IELTS Speaking Tips

Everything you need to Help you Get a High Band in the IELTS Speaking Test

Rayhan Chowdhury

CONTENTS General Do’s and Don’t s................................................................................................. 3 Band expectation s............................................................................................................ 4 General Preparatio n......................................................................................................... 6 Vocabulary for Band 6-6. 5............................................................................................. 8 Vocabulary for Band 7- 9................................................................................................. 9 Conversation filler s........................................................................................................ 10

If you forget word s......................................................................................................... 10

Asking for clarificatio n.................................................................................................. 12

Being spontaneou s......................................................................................................... 14

Pronunciation tip s........................................................................................................... 15

Dealing with nerve s....................................................................................................... 17

Develop your answer s................................................................................................... 18

Grammar for part 1........................................................................................................ 19

If you do not have an opinio n.................................................................................... 21

Sample answers for part 1.......................................................................................... 22

Using preparation time (part 2 )............................................................................... 26

Beginning your answer (part 2 )................................................................................ 27

Time management (part 2 )......................................................................................... 28

Describing peopl e........................................................................................................... 29

Describing object s.......................................................................................................... 33

Describing an even t....................................................................................................... 35

Describing place s............................................................................................................ 37

Buying tim e........................................................................................................................ 39

Speaking topic s................................................................................................................ 41

Grammar for part 3........................................................................................................ 43

Giving opinion s................................................................................................................. 46

Connecting idea s............................................................................................................. 47

Giving example s.............................................................................................................. 51

GENERAL DO’S AND DON’TS

Before discussing specific strategies to help you in the IELTS speaking test, let’s look at some general do’s and don’ts. These will give you a general idea of what is required to get a successful band in the test. This Book will discuss and explain these tips in more detail.

Do …listen to the questions carefully

give relevant answers

ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question

express your opinions and give examples to support your ideas

use conversation fillers to give yourself time to think

relax and enjoy yourself

try to use interesting adjectives

paraphrase if you don’t know a word

speak clearly

Don’t …give very short answers

repeat yourself all the time and overuse simple words

memorize long answers

get stressed if you don’t understand the question

make long frequent pauses

speak too quietly

spell your name for the examiner

use your native language

use words or idioms that you are not sure about

write on the task card

ask the examiner if what you say is correct.

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BAND EXPECTATIONS

Be realistic about your goals. If your level of English is around band 5, then do not expect to achieve a band 7. Try to aim slightly above your current level. For example, if you took the test and achieved a band 5.5, then you should try to aim for a 6-6.5 next time.

If you are too ambitious and try to learn very advanced idioms or phrasal verbs that are inappropriate for your level, you might use them incorrectly, and your English will not sound very natural. In the worst case, the examiner will not understand what you are trying to say.

Here are some simplified requirements for each band according to the IELTS official site. Try to decide what level you are or ask your teacher.

SPEAKING BAND 4.0 You cannot respond without pausing and hesitating, and you may speak very slowly. You repeat simple words a lot (e.g. “because”, “and”, “good”). You cannot talk about unfamiliar topics without using the wrong words. You cannot easily use synonyms. You use very short, simple sentences. You make lots of grammatical errors, and this may cause misunderstandings. Your pronunciation is poor and it is easy to misunderstand you.

SPEAKING BAND 5.0 Your responses contain a lot of hesitation, and you may speak slowly. You often repeat the same words (e.g. “because”, “and”, “good”, “bad”, “nice”, “easy”). You can sometimes use synonyms, but in general you have problems saying things in

a different way. You can easily produce simple sentences (e.g. “I live in Dhaka”), but you have

difficulty with more complex sentences (e.g. “I moved to England when I finished my studies”).

It is sometimes difficult to understand what you are trying to say when you try to produce a more complex sentence.

Your pronunciation and sentence stress is sometimes clear enough but at other times it is difficult for the listener to understand you.

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SPEAKING BAND 6 You can speak at length more easily, but you sometimes hesitate and

correct yourself. You can use a range of connecting words and phrases (e.g. however, but, yet, so, on

the other hand), but not always appropriately. Your vocabulary is wide enough to talk about different topics at length and the

meaning of what you are trying to say is generally clear. You can use synonyms and say same the same things in different ways, but not

always successfully. You can use a mix of simple and complex grammatical structures but you may make

frequent mistakes with complex structures, e.g. conditionals, perfect tenses. Your pronunciation is generally clear enough to be understood but you sometimes

make mistakes with individual words.

SPEAKING BAND 7 You can speak at length with only occasional hesitation and self-correction. You can use a wide range of connecting words and phrases. You can use less common vocabulary, idiomatic phrases and collocations.

However, you sometimes make bad choices. You can easily use synonyms and say the same things in different ways. You can use complex grammatical structures (conditionals, perfect tenses, etc.)

but with occasional mistakes. Your pronunciation is generally good enough for you to be understood clearly.

SPEAKING BAND 8 You can speak fluently with occasional self-correction. You only hesitate when thinking about what to say, not how to express it in English. You can develop topics easily and appropriately. You have a wide vocabulary and you can express very precise meaning. You can use less common vocabulary, idiomatic phrases and collocations, with only

occasional inaccuracies. You can use a wide range of complex grammatical structures with only occasional

errors. Your pronunciation is good and it is very easy to understand what you are saying.

SPEAKING BAND 9 You can speak fluently with very rare self-correction. You only hesitate when thinking about what to say, not how to express it. You have a wide vocabulary and you can express very precise meaning. You can use less common vocabulary, idiomatic phrases and collocations. You can use a wide range of complex grammatical structures with only

occasional ‘slips’ that a typical native speaker would make. Your pronunciation is very accurate and it is very easy to understand you.

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GENERAL PREPARATION

The best way to prepare for the IELTS speaking test is to practise with a teacher as much as possible. However, if you are preparing by yourself or if you want to use your spare time more efficiently, you will find the following suggestions useful.

RECORD YOURSELF ANSWERING QUESTIONSFor example, ask yourself the questions on pages 41-42 and record your answers on your mobile phone or computer.

WRITE DOWN YOUR ANSWERSListen to your recorded answers and write them down word for word. That way you can learn what mistakes you made and how well you followed the advice in this book. You can learn, for example, if you used simple or more sophisticated vocabulary, what grammatical errors you made and if you connected your sentences and ideas appropriately.

PRACTISE DESCRIBING YOUR OWN PHOTOGRAPHSThis will train you to talk about your memories in case you are asked to describe an event in your past. Try to talk about what the event was, when it took place and say how you felt. You can use this method to practise the expressions for Describing events (pages 35-36).

READ A TEXT THEN SPEAK ITTry to summarise what you read in your own words. Record yourself and write down your summary. This will train you to paraphrase and use synonyms effectively, which is important if you want to achieve a high band.

RECALL YOUR MEMORIESIn parts 1 and 2, you may be asked personal questions about your life. Think about the people you know, places you have visited, events you have attended and objects you own. Then practise talking about them using the expressions on pages 29-38.

THINK ALOUDInstead of thinking in your own language, try thinking aloud in English. For instance, instead of planning your day in your native language, say it in English, for example “Okay, today I’ve got an important meeting. I should get going. I’m going to be late”, etc. This will make you feel more comfortable speaking English.

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WATCH FILMSWatching films is a good way to improve your spoken English. The more you listen to native speakers, the more confident you will become in speaking. Try to understand what the actors are saying. Pay attention to the subtitles or look up words in a dictionary. Try to follow the subtitles in your own language first, and then in English when you feel more confident. Some students find it useful to watch English comedies, for example Monty Python. In order to understand the jokes, you will need to look up the meaning of certain words.

