Recent IELTS Speaking Test Questions from UAE (April 2025) with Sample Answers I time when your vehicle broke down
Recent IELTS Speaking Test Questions from UAE (April 2025) with Sample Answers
Are you preparing for your IELTS Speaking test? Getting familiar with recent questions can significantly boost your confidence and performance. In this article, we share the latest IELTS Speaking questions from the UAE (April 2025) along with professional sample answers to help you prepare effectively.
Why These Sample Answers Matter
IELTS Speaking questions often repeat in subsequent exams, making these real test questions invaluable for your preparation. By studying high-scoring sample answers, you can learn effective response structures, appropriate vocabulary, and gain insights into what examiners are looking for.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview Questions and Sample Answers
On Work and Studies
Q: Do you work or study?
Sample Answer: "I'm currently working as a marketing specialist at a digital agency. I've been in this role for about two years now, and it involves creating digital marketing strategies for various clients across different industries. Before that, I completed my bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus on marketing."
On Stories
Q: Do you enjoy stories?
Sample Answer: "Yes, I absolutely love stories. I find them to be a wonderful way to escape reality for a while and explore different perspectives. Whether it's through books, films, or even podcasts, stories have this magical ability to transport us to different worlds and help us understand complex emotions and situations that we might not experience firsthand."
Q: What is one story you remember from your childhood?
Sample Answer: "One story that has stayed with me since childhood is 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. My mother used to read it to me before bedtime. I was particularly fascinated by the prince's journey across different planets and his encounters with various characters. The simple yet profound messages about friendship, love, and what truly matters in life made a lasting impression on me. Even now, I occasionally revisit the book and discover new meanings that I hadn't understood as a child."
Q: Do you prefer listening to or reading stories?
Sample Answer: "I generally prefer reading stories because it allows me to imagine the characters and settings in my own way. There's something quite personal about creating those mental images while reading. That said, I've recently developed an appreciation for audiobooks, especially during my daily commute or while exercising. A skilled narrator can bring different characters to life through their voice, which adds another dimension to the storytelling experience. So while reading remains my first choice, I enjoy both methods depending on the circumstances."
On Transportation
Q: What types of transportation do you use regularly?
Sample Answer: "I typically rely on a mix of transportation options. For my daily commute to work, I primarily use the metro system because it's faster and helps me avoid traffic congestion. On weekends, I often drive my car, especially when I'm going shopping or visiting friends who live in areas not well-connected by public transport. For short distances within my neighborhood, I prefer walking as it gives me some exercise and time to clear my mind."
Q: Do you think public transportation is reliable in your city?
Sample Answer: "Yes, I would say public transportation in my city is quite reliable, particularly the metro system which runs on a consistent schedule with rarely any unexpected delays. The bus network is also extensive, though it can sometimes be affected by traffic conditions. One aspect I particularly appreciate is the integrated payment system that allows seamless transfers between different modes of transport. That said, there's still room for improvement, especially in terms of extending service hours and increasing frequency during peak times."
Q: Have transportation options changed in your area over time?
Sample Answer: "Absolutely, there have been significant changes in transportation options in my area over the past decade. The most notable development has been the expansion of the metro network with several new lines being added, making it much easier to reach previously underserved neighborhoods. We've also seen the introduction of bike-sharing schemes and electric scooters that provide flexible options for short trips. Additionally, ride-hailing apps have transformed how people think about personal transportation, offering a convenient alternative to traditional taxis. These changes have collectively made getting around much more convenient and environmentally friendly."
Q: What is your preferred way of getting around and why?
Sample Answer: "My preferred way of getting around is definitely cycling when weather permits. I invested in a good-quality bicycle last year, and it's been a game-changer for me. Cycling gives me a sense of freedom that other modes of transport don't offer – I can choose my own routes, avoid traffic jams, and don't have to worry about parking or schedules. It's also environmentally friendly and provides me with daily exercise, which is important for my physical and mental wellbeing. During heavy rain or extreme weather conditions, I switch to public transportation, particularly the metro, as it's reliable and efficient."
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- Latest IELTS Speaking Test with Sample Answers
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Cue Card Sample Answer
Describe a time when your vehicle broke down. You should say:
- when and where it happened
- who you were with at the time
- what you did to solve the problem
- and explain how you felt about the situation.
Sample Answer:
"I'd like to talk about an incident that happened last summer when my car unexpectedly broke down. It was a scorching July afternoon, and I was driving back from a weekend trip to the coastal town of Fujairah with two of my close friends, Aisha and Omar. We were about halfway through our three-hour journey home to Dubai, in a relatively remote stretch of highway with desert landscapes on both sides.
