Describe a new development in the area where you live.
This test has appeared in 8 seasons · 4 reported by test takers
- Sep–Dec/2025
- May–Aug/2025
- Sep–Dec/2024
- May–Aug/2024
- Jan–Apr/2024
- Sep–Dec/2023
- May–Aug/2023
- Jan–Apr/2023
Reported by test takers Forecast only
Part 1
The examiner asks about you and two familiar topics. About 4–5 minutes.
Work or study
- Do you work, or are you a student? (Why?)
- Why did you choose that job or that subject? (Tell me more about that.)
- What do you enjoy most about it? (Why?)
- Is there anything you would like to change about it? (Why?)
Holidays
- How often do you go on holiday? (Tell me more about that.)
- Where did you go on your last holiday? (Tell me more about that.)
- What did your family usually do on holidays when you were a child? (Tell me more about that.)
- Do you prefer relaxing holidays or active holidays? (Why is that?)
Making lists
- Do you often make lists? (Why is that?)
- What kind of lists do you usually make? (Tell me more about that.)
- Did you make lists when you were at school? (Why is that?)
- Do you prefer writing lists on paper or on your phone? (Why is that?)
Part 2
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Describe a new development in the area where you live.
You should say:
- what it is
- where it is
- when it was built
and explain how it has affected the local area.
Follow-up question after your talk: Do you use it often? / How long did it take to build?
Part 3
A broader, more abstract discussion of the Part 2 topic. About 4–5 minutes.
new buildings in local areas
- Can you explain why shopping centres and blocks of flats are going up so quickly in many towns?
- In general, who gains most when a new development opens in an area?
- What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of replacing older buildings with modern ones?
deciding what gets built
- Can you explain why local residents often oppose building plans?
- What could be done about planners who make decisions without asking local people?
- Can you speculate on how towns will keep their green space as they keep growing?
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.