FIND A SPEAKING PARTNERIf you don’t have a teacher to help you prepare for the test or if you need additional practice, find a speaking partner. Try the following websites:

www.mylanguageexchange.c

o m www.italki.co m

www.busuu.co m

LISTEN TO ENGLISH SPEAKERSListening is very important. The more you listen to native speakers, the more confident you will feel in speaking. Sources of listening include:

Real people (tourists, travellers, etc.) Audio books Podcasts

You should find the following websites useful:

www.podcastsinenglish.co m

www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglis h

www.eslpod.co m

www.listen-to-english.co m

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VOCABULARY FOR BAND 6-6.5If you are aiming for band 6-6.5 your vocabulary must be wide enough to talk about any topic at length, and you need to be more precise with your words than for lower bands.

For example, if you repeatedly describe the weather as ‘good’, this shows that you have a limited range of vocabulary. If you want to get a 6 or higher, you need to be more precise. How is the weather ‘good’? Is it nice and sunny? Is it clear and dry?

Let’s study the difference between ‘precise’ vocabulary and ‘imprecise’ vocabulary.

Imprecise: I was very happy when my manager gave me a better position.Precise: I was very happy when my manager gave me a promotion.

Imprecise: The weather in my country is good in summer and not good in winter.Precise: The weather in my country is nice and sunny in summer and very cold in

winter.

Imprecise: I live in very very big city.Precise: I live in a very large city.

Imprecise: In my town, there are many many cars.Precise: There is a lot of traffic in my town.

Imprecise: Near my home, there is a place where people play football.Precise: Near my home, there is a football pitch.

Imprecise: My uncle is a man who gives money to everybody.Precise: My uncle is a very generous man.

Imprecise: The transport system in my country is bad.Precise: The transport system in my country is not very efficient.

Imprecise: In my street the cars are very loud.Precise: My street is very noisy because of the traffic.

Imprecise: I finished university study in 2010.Precise: I graduated from university in 2010.

Imprecise: There are many people in my country who are without job.Precise: There are many unemployed people in my country. /

Unemployment is very high in my country.

Imprecise: In my free time, I walk in the mountains.Precise: In my free time, I go hiking in the mountains.

Imprecise: My cousin is somebody who drives very big cars.Precise: My cousin is a truck driver.

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VOCABULARY FOR BAND 7-9In order to achieve a very high band in the IELTS speaking test, you need to demonstrate that you can use ‘less common’ vocabulary, including idioms and less common collocations.

Let’s look at how you can say common sentences in a ‘less common’ way:

Common: Korean people think that they are good singers, so they enjoy karaoke.Less common: Korean people regard themselves as being talented singers, so they

enjoy karaoke.

Common: I was very happy when I got my promotion.Less common: I was over the moon when I got my promotion.

Common: We should try to produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.Less common: We should try to reduce our carbon footprint.

Common: Many people in my country are extremely poor.Less common: Many people in my country live below the breadline.

Common: I live in a rich part of the city.Less common: I live in an affluent part of the city.

Common: In the end, we arrived in a strange part of town.Less common: We ended up in a strange part of town.

Common: People in my country are spending less money because of the crisis.Less common: People in my country are tightening their belts because of the crisis.

Common: In my hometown, the streets are very very dark at night.Less common: In my hometown, the streets are almost pitch black at night.

Common: I think his reaction was a little exaggerated.Less common: I think his reaction was a little over the top.

Common: Although they played well, they lost the match.Less common: Even though they played well, they lost the match.

Common: In my country, if you are rich you can do bad things and not get punished.Less common: In my country, if you are wealthy you can get away with murder.

NOTE ON USING IDIOMSDo not try to ‘show off’ to the examiner by using an idiom in every single sentence. Idioms should be used appropriately. Think of them like spices in a cooking recipe.

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CONVERSATION FILLERS

In the IELTS speaking test, you often need to think about what to say next. But this does not mean that you cannot demonstrate your command of English while you are thinking. When English native speakers do not know what to say, they are not completely silent. They use conversation fillers – words and phrases to fill the space. Here are some examples.

Well, ….

So, ….

Let me think ….

Let’s see …

Hmm, that’s a difficult question.

Hmm, that’s a tricky question.

Umm, you know …

I’ve never really thought about that.

I guess …

I suppose …

I would say …

Basically …

Examiner: Who is your favourite family member?Candidate: Hmm, that’s a difficult question. Umm, I would say my older brother.

Examiner: Is there any other work you would like to do in the future?Candidate: Hmm… well, I suppose consulting would be interesting.

Examiner: Are you ever late for appointments?Candidate: Umm, you know, let me think about that. Hmm, I’m usually quite punctual,

so I’d say pretty rarely.

Examiner: Is water pollution a problem in your country?Candidate: Well, I think it’s becoming a problem.

Examiner: How long have you been learning English?Candidate: Hmm….let’s see…ummm…I would say…basically…about 10 years.

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IF YOU FORGET WORDS

During the IELTS speaking test you might forget some words because you are nervous. Try not to worry! You can use other words to describe what you want to say.

The expressions below will help you explain what you mean and at the same time demonstrate your speaking skills to the examiner.

“I don’t know what you call it, but you use it to cut grass.”(a lawnmower)

“I can’t remember the word for it, but it’s used for changing the TV channel.”(a remote control)

“I can’t remember the word for them, but they help you to see under water.”(goggles)

“I’ve forgotten the name for it, but it’s a type of fish with large head and is normally quite expensive.”(King prawn)

“I don’t recall the word for this profession, but it’s a person who helps passengers on a plane.”(a flight attendant)

“I’ve forgotten the verb, but it’s when you change the colour of something, for example your hair or your car.”(dye)

ADVANCED EXPRESSIONSConsider using these expressions if you aiming for band 7-9:

“The name of this crime is on the tip of my tongue but I can’t quite recall it. It’s a form of crime where someone dishonestly takes money that is entrusted to him or her.”(embezzlement)

“The name of this condition has completely slipped my mind. It’s when you have problems breathing.” (asthma)

“I’ve never come across the name of this animal in English. It’s a nocturnal bird with large eyes, a flat face and a flexible neck.” (an owl)

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ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION

If the examiner asks you a question that you do not understand, do not panic. Instead, see this as an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills by asking for clarification. Study the expressions below.

YOU DIDN’T UNDERSTAND SOMETHINGIf the examiner uses a word or phrase that you didn’t understand or that you have forgotten, for example the verb exaggerate, you can say something like:

Sorry, but could you explain what you mean by exaggerate?

I haven’t heard that word before. Could you explain what you mean?

Sorry, I’m not sure what that word means. Could you explain it another way?

Sorry, I don’t know what exaggerate means. Could you explain it another way?

Sorry, I’ve forgotten what exaggerate means. Could you explain it another way?

YOU DIDN’T HEAR SOMETHINGIf you simply didn’t hear what the examiner said or asked, you can say something like:

Excuse me, I didn't quite catch that. Could you say it again?

Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said. Could you repeat it?

I'm sorry, but would you mind repeating that? (more polite)

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CHECKING UNDERSTANDINGIf you want to check that you understood something correctly, you can say something like:

Do you mean ........?

Are you asking ….?

When you say ........, do you mean ........?

By ……, do you mean ……?

When you say ........, are you including ........?

Examples of use

Examiner: Who is your favourite family member?Candidate: When you say ‘family member’, do you mean my close family, or can I talk

about my relatives?

Examiner: What is your hometown like?Candidate: When you say ‘hometown’, do you mean the town where I grew up?

Examiner: Do you find your work satisfying?Candidate: Are you asking if I like my job?

Examiner: What is your favourite gadget?Candidate: By ‘gadget’, do you mean things like iPhones and cameras?

Examiner: What typical problems do you have in your hometown?Candidate: When you say ‘typical problems’, are you including pollution, traffic, and

things like that?

