APIEIELTS Speaking: Electric Vehicles and Transport
Electric vehicles and the future of transport
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Electric Vehicles and the Future of Transport
Module 1: Quick warm-up with key words, common word pairs, and handy sentence patterns.
📋 How to use this lesson
For teachers
Guide learners through each task in order during this 30-minute session.
Check answers together after each exercise and listen to their recorded speaking.
For learners
First, review the 10 topic words, match the pairs, and practice the four speaking patterns.
Next, test your ideas with the guessing facts before you move on to the speaking tasks.
🗂 Unit Words
10 key wordsWe will use these ten words throughout our discussion on electric transport:
✍️ Vocabulary Review
Choose the correct word from our list to complete each sentence.
1. Electric cars are almost completely ________ when driving at low speeds because they have no petrol engine.
2. My neighbour hired an electrician to ________ a high-power charger on their garage wall.
3. Because electric motors provide instant power, these vehicles can ________ very quickly from a stop.
4. You can plug your portable charger into an ordinary wall ________ at home if you do not have a dedicated box.
5. Drivers must pay for vehicle ________ every year so that repair costs are covered in case of an accident.
🔗 Word Pairs: Matching Meanings
Match each common word pair on the left with its definition on the right. Notice that no definition repeats the words in the pair!
🗣 4 Useful Sentence Patterns
Try these natural sentence starters during your speaking test. Each pattern gives you an easy way to expand your thoughts.
"There has been an increase in ..."
Example: "There has been an increase in the number of charging points near my flat."
Why this works: This is a clear, natural way to describe changes or trends over time.
"I am quite dependent on ..."
Example: "I am quite dependent on my electric scooter to get to university on time."
Why this works: Use this to explain personal habits and how much you need something every day.
"It takes a lot of time to ..."
Example: "It takes a lot of time to find a free parking space downtown on weekends."
Why this works: Great for talking about everyday difficulties or the effort needed for a journey.
"One clear benefit of ... is ..."
Example: "One clear benefit of riding a bicycle is saving money on fuel every month."
Why this works: An easy starter when you want to highlight a positive point or advantage.
💡 Guess The Number!
Test your instincts with two real-world transport facts. Pick your answer first to reveal the recorded number.
How many electric cars did people buy worldwide in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency?
What percentage of new car registrations in the EU were battery-electric cars in 2024, according to ACEA?
Module 2: IELTS Speaking Part 2
Take one minute to prepare your notes, then speak for between ninety and one hundred and twenty seconds.
Candidate Task Card
Describe a vehicle that you or your family use often, such as a car, a bike or a bus.
You should say:
- what it is
- who uses it
- what it is used for
- and explain how much you depend on it.
Step 1: Preparation
1 minute to think and jot down keywords
Step 2: Recording
Talk continuously for 90 to 120 seconds
🎙️ Record Your Answer
Target: 90-120 seconds[Bài tập luyện nói]
Spoken Model Sample
Well, to be honest, my family and I use an old electric bicycle almost every day. It sits right outside our front door. My brother and I share it most of the time, though, um, our parents occasionally hop on when they need to nip down the street. We mainly use it for short daily errands, like picking up fresh vegetables from the local market or heading over to college classes. Just the other morning, it started pouring with rain, and while other folks were stuck waiting around for a ride, I just threw on a waterproof jacket and zipped through the quiet back alleys without any hassle. Honestly, we depend on this little bike a lot. If it ever breaks down, our whole morning routine gets really messy. It really comes in handy all year round, and we couldn't do without it.
Useful Phrases to Borrow
depend on
need something a lot in everyday life.
breaks down
stops working because something is wrong with it.
comes in handy
proves to be very practical and helpful when needed.
couldn't do without
cannot manage daily activities without it.
Module 3: IELTS Speaking Part 3
Answer these four broader discussion questions about transport and travel in everyday words. Record your answer first, then open the model response.
Why do some people prefer to drive when other ways of travelling are available?
🎙️ Record Your Answer
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Well, to be honest, I think it mostly comes down to sheer convenience and personal space. When you take the bus or train, you're constantly stuck waiting around on cold platforms, which can really test your patience. With a car, though, you just grab your keys and leave whenever you want. For example, my uncle always drives to his weekend football match because he hates lugging his muddy boots onto public transport. So, having that privacy and flexibility definitely makes a big difference to people, and driving just feels like the easiest way to get from A to B without extra stress.
Useful Phrases
test your patience: annoy you or make you feel frustrated while waiting.
makes a big difference: has a strong positive effect on how someone feels.
get from A to B: travel from one place to another simply and directly.
Should governments pay people to buy cleaner cars?
🎙️ Record Your Answer
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Well, um, I'd say it's quite a sensible move, especially right now. Clean vehicles can be pretty pricey upfront, so lots of ordinary families simply can't afford them. If officials step in and offer financial help, it really eases the burden on regular drivers. Just last month, my cousin was thinking about swapping his old car, but the sticker price put him off completely. A grant would definitely help people make the switch. Still, ministers need to strike a balance, because fixing roads and schools matters just as much.
Useful Phrases
eases the burden: reduces the financial difficulty of buying something.
help people make the switch: make it easier for someone to change from one thing to another.
strike a balance: find an equal and fair compromise between two priorities.
Do you think private cars will still be common in cities in fifty years?
🎙️ Record Your Answer
[Bài tập luyện nói]
To be honest, I really doubt it. Cities are already getting far too cramped, and traffic jams just seem to get worse every year. I think urban planners will eventually phase out private vehicles from downtown to make room for pedestrians. Personally, when I visit my grandparents, we can never find a parking space, and it's really annoying. In the future, people will probably opt for shared pods or jump on trams instead. So, owning a private car in city centres will slowly become a thing of the past.
Useful Phrases
phase out: gradually stop the use or presence of something over time.
opt for: make a deliberate choice in favor of an option.
become a thing of the past: disappear or stop happening as times change.
How could a city make it easier for people to charge their cars?
🎙️ Record Your Answer
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Well, I think the simplest trick is to put charging sockets in places where people already leave their vehicles for hours. For instance, putting charge points right next to the street lights would work wonders for apartment renters who don't have private driveways. In my neighbourhood, a friend has to run an extension lead out of his bedroom window, which is pretty messy. If local councils also roll out fast hubs in supermarket car parks, topping up batteries would easily fit into everyone's regular shopping routine, without anyone needing to make a special trip.
Useful Phrases
work wonders: have a surprisingly effective or positive result.
roll out: start offering something new in lots of places.
fit into: work easily with what you already do in a normal day.
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