This page features real IELTS Speaking questions from a January 2025 test conducted in Bangladesh. The main topic of this test was complaining, and the content is divided into Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. It comes with full sample answers. These recent IELTS questions are a great way to practice and understand what to expect.
Main Topic: Complaining
1. Part one
– What is your full name?
– May I see your ID?
– Do you work or study?
– Do you like geography?
– Have you ever studied geography at school?
– Are you good at reading a map?
– Would you visit a country because of its geographical location?
2. Part two
Sample Answer
I’d like to talk about a time when I made a complaint about a product I bought online, and thankfully, the situation was handled very well.
A few months ago, I ordered a pair of noise-cancelling headphones from a well-known online retailer. When they arrived, I was quite let down, because one of the earcups wasn’t working properly—it produced a crackling noise that made them unusable.
I decided to take action and seek justice, but instead of being emotional, I tried to approach it constructively. I contacted their customer service department through live chat, explained the issue clearly, and even attached a video to demonstrate the problem.
The person I spoke to was very professional and polite. They apologized and immediately offered a replacement or a full refund, whichever I preferred. I was quite impressed with how assertive yet calm I managed to be, and how smoothly they resolved the issue.
What made me really satisfied with the result was the speed of their response and the fact that they even gave me a small goodwill gesture—a discount coupon for my next purchase.
To me, this experience showed that when you communicate problems politely and clearly, it’s much more likely that things will work out in your favor.
Sample Band 7.5–8
3. Part three
– When do people usually complain?
– Can complaining help solve problems?
– What kind of people complain?
– Would you buy things in the shops in which you have made complaints before?
– What product or services do people in your country like to complain about?
– Who are more likely to complain, young people or old people?
Sample Answers
1. When do people usually complain?
People usually complain when they feel let down or when their expectations aren’t met. It could be about poor customer service, faulty products, or even loud neighbors. Complaining often comes from a desire to be heard or to seek some kind of justice or improvement in a situation.
2. Can complaining help solve problems?
Yes, definitely. If done constructively, complaining can actually lead to positive changes. For example, businesses often rely on feedback to improve their services, and a well-delivered complaint can highlight issues they might not have noticed. But if it’s just whining without offering a solution, it usually doesn’t help much.
3. What kind of people complain?
I think those who are detail-oriented or have high standards are more likely to voice their concerns. On the other hand, some peopcle are naturally more patient and just let things go. Interestingly, people who are assertive but polite often get better results when they complain.
4. Would you buy things in shops where you’ve made complaints before?
If the complaint was handled professionally, then yes, I would go back. In fact, how a shop deals with a complaint tells you a lot about their customer service ethics. But if they were rude or dismissive, I probably wouldn’t return. Trust is hard to rebuild once it’s damaged.
5. What products or services do people in your country like to complain about?
People often complain about things like internet speed, mobile phone service, or public transportation delays. When it comes to products, electronics and appliances are common sources of complaints, especially if they break down quickly or don’t match their advertised quality.
6. Who are more likely to complain, young people or old people?
That’s an interesting question. Older people might complain more about public services or health care because they use them more frequently. Younger people, on the other hand, are more likely to complain about tech-related issues or online shopping. Overall, I’d say young people are more comfortable complaining digitally, through emails or social media.
Sample Band 7.5–8
4. Vocabulary Words
Let down – Disappointed or not satisfied
Ex: She felt let down when the product arrived damaged.
Expectations aren’t met – When things don’t happen as hoped or promised
Ex: If your expectations aren’t met, it’s normal to feel frustrated.
Seek justice – Try to correct a wrong or make things fair
Ex: He complained to the manager to seek justice after poor service.
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Constructively – In a helpful, productive, or positive way
Ex: She gave her feedback constructively to help the company improve.
Whining – Complaining in a negative or annoying way
Ex: Instead of whining about the problem, he found a solution.
Detail-oriented – Someone who pays close attention to small things
Ex: She’s very detail-oriented and notices even tiny mistakes.
High standards – Expecting things to be excellent or perfect
Ex: He has high standards when it comes to customer service.
Assertive – Confident and clear when expressing needs or opinions
Ex: Being assertive helps you express your concerns without being rude.
If you’re preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, especially on common topics like complaining and issues, practicing with real test questions can make all the difference. In this post, we covered questions from the January 2025 IELTS Speaking test. Keep practicing your speaking with real IELTS questions to improve your fluency, vocabulary, and confidence.