NOTE ON ASKING FOR CLARIFICATIONOnly ask for clarification if you really need the examiner to repeat or rephrase something. Do not ask for clarification after every question just to show off or use up time. This may negatively affect your score.

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BEING SPONTANEOUS

While you are speaking, many new ideas may come into your head. This is another good opportunity to show your communication skills. Here are some examples of expressions you can use to introduce new ideas in a natural, spontaneous way.

What else? Oh, yes, …

Another example just came to me.

One more thing I’d just like to add.

Another point I wanted to make is that ...

I just remembered what I wanted to say.

One more thing comes to mind. (Band 7+)

One more thing springs to mind. (Band 7+)

Here are some examples of how these expressions can be used. In the examples below, the candidate is talking about why she likes a particular child (for part 2 of the test).

What else? What else? Oh yes, he is very respectful.

I just remembered what I wanted to say -- he is also very respectful.

Another point I wanted to make is that he is very respectful.

Another example just came to me -- he is very respectful.

One more thing I’d just like to add -- he is very respectful.

One more thing comes to mind -- he is very respectful.

One more thing springs to mind -- he is very respectful.

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PRONUNCIATION TIPS

In order to get a high band in the IELTS speaking test, you don’t need to speak with a British or American accent, but you must be easily understood. This tip presents a few general tips on how to make your English ‘easier on the examiner’s ears’.

You can listen to the correct pronunciation of any word by going to www.ivona.com , entering the word in the text-to-speech box and pressing PLAY.

THE SCHWA /Ə/The schwa is an unstressed vowel sound that is found in many English words. It is the most common vowel sound in the English language and it can be spelled in many different ways, for example:

'a' in about [əˈbaʊt]'e' in taken [ˈteɪkən] 'i' in pencil [ˈpɛnsəl] 'u' in supply [səˈplaɪ]'o' in provide [prəˈvaɪd] unwritten as in rhythm [ˈrɪðəm]

Make the schwa with your jaws slightly open, your lips relaxed, and do not move your tongue!

The schwa is represented by unstressed suffixes, for example -er, -ar, -or, -um, -an, -al, -ous, -ough, -our, -and, -ent and -ion. Enter the words below at www.ivona.com and repeat them.

-er /ə/ -ar /ə/ -or /ə/ -um /əm/ -an /ən/ -al /əl/bigger familiar sailor medium barman hospitaltrainer popular instructor maximum doorman normalcater vinegar doctor quantum organ cathedralmeter sugar elevator premium hooligan artificialbetter singular conductor Museum human actual

-ous /əs/ -ough /ə/ -our /ə/ -and /ənd/ -ent /ənt/ -ion /ən/dangerous thorough armour England ancient operationtedious borough behaviour thousand current televisionspacious flour husband basement nationnervous harbour island competent actionprecious humour highland silent region

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The schwa is represented by unstressed prefixes, for example su-, pro-, to-, a-, sur- and con-.

su- /sə/ pro- /prə/ to- /tə/ a- /ə/ sur- /sə/ con- /kən/suppose protect together ago surprise controlsuffice provide tomorrow around survive connectsuccess proliferate today appropriate survivor convertsuspect (vb.) professional tonight allow surround concludesubtract pronounce torrential affect surreal condition

ADVANCED TIPWhen native speakers speak at a natural speed, the pronunciation of many words changes schwa becomes even more common. In the examples below, the schwa sound is highlighted in yellow:

SLOW SPEECH: I went to a town where there were a lot of tourists. NATURAL SPEECH: I went to a town where there were a lot of tourists.

The pronunciation of unstressed grammatical words such as prepositions, pronouns and auxiliary verbs often changes in natural fast speech. These words include ‘to’, ‘where’, ‘there’, ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘were’, ‘from’, ‘for’, ‘are’, ‘of’, etc.

Read the sentences below first slowly and then quickly. Compare yourself to a native speaker if possible.

1. How are you?

2. How are they arriving?

3. Where are you going?

4. I’ve just got a present from my brother.

5. Have you ever been to Italy?

6. Do you know where the children are hiding?

7. I’m going to town for an hour or two.

8. I’ve just got back from America.

9. There are lots of interesting cafes in my town.

10. She’s meeting an old friend for lunch.

11. I’m off to the beach. See you later!

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DEALING WITH NERVES

Most people feel nervous before an oral exam. This is normal. Although stress is a personal thing and can affect different people to different degrees, here are some tips on how to reduce nerves before and during your IELTS speaking test.

THINK POSITIVEStress is caused by the way you think. If you imagine a negative experience during your exam, for example not being able to understand the questions, you will start to panic a little. It is important to realize that you have no idea how the exam will go until you take it. It could be much easier than you expect. Before you go into the exam, try to remember a test that you took in the past which was much easier than you had expected.

EXERCISETry to get a good night’s sleep before the exam and start the day with a healthy breakfast. Doing some exercise is also a good idea – go for a run, walk or swim. This will take your mind off the exam and help you to relax.

MEDITATEOn the day of your exam, you will have a lot of thoughts about the test – How will it go? Will I understand the questions? What will I do if I fail? What will I say if the examiner asks me ….?Find a quiet place to sit for 15-30 minutes. When a thought or image comes into your head, try to observe it and feel the tension in your body. The thought and tension will disappear and you will start to become a little more relaxed. Do not try to stop thinking. Just observe your thoughts like you are watching a film.

THINK ABOUT THE EXAMINERTry to be aware of the examiner’s perspective. A professional examiner has been in this situation hundreds of times and does not want you to fail. You are certainly not the first nervous candidate. If you step back and think about the ‘big picture’, you will relax more.

FOCUS ON THE QUESTIONSDuring the exam, try to focus on the questions and you won’t have time to get stressed. If you don’t understand or didn’t hear something, ask the examiner to explain or repeat it (see page 12).

IMAGINE A CONVERSATIONTry to think of the exam as a conversation with an acquaintance of yours, especially for parts 1 and 3. If you go into the exam thinking that you are going to take a test, you will put more pressure on yourself.

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DEVELOP YOUR ANSWERS

During part 1 of the IELTS speaking test, try to give full, relevant answers to the examiner’s questions. Take a look at the sample answers below. Do not memorize any of these answers, unless you can repeat them without sounding unnatural!

Examiner: Where are you from?Candidate: I’m from Dhaka. (Don’t stop!) It’s the capital city in

Bangladesh and very popular with tourists because of its historical sites.

Examiner: Have you ever been to an English speaking country?Candidate: No, I haven’t. (Don’t stop!) But I’d really like visit London. I’ve heard so much

about the place.

Examiner: Do you do any sports?Candidate: Yes, I play football. (Don’t stop!) I play with my friends every Sunday. I’m not a

fantastic player, but I really enjoy it, and that’s the main thing.

Examiner: How many people are there in your family?Candidate: There are four of us. (Don’t stop!) Myself, my sister and my parents. Oh, and

we have a cat, if that counts!

Examiner: Do you enjoy cooking?Candidate: Yes, I do. (Don’t stop!) I especially like cooking noodles because it’s quick and

there are so many different recipes to experiment with. When I was living inIndia I also learnt how to cook Indian dishes.

Examiner: Do you prefer reading magazines or newspapers?Candidate: Definitely newspapers. (Don’t stop!) I like to keep up-to-date with the latest

news and so daily newspapers are more informative for me.

Examiner: Why are you taking the IELTS exam?Candidate: I need it for my studies. (Don’t stop!) I’ve been offered a place at Manchester

University but only on the condition that I achieve a band 7 or higher in theIELTS exam.

Examiner: Is there any job you would like to do in the future?Candidate: No. (Don’t stop!) I’m quite happy with my current job. I’ve always been a

creative person so a job in marketing was the kind of job I always wanted.

Examiner: How long have you been learning English?Candidate: About 10 years. (Don’t stop!) But I’ve made more progress over the last five

years since I started taking private lessons with a native speaker. He hashelped me a lot.

