IELTS Speaking Practice: Reading Habits & Urban Exploration

IELTS Speaking Practice Test: Reading Habits & Urban Exploration (Band 9 Answers)

To achieve a Band 9 in the IELTS Speaking test, you must demonstrate exceptional fluency, a sophisticated command of vocabulary, and the ability to seamlessly transition from discussing personal habits to analyzing complex global trends.

In this comprehensive mock test, we will cover Part 1 questions about your reading preferences, tackle a highly descriptive Part 2 cue card about a dream city destination, and dive into high-level Part 3 discussions on urban tourism and the rapid growth of megacities. Study these Band 9 model answers to elevate your own speaking strategies and maximize your score.

Part 1: Reading

1. Did you have a favourite book when you were a child? [Why/Why not?]

I absolutely did. I was completely captivated by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. It wasn’t just the whimsical narrative that drew me in, but rather Dahl’s extraordinary ability to build such an immersive, wildly imaginative landscape. I must have read my paperback copy until the pages were literally falling out.

2. How much reading do you do for your work/studies? [Why/Why not?]

I do a phenomenal amount of reading on a daily basis. In my profession, staying updated with industry trends is paramount. Consequently, I spend several hours each week digesting lengthy project reports, analyzing market research data, and reading peer-reviewed articles to ensure our business strategies remain highly competitive and innovative.

3. What kinds of books do you read for pleasure? [Why/Why not?]

When I want to genuinely disconnect and decompress, I gravitate almost exclusively toward historical fiction. I find it to be the perfect form of escapism. It allows me to temporarily inhabit a completely different era and culture, effortlessly blending gripping narratives with fascinating, meticulously researched historical facts.

4. Do you prefer to read a newspaper or a magazine online, or to buy a copy? [Why?]

I have completely transitioned to digital formats. While I do occasionally miss the tactile experience and the distinct smell of freshly printed paper, reading online is vastly more pragmatic. Digital subscriptions provide instantaneous access to breaking news, are significantly more eco-friendly, and completely eliminate the physical clutter of accumulating old magazines in my living room.

Part 2: Cue Card (A Big City You Would Like to Visit)

The Cue Card:

Describe a big city you would like to visit.

You should say:

• which big city you would like to visit
• how you would travel there
• what you would do there
• and explain why you would like to visit this big city.

Band 9 Model Answer:

If I had the opportunity, the city I would absolutely love to visit next is Tokyo. It is a sprawling, hyper-modern metropolis that has always held a deep fascination for me.

Because it is located halfway across the globe from where I currently live, the only viable way to travel there would be via a direct, long-haul flight.

In terms of my itinerary, I would want to experience the stark contrasts the city offers. I’d spend my first few days navigating the neon-lit, bustling districts like Akihabara and experiencing the sheer, orchestrated chaos of the Shibuya Crossing. After absorbing that intense urban energy, I would deliberately seek out the city’s quieter, spiritual side by visiting the ancient Senso-ji Temple and strolling through the serene, meticulously manicured gardens of the Imperial Palace. Furthermore, engaging in ‘culinary tourism’ would be a massive priority; I’d want to eat authentic street food right from the vibrant stalls of the Tsukiji Outer Market.

The primary reason I am so drawn to Tokyo is its unique cultural duality. It is a city that sits at the absolute cutting edge of technological innovation and futuristic architecture, yet it simultaneously preserves and fiercely respects its centuries-old traditions and etiquette. Experiencing that seamless juxtaposition of the ancient and the avant-garde firsthand would be an unforgettable travel experience.

Part 3: Visiting Cities on Holiday & The Growth of Cities

Topic 1: Visiting cities on holiday

1. What are the most interesting things to do while visiting cities on holiday?

I believe the most rewarding experiences come from immersing oneself in the authentic local culture rather than just ticking off famous landmarks. This involves exploring off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, utilizing the local public transit system, and indulging in the regional gastronomy at independent, family-run restaurants. Engaging with the city exactly how a local resident would provides a much richer, more nuanced understanding of the destination.

2. Why can it be expensive to visit cities on holiday?

Cities are inherently subject to a massive premium on space. Because real estate is incredibly scarce and highly sought-after, the overhead costs for hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues are astronomical, which are naturally passed down to the consumer. Additionally, popular urban destinations often feature ‘tourist traps’—areas explicitly designed to capitalize on visitors by heavily inflating the prices of basic goods and services.

3. Do you think it is better to visit cities alone or in a group with friends?

It’s a delicate trade-off. Traveling with a group of friends offers a wonderful sense of shared experience, increased safety, and the financial benefit of splitting accommodation costs. However, I personally advocate for solo urban exploration. Traveling alone grants you absolute autonomy over your itinerary. You can linger in a museum for hours or spontaneously change your dinner plans without having to negotiate or compromise with a group’s conflicting preferences.

Topic 2: The growth of cities

4. Why have cities increased in size in recent years?

The exponential expansion of cities is primarily driven by mass rural-to-urban migration. As agricultural sectors become increasingly automated, people are flocking to metropolitan hubs in search of greater economic prosperity, superior tertiary education, and more robust healthcare infrastructure. Cities act as massive economic engines, centralizing wealth and career opportunities that simply do not exist in rural peripheries.

5. What are the challenges created by ever-growing cities?

Hyper-urbanization presents several critical logistical nightmares. The most pressing is the severe strain it places on existing infrastructure; public transportation systems become desperately overcrowded, and road networks fall victim to chronic gridlock. Furthermore, the surging population creates a massive housing deficit, driving up rent prices and frequently leading to the proliferation of informal settlements or slums on the city margins. Environmentally, the concentration of vehicles and industry drastically degrades air quality.

6. In what ways do you think cities of the future will be different to cities today?

I anticipate a massive paradigm shift towards ‘smart cities.’ Urban planners will increasingly leverage artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize everything from traffic flow and energy grids to automated waste management. Furthermore, as the climate crisis worsens, future cities will have to become radically greener. We will likely see a surge in vertical farming integrated directly into residential skyscrapers and a complete phase-out of combustion-engine vehicles in favor of fully pedestrianized, zero-emission urban cores.

📚 Essential Band 9 Vocabulary (Part 2 & 3)

To help you achieve a high lexical resource score, below are the key advanced vocabulary words and phrases used in the model answers above: