TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING

TEST
TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING TEST
 SPEAKING PART 1
◦ In this exercise it is very important that
candidates do not give 'Yes' and 'No' answers
as this cannot indicate their language ability.
◦ Candidates need to give full answers so that
they can be assessed correctly.
◦ One method of helping acquaint students
with better answers is the acronym AREA -
Answer, Reason, Example, Answer.
TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING TEST
◦ AREA Answer, Reason, Example, Answer
◦ Question: Do you like dogs?
◦ Answer: A Yes, I like dogs
R They are so loyal and friendly
E When I go for a walk, he is
always by my side
A So, yes, I like dogs.
 Students should practice answering questions with fuller
answers, but not too long as to make them boring and
sounding too practiced.
TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING TEST
◦ If candidates did not hear a question properly
they should not be afraid to ask:

 " I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that, could you repeat
it for me?“
 " Excuse me I didn't quite hear what you said.“
 " Sorry I'm afraid I don't understand."
TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING TEST
◦ If the candidate does not understand a new
word they should ask the examiner to
explain.
 "I'm sorry I don't quite understand when you say,
'demystify', would you please explain.“
◦ The examiner will rephrase the question and
you should be able to move on seamlessly.
◦ Much better than coming to a full stop and
giving nothing.
TASK 1
◦ If a candidate cannot think of a word they
should try to move on by describing what the
thing or object is e.g.
 "Yes, I know the words but I just cannot remember then
at the moment. What I am talking about is the little
wheeled vehicle a baby is pushed around in." (a baby
carriage)
TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING TEST
◦ What not to do:
 Candidates should not give negative and down beat
answers. e.g. "My father used to beat me until I
bled." This is a source of embarrassment for the
examiner. "I have studied English for 10 years but I
am still no good at it." This is telling the examiner
that you are not good enough.
 Candidates should keep the topic positive and light.
TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING TEST
◦ Candidates should not look at the floor, but at
the examiner and smile to show confidence.

◦ Candidates must not ask the examiner, "How

did I do?", after the interview. The examiner
will not tell them and it is a negative
effect. Smile and say "Thank you, goodbye".
TIPS FOR IELTS SPEAKING TEST
 SPEAKING PART 2
◦ In this section the candidate is given or shown
a topic card.
◦ This card maybe loose or in a book with
plastic A4 sleeves and the examiner will just
show the page.
◦ The candidate is given a pencil and a piece of
paper.
◦ The examiner will read the question and
check that the candidate has understood the
instructions.
◦ The candidate will then be given one minute
to make written notes.
◦ When the minute is up the examiner will ask
the candidate to speak for up to 2 minutes.
◦ The examiner will stop the interview at his
discretion.
◦ Following on from this the examiner will ask a
couple of related questions to the topic and
end Part Two.
◦ EXAMPLE OF A TOPIC CARD
◦ The notes are the critical part of the practice for doing well in this section and is
similar in method to notes in the writing section Task Two and called a mind
map.
◦ Example
◦ One minute is a very short time and a piece of blank paper
inspires blank thoughts.
◦ Candidates should quickly draw an ellipse or circle in the centre
of the note paper.
◦ Write what, when, why, where, who and how in the top left
corner.
◦ Draw stems from the circle and note question requirements.
 In this case describe a festival, when it is held, where it is held and
importance of it.
◦ Before the minute is finished decide the order to use the notes
and when asked by the examiner, try to start with the main topic
question first and work around the rest of the topic notes.
◦ Candidates should look down at the notes then look up and
speak to the examiner.
◦ In Part Two candidates should not read from their notes but just
give them a glancing look. This is a conversation not a reading
session.
 SPEAKING PART 3
◦ This last part of the speaking exam will have a
relationship in some form to the topic in Part
Two.
◦ The candidate is expected to be able to
predict and speculate, use conditionals, make
comparison and contrast, justify and give
opinion.
◦ Below are some examples of the type of language
the examiner will be looking for:
◦ Prediction / Speculation Example:
 “I think (believe) that in the future factories in China
will meet international standards and certainly the
government is working hard to do this.”
 “I hope that in the future all people will be able to live
in peace as a global village.”
 Its possible that…. I can see that…. If possible I’d like to
see…. we can assume that… maybe… we should plan
to… It might be that… probably… I expect
that… perhaps… I suppose… it’s quite possible
that… I imagine that… It may be / could be that… I
guess… I expect….
◦ Conditional
 Example:
 “If I get my degree at the university, then I will go to
work in IT and maybe later start a family”.
 “When I get my degree, (then) I will get a job in
England.”
◦ Comparison
 Example:
 “Well compared with Beijing, Nanjing has not
developed so fast, but it is more interesting and has
more history and culture.”
 “The weather in Nanjing is better than Beijing. It is
not so cold in the winter, so more comfortable”.
 “Beijing is bigger and more international than
Nanjing, but not so scenic”.
 Contrast
◦ Example:
◦ “Nanjing is a great place for historical and
cultural attractions, but Beijing is more
international.”
 the main difference… one of the
differences… similarly / likewise… slightly
different.. in contrast / on the other hand… just a
little different… totally different…whereas /
while…
 Justification
 Example:
◦ “I will finish my education before I do anything
else. It is very important to have the right
qualifications and this is best done when you are
young.”
◦ “Sports stars should get paid lots of money. They are
representing a whole country and their dedication
and special talents should be recognized.”
 that’s why… besides… because… so… what I
mean is… you see…
to be honest… let me explain… the reason
why…
 Opinion
◦ “In my opinion people should work until they
are at least 65 years old.”
◦ “I personally think people should have more
leisure time”.
 I believe that… I feel that… to my
mind… obviously… Well, personally
speaking… It seems that… from my point
of view… as I see it… I am quite convinced
that… I’m fairly certain that…
 ◦ Time to think
 Now let me think… It’s difficult to say exactly, but… The
best way I can answer is… How shall I put
it… That’s an interesting question. Let’s put it this
way.
Mmm, that’s a difficult question. Let me see.

 When Part Three is concluded the examiner will

announce that the interview is over and the
candidate should just say, "Thank you, goodbye",
and leave the room. Candidates should not ask
ANY questions, try to stay in the room or make
any comments about the interview, good or bad.