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GRAMMAR FOR PART 1In part one of the IELTS speaking test, you are asked about 12 general questions. These questions will be about yourself, for example your hometown, your favourite holiday destination, what books or films you like, your family, your neighbours, etc.

It is important to use correct grammar in your answers, so listen carefully to the questions and pay special attention to the verb tenses that the examiner uses. You may be able to answer using the same tense or you might prefer to use a different tense.

USING THE SAME TENSEStudy this example:

Examiner: What type of activities do you do in your spare time?

The examiner uses the present simple (do you do). We use the present simple when we talk about regular, repeated activities in the present.

You can begin your answer with the same tense, for example:

Well, I regularly play tennis in the summer. …

I don’t really have much spare time, but when I do, I like to …

Here’s another question you might hear:

Examiner: What are you studying?

Here, the present continuous is used. We use the present continuous when we talk about an activity that is taking place around the present time (but not necessarily right at this present moment).

In this case, you can begin your answer with:

Right now, I’m studying Molecular Biology. …

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USING A DIFFERENT TENSEYou can also begin your answers with a different tense if appropriate.

If you are confident enough, you can try to use a more complex tense or structure than in the question, especially if you are aiming for a high band. Study this example:

Examiner: Do you know the people who next door to you?

Candidate: No, I’ve never met them personally, but my wife has chatted to them on several occasions.

In the above example, the examiner uses the present simple but the candidate begins the answer with the present perfect simple. We often use the present perfect simple to talk about our general experiences – things that we have done in the past without saying when we did them.

Here’s another example:

Examiner: Do you cook?

Candidate: Well, I would if I had the time. Unfortunately, I’m just too busy.

In the above example, the examiner uses the present simple but the candidate begins the answer with a second conditional structure. We often use the second conditional to talk about a hypothetical or imagined situation in the present or future.

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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OPINION

You do not need to have great ideas or opinions. The examiner is only evaluating your ability to communicate in English. However, you have to give a relevant response to every question. This shows that you have understood the question correctly. So, what do you say if you don’t have any ideas or opinions on a particular topic?

You can try inventing an opinion -- the examiner is not interested in the truth. However, if you really have nothing to say, then it’s okay to tell the examiner that you do not have an opinion. However, try to give your reasons and show good communication skills. You can say:

I’m sorry, I’ve never heard of that.

I’m afraid I’ve never been interested in [sport, etc.]

I’m afraid I’m not very keen on [music, etc.]

I’m afraid I don’t know much about [art, etc.]

I’m sorry, I’m not sure what that is.

I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with that topic.

ADVANCED EXPRESSIONSConsider using these expressions if you are aiming for band 7-9:

I’m sorry, I’ve never given that much thought.

I’m afraid I’m not really a [sports, painting, etc.] enthusiast.

I’m afraid I’m not really into [art, music, sports, etc.]

I’m afraid that topic has never really aroused my interest.

I’m sorry I’m completely unfamiliar with that topic.

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SAMPLE ANSWERS FOR PART 1Read and listen to different answers for part 1 of the IELTS speaking test. Study the analysis of each answer. Please do not learn these answers word for word. The examiner is trained to notice pre-prepared answers.

Finally, remember that in the speaking test, you might hesitate and correct yourself, which is natural. The possible band scores for each answer take that into account.

EXAMINER: DO YOU WORK OR STUDY?

Candidate (Girl): Well, at the moment I study accounting. I want to later become an accountant.

Possible band level: 5.5-6.5

Her answer is a little short. She also makes a clear grammatical mistake: I want to later become an accountant. She should say: I want to become an accountant later or I want to become an accountant in the future.

Candidate: Well, at the moment I’m a student – I’m studying accounting. When I graduate next year, I hope to get a job in a large international company.

Possible band level: 7-7.5

This time she develops her answer well. She doesn’t make any grammatical mistakes. However, if she wants to be sure of getting a very high band, she could try using some ‘less common’, more complex vocabulary.

Candidate: Well, right now I’m still a student – I’m doing a degree in accounting. When I graduate next year, fingers crossed, I hope to find a job in a reputable international company.

Possible band level: 8-9

In this answer, She doesn’t make any grammatical mistakes. She shows that she can paraphrase and use collocations correctly (do a degree in something instead of studying). She also demonstrates that she can use less common words (reputable) and appropriate idiomatic vocabulary (fingers crossed).

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EXAMINER: WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY HEALTHY?

Candidate: Well, in general I try to eat healthy food – lots of fruits and vegetables. And I don’t smoke. But I don’t exercise and I like coffee very much.

Possible band level: 6-6.5

She doesn’t make any grammatical mistakes and uses appropriate vocabulary. However, she only uses very common words in her answer.

Candidate: Well, I do try to keep a balanced diet, you know, eat lots of fruits and vegetables.Besides that, I don’t smoke. However, I don’t do much exercise and I’m rather fond of coffee.

Possible band level: 7.5

In this answer, She speaks more naturally. She connects her sentences well and uses less common vocabulary -- I’m rather fond of coffee.

If she wants to be sure of getting an even higher band, she could use more ‘less common’ vocabulary, for example I try to refrain from smoking instead of I don’t smoke.

EXAMINER: WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST DIFFICULT ABOUT LEARNING ENGLISH?

Candidate: I think tenses are very difficult. You have too many tenses! In my language there are only three. It is difficult to use them in speaking because I don’t have time to think which tense am I supposed to use.

Possible band level: 6.5

She makes only one grammatical mistake – she should say I don’t have time to think which tense I am supposed to use. Her vocabulary is generally appropriate, but she uses very common words in her answer. If she wants to be sure of getting a higher band, she could try to be more precise, e.g. It’s more challenging to use them in speaking than in writing because you have to think on the spot.

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Candidate: I would say learning the phrasal verbs is pretty tricky. It’s easy to memorize a long list of them but it’s not that easy to put them into practice.

Possible band level: 7.5

In this answer, She doesn’t make any grammatical mistakes and she shows that she can use less common vocabulary, for example tricky instead of difficult. If she wants to be sure of achieving an even higher band, she could try using more ‘less common’ vocabulary. For example, instead of repeating the word easy, she could say so something like putting them into practice can be a daunting task.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?

Candidate: Well, I like to spend my free time outside the home. I walk in the mountains a lot– I enjoy the fresh air and the nice views.

Possible band level: 6.5

Niki doesn’t make any grammatical mistakes. However, she uses very common vocabulary.Instead of saying walk in the mountains, she could use the more precise expression go hiking in the mountains.

Candidate: Well, I spend much of my free time outdoors. I especially enjoy hiking in the mountains and I live near the mountains which is really convenient. I love the fresh air and the spectacular views.

Possible band level: 7.5

She doesn’t make any grammatical mistakes and uses less common vocabulary, for example hiking instead of walking, spectacular instead of nice.

If she wants to be sure of getting an even higher band, she could try using an idiomatic expression in her answer, for example I live just a stone’s throw away from … instead of I live near ...

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WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTERS NOWADAYS?

Candidate: Computers are very important in our lives. Without computers we cannot do many things. For example, we cannot find many jobs, we cannot communicate with email, we cannot find information very easy.

Possible band level: 6

In this answer, She generally communicates her ideas well, but the phrase we cannot find many jobs is a little unclear. Perhaps she wanted to say we cannot find work so easily. She also makes a small mistake -- she uses the adjective *easy* instead of the adverb easily.

Candidate: Computers are absolutely essential nowadays. We simply cannot do anything without them. Without computers we cannot communicate with each other so easily, we cannot multi-task at work. Thanks to the internet, we can instantly find solutions to our daily problems. In the past, this was impossible.

