Describe a time when you saw someone complaining in a public place.
This test has appeared in 2 seasons · 1 reported by test takers
- May–Aug/2024
- Jan–Apr/2024
Reported by test takers Forecast only
Part 1
The examiner asks about you and two familiar topics. About 4–5 minutes.
Your home
- Do you live in a house or an apartment? (Why?)
- Which room do you spend the most time in? (Why?)
- What would you like to change about your home? (Why?)
- Do you think you will live there for a long time? (Why not?)
Neighbours
- Do you know your neighbours well? (Why is that?)
- What are your neighbours like? (Tell me more about that.)
- Did you have a good relationship with your neighbours when you were a child? (Why is that?)
- Do you think it is important to get on well with your neighbours? (Why is that?)
Changes
- Do you like changes in your life? (Why is that?)
- What is a recent change you have made? (Tell me more about that.)
- What was the biggest change in your life when you were younger? (Tell me more about that.)
- Do you think it's easier for young people to accept change? (Why is that?)
Part 2
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Describe a time when you saw someone complaining in a public place.
You should say:
- where and when it happened
- who was complaining and what about
- how other people reacted
and explain what you thought about the situation.
Follow-up question after your talk: Do you think the person was right to complain? / How did the people around react to that complaint?
Part 3
A broader, more abstract discussion of the Part 2 topic. About 4–5 minutes.
complaining in shops and restaurants
- Can you explain why some people complain loudly while others say nothing?
- How would you contrast complaining in person and complaining online?
- What could be done about staff who have to deal with angry customers?
how businesses respond to customers
- Can you explain why companies pay attention to complaints from customers?
- In general, how should a customer complain politely but clearly?
- Can you speculate on how social media will change the way companies handle complaints?
Test titles follow test-taker reports and each season's forecasts — IELTS does not publish its papers. "Reported" means someone reported meeting this topic in a dated test. The questions are written by us in the format of the real test.