IELTS SPEAKING TEST GUIDANCE

Muh. Kusni Mubarok S.pd

 PART 1
• This part will ask you a set of questions about yourself and everyday
situations.
• You will be asked 3-4 different topics (10-12 questions in total)
TIPS:
- Always elaborate your answers (2-3 sentences)
- Knowing common noun and adjectives for each topics will be very helpful

Example:
Question 1 : Tell me about your family.
Common vocabulary about family: sibling, relative, nearby, neighborhood

Question 2: What kind of weather do you like?

Common vocabulary about weather: sunny/rainy days, humidity,
outdoor/indoor
 PART 2
• You will be given a topic (with prompts to help you answer
the questions). You are expected to talk for 1-2 minutes
without interruption.
TIPS:
• Introduce the main idea to your talk using key words from
the first sentence of the topic.
• Practice answering questions spontaneously

Example: Describe a trip you have taken recently.

You’ll then say:
I’ll talk about a recent trip that I’ve taken last week.
That trip was ………………………………………………………………………..
 PART 3
• You’ll be asked questions that are still related to part 2
but less personal.
• Part 3 will mostly ask you questions about common
believes/opinion – so, don’t go personal if the
questions don’t require you to do so.

TIPS:
• Use double perspective  you can always set the
general opinion first then contrast it with your own
opinion
• Use connectors and phrases to express personal and
general opinion
 example
• Do you think reading a book is important?

You’ll then say:

Both young and older generations in my country are more into reading especially
when there is this technology advancement which allows us to read any kind of books
at the tip of our finger. We can easily access anything through our mobile phone.

Also, I often heard that you are what you read. I personally agree with this saying. I
think, reading books brings lots of benefits, not to mention keeping our brain healthy
but also shows us other perspectives about anything. To me, by reading books, it does
teach us to think carefully.
 Common phrases to express personal
opinion
• In my opinion
• I believe that
• I’d say that
• To be honest
• Personally, I think
• In my experience
• Speaking for myself
• I’d like to point out that
• It seems to me that
 Common phrases to express general
opinion
• Some people think that
• Some people say that
• It is often thought that
• It is generally believed that
IELTS SPEAKING
Part 1-Muh. Kusni Mubarok SPD
 IELTS SPEAKING TEST OVERVIEW

• 1:1 with examiner

• 11-14 minutes in total
• 4 criteria on band descriptors ( fluency and cohesion, vocabulary, grammar,
pronunciation)
• 3 sections :
Part 1 : general questions about yourself and everyday situation (3-5
minutes)

Part 2 : speak at length on a given topic(3-4 minutes)

Part 3 : conversation on abstract topics (4-5 minutes)

 What happen on the test day?
• You will be waiting turns with the other participants
• The examiner will invited you to come into the room
• The examiner will do a brief introduction and a quick check of your
identification
• The examiner will ask : (Be sure to give short and factual info)
What is your complete name?
What should I call you?
Could you tell me where you are from?

• The part 1 will be started by asking questions: (50:50 chance)

What do you do?
Where do you live ?
Warming up on PART 1

• What do you do? (Extend your answer)

I am a teacher. (DON’T)

I am an English teacher at a private university in Malang. I’ve been teaching

there since 2018. (DO)

Where do you live? (Extend your answer)

I live in Malang. (DON’T)

I’ve been living in Malang for 2 years now. I am not sure if you are familiar
with Malang, but I can tell you if it is a beautiful city. (DO)
PRACTICE

What is your complete name?

What should I call you?

Could you tell me where you are from?

What do you do?

Where do you live ?

IELTS PART 1:
Questions and Model Answers
Family

• Tell me something about your family.

Well, I am a family of four. I have a brother who live in another city.

I’ve been living in Malang for 20 years now. Last year, I got married
then moved out from my parent’s house and get a new one with my
husband.

• Do you prefer spending time with your family or friends?

In my view, I find both of them are important. On the one hand,

family is the safest place for me where I can always share about
anything without having too much worries. The other hand, I like to
chill out with my friends. So, I am really having trouble if I have to
choose only one.
Hometown

• What are the people like in your hometown?