Without any warning signs, the engine suddenly started making an alarming rattling noise, followed by white smoke coming from under the hood. I immediately pulled over to the side of the road, feeling quite concerned about what might be happening. After turning off the engine, we cautiously opened the hood, only to be greeted by more smoke and the unmistakable smell of burning oil.
None of us had significant mechanical knowledge, so our first action was to call for roadside assistance. While waiting, Omar suggested we check some basic things based on a car maintenance video he had watched recently. We discovered that the engine was completely out of oil, which explained the smoke and the noise. The oil warning light hadn't been working properly, so I had missed this critical issue.
Fortunately, Aisha remembered that there was a small gas station about two kilometers back. Omar volunteered to walk there to get some engine oil while I stayed with the car and Aisha. The temperature outside was around 40 degrees Celsius, so we took shelter in the small patch of shade created by our vehicle while waiting.
About 45 minutes later, Omar returned with engine oil. We carefully added it to the engine and waited for it to cool down before attempting to restart the car. To our relief, the engine started without the alarming noise, though we drove very cautiously to the nearest service center, where a mechanic confirmed that we had caught the problem just in time before serious engine damage occurred.
As for how I felt during this situation, initially, I was quite anxious and frustrated, especially since we were in a remote area with limited phone reception and intense heat. However, as we worked together to address the problem, my anxiety transformed into gratitude for having friends who remained calm and solution-oriented. The experience taught me the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and being prepared for unexpected situations on the road. In retrospect, what could have been a disastrous end to our trip became a memorable story of teamwork and problem-solving under pressure. It certainly strengthened our friendship, as challenging situations often do."
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion Questions and Sample Answers
On Public Transportation
Q: Do you think young people use public transportation more than older people?
Sample Answer: "Yes, I believe young people generally use public transportation more frequently than older individuals, and there are several factors that contribute to this trend. Firstly, economic considerations play a significant role – younger people often have lower incomes or are still students, making the cost-effectiveness of public transport more appealing compared to car ownership with its associated expenses like insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
Secondly, there's a growing environmental consciousness among younger generations who are increasingly concerned about their carbon footprint and therefore choose public transport as a more sustainable option. Additionally, younger people tend to be more tech-savvy and comfortable using smartphone apps for journey planning and digital payment systems that make public transportation more accessible.
That said, this pattern varies significantly depending on geographical location and infrastructure quality. In cities with excellent public transportation networks, the age gap might be less pronounced, while in areas with limited services, older people might rely more on community transport options designed specifically for seniors."
Q: What are the benefits of using public transportation?
Sample Answer: "Public transportation offers numerous benefits both on individual and societal levels. From an environmental perspective, it significantly reduces carbon emissions per passenger compared to individual car usage, helping combat climate change and improve air quality in urban areas. Economically, it's considerably more affordable than owning and maintaining a personal vehicle when you factor in purchase costs, insurance, parking fees, and maintenance.
Public transport also contributes to more equitable societies by providing mobility options for those who cannot drive due to age, disability, or financial constraints. From an urban planning perspective, it helps reduce traffic congestion and the need for extensive parking infrastructure, allowing cities to utilize space more efficiently for housing, parks, or commercial developments.
On a personal level, using public transportation gives people time to engage in other activities during their commute, such as reading, catching up on work, or simply relaxing instead of focusing on driving. It can also contribute to increased physical activity, as most journeys involve some walking to and from stations or stops. Lastly, there's a social dimension – public transport creates spaces where people from different backgrounds interact, potentially fostering a greater sense of community."
Q: What do you think public transport will look like in the future?
Sample Answer: "I believe public transportation is poised for significant transformation in the coming decades, driven by technological innovation and changing social priorities. We're likely to see increasing automation, with driverless buses and trains becoming the norm rather than the exception, potentially improving reliability and allowing for more flexible scheduling even during off-peak hours.
Integration will be another key development – we're already seeing the emergence of comprehensive mobility platforms that combine various transportation options into seamless networks. In the future, I envision systems where a single app or subscription provides access to buses, trains, bike-sharing, scooters, and even autonomous ride-sharing vehicles, creating door-to-door solutions tailored to individual needs.
Environmental considerations will drive further electrification and the adoption of alternative energy sources, with hydrogen-powered or solar-assisted vehicles becoming more common. Infrastructure will likely become smarter too, with real-time adjustments to routes and frequencies based on demand patterns identified through big data analysis.
