OPIc sample questions: what this bank is, and what it is not
This page holds 60 OPIc practice questions written by TalkDrill, four for each of 15 survey topics, in six shapes: 15 describe, 12 routine, 14 past experience, 7 comparison, 8 role-play and 4 unexpected topic. Every question has the follow-up most likely to come next in the same set, an Intermediate High (IH) model answer of 125 to 160 words, and a note on what moves an IM2 answer up to IH. Below the questions is a 40-minute timed mock built on the structure Multicampus publishes on opic.or.kr: a 20-minute orientation with the background survey and self-assessment, then 12 to 15 questions in two sessions, with a chance to change the difficulty in between.
If you searched for 오픽 기출: these are past-style questions, not past papers. The opic.or.kr 시험소개 page offers a tutorial so you can try the screens; it does not publish a question list, and anything sold as "real OPIc questions" is either remembered by earlier candidates or made up. Ours are made up, openly, in the shape of the real thing, and the model answers are teaching examples, not anyone's real test.
- 12 to 15 questions; 40 minutes of test, about 60 minutes including the 20-minute orientation.
- The Background Survey asks about your work, experiences, interests and preferences, and the questions are built from it. The Self Assessment sets the difficulty.
- Two sessions: about 7 questions, then a second difficulty choice (easier, similar or harder), then about 5 to 8 more. The number of questions changes with the difficulty you pick.
- Each question can be heard twice, and there is no time limit on any single answer.
- Rated as a whole against the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines on four areas: Function, Accuracy, Content/Context and Text Type.
- KRW 84,000 including VAT. Results 5 days after the test from 13:00. Valid 2 years. A retest is allowed from the 26th day.
| Topic | Questions in this bank |
|---|---|
| 1. Home | Q1 Describe, Q2 Comparison, Q3 Past experience, Q4 Unexpected topic |
| 2. Neighbourhood | Q5 Describe, Q6 Routine, Q7 Past experience, Q8 Role-play |
| 3. Work | Q9 Describe, Q10 Routine, Q11 Past experience, Q12 Role-play |
| 4. Studies | Q13 Describe, Q14 Routine, Q15 Past experience, Q16 Comparison |
| 5. Films | Q17 Describe, Q18 Routine, Q19 Past experience, Q20 Role-play |
| 6. Parks | Q21 Describe, Q22 Routine, Q23 Past experience, Q24 Comparison |
| 7. Cafés | Q25 Describe, Q26 Routine, Q27 Comparison, Q28 Role-play |
| 8. Music | Q29 Describe, Q30 Routine, Q31 Past experience, Q32 Comparison |
| 9. Cooking | Q33 Describe, Q34 Routine, Q35 Past experience, Q36 Unexpected topic |
| 10. Walking and jogging | Q37 Describe, Q38 Routine, Q39 Past experience, Q40 Unexpected topic |
| 11. Travel in your country | Q41 Describe, Q42 Routine, Q43 Past experience, Q44 Role-play |
| 12. Travel abroad | Q45 Describe, Q46 Comparison, Q47 Past experience, Q48 Role-play |
| 13. Holidays at home | Q49 Describe, Q50 Routine, Q51 Past experience, Q52 Role-play |
| 14. Shopping | Q53 Describe, Q54 Routine, Q55 Past experience, Q56 Role-play |
| 15. Technology | Q57 Describe, Q58 Comparison, Q59 Past experience, Q60 Unexpected topic |
How the real OPIc runs, step by step
The 시험소개 page on opic.or.kr lays out the process in seven steps after you sit down. The middle column is what Multicampus says. The right-hand column is what we think it means for your preparation.
| Step | What happens (opic.or.kr) | What it means for you (TalkDrill) |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Arrive at the centre at least 10 minutes before the start. The invigilator checks your ID; without an approved ID you cannot enter. | The 수험자 가이드 page lists the IDs it accepts, including mobile ID, and says only originals count. Check yours the night before. |
| 1. Background Survey | A pre-test survey that decides the topics of your questions. | ACTFL says the survey "determine[s] the pool of prompts" from which topics are picked at random. You choose your topics; you do not choose your questions. |
| 2. Self Assessment | You choose the level description that fits you. It sets the difficulty. | Per ACTFL, this decides which of five test forms you get. See the strategy section. |
| 3. Pre-Test Setup | Check that you can hear the questions and that your answers record. | Speak at your normal test volume here. If the recording is faint, say so now. |
| 4. Sample Question | The screen layout, how to listen and answer, and a practice answer. | A free warm-up. Use it to hear Ava's speed. |
| 5. First session | About 7 personalised questions. Each can be heard twice. No time limit per answer. | The first two thirds of your evidence. In our mock, Q1 is a short self-introduction and Q2 to Q7 are two topic sets of three. |
| 6. Difficulty choice | Choose easier, similar or harder questions. The number of questions changes with the choice. | Your one chance to adjust. We explain the trade-off below. |
| 7. Second session | About 5 to 8 more personalised questions, with the same rules. | Where role-plays and unexpected topics usually appear in OPIc preparation material, and where our mock puts them. |
One timing point that surprises people. Korea schedules 40 minutes for the test itself, and ACTFL's own OPIc page says the test takes "between 20 and 40 minutes" on average. There is no clock on each answer, so the 40 minutes is yours to share out. With 12 to 15 questions, using all of it would mean about 2 minutes 40 seconds to 3 minutes 20 seconds per question (our arithmetic). Our mock budgets about 2 minutes for describe and routine questions and 2 to 3 minutes for stories and role-play problems, which leaves a margin for the replays.
Background survey and self-assessment strategy
The survey: choose topics you can tell stories about
Multicampus describes the survey as a questionnaire about what you do, your experiences, your interests and your preferences, and says it is used to give you a personalised test. ACTFL's page names the areas as work, school, home, personal activities and interests. Three rules follow, and they are our advice rather than anything the test bodies publish.
- Pick activities you have really done. A describe question on a topic is very often followed by a past-experience question on the same topic. Invented hobbies survive the first question and fall apart in the story.
- Cluster your choices. Topics that share vocabulary let one set of words serve several question sets. Parks, walking and jogging overlap; so do cafés, films and shopping; so do travel in your country, travel abroad and holidays at home. The topic notes in this bank show the overlaps.
- Prepare for questions you did not choose anyway. The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2024 say that to be rated at a level you must show the ability "in all of the communication situations that pertain to that level, including situations that the individual has not encountered previously". That is why this bank has four unexpected-topic questions and a technology topic most people never tick.
The self-assessment: aim for a form whose range covers your target
ACTFL's OPIc page says the self-assessment "determines which one of five OPIc test forms is generated" and gives each form a range:
| ACTFL form | Levels the form covers (ACTFL) | Who it suits (TalkDrill reading) |
|---|---|---|
| Form 1 | Novice Low to Intermediate Low | Only for a first attempt where any Intermediate rating would be a win. |
| Form 2 | Novice Low to Intermediate High | Targets of IM1 to IM3. |
| Form 3 | Novice Low to Advanced Low | Targets of IM3 to AL. The widest range. |
| Form 4 | Intermediate High to Advanced High | Strong speakers aiming at AL and above. |
| Form 5 | Advanced Mid to Superior | Near-native speakers. The level chart on opic.or.kr stops at AL, so most Korean job seekers never need it. |
In our reading, a form whose range stops below your target cannot give the rater the evidence for that target, so the safe choice is a description that places you in a form whose range reaches above it. Neither ACTFL nor the opic.or.kr pages we read say which on-screen description leads to which form, so any advice that names a single option number is opinion, not a rule.
The second difficulty choice
After the first session you choose easier, similar or harder questions, and the number of questions in the second session changes with that choice (opic.or.kr). Our judgement: if you are aiming for IH or AL, choose similar or harder. ACTFL describes the Intermediate High speaker as one who "can handle a substantial number of tasks associated with the Advanced level", and harder questions are where that evidence comes from. If you are aiming for IM2 and the first session felt stretching, similar is a reasonable choice. Nothing on the official pages says that one choice lowers your rating, so make the choice that lets you keep talking well.
The 40-minute timed mock
Two mock tests built from this bank, one for an IM2 to IM3 target and one for IH to AL. Both follow the official shape: a first session of about 7 questions, a difficulty choice, and a second session. The question order is ours; the real test picks from your survey.
How to run it. Set a 40-minute timer and start a voice recording. Read each question once, or have a friend or the AI read it; you may hear it a second time, as in the real test. No notes, no pausing the timer. Move on when you have finished, not when a budget runs out; the budgets are targets, not limits. Afterwards, listen to the whole recording once before reading any model answer.