They are mostly quite friendly, but as with most cities everyone is
often busy so it may seem as if they are not interested in speaking or
having a chat. But if you live here in Malang, you know that most
people are quite happy to have a chat if they have time and will help
you if needed.

• Is there much to do in your hometown?

• Absolutely! If you like going out in the evening, there are a lot of
good restaurants and bars. If you prefer cultural activities there are
museums and art galleries. But if you like nature there are lots of
other things outside of the city which are reach-able
Can we answer no to a question ?

ABSOLUTELY! Here’s how ..

Example:
Can you tell me about your favorite sport?

To be honest with you, I am not a sporting person. I only do it once or

twice, perhaps, in a month, I would say. I think, I’d rather spend my
free time by travelling.
TIPS AND TIPS !!
 General tips to lift your IELTS speaking score

• Practise, practise, and practise

• Record your own voice and listen back

• Always extend your answers

• Repeat on the same questions until you get the desirable speed,
pronunciation, and accuracy

• Get a lot of English exposure

Specific tips on IELTS speaking test

1. Use connectors:

• To give ideas: In my opinion, in my view, to my mind, I would say, As

far as I am concerned

• To add ideas: On the top of that, also, what’s more, I’d also add that

• Contrast idea: But, however, on the one hand and the other hand
Family

• Tell me something about your family.

Well, I am a family of four. I have a brother who live in another city.

I’ve been living in Malang for 20 years now. Last year, I got married
then moved out from my parent’s house and get a new one with my
husband.

• Do you prefer spending time with your family or friends?

In my view, I find both of them are important. On the one hand,

family is the safest place for me where I can always share about
anything without having too much worries. The other hand, I like to
chill out with my friends. So, I am really having trouble if I have to
choose only one.
2. Use complex grammar

Simple tenses (Simple present, past, and future)

Complex tenses (present perfect, and present perfect continuous,
conditional sentences)

Example:

I live in Malang  I’ve been living in Malang for 2 years now

3. Use idiomatic expression & Phrasal verbs
4. Make use of synonym

I like reading  I am fond of reading, I am really into reading

It’s really good  It is outstanding

5. Add adverbs

6. Slowly, quickly, absolutely, really, completely, etc.

More materials and examples …
• https://ieltsmaterial.com/speaking/ielts-speaking-part-1/
IELTS SPEAKING
PART 2 – Muh. Kusni Mubarok SPD
PART 2 OVERVIEW

• The examiner will give you a paper/booklet for the topic and a piece
of paper + pen

• You will be given 1 minute for brainstorming

• You will speak for 2 minutes without interruption

Common problems in part 2

• Running out of ideas

• Rumbling when speaking

• Less-variation on structures/grammar

• Less interesting

• Failed to fulfill 2 minutes individual speaking

HOW TO SUCCED IN IELTS
SPEAKING TEST PART 2?
What to write on the paper?

PPF method

Past - Past perfect tense, simple past, past continuous

Present - Present perfect, Present continuous, simple

present

Future - Future tense, conditional sentences (If clause)

Sample question

Describe a celebration of your achievement

You should mention:
• What was the achievement
• Who did you celebrate it with
• How did you celebrate it
• Describe your emotions during the celebration
Topic: Describe a celebration of your achievement

Write the keywords in your paper.

• Past (main topic): a scholarship to Singapore  60 sec

• Present (additional info): promotion in a workplace  45 sec

• Future (comments/hope/wishes): winning another scholarship  15

sec
Model answer with PPF

PAST (Main story – 60 sec)

I was awarded a student exchange program to Singapore for ten days when I
was at fifth semester in college. Going abroad is my childhood dream, and
when I saw my dream came true, it felt surreal to be honest. My heart was
pounding and I was literally jumping for joy. I couldn’t believe this moment
happened to my life. So, I decided to arrange a small celebration with my
family and closest friend. We had a dinner together and we ordered Chinese
food. Anyway, me and my family always love Chinese food. I couldn’t forget
that moment as it brings so much joy to my life.
PRESENT (Additional story – 40/45 sec)

