# Describe a time you gave your opinion in a survey: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Experiences

Describe a time you were asked to give your opinion in a survey.

You should say:
- when and where it happened
- who asked you to do the survey
- what the survey was about
- and explain how you felt about taking part

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

I'm going to talk about a survey I answered last spring, when I was stopped in the street by a researcher from the city council.

I was walking from the metro station to my office, and there was a young woman with a tablet standing near the entrance. At first I tried to avoid her, because I thought she wanted to sell me something, but she explained that she was doing a survey about public transport for the council and that it would only take five minutes. I wasn't in a hurry that day, so I agreed.

The survey was about how people travel to work and what could make public transport better. She asked me how often do I take the metro, how long my journey is and how satisfied I am with things like cleanliness, safety and the price of tickets. Then there were some questions about cycling, for example whether I would cycle to work if there will be more bike lanes. I said yes, definitely, because at the moment the roads are too dangerous. At the end she asked for my age and my area, but not my name.

Honestly, I felt quite positive about it. Usually I ignore surveys, especially the online ones that appear after you buy something, because I think nobody reads them. But this one seemed important, because it was about something that affects my daily life. It made me feel that my opinion matters. And actually, a few months later the council announced a plan to build new bike lanes in my area, so maybe, I hope, our answers made a little difference.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer is clear and well sequenced, with relevant details about the survey questions and a thoughtful ending. Vocabulary is generally appropriate ("city council", "cleanliness", "bike lanes", "satisfied"), but much of it is everyday, and "so" and "because" are used heavily. Most sentences are accurate, but there are typical errors: "how often do I take the metro" keeps question word order in a reported question (rather than "how often I take"), and "if there will be more bike lanes" uses "will" in the if-clause (rather than "if there were"). Band 8 would add more precise and idiomatic vocabulary, a wider range of structures and more fluent, varied linking.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-time-you-answered-a-survey).

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.