Mock A: target IM2 to IM3 (12 questions, about 24 minutes of speaking)
| # | Question | Shape | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduce yourself (our warm-up, not in the bank) | Self-introduction | 1 min |
| 2 | Q5: Describe your neighbourhood | Describe | 2 min |
| 3 | Q6: Your weekend in the neighbourhood | Routine | 2 min |
| 4 | Q7: A change in your neighbourhood | Past experience | 2.5 min |
| 5 | Q25: Your favourite café | Describe | 2 min |
| 6 | Q26: When and why you go to cafés | Routine | 2 min |
| 7 | Follow-up to Q28: A wrong order at a café: a problem in a café, restaurant or shop | Past experience | 2.5 min |
| Difficulty choice: similar. | |||
| 8 | Q8: Ask a neighbour about the area | Role-play | 2 min |
| 9 | Follow-up to Q8: Ask a neighbour about the area: the noisy neighbour message | Role-play | 2 min |
| 10 | Q40: The weather and the seasons | Unexpected topic | 2 min |
| 11 | Q33: A dish you cook often | Describe | 2 min |
| 12 | Q35: A cooking disaster | Past experience | 2.5 min |
Mock B: target IH to AL (15 questions, about 34 minutes of speaking)
| # | Question | Shape | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduce yourself (our warm-up, not in the bank) | Self-introduction | 1 min |
| 2 | Q1: Describe your home | Describe | 2 min |
| 3 | Q2: Your home now and the home you grew up in | Comparison | 2.5 min |
| 4 | Q3: Something that went wrong at home | Past experience | 2.5 min |
| 5 | Q29: The music you like | Describe | 2 min |
| 6 | Q30: When and how you listen to music | Routine | 2 min |
| 7 | Q31: A memorable concert | Past experience | 2.5 min |
| Difficulty choice: harder. | |||
| 8 | Q60: Public transport in your city | Unexpected topic | 2 min |
| 9 | Follow-up to Q60: Public transport in your city: a memorable journey on public transport | Past experience | 2.5 min |
| 10 | Q27: How cafés have changed | Comparison | 2.5 min |
| 11 | Q48: Ask a travel agent about a tour | Role-play | 2 min |
| 12 | Follow-up to Q48: Ask a travel agent about a tour: the tour is fully booked, offer two alternatives | Role-play | 2.5 min |
| 13 | Q47: A problem on a trip abroad | Past experience | 2.5 min |
| 14 | Q58: Technology then and now | Comparison | 2.5 min |
| 15 | Follow-up to Q58: Technology then and now: a time technology caused you a problem | Past experience | 2.5 min |
Score your recording against the four areas
Multicampus names four rating areas and describes each one; the questions on the right are ours, for marking yourself after the mock. This is a practice check, not an OPIc rating.
| Area (opic.or.kr) | What it covers (opic.or.kr, paraphrased) | Ask yourself (TalkDrill) |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Whether you answer in the right way for the task: asking, describing, persuading and so on. | Did every past-experience answer actually tell a story? Did every role-play ask the questions or solve the problem? |
| Accuracy | Vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and fluency, as they affect understanding. | Did the past tense hold in the stories? Any silence longer than about five seconds? |
| Content/Context | Whether the content and context fit what the question asked. | Did I answer the question asked, or the one I had prepared? |
| Text Type | How much you say, how the answer is built and how logical it is. | Were most answers connected paragraphs, or strings of short sentences? |
One question at IM2 and at IH
The fastest way to hear the gap is to put two answers to the same question side by side. Here is Q3: Something that went wrong at home answered at the level we would expect from an IM2 speaker. It was written by TalkDrill to show typical features, not transcribed from a real candidate, and the level label is our estimate: a real rating is given across the whole test, never for one answer.
IM2-style answer (written by TalkDrill)
Yes. Last winter, my boiler is broken. It was very cold. I come home, and my house is very, very cold. So I call the manager. He said, wait tomorrow. So I sleep with blanket, two blanket. Next day, technician come and he fix it. The pipe was frozen. It was very bad experience. So now I am careful. I always turn on the heating in winter. That's it.
Now read the IH model under Q3 below. The story is the same. What changes is listed here.
| Feature | IM2-style answer | IH model |
|---|---|---|
| Past tense | Slips into the present ("is broken", "I come home", "technician come"). | Held for the whole story, with background in the past perfect ("I'd just forgotten", "my mum had given me"). |
| Linking | "So" at the start of most sentences. | "At first", "but", "so", "that night", "the next morning", "since then". |
| The complication | Stated, then solved by someone else. | What the speaker tried first, why it failed, and what they did instead. |
| Detail | "Very cold", repeated. | The time, the error code on the display, two jumpers, the electric blanket. |
| Ending | "That's it." | A habit that started because of the story, which links the past to now. |
| Length | About 70 words. | About 150 words, all of it on the question. |
None of the IH features needs rare vocabulary. They need control of the past, a complication with an attempt that fails, and an ending that connects to the present. Our OPIc levels page shows one more answer at IM2, IM3, IH and AL side by side, with the ACTFL descriptors behind each.
Home and neighbourhood (questions 1 to 8)
Topic 1: Home
Survey area: where you live. A describe, a then-and-now comparison, a story, and recycling as the unexpected question.
Q1: Describe your home (Describe)
In your background survey you said you live in an apartment. I would like to know about your home. What does it look like? How many rooms does it have, and which room do you like the most? Please tell me in as much detail as possible.
Likely follow-up in the same set: What do you usually do at home on a weekday evening and at the weekend? Walk me through it from the moment you get home.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Sure. I live in a fairly small apartment in Mapo, in the west of Seoul, with my younger sister. It's on the twelfth floor of an older building, so the lifts are slow, but the view is great. When you open the front door, there's a narrow hallway with a shoe cabinet, and then the living room, which is also where we eat. We have two bedrooms, one bathroom and a tiny kitchen with a window over the sink. My favourite room is actually the living room, because of the balcony. Last year we turned the balcony into a little reading corner with a folding chair and some plants, and now that's where I drink my coffee every morning. The only thing I don't like is the storage. We never have enough space, so the hallway is always full of boxes. But overall, it feels like home, and I'm happy there.
From IM2 to IH: An IM2 answer lists rooms. An IH answer moves through the space in order, gives a reason for the favourite room and adds one small story (the balcony last year), so the past tense appears inside a present-tense description. That switch between time frames is the clearest IH signal in a describe question.
Q2: Your home now and the home you grew up in (Comparison)
Think about the home you lived in when you were a child. How was it different from the home you live in now? Tell me about the changes in as much detail as you can.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Have homes in your country changed in general over the last ten years? What do people want in a home now that they did not want before?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
When I was a child, my family lived in a two-storey house in Cheongju, which is a smaller city in the middle of Korea. It had a little yard where my dad grew peppers and lettuce, and my grandmother lived with us, so the house was always noisy. Now I live in a studio apartment in Seoul by myself, and it's completely different. First of all, it's much smaller. My whole apartment is about the size of our old living room. Secondly, it's quiet. Sometimes too quiet, to be honest. In the old house, someone was always cooking or watching TV. On the other hand, my apartment is much more convenient. The subway station is five minutes away and there's a convenience store downstairs. So I'd say I've gained convenience but lost a bit of warmth. When I have my own family, I'd love a place with a small garden again.
From IM2 to IH: Comparison questions are where IM answers stay stuck in the present. Here the past is carried by "lived", "had", "grew" and "was always", the present by "now I live", and the future appears at the end. All three time frames in one answer, with clear signposts ("first of all", "on the other hand"), is what IH looks like.
Q3: Something that went wrong at home (Past experience)
Tell me about a time when something went wrong at home. For example, something broke, or there was a problem with the building. What happened, how did you deal with it, and how did it end?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Who do you usually call when something breaks at home, and how quickly do they come?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Last winter, during the coldest week of the year, our boiler suddenly stopped working. I came home from work around ten at night and the apartment was freezing. At first I thought I'd just forgotten to turn the heating on, but the display on the boiler was flashing an error code. I tried restarting it twice, and nothing happened. It was too late to call a repair company, so I called the building manager, and he told me to wait until the morning. That night I slept in two jumpers under an electric blanket my mum had given me. The next morning a technician came and said one of the pipes had frozen. It took him about an hour to fix it, and it wasn't cheap. Since then, I always leave the heating on a low setting when it's below zero, even when I'm away, because I never want to repeat that night.
From IM2 to IH: This is the question that separates IM from IH. The answer needs a setting, events in order in the past tense, a complication and a resolution. IM2 speakers often state the problem and stop. Add what you tried, what someone said and what you do differently now, and the story becomes paragraph-length narration.
Q4: Recycling where you live (Unexpected topic)
Now I would like to ask you about recycling. How does recycling work where you live? What do people separate, when do they take it out, and what are the rules?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a time you saw someone break the recycling rules, or a time you made a mistake yourself. What happened?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Recycling is pretty strict in Korea, at least in my apartment complex. We have a recycling area behind building three, and it's open twice a week, on Tuesday and Saturday evenings. People separate plastic, paper, cans, glass and plastic film, and there's a separate bin for each one. Food waste is different. You put it in a special container and tap a card on the machine, and you pay by weight. General rubbish goes into official bags that you buy at the supermarket. The rules are quite detailed. For example, you have to take the labels off plastic bottles and rinse them before you throw them away. When I first moved here, I didn't know that, and the security guard politely showed me how to do it. It was a bit embarrassing, but now I'm used to it, and honestly I think the system works well.
From IM2 to IH: An unexpected topic tests whether you can talk about something you did not choose. IM2 answers freeze or give two sentences. The IH move is to describe the system in the present tense, then add one short personal story. If you know little about the topic, say so in one sentence and talk about what you do know; silence is the only real failure.
Topic 2: Neighbourhood
Survey area: where you live. Describe, routine, a story about change, and a role-play with a neighbour.
Q5: Describe your neighbourhood (Describe)
Tell me about the neighbourhood you live in. What is it like? What kinds of places are there, and what do you like or dislike about it? Please describe it in detail.
Likely follow-up in the same set: What do you usually do in your neighbourhood at the weekend? Where do you go first?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
My neighbourhood is called Yeonnam-dong, near Hongdae in Seoul. It used to be a quiet residential area, but over the last few years it's become really popular with young people. The thing most people know it for is the long, narrow park that runs through the middle, where there used to be an old railway line. On both sides of the park there are small cafés, bakeries and restaurants, and lots of them are in converted houses, so the area still feels low and cosy rather than like a big city. What I like most is that I can walk everywhere. The subway is ten minutes away, and there's a traditional market just behind my street. The downside is that it gets crowded at weekends, and some nights it's noisy until midnight. Still, I wouldn't move. Every time I walk through the park after work, I feel more relaxed.
From IM2 to IH: IM answers describe with "there is" and "it is good". IH answers organise the description (where it is, what it is known for, what you like, what you do not) and include one change over time ("it used to be... over the last few years"). "Used to" is a cheap, reliable way to show a second time frame.
Q6: Your weekend in the neighbourhood (Routine)
What do you usually do in your neighbourhood at the weekend? Tell me about your routine from the morning until the evening.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a weekend in your neighbourhood that did not go the way you planned.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
My weekends are pretty slow, and that's how I like them. On Saturday I usually sleep in until about nine, and then I walk to the bakery at the end of my street. They make really good salt bread, so I buy two and eat one on the way home. After that I do my laundry and clean the apartment, because I don't have time during the week. In the afternoon I normally meet a friend at a café near the station. We sometimes talk for three hours without noticing. On Sunday mornings I go to the small gym in my building, and then I buy groceries at the market, because it's cheaper than the supermarket and the vegetables are fresher. In the evening I cook something simple and get ready for the week. It's not exciting, but it really helps me recharge.
