IELTS Speaking Topic Animal Part 1 2 3 Vocabulary and Sample Answers

Many of us are animal lovers and have our own pets at home. That is why Animals and Pets are not only common topics in daily conversations but also frequently appear in the IELTS Speaking test. Since this is a broad topic, you need to prepare well for related sub-topics to confidently answer different types of questions.

In the Animal and Pets topic, you may encounter questions related to:

• Wild animals

• Visiting zoos

• Keeping pets

• Reasons for keeping pets

• Human impact on wildlife

This article by IDP will help you structure your answers when encountering the topic of Animals and Pets, improve your vocabulary, and practice with sample answers to perform well in the IELTS Speaking test.

In Part 1, you will be asked general questions about yourself and your everyday life. Common topics include Hobbies, Study, Family, and Job. This section lasts for 4 to 5 minutes.

Question: What is your favorite animal and why?

I love dogs because they are one of the most loyal animals. They always protect you no matter what. Moreover, they cheer you up when you are feeling down. That is why many people consider dogs as their friends or even family members.

Useful vocabulary:

• Loyal animals

• Lift your spirits up

• No wonder

Question: Do you like going to the zoo?

To be honest, I really enjoy exploring the animal kingdom, so zoos are great places for me to learn more about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. There is a spacious zoo in my city where I often visit to take pictures and feed the animals, which is exhilarating.

Useful vocabulary:

• Animal kingdom

• Mammals

• Reptiles

• Amphibians

• Exhilarating

Question: Why do some people keep pets at home?

There are many good reasons to keep a furry friend at home, but I think the most compelling one is that pets become part of our family. When someone is feeling exhausted or sad, pets help reduce stress and improve their mood.

Useful vocabulary:

• Compelling

• Augmentation

• Reduce tension

Question: Are cities suitable for keeping pets?

In my opinion, no. Cities often have heavy traffic and limited open spaces. This puts pets at risk of accidents and gives them little room to play.

Useful vocabulary:

• Bumper-to-bumper traffic

• Concrete jungle

• Exposed to

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you will receive a cue card and talk about a topic for about 2 minutes. For example, with the topic “Describe an interesting animal,” here is a sample answer:

Describe an interesting animal

If someone asks me about my favorite animal, I would say cats without hesitation.

I have a pet cat that is both adorable and curious, and I can never get enough of it. I brought it home from a veterinarian a year ago when it was only two months old, and we have been inseparable since.

Cats are fascinating because they have unique traits. Firstly, they are very curious and often scrutinize everything I do. They love to sniff anything they find interesting. Secondly, they lead a sedentary life and often laze around the house. Research shows that cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, conserving energy for hunting or mating. Even when domesticated, they still maintain this habit. Thirdly, cats are intelligent observers. With proper training and treats, they can quickly learn tricks.

Overall, cats are my favorite animals, and I hope to be with mine for a long time.

Useful vocabulary:

• To be into something

• Never get enough of something

• Possess strange traits

• Scrutinize

• Lead a sedentary life

• Laze around the house

• Give up a habit

• Teach tricks

• Curious

• Veterinarian

• Worth mentioning

• Sniff

• Hunting

• Mating

• Domesticated

• Irresistible

Describe a wild animal from your country

I would like to talk about my favorite wild animal. I am quite a nature enthusiast, so animals always fascinate me. One of my favorites is the lion.

Lions are mammals, which means the females give birth to cubs. They are ferocious predators that hunt animals like deer or antelope. Lions are usually yellow or orange, and male lions have a distinctive mane, which is absent in females.

Lions live in the wild, such as the African savannas, but they can also be found in zoos. As carnivores, they primarily eat meat and spend most of their time hunting.

My love for lions began when I watched The Lion King, a critically acclaimed Disney animation. It remains one of my all-time favorite movies.

Useful vocabulary:

• Nature geek

• Mammal

• Cub

• Lay (eggs)

• Ferocious

• Predator

• Distinguishing trait

• Tamed

• Carnivore

• Feed on

• Critically acclaimed

• Perennial favorite

In Part 3, you will be asked follow-up questions related to the previous topic, often requiring you to give more detailed opinions.

Question: Do we still need animals in our lives today?

Although many animal products like leather, fur, milk, and even meat can now be artificially manufactured, animals still play an important role. They provide us with nutritious food, emotional support as pets, and help maintain ecological balance for a healthy environment.

Useful vocabulary:

• Artificially manufactured

• Provide someone with something

• Play an imperative role

• Ecological balance

• Prosperous

Question: Why do some people become vegetarian?

There are various reasons. One is religion. Devout followers of Buddhism or Hinduism believe all life is sacred and avoid killing animals. Another reason is health. People with heart conditions often avoid meat to manage their health. Ultimately, everyone has the right to choose their own diet.

Useful vocabulary:

• Devout followers

• All life is sacred

• Cardiovascular condition

Question: Should animals be kept in zoos?

Personally, I feel uneasy about animal captivity. People should not infringe on their natural life. However, if zoos help protect animals from danger and poaching, I believe they serve a good purpose. Many species face extinction, and without government action, biodiversity will suffer.

Useful vocabulary:

• Animal captivity

• Infringe on wildlife

• Get rid of danger

• Risk of extinction

• Biodiversity

Animal Idioms for IELTS Speaking

Be Confident with the Animal Topic – Practice with IDP

We hope this guide helps you apply topic-related vocabulary to your IELTS Speaking test effectively. Continue improving your skills by practicing with the latest sample tests.

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