✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – Cities & Buildings

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you live in a city or a town?

2. What kind of buildings are common where you live?

3. Do you prefer modern or traditional architecture?

4. Are there many public buildings near your home?

5. What changes have you seen in your city’s buildings?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a building or place in your city or town that you like.
You should say:

• what it is

• what it looks like

• what it’s used for
  and explain why you like it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. I live in a city with lots of modern skyscrapers and residential areas.
2. We have a mix of historic landmarks and newly built apartment blocks.
3. I prefer traditional design, but mixed-use developments are practical.
4. Yes, there are schools, libraries, and even a public transport hub nearby.
5. The city has expanded rapidly, and urban sprawl has become a challenge.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

One building I really like in my city is the Central Library. It’s one of the most impressive cultural buildings we have and is located right in the bustling city centre.

The design is a mix of old and new—part of the building is historic, while another part is a sleek, modern extension. It’s surrounded by green urban spaces, where people sit and read or enjoy the fresh air.

It’s also near a public transport hub, so it’s easy to get to. I go there often to study or just to relax. I love that it combines education, community, and culture all in one place.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Cities & Buildings

1. "The city skyline is full of modern skyscrapers and glass towers."
Q: What kind of buildings shape the skyline?

2. "The town is famous for its historic landmarks, like the old cathedral."
Q: What attracts people to the town?

3. "I live in a quiet residential area about 20 minutes from the city centre."
Q: Where does the speaker live?

4. "The bustling city centre is always crowded with people, shops, and traffic."
Q: What is the city centre like?

5. "The city’s urban sprawl has led to long commutes and less green space."
Q: What is a problem caused by urban sprawl?

6. "Many families prefer living in a suburban neighbourhood with good schools."
Q: Why do families like suburban neighbourhoods?

7. "This area has a mixed-use development of shops, offices, and apartments."
Q: What kind of development is in the area?

8. "The train station is a major public transport hub for the entire region."
Q: What is the train station’s role?

9. "The city invests in cultural buildings like museums, theatres, and libraries."
Q: What kind of buildings does the city support?

10. "Green urban spaces like parks and gardens are important for city life."
Q: Why are green spaces valuable in cities?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Tall, modern buildings made of glass.

2. Old and important places/buildings.

3. In a calm neighbourhood outside the centre.

4. Busy, active, and full of people.

5. Longer travel and fewer natural areas.

6. Peaceful and good for raising children.

7. A mix of housing, offices, and shopping.

8. It connects people to transport services.

9. Places for art, culture, and learning.

10. They improve quality of life and nature in the city.

 

🐾 The Wind in the Willows – Chapter 4: The Escape

Toad sat in his prison cell.
The walls were gray. The bed was hard.
Worst of all, there were no cars, no roads—and no friends.

“I’m too important for prison!” he cried.

The jailer’s daughter was a kind young woman. She brought him warm meals and listened to his stories.

“You’re not a bad animal,” she said. “Just foolish.”

Toad agreed. “I’ve made mistakes. But I must escape!”

One day, the jailer’s daughter had an idea.

“My aunt is a washerwoman. She’s small and quiet. You could wear her clothes and sneak out.”

Toad blinked. “Dress like a washerwoman? Never!”

But the next morning, he changed his mind.

👗 She brought a long skirt, apron, and shawl.
Toad put them on and looked in the mirror. He didn’t look like himself at all.

“Perfect,” she said. “Now walk slowly and don’t speak.”

Toad nodded, held up his skirt, and shuffled down the hallway.

The guards didn’t even notice him.

He walked out the prison gate.

🚪 Free at last!

But now what?

He wandered through the town, looking for a way to escape farther.

Soon, he saw a horse pulling a cart.

“Can I have a ride?” he asked the driver in his high voice.

The man looked at him and laughed. “Jump in, madam!”

Toad sat down and smiled.

But as the cart moved, the man looked at him again.

“You’ve got strange hands for a washerwoman,” he said. “And your voice—it sounds... froggy.”

Toad grew nervous.

Suddenly, a police officer appeared in the road.

The man pointed. “That’s no woman! That’s the Toad who stole a car!”

Toad screamed and jumped off the cart.

He ran down a hill, through a field, and into the river.

🐸 Splash!

Cold water closed over his head. He swam hard and pulled himself to the far side.

Wet and tired, but free.

He looked around.

“I must get home,” he whispered.

But trouble still followed close behind...