From IM2 to IH: Routine questions reward sequence and frequency. IM2 speakers say "I go to café. I meet friend." IH speakers chain actions with "after that", "in the afternoon" and "then", use frequency words (usually, sometimes, normally) and give a reason for at least two habits. Articles and plurals ("a friend", "the vegetables") carry more weight than people expect.
Q7: A change in your neighbourhood (Past experience)
Neighbourhoods change over time. Tell me about a change that happened in your neighbourhood. What was it like before, what changed, and how did people feel about it?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Do you think your neighbourhood will keep changing? What would you like it to look like in five years?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
About two years ago, a big supermarket opened near my apartment, right where there used to be a row of small shops. Before that, there was a family-run fruit shop, a stationery shop and a tiny noodle restaurant that I went to almost every week. When the construction started, there were signs everywhere asking people to protest, and some of the older residents were really upset. I understood them, because the noodle restaurant had been there for more than twenty years. When the supermarket finally opened, I have to admit it was convenient. It's open late, and parking is easy. But I still missed the noodle place. A few months later, I found out the owner had reopened in a smaller shop two streets away, so now I go there instead. I think the change was good for convenience, but the neighbourhood lost some of its character.
From IM2 to IH: Notice the past perfect ("had been there for more than twenty years", "had reopened"). You do not need it for IH, but a narrative that keeps "before", "when" and "a few months later" in order is what ACTFL means by narrating in the past. The opinion at the end shows you can move from story to comment.
Q8: Ask a neighbour about the area (Role-play)
I'd like to give you a situation to act out. You have just moved into a new neighbourhood. Call a neighbour you met yesterday and ask three or four questions to find out about the area.
Next in the set: The neighbour above you plays loud music late at night. Leave a message for the building manager, explain the situation and suggest two or three solutions.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Hi, this is Minji from apartment 502. We met in the lift yesterday, remember? Sorry to bother you, but I've just moved in and I don't really know the area yet, so I was hoping you could help me with a few things. First, is there a good supermarket nearby? I saw a small one on the corner, but I'm not sure if it's open late. Second, I usually take the bus to work in Gangnam. Do you know which stop is closest, and is it very crowded in the morning? Also, I'm looking for a place to go running. Is there a park or a river path around here? And one more thing: when do people take out the recycling? I don't want to make a mistake in my first week. Thanks so much, I really appreciate it. Maybe I can buy you a coffee sometime to say thank you.
From IM2 to IH: Role-plays test whether you can perform a task, not just talk. IM answers ask one question and stop. IH answers open the call properly, give a reason for calling, ask three or four questions with a little context each, and close politely. Mixing question forms ("Is there...?", "Do you know which...?", "When do people...?") shows range.
Work and study (questions 9 to 16)
Topic 3: Work
Survey area: work. For anyone who says in the survey that they have a job. The role-play is a problem to solve.
Q9: Your company and your office (Describe)
You told me in the survey that you work for a company. Please describe your workplace. Where is it, what does the office look like, and what is your team like?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Walk me through a typical working day, from the time you arrive to the time you leave.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I work for a mid-sized logistics company, and our office is in Yeouido, which is the financial district in Seoul. We're on the eighth floor of a fairly new building. The office is open-plan, so there are no walls between teams, just long desks and a few glass meeting rooms along one side. My team is in the corner by the window, which I love, because I can see the river on a clear day. There are seven of us: my manager, four people who handle overseas shipping like me, and two people who deal with customers. Everyone's quite friendly, and we often have lunch together at the food court downstairs. The only problem with an open office is the noise. When everyone's on the phone, it's hard to concentrate, so I sometimes book a meeting room just to finish a report. Overall, though, it's a comfortable place to work.
From IM2 to IH: Work descriptions at IM2 are lists of facts. At IH they have a layout (floor, open-plan, where your team sits), people with roles, and one honest drawback with how you handle it. The drawback is the part that turns a description into connected speech.
Q10: A typical working day (Routine)
Tell me about a typical day at work. What do you do first in the morning, what happens during the day, and how does your day usually end?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a particularly busy or difficult day at work. What happened?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
My day usually starts at about eight thirty, when I get to the office and make a coffee. The first thing I do is check emails from our partners in Europe and the US, because they've been working while I was asleep. If there's a delay with a shipment, I have to deal with that before anything else. At ten we have a short team meeting, about fifteen minutes, where everyone says what they're working on. After that, I spend most of the morning updating schedules and talking to shipping companies. Lunch is around twelve. In the afternoon I usually have one or two video calls with customers, and I prepare documents for the next day. I try to leave at six, but if there's a problem with customs, I sometimes stay until seven or eight. On the way home I listen to a podcast to switch off.
From IM2 to IH: The routine is clear, but the IH features are the reasons ("because they've been working while I was asleep") and the conditions ("If there's a delay... I have to"). Conditions and reasons inside a routine show you are creating language, not reciting a timetable.
Q11: A difficult day or project at work (Past experience)
Tell me about a project or a day at work that you remember well because it was difficult. What happened, what did you do, and what was the result?
Likely follow-up in the same set: What did you learn from that experience, and would you handle it differently now?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The hardest day I remember was last March. We had a big order of medical equipment going to a hospital in Vietnam, and the day before it was supposed to arrive, the customer called to say the ship had been delayed by a week. They needed the equipment urgently, so my manager asked me to find another way. I spent the whole morning calling airlines and freight agents. Most of them were fully booked, but finally, around three o'clock, I found one company with space on a cargo flight the next evening. The problem was the price, which was almost three times higher. I had to explain the situation to our director and to the customer, and they agreed to split the cost. The equipment arrived two days later. I was exhausted, but the customer sent us a thank-you email, and my manager mentioned it in our team meeting. I felt really proud.
From IM2 to IH: Setting, problem, actions in order, a second complication (the price), resolution and a feeling: this is the shape of a strong IH narration. IM2 versions usually skip the second complication. Adding it is the quickest way to make a story sound unrehearsed.
Q12: You cannot make a meeting (Role-play)
Here is a situation. You have an important meeting with a colleague from another team tomorrow, but something has come up and you cannot attend. Call your colleague, explain the situation, and suggest two or three alternatives.
Next in the set: Tell me about a time when a plan at work or at school changed suddenly. What happened, and how did you deal with it?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Hi Junho, it's Sora from the shipping team. Have you got a minute? I'm really sorry, but I have a problem with our meeting tomorrow at two. My manager has just told me I have to visit a customer in Incheon tomorrow afternoon, and I can't change it, because the customer only has time then. I know we need to finish the budget plan this week, so I've thought of a few options. First, we could move the meeting to tomorrow morning, maybe nine or ten, if you're free. Second, if the morning is difficult for you, we could have a video call on Thursday afternoon instead. Or, third, I could send you my part of the plan by email tonight, you could add your comments, and then we could talk briefly on the phone. Which one works best for you? Again, sorry for the short notice, and thanks for being flexible.
From IM2 to IH: Problem-solving role-plays are judged on whether you solve the problem. IM2 speakers apologise and stop. IH speakers explain the cause, offer three concrete options in order, and hand the choice back. "Could", "if" and "instead" are the grammar of this task.
Topic 4: Studies
Survey area: school. For students, or anyone who says they take classes. Ends with a comparison of online and classroom study.
Q13: Your school or campus (Describe)
You said in your survey that you are a student. Tell me about your school or university. What does the campus look like, and where do you spend most of your time?
Likely follow-up in the same set: What does a typical day of classes look like for you? Describe it from start to finish.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I'm in my third year at a university in Busan, and I study business administration. The campus is on the side of a hill, so to be honest, the first thing everyone talks about is the stairs. From the main gate to my department building takes about fifteen minutes on foot, all uphill. At the top there's a big library with a café on the ground floor, and that's where I spend most of my time. The business building is quite old, but last year they renovated the classrooms, so now they have new projectors and comfortable chairs. Behind the library there's a small garden with benches, and in spring, when the cherry blossoms come out, it's really beautiful. Students sit there and have lunch. What I like most about my campus is the view. On a clear day you can see the sea from the library roof.
From IM2 to IH: The IH features are the route through the space, one change ("last year they renovated"), a seasonal detail and a preference with a reason. If you only list buildings, the rater hears Intermediate Mid at best.
Q14: A typical day of classes (Routine)
Tell me about a typical day of classes. When do you get to school, what classes do you have, and what do you do between and after classes?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a class or a project that you remember well. Why was it memorable?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
On Tuesdays, which is my busiest day, I leave home at about eight and take the subway, then a shuttle bus up the hill. My first class starts at nine. It's marketing, and it's usually a lecture with about eighty students. After that I have a two-hour gap, so I normally go to the library to prepare for my next class or finish assignments. Around twelve I meet my friends for lunch in the student cafeteria. It's cheap and the portions are big, so it's always busy. In the afternoon I have a smaller seminar on accounting, where we discuss case studies in groups. Classes finish at four thirty. Twice a week, after classes, I go to an English conversation club, and on the other days I work part-time at a coffee shop near the station until nine. By the time I get home, I'm usually pretty tired.
From IM2 to IH: Good routine answers vary the frequency and the day ("On Tuesdays", "Twice a week", "on the other days"). That variety is a sign of control. IM2 speakers repeat the same frame ("And I go... And I go..."), which a rater hears as a list rather than connected speech.
Q15: A memorable class or project (Past experience)
Tell me about a class, project or presentation at school that you remember well. What was it about, what did you do, and why do you remember it?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Some people prefer working in groups and some prefer working alone. Which do you prefer, and why?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The project I remember most was in my second year, for a marketing class. We had to create a campaign for a real local business, and my group chose a small bakery near campus. There were four of us, and at first it went badly. One member never answered messages, and two weeks before the deadline we still didn't have a clear idea. So I suggested we stop meeting online and just go to the bakery together. We spent an afternoon there, talked to the owner and watched the customers. That changed everything. We noticed most customers were students buying coffee, not bread, so we designed a student set with coffee and a small pastry. We presented it to the owner, and she actually tried it for a month. Our professor gave us an A, but the best part was seeing students order "our" set.
