Sample IELTS Band 9 Speaking Responses

The recordings below are intended to provide samples of high-band Speaking responses (standard North American accent). Notice that I do not sound like I’m reading rehearsed speeches! I speak conversationally and pause the way people do when they’re talking normally, but it’s also clear that I speak fluently and can use high-level vocabulary and grammar in a natural way.

 

Recording 1:  

Describe a natural talent you want to improve like sports or music

You should say:

  • what it is
  • when you discovered it
  • how you want to improve it
  • how you feel about it

Please note: this is the actual question I got when I took the IELTS, and this is basically the answer I gave (for a Band 9 score).

 

 

Recording 2: 

Describe a book you have recently read. You should say:

  • what kind of book it is
  • what it is about
  • what kind of people would enjoy it
  • why you liked it

 

 

 

Recording 3: 

Describe a trip that didn’t go as planned. You should say:

  • who you were with
  • how you were traveling
  • how you got there
  • what went wrong
  • what you would do next time