Over the last two years, the topic of ‘animals’ has come up a few times in IELTS Speaking. In the below sample, this topic is narrowed to the subjects of ‘zoos’ and ‘wild animals’.
Step 1: Listen to this week’s sample.
Step 2: Watch the video version of this week’s podcast episode. Work through the sample speech shadowing exercise.
Step 3: Work through the full version of the exercise using the below video. (Click here if you do not yet have access to these full exercises.)
Step 4: Read through the below transcript and make note of any language items that were new or challenging for you this week.
Step 5: Post your weekly speaking samples to your Whatsapp group and wait for your instructor’s feedback.
Transcript
Do you work or study?
I currently work as a retail sales associate for a well-known store in my city.
Where do you work?
I work at a hardware store that is located in the bustling commercial district of my city.
What do you like about your work?
Firstly, I love interacting with different customers daily and assisting them in finding products that suit their needs. It gives me great satisfaction to see customers leave the store happy with their purchases. Additionally, the retail industry allows me to stay updated with the latest trends and products, which aligns perfectly with my interest in home repairs and hobbyist activities. Moreover, the camaraderie among my colleagues creates a pleasant and supportive work environment, making each day enjoyable.
What would make your work more interesting?
While I find my work already fascinating, I believe it would become even more interesting with the implementation of regular training sessions. Learning about new sales techniques, customer service approaches and product knowledge would help me excel in my role and better serve our customers. Furthermore, having opportunities to attend industry events or participate in merchandising decisions would add a creative and dynamic aspect to my work, making it more engaging and fulfilling. Let’s talk about zoos.
Have you ever been to a zoo?
Yes, I have. There isn’t a zoo in my city but I have driven to The Moscow Zoo several times, which is about 90 minutes away. I find zoos to be an enriching experience, offering a wonderful chance to observe and learn about various animal species from around the world.
What wild animals are commonly found in your country?
In Russia, we are fortunate to have diverse wildlife. Commonly found species include brown bears, wolves, reindeer, elk, and various bird species such as swans, hawks, and falcons. Our vast landscapes also host rare and endangered animals like Siberian tigers and snow leopards. I believe I saw all of these animals at the zoo I was mentioning before.
What wild animal from another country would you like to see in the future?
One wild animal from another country that I would love to see in the future is the graceful and elusive cheetah from Africa. Witnessing the fastest land animal in its natural habitat would be an extraordinary experience, and it would offer me a profound appreciation for wildlife preservation efforts across the globe.