From IM2 to IH: The turning point ("That changed everything") is what makes this narration rather than a summary. IM2 answers say the project was hard and the result was good. IH answers explain why it was hard, what you decided, and what happened because of the decision.
Q16: Online classes and classroom classes (Comparison)
Many students take some of their classes online now. Compare online classes and classes in a classroom. What are the good and bad points of each, and which do you prefer?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about the first time you took a class online. How did it go?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I've done both, so I can compare them pretty easily. Online classes are really convenient. You don't have to travel, you can watch the recording again if you miss something, and you can study at any time. In my first year almost all my classes were online, and I saved a lot of time. The problem is concentration. When I'm at home, it's very easy to check my phone or start doing something else, and I don't really get to know my classmates. Classroom classes are the opposite. They take more time and energy, because I have to commute, but I focus much better, and I can ask the professor questions straight away. I also made most of my friends in classrooms, not on video calls. So if it's a lecture where I just listen, I prefer online. But for seminars and discussion classes, I definitely prefer being in the room.
From IM2 to IH: A comparison at IH is balanced: two sides, each with reasons, then a conclusion that is more than "both are good". The conditional preference at the end ("if it's a lecture... But for seminars...") shows you can handle nuance, which points towards the Advanced level.
Films, parks and cafés (questions 17 to 28)
Topic 5: Films
Survey area: leisure. Preferences, the cinema routine, a film you remember and an information role-play.
Q17: The films you like (Describe)
You indicated that you enjoy watching films. What kinds of films do you like, and why? Tell me about an actor or a director you like.
Likely follow-up in the same set: What do you usually do when you go to the cinema? Tell me about everything from buying the ticket to going home.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I watch a bit of everything, but my favourite kind of film is the slow, realistic drama, the kind where not much happens on the surface, but you really feel the characters. I think I like them because they make me think about my own life afterwards. One director I really like is Hirokazu Kore-eda from Japan. His films are usually about families, and they're very quiet and gentle. The first one I saw was Shoplifters, about a poor family whose members are not really related. I watched it on a plane, and I almost cried in front of a stranger. I also enjoy Korean thrillers when I want something more exciting, especially ones with a big twist at the end. But I don't like horror at all. I watched one with my friends in high school and couldn't sleep for a week, so I've avoided horror films ever since.
From IM2 to IH: Preferences become IH when you give reasons and evidence. Here the speaker names a genre, explains why, gives a concrete example with a short story, and adds a contrast (what they avoid and why). "Ever since" links the past story to now.
Q18: Going to the cinema (Routine)
What do you usually do when you go to see a film? Tell me about the whole process, from choosing the film to going home.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a time something unexpected happened when you went to the cinema.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Usually it starts with a message from my friend Hayoung, something like, "Have you seen the new one yet?" We check the reviews online, and if the ratings are good, we book tickets on the cinema app. We always try to book seats in the middle, about two thirds of the way back, because the sound is best there. On the day, we meet about thirty minutes early and have a quick dinner near the cinema. Then we buy popcorn, half sweet and half salty, and a big drink to share. During the film I'm quite strict. I turn my phone off completely, and it annoys me when people check theirs. Afterwards we always go to a café and talk about the film. Sometimes we disagree completely, which is the fun part. Then I take the bus home and usually read more reviews to see if other people noticed what we noticed.
From IM2 to IH: The quoted message at the start and the small opinion in the middle ("it annoys me when") make the answer sound spoken rather than memorised. At IH, raters listen for personal meaning inside the sequence, not just the steps.
Q19: A film you remember (Past experience)
Tell me about a film that you remember well. When did you see it, who were you with, and why was it memorable?
Likely follow-up in the same set: How have your tastes in films changed since you were a teenager?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The film I remember best is Parasite, but not only because of the film itself. I saw it in 2019 with my dad, which was unusual, because we almost never go to the cinema together. He'd read that it had won a big prize at Cannes, so he asked me to book tickets. Honestly, I expected him to fall asleep. But he was completely focused the whole time. There's a scene in the middle where the story suddenly changes direction, and he grabbed my arm, which made me laugh. On the way home we talked for an hour about the ending and about the gap between rich and poor in Korea. It was one of the longest conversations we'd ever had. A few months later, when it won at the Oscars, he called me straight away to tell me, as if I didn't know. Every time I hear the title, I think of that evening.
From IM2 to IH: The story is about a person and a moment, not a plot summary. Plot summaries are where IM2 speakers lose control of tense. This answer keeps the past simple for events, the past perfect for background ("He'd read") and a present habit at the end.
Q20: Call the cinema with questions (Role-play)
I will give you a situation. You want to see a film with a friend this weekend. Call the cinema and ask three or four questions to get the information you need.
Next in the set: You arrive at the cinema and find out your tickets were booked for the wrong day. Explain the problem to the staff and suggest a solution.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Hello, I'd like to ask about the new film, the one that came out this week. My friend and I want to see it on Saturday. First, could you tell me what times it's showing on Saturday afternoon? We'd prefer something between two and five. Second, is it showing on the big screen with the special sound system, or only on the normal screens? If it's on the big one, how much more are the tickets? Also, do you have any discounts for students? My friend is still at university, so I'd like to know if she needs to bring her student card. And one last question: is there parking at the cinema, and is it free if we show our tickets? Thanks a lot, that's really helpful. I'll book online tonight, then.
From IM2 to IH: Each question carries a small reason or condition ("We'd prefer something between two and five", "If it's on the big one"). That is the difference between IM2 and IH in an information-gathering role-play: questions that belong to a plan rather than four disconnected questions.
Topic 6: Parks
Survey area: leisure. Shares vocabulary with walking and jogging, which is why many candidates pick both.
Q21: A park you often go to (Describe)
You said you like going to parks. Tell me about a park you often go to. Where is it, what does it look like, and what do people do there?
Likely follow-up in the same set: What do you usually do when you go to the park? Who do you go with?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The park I go to most is the Hangang park at Ttukseom, on the river in eastern Seoul. It's about twenty minutes from my place by subway, and the station is right next to the park, which is really convenient. It's a long, flat park along the river, with a wide cycle path, grass areas and a few cafés and convenience stores. In the evening it gets busy with people jogging, cycling and having picnics. A lot of people bring mats and order fried chicken, which is delivered straight to the park. There's also a place where you can rent bikes by the hour. The best time to go is just before sunset in early autumn, when the weather's cool and the sky turns orange over the water. In summer it can be too hot and crowded, and in winter the wind from the river is freezing, so I mostly go in spring and autumn.
From IM2 to IH: Describe questions reward organisation: location, layout, people, activities, best time. Adding the seasons gives you a natural way to compare and to use conditional language. Personal observation is what raters credit; facts you looked up the night before tend to come out as a recital.
Q22: What you do at the park (Routine)
What do you usually do when you go to the park? Do you go alone or with other people? Tell me about a usual visit.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about something memorable or unexpected that happened at a park.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I usually go to the park on Wednesday evenings and on Sunday afternoons. On Wednesdays I go alone, straight after work. I change into my running clothes at the office, take the subway, and jog along the river for about forty minutes. It's my way of clearing my head in the middle of the week. Sundays are more social. I meet two or three friends, and we bring a picnic mat, some snacks and a speaker for music. We usually sit on the grass for a couple of hours, talk, and sometimes play badminton if it isn't windy. When it starts to get dark, we often order chicken and stay a bit longer. Before going home, I always make sure we take our rubbish with us, because the park gets really messy at weekends. Those two visits are probably the highlights of my week.
From IM2 to IH: Two contrasting routines (alone and with friends) give you twice the structure without memorising more. IH speakers also add a small habit or value ("I always make sure...") that shows control of frequency adverbs in context.
Q23: Something unexpected at the park (Past experience)
Tell me about something memorable or unexpected that happened when you were at a park. What happened, and how did it end?
Likely follow-up in the same set: How have parks in your city changed since you were a child?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Last spring I was having a picnic by the river with my friends, and suddenly a little boy, maybe five years old, walked up to us crying. He'd lost his parents. He was too upset to tell us much, just his first name. My friend stayed with him while I went to look for a park officer, but I couldn't find anyone. Then I remembered there was an information centre near the bike rental place, so I ran there. They made an announcement over the speakers, and about ten minutes later his mum came running over, looking terrified. She'd been looking for him near the toilets. She thanked us about ten times and gave us a box of strawberries she'd brought for their picnic. We didn't want to take it, but she insisted. It was a small thing, but it reminded me how quickly a nice day can turn scary, and how much a little help matters.
From IM2 to IH: There is a clear problem, an attempt that fails ("I couldn't find anyone"), a second idea that works, and a closing reflection. The failed attempt is a useful habit: it lengthens the story naturally and forces past-tense verbs you did not rehearse.
Q24: Parks when you were a child and now (Comparison)
Think about the parks you went to when you were a child. How were they different from the parks you go to now?
Likely follow-up in the same set: What do you think parks in your city will be like in ten years? What would you like to see?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
When I was a child in Daegu, the park near my house was really basic. It was a square of sand with a slide, two swings and a few benches where the grandmothers sat and talked all afternoon. There were hardly any trees, so in summer it was boiling. Still, I spent almost every evening there with the other kids from my building. The parks I go to now are completely different. They're much bigger, much greener, and they're designed for adults too. There are walking paths, outdoor exercise machines, cycle lanes and even free wifi. In my opinion, parks have improved a lot. The only thing I think we've lost is that feeling of community. In my old park everyone knew each other. Now people come with headphones on and leave without talking to anyone, including me, to be honest.
From IM2 to IH: The self-aware ending ("including me, to be honest") is the kind of personal comment that makes speech sound unrehearsed. Structurally, the answer contrasts then and now in two blocks and finishes with an evaluation, which is the pattern a comparison prompt invites.
