Everything you need to Help you

Get a High Band in the IELTS

Speaking Test

Rayhan Chowdhury
CONTENTS
General o!s and on!ts................................................................................................. "
Band e#pe$tations............................................................................................................ %
General &reparation......................................................................................................... '
(o$a)ulary *or Band '+',-............................................................................................. .
(o$a)ulary *or Band /+0................................................................................................. 0
Conversation 1llers........................................................................................................
23
I* you *orget words.........................................................................................................
23
4sking *or $lari1$ation..................................................................................................
25
Being spontaneous.........................................................................................................
2%
&ronun$iation tips...........................................................................................................
2-
ealing with nerves.......................................................................................................
2/
evelop your answers...................................................................................................
2.
Gra66ar *or part 2........................................................................................................
20
I* you do not have an opinion....................................................................................
52
Sa6ple answers *or part 2..........................................................................................
55
7sing preparation ti6e 8part 59...............................................................................
5'
Beginning your answer 8part 59................................................................................
5/
Ti6e 6anage6ent 8part 59.........................................................................................
5.
es$ri)ing people...........................................................................................................
50
es$ri)ing o):e$ts..........................................................................................................
""
es$ri)ing an event.......................................................................................................
"-
es$ri)ing pla$es............................................................................................................
"/
Buying ti6e........................................................................................................................
"0
Speaking topi$s................................................................................................................
%2
Gra66ar *or part "........................................................................................................
%"
Giving opinions.................................................................................................................
%'
Conne$ting ideas.............................................................................................................
%/
Giving e#a6ples..............................................................................................................
-2
GENER4L O!S 4N ON!TS
Before discussing specific strategies to help you in the IELTS speaking test, lets look at
some general dos and donts. These will give you a general idea of what is reuired to get a
successful !and in the test. This Book will discuss and e"plain these tips in more detail.
o ;
listen to the uestions carefully
give relevant answers
ask for clarification if you dont understand the uestion
e"press your opinions and give e"amples to support your ideas
use conversation fillers to give yourself time to think
rela" and en#oy yourself
try to use interesting ad#ectives
paraphrase if you dont know a word
speak clearly
on!t ;
give very short answers
repeat yourself all the time and overuse simple words
memori$e long answers
get stressed if you dont understand the uestion
make long freuent pauses
speak too uietly
spell your name for the e"aminer
use your native language
use words or idioms that you are not sure a!out
write on the task card
ask the e"aminer if what you say is correct.
"
B4N E<&ECT4TIONS
Be realistic a!out your goals. If your level of English is around !and %, then do not e"pect to
achieve a !and &. Try to aim slightly a!ove your current level. 'or e"ample, if you took the
test and achieved a !and %.%, then you should try to aim for a ()(.% ne"t time.
If you are too am!itious and try to learn very advanced idioms or phrasal ver!s that are
inappropriate for your level, you might use them incorrectly, and your English will not sound
very natural. In the worst case, the e"aminer will not understand what you are trying to say.
*ere are some simplified reuirements for each !and according to the IELTS official site. Try
to decide what level you are or ask your teacher.
S&E4=ING B4N %,3
+ou cannot respond without pausing and hesitating, and you may speak very slowly.
+ou repeat simple words a lot ,e.g. -!ecause., -and., -good./.
+ou cannot talk a!out unfamiliar topics without using the wrong words.
+ou cannot easily use synonyms.
+ou use very short, simple sentences.
+ou make lots of grammatical errors, and this may cause misunderstandings.
+our pronunciation is poor and it is easy to misunderstand you.
S&E4=ING B4N -,3
+our responses contain a lot of hesitation, and you may speak slowly.
+ou often repeat the same words ,e.g. -!ecause., -and., -good., -!ad., -nice., -easy./.
+ou can sometimes use synonyms, !ut in general you have pro!lems saying things in
a different way.
+ou can easily produce simple sentences ,e.g. -I live in 0haka./, !ut you have
difficulty with more comple" 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 comple" sentence.
+our pronunciation and sentence stress is sometimes clear enough !ut at other times
it is difficult for the listener to understand you.
%
S&E4=ING B4N '
+ou can speak at length more easily, !ut you sometimes hesitate and correct
yourself.
+ou can use a range of connecting words and phrases ,e.g. however, but, yet, so, on
the other hand/, !ut not always appropriately.
+our voca!ulary is wide enough to talk a!out different topics at length and the
meaning of what you are trying to say is generally clear.
+ou can use synonyms and say same the same things in different ways, !ut not
always successfully.
+ou can use a mi" of simple and comple" grammatical structures !ut you may make
freuent mistakes with comple" structures, e.g. conditionals, perfect tenses.
+our pronunciation is generally clear enough to !e understood !ut you sometimes
make mistakes with individual words.
S&E4=ING B4N /
+ou can speak at length with only occasional hesitation and self)correction.
+ou can use a wide range of connecting words and phrases.
+ou can use less common voca!ulary, idiomatic phrases and collocations. *owever,
you sometimes make !ad choices.
+ou can easily use synonyms and say the same things in different ways.
+ou can use comple" grammatical structures ,conditionals, perfect tenses, etc./ !ut
with occasional mistakes.
+our pronunciation is generally good enough for you to !e understood clearly.
S&E4=ING B4N .
+ou can speak fluently with occasional self)correction.
+ou only hesitate when thinking a!out what to say, not how to e"press it in English.
+ou can develop topics easily and appropriately.
+ou have a wide voca!ulary and you can e"press very precise meaning.
+ou can use less common voca!ulary, idiomatic phrases and collocations, with only
occasional inaccuracies.
+ou can use a wide range of comple" grammatical structures with only occasional
errors.
+our pronunciation is good and it is very easy to understand what you are saying.
S&E4=ING B4N 0
+ou can speak fluently with very rare self)correction.
+ou only hesitate when thinking a!out what to say, not how to e"press it.
+ou have a wide voca!ulary and you can e"press very precise meaning.
+ou can use less common voca!ulary, idiomatic phrases and collocations.
+ou can use a wide range of comple" grammatical structures with only occasional
1slips that a typical native speaker would make.
+our pronunciation is very accurate and it is very easy to understand you.
-
GENER4L &RE&4R4TION
The !est way to prepare for the IELTS speaking test is to practise with a teacher as much as
possi!le. *owever, if you are preparing !y yourself or if you want to use your spare time
more efficiently, you will find the following suggestions useful.
RECOR >O7RSEL? 4NS@ERING A7ESTIONS
'or e"ample, ask yourself the uestions on pages 23)24 and record your answers on your
mo!ile phone or computer.
@RITE O@N >O7R 4NS@ERS
Listen 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 !ook. +ou can
learn, for e"ample, if you used simple or more sophisticated voca!ulary, what grammatical
errors you made and if you connected your sentences and ideas appropriately.
&R4CTISE ESCRIBING >O7R O@N &HOTOGR4&HS
This will train you to talk a!out your memories in case you are asked to descri!e an event in
your past. Try to talk a!out what the event was, when it took place and say how you felt. +ou
can use this method to practise the e"pressions for Describing events ,pages 5%)5(/.
RE4 4 TE<T THEN S&E4= IT
Try to summarise what you read in your own words. 6ecord 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 !and.
REC4LL >O7R BEBORIES
In parts 3 and 4, you may !e asked personal uestions a!out your life. Think a!out the
people you know, places you have visited, events you have attended and o!#ects you own.
Then practise talking a!out them using the e"pressions on pages 47)58.
THIN= 4LO7
Instead of thinking in your own language, try thinking aloud in English. 'or instance, instead
of planning your day in your native language, say it in English, for e"ample -9kay, today Ive
got an important meeting. I should get going. Im going to !e late., etc. This will make you
feel more comforta!le speaking English.
'
@4TCH ?ILBS
:atching films is a good way to improve your spoken English. The more you listen to native
speakers, the more confident you will !ecome in speaking. Try to understand what the actors
are saying. ;ay attention to the su!titles or look up words in a dictionary. Try to follow the
su!titles in your own language first, and then in English when you feel more confident. Some
students find it useful to watch English comedies, for e"ample <onty ;ython. In order to
understand the #okes, you will need to look up the meaning of certain words.
?IN 4 S&E4=ING &4RTNER
If you dont have a teacher to help you prepare for the test or if you need additional practice,
find a speaking partner. Try the following we!sites=

