IELTS Speaking Part 1

Meat: 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 meat 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

Do you eat meat often?

Yes, pretty much every day, to be honest. I usually have some grilled chicken or beef with dinner because it keeps me full and gives me enough energy. Just yesterday, for instance, I made a quick chicken stir-fry after getting back from work.

2

What kind of meat do you prefer to eat?

I'd say poultry is definitely my favourite, especially chicken breast. It's quite versatile and not as heavy as red meat like lamb or pork. Whenever my family goes out for a Sunday roast, I always opt for the roast chicken with all the trimmings.

3

Did you eat a lot of meat when you were a child?

Not really, actually. Growing up, my parents were quite keen on balanced meals, so meat was usually served in smaller portions alongside lots of fresh vegetables and lentils. We only really had big steaks or rich meat stews on special occasions, like birthdays.

4

Do you know how to cook any meat dishes?

A few simple ones, yeah. I can make a decent beef bolognese from scratch, and I'm fairly good at marinating chicken thighs for the barbecue. My flatmate actually taught me how to season minced beef properly so it doesn't end up too dry.

5

Do you think you will eat more or less meat in the future?

I reckon I'll probably cut down a bit. A lot of my friends have started having meat-free days during the week for health and environmental reasons, and I quite fancy giving plant-based alternatives a proper go over the next few months.

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

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7 words

Useful vocabulary

  • versatile

    able to be used in many different ways

  • opt for

    to choose a particular option

  • with all the trimmings

    with all the traditional side dishes included

  • from scratch

    from basic ingredients rather than pre-made food

  • marinate

    to soak food in seasoned liquid before cooking

  • cut down

    to reduce the amount of something consumed

  • plant-based alternatives

    foods made from plants to replace meat

  • →If you are vegetarian or vegan, state this immediately and describe your plant-based diet naturally instead.
  • →Use specific cooking methods and meat types rather than repeating the generic word 'meat'.
  • →Include brief personal anecdotes, like a family meal or a recent dinner, to extend your answers smoothly.

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