Possible band level: 7.5

In this answer, She develops her ideas clearly and doesn’t make any grammatical mistakes. She uses less common vocabulary, for example absolutely essential instead of very important and the phrasal verb do without. She also does well to correct her pronunciation of the work multi-task.

If She wants to be sure of achieving an even higher band, she could try using even more precise and less common vocabulary such as absolutely indispensible instead of absolutely essential. She could say how computers automate common work tasks or how there are so many things that we take for granted which would be impossible without computers.

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USING PREPARATION TIME (PART 2)In part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, you may be asked to describe a cultural event, a place you have been to, a person you know, a TV show you have watched, etc.

You have one minute to prepare, and you have to talk for 1-2 minutes. The examiner will give you a pencil and some paper to make notes while you prepare. You should make notes that you find useful in English or in your native language.

Most tasks contain two main parts: describing the topic, and explaining your feelings about it. To do well, you have to include both in your answer.

Here are some tips for making notes:

MAKING NOTES FOR PART 2

Read the task card carefully – if you don’t understand any part of it, ask the examiner.

Think of something to describe as quickly as you can.

Write down all the vocabulary related to the topic that you can think of.

Make notes for each part of the task.

Think of 2-3 things to say for each prompt and write down words that will remind you of what to say.

Just write down the keywords which you can talk about (you don’t have time to write full sentences).

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BEGINNING YOUR ANSWER (PART 2)When your preparation time has ended, you are ready to begin talking. It helps to have an idea how to begin. If you are not sure how to begin, you can use one of the expressions below.

I’m going to talk about …I’m going to describe …I’ve decided to talk about …The person/place/object I’m going to describe is …

Look at the cue card below.

Describe someone who has had an important influence on your life.You should say:

Who the person isHow long you have known him/herWhat qualities this person has

Explain why they have had such an influence on you.

You can begin your answer with:

I’m going to talk about my university professor.I’m going to describe my university professor.I’ve decided to talk about my university professor.The person I’m going to describe is my university professor.

Alternatively, you can begin your answer without using a fixed expression. Pay attention to the grammatical structure used in the in first sentence of the cue card, for example:

My university professor has had a very important influence on my life.

Recall that if you are aiming for a high band, you need to show that you can paraphrase and use synonyms effectively. If you are confident, try to paraphrase the cue card instruction:

My university professor has influenced me in a major way.My university professor has really shaped my outlook on life.A key influence on my life has been my university professor.

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TIME MANAGEMENT (PART 2)For part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, there are four points that you need to talk about. There are three short points (who, where, why, how long, what, etc.) and one longer part which asks you to explain something. After you have completed the task, the examiner will ask you a short follow-up question.

When you practise this task, try to set yourself a time limit for each part, for example:

20 seconds20 seconds20 seconds1 minute

Here are some more tips for managing your time:

TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR PART 2

Have the first sentence ready when the examiner asks you to speak.

Follow the order on the prompt card.

Try to say one or two sentences for each of the first three parts.

Give quick examples where relevant.

Don’t forget the last part of the task.

If you feel you are going to finish in less than one minute and you have nothing else to say, try to use conversation fillers (see page 10).

If you have spoken for at least one minute and you feel that you have nothing more to say and your fluency is getting worse, just stop talking and give the cue card back to the examiner.

When the examiner asks you the follow-up question, answer with one or two sentences.

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DESCRIBING PEOPLE

In the IELTS Speaking Test part 2, it is very common that the questions on the card will be about a person, for example a role model, a neighbour, a child that you know, a celebrity or a friend. You may need to describe the person’s appearance, personality, what the person does, why you like or respect the person, etc.

ADJECTIVES FOR DESCRIBING APPEARANCEIn the table below you will find useful adjectives that you can use for describing a person’s appearance. If you don’t know any of the words, look them up in a dictionary and/or do a Google image search. Use Google to search for examples of how the words are used.

If you are aiming for a high band, consider using adjectives from the table on the next page.

Hair (colour) black, dark brown, light brown, red, blond, dyed blond, fair, grey, ginger

Hair (type/state) short, long, medium-length, shoulder-length, straight, wavy, curly, bald,untidy, spiky, thick, thin

Body thin, slim, fat, tall, big, short, straight, curvy, muscular, well-builtoverweight, hairy

Skin dark, pale, tanned, spotty, clear

Face pretty, beautiful, good-looking, handsome, oval, round, plain

TIPMake your descriptions more interesting by using qualifying adverbs such as a bit, a little, slightly, quite, fairly, very, really, extremely. For example:

Rahim is extremely overweight. He has a very handsome face. Her skin is quite spotty. His hair is a bit thin. Karim’s skin is a little pale. Her face is slightly oval.

Practice ideas

1. Look at photos of your friends and family. Practise describing them using the vocabulary above.

2. Next time you are walking down the street, describe the people you see in your head.

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ADJECTIVES FOR DESCRIBING APPEARANCE (BAND 7-9)Consider using any of the adjectives in the table below if you are aiming for a very high band. However, be careful when using unfamiliar words in the exam. Use a good dictionary to check their meaning and do a Google search to see examples of how these words are used in practice.

Hair (colour) auburn, ash-blond, golden brown, jet black

Hair (type/state) blow-dried, braided, close-cropped, lank, shaggy, thinning, unkemptwiry, wind-blown

Body slight, heavy set, burly, gangly, lanky, leggy, stocky, thickset

Skin bronzed, freckled, glowing, olive, pimply

Face chiseled, craggy, made-up, weather-beaten, wrinkled

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DESCRIBING PERSONALITYIn the table below you will find useful adjectives that you can use for describing a person’s personality. If you don’t know any of the words, look them up in a dictionary. Use Google to search for examples of how the words are used.

If you are aiming for a high band, consider using adjectives from the table on the next page.

Qualities clever, funny, generous, loyal, outgoing, punctual, tolerant, relaxed,open-minded, friendly, patient, honest, sociable, polite, sensitive, kind,intelligent, calm, cheerful, smart, optimistic, strong, brave, confident,thoughtful, charming, gentle, modest, nice, reliable

Flaws arrogant, boring, moody, unfriendly, impatient, dishonest, intolerant,narrow-minded, insensitive, unkind, mean, pessimistic, rude, stupid,jealous, miserable, weak, selfish, lazy, childish

Other traits quiet, reserved, shy, talkative, tough, soft, proud

TIPPeople’s moods and personality can change depending on the situation. Try to make your descriptions more precise by using adverbs of frequency such as usually, normally, sometimes, never, hardly ever, occasionally.For example:

Salman is usually very outgoing, but he is sometimes a bit moody. Adnan is hardly ever pessimistic. She is normally quite reserved. He can sometimes be very arrogant. She is very sociable, but occasionally a little too talkative. He’ s usually extremely cheerful, but he’s a bit rude at times.

Practice ideas

1. Think of your friends and family. Practise describing their personalities using the vocabulary above.

2. Next time you meet someone new, describe his/her personality in your head.

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ADJECTIVES FOR DESCRIBING PERSONALITY (BAND 7-9)Consider using any of the adjectives in the table below if you are aiming for a very high band. However, be careful when using unfamiliar words in the exam. Use Google search to see examples of how these words are used in practice or check with your teacher that you are using them correctly.

Qualities Flawsamiable clingycourageous needycourteous cowardlycompassionate deviousfearless dullfrank grumpylarger-than-life hostileindustrious impulsiveresourceful indifferentsensible nastycharismatic timidbalanced vainsincere self-consciousjovial insecurewise stuck-upwitty absent-mindedeasy-going big-headedlevel-headed hot-temperedself-disciplined two-facedthick-skinned self-centredwarm-hearted tight-fisted

TIPIf you are aiming for a very high band, consider using more complex qualifying words and expressions, for example:

She tends to be rather hostile.

Adnan is a bit on the timid side.

