IELTS Speaking
IELTS Speaking
SPEAKING
PA R T 1 , 2 & 3
Speaking Test Format
• The examiner will introduce themselves and ask what your name is. You'll
reply "My name's _______".
• Next, you'll be asked "What can I call you?", in which you can reply "You can
call me_______". You may use your English name here, if you have one. This
may sound odd, but some people cannot pronounce their own English name.
This is NOT ACCEPTABLE. If you cannot pronounce it, you're better off not
using it.
• Following your name, they'll ask where you're from. Just say "I'm
from_____". That's enough. You don't need to give any extra information
about your answers at this stage.
• Finally, you'll be asked for identification. After showing it, you'll begin the
test.
Speaking Test Format Part 1
• Once your two minutes of speaking time is finished, it's possible the test examiner will conclude
this part of the test by asking you a couple of simple questions related to your part 2 answer. These
are sometimes known as rounding off questions, since they help "round off," or complete your
conversation. Let's look at some IELTS speaking questions that could be asked. For instance,
perhaps the IELTS speaking topic you discussed in part 2 was "Describe your favorite form of public
transport". The examiner might round off your conversation by asking:
• On the other hand, there are instances when the examiner might
skip the rounding off questions altogether and will, instead, proceed
directly to part 3. If this turns out to be the case during your IELTS
speaking test, don't worry; This indicates that your speaking part 2
answer was long enough, and that your 3 minutes speaking time for
part 2 has already run out.
Speaking Test Format Part 3
• We've been talking about electronic devices. I'd like to discuss with you a
few more general questions relating to this topic.
First, let's consider what are the most popular electronic devices in your
country at the moment?
3. Is there anything you would like to change about the place you live in?
Overall, my house is more than satisfactory. However, if I had to change something, I would probably add a garden or outdoor
space. It would be nice if my family could grow some edible plants and vegetables, but unfortunately there’s not a yard.
9. Tell me about the weather in your country in different times of the year?
In the summer, it’s a very dry heat with high temperatures. In the fall, it cools down a lot and gets windy. The winter
is cold, and sometimes it snows. When spring comes, it rains more often.
Weather
10. Which time of the year did you enjoy the most when you were the child?
When I was growing up my favorite season was probably summer. That’s because I loved summer vacation and all the freetime I had
to spend with my friends. These days, I would probably say that summer is my least favorite season. It’s so hot and humid, and I
don’t have summer vacation anymore now that I’m working.
11. Do you (usually) pay attention to the weather forecasts?
No, I only pay attention to the weather forecast when I’m planning a trip and what to know what I should pack in my suitcase. I think
the forecast is usually wrong, anyway.
12. Has the weather changed much in your country in recent years?
The weather has been getting hotter in the summers, and the summers have been getting longer. I think it might be due to global
climate change.
13. What’s the best season of the whole year?
The best season of the year is fall, because the weather is mild and cool. The air seems fresher when it rains, and I also like the fall
clothing styles.
14. What do people normally do in that season?
Most of the students are already back in school, but there are also a few holidays around the fall, such as the moon festival. People
usually have barbecues with their family, and there is some time off from work.
15. What’s the weather usually like in your country (or, your hometown)?
In the summer, it’s a very dry heat with high temperatures. In the fall, it cools down a lot and gets windy. The winter is cold, and
sometimes it snows. When spring comes, it rains more often.
Weather
16. How is the weather here different from the weather in your home country?
The weather is usually pretty mild in my country, and here it’s much more hot and humid. Another thing is, here, it
doesn’t ever snow like it does back home, but there are sometimes typhoons.
17. What sort of weather do you like the most?
My favorite sort of weather is cool, with a light breeze and a few clouds in the sky. I don’t like when it’s too bright
and sunny.
18. Would you say the weather in your hometown is suitable for working (or studying)?
The weather in my hometown is fine most of the year, but in the summer it becomes unbearably hot, to the point
of even being dangerous to be outside for too long.