Topic 7: Cafés
Survey area: leisure. Includes a social comparison (how cafés have changed) and a problem role-play.
Q25: Your favourite café (Describe)
You told me you go to cafés. Tell me about a café you like. Where is it, what does it look like inside, and why do you like it?
Likely follow-up in the same set: When do you usually go to cafés, and what do you do there?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
My favourite café is a small place near my office in Seongsu-dong. It's in an old factory building, so the ceiling is very high, and they've kept the brick walls and the metal beams, which gives it a cool, industrial feel. When you walk in, the counter is on the left, and there's a big roasting machine behind glass, so you can watch them roast the beans. The seating is a mix of long wooden tables and a few sofas by the windows. I always try to get a sofa. I like it for three reasons. First, the coffee is excellent, especially their hand-drip coffee. Second, it's quiet in the mornings, so I can read or work. And third, the staff remember my order, which makes me feel like a regular. The only problem is that it's become popular on social media, so at weekends there's usually a queue outside.
From IM2 to IH: The "three reasons" frame is fine if each reason has its own detail. Templates become a problem when the reasons are generic ("it is good, it is nice, it is cheap"). Specific vocabulary (roasting machine, hand-drip, regular) is what shows lexical range.
Q26: When and why you go to cafés (Routine)
How often do you go to cafés, and what do you usually do there? Tell me about a typical visit.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Cafés in your country have changed a lot over the years. Tell me how they have changed.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I go to cafés probably four or five times a week, which sounds like a lot, but most of the visits are short. On weekday mornings I stop at a coffee chain near the subway, order an iced Americano on the app so it's ready when I arrive, and take it to the office. That takes two minutes. The longer visits are at weekends. On Saturday mornings I go to a quiet café with a book or my laptop and stay for two or three hours. I usually order a latte and a piece of cake, and I study English or plan my week. On Sunday afternoons it's more social. I meet friends at a new café someone has found online, and we try their signature drink and take photos. Honestly, I spend too much money on coffee, and I keep saying I'll cut down, but I never do.
From IM2 to IH: Routine answers become IH when they separate types of habit (weekday and weekend, short and long) and end with a personal comment. "I keep saying I'll cut down, but I never do" is a small, natural sentence that shows control of present and future together.
Q27: How cafés have changed (Comparison)
Cafés in your country have changed a lot in the last ten or fifteen years. How were cafés different in the past, and how are they different now?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Do you think there are too many cafés in your country? Why or why not?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
When I was in middle school, cafés weren't really part of normal life for young people. There were a few big chains in the city centre, but coffee was quite expensive, and older people mostly drank instant coffee mix at home or at work. Now there are cafés everywhere, sometimes three on one street. I think three things have changed. First, the number, obviously. Second, the purpose. In the past, a café was a place to meet someone. Now people go there to study, work on their laptops, or just to take photos for social media, and a lot of cafés are designed to look good in pictures. Third, the quality has improved a lot. Many small cafés roast their own beans now. The negative side is that rents have gone up in popular areas, and small cafés close quickly. So there's more choice, but less stability.
From IM2 to IH: This answer handles a general social topic, which is where IH answers start to sound Advanced. Three signposted changes and a balanced conclusion show the paragraph-length organisation ACTFL describes at the Advanced level.
Q28: A wrong order at a café (Role-play)
Let me give you a situation. You are at a café and the drink you were given is not what you ordered. Explain the problem to the staff member and suggest a solution.
Next in the set: Tell me about a time you had a problem in a café, restaurant or shop. What happened, and how was it resolved?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Excuse me, sorry to bother you. I think there's been a small mix-up with my order. I ordered a decaf oat latte, but this one tastes like regular coffee with normal milk. I can't really drink caffeine in the afternoon, and I don't drink cow's milk, so I'm afraid I can't drink this one. Here's my receipt: you can see it says decaf and oat milk. Would it be possible to make it again? If you're very busy, I don't mind waiting a few minutes. Or, if you've run out of decaf beans, I could have a herbal tea instead, maybe the camomile. I'm not upset, it happens, I just wanted to let you know before I drank it. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.
From IM2 to IH: Problem-solving role-plays reward clarity and politeness under pressure. The IH pattern is a polite opening, the problem stated precisely, why it matters, evidence, a request and an alternative. IM2 answers often skip the reason and the alternative, the two parts that show you can handle a complication.
Music, cooking, walking and jogging (questions 29 to 40)
Topic 8: Music
Survey area: hobbies. A then-and-now comparison closes the set.
Q29: The music you like (Describe)
You said you enjoy listening to music. What kind of music do you like? Tell me about a singer or a band you like and why you like them.
Likely follow-up in the same set: When and where do you usually listen to music? How do you listen to it?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I mostly listen to indie music, especially Korean indie bands, because the lyrics feel more personal than mainstream pop. One band I really like is a three-piece group from Seoul who started out playing in small clubs around Hongdae. Their songs are mostly about ordinary things, like missing the last bus or feeling lonely in a new city, and I can relate to that. The singer's voice isn't technically perfect, but it's warm and a bit rough, and I like that. I first heard them in a café about four years ago. I asked the staff what the song was, and since then I've been to three of their concerts. Apart from indie, I listen to old jazz when I'm studying, because there are no lyrics to distract me. I don't really like heavy metal, though. It's too loud for me.
From IM2 to IH: Notice the present perfect ("since then I've been to three of their concerts"). Linking a past moment to the present is one of the cleanest ways to show more than one time frame in a describe question. Honest evaluation ("not technically perfect, but") also shows range.
Q30: When and how you listen to music (Routine)
When and where do you usually listen to music? What device do you use, and how do you find new music?
Likely follow-up in the same set: How has the way you listen to music changed over the years?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I listen to music most of the day, actually. In the morning, on the subway, I put on my noise-cancelling earphones and listen to something calm, because the train is so crowded. At work I can't listen to music, but during lunch I sometimes go for a walk with a playlist. In the evening, when I'm cooking or cleaning, I connect my phone to a small speaker in the kitchen and play something more upbeat. I use a streaming app, and I find most new music through its weekly recommendation list. It's surprisingly good at guessing what I'll like. I also follow a couple of music critics on social media, and when they recommend an album, I listen to it at the weekend from start to finish, without skipping. That's my one rule: the first time, I listen to the whole album.
From IM2 to IH: Strong routines tie music to moments of the day and give a reason for each choice. The personal rule at the end shows you can express an opinion inside a routine, which helps place you above Intermediate Mid.
Q31: A memorable concert (Past experience)
Tell me about a concert or a live music performance you went to that was memorable. What happened, from beginning to end?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Some people say live music is better than recorded music. What do you think?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The most memorable concert I went to was an outdoor festival in Incheon two summers ago. I went with my cousin, and we'd bought the tickets six months earlier, so we were really excited. In the afternoon the weather was perfect, and we saw a couple of bands we didn't know, which was a nice surprise. But around seven, just before the main band came on, it started raining heavily. Within ten minutes the field turned into mud. A lot of people left, and my cousin wanted to go too. I convinced her to stay, and we bought cheap raincoats from a stall. When the main band finally came on, they joked that the rain was "special effects", and the crowd went crazy. We were soaking wet and covered in mud, but singing along in the rain with a few thousand people was honestly one of the best nights of my life.
From IM2 to IH: The story has a build-up, a problem, a decision and a payoff. The disagreement with the cousin and the decision to stay turn an event description into narration, and narration in the past is the core Advanced-level task an IH rating is measured against.
Q32: How you listen to music now and in the past (Comparison)
How has the way you listen to music changed since you were younger? Compare how you listened to music in the past with how you listen now.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Do you think young people today value music more or less than people did in the past? Why?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
When I was in elementary school, I listened to music on the radio and on CDs. My older brother had a CD player, and I used to borrow it without asking, which caused a lot of fights. Buying a CD was a big decision, because it was expensive, so I listened to the same albums again and again and knew every word. In high school I had an MP3 player and downloaded songs one by one. Now everything is on my phone, and I pay a monthly fee for a streaming service with millions of songs. It's incredibly convenient, but I've noticed that I listen differently. I skip songs after twenty seconds and I rarely listen to a whole album. So I'd say I hear more music now, but I connect with less of it. That's why I've started buying a few vinyl records again, just to slow down.
From IM2 to IH: Three time frames (elementary school, high school, now), a reflective conclusion and a current change ("I've started"): this is the shape of an IH comparison. If the past half of your answer drifts into the present tense, fix that first; it is usually where IM2 is decided.
Topic 9: Cooking
Survey area: hobbies. A process routine, a disaster story, and national holidays as the unexpected question.
Q33: A dish you cook often (Describe)
You indicated that you like cooking. Tell me about a dish you cook often. What is it, what goes into it, and why do you like making it?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Explain to me, step by step, how you make that dish.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The dish I cook most often is kimchi fried rice, because it's quick, cheap and it uses up leftovers. It's basically rice fried with chopped kimchi, a little pork or tuna, some onion and a spoonful of chilli paste. I always put a fried egg on top, with the yolk still runny, and sprinkle some sesame seeds and seaweed over it. I like making it for a few reasons. First, I almost always have the ingredients at home, so I can make it on a weekday night in fifteen minutes. Second, it's a bit different every time, depending on what's in the fridge. Sometimes I add cheese, sometimes leftover vegetables. And third, it reminds me of my mum. When I was a student and came home late, she'd make it for me without asking. Now I make it for my roommate when she's had a bad day.
From IM2 to IH: Food answers often stay at IM because speakers list ingredients. This one describes, gives reasons, and links the dish to a memory and a current habit. "She'd make it for me" (would for past habits) is a small, high-value structure.
