Welcome to this comprehensive IELTS Speaking practice question set focusing on air pollution and environmental quality. This practice covers all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test, providing you with a complete simulation of the actual examination experience.
The IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in English across different contexts—from everyday conversations to abstract discussions. This practice set will help you develop confidence, improve your fluency, and refine your ability to express complex ideas on environmental topics.
Test Structure and Timing:
- Part 1 (Introduction and Interview): 4-5 minutes
- General questions about yourself and familiar topics
- Part 2 (Individual Long Turn): 3-4 minutes total
- 1 minute preparation time
- 1-2 minutes speaking time
- Topic card with prompts to guide your response
- Part 3 (Two-way Discussion): 4-5 minutes
- More abstract questions and in-depth discussion
- Opportunity to express and justify opinions
Total Speaking Test Duration: Approximately 11-14 minutes
Practice all three parts to familiarize yourself with the format, develop your response strategies, and build the stamina needed for the complete test. Remember, the examiner is assessing your English communication skills, not your knowledge of the topic itself.
PART 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)
In Part 1, the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and familiar topics. Responses should be direct but developed, typically 2-4 sentences per answer. The examiner may ask follow-up questions based on your responses.
Questions About Air Quality and Environment:
- Is air quality a concern where you live?
- Have you noticed any changes in air quality in your city or town over the years?
- What do you usually do when air pollution levels are high in your area?
- Do you check air quality reports or forecasts regularly?
- How does weather affect air quality where you live?
- Do you think people in your country are aware of air pollution issues?
- Have you ever experienced health problems due to poor air quality?
- What measures does your local government take to improve air quality?
- Do you prefer spending time indoors or outdoors, and does air quality influence your decision?
Part 1: Sample Answers (High-Scoring Responses)
Question: Is air quality a concern where you live?
Sample Answer (Band 7-8): “Yes, definitely. I live in a large metropolitan area where traffic congestion is quite severe, especially during rush hours. The air quality tends to deteriorate significantly in winter months when there’s less wind circulation, and you can sometimes see a hazy layer over the city. It’s become something that residents increasingly talk about, particularly parents with young children who are more vulnerable to respiratory issues.”
PART 2: Individual Long Turn (3-4 minutes total)
In Part 2, you will receive a topic card with prompts. You have 1 minute to prepare notes, then you must speak for 1-2 minutes. The examiner will not interrupt during your talk but may ask one or two brief follow-up questions afterward.
Topic Card:
Describe a time when you were affected by air pollution or poor air quality.
You should say:
- when and where this happened
- what caused the poor air quality
- how it affected you or others around you
- and explain what you think could have been done to prevent or reduce this problem
You will have 1 minute to prepare. You should speak for 1-2 minutes.
Part 2: Sample Answer (High-Scoring Response – Band 8-9)
Sample Response:
“I’d like to talk about an experience I had last winter when I visited Delhi, India, which unfortunately coincided with one of the worst pollution episodes the city has experienced in recent years.
This happened in November, which is typically when air quality in Delhi deteriorates significantly due to a combination of factors. The main causes were crop burning in neighboring agricultural states, where farmers set fire to leftover rice stubble, along with increased vehicular emissions and the unfavorable weather conditions that trapped pollutants close to ground level. The situation was so severe that the pollution levels were classified as hazardous, reaching nearly ten times the safe limit recommended by the WHO.
The impact on daily life was quite dramatic. Within just a few hours of being outdoors, I developed a persistent cough and my eyes began to sting. Many local residents were wearing masks, and I noticed that outdoor activities were significantly curtailed—parks were empty, and schools had been closed temporarily. The visibility was so poor that you could barely see buildings just a few hundred meters away, and there was this acrid smell in the air that was really unpleasant. It was particularly concerning to see how vulnerable populations, especially children and elderly people, were being advised to stay indoors as much as possible.
Looking back, I think this crisis could have been prevented or at least mitigated through several measures. Firstly, the government could have implemented stricter regulations on crop burning and provided farmers with alternative, more sustainable methods for dealing with agricultural waste, such as subsidized machinery that converts stubble into useful compost. Secondly, temporary measures like restricting vehicle usage through odd-even license plate schemes could have been introduced earlier, rather than as an emergency response. Long-term solutions would include investing more heavily in public transportation and transitioning to cleaner energy sources for both industrial and domestic use. I also believe that regional cooperation between states would be essential, as pollution doesn’t respect administrative boundaries. This experience really opened my eyes to how serious air pollution has become in many parts of the world and how urgent the need for coordinated action is.”
PART 3: Two-way Discussion (4-5 minutes)
In Part 3, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the Part 2 topic. This section tests your ability to analyze, evaluate, and discuss broader issues. Answers should be more developed and show depth of thought.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think air pollution has become such a serious problem in modern cities?
- Some people argue that economic development should take priority over environmental protection. What’s your view on this?
- How can governments balance industrial growth with the need to reduce air pollution?
- Do you think individuals have a responsibility to reduce air pollution, or is it primarily the government’s responsibility?
- What role can technology play in solving air pollution problems?
- How might air pollution affect future generations if current trends continue?
- Some cities have introduced car-free zones or days. Do you think such measures are effective?
- In your opinion, should polluting industries be forced to relocate away from residential areas?
Part 3: Sample Answers (High-Scoring Responses)
Question: Why do you think air pollution has become such a serious problem in modern cities?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9): “I think there are several interconnected factors at play here. Fundamentally, rapid urbanization has led to a massive concentration of both people and activities in relatively small geographic areas. Cities have become economic hubs that attract industries, and this inevitably means increased manufacturing, energy consumption, and transportation needs—all of which contribute to emissions.
What’s particularly problematic is that many cities’ infrastructure simply hasn’t kept pace with their population growth. Public transportation systems are often inadequate, forcing people to rely on private vehicles, which creates this vicious cycle of traffic congestion and pollution. Additionally, I think the issue is compounded by the fact that many developing nations are industrializing rapidly without having access to the cleaner technologies that are now available, partly due to cost considerations.
There’s also a temporal dimension to this problem. Many cities were designed decades ago when environmental concerns weren’t prioritized, so they lack green spaces that could help absorb pollutants. The architecture and urban planning of that era didn’t anticipate the scale of vehicular traffic we see today. So essentially, we’re dealing with a perfect storm of outdated infrastructure, rapid growth, and insufficient regulatory frameworks.”
Share Your Practice Responses!
We encourage you to record yourself answering these questions or practice with a partner, then share your responses or key challenges in the comments below!
For more IELTS Speaking practice tests, you can also visit Housing Topic.
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