did there
- and explain why the journey was memorable
Examiner: Your one minute of preparation time starts now.
Examiner: All right. You can start speaking now.
Candidate: I’d love to tell you about a trip I took to Japan last summer. It was actually the first time I had ever travelled abroad with friends, and right from the start, it felt like a huge adventure.
We flew from Hong Kong, which took about four hours. After we landed, we took the train to the city center and went straight to our hotel to check in and rest a bit. Once we were refreshed, we headed out, and wow—Tokyo was just buzzing with energy! The streets were packed, the lights were so bright, and there were small shops everywhere. My favorite part was trying all the street food. We didn’t always know what we were eating, but we just went for it, and it was so much fun.
After a few days, we took the bullet train to Kyoto. It was completely different—much calmer and more traditional. We explored old temples and peaceful gardens, and even joined a short class to learn a bit about local customs. One evening, we climbed a hill and could see the entire city spread out below us. It was honestly breathtaking.
What really made this trip memorable, though, was the independence we had. Planning everything ourselves and discovering new things together felt amazing. Sharing those moments with my friends gave me a sense of freedom and accomplishment that I’d never had on trips with my family. It really felt like a milestone in my life
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: We’ve been talking about a memorable journey, and now I’d like to ask you a few more general questions about travelling
Examiner: What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling alone?
Candidate: Travelling alone has quite a few advantages. For one, you can plan your own schedule exactly as you want, without having to compromise or consider anyone else’s preferences. It can also be a really good way to get to know yourself better and build confidence, since you have to make decisions and solve problems independently. On the other hand, there are some downsides. For example, it can feel lonely at times because you don’t have anyone to share experiences with, and all the responsibility for planning, navigating, and handling unexpected situations falls entirely on you. So while travelling alone can be very rewarding, it requires a certain level of independence and self-reliance.
Examiner: Do you think it is more important to travel to new places or to revisit places you have already been to?
Candidate: I think both are important, but for different reasons. Visiting new places is exciting and broadens your perspective—it allows you to experience new cultures, try new food, and see things you’ve never seen before. Revisiting familiar places can also be very rewarding, because you can explore them more deeply, notice details you missed before, and feel more comfortable navigating the area. In my opinion, a good balance is ideal: new destinations for adventure and learning, and familiar ones for relaxation and reflection.
Examiner: How has technology changed the way we travel?
Candidate: Technology has transformed travel in so many ways. Planning a trip is much simpler now—you can book flights, hotels, and even activities online, and read reviews before making choices. During a trip, navigation apps and translation tools make it much easier to get around and communicate in countries where you don’t speak the language. At the same time, there’s a risk of relying too much on technology. For instance, some people focus so much on checking maps or taking photos that they might miss spontaneous moments or real interactions with locals, which are often the most memorable parts of travelling.
Examiner: What are the biggest challenges faced by the tourism industry today?
Candidate: One major challenge is overtourism—popular destinations are becoming overcrowded, which can damage the environment and put pressure on local communities. Sustainability is another concern, as the industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, from flights to accommodations. Tourists today are also looking for more authentic experiences rather than just package tours, so the industry has to innovate and offer more meaningful activities. Balancing economic benefits with environmental and cultural responsibility is a key challenge for the tourism sector.
Examiner: In your opinion, how can governments encourage more sustainable tourism?
Candidate: Governments can take several steps to promote sustainable tourism. For example, they could promote lesser-known destinations to help reduce overcrowding in popular areas. They could also provide incentives for businesses, like hotels and tour operators, to adopt environmentally friendly practices. Education campaigns for tourists are important too, teaching people to respect local culture, reduce waste, and support local businesses directly. I think if all these measures work together, tourism can remain enjoyable while having a smaller negative impact on the environment and local communities.
Examiner:Thank you! That’s the end of the speaking test.
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