Recently, I’ve been promoted as a Vice program coordinator in my

current institution. So, in this job I am responsible of arranging
annual programs and evaluating teachers’ performances. I feel proud
of myself because I think.. I am a kind of person who always try to
learn from others, listen to others even those who disagree with me
and take any constructive feedback as many as possible and improve
myself thoroughly.
Future (comments/hope/wishes) – 15 sec

Right now I am applying for another scholarship in Australia. I plan to

take a Master’s program in Digital Learning at Monash University. I
know it is not an achievement yet, but I do hope that it will be very
soon.
ACHIEVED 2 MINUTES
SPEAKING IN PART 2
EFFORTLESSLY!
Additional info:

Mind your intonation and

word stress
Examiners’ check-list
TIPS TO LEARN VOCABULARY EFFECTIVELY

DON’T
Word-chunking
PRACTICE (2-3 minutes talking)

Goals:

1. To start thinking in English, and working more on fluency

2. To measure how confident and comfortable we are using English.
3. To challenge ourselves and give the best that we can

TIPS:
1. Use vocabulary that you already now
2. Use simple sentences
3. DON’T afraid of making mistake/ getting judgment
4. Relax yet focus on producing the sentences
TOPIC 1:

Discuss a period of time where you use internet to solve a problem

You should mention:

• Talk about what the problem is

• How did you use the internet to solve the problem
• How long did it take to get the problem solved
TOPIC 2:

Discuss a person that you think he/she is good at doing his/her job
You should mention:

• Who is that person

• What kind of job that s/he is good at
• What did s/he do that makes you thing s/he’s great at his/her job
TOPIC 3:

Describe a photograph hanging on the wall at your home

You should mention:

• Who/what is present in the photograph

• Where it was taken
• How long has the photograph been hung on the wall
• Why it is important to you or your family
TOPIC 4

Tell about a famous person that is not from your country that you
want to meet
You should mention:

• Who is this person

• Why is this person famous
• Why do you want to meet this person
TOPIC 5

Describe a park/garden you recently visited

You should mention:

• Where is it?
• When did you visit it
• Why did you visit it
• Why the park is important

I have visited
TOPIC 6

Describe an occasion when you did not tell a friend the truth
You should mention:

• When was the occasion

• Who is tha friend
• Why did you not tell the truth
• Did your friend believe it
• How did you feel

• Some things that interest me

• The book is interesting, she is interesting  adjecting
TOPIC 7

Describe a photograph hanging on the wall at your home

You should mention:

• Who/what is present in the photograph

• Where it was taken
• How long has the photograph been hung on the wall
• Why it is important to you or your family
IELTS SPEAKING
PART 3 – Muh. Kusni Mubarok SPD
IELTS SPEAKING PART 3 OVERVIEW

• 4-5 mins conversation

• Questions are less personal/ abstract topic

e.g: Do you think that social media is important?

• Related to part 2

• More flexible, examiner can take in/out questions based on their

needs

• Strong candidates might get challenging questions

Types of question

• Opinion : Do you think recycling is important?

• Comparison : Do men and women think differently about having

a kid?

• Prediction : Will it be possible to prevent new viruses from

spreading?
FAQ:

• What if I don’t know anything about the topic?

• What if I don’t get the question?

• What if the examiner interrupts me?

• Can I correct myself?

• Can I use idioms?

• Can I use fillers?

LET’S PRACTICE
PART 3
Strategies

• Elaborate your answers (How and why)

• Use double perspectives: (people in general VS you)

LAST MEETING PART 2:

Describe a celebration of your achievement

You should mention:

• What was the achievement

• Who did you celebrate it with
• How did you celebrate it
• Describe your emotions during the celebration
PART 3 SAMPLE QUESTIONS

• Do people in your country spend a lot of money on their wedding?

• What is the difference between the ways young and old people
celebrate their birthdays and why is it so?