Do you enjoy reading?
Yes, I do, although I don't get through as many books as I'd like. University reading takes up most of my energy, so reading for pleasure has become more of a weekend thing. When I do find a good novel, though, I can easily lose a whole afternoon to it.
What kinds of things do you usually read?
Novels, for the most part, especially crime fiction and anything with a good twist. I read in both Bangla and English, and recently I've gone back to Humayun Ahmed, whose books I loved at school. Beyond that, I scroll through a lot of news articles and long-form pieces on my phone, probably too many.
Do you prefer printed books or reading on a screen?
Printed books, by a long way. I like the feel and even the smell of the paper, and I remember things better when I can picture where they were on the page. Screens are handy for articles, but after a full day on my laptop, my eyes just can't handle any more.
Did you read much when you were a child?
A huge amount, yes. My father used to bring me a new book every time he came back from a work trip, and I'd finish it within a day or two. I especially loved adventure and ghost stories, which I'd read under the blanket with a torch long after I was supposed to be asleep.
Is there a book you would like to read again?
I'd choose The Little Prince. I first read it at about twelve and thought it was just a sweet children's story. Recently someone quoted a line from it, and I realised there's a lot about loneliness and growing up that I completely missed back then, so I'm planning to pick up a second-hand copy at Nilkhet soon.
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.