Cambridge IELTS 21 Speaking Test - 1 with Answer / Cambridge Book-20 Speaking Test -1 / IELTS Speaking- Cambridge Book-21 Test 1 Questions with Answers / IELTS Speaking - Cambridge Book's Answer

Cambridge IELTS 21 Speaking Test- 1

Speaking Part 1: Hairstyles

• Where do you go to get a haircut?

• Have you changed your hairstyle recently?

• Would you ever change the colour of your hair?

• Do you enjoy going to the hairdresser/barber?

Speaking Part 2

• Describe a time when you used information for tourists, for example from a guidebook or online.

• You should say: where you got this information, what place this information was about, what information you got, and explain whether this information was very helpful for you.

Speaking Part 3: Different types of holidays & Tourist attractions

• What are the most popular kinds of holidays for people from your country to go on?

• Do you think most people prefer to have a holiday abroad rather than in their own country?

• Why do some people want to do absolutely nothing when they go away on holiday?

• What are the kinds of tourist attraction that visitors to your country like to see?

• Do you think tourist attractions such as museums should be free for local people to visit?

• What can make a tourist attraction disappointing for visitors?

Questions and Answers

Part 1: Hairstyles

Where do you go to get a haircut?

I generally frequent a traditional, locally-run barbershop just a few blocks away from my apartment here in Doha. I’ve been going there for a while now, and the barber knows exactly how to cut my hair so that it maintains the neat, professional standard required for my workplace, without me having to explain it every single time.

Have you changed your hairstyle recently?

Not at all, to be perfectly honest. I am very much a creature of habit when it comes to my appearance. Because I work as an English teacher, I tend to stick to a very classic, manageable style that looks presentable in a classroom. I might ask the barber to trim the sides a bit shorter when the summer heat becomes intense, but the overall look has remained completely unchanged for years.

Would you ever change the colour of your hair?

I highly doubt it. I strongly prefer a natural, understated look, and the idea of constantly maintaining dyed hair just seems like a tremendous amount of unnecessary upkeep. Furthermore, an unnatural or particularly bright hair color simply wouldn't align with my professional environment or my personal aesthetic.

Do you enjoy going to the hairdresser/barber?

I genuinely do. My daily routine is usually packed with teaching, grading papers, and preparing lesson materials, so sitting in the barber’s chair is actually a rare luxury. It’s one of the few times during a busy month where I am forced to put my phone away, disconnect from my responsibilities, and just relax in a quiet, air-conditioned environment for half an hour.

Part 2: Describe a time when you used information for tourists

A time when I heavily relied on tourist and visitor information was earlier this year when I was organizing an educational field trip for my Grade XI students. We were planning a comprehensive guided visit to the National Museum of Qatar, followed by an afternoon at the Qatar National Library.

Because I was responsible for a large group of energetic teenagers, I couldn't afford to just show up and hope for the best. I sourced almost all of my information online, directly from the official tourism portals and the respective websites of the cultural institutions.

I had to look up a highly specific set of details. Primarily, I needed to understand the exact protocols for large group bookings and find out the specific timings for the guided, English-speaking school tours. Beyond that, I downloaded their digital floor plans to pinpoint exactly which interactive exhibits would be the most engaging for high school students. I also had to look up the logistical details for where our school bus could legally park and wait for us.

This information was absolutely invaluable. Navigating massive, crowded cultural sites with dozens of students without a concrete itinerary would have been a complete logistical nightmare. Because I used the online resources to map out our route and timeline down to the minute, the entire excursion ran seamlessly. The students had a highly structured, educational experience rather than just wandering around aimlessly, and it took a massive weight off my shoulders as their teacher.

Part 3: Different types of holidays & Tourist attractions

What are the most popular kinds of holidays for people from your country to go on?

For those of us living as expats in the Gulf, the most widely cherished holiday is simply flying back home—usually to Bangladesh—during the long summer break. It’s a vital time to reconnect with extended family, attend weddings, and enjoy the monsoon season. However, for people residing permanently in Bangladesh, escaping the heavy traffic of the capital to visit the serene hill tracts of Sylhet or the long coastal stretch of Cox's Bazar remains incredibly popular for weekend getaways.

Do you think most people prefer to have a holiday abroad rather than in their own country?

I think it predominantly boils down to financial privilege. People who have a higher disposable income almost universally prefer traveling abroad to experience entirely different climates, sample foreign cuisines, and explore historical sites in places like Europe or Southeast Asia. That being said, domestic tourism is still the backbone of the holiday industry because it is vastly more affordable, requires far less planning, and completely bypasses the stressful, bureaucratic nightmare of applying for international visas.

Why do some people want to do absolutely nothing when they go away on holiday?

I believe it is a direct, natural response to how exhausting modern corporate and academic life has become. People today are constantly tethered to their jobs through smartphones, answering emails late into the night and dealing with relentless daily targets. A holiday where you do absolutely nothing—perhaps just lounging on a quiet beach with a book—acts as the ultimate antidote to professional burnout. It gives the brain a much-needed opportunity to power down and truly reset.

What are the kinds of tourist attraction that visitors to your country like to see?

Visitors to Qatar are usually captivated by the stark contrast between ultra-modern infrastructure and deeply preserved Arabian traditions. They are drawn to the futuristic, glittering skylines of West Bay and the massive luxury shopping districts. However, they are equally fascinated by heritage sites like Souq Waqif or the inland sea, where they can experience authentic local cuisine, traditional architecture, and desert safaris that offer a glimpse into the region's historical, nomadic way of life.

Do you think tourist attractions such as museums should be free for local people to visit?

Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt. Museums act as the custodians of a nation's cultural and historical heritage. Local residents should have unhindered, regular access to their own history without ever facing a financial barrier. Offering free admission not only fosters a strong sense of national pride and identity, but it also encourages families to make educational outings a regular, enriching part of their weekends rather than a rare luxury.

What can make a tourist attraction disappointing for visitors?

Severe overcrowding is arguably the most significant factor. If a famous landmark is absolutely swarming with people to the point where you cannot move freely or appreciate the atmosphere, the magic is instantly lost. Additionally, poor facility maintenance, a lack of clear, multi-lingual signage, or highly commercialized environments that blatantly overcharge tourists for basic necessities like water and food can completely ruin the experience, leaving visitors feeling exploited rather than entertained.

Vocabulary

Words/expressions from the text, with meanings in English and Bangla, and examples.

Comprehensive Vocabulary List

Word / Expression	Meaning	Meaning in Bangla	Example
Frequent (verb)	To visit a place often or regularly.	নিয়মিত যাতায়াত করা	I frequent that cafe on weekends to mark my students' exam papers.
Creature of habit	Someone who always does the same things in the same way.	অভ্যাসের দাস / নির্দিষ্ট রুটিনে চলা মানুষ	My grandfather is a creature of habit; he eats the exact same breakfast every day.
Understated	Presented or expressed in a subtle and effective way; not trying to attract attention.	অনাড়ম্বর / মার্জিত	She wore an understated but beautifully tailored dress to the conference.
Upkeep	The process of keeping something in good condition; maintenance.	রক্ষণাবেক্ষণ	Owning a luxury car requires a significant amount of financial upkeep.
Aesthetic	A set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement; personal style.	নান্দনিকতা / ব্যক্তিগত রুচি	The minimalist aesthetic of the new library makes it a very calming place to study.
Pinpoint	To find out or say the exact position in space or time of something.	নিখুঁতভাবে চিহ্নিত করা	It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the problem with the computer network started.
Logistical nightmare	A situation that is incredibly difficult to organize and manage due to many moving parts.	ব্যবস্থাপনার চরম বিশৃঙ্খলা	Moving an entire school to a new campus in one week is a logistical nightmare.
Seamlessly	Smoothly and continuously, with no apparent gaps or spaces between one part and the next.	নির্বিঘ্নে / কোনো বাধা ছাড়া	The presentation transitioned seamlessly from the introduction to the main arguments.
Aimlessly	Without any clear purpose, direction, or goal.	উদ্দেশ্যহীনভাবে	We spent the afternoon wandering aimlessly through the traditional market.
Take a weight off someone's shoulders	To relieve someone of a burden, stress, or worry.	দুশ্চিন্তা বা ভারমুক্ত করা	Having an assistant to help with the grading took a massive weight off my shoulders.
Boils down to	To be the most important or basic part of something.	মূল কথায় আসা / সারসংক্ষেপ হওয়া	The success of the project essentially boils down to how well the team communicates.
Disposable income	Income remaining after deduction of taxes and other mandatory charges, available to be spent or saved.	ব্যয়যোগ্য আয়	Families with higher disposable income are more likely to take international holidays.
Bypass	To avoid something by going around it; to ignore a rule or official system.	এড়িয়ে যাওয়া / পাশ কাটিয়ে যাওয়া	We took the smaller local roads to bypass the heavy traffic on the highway.
Tethered to	Tied to or restricted by something, often referring to being constantly connected to technology.	আষ্টেপৃষ্ঠে বাঁধা থাকা	Modern employees often feel constantly tethered to their laptops and smartphones.
Burnout	Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or long-term stress.	অতিরিক্ত কাজের চাপে মানসিক ও শারীরিক ক্লান্তি	Teaching large classes for years without a break can easily lead to professional burnout.
Captivated by	To attract and hold the interest and attention of someone.	মুগ্ধ হওয়া / আকৃষ্ট হওয়া	The children were completely captivated by the animated storytelling.
Stark contrast	A very clear, sharp, or obvious difference between two things.	স্পষ্ট বা তীব্র বৈসাদৃশ্য	There is a stark contrast between the busy city center and the quiet rural villages.
Custodians	People who have responsibility for or look after something (like a museum, culture, or building).	রক্ষক / তত্ত্বাবধায়ক	Teachers act as the custodians of knowledge for the next generation.
Unhindered	Not hindered or obstructed; free to move, act, or access.	বাধাহীন / অবাধ	All citizens should have unhindered access to public healthcare and education.
Fosters	Encourages or promotes the development of something (often an idea or feeling).	লালন করা / উৎসাহিত করা	Working on group projects fosters a strong sense of teamwork and empathy.
Swarming with	Moving in or forming a large, dense, and often overwhelming group.	গিজগিজ করা / ভিড়ে ঠাসা	During the festival, the town square was absolutely swarming with tourists.
Exploited	Used or treated unfairly for someone else's benefit, often financially.	শোষিত বা প্রতারিত হওয়া	Tourists often feel exploited when taxis charge them triple the normal fare.