So I recently took an IELTS speaking
mock test at Ross IELTS Academy — and let me tell you, it was one of the most
insightful experiences I’ve had in my IELTS journey. I went in as a candidate
named Anis Khandan, and I’m sharing this to help others who might be
preparing for their own speaking test. Whether you’re nervous, unsure about the
process, or simply want to know what a Band 7 candidate sounds like, this post
is for you.
The test started formally, just like
the real IELTS speaking exam. The examiner asked for my name, ID, and
introduced herself. From there, we jumped straight into Part 1, and I was asked
about leisure time, neighbors, and pets. It felt pretty casual — but still
serious. I talked about how I love reading, shopping, and listening to music. I
mentioned my childhood routines — going to English classes and the gym, even as
early as six years old.
When the topic changed to neighbors,
I shared how most people in Iran are close to their neighbors, and how they help
each other — whether emotionally or even looking after the house when we
travel. Then came pets — I said I didn’t currently have one, but when I was a
child, I had yellow and pink chicks! Dogs are the most popular pet in my
country, mostly because of their loyalty.
Then came Part 2, the cue
card. I was asked to describe an occasion when I lost something. I took a
minute to prepare and made a few notes. Then I told the story of how I lost my
sneakers after a training session. I had left them to grab water, and when I
came back, they were gone. It felt awful. I searched everywhere, even told the
person in charge, but no luck. Three days later, a friend called and surprised
me — she had found them! That day, I felt incredibly lucky because those
sneakers were actually a gift.
After finishing, I added something
personal: how losing something like an object is hard — but losing someone is
worse. I remembered getting lost from my mother once as a child, and it was a
terrible feeling.
In Part 3, we discussed general
topics related to memory and forgetting things. I said people forget things now
because of technology. We rely on reminders instead of our own memory. I talked
about how I would act if I lost something — I’d report it if it was valuable,
but not worry much if it was a pen. We also talked about culture and how people
tend to forget their own traditions today. I think it’s because everyone wants
to experience new things and be open to other cultures — plus, technology and
media make foreign lifestyles look attractive.
One interesting question was about
why stories about finding treasure are always popular. I said it’s because
finding something valuable — especially after a long search — gives us hope and
can completely change our life. Those stories motivate people to work harder
for their own goals.
The
Feedback I Received
After the test, the examiner gave me
detailed feedback, and I found it super helpful. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Fluency and Coherence – Band 7
I was able to develop my ideas well across all three parts. Some pauses and self-corrections were there, but they sounded natural. I used common linkers like "and," "so," and "because" — but I was encouraged to try more advanced ones like "however" or "in addition" to sound even better. - Vocabulary (Lexical Resource) – Band 7
This was my strong point. I used good phrases and collocations like "person in charge," "maintain a balance," "take care of our house," etc. I was advised to use more idiomatic expressions to reach a higher band. - Grammar – Band 7
I used complex sentences, conditionals, and relative clauses. But I made small grammar errors — like saying “most Iranian” instead of “most Iranians,” and using present perfect in a past story. Still, I was consistent and understandable. - Pronunciation – Band 7
My speech was clear and easy to understand. A few pronunciation slips happened — like saying “close” instead of “clothes,” or saying “cause” instead of “because.” The examiner suggested listening to more podcasts to improve intonation and stress.
Final
Result: Overall Band 7
I was told that with more advanced
connectives, idioms, and polishing my grammar accuracy, I could easily aim for
Band 8 next time. The examiner was supportive and said I had great potential.
If you're preparing for IELTS, I
highly recommend doing a mock test like this. It not only gives you practice
but also shows you exactly where you stand — and how you can improve.
And if you're wondering how to
practice speaking better, talk to yourself, record your answers, mimic
fluent speakers, and most importantly — don't be afraid of making mistakes.
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