Welcome back to the IELTS TIME Podcast! Today we’re diving straight into a full set of Part 1 questions on the topic of Outer Space and Stars. We’ve prepared two mock interviews—one with Joseph and one with Blondie. Listen carefully to how each candidate uses their language skills, regardless of how interested they are in the topic.
Let’s start by listening to Joseph’s interview.
Do you enjoy looking at the stars at night?
Yeah, I do. It’s really calming after a long day, and it reminds me how small my problems are. I don’t do it every night, but whenever the sky is clear, I like taking a moment to look up.
Have you ever learned anything about outer space or stars?
A bit. I picked up some basic astronomy from school and from random videos online. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I understand enough to appreciate how incredible space is.
Do you like reading or watching videos about space?
Yes, especially short documentaries or YouTube explainers. They’re easy to follow and make complicated ideas feel simple. I rarely read long articles, though, unless the topic really grabs me.
Are you interested in films about outer space and the universe?
Definitely. Movies like Interstellar and The Martian really stuck with me. I like how they mix science with storytelling—it makes space feel both mysterious and familiar.
Do you want to know more about space and different planets?
For sure. Space is huge, and every time I learn something new, it just raises more questions. I find that pretty exciting.
Can you see many stars in the sky where you live?
Not really. I live in a city, so there’s a lot of light pollution. On most nights, I can only see a few bright stars. When I travel to the countryside, though, the sky looks completely different.
Would you like to travel to outer space in the future?
Honestly, yes—if it becomes safe and affordable. Right now it feels a bit risky, but the idea of seeing Earth from above sounds amazing.
Do you think space exploration is important for humans?
Absolutely. It pushes technology forward and helps us understand how our planet works. Even if the benefits aren’t immediate, I think it’s important for the long-term future of humanity.
What would you do if you had the chance to go into space?
I’d probably just spend as much time as possible looking out the window. I’d want to see the Earth, the stars, and the darkness of space. I think that view alone would be life-changing.
Do you believe people will live in space someday?
I think it’s possible, but not anytime soon. Maybe in the distant future, once the technology is safer and more sustainable. For now, I think Earth will remain our main home.
That was an exceptionally strong performance from Joseph. His fluency was smooth and controlled, and he expressed complex ideas through compact, natural phrasing. When he said that looking at the stars “reminds me how small my problems are,” he showed that he can communicate an abstract idea with simple, elegant language.
His vocabulary was consistently high-level but never forced. He used topic-specific items like “light pollution” alongside descriptive words such as “mysterious” and “incredible,” which demonstrated both range and flexibility.
He also showed excellent grammatical control. He used a clear conditional structure, like saying he would travel to space ‘if it becomes safe and affordable,’ which adds natural complexity to his answer. Overall, Joseph delivered confident, thoughtful, and coherent responses throughout.
Now, let’s turn to Blondie. She approaches the topic very differently—she has little interest in space and almost no background knowledge. Listen for how she still manages to answer fully and honestly, proving you don’t need to be an expert. You just need to communicate clearly.
Do you enjoy looking at the stars at night?
Not particularly, to be honest. I live in the city, so all I usually see is a few bright dots and the moon. If I were somewhere really dark, like the desert, I might enjoy it more, but right now, it’s not something I pay much attention to.
Have you ever learned anything about outer space or stars?
Just the basics—what everyone learns in high school. You know, that the Sun is a star, and there are planets orbiting it. I know names like Mars and Jupiter, but I couldn’t tell you the difference between a galaxy and a nebula. It all feels pretty unfamiliar to me.
Do you like reading or watching videos about space?
Not really. When I watch videos online, I stick to things that are more relevant to my daily life, like cooking or fashion. Anything about space usually has too much complicated language, so I tend to tune out quickly because I don’t understand the jargon.
Are you interested in films about outer space and the universe?
I can enjoy them if they’re dramatic and focus more on the characters than the science. I like good stories and cool effects, but if a film gets too technical about physics or orbital mechanics, I usually get confused and lose interest.
Do you want to know more about space and different planets?
Not really, no. My focus right now is on my career and hobbies here on Earth. Space feels a bit abstract and overwhelming. I’m happy to let the scientists figure that stuff out.
Can you see many stars in the sky where you live?
Definitely not. I live in a very bright city, so there’s too much light from buildings and street lamps. On a clear night I might spot a few of the big ones, but I’ve never seen anything like the Milky Way.
Would you like to travel to outer space in the future?
Oh my gosh, absolutely not! The whole idea sounds terrifying. I’ve seen videos of rockets launching and those tiny capsules they sit in—it just looks far too risky and uncomfortable. I prefer to keep both feet firmly on the ground.
Do you think space exploration is important for humans?
I’m kind of on the fence. It costs a lot of money, and sometimes I wonder if we should fix problems like climate change first. But I get that satellites are useful for phones and weather, so I understand the practical side even if I don’t follow the research.
What would you do if you had the chance to go into space?
If I were somehow forced to go, I’d probably just stare out the window the whole time. Since I don’t know anything about the science, I’d just want to see the view and take a lot of photos to prove I was actually there. Then I’d want to come home immediately.
Do you believe people will live in space someday?
It seems kind of far-fetched. It’s a fun idea for science fiction, but I can’t imagine building a place in space where people can live normally, breathe, and grow food. Maybe people will visit other planets, but living there full-time feels like a huge fantasy.
That was Blondie, and she gave us a brilliant demonstration of how strong language can shine even when the topic doesn’t interest you. Her vocabulary was natural, idiomatic, and expressive. Phrases like “I’m on the fence,” “I tend to tune out,” and “I prefer to keep both feet firmly on the ground” are exceptionally strong examples of authentic spoken English.
She also maintained excellent fluency. Instead of hesitating, she used clear, structured explanations to express why she couldn’t answer in detail—like when she said, “Anything about space usually has too much complicated language, so I tend to tune out quickly because I don’t understand the jargon.” That’s sophisticated reasoning wrapped in natural, conversational language.
Her tone, intonation, and expressive wording—especially adjectives like “terrifying” and “far-fetched”—gave her answers personality and clarity. Blondie showed that honesty, structure, and idiomatic English are more important than topic knowledge in IELTS Part 1.
And that wraps up today’s episode. Joseph and Blondie showed two completely different approaches to the same topic, and both styles worked beautifully. Remember—IELTS Part 1 doesn’t test your knowledge. It tests how naturally and clearly you can express everyday ideas.
Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you in the next episode of IELTS TIME!
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