IELTS recent speaking part 2 2025 questions

 IELTS recent speaking part 2 2025 questions

Topic 1

Cue Card:
Describe a kind of foreign food you like and you have had.
You should say:

• what it is
• when and where you had it
• why you like it
• and explain how you feel about it.
  
  

Model Answer

One foreign food that I absolutely love is Mexican tacos. I first tried them about a year ago during a food festival in my city. There was a stall specially imported by a Mexican restaurant, and the smell of spices and grilled meat brought people in from all around.

I chose a chicken taco with salsa, guacamole, onions, and a sprinkle of fresh coriander. The tortilla was soft yet slightly toasted. The chicken was marinated with a blend of chili, lime, and garlic, giving it a rich flavour profile: spicy, tangy, smoky. I still remember the first bite — the heat from the salsa, the creaminess of the guac, and the crunch of onion came together so well.

What makes tacos so appealing to me is the balance of textures and flavours. They are versatile: you can adjust spice level, add vegetables, change meat or go vegetarian. Also, eating them is an experience: wrapping, folding, topping — it’s interactive, fun, festive.

Since then, I’ve tried tacos at various Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants. Every time, I feel excited, almost nostalgic, remembering that first festival. Foreign food like this broadens my palate; it introduces me to spices and cooking techniques I’m not used to. It also reminds me about cultural diversity — how food reflects history and migration.

Ultimately, I feel happy and inspired by trying this foreign cuisine. It makes me more adventurous in food choices, more willing to try new dishes. I believe food is a way to travel, even without moving far.

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers

Q1. Do most people prefer to eat familiar food or try new food in your country?
Many people in my country tend to stick with familiar food because comfort, habits, and family tradition play a big role. However, younger people especially are more willing to experiment, due to exposure via travel, social media, or international food chains.

Q2. What kinds of foreign food are popular in your country?
Popular foreign cuisines include Indian, Chinese, Thai, and increasingly Mexican and Korean. Fast food chains (burgers, pizzas) also remain very common. The popularity often depends on how well the food can be adapted to local tastes.

Q3. Is it expensive to eat foreign food in your country?
Yes, usually it is more expensive than local food because of imported ingredients, restaurant costs, and sometimes licensing. But street-versions or small restaurants make them more accessible.

Q4. What’s the difference between cooking foreign food at home vs eating it in a restaurant?
Cooking at home allows customization of spice, ingredients, and portion size. It can be more economical, though sometimes gathering ingredients is difficult. Eating out offers convenience, authenticity, and ambience, but may cost more and be less flexible.

Topic 2

Cue Card:
Describe something interesting that your friend has done but you’ve never done before.
You should say:

• what it was
• where your friend did it
• when your friend did it
• and explain why it was interesting.
  
  

Model Answer

I’d like to talk about something fascinating my friend Maya did, which I haven’t done myself: she went on a solo hiking trip in the Himalayas. This was about six months ago, during her summer break. She trekked through remote trails in Nepal, including high altitude passes, stayed in small lodges, and carried her own gear.

She started from a town near Annapurna base and walked through villages, forests, and mountain ridges. There were times when the trail was steep and narrow, crossing rivers and sometimes snow patches. She documented the journey with photos, journal entries, and even interacted with local villagers to learn about their way of life. The scenery was incredible — snowcapped peaks, misty valleys, sunrise over mountains.

What I found interesting (and impressive) is how brave and self-reliant she was. Hiking alone in challenging terrain requires planning, physical fitness, and mental fortitude. Also, choosing to disconnect from urban luxuries invited unexpected surprises: unpredictable weather, trail diversity, the sense of solitude.

Her trip also inspired me because she pushed boundaries of comfort, embraced uncertainty, and used the journey as self-discovery. Hearing about her challenges — altitude sickness, rainstorms, navigation issues — made me respect her more.

Although I haven’t done something like that yet, talking to her about it made me want to try. It seems like an adventure that teaches more than any classroom can. The feeling of being close to nature, testing oneself physically and mentally, and returning home with stories to share — those are the things that make her hike so interesting to me.