He can be a bit self-centred at times.

She is hardly ever grumpy.

He is usually quite an amiable guy. But there’s also a hostile side to him.

She seems a bit stuck-up. But once you get to know her, she’s really easy-going.

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DESCRIBING OBJECTS

In the IELTS Speaking Test part 2, it is possible that the questions on the card will be about an object, for example a present, a gadget, a photo, something you bought recently, an important possession, etc. You may need to describe the appearance of the object as well as its use and importance.

DESCRIBING THE APPEARANCE OF AN OBJECTStudy the expressions below. They will help you describe what an object looks like.

Size It’s small/big/thick/thinIt’s the size of a …

Weight It’s heavy/lightIt weighs about … kilogrammes

Shape It’s square/round/rectangular/oval

Colour It’s red/blue/green/white/shiny

Material It’s made of plastic/leather/steel/wood

Examples of use

My iPhone is small, thin and shiny black. It weighs about 100 grammes.

My first mobile phone was the size of a brick. It was very thick and heavy.

My wallet is small and brown. It’s rectangular and it’s made of leather.

DESCRIBING THE USE OF AN OBJECTStudy the expressions below. They will help you describe the use of an object.

I use it to …It can be used to …It’s used for –ing …It has lots of features like …

Examples of use (an iPhone)

I use it to chat with my friends. It’s used for making phone calls.

It can be used to send emails. It has lots of features like video and an MP3 player.

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DESCRIBING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN OBJECTStudy the expressions below. They will help you describe the importance of an object.

It’s very important to me because …It helps me a lot because ….It reminds me of …It makes my life easier.

Examples of use

It’s very important to me because it makes my life easier. (an iPhone)

It helps me a lot because I study mathematics and I need to do lots of calculations. (a calculator)

It’s very important to me because it reminds me of my childhood. (a photo or toy)

DESCRIBING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN OBJECT (BAND 7-9)Consider using the expressions below if you are aiming for a very high band.

It’s an essential part of my life.It’s indispensible.I couldn’t live without it.It brings back memories of …

Examples of use

It’s an essential part of my life. I keep my contacts there, my photos, I can make calls with it. I simply couldn’t live without it. (an iPhone)

I study mathematics so it’s indispensible. (a calculator)

It’s very important to me because it brings back memories of my childhood. (a photo or toy)

Practice ideas

1. Think of some objects you own. Practise describing their appearance, use and importance.

2. Look at some important photos. Practise describing why they are important to you.

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DESCRIBING AN EVENT

In the IELTS Speaking Test part 2, it is possible that the questions on the card will be about an event. You may need to describe the type of event, the people involved and the activities that took place. There may also be a question about how you felt at the event or why it was important to you.

TYPE OF EVENT a birthday partya wedding a concerta sports event a festivala class reuniona stag party (UK) / bachelor party (US)a hen night (UK) / bachelorette party (US)

WHEN WAS IT? last summertwo winters ago 5 years agoduring my summer breakafter I graduated from university on my 30th birthday

WHAT DID I DO? dancedate a delicious mealgave somebody a present sang songswatched a match played some games met new people listened to music

WHO WAS THERE? close friends relativesfamily and friends people I know work colleagues old classmatespeople I’ve known since childhood

HOW DID I FEEL?It was very exciting. It was a lot of fun.I had a great time.Everybody enjoyed themselves.It was a good occasion to …It was a very sad day. I was a bit bored.I remember feeling a bit bored/sad.

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Look at the cue card and the sample answers below.

Describe a recent event.You should say:

when and where it was who was involved what happened

and describe how you felt.

SAMPLE ANSWER

I’m going to describe my friend's birthday party, last month. We went for a meal in an Indian restaurant and then to different places.

There were about 10 of us, some close friends, old friends and work colleagues.

We started the evening at the restaurant. We ate a delicious meal and then we went to fancy shop in my town. We were dressed like kids. It is a party tradition in my country to wear a costume.

How did I feel? Well, it was a lot of fun. Everybody enjoyed themselves very much. And it was great to meet old friends who I hadn’t seen since my childhood. It was really interesting to find out about what they were doing in their lives. What else? I can’t talk about everything we did, but let’s just say that everybody had a great time.

SAMPLE ANSWER WITH LESS COMMON VOCABULARYHere is the same answer with some less common words and structures (in bold), which can help you get a very high band in the test.

I’m going to describe my friend's birthday party, last month. We went for a meal in an Italian restaurant and then to different shops.

There were about 10 of us -- some close friends, old friends and work colleagues, most of them were people I've known since university.

We started the evening at the restaurant. We ate a delicious meal and then we went out to some shops in my town. We were all dressed up like superheroes. It is a party tradition in my country to wear a costume.

How did I feel? Hmmm…well, it was a lot of fun. And it was great to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. I can’t reveal everything we did because it got a little crazy, but let’s just say that everybody enjoyed themselves very much.

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DESCRIBING PLACES

In the IELTS Speaking Test part 2, it is possible that the questions on the card will be about a place. You may need to talk about the type of place it is, its location, its history, its purpose and the type of activities that happen there. There may also be a question about how you feel about the place. Learn the adjectives and expressions on this page.

DESCRIBING A BUILDING DESCRIBING AN AREAtall beautifulmodern DESCRIBING A HOME interestingold amazingexpensivenew dangerouscheapcommercial safewell-locatedunusual crowdedcomfortableconveniently-located noisydark

quiet---------------band 7+ ------------band 7+-------- strange

wildrundown dampdilapidated peaceful

well-litmulti-story romantic

poorly-litneglected luxuriousabandoned ---------------band 7+----------------

spaciousclassical tranquilcrampedneoclassical desertedcozygothic touristy

lively

IT IS LOCATED … SURROUNDING AREAin the north/south/east of … ruralin the centre of … urbanon the coast mountainouson a quiet street dryby the sea flatnear the town centre hillyin the suburbsin the mountains HISTORYin the countryside It was constructed in …in the city It was established in …10km from …

---------------band 6.5+-------------------------------band 7+----------------

It has existed since [DATE IN THE PAST]in the outskirts of [NAME OF CITY] It has existed for [NUMBER OF YEARS]at the mouth of [NAME OF RIVER]at the foot of [NAME OF MOUNTAIN]

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Look at the cue card and the sample answer below.

Talk about your ideal home.You should say:

how big it would be what it would look likewhere it would be located

and explain why you would like to live there.

SAMPLE ANSWER

OK, so what would be my ideal home? Well I think it would have to be a big flat, about 100 square metres. It would have five rooms – a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room and two spare rooms. Everything should be modern – modern furniture, a flat-screen TV and a gaming PC. There should be plenty of natural light.

It should be located in the centre of my city, near the market square in the old town. But on a quiet street.

I would like to live there for several reasons. Firstly, it’s big and I like lots of space. Secondly,I enjoy entertaining guests and the flat has everything I need – modern appliances, space and nice furniture. Also, I really like cooking, so a big kitchen is very important to me. I would also like to live there because it’s well-located. It would be nice to live in the centre because I often go there with my friends to eat out, visit some bars, go for a walk, and so on. I like meeting new people and the centre of my town is very crowded, which is perfect for me.

VOCABULARY FOR BAND 7-9If you are aiming for a very high band, consider using the more advanced words from the previous page, for example:

Well I think it would have to be a big, spacious flat.

It should be very well-lit.

I’d prefer it to be located in the centre of the city than in the outskirts.

It should be a luxurious penthouse suite.

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BUYING TIME

In part 3 of the IELTS speaking test, you will be asked a question related to the topic of part 2, and you might need more time to think than you did in part 1. Simple conversation fillers (see page 10) might not be enough to buy yourself the time that you need before answering the question. Here are some more effective techniques.