Q34: How you cook a meal, step by step (Routine)
Tell me how you prepare a meal at home. What do you do first, and what are the steps until the food is ready?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a time something went wrong when you were cooking.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Let me explain how I make kimchi stew, since that's my usual Sunday dinner. First, I cut some pork belly into small pieces and fry it in the pot with a little oil until it's brown. Then I add a big handful of old, sour kimchi, the sourer the better, and fry it with the pork for about five minutes. After that I pour in water, or anchovy stock if I have time to make it, and add a spoonful of chilli flakes and a little garlic. I let it boil for about twenty minutes, so the kimchi gets soft. While it's boiling, I cut tofu and spring onions. Near the end, I add the tofu, taste it, and add a bit of salt or sugar if it's too sour. Finally, I put the spring onions on top and serve it straight from the pot with rice. The secret is patience.
From IM2 to IH: Process descriptions test sequencing language (first, then, after that, while, near the end, finally) and conditions ("if I have time"). IM2 answers have the steps but no conditions or tips. Saying why a step matters ("so the kimchi gets soft") lifts it.
Q35: A cooking disaster (Past experience)
Tell me about a time when something went wrong while you were cooking. What were you making, what happened, and what did you do?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Who taught you to cook, and how did you learn?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
My worst cooking disaster was when I tried to make a birthday cake for my boyfriend. I'd never baked before, but I found a recipe online that looked easy. Everything went fine until I put it in the oven. I didn't realise that my oven was much hotter than the recipe said, so after twenty minutes the kitchen started to smell of burning. When I opened the oven, the top was black, but the middle was still liquid. I panicked, because he was arriving in two hours. So I cut off the burnt top, scooped out the raw middle, and used what was left as the base for a trifle, with whipped cream and strawberries. It looked strange, but it actually tasted good. He laughed when I told him the story, and now every year he asks for "the disaster cake" on his birthday.
From IM2 to IH: A full narrative: background ("I'd never baked"), event, complication, solution, ending and a present-day consequence. Ending a story in the present is a reliable IH habit, because it carries you through more than one time frame naturally.
Q36: A holiday in your country (Unexpected topic)
I would like to know about holidays in your country. Tell me about a holiday that people in your country celebrate. What do people do and eat, and what do you usually do?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a holiday you remember from your childhood. What made it special?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
One of the biggest holidays in Korea is Chuseok, which is a harvest festival in autumn. It lasts three days, and most people travel to their hometowns to see their families, so the roads and trains are packed. Traditionally, families prepare food for a ceremony to remember their ancestors, and they visit the family graves to tidy them. The most famous Chuseok food is songpyeon, small rice cakes shaped like half moons and filled with sesame, beans or chestnuts. Families also make lots of fried dishes called jeon. In my family, things have become simpler. We don't do the full ceremony any more. Instead, we all meet at my grandmother's house, cook a few dishes together and go for a walk in the evening. To be honest, the best part for me is that everyone puts their phones away and we play cards until late.
From IM2 to IH: On an unexpected cultural topic, explain the general custom in the present tense, then narrow to your own family. That contrast (tradition, then what we do now) is natural comparison and lets you keep talking with vocabulary you already have.
Topic 10: Walking and jogging
Survey area: sport and exercise. Weather and seasons sit here as the unexpected question.
Q37: Where you go jogging (Describe)
You said that you go jogging. Tell me about the place where you usually jog. What is it like, and why do you choose that place?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Describe your jogging routine. When do you go, how long do you run, and what do you do before and after?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I usually jog along a stream near my apartment called Yangjaecheon. It's a narrow stream with walking and running paths on both sides, and lots of trees, so it feels much more natural than running next to a busy road. There are small bridges every few hundred metres, so I can choose how long my route is. I usually run to the fourth bridge and back, which is about five kilometres. I chose this place for a few reasons. It's only three minutes from my front door, so I have no excuse not to go. The path is soft, which is better for my knees. And in the evening the lights along the stream come on, so it feels safe even after dark. In spring the cherry trees along the path are amazing, but that's also when it gets most crowded.
From IM2 to IH: Distance, layout, reasons and a seasonal contrast. For IH you do not need rare words; you need connected sentences a listener could follow on a map. "So I have no excuse not to go" shows natural spoken logic.
Q38: Your jogging routine (Routine)
Describe your routine when you go jogging. When do you go, what do you wear and bring, and what do you do before and after you run?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a time when something unusual happened while you were jogging.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I jog three times a week, usually on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. On weekdays I go after work, at around seven thirty, and on Saturday I go in the morning before breakfast. Before I leave, I drink a glass of water and do about five minutes of stretching, especially my legs and back, because I hurt my knee once and I don't want to repeat it. I wear running shoes, leggings and a light jacket, and I always bring my phone in an armband and wireless earphones. I use a running app to track my distance and speed. Normally I start slowly for the first kilometre and then speed up. When I finish, I walk for about ten minutes to cool down and stretch again. Then I go home, take a shower and have something light, like a banana and yoghurt. On Saturdays I reward myself with a big brunch.
From IM2 to IH: Frequencies, times, a reason ("because I hurt my knee once") and a sequence. A past reason inside a present routine is a simple way to show tense control without telling a whole story.
Q39: Something that happened while jogging (Past experience)
Tell me about a time when something unusual or memorable happened while you were out jogging or walking. What happened?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Some people prefer to exercise outdoors and some prefer a gym. Which do you prefer, and why?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
About a year ago, I was jogging along the stream one evening when I saw an old man sitting on the path, holding his ankle. He'd slipped on some wet leaves and couldn't stand up. I stopped and asked if he was OK. He said he was fine, but his face told me he wasn't. I helped him to a bench and offered to call someone. He didn't have his phone with him, so he told me his daughter's number, and I called her. While we waited, we chatted, and it turned out he'd been walking the same path every evening for fifteen years. His daughter arrived about twenty minutes later and drove him to the hospital. A couple of weeks later, I saw him on the path again, walking slowly with a stick. He waved and shouted, "There's my running friend!" Now we say hello every time we pass.
From IM2 to IH: The quoted line and the ongoing result ("Now we say hello") make this a complete narrative with a link to the present. "It turned out" is a useful connector for surprises, and much less obviously memorised than "I will never forget this experience".
Q40: The weather and the seasons (Unexpected topic)
I would like to talk about the weather. What is the weather like in your country in the different seasons? Which season do you like best, and why?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Has the weather in your country changed compared with when you were young? Tell me how.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Korea has four very clear seasons, and they're quite extreme. Spring is short but beautiful, with cherry blossoms in April, although we also get yellow dust from the west, so on some days you need a mask. Summer is hot and humid, and there's a rainy season from late June to July when it rains almost every day. Autumn is my favourite season. The sky is clear and blue, the air is dry and cool, and the mountains turn red and yellow. It's perfect for hiking. Winter is cold and dry, especially in January, when it can drop well below zero, and the wind makes it feel even colder. In the last few years I've noticed that summers are getting longer and autumn is getting shorter, which is a bit sad for me, because it's my favourite. Last year it was still hot in late September.
From IM2 to IH: A tour of the seasons is easy to organise, so the rater listens for detail and opinion. The closing observation about recent change adds the present perfect and a past example, which moves a description towards IH.
Travel and holidays at home (questions 41 to 52)
Topic 11: Travel in your country
Survey area: travel. A booking problem as the role-play.
Q41: A place in your country you like to visit (Describe)
You said you enjoy travelling within your country. Tell me about a place in your country that you like to visit. Where is it, and what is special about it?
Likely follow-up in the same set: How do you usually prepare for a trip? Tell me what you do before you leave.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
One place I go back to again and again is Gangneung, on the east coast. It takes about two hours from Seoul by KTX, so it's easy for a weekend. The city itself is quite relaxed, but the coast is what makes it special. There's a long beach called Gyeongpo, and a street near Anmok beach that's full of coffee shops facing the sea. Gangneung is actually known as a coffee city in Korea, and a lot of the cafés roast their own beans. There's also a lake next to the beach with a walking path around it, which is lovely at sunset. I like it because it's a complete change from Seoul. The air is cleaner, the pace is slower and I can see the sea from almost everywhere. The last time I went, I just walked on the beach for three hours and didn't check my phone once.
From IM2 to IH: Specific names and travel details show real experience, and the final past-tense sentence turns a description into something personal. At IH, raters listen for that switch from "what it is like" to "what I did".
Q42: How you prepare for a trip (Routine)
How do you usually prepare for a trip? Tell me about everything you do, from planning the trip to leaving home.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a trip where something did not go as planned.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I'm quite an organised traveller, so my preparation starts about a month before. First, I decide where to go based on the season and my budget. Then I book the train or bus tickets as early as possible, because on holiday weekends they sell out fast. After that I look for somewhere to stay. I read the reviews very carefully, especially the bad ones, because they tell you the real problems. A week before the trip, I make a simple plan in my notes app with two or three things to do each day, not more, so I have time to relax. The night before, I pack. I always bring a portable charger, comfortable shoes and a small first-aid kit, because I got sick on a trip once and couldn't find a pharmacy. On the morning I leave, I check the weather again and double-check my tickets.
From IM2 to IH: Process, reasons, and one past experience used as a reason. Repeated across routine questions, that pattern is how many IH speakers sound fluent without scripts: they build answers out of reasons, not stock phrases.
Q43: A trip that did not go to plan (Past experience)
Tell me about a trip in your country that did not go as you planned. What happened, and what did you do?
Likely follow-up in the same set: What do you think is the most important thing to bring on a trip? Why?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Two years ago, my friends and I planned a three-day trip to Jeju. We'd booked flights, a rental car and a guesthouse near the coast, and I'd made a detailed plan with a long hike on the second day. But the night before we flew, a typhoon warning came out. Our flight was delayed by six hours, and when we finally landed, the wind was so strong that the hiking trails were closed for the next two days. At first we were really disappointed, and one friend wanted to fly home early. Instead, we changed the plan completely. We visited indoor places, like a tea museum and a few small art galleries, and we found an amazing seafood restaurant that the guesthouse owner recommended. On the last day the weather cleared and we managed a short walk up a small volcanic hill. It wasn't the trip we planned, but we still talk about it.
From IM2 to IH: Two layers of past (what had been booked, then what happened), a disagreement, a change of plan and a partial recovery. That level of detail is what raters mean by narration that does not break down. If your story is short, add the plan before the problem; it is easier than inventing more drama.
