# Describe your dream job: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Work

Describe your dream job.

You should say:
- what the job is
- what skills or qualifications it requires
- what the job would involve
- and explain why it would be your dream job

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

## Band 6 sample

My dream job is to become a pilot. Since I was small child I was always interested in aeroplanes, and every time a plane flew over our house I would run outside to see it.

To become a pilot you need many qualifications and skills. First you need to finish high school with good marks in maths and physics, and after that you have to join a flight school, which is very expensive in my country. You also need to pass a medical test, because your eyes and your health must be perfect. Besides that, a pilot should be calm and should make quick decision in emergency situation, and of course their English must be good because all the communication with the control tower is in English.

The job involves flying passengers to other cities or countries. Before the flight, the pilot check the weather and the plane, and during the flight he has to be very careful all the time. Sometimes they need to work at night and they cannot stay with their family on holidays, so it is not easy life.

The reason why this is my dream job is because I love travelling and I want to see the world. If I become a pilot, I can visit many countries and experience different culture and food. Also I think pilots get a good salary and people respect them a lot.

But the most important reason is the feeling of flying. One time I sat in the front of a small plane on a tourist flight to see the mountains, and the view was unbelievable. I want to have that feeling every day. I know it is difficult, but I am saving money and I hope I can start the training in two or three years.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 6 answer is fluent and covers every bullet with relevant detail, such as the medical test and radio communication "in English". The best moment is the personal story about the tourist flight. However, vocabulary is general ("very careful", "unbelievable") and errors recur: "Since I was small child" and "make quick decision in emergency situation" drop articles, "the pilot check" misses agreement, and "The reason why... is because" is redundant. To reach Band 7, the speaker would need more precise job vocabulary, such as "flight hours" or "licence", and greater accuracy in longer sentences.

## Band 7 sample

I've wanted to be a video game designer for as long as I can remember, so that's definitely what I'd describe as my dream job.

A lot of people assume it's just about playing games all day, but it's actually a fairly demanding role. Most designers have a degree in something like computer science or game development, although I've read that a strong portfolio of your own projects matters more to employers than the qualification itself. You also need a mix of creative and technical skills: you have to be able to come up with original ideas, but you also need to understand the basics of programming and, crucially, be able to work in a team, because even small games involve dozens of people.

In terms of what the job involves day to day, a designer basically decides how a game works, so things like the rules, the levels and how difficult each stage should be. A big part of it is testing, too. You build a rough version, watch real players try it, notice where they get stuck or bored, and then go back and adjust it, sometimes many times over.

As for why it appeals to me so much, I think it's because it combines the two things I'm most passionate about, which are storytelling and problem-solving. I've already made a couple of simple puzzle games in my spare time, and there's nothing quite like watching a friend play something you've built and seeing them get genuinely hooked.

I know the industry is quite competitive and the hours can be long, especially before a release, but I'd rather work hard at something I love than have an easy job that bores me.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer is coherent and well developed, opening by challenging a common assumption that the job is "just about playing games all day". Vocabulary is apt and fairly wide ("demanding role", "portfolio", "genuinely hooked"), and grammar is varied and accurate, including "I'd rather work hard at something I love than have an easy job". The day-to-day description is clear but stays somewhat general. For Band 8, the speaker would need more precise and less common language and a more reflective explanation, for example of what specifically makes problem-solving rewarding to them.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-your-dream-job).

## Part 3 follow-up questions

1. What do young people in your country look for when choosing a job?
2. Is it more important to have a well-paid job or a job you enjoy?
3. Why do some people change careers later in life?
4. How might artificial intelligence change the kinds of jobs people do?
5. Should schools do more to prepare students for the world of work?

## 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.