REPEAT THE QUESTIONWhen the examiner asks the question, try to repeat it in your own words. Some examples:

Examiner: What different types of food do people eat in your country?Candidate: Hmm….so you would like to know the different types of food that people eat in

my country.

Examiner: How popular is watching television in your country?Candidate: Hmm….how popular is TV in my country?

Examiner: What are the advantages of playing sport?Candidate: Hmm..so just to be clear, you’re asking me about the benefits of playing sport.

Examiner: How do people in your country travel long distances?Candidate: So, just to check that I’ve understood, you are asking me which forms of

transport people use to travel long distances in my country?

Examiner: What leisure activities are popular in your country?Candidate: Okay, so basically you are asking me how people like to spend their free time

in my country.

DIRECT VS. INDIRECT QUESTIONSIf you ask yourself a direct question, you need to use standard question word order:

How popular is TV in my country? How do I like to spend my free time?

With indirect questions, we use the same word order as statements (subject before verb):

You are asking me which forms of transport people use. (NOT: …do people use.)

You are asking me how people like to spend their free time. (NOT: … how do people like …)

You would like to know where I live. (NOT: … where do I live.)

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ASK FOR TIMEAnother way to give yourself extra time to think about your response is simply to ask for time. This is a technique that everybody uses in normal conversation. Study these examples:

Interesting question. Can I think about it for a minute?

Okay, that’s a difficult question. Can you give me a moment to think about it?

Hmm…good question. Can I have a little time to think about it?

If you are aiming for a very high band, you can consider using the following expressions.

That’s an interesting question. Can I dwell on it for a moment?

Okay, that’s a tricky question. I just need a moment to think it over.

Okay, that’s a tricky question. I just need a moment to ponder over it.

USE CONVERSATION FILLERSIf you still need a few extra seconds after using the above expressions, you can begin your response with a suitable conversation filler from page 10. For example:

Well, I guess I would say that television is extremely popular.

Hmm….I suppose that train travel is the most common form of transport.

Well, umm, basically I think that sport can help us to live a much healthier lifestyle.

COMBINE TECHNIQUESIn order to buy yourself the maximum time that you need, consider all three approaches:

Examiner: What different types of food do people eat in your country?

Candidate: Hmm….so you would like to know the different types of food that people eat in my country. Hmm…interesting question. Can I think about it for a moment?Well, I guess traditional Bangladeshi cuisine is still very popular.

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SPEAKING TOPICS

You do not need a high level of general knowledge to achieve a successful result in your IELTS speaking test. If you can communicate your ideas (or lack of ideas) fluently and coherently, you will do well. However, it will help you to practise talking at length about a variety of topics. Here are some possible part 3 questions that you can practise.

FOOD AND DRINKWhat types of food are popular in your country?

Have eating habits changed in your country in recent years?

How healthy is your country’s food? SPORTS

How popular is fast food in your country?

Have other cultures influenced your country’s food?

Do you think eating habits will change in the future? How?

What types of sports are popular in your country?

What are the advantages of doing sports?

Can sports be dangerous? How?

What types of sports do you think are better, team sports or individual sports?

SHOPPINGDo you enjoy shopping?

Is shopping a popular activity in your country

How have shopping habits changed in recent years?

In what ways you think advertising affects the way people shop?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?

LEISURE ACTIVITIESWhat types of leisure activities are popular in your country?

What types of leisure activities are not popular in your country? Why?

How have leisure activities in your country changed in recent years?

How important is it to have leisure time?

Do people in your country have too much or too little leisure time?

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TELEVISION TRAVELHow popular is watching television in What are the benefits of travelling?your country?

Do people travel much in your country?What types of television programme Which destinations are popular?are popular in your country?

Has the travel industry changed in yourWhy do you think people like country in recent years?watching television?

Which countries would you like to visit inWhat are the dangers of watching the future? Why?television?

What are the benefits of watching

television? TRANSPORTHow do most people travel longdistances in your country?

EDUCATION Has transport changed much in yourHow the quality of education changed in your country over the last few decades?

country in recent years? How easy is it to get around your city

Do you think languages are taught well in schools? by public transport?

How can the type of school you go to affect your How safe is your country’s transportsystem?career success?

What do you think of the education system in yourcountry?

TOWN AND COUNTRYHow is life different in cities compared to rural areas?

Do you prefer to live in the city or the countryside? Why?

What are the problems living in big cities?

What do you think cities will be like in 50 years time?

ENVIRONMENTIs pollution a problem in your country?

What are some of the causes of pollution?

What can people or governments do to minimize pollution?

Do you think problems with pollution will improve in the future?

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GRAMMAR FOR PART 3In part 3 of the IELTS speaking test, you need to think about the grammar that you are going to use in your answer. Pay attention to the type of question that the examiner asks you.

QUESTIONS ABOUT CHANGESThe examiner may ask you a question about how something has changed, for example:

Has transport changed much in your country over the last few decades?

How have shopping habits changed in recent years?

If you get such a question, you need to think carefully about the tenses that you are going to use in your answer.

If you want to talk about a current trend, use the present continuous (verb ‘be’ + -ing):

People are shopping much more now than in the past.

If you want to say how a situation has changed over time up to the present moment, use the present perfect (have/has + past participle):

People’s shopping habits have changed dramatically in recent years.

If you want to talk about something that people did regularly in the past, but not today, use used to/didn’t use to + infinitive:

People didn’t use to shop very much in the past.

QUESTIONS ABOUT HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONSThe examiner may ask you a question about a hypothetical situation, for example:

Which countries would you like to visit in the future? Why?

How would you spend your time if you didn’t have to work?

If you get such a question, you need to think about the structure you are going to use.

If you talk about an imaginary situation in the present or future, use would + infinitive:

I think that Scotland would be a very interesting country to visit.

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If you want to talk about an imaginary situation with if…., use a second conditional structure. We form the second conditional in the following way:

If + past simple, would + infinitive

If I didn’t have to work, I would spend more time with my family.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPARING AND CONTRASTINGThe examiner may ask you to compare and contrast something, for example:

Do you prefer to live in the city or the countryside? Why?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?

How does London compare to your hometown?

You should try to use appropriate connecting words and comparative structures in your answer.

If you want to introduce a contrast, use words and phrases like however, on the other hand or though:

Shopping online is very convenient. You can do it from the comfort of your home. However, in my opinion it is not a good way to shop for things like clothes.

If you want to compare two different things, use while or whereas. For example:

I prefer to live in the city than in the countryside. In the city you have more shops and places of entertainment, whereas in the countryside there isn’t much to do.

If you want to express a comparison using adjectives, use appropriate comparative and superlative structures.

FORMING COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVESComparative form Superlative form

Words with one Add -er Add -estsyllable cheap cheaper cheap the cheapest

hard harder hard the hardestTwo-syllable words -y -ier -y -iestending in -y early earlier early the earliest

lucky luckier lucky the luckiestTwo or more Use more/less … Use the most … / the least …syllables expensive more expensive expensive the most expensive

boring more boring boring the most boring

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Things to remember

1) When comparing two things with a comparative adjective, use than:

The bus is cheaper than the train.

2) Before comparative forms, you can use qualifying expressions, for example much / a lot / far (= a lot) / a bit / a little / slightly:

The plane is far more expensive than the train.

3) With some two-syllable adjectives, you can use -er/-est or more/most, for example: simple clever gentle friendly quiet narrow

Joanna is friendlier / more friendly than usual.

4) We usually use the before superlative forms:

The plane is the fastest option. He is one of the most interesting people I know.

5) These adjectives have irregular forms:

good - better - best bad - worse - worst far - further/farther - furthest

6) To say that one thing is ‘less’ than another thing, you can also say not as … as:

My hometown is not as big as London.

7) If you want to say that two things are the same, you can say as … as:

Spanish is as easy as Italian.

