Do you have a pet?
Not at the moment. We live in a sixth-floor flat, and my parents worry about the mess and the smell, so they've always been reluctant. There is, however, a stray cat that hangs around the ground floor of our building, and I've more or less adopted her unofficially. I leave some fish scraps out for her most evenings.
Did you have any pets when you were a child?
Yes, briefly. When I was about nine, my uncle gave me a pair of budgerigars, and I kept them in a cage on the veranda. I was thrilled at first and spent ages trying to teach them to talk, which never worked. Sadly, one escaped during a storm, and the other didn't live much longer after that.
What is your favourite animal? Why?
I'd have to say the elephant. They're enormous yet surprisingly gentle, and I find it fascinating that they seem to grieve and can remember places for years. I've only seen them up close once, at a safari park near Cox's Bazar, and I still remember how calm and intelligent their eyes looked.
Are pets popular in your country?
They're becoming more popular, especially in cities. Cats are the most common choice, since they suit life in a flat, and you can see more pet shops and vet clinics opening in Dhaka these days. Birds like pigeons and parrots have always been popular too. Dogs are less common as house pets, partly for religious reasons.
Would you rather keep a cat or a dog?
A cat, definitely. They're independent and quiet, and they don't need walking, which matters when you live in a flat and spend most of the day at university. I also like that a cat's affection has to be earned; when one decides to curl up next to you, it feels like a real compliment.
Have you ever been to a zoo?
Yes, a few times, mostly to the national zoo in Mirpur when I was younger. As a child I loved it, especially the tigers. Going back as an adult, though, I felt a bit uneasy, because some of the enclosures seemed far too small for such large animals. I'd much rather see wildlife in a safari park or in the Sundarbans.
Sample answers written by Abroadway as models of natural, high-band speaking (not official IELTS samples).
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