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Prison cell	A small locked room for prisoners
Washerwoman	A woman who washes clothes for work
Shuffled	Walked slowly and awkwardly
Wandered	Walked around without a clear direction
Pointed	Used a finger to show something
Splash	The sound or action of hitting water

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Where is Toad at the beginning of the chapter?

2. Who helps Toad plan his escape?

3. What disguise does Toad wear?

4. How does he get out of prison?

5. What happens in the cart with the man?

6. How does Toad escape the police again?

7. What does Toad say at the end?

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✅ Answers

1. In a prison cell.

2. The jailer’s daughter.

3. Washerwoman clothes (skirt, apron, shawl).

4. He walks out dressed as a woman, and the guards don’t recognize him.

5. The man starts to suspect Toad is not who he says he is.

6. He jumps off the cart and swims across a river.

7. He says, “I must get home.”

 

✦ IELTS Topic: Woods, Forests & Jungles – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Dense forest
   e.g., We walked through a dense forest where sunlight barely reached the ground.

2. Thick canopy of trees
   e.g., The jungle had a thick canopy of trees, keeping the ground shaded and humid.

3. Towering trees
   e.g., The towering trees made us feel small as we hiked through the woods.

4. Untouched wilderness
   e.g., This national park protects miles of untouched wilderness.

5. Lush greenery
   e.g., The trail was surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant plant life.

6. Overgrown path
   e.g., We followed an overgrown path deeper into the forest.

7. Tropical rainforest
   e.g., The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

8. Teeming with wildlife
   e.g., The jungle was teeming with wildlife, including monkeys and exotic birds.

9. Sounds of nature
   e.g., At night, the forest came alive with the sounds of nature.

10. Get lost in the woods
    e.g., We nearly got lost in the woods because the signs were missing.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – Woods, Forests & Jungles

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you enjoy spending time in nature?

2. Are there forests or wooded areas near where you live?

3. What do people usually do in forests or jungles?

4. Do you prefer quiet nature or more active adventures?

5. Would you like to visit a tropical jungle?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a time you visited a forest, jungle, or wooded area.
You should say:

• where it was

• what you saw

• what you did there
  and explain how you felt about the experience.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I love hiking in nature, especially in dense forests filled with lush greenery.
2. There’s a nature reserve near my town with towering trees and peaceful trails.
3. People usually walk, birdwatch, or just listen to the sounds of nature.
4. I prefer peaceful walks—untouched wilderness makes me feel refreshed.
5. Absolutely! Visiting a tropical rainforest like the Amazon is on my bucket list.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

One time I visited a forest was during a trip to northern Thailand. We hiked through a dense forest that led to a waterfall.

The path was overgrown, and it felt like we were entering a world untouched by humans. Towering trees surrounded us, and the thick canopy of leaves created a cool, shady atmosphere.

We could hear birds and insects all around—the forest was truly teeming with wildlife. It felt magical, like stepping into a movie.

It was peaceful, quiet, and completely different from city life. I really enjoyed getting close to untouched wilderness, even though we nearly got lost in the woods!

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✦ Comprehension Test: Woods, Forests & Jungles

1. "We walked through a dense forest where sunlight barely reached the ground."
Q: What is the forest like?

2. "The jungle had a thick canopy of trees, keeping the ground shaded and humid."
Q: What effect did the canopy have?

3. "The towering trees made us feel small as we hiked through the woods."
Q: How did the trees affect the hikers?

4. "This national park protects miles of untouched wilderness."
Q: What kind of land does the park preserve?

5. "The trail was surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant plant life."
Q: What did the trail look like?

6. "We followed an overgrown path deeper into the forest."
Q: What kind of path was it?

7. "The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest."
Q: What is special about the Amazon?

8. "The jungle was teeming with wildlife, including monkeys and exotic birds."
Q: What could be found in the jungle?

9. "At night, the forest came alive with the sounds of nature."
Q: What did the speaker hear?

10. "We nearly got lost in the woods because the signs were missing."
Q: What happened to the speaker?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Very thick and hard to see through.

2. It blocked sunlight and made it humid.

3. They felt small and surrounded.

4. Land that hasn’t been developed or changed.

5. Full of green plants and colorful nature.

6. Wild, not well-maintained, and covered in plants.

7. It's the largest rainforest on Earth.

8. Many animals and birds.

9. Natural sounds like birds, insects, or animals.

10. They got confused and lost their way.