I also expect public transportation to become more personalized and comfortable to attract more users who currently prefer private vehicles. Features like customized climate control, privacy options, and workspaces might become standard, blurring the line between public and private transport. While these advancements will likely appear first in wealthier urban areas, I hope they'll eventually spread to provide improved mobility solutions worldwide."
On History
Q: What type of history do you enjoy learning about?
Sample Answer: "I'm particularly drawn to social and cultural history that focuses on how ordinary people lived their daily lives in different time periods. While political events and military conflicts are certainly important, I find it fascinating to learn about aspects like family structures, food traditions, clothing, entertainment, and belief systems that shaped people's experiences throughout history.
I'm especially interested in comparative history that examines similar time periods across different civilizations. For instance, understanding what daily life was like in 15th century China versus 15th century Europe reveals so much about human adaptability and the diversity of solutions to common challenges.
Technological history is another area I enjoy exploring – tracing how innovations spread and transformed societies, sometimes in unexpected ways. Something as seemingly simple as the invention of the printing press or mechanical clocks had profound ripple effects that reshaped entire cultures. These stories of innovation help me understand how we arrived at our current technological landscape and provide perspective on the changes we're experiencing today."
Q: Do you think learning history is effective in today's education?
Sample Answer: "I believe that history remains absolutely essential in today's education, though its effectiveness depends greatly on how it's taught. Unfortunately, in many educational systems, history has been reduced to memorizing dates and events without emphasizing critical thinking or relevance to contemporary issues, which diminishes its impact and students' engagement.
Where history education is most effective is when it focuses on developing analytical skills rather than rote memorization – teaching students how to evaluate sources, recognize different perspectives, understand causality, and identify patterns across time. These are transferable skills valuable in virtually any profession or life situation.
Another aspect of effective history education is making connections to present-day challenges. When students can see parallels between historical events and current issues – whether related to governance, technology ethics, social movements, or international relations – the subject becomes immediately more relevant and impactful.
I think we're seeing promising trends in history education, with more emphasis on diverse voices and experiences, digital archives making primary sources more accessible, and interactive approaches like historical simulations or project-based learning. These innovations help students connect more deeply with the material. So while there's certainly room for improvement, history education at its best provides crucial context for understanding our world and tools for navigating complex societal challenges."
Q: How can history influence our future decisions?
Sample Answer: "History provides an invaluable repository of human experience that can profoundly influence future decision-making across multiple levels. At a societal level, historical awareness helps us recognize patterns and potential consequences of certain policies or approaches. For instance, understanding previous economic crises can inform more effective regulatory frameworks, while knowledge of how past societies managed natural resources offers insights for addressing current environmental challenges.
For policymakers specifically, history offers case studies of both successful and failed approaches to recurring problems like public health emergencies, technological transitions, or social conflicts. These historical precedents don't provide exact blueprints but rather reveal principles and considerations that might otherwise be overlooked.
History also serves as a powerful warning system, helping us recognize early signs of concerning developments like authoritarianism, scapegoating of minority groups, or unsustainable economic practices. When we can identify these patterns early, we have better chances of preventing harmful outcomes.
On a more personal level, engaging with history cultivates intellectual humility by demonstrating how previous generations often had blind spots or made assumptions that later proved problematic. This awareness encourages us to examine our own potential biases and consider longer-term consequences of our actions.
Perhaps most importantly, history expands our imagination about what's possible. By exposing us to diverse societies that organized themselves differently or responded to challenges in unexpected ways, history reminds us that many aspects of our current systems are neither inevitable nor unchangeable. This expanded perspective is essential for envisioning and creating better futures rather than simply repeating or slightly modifying existing approaches."
How to Use These Sample Answers
Remember that these sample answers are provided as guidance rather than scripts to memorize. Use them to:
- Understand the structure of high-scoring responses
- Learn relevant vocabulary for each topic
- Get ideas for how to develop your answers with appropriate examples and details
- Practice similar speaking patterns while maintaining your authentic voice
Preparation Tips for IELTS Speaking Success
- Record yourself: Practice answering these questions and record your responses to identify areas for improvement
- Time yourself: Particularly for Part 2 (Cue Card), ensure you can speak for the full 2 minutes
- Expand your vocabulary: Note down useful phrases and topic-specific vocabulary from these sample answers
- Practice regularly: Speak English daily to build fluency and confidence
- Get feedback: If possible, have an English teacher or fluent speaker evaluate your practice sessions
By familiarizing yourself with these recent IELTS Speaking questions and studying the sample answers, you'll be well-prepared to tackle similar topics in your upcoming test. Remember that natural delivery, good pronunciation, and authentic responses will always score higher than memorized answers.
Good luck with your IELTS preparation!