Arts & Creativity · Urban Life · Food & Culture · Media & Communication
Question Set 9 · Thematic thread: personal creativity to the role of art in society
Your creative interests (Part 1)→A creative experience (Part 2)→Art, culture & society (Part 3)
Part 1Interview — Creativity & the Arts4–5 min▼
The examiner asks about your own relationship with creative activities and the arts.
Topic: Creative hobbies
1. Do you have any creative hobbies such as drawing, writing, music, or crafts?
2. Did you do any creative subjects at school? Did you enjoy them?
3. Do you think you are a creative person? Why or why not?
Topic: Experiencing art and culture
4. Do you enjoy visiting art galleries, museums, or attending live performances?
5. Is there a particular type of art — painting, music, film, literature — that you feel most connected to?
6. Has a piece of art, music, or writing ever had a strong emotional effect on you?
Part 2Long Turn — Cue Card3–4 min▼
You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes.
Describe a creative work — such as a painting, piece of music, film, or book — that made a strong impression on you.
What the work is and who created it
When and how you first encountered it
What it is about or what it depicts
Why it made such a strong impression on you
▸ 1 min preparation · 1–2 min speaking · examiner may ask 1–2 rounding-off questions
Part 3Discussion — Art, Funding & Society4–5 min▼
The examiner broadens the conversation from personal experience to the wider role of art and creativity.
1. Why do you think art and creative expression are important for individuals and for society as a whole?
2. Should governments fund the arts through public money, or should art be expected to sustain itself commercially? What are the arguments on both sides?
3. How has digital technology changed the way people create and consume art? Has this been a positive development overall?
4. Some people argue that creativity is being pushed out of education in favour of more academic subjects. Do you think this is a problem?
5. To what extent can art be a force for social or political change? Can you give any examples to support your view?
Question Set 10 · Thematic thread: your city experience to urbanisation and planning
Your city & neighbourhood (Part 1)→A city that impressed you (Part 2)→Urbanisation & city planning (Part 3)
Part 1Interview — Your City & Daily Urban Life4–5 min▼
The examiner asks about where you live and your everyday experience of urban life.
Topic: Where you live
1. Do you live in a city, town, or more rural area? How do you feel about living there?
2. What do you think are the best things about living in a city?
3. Are there any aspects of city life that you find stressful or difficult?
Topic: Getting around
4. How do you usually travel around your city — do you use public transport, drive, or walk?
5. Do you think the public transport system in your city is good? Why or why not?
6. Has traffic or congestion ever been a significant problem for you personally?
Part 2Long Turn — Cue Card3–4 min▼
You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes.
Describe a city you have visited that particularly impressed you.
Which city it was and when you visited
What you did and saw while you were there
What made the city stand out compared to others you have visited
Whether you would like to live there and why
▸ 1 min preparation · 1–2 min speaking · examiner may ask 1–2 rounding-off questions
Part 3Discussion — Urbanisation, Planning & Quality of Life4–5 min▼
Building on your city experiences, the examiner explores urbanisation as a global phenomenon.
1. Cities around the world are growing rapidly. What are the main social and environmental challenges this creates?
2. How important is good urban planning — things like parks, cycling lanes, and affordable housing — for the quality of life of city residents?
3. Some people argue that the world is becoming too urbanised and that governments should do more to encourage people to live in rural areas. Do you agree?
4. How has gentrification affected cities you know of, and do you think it is ultimately positive or negative for local communities?
5. What role might technology — such as smart city systems, autonomous transport, or remote working — play in shaping the cities of the future?
Question Set 11 · Thematic thread: personal food habits to food as cultural identity
The examiner asks about your personal relationship with food and cooking.
Topic: Cooking and eating
1. Do you enjoy cooking? What kinds of food do you like to make?
2. Do you prefer eating at home or going out to restaurants? Why?
3. Have your eating habits changed much over the years?
Topic: Food and culture
4. Are there any traditional foods from your country or region that you feel particularly proud of?
5. Do you enjoy trying cuisines from other countries? Is there a particular foreign food you love?
6. Do you think food plays an important role in bringing people together socially?
Part 2Long Turn — Cue Card3–4 min▼
You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes.
Describe a meal or food experience that was particularly memorable for you.
What you ate and where the meal took place
Who you were with on that occasion
What made the food or the experience special
Why you still remember it so clearly
▸ 1 min preparation · 1–2 min speaking · examiner may ask 1–2 rounding-off questions
Part 3Discussion — Food, Identity & Global Change4–5 min▼
The examiner moves from your personal food memories to broader questions about food, culture, and society.
1. In what ways does food reflect a country's culture and history? Can you give some examples?
2. As global fast food chains spread around the world, do you think traditional food cultures are under threat? What can be done to preserve them?
3. How have changes in modern lifestyles — such as longer working hours and urbanisation — affected the way people eat?
4. Some people argue that wealthy countries have a moral obligation to address global food inequality and hunger. To what extent do you agree?
5. How do you think food production and consumption will need to change in the future to address issues of sustainability and climate change?
Question Set 12 · Thematic thread: personal media habits to the impact of media on society
Your media use (Part 1)→A news story that affected you (Part 2)→Media, truth & society (Part 3)
Part 1Interview — News & Social Media4–5 min▼
The examiner asks about how you consume news and use social media in your everyday life.
Topic: Keeping up with the news
1. How do you usually keep up with current events — do you read newspapers, watch TV news, or follow online sources?
2. How much time do you spend reading or watching the news each day?
3. Are there particular topics in the news that you follow closely?
Topic: Social media
4. Which social media platforms do you use most often, and what do you use them for?
5. Do you think social media has changed the way people communicate with each other? In what ways?
6. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of information available online?
Part 2Long Turn — Cue Card3–4 min▼
You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes.
Describe a news story or current event that had a strong impact on you.
What the story was about and when it happened
How you first heard about it
What your reaction was when you learned about it
Why it stayed with you and what you think it revealed about the world
▸ 1 min preparation · 1–2 min speaking · examiner may ask 1–2 rounding-off questions
Part 3Discussion — Media, Trust & Society4–5 min▼
The examiner widens the discussion from your personal experience with news to the role of media in society.
1. How important is a free and independent press in a democratic society, and what happens when that freedom is restricted?
2. The spread of misinformation online has become a major concern. Who do you think is most responsible for addressing this problem — governments, tech companies, or individuals?
3. Do you think traditional media such as newspapers and television still have a future, or will they be replaced entirely by online and social media?
4. Some argue that social media creates "echo chambers" where people only encounter opinions they already agree with. How serious a problem do you think this is?
5. To what extent do you think the media shapes public opinion rather than simply reflecting it? Is this power always used responsibly?