Q44: Your booking has disappeared (Role-play)
Let me give you a situation. You arrive at a guesthouse on a trip, but they say they have no record of your booking. Explain the situation to the owner and suggest two or three ways to solve the problem.
Next in the set: Tell me about a time when you had a problem with a reservation or a booking. What happened?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Hello, I booked a double room here for two nights, starting tonight, under the name Park Jiwoo. You don't have my booking? That's strange, because I have the confirmation email right here on my phone. Let me show you. You can see the booking number, the dates and the price, and it says it's been paid. Maybe there was a problem with the booking website. I understand it's not your fault, but it's already nine o'clock and I don't know the area. So, could we try a few things? First, could you check if you have any free rooms at all tonight, even a different type? I don't mind paying a little more if I can get a refund from the website later. If you're completely full, could you call another guesthouse nearby for me? Or, if neither works, could you give me the website's phone number so I can call them now? Thank you for your help.
From IM2 to IH: The speaker stays calm, shows evidence, acknowledges the other side and offers ordered options with conditions. That is the language of handling a complication, which ACTFL lists as an Advanced Low ability. An IM2 answer usually repeats "I have a booking" with rising frustration.
Topic 12: Travel abroad
Survey area: travel. A comparison with your own country and an information role-play.
Q45: A country you have visited (Describe)
You said you have travelled abroad. Tell me about a country you have visited. What was it like, and what do you remember most?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Compare that country with your own country. What is similar and what is different?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The country I remember most is Vietnam. I went to Da Nang and Hoi An with my sister about three years ago, for five days. Da Nang is a modern beach city, with a long, clean beach and lots of new hotels, but what I remember most is Hoi An, which is about forty minutes away. It's an old trading town with yellow buildings, narrow streets and hundreds of colourful lanterns. At night, when the lanterns are lit and people float small paper boats with candles on the river, it's magical. The food was another highlight. I had a noodle dish called cao lau, which is a Hoi An speciality, and we ate banh mi almost every day. The people were really friendly, even though we didn't speak any Vietnamese. The only hard part was the heat. It was so humid that we had to rest in the afternoons.
From IM2 to IH: A describe question about a past trip invites past-tense description, which is harder than present. Keep general facts in the present ("Da Nang is a modern beach city") and your experience in the past ("we ate"), and the rater hears you managing two time frames correctly.
Q46: That country and your own (Comparison)
Compare the country you visited with your own country. What things are similar, and what things are different?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a problem you had while travelling abroad and how you solved it.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
There are actually quite a few similarities between Vietnam and Korea. Both countries eat a lot of rice and noodles, family is very important, and older people are treated with a lot of respect. Both also have a strong coffee culture, although it's very different. In Vietnam, coffee is strong and sweet, often with condensed milk, and people drink it sitting on tiny plastic stools on the street. In Korea, we mostly drink iced Americanos in modern cafés. The biggest difference I noticed was the pace of life. Vietnam felt more relaxed, at least in Hoi An. Shops opened late, and people took long breaks in the afternoon. In Seoul, everything is fast and people are always in a hurry. Traffic is another difference. In Vietnam there are motorbikes everywhere, and crossing the road was terrifying at first. I had to learn to walk slowly and steadily and let them go around me.
From IM2 to IH: Comparison at IH means grouping similarities and differences, not alternating random facts. Concrete contrasts (coffee, pace, traffic) and one personal moment keep it from sounding like a textbook. "Although" and "at least in Hoi An" show you can qualify a statement.
Q47: A problem on a trip abroad (Past experience)
Tell me about a problem you had while travelling abroad. What happened, and how did you solve it?
Likely follow-up in the same set: What advice would you give to someone travelling to that country for the first time?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
On my first trip to Japan, I lost my wallet in Osaka on the second day. I'd been shopping in a busy area called Shinsaibashi, and when I tried to pay for dinner, it wasn't in my bag. It had my cash, my credit card and my hotel key card in it. I was really panicking, because I had four days left. My friend paid for dinner, and then we went to a small police box nearby. The police officer didn't speak much English, but he used a translation app on his tablet, and I filled in a lost property form. I called my bank to block the card, which took almost an hour. The next afternoon, the hotel called to say the police had my wallet. Someone had handed it in, and nothing was missing, not even the cash. I was so impressed, and I still tell everyone that story.
From IM2 to IH: Real stories contain logistics: who helped, what form, how long things took. Those details force you to produce language you could not have memorised. The past perfect for background ("I'd been shopping") is a bonus, not a requirement.
Q48: Ask a travel agent about a tour (Role-play)
Let me give you a situation. You want to book a tour in another country. Call a travel agency and ask three or four questions about the tour.
Next in the set: The agency tells you the tour you wanted is fully booked. Explain your situation and suggest two alternatives.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Hello, I'm calling about the four-day tour to Hokkaido in February that I saw on your website. I'm thinking of booking it for me and my mum, so I have a few questions. First, how many people are usually in the group? My mum doesn't really like big groups, so if it's more than twenty, we might look for something smaller. Second, how much walking is there each day? She has a bit of trouble with her knees, especially in snow. Third, what's included in the price? I mean, are the meals and the entrance fees included, or do we pay for those separately? And finally, if we need to cancel, for example if one of us gets sick, how much of the money can we get back? Thanks, that's really helpful. Could you send me the details by email so I can show my mum?
From IM2 to IH: Each question is tied to a real need (group size, walking, cost, cancellation). That is ACTFL's Intermediate Mid task of "asking a variety of questions to obtain information", delivered with the connected reasons that push it towards IH.
Topic 13: Holidays at home
Survey area: travel and holidays. Routine, a story and an invitation role-play.
Q49: How you spend a holiday at home (Describe)
You said you sometimes spend your holidays at home. Tell me how you spend a holiday at home. Who do you see, and what do you do?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about the last time you spent a holiday at home. What did you do each day?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
When I take a holiday at home, I try to do the opposite of my normal working life. On a normal day I wake up at six thirty and I'm always looking at a screen, so on holiday I don't set an alarm and I try to stay off my laptop. My mornings are slow. I make a proper breakfast, something like pancakes or an omelette, and read for an hour. In the afternoon I usually do something I never have time for, like visiting an exhibition, going to a sauna, or clearing out a cupboard that's been annoying me for months. I also try to see people I've been neglecting, like my grandparents, who live about an hour away. In the evenings I watch a whole series in two or three days. People say a holiday at home isn't a real holiday, but for me it's often more relaxing than travelling.
From IM2 to IH: Contrasting the holiday with normal life gives the answer a structure and a reason for every activity. The final opinion ("People say... but for me") shows you can respond to a general view, a small step towards Advanced-level discussion.
Q50: The first day of a holiday at home (Routine)
What do you usually do on the first day of a holiday at home? Tell me about the day, from the morning to the night.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a holiday at home that you remember well.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The first day is always the same, and I look forward to it for weeks. I sleep until I wake up naturally, usually around nine or ten. Then I make a big pot of coffee and sit on my balcony for a while without my phone, which is harder than it sounds. Around midday I go to a public bathhouse near my apartment. I spend about two hours there, going between the hot pool and the sauna, and then I have a bowl of noodles at the little restaurant inside. In the afternoon I'm usually so relaxed that I take a nap. In the evening I order food, often Chinese, and start watching a new drama series. I tell myself I'll only watch two episodes, but I usually end up watching five or six. By the end of that first day, I feel like a different person.
From IM2 to IH: Routine questions are a good place for humour and honesty ("which is harder than it sounds", "I usually end up watching five or six"). Those small comments make the answer sound like speech, not a script, and they rely on control of present habits and future intentions.
Q51: A holiday at home you remember (Past experience)
Tell me about a holiday you spent at home that you remember well. What did you do, and why was it memorable?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Do you think more people will spend their holidays at home in the future? Why or why not?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The holiday at home I remember best was Seollal, the Lunar New Year, three years ago. Normally I go to my parents' house in Gwangju, but that year my train ticket was cancelled at the last minute, so I had to stay in Seoul alone. At first I felt sorry for myself, because the city was empty and most restaurants were closed. On the first day I called my mum, and she talked me through how to make tteokguk, the rice cake soup we eat at New Year. It took me two hours, and it wasn't as good as hers, but I was proud of it. Then I realised a few friends were also stuck in Seoul, so I invited them over. Three people came, each bringing a dish, and we played board games until three in the morning. Now we meet every New Year, even when we can go home.
From IM2 to IH: The turn from disappointment to a new tradition gives the story a shape and ends it in the present. IM2 speakers tend to list the holiday's activities; IH speakers tell what happened, in order, with a reason the day changed.
Q52: Invite a friend over (Role-play)
Let me give you a situation. You are spending your holiday at home and want to invite a friend to visit. Call your friend and ask three or four questions to make a plan.
Next in the set: On the day, you get sick and cannot meet your friend. Call them, explain, and suggest two or three alternatives.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Hi Yuna, it's me. Are you busy? I'm taking next week off, and I'm staying in Seoul, so I was wondering if you'd like to come over one day. I've got a few questions so we can plan it properly. First, which day is best for you? I'm free from Monday to Friday, but I know you work some evenings, so just tell me what works. Second, do you want to eat at my place or go out? I'm happy to cook, but if you'd prefer, there's a new Thai restaurant near my station. Third, is there anything you can't eat at the moment? I remember you were trying to avoid sugar last month. And finally, would you like to do something in the afternoon, like the new exhibition at the museum, or would you rather just relax and chat? Let me know, and I'll book anything we need.
From IM2 to IH: The IH features are the context before each question and the options inside them ("eat at my place or go out", "would you rather"). That shows you can manage a conversation, not just ask questions: ACTFL's Intermediate High speaker can "converse with ease and confidence" in routine situations.
Shopping, technology and transport (questions 53 to 60)
Topic 14: Shopping
Survey area: leisure. Online and in-store routines and a faulty-item role-play.