19. Would you like to move to a place with the different weather?
Yes, I would very much like to move to a place with cooler weather. I dislike the heat and humidity where I live
now.
20. What season (or weather) do you think is most suitable for work and/or study?
I think the best season for getting work done is the fall, because it’s not too cold or too hot. The weather won’t
affect you much at all.
Work
1. Do you have a job right now?
Yes, I have a job in the city. Right now I work full-time as a sales representative, but if I go back to school I’ll most likely switch to working
part-time.
2. Do you enjoy your job?
Yes, in fact I enjoy my current job more than my last job. There are many new skills for me to learn, as well as opportunities to make new
professional connections with people. It’s a great job for where I am in life right now.
3. What responsibilities do you have at work?
In a sales position, client relationships are very important, so my greatest responsibilities at work are negotiating and maintaining relationships
with clients. I also need to stay organized and be sure to make sure I understand the products I’m promoting.
4. What is your typical day like at work?
A typical workday for me starts at 9 AM sharp. I wake up early to eat breakfast and do my commute into the city. It’s usually a little slow in the
morning, when I’m mostly doing routine correspondence. Sometimes there are meetings or presentations. Then, things tend to pick up and
get busier after lunch. I’m usually at my desk answering more emails until I get off work around 5 PM.
5. What would you change about your job?
The job I have now is overall acceptable, but there aren’t many opportunities to move up the ladder. Although it’s a very stable position, I’d like
to have a chance for more professional growth and career development. I would probably change the way that the company is managed to
allow for more upward career mobility.
6. What job do you think you will be doing in five years?
I expect after I complete my MBA, I’ll remain in my current job as a sales representative. I’m still interested in sales, but what I’m really
passionate about is starting my own business. Being my own boss and creating a company of my own is my goal, though I’m trying to stay as
realistic as possible.
7. What skills and qualifications are required for this job?
If I want to start my own business, I’ll need to do plenty of market research, as well as find some investors or business partners to join me. I
Hometown & Weather
• What is your country famous for?
• Well, Indian cuisine is famous around the world, and North Indian cuisine is the most popular kind. I think people like it
because the flavors are bold and unique and there are many different kinds of dishes for those who eat meat as well as
vegetarians.
• Where do you live in your country?
• I live in Delhi, which is the second most populated city in India. I’ve lived there for my entire life, and most of my family does,
too.
• Is it a interesting place to live?
• Yes, I think Dehli is a very interesting place full of history and culture. People who live or visit Delhi can experience the past,
present, and the future of India all in one place. The city is also very diverse and welcoming to those from different cultures,
so it’s a good place for tourists to visit.
• Are you planning to live there in the future?
• No, in the future I hope that I can live in the UK, because I think it is a good place to live and there are more promising
opportunities for work in my professional field. However, I will always go back to visit my family in Delhi.
• How is the weather today?
• It’s fairly hot and humid out today. I don’t like this kind of weather much, because I end up sweating a lot just by stepping
outside.
Hometown & Weather
• What’s your favourite kind of weather?
• I love cool, overcast weather. I like when I can wear a light jacket and don’t feel hot at all, but of course I also don’t like
getting too cold.
•
Is there any type of weather you really don’t like?
• Yes, I really don’t like hot and humid weather. It makes me feel sick and tired when I am so sweaty and hot, plus it ruins my
clothes.
• What is the climate like in your country?
• The climate is fairly hot and humid most of the year, with a very mild winter and a rainy season. There are also typhoons that
tend to come around the beginning of the summer.
•
Does the weather affect people’s lives in your country?
• Yes, the weather has a big impact on people’s daily activities. Most people ride a scooter, so when it rains, they either want to
drive a car or stay inside. The typhoons are especially problematic, and sometimes school or work will be canceled when a
big typhoon hits.
• Do people change in the summer?