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers

Q1. Do you think people today try more adventurous activities than in the past?
Yes, I believe so. With more travel options, social media showing extreme sports or adventures, improved gear, and people wanting unique experiences, adventurous activities are becoming more common.

Q2. What benefits do people get from trying new things or activities?
Trying new things builds confidence, resilience, broadens perspectives, and often teaches skills you wouldn’t get otherwise (problem solving, adaptability). It also helps people understand themselves better.

Q3. Are there risks associated with adventurous activities?
Definitely. Physical risks (injury, weather, altitude), financial cost, or uncertainty of safety. But many people believe the rewards outweigh risks if careful planning is done.

Q4. Should schools encourage students to engage in adventurous or outdoor activities? Why / Why not?
Yes, schools should. It promotes physical health, teamwork, discipline, and develops mental toughness. However, schools must ensure safety, provide proper supervision, and possibly include some outdoor education in curricula.

Topic 3

Cue Card:
Describe a problem you had while shopping online or in a store.
You should say:

• when it happened
• what you bought
• what problem you had
• and explain how you felt about the experience.

Model Answer

One awkward problem I had while shopping online occurred about three months ago. I ordered a smartwatch from an international online marketplace because it had many good reviews and seemed like a great deal.

The product arrived after about two weeks, but upon opening it I discovered two main issues. First, the watch’s battery life was far shorter than advertised: it would barely last a day with moderate use. Second, one of the straps was damaged — the clasp was misaligned, so it sometimes opened accidentally. I tried reaching out to the seller via message, but their responses were slow. They offered a partial refund but asked me to return the item at my own shipping cost, which would have negated much of the refund.

I felt frustrated and a bit cheated. Buying online is supposed to be convenient, but this experience taught me that sometimes the risk is high. I also felt anxious because goggles and specs in images had looked better; reality did not match expectations.

In the end, I accepted the partial refund, but I was more cautious afterward. I now read reviews carefully, check user photos, and buy from sellers with better return policies.

Despite the annoyance, the experience was useful. It taught me patience, attention to detail, and the importance of post-purchase rights. Also, it gave me something to talk about in exams!

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers

Q1. What kinds of customer service do you think are good?
Good customer service involves prompt response, fair solutions, clarity on policies, and empathy. When staff or sellers understand the customer’s problem and try to resolve it rather than defend themselves that is ideal.

Q2. What are the differences between shopping online and in stores?
Online shopping gives convenience, a wide variety, and often better deals. However, you can’t physically inspect goods; shipping delays or false advertising are risks. In-store shopping lets you try and see, but costs in time and sometimes price are higher.

Q3. What problems do customers often have while shopping?
Common issues include wrong descriptions, poor quality, late or missing delivery, misleading photos or reviews, difficult return policies, and sometimes customs or import duties for international purchases.

Q4. Do customer complaints help improve product quality?
Yes, they can. Feedback alerts manufacturers and sellers to flaws, helps improve quality control, and influences future product designs. On a larger scale, repeated complaints also prompt regulatory attention.

Q5. Do you think people in your country trust online reviews?
Many do, especially younger people. But skepticism is rising because of fake reviews. Some people check multiple sources or ask friends instead.

Topic 4

Cue Card:
Describe your favourite place in your house where you can relax.
You should say:

• where it is
• what it is like
• what you enjoy doing there
• and explain why you feel relaxed at this place.
  
  

Model Answer

My favourite place in my home where I can truly relax is the small balcony attached to my bedroom. It overlooks a garden and a few fruit trees in our compound. The balcony is modest — just two chairs, a small wooden table, and some potted plants, but it’s peaceful.

In the evenings, I like to step out there with a cup of tea, sometimes with a book or my headphones. The air is cooler at that hour, birds come back to roost, and the rustling of leaves is soothing. There are string lights and small wind chimes, which add a warm ambience when dusk sets in.

