IELTS Tăng band Speaking · Cuối khoá · Speaking: Mock Test – A Place That Has Changed

1. What subject are you studying now, or what did you study in the past?

I'm in my third year of a business administration degree. I chose it because I wasn't sure what career I wanted, and business seemed like a flexible option. So far I've enjoyed the marketing modules the most, because they're quite creative.

2. Where do you usually study, at home or somewhere else?

Mostly in a café near my university, believe it or not. At home I get distracted too easily, either by my bed or by my family chatting in the next room. In a café there's a bit of background noise, but it actually helps me concentrate.

3. Do you prefer studying alone or with other people?

It depends on what I'm doing. When I need to memorise information or write an essay, I prefer working alone so I can focus. But before exams I like studying in a small group, because explaining things to my friends helps me remember them better.

4. Is there anything new you would like to learn in the future?

Yes, I'd love to learn basic coding. A lot of jobs in marketing now involve analysing data, and I think having some technical skills would give me an edge. I've already signed up for a free online course, so hopefully I'll stick with it.

5. Did you have a pet when you were a child?

Yes, we had a dog called Mít, which is the Vietnamese word for jackfruit, because of his yellow fur. He was very loyal and used to wait for me at the gate every afternoon when I came home from school. I still miss him a lot.

6. Which animals are popular as pets in your country?

Dogs and cats are by far the most popular, especially in the countryside, where people often keep dogs to guard the house. In cities, though, more people are keeping smaller pets like hamsters or fish, because flats don't have much space.

7. Do you enjoy visiting places where you can see animals, such as zoos or farms?

I prefer farms to zoos, to be honest. On a farm the animals seem to have a more natural life, and you can sometimes feed them, which is fun. Zoos make me feel a bit sad, because some of the cages are quite small for such large animals.

8. Is there an animal you would like to see in the wild?

I'd really like to see elephants in their natural habitat. I've only seen them in a zoo, where they looked quite bored. Watching a herd of them moving freely through a forest would be an amazing experience, I think.

I'd like to describe a small coastal town in central Vietnam where my aunt lives. I first went there when I was about ten, and I went back last summer, so there was a gap of around twelve years.

On my first visit, it was a quiet fishing town. There was only one main road, a few guesthouses, and every morning the beach was full of round fishing boats. I remember buying fresh squid straight from the fishermen with my aunt, and in the evenings the whole town was almost silent.

When I went back last year, I could hardly recognise it. The coast road had been widened, and there were several tall hotels and a big shopping centre right next to the beach. The old market had been replaced by a modern one with air conditioning, and the streets were full of tourists and coffee shops. Even my aunt's house now has a homestay on the ground floor.

To be honest, I had mixed feelings about these changes. On the one hand, I was happy for the local people, because tourism has created a lot of jobs and my aunt now earns much more than before. On the other hand, I felt a bit sad that the town had lost some of its character. The fishing boats have mostly gone, and the beach is much more crowded. So, although the town is more comfortable now, I sometimes miss the peaceful place I remember from my childhood.

1. Why do towns and cities change so quickly nowadays?

I think the main driver is economic growth. As a country gets richer, more people move to cities for work, so there's a huge demand for housing, roads and services. On top of that, construction technology has improved a lot, which means a twenty-storey building can go up in a year or two. That's why some neighbourhoods look completely different after just a few years.

2. Do you think modern shopping centres are better than traditional markets?

They're better in some ways but not in others. Shopping centres are clean, air-conditioned and have fixed prices, so they're more comfortable, especially for families with young children. However, traditional markets are usually cheaper and the food is often fresher, because it comes directly from local farmers. Personally, I think both should exist, since they serve different needs.

3. What can governments do to protect old buildings and historic areas?

First of all, they can pass laws that stop developers from knocking down buildings of historic value. Secondly, they could offer financial support to owners so that they can repair old houses properly instead of replacing them. Finally, I think it's important to raise public awareness, for example by organising heritage tours, because people are more likely to protect something if they understand its value.

4. How does tourism affect local communities?

It has both positive and negative effects. On the plus side, it brings in money and creates jobs, not only in hotels but also for taxi drivers, shop owners and farmers. On the other hand, if too many tourists come, prices can rise and local people may no longer be able to afford to live in the area. There's also the risk that traditional culture becomes just a show for visitors.

5. Do you think the places where people live will be very different in twenty years?

Yes, I think they'll change quite a lot. Cities will probably have more public transport and fewer motorbikes, partly because of pollution. I also expect more people to work from home, so some may move back to smaller towns where housing is cheaper. That said, I don't think everything will change – people will still want green spaces and a sense of community.