No, I don’t think people change much in the summer. But, they do usually like to stay indoors more often with the air-
conditioning running.
Hometown & Weather Vocabulary
Words to describe the city:
• Cosmopolitan: including people from many different countries.
• Urban: in, relating to, or characteristic of a city.
• Bustling: (of a place) full of activity.
• Lively: full of life and energy; active and outgoing.
• Hectic: very busy and fast.
• Vibrant: full of energy, color, and life.
• Sprawling: spreading out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way.
• Contemporary: existing and happening now.
• Touristic: relating to or popular with tourists.
1. Don't let bullet points on the cue card limit your answer
• A common misconception is that students have to talk about exactly what is
written on the card, but that is not true. In the Official Marking Criteria there is
nothing stating that you have to talk about every bullet point. The bullet
points are only there to help you, so if there are one or two that you don't like
or you don't feel comfortable talking about, leave them out and talk about
something else.
• The rule is that you must talk about the general topic, but you don't have to
talk about all of the bullet points. So what does this mean to you? It means
you can choose to talk about some of the bullet points you are
comfortable with and other things unrelated to the bullet points but
related to the topic. This will help you give a better and a more fluent answer.
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 2
First Strategy
• In the first strategy, the structure of the response is divided into 3 parts:Introduction:
In the introduction, you can rephrase the question a little, and then use a sentence to introduce what you will talk
about. Just a simple introductory phrase like, "I'm going to talk about..." or "I'd like to talk about..." will work just
fine. The introduction usually takes up around 10 seconds. Or you can say something like, "Hmm..this is an
interesting topic. My first thought is.." or, "That's a tough question for me, but if I had to choose, I'd choose..".
Then, you'll want to move on to talk about the main points.
• Main points:
When you've decided what you want to talk about, the first thing you'll want to do is to think about question words
like "who," "what," "where," or "when," and then you can start coming up with basic responses to these
questions. You can write down a few of your ideas on your paper. Next, you can start looking at the bullet points, and
then choose two of them to talk about. Again, you can write down a few ideas for each bullet point on the card.
Finally, you want to focus on questions that start with "why". Usually there is a "why" question on the question card.
• Extension:
If up to this point, you have still not used all 2 minutes of your time, you can extend your answer by talking
about how you feel overall and what you might like to do in the future in regards to the topic. Doing that should
help you add another 20 seconds. You can always start with sentences like "Overall, I feel .., and "I think in the
future I will....".
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 2
Note:
What/When/Where/Who:
Laptop, HP, Good configuration, Windows 8
Bought from BestBuy few years ago.
Present from my mom
Bullet point:
What I used it for: study, take notes, watch movies, listen to music
How long I have used it: 1 year
• This is an interesting topic. My first thought is that I find a lot of electronic equipment useful, but today I am going to
talk about the laptop I have.
• My laptop computer is manufactured by HP. This laptop has a good configuration and it supports most of the latest
software. It came with the Windows 8 operating system and a warranty for three years. I remembered my mom bought it
for me as a present. We bought it at Best Buy. I remember it was black friday, so the computers were on sale and we got a
great discount.
• As for what I use it for, I'd say it is useful in virtually all aspects of my life, including studying, and entertainment. For
instance, I use my laptop to take notes. I remember I used to take notes by hand in highschool. It was extremely time-
consuming. Now with my laptop, I can type notes directly into a document. It is just much faster and much more flexible. I
also use my laptop for entertainment purposes. For example, when I get home from school, I listen to music on my laptop.
On weekends, I like watching my favorite TV shows on Netflix. If I didn't have my laptop, I would have to use my phone to
watch videos, and I think the phone's screen would be too small for me to really enjoy the programme.
• With regards to how long I have used it, well, I had my old laptop for over 5 years, but I finally decided to upgrade and
bought my current one a year ago.