8) If you want to say that two things are same, you can also say the same as:

Prices in Moscow are nearly the same as in London.

9) If you want to say that two things are similar, you can say similar to:

The weather in Italy is similar to the weather in Greece.

10) If you want to say that two things are different, you can say different than/to/from:

The weather in Singapore is different than the weather in Russia.

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GIVING OPINIONS

In the IELTS speaking test, the examiner will ask you for your opinions on particular topics. You may need to express opinions in part 1, part 2 or part 3 of the test. Therefore, it is a good idea to learn some special phrases that you can use in your responses.

Study these examples.

In my opinion, good exercise and a healthy diet are important for a long life. I believe that many jobs are more suited to men.Personally, I think that many jobs are still more suited to men. I feel that the gap between rich and poor is growing.I find Indian food a bit too spicy.

If you want to give an opinion that something is not true with I think, I feel, I believe, etc. you say I don’t feel, I don’t believe, etc. For example:

I don’t believe that there is enough equality between men and women. I don’t feel that the gap between rich and poor is getting smaller.

ADVANCED EXPRESSIONS (BAND 7-9)The expressions below are slightly more advanced. Consider using them if you are aiming for a very high band.

I reckon an increasing number of people will be working from home in the future. (informal, British English)I’m utterly convinced that the government should do more to help the unemployed. (expresses a very strong opinion)

I’m of the opinion that the government should do more to encourage environmentally-friendly transport.From my point of view as a student, the cost of living in my city is very high. The way I see it, my country has too many public holidays.As far as I’m concerned, French cuisine is among the best in the world.

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CONNECTING IDEAS

In parts 2 and 3 of the IELTS speaking test, you will need to speak at length about a particular issue. In order to get a high band, it is important to develop your ideas using appropriate connecting words and phrases. Study how the connecting words/phrases in bold are used in the answer below.

Would you prefer to live in a big or small city? Why/why not?

Well, I think on the whole I’d prefer to live in a big city. Firstly, there are more job opportunities. On top of that, the standard of living is higher and the infrastructure is more developed. Also, there are more places to go shopping. In short, there are lots of advantages.

On the other hand, I think there are several important drawbacks. First of all, big cities tend to be more polluted because of all the cars. Secondly, there is more noise. Regarding transport, big cities can be very stressful. For example, my home city Dhaka has a very crowded transport system. In fact, it’s one of the most stressful transport systems in the world.

However, despite those disadvantages, I’d still prefer to live in a big city.

Talking in general On the whole

Introducing a topic Regarding (transport)

Listing different points Firstly,First of all,Secondly,On top of that,Also,

Giving an example For example,

Introducing a contrast On the other hand,However,Despite (those disadvantages),

Modifying a previous statement In fact,

Summarizing In short,

The next page presents some more words and expressions that you can use to develop an argument.

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WELLUse well to introduce a remark or give yourself time to think.

Who is my favourite family member? Well, I need to think about that one.

SO / THEREFOREUse so or therefore to introduce a logical result. So is more informal than therefore.

Living in a big city has lots of advantages. Therefore, I’d prefer to live there. Living in a big city has lots of advantages. So I’d prefer to live there.

BASICALLYUse basically to introduce the most important aspect of something. It is very common in spoken English (don’t use it in formal writing) and often used as a conversation filler (see page 10).

Basically, there are three reasons why I’d like to live in a big city.

HOWEVER / YETUse however or yet to make a contrast.

I agree with that opinion. However, I don’t know if it will be true in the future. I agree with that opinion. Yet I don’t know if it will be true in the future.

THOUGHThough is used to make a contrast. It normally goes at the end of the sentence.

Living in a big city has lots of advantages. I’d still prefer to live in a small town, though.

IN OTHER WORDSUse in other words to simplify or summarize what you just said before.

In big cities, there are more offices and shops. In other words, there is more work.

IF WE’RE TALKING …Use If we’re talking … to introduce a new topic.

If we’re talking shopping and entertainment, I’d prefer to live in a big city.

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AS FAR AS … IS CONCERNEDWe use as far as something is concerned when we introduce a new topic. It is a little more formal that If we’re talking …

As far as shopping is concerned, it is much better to live in a big city than a small town.

EVENTUALLYUse eventually to say what happens after a long time and/or many problems. The meaning is similar to in the end.

We drove for two hours trying to find the hotel. Eventually, we gave up and decided to stay at a hostel.

ON TOP OF THAT / WHAT’S MOREUse on top of that or what’s more to introduce an additional point.

The hotel was awful. On top of that, the weather was cold and wet.The hotel was awful. What’s more, the weather was cold and wet.

These connectors are more informal than in addition, furthermore and moreover, so don’t use them in formal writing.

ANYWAY / ANYHOWUse anyway or anyhow to confirm or support a point or idea just mentioned in a conversation.

When I was in Italy, I didn’t have time to go for a pizza. Anyway, I don’t really like pizza.

You can also use anyway or anyhow to return to something you were talking about before the subject was changed.

Anyhow, we finally found a mechanic to fix our car.

ACTUALLYUse actually to give an unexpected or surprising response.

Q: What is your profession? A: Actually, I’m still a student.

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IN FACT

Use in fact to modify a previous statement, for example if you said something that is slightly inaccurate and you want to be more precise.

I used to get up at 7am. In fact, it was around 6.30.

You can also use actually: I used to get up at 7am. Actually, it was around 6.30.

TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORTUse the idiom to cut a long story short (American English: to make a long story short) when you want to stop telling someone all the details about something that happened and just get to the main facts.

To cut a long story short, I arrived home after midnight.

ON THE WHOLE / IN GENERALUse on the whole or in general to make a general statement:

On the whole, I think the food in my country is healthy.In general, I think the food in my country is healthy.

OVERALLUse overall to make a final concluding statement.

Overall, it was a fantastic holiday.

You can also use: all in all, on the whole, all things considered.

FOR EXAMPLE / FOR INSTANCEUse for example or for instance to give an example.

Big cities have more developed public transport. For instance, in my city there are trams, metro systems, buses and trains.

ALTERNATIVELYYou can use alternatively to provide an alternative idea.

In my town, you can get to the city centre by tram. Alternatively, you can take the bus.

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GIVING EXAMPLES

In parts 2 and 3 of the IELTS speaking test, and for some questions in part 1, you can extend your answers and make them more interesting by giving personal examples to support your points. Try to use real examples and stories about yourself where possible. Look the examples below and study how the expressions in bold are used to introduce the examples.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WATCHING TELEVISION?Well I think that watching the right kind of TV programmes, for example documentaries, can open your mind and increase your general knowledge. Let me give you an example. Last week, I watched an interesting documentary on Roman history. I learnt a lot about the Roman way of life.

HOW HAVE SHOPPING HABITS CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS?I think shopping habits have changed considerably in recent years. Take my hometown as an example. I remember ten years ago before the financial crisis, the shops were always full of people. Nowadays, people are tightening their belts and shopping less.

Note: tighten your belt is an idiom which means ‘spend less money’.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TRAVELLING?I think there are a lot of benefits. When you travel, you meet new people, you learn about new cultures and you can develop yourself. For example, last summer I went travelling in Africa. I saw how cheerful and happy the people were, despite their difficult situation. It made me a more open-minded person.

DO YOU THINK LANGUAGES ARE TAUGHT WELL IN SCHOOLS?I think that the problem in schools is that teachers focus too much on grammar. I remember when I was at school, I had a nice English teacher, but unfortunately we had very little speaking practice.

HOW EASY IS IT TO GET AROUND YOUR CITY BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT?Is it easy to get around my city? Hmm….well, we have a fairly efficient metro system in London, but sometimes there are problems. For instance, last week I was trying to get home from work. Normally the journey takes about 20 minutes, but there were some delays and I got back home 30 minutes later than usual.

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