Do you like taking photos?
Yes, I do, though I'm a casual photographer rather than a serious one. I enjoy capturing small, everyday moments, like the light on a wet street after the rain. My phone gallery has thousands of pictures, which is slightly embarrassing, because I rarely go back and look at most of them.
What do you usually take photos of?
Mostly food and street scenes. Whenever my friends and I try a new place, I snap the plate before anyone starts eating, which annoys them a little. I also love photographing Old Dhaka: the rickshaw art, the crowded lanes, the colourful shop signs. There's so much character there that almost every corner makes a good shot.
Do you prefer taking photos with a phone or a camera?
My phone, simply because it's always in my pocket. Phone cameras have improved so much that for everyday use I hardly notice the difference. My cousin owns a proper DSLR, and when I borrowed it for a trip the portraits were noticeably sharper, but carrying it around all day felt like a chore.
Do you like having your photo taken?
Not particularly, no. I'm much happier behind the camera than in front of it. Whenever someone points a phone at me, I freeze and end up with a stiff, awkward smile. Group photos are fine, because I can hide at the back, but solo portraits make me quite self-conscious.
Do you ever print your photos?
Very rarely now. When I was a child, my parents printed photos from every family event and kept them in thick albums, which I still enjoy flipping through. These days everything stays on my phone or in cloud storage. Last year, though, I printed a few from a trip to Sylhet and stuck them on my bedroom wall.
Is there a photo in your home that is special to you?
Yes, there's a black-and-white photo of my grandparents on their wedding day, framed in our living room. My grandmother is wearing a heavy saree and looks terrified, while my grandfather is trying very hard to look serious. They've both passed away now, so whenever I look at it, I feel connected to a part of our family's history.
Sample answers written by Abroadway as models of natural, high-band speaking (not official IELTS samples).
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