• Finally, I want to talk about why the laptop is important to me. As I said earlier, this laptop has become an essential piece
of equipment for me in almost every aspect of my life. I use it to watch movies and listen to music. I also use it to take
notes. I even use it to write a blog, and play games occasionally.
• Overall, I feel I am a bit emotionally attached to this laptop as it has become a part of my life. I think in the future, I
will continue to use it until it stops working. Even if it breaks, I'll probably still keep it and treat it as a valuable.
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 2
Second Strategy
• In this strategy, the structure of the response is also divided into 3 parts, which you can
think of as being 3 different "stories" that you'll tell the IELTS speaking test examiner.
These three stories will concern events from the past, present, and future. So, that means
you will tell a story about what happened before, a story about what is happening now,
and a story about what you think will happen later. By using this structure, you won't get
stuck trying to think about what to talk about, and you are more likely to speak long
enough to reach 2 minutes.
If you don't have enough to talk about using the bullet points alone, this structure can help
you get ideas to extend your answer. In fact, you don't need to stick with the questions on
the bullet points. Although you should start with the IELTS speaking topic given on the
card, you don't need to stay on that topic; It's okay to answer by using relevant stories and
even go off-topic.
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 2
• There are lots of ways to be a good parent, and today I'd like to tell you three stories about my experiences with parenting.
Well, first of all, when I was growing up, I think I was very fortunate to have good parents. My parents both worked very
hard, but also took the time to make sure they taught us valuable lessons and spent time with us every day. I remember
that we would always have dinner at the dinner table together, and my mother and father would ask me and my siblings
questions about our day and make jokes with us. They are still very important people in my life now.
Next, I'd like to talk about some great parents that I know today. They are my friends who are new parents. Even though
they are still learning about how to be good parents, I watch them lose sleep each night and sacrifice their own comfort
regularly for the sake of their baby. The mother is so patient, even when she has not had time to take a shower or relax, she
always smiles and plays with the baby. The father works hard and even after a long day, he still takes time to give his wife a
break when he comes home from work, so she can have some time to herself. The couple is not only kind to their baby, but
they are also kind to each other.
For my last story today, I'm going to tell you about a TV show I saw that has influenced how I think I want to be a parent in
the future. The show is called "Parenthood," and it's a sitcom about a few different families. Although they are all very
different, the thing that holds them together is their support, honesty, and love for one another. I hope that when I become
a parent someday, I can give my family the same amount of all of those things, and be accepting of my children even if they
are different from how I expected them to be.
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 2
• There are lots of ways to be a good parent, and today I'd like to tell you three stories about my experiences with parenting.
Well, first of all, when I was growing up, I think I was very fortunate to have good parents. My parents both worked very
hard, but also took the time to make sure they taught us valuable lessons and spent time with us every day. I remember
that we would always have dinner at the dinner table together, and my mother and father would ask me and my siblings
questions about our day and make jokes with us. They are still very important people in my life now.
Next, I'd like to talk about some great parents that I know today. They are my friends who are new parents. Even though
they are still learning about how to be good parents, I watch them lose sleep each night and sacrifice their own comfort
regularly for the sake of their baby. The mother is so patient, even when she has not had time to take a shower or relax, she
always smiles and plays with the baby. The father works hard and even after a long day, he still takes time to give his wife a
break when he comes home from work, so she can have some time to herself. The couple is not only kind to their baby, but
they are also kind to each other.
For my last story today, I'm going to tell you about a TV show I saw that has influenced how I think I want to be a parent in
the future. The show is called "Parenthood," and it's a sitcom about a few different families. Although they are all very
different, the thing that holds them together is their support, honesty, and love for one another. I hope that when I become
a parent someday, I can give my family the same amount of all of those things, and be accepting of my children even if they
are different from how I expected them to be.
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 2
Ok, let's just say that the IELTS speaking topic question in part 2 is
"Describe a book that you read recently". In part 3, the questions
you are going to be asked are related to the topic "book". So, here
are some general and abstract questions that could be asked in part
3 based on this topic:
• What kind of books are considered good reads in your opinion?