Q53: A place you go shopping (Describe)
You said that you enjoy shopping. Tell me about a shop or a shopping area that you often go to. What is it like, and what do you buy there?
Likely follow-up in the same set: How do you usually shop? Tell me how shopping online and shopping in stores fit into your routine.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
I often go shopping in a big underground shopping centre near Gangnam station. It's connected to the subway, so you can walk for a long way underground without going outside, which is great when it's raining or freezing. There are hundreds of small shops on both sides, mostly selling clothes, shoes, accessories and phone cases, and the prices are much lower than in department stores. The shops change all the time, so there's always something new to look at. I mostly buy basics there, like T-shirts, socks and cheap jewellery, because for those things I don't care about brands. For anything expensive, like a coat or shoes, I prefer a department store, because I want to try things on properly and be able to return them. The downside of the underground centre is that it gets very crowded at weekends, and the air can feel stuffy.
From IM2 to IH: The answer explains what you buy where and why, which is a comparison hidden inside a description. The "because" clauses are where a rater hears you creating language rather than listing what a shopping centre contains.
Q54: How you shop now (Routine)
How do you usually shop? Tell me how often you shop online and in stores, and what your routine is for each.
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a problem you had with something you bought.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
These days I do most of my shopping online. Groceries are the biggest part. Every Thursday night I order food on an app, and it arrives before seven the next morning, outside my door. It's so convenient that I almost never go to the supermarket any more. For clothes, I usually leave things in my shopping cart for a few days before I buy them. If I still want them after three or four days, I buy them, and if not, I delete them. That stops me buying things I don't need. I still shop in stores sometimes, mainly for shoes and glasses, because I need to try them on. When I go, I usually check the price online first, so I know if the store is charging too much. My one rule is that I never shop when I'm tired, because that's when I make bad decisions.
From IM2 to IH: Personal rules and conditions ("If I still want them... I buy them, and if not, I delete them") are a reliable way to show you are building sentences, not recalling them. Precise frequency ("Every Thursday night") adds detail without new vocabulary.
Q55: A problem with something you bought (Past experience)
Tell me about a time you had a problem with something you bought. What was wrong, what did you do, and how was it resolved?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Do you think it is easier to return things you bought online or in a store? Why?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Last year I bought a pair of wireless earphones online during a sale. They arrived quickly and worked perfectly for about two weeks. Then the left earphone suddenly stopped charging. I tried everything, cleaning the case, resetting them, charging them overnight, but nothing worked. So I contacted the seller through the shopping app. At first they sent me a list of the same things I'd already tried, which was frustrating. I replied with a short video showing the problem, and after that, things moved much faster. They sent a courier to collect the earphones the next day. About a week later they emailed to say the case was faulty and offered me either a new pair or a full refund. I chose a new pair, and they've been fine since. The lesson for me was that a video works much better than a long complaint.
From IM2 to IH: The middle of the story (the unhelpful first reply, then the video) is what makes it IH. IM2 answers go straight from problem to solution. Adding the step that did not work, and then the one that did, shows narration that holds together over several sentences.
Q56: Return a faulty item (Role-play)
Let me give you a situation. You bought something at a shop, and when you got home you found that it was broken. Call the shop, explain the problem and suggest two or three solutions.
Next in the set: Tell me about a time you returned or exchanged something. What happened?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Hello, I bought a blender from your store yesterday afternoon, and I'm afraid there's a problem with it. When I got home and opened the box, I noticed a crack in the glass jug, near the bottom. I haven't used it, because I'm worried it'll leak or break. I still have the receipt and all the packaging. So I'd like to ask what we can do. First, would it be possible to exchange it for a new one of the same model? I really liked that one. If you don't have any more in stock, I'd be happy to choose a similar model, even if it costs a little more. Or, if neither of those is possible, I'd like a full refund. I can come in this Saturday morning. Could you tell me which option works, and whether I need to bring anything else? Thanks very much.
From IM2 to IH: The model avoids blame and gives the shop ordered choices with conditions, the pattern of "dealing with a complication" in a routine transaction. The problem is described precisely ("a crack in the glass jug, near the bottom"), which is what lexical control sounds like.
Topic 15: Technology
Not a survey choice for most candidates, so treat all four as preparation for the unexpected: devices, change over time, a failure story and public transport.
Q57: The technology you use every day (Describe)
I would like to ask you about technology. What kinds of technology do you use every day? Tell me about the device or app you use most and how you use it.
Likely follow-up in the same set: How has the technology you use changed since you were a child?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
Like most people, the device I use most is my smartphone. I honestly use it from the moment I wake up, because it's my alarm, until I go to sleep, because I read on it in bed. The app I use most is probably my map app. I use it every day to check bus and subway times, and it tells me exactly when the next bus will arrive, so I never wait outside in the cold. It also shows how crowded each subway carriage is, which is surprisingly useful in the rush hour. Apart from my phone, I use a laptop at work and a smartwatch for exercise. I bought the watch last year mainly for running, but now I use it to pay for things and to check messages during meetings without looking at my phone, which my manager thinks is rude anyway.
From IM2 to IH: Technology answers stay at IM when they list devices. Here one app is described by what it does, with a reason and a specific detail, then a change over time ("I bought the watch last year mainly for... but now"). That one sentence carries two time frames and a contrast.
Q58: Technology then and now (Comparison)
Compare the technology people used when you were young with the technology people use now. What has changed, and has it made life better or worse?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a time when technology caused a problem for you.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
When I was in elementary school, my family had one desktop computer in the living room, and we had to take turns to use it. The internet was slow, and my mum used to limit me to one hour a day. Phones were only for calls and texts, and I got my first mobile phone at thirteen. It had a tiny screen and buttons. Now almost everything happens on smartphones. We bank, shop, study and even see the doctor online. In many ways life is much easier. I can transfer money in ten seconds, and I can video-call my parents whenever I want. But I think we've lost some things too. People are less patient, and it's harder to concentrate on one thing for a long time. I notice it in myself. So I'd say technology has made life more convenient, but not necessarily happier. It depends how we use it.
From IM2 to IH: An IH comparison ends with a qualified opinion ("more convenient, but not necessarily happier"). That kind of nuanced evaluation is where IH answers touch the Advanced level. The personal admission ("I notice it in myself") keeps it from sounding like a prepared essay.
Q59: When technology let you down (Past experience)
Tell me about a time when technology did not work when you needed it. What happened, and what did you do?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Do you think people today depend too much on technology? Why?
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
The worst time was the morning of a big job interview two years ago. I'd prepared everything the night before, including a presentation on my laptop. When I arrived at the company and plugged my laptop into their screen, nothing happened. It turned out my laptop needed a different cable, and they didn't have one. I had about five minutes before the interview started. Luckily, I'd also emailed the file to myself the night before, just in case. I asked the receptionist if I could open it on their computer, and she kindly helped me. The presentation opened, but the fonts were all different and two slides looked messy. I decided to tell the interviewers what had happened, make a little joke about it, and keep going. Afterwards, one of them said she liked how calmly I'd handled it. I got the job, and now I always carry my own adapter.
From IM2 to IH: Planning ("I'd also emailed the file"), a complication, a decision and a consequence that lasts until now. This is the shape ACTFL gives Advanced Low narration: the past time frame sustained, a complication handled, and a clear link to the present.
Q60: Public transport in your city (Unexpected topic)
Let's talk about transport. Tell me about public transport in your city. What kinds of transport do people use, and what are the good and bad points?
Likely follow-up in the same set: Tell me about a memorable experience you had on public transport.
IH model answer (written by TalkDrill)
In Seoul, most people use the subway and buses, and I think the system is one of the best I've used. There are a lot of subway lines, especially if you include the ones that run out to nearby cities, and at rush hour the trains come every few minutes. Everything works with one transport card, so you can change from the subway to a bus and only pay a little extra. The buses are colour-coded, which helps. Blue buses run between big areas, green ones are local, and red ones go out to the suburbs. The good points are that it's cheap, clean and safe, even late at night. The bad point is the rush hour. Between eight and nine in the morning, the trains are so packed that sometimes you have to wait for the next one. Personally, I take the subway every day, and I'd only drive if I lived outside the city.
From IM2 to IH: Unexpected topics reward a simple plan: what exists, how it works, good points, bad points, your own habit. Specific detail (colour-coded buses, transfer fares) makes a general topic sound personal, and the conditional at the end ("I'd only drive if...") is an easy extra structure.
Your practice route on TalkDrill
The bank works best as daily, spoken practice with a mock once a week. TalkDrill does not hold an OPIc licence and cannot give you an OPIc rating; what it gives you is a partner who asks, listens and follows up, and feedback on the habits the four rating areas describe.
- One topic set a day. Take the four questions of one topic. Answer each aloud and record it before you read the model. Then read the model once, steal two structures from it, and answer again. Fifteen topics take three weeks at five a week.
- Role-plays with a live partner. Run the eight role-play questions (Q8, Q12, Q20, Q28, Q44, Q48, Q52, Q56) in TalkDrill role-play practice, with the AI playing the neighbour, the shop or the travel agent. Then answer the follow-up story.
- Follow-up pressure twice a week. In the AI mock interview, ask it to interview you about one survey topic and to keep asking "what happened next?" That is the habit that turns IM stories into IH stories.
- Fix the past tense. If your recordings show "-ed" endings disappearing, ten minutes a day of the past-tense endings read-aloud drill helps, and the filler-words guide helps with long pauses.
- A full mock every week. Mock A or Mock B above, recorded, then marked against the four areas. Keep the recordings and compare week one with week four.
- Plan around the rules. A retest needs 25 days, so map your attempts on the 30-day IM2 to IH roadmap (in Korean) or the English 30-day roadmap. If you are choosing between tests, read OPIc vs TOEIC Speaking, and for first-language habits see mistakes by first language. Fees and dates by country are on the fees and dates page, and the full picture is on the OPIc and TOEIC Speaking hub.
Official sources for everything on this page: the opic.or.kr 시험소개, 수험자 가이드 and 시험관리규정 pages, the ACTFL OPIc page and the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2024, all read on 21 October 2026.