www,6ylanguagee#$hange,$
o 6 www,italki,$o 6
www,)usuu,$o 6
LISTEN TO ENGLISH S&E4=ERS
Listening is very important. The more you listen to native speakers, the more confident you
will feel in speaking. Sources of listening include=
6eal people ,tourists, travellers, etc./
>udio !ooks
;odcasts
+ou should find the following we!sites useful=
www,pod$astsinenglish,$o 6
www,))$,$o,ukCworldservi$eClearningenglis h
www,eslpod,$o 6
www,listen+to+english,$o 6
/
(OC4B7L4R> ?OR B4N '+',-
If you are aiming for !and ()(.% your voca!ulary must !e wide enough to talk a!out any
topic at length, and you need to !e more precise with your words than for lower !ands.
'or e"ample, if you repeatedly descri!e the weather as 1good, this shows that you have a
limited range of voca!ulary. If you want to get a ( or higher, you need to !e more precise.
*ow is the weather 1good? Is it nice and sunny? Is it clear and dry?
Lets study the difference !etween 1precise voca!ulary and 1imprecise voca!ulary.
Imprecise= I was very happy when my manager gave me a !etter position.
;recise= 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.
;recise= The weather in my country is nice and sunny in summer and very cold in
winter.
Imprecise= I live in very very !ig city.
;recise= I live in a very large city.
Imprecise= In my town, there are many many cars.
;recise= There is a lot of traffic in my town.
Imprecise= @ear my home, there is a place where people play foot!all.
;recise= @ear my home, there is a football pitch.
Imprecise= <y uncle is a man who gives money to every!ody.
;recise= <y uncle is a very generous man.
Imprecise= The transport system in my country is !ad.
;recise= The transport system in my country is not very efficient.
Imprecise= In my street the cars are very loud.
;recise= <y street is very noisy because of the traffic.
Imprecise= I finished university study in 4A3A.
;recise= I graduated from university in 4A3A.
Imprecise= There are many people in my country who are without #o!.
;recise= There are many unemployed people in my country. B
Unemployment is very high in my country.
Imprecise= In my free time, I walk in the mountains.
;recise= In my free time, I go hiking in the mountains.
Imprecise= <y cousin