• Why do you think so many people read on tablets nowadays?
• Do you think that traditional books will be replaced by tablet
reading in the future?
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 3
If you have done some research on IELTS speaking questions for part 3, you might think they are
unpredictable, making them challenging to prepare for. However, if you look at them closely,
you can see patterns among the questions. Generally speaking, questions in IELTS speaking
part 3 ask you to
• give your opinion on a topic
• express your preference on a topic
• compare and contrast two things
• make a prediction on something in the future
• make a comparison with the past
• talk about a hypothetical situation
• talk about your ideas about people in society
• talk about causes and effects
• provide solutions to a problem
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 3
• Let's have a look some more example questions .IELTS Speaking Part 3 Question Types
• Give your opinion on a topic What is your opinion on companies checking job applicants' online profiles?
• Do you think the education system in your country influences young people's behavior?
• Is food safety becoming an increasingly serious problem in our lives?
• Express your preference What do you think is better for you? home cooking or eating out?
• Do you generally read a lot of books or do you prefer watching T.V?
• Do you prefer to live in a big city or in a small town?
• Talk about people or things in your country Do people in your country spend a lot of money on their
education?
• How do most people travel long distances in your country?
• How popular is watching television in your country?
• Talk about causes and effects What are some of the causes of water pollution?
• How does advertising influence what people choose to buy?
• Why do you think so many people read on tablets nowadays?
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 3
• Compare and contrast two things What are the differences between living in the city and the countryside?
• What is the difference between studying online and studying at a school?
• What is the difference between clothes that young people and old people like to wear?
• Make a prediction on something in the future What do you think cities will be like in 50 years time?
• Will computers and robots replace teachers in the future?
• Make a comparison with the past How are education priorities today different from those in the past?
• How are the eating habits now different from eating habits in the past?
• How has teaching changed in your country over the past few decades?
• Talk about a hypothetical situation If you could choose a city to live in, where would you choose?
• If you could influence or had the power to change the world with your writings what would you want to
change?
• Provide solutions to a problem How can traffic be reduced in a city?
• How can we stop violence on TV?
• What can we do to slow down global warming?
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 3
• So these are all question styles you’ll encounter in Part 3. There is no set word limit for what
could be considered a good IELTS speaking test part 3 answer, but it should not be too short.
If it's too short, you will have failed to develop your answer properly. As a rule, to get a high
IELTS speaking score, your answer should be around 5-8 sentences long.
If you're worried about speaking that many sentences, you're not alone. Even native
speakers would need to practice with IELTS speaking questions to provide a high scoring 5-8
sentence answer. However, there are some IELTS speaking sample templates that'll make
your life easier. As long as you practice enough questions, learn our IELTS speaking topics,
and you follow our speaking structure, you'll feel more confident and improve your speech.
Now let’s look at how to structure your answer based on the IELTS speaking question style.
Keep in mind that the answer structures are only to help you have a clear picture of what
you want to say and to help you stay organized. However, you don’t necessarily have to
follow them as long as your answer is on topic and can showcase your English proficiency.
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 3
• Let's look at how to extend and structure your answer based on the
question style.
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 3
IELTS Speaking Test Sample Answers
Describe the current trend and say this trend will probably continue:
In fact, I think there is a growing trend across the world of futuristic cities emerging where
transportation is becoming more convenient to meet the growing demands of
population. This trend will probably continue going forward.
State that there have been changes over the past decade:
In the past few decades, there have definitely been some noticeable changes in education
through generations.
Describe how you feel about the problem and the solutions:
I mean either way, I think this problem probably isn’t going to disappear with just one simple solution.
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 3
IELTS Speaking Tips for Success - Part 3
IELTS Speaking Test Sample Answers
For these question types, you can use the following structure to form your speaking response: