IELTS Speaking Part 1

Car rentals: questions and Band 8 answers

The examiner asks three to five short questions on two or three everyday topics in the first four to five minutes. Here are 5 questions about car rentals written by BandLadder in the examiner's style, each with a Band 8 sample answer. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.
  • 5 questions
  • 5 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

5 answers

Sample answers

1

Have you ever rented a car?

Yes, a couple of times, actually. The last time was during a summer holiday in Scotland with my friends. We hired a small hatchback at the airport so that we could explore the remote countryside and coastal villages without worrying about irregular bus timetables.

2

In what situations do people usually hire a car in your country?

Mostly for weekend getaways or when their own vehicle is in the garage for repairs. It's also quite common for business travellers who need to move between different client meetings across town quickly without having to hail taxis all day long.

3

Do you prefer driving a rental car or using public transport when travelling?

It depends on the destination, really. In bustling cities, I’d much rather hop on the underground because parking is an absolute nightmare. However, if I’m heading out to national parks or the seaside, having a rental gives you total flexibility to stop whenever you spot a nice view.

4

What kind of car would you like to hire in the future?

I’d love to try out an electric vehicle, perhaps a sleek convertible if the weather's nice. I don't own an EV yet, so renting one for a coastal road trip would be a great way to test out the battery range and enjoy a really quiet drive.

5

Do you think car rental services will become more popular in the future?

I reckon they will, especially short-term rentals via mobile apps. Many young people in big cities can’t afford the upkeep and insurance of owning a car, so paying only for the hours you actually drive makes much more financial sense.

Details are invented. Use the shape, not the sentences: examiners mark memorised answers down.

Answer out loud and get a band

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7 words

Useful vocabulary

  • hatchback

    A car with a door at the back opening upwards.

  • remote

    Far away from towns, cities, or other people.

  • weekend getaway

    A short holiday taken over a weekend.

  • bustling

    Full of energetic and busy activity.

  • convertible

    A car with a roof that can be folded back.

  • upkeep

    The cost or process of keeping something in good condition.

  • makes financial sense

    Is a sensible and economical choice.

  • →Use specific vehicle vocabulary like 'hatchback' or 'convertible' instead of repeating the word 'car'.
  • →If you do not drive, explain from the perspective of a passenger or discuss why you prefer alternatives.
  • →Give a concrete reason why you would choose renting over public transport depending on the scenario.

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