I sometimes sketch or write in my journal there. Other times, I just sit quietly, watch the changing sky, listen to distant traffic or occasional laughter from neighbours. It’s a break-from screens. Occasionally, I meditate or do breathing exercises in that tiny space.

Why I feel relaxed there is because it gives me peace and solitude. It’s separate from the distractions inside the house — no TV, no constant noise. More importantly, it connects me with nature — simple green leaves, the sky’s colours, fresh air. It’s a personal haven where I gather my thoughts, reduce stress, and feel rejuvenated.

Whenever I spend time there, I feel calmer, more centred, and ready to face tasks again. It’s my escape from daily pressures, even if just for 15-20 minutes.

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers

Q1. Why is it difficult for some people to relax?
Because of hectic schedules, constant digital distractions (phones, social media), financial worries, or lack of time. Also, people might not know how to switch off mentally.

Q2. What are the benefits of doing exercise for relaxation?
Exercise helps reduce physical tension, improve mood through endorphins, better sleep, and a sense of achievement. Even light exercise like walking helps.

Q3. Do people in your country exercise after work?
Some do — especially younger or health-conscious people. But many are too tired or have long commutes, so they prefer rest or watching TV.

Q4. Which is more important: mental relaxation or physical relaxation?
Both are crucial and interconnected. Physical relaxation (rest, sleep) supports mental wellbeing, and mental peace (low stress, mindfulness) improves physical health.

Topic 5

Cue Card:
Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste (e.g. in a park, on the beach, etc.)
You should say:

• where and when you saw the plastic waste
• why there were a lot of plastic waste
• what you did after you saw them
• and explain what your thoughts were about this.
  
  

Model Answer

A few months ago, I visited a lakeshore area near my hometown with some friends for a picnic. We arrived in the late afternoon, expecting peace and pretty scenery, but instead were met by shorelines littered with plastic bottles, snack wrappers, plastic bags, and food containers.

The plastic waste was everywhere: floating in water, tangled among reeds, and strewn across sandy patches. There were small plastic fragments and abandoned packaging. It seemed that people visiting earlier had left everything behind, and there were no trash bins or guides reminding them to clean up.

Seeing that mess made me feel upset and concerned. My friends and I collected some of the litter using plastic bags we carried, cleaned spots where possible. We also informed local park staff about the issue. I took photos to share on social media, hoping to raise awareness among others.

I believe such situations happen because of lack of awareness, negligence, insufficient public waste management, and possibly lack of strict enforcement of littering laws. People often don’t think of the long-term damage to the environment.

Thinking about it, I realized that plastic waste does more than just spoil beauty. It harms wildlife, pollutes water, and eventually enters soil and food chains. I felt a mixture of sadness and motivation — sad at human carelessness, but motivated to act.

After that, I promised myself to avoid single-use plastics, carry reusable bags and water bottles. Also, I consider volunteering for local clean-ups.

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers

Q1. Do you think we should use plastic products?
We probably need some plastics for medical, industrial, or packaging uses, but single-use plastics and non-recyclable types should be minimized. Alternatives like biodegradable, reusable materials should be encouraged.

Q2. How can we reduce our use of plastic?
Via public education, stricter laws and enforcement, incentivizing producers to use eco-friendly packaging, promoting recycling infrastructure, and consumers choosing reusable options.

Q3. What kinds of plastic waste are often seen in your country?
Common items include water bottles, plastic bags, food wrappers, disposable cutlery, and sometimes packaging for household items. Coastal or lakeshore areas often accumulate plastic from both locals and tourists.

Q4. What can the government do to reduce plastic pollution?
Governments can ban or limit single-use plastics, enforce penalties for littering, provide public bins, run awareness campaigns, subsidize eco-friendly alternatives, and support waste collection systems.

Q5. Do you think we can someday eliminate the use of plastic completely?
Eliminating plastic completely is unlikely in the near future because many applications (medical, safety) depend on it. But drastically reducing harmful plastic types and increasing recycling is achievable with coordinated effort.