IELTS Speaking Practice Test: The Happiness

Several small things. Starting the day with a coffee while watching the sunrise is uplifting, and I enjoy my walk to work when I meet friendly neighbours. Even a simple ‘good morning’ message from a friend can brighten my whole day.

Useful language:upliftingbrighten my whole day

Yes, mostly. I have a supportive family and good friends, and I try to focus on what’s going well rather than worrying about things I can’t control.

Useful language:supportive familythings I can’t control

I usually go for a long walk, listen to music or call a close friend. Talking things through always helps me see problems more clearly.

Useful language:talking things through

The New Year celebrations, definitely. Families get together, there’s lots of food and fireworks, and there’s a real feeling of optimism about the year ahead.

Useful language:a feeling of optimism

People are quite sociable and family-oriented, which helps, but economic pressures like high rents make many young people stressed. So I’d say it’s mixed.

Useful language:family-orientedeconomic pressures

Summer holidays at my grandparents’ village, playing outside all day with my cousins and eating fresh fruit straight from the trees.

Useful language:straight from the trees

I like to celebrate good news with friends, usually over a meal, and I try to pass on positive energy by helping people or simply being encouraging.

Useful language:pass on positive energy

Only up to a point. Money removes many worries and gives security, but beyond that, relationships, health and meaningful work matter much more.

Useful language:up to a pointsecurity

I’d like to talk about a moment when I felt incredibly happy: when I completed my first marathon last year. It happened during the annual city marathon in my hometown, in spring, and my family were cheering me on at different points along the route.

This moment was particularly special because I’d spent six months training for it. The journey wasn’t easy — I had to get up early every morning, follow a strict diet and push through many physical and mental challenges, including a knee injury halfway through my training. What made it even more meaningful was that I was running to raise money for a local children’s hospital.

When I finally crossed the finish line, the feeling was indescribable. It wasn’t just about the physical achievement; it was about proving to myself that with dedication and perseverance I could do something I once thought impossible. Seeing my family’s proud faces and knowing that my effort would help sick children made the happiness even deeper.

The combination of accomplishment, exhaustion and the knowledge that I’d contributed to a good cause created a moment of pure joy. It taught me that real happiness often comes from pushing our limits and doing something meaningful for others — and I’ve already signed up for my next race.

Useful language:push throughindescribablededication and perseverancea good causepushing our limits

The concept has evolved significantly. For older generations, happiness often centred on stability, family and community, perhaps because they lived through harder economic times. Younger generations tend to define it through personal growth, experiences and work-life balance, though they also face new pressures from social media and career expectations. Still, some things remain universal, like meaningful relationships and achieving personal goals.

Useful language:centred onpersonal growthwork-life balanceuniversal

Governments can’t make people happy directly, but they can create the conditions for it — good healthcare, education, safety, affordable housing and green spaces. Some countries now measure wellbeing alongside economic growth, which I think is a positive step.

Useful language:create the conditionsmeasure wellbeing

It’s mixed. Technology makes life more convenient and helps us stay in touch, which supports happiness. But constant notifications, comparison on social media and working at all hours can increase stress and loneliness, so it depends on how we use it.

Useful language:constant notificationsdepends on how we use it

Social media often presents a highlight reel of other people’s lives — holidays, achievements, perfect meals — which can make ordinary life feel disappointing by comparison. It can create the impression that happiness means constant excitement rather than contentment.

Useful language:a highlight reelby comparisoncontentment

In some cultures people express happiness openly, with loud celebrations and lots of physical contact, while in others it’s shown more quietly and modestly. Some cultures also value collective happiness — the family’s or community’s — more than individual happiness.

Useful language:openlymodestlycollective happiness

Some people worry about seeming boastful or making others feel jealous, especially if friends are struggling. Personality and upbringing play a role too — people raised to be reserved may find it uncomfortable to show strong emotions.

Useful language:boastfulreserved

I think there will be even more focus on mental health and wellbeing rather than material success. As automation changes work, people may look for happiness in creativity, community and free time.

Useful language:mental health and wellbeingmaterial success

Achievement can bring satisfaction and confidence, especially when it involves effort and growth. But the happiness it brings is often temporary if we immediately chase the next goal, so enjoying the process and our relationships along the way matters more.

Useful language:temporaryenjoying the process