Written by Jonathan Mitchell – IELTS examiner and teacher with over 15 years’ experience helping students worldwide achieve Band 7 to 9 scores through clear, confident speaking strategies.
Welcome to the Latest IELTS Speaking Questions Dubai UAE blog for October 2025. These questions were kindly shared by our student F.S., who recently took the Academic IELTS test in Dubai. You’ll find real recalled questions and Band 9 sample answers with examiner feedback to help you prepare effectively. Explore the full structure on our IELTS Speaking Complete Guide.
IELTS Speaking Questions from Dubai, UAE – October 2025
Part 1 – Introduction & Interview
In Part 1, the examiner asks short questions about your home, work, and daily life to test your ability to speak naturally and fluently.
Learn more in our IELTS Speaking Part 1 Tips.
Do you work or study?
I work as a marketing assistant for a local firm in Dubai. My job involves creating social-media content and supporting product launches. It’s quite dynamic and gives me a chance to learn from different departments.
Examiner Feedback: Accurate present-simple tense and topic-specific lexis → Band 9.
Do you live in a flat or a house?
I live in a modern flat close to the city centre. It’s compact but comfortable, and the view of the skyline is amazing at night. I enjoy the convenience of being near shops and the metro.
Examiner Feedback: Vivid description and precise vocabulary → Band 9.
Is your place shared with anyone?
Yes, I share it with a university friend. Sharing helps reduce expenses and makes life less lonely, especially when we cook or watch films together.
Examiner Feedback: Natural phrasing and cohesive devices → Band 9.
What would you like to change about your current home?
If I could, I’d add a balcony garden to bring some greenery into the flat. Living in Dubai, you miss that natural touch amid so many buildings.
Examiner Feedback: Conditional structure and expressive detail → Band 9.
What do you usually do at home to relax?
I usually listen to soft music or read crime novels. Sometimes I try new recipes just to unwind after a long day. Cooking really calms me down.
Examiner Feedback: Collocations (“unwind,” “calms me down”) → Band 9.
Do you think it’s better to live in the city or in the countryside?
Both have advantages, but I prefer the city because of the job opportunities and social life. However, the countryside offers peace and fresh air, which I appreciate during holidays.
Examiner Feedback: Balanced comparison with linking phrases → Band 9.
Have you ever moved to a new place?
Yes, I moved from Abu Dhabi to Dubai two years ago for work. It was challenging at first, but I adapted quickly because the city is so welcoming and diverse.
Examiner Feedback: Past-tense accuracy and personal context → Band 9.
What is your favourite room in your home and why?
Definitely the living room — it’s bright and airy, and that’s where I spend time chatting with friends or watching Netflix. It feels like the heart of my home.
Examiner Feedback: Personal touch and idiomatic phrasing → Band 9.
End Note: These Band 9 answers show how to expand your ideas naturally and use topic-related vocabulary fluently. Practise more on our IELTS Speaking Part 1 Practice Page and IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Guide.
Part 2 – Cue Card
In Part 2, you receive a topic card and have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. Learn structuring techniques on our IELTS Speaking Part 2 Tips.
Describe a friend you dislike
You should say:
– who this person is
– how you became friends
– what things you dislike about them
and explain how this has affected your friendship.
Band 9 Sample Answer
A few years ago, I became close friends with a colleague named Samir. We met during a marketing project at work, and our friendship developed quickly because we shared similar interests in photography and travel. At first, he seemed supportive and easy-going, but as time passed, I noticed a side of him that bothered me. He often exaggerated stories to make himself look impressive, and he rarely admitted his mistakes. Once, he borrowed my camera and accidentally damaged the lens but refused to take responsibility. That incident really disappointed me because honesty is something I value deeply. Over time, I began keeping some distance, although we still greet each other politely at the office. This experience taught me an important lesson — not every friendly person becomes a true friend. I’ve realised that mutual respect and trust are what sustain a healthy friendship, not shared hobbies alone.
Examiner Feedback: Excellent structure, emotional clarity, and vivid storytelling → Band 9.
Explore more cue cards on our Cue Card Practice Page and review useful phrases in the IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Guide.
Part 3 – Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner asks broader questions related to the cue card topic to assess your ability to analyse ideas and justify opinions. See our IELTS Speaking Part 3 Strategies Guide.
Why do you think friendships are important?
Friendships are vital because they give us emotional balance and a sense of belonging. For example, when I first moved to Dubai, having close friends helped me overcome homesickness and adjust to a new culture. Friends become our daily support system beyond family.
Examiner Feedback: Clear example and logical cohesion → Band 9.
Is it important to have friends of different ages?
Definitely. I have an older friend who gives me practical life advice and a younger one who keeps me up-to-date with trends. Having friends of different ages broadens your outlook and teaches flexibility in how you relate to people.
Examiner Feedback: Balanced idea plus real examples → Band 9.
Can friends replace family in people’s lives?
In my view, they can complement family but not replace it. When I studied abroad, my friends became like a temporary family — we celebrated birthdays and helped each other with studies — but deep emotional roots still come from family ties.
Examiner Feedback: Thoughtful comparison and personal insight → Band 9.
How do friendships change as people get older?
As people age, priorities shift. I’ve noticed my parents have fewer but closer friends; they value loyalty and understanding over excitement. Personally, I also prefer meaningful connections rather than casual acquaintances.
Examiner Feedback: Mature reflection with personal link → Band 9.
Do you think social media has changed the way people make friends?
Yes, absolutely. I’ve met interesting people through photography groups online, but many interactions stay shallow. Real friendship still needs trust and shared experiences in real life.
Examiner Feedback: Real-life example and contrastive reasoning → Band 9.
What qualities make a friendship last for a long time?
In my opinion, long-lasting friendships rely on trust and consistent effort. For instance, my best friend and I call each other weekly even when we’re busy. That steady communication keeps our bond strong.
Examiner Feedback: Personal evidence supporting key idea → Band 9.
These Band 9 answers demonstrate how to analyse social topics and use advanced vocabulary naturally. Review more themes on IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors Explained and Latest IELTS Speaking Questions 2025.
Vocabulary Highlights
acquaintance – someone you know but not well · He’s just an acquaintance from work.
mutual respect – shared admiration · Mutual respect keeps friendships strong.
trustworthiness – quality of being reliable · Trustworthiness builds lasting bonds.
honesty – truthful behaviour · Honesty is the core of every real friendship.
loyalty – faithful support · True loyalty shows during difficult times.
criticism – disapproval · Constructive criticism can help a friend improve.
adaptability – ability to adjust · Adaptability is important when you move to a new city.
homesickness – missing home · Friendship helps reduce homesickness abroad.
cooperation – working together · Cooperation creates harmony in shared spaces.
communication gap – failure to understand · A communication gap can ruin friendship.
forgiveness – letting go of anger · Forgiveness keeps relationships healthy.
integrity – strong moral principles · People with integrity earn trust quickly.
diversity – variety of backgrounds · Dubai’s diversity makes friendship exciting.
reliability – dependability · Reliability turns friends into family.
social bond – emotional connection · A social bond gives a sense of belonging.
Useful Collocations
build mutual trust – You must build mutual trust to keep friendships strong.
share common interests – We became close because we share common interests.
maintain contact – It’s crucial to maintain contact even when busy.
sort out conflicts – Mature friends know how to sort out conflicts calmly.
lose touch with someone – After university, I lost touch with many friends.
strengthen friendship – Travel experiences can strengthen friendship.
keep in touch – We still keep in touch through video calls.
value honesty – I value honesty more than flattery.
Tips for Success
- Speak naturally and add small personal details for authenticity.
- Practise with a timer to develop comfort with two-minute answers.
- Use linking words to make ideas flow logically.
- Reflect briefly on lessons or feelings to show depth.
- Listen actively during mock tests to understand question intent.
Further Practice & Resources
- IELTS Speaking Complete Guide
- IELTS Speaking Part 1 Practice Page
- IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 Strategies Guide
- IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Guide
- IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors Explained
FAQ
Q1. Can I speak with an accent in IELTS Speaking?
Yes — accents are fine as long as your speech is clear and easy to understand.
Q2. Should I use slang with the examiner?
Avoid slang; use natural spoken English instead.
Q3. How can I add examples in Part 3?
Use short personal stories or “for instance” phrases to show depth.
Q4. Do I have to speak for the full two minutes in Part 2?
Try to speak until the examiner stops you politely.
Q5. Can I ask for clarification if I don’t understand a question?
Yes — politely say “Could you repeat that, please?” without losing marks.
References
For verified details about IELTS format and marking, visit IELTS.org, the British Council, and IDP IELTS Australia. To strengthen your career skills alongside IELTS preparation, explore related courses on Course Line.
Disclaimer
The IELTS Speaking questions in this post were shared by recent examinees to support other candidates. IELTS Zone is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia or Cambridge Assessment English. All questions are candidate recollections for practice only.
