How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
Pretty modestly. My mother usually cooks my favourite dish, which is beef tehari, and we cut a small cake at home after dinner. Then, on the weekend closest to it, I might treat two or three close friends to a meal somewhere. I've never been one for big gatherings, so that suits me perfectly.
Which birthday do you remember best?
Probably my eighteenth. My friends planned a surprise and I didn't have the faintest idea. They arrived at our flat at midnight with a cake and some terribly off-key singing, and it turned out my parents had been in on it all along. It felt like a real milestone, as if I'd officially become an adult.
Do you think birthdays are important?
I think they matter, though not because of the presents. For me, a birthday is a moment to pause and see how far I've come in a year. It's also one of the few days when relatives who rarely call will ring you up, and that small gesture of being remembered means a lot.
How do children celebrate their birthdays in your country?
In cities, children's birthdays have become fairly elaborate. Parents often book a fast-food restaurant or a community hall, decorate it with balloons and invite the whole class. There's usually a big cake, some games or a magician, and return gifts for the guests. In villages it's much simpler, perhaps a special dish like payesh shared with the neighbours.
Do you prefer big birthday parties or quiet celebrations?
Quiet celebrations suit me far better. At a big party I'd spend the entire evening going round making sure everyone was fed and happy, and I'd hardly speak to anyone properly. With a small group I can actually relax and have a real conversation. I suppose I'm a bit of an introvert at heart.
Are you good at remembering your friends' birthdays?
Honestly, I'm hopeless at it without help. I rely almost entirely on Facebook reminders and my phone calendar. A couple of years ago I completely forgot my best friend's birthday and only realised the next afternoon, which was mortifying. Since then I've set double alerts for the people who really matter to me.
Sample answers written by Abroadway as models of natural, high-band speaking (not official IELTS samples).
Answer these questions out loud
Free, no account needed. The examiner voice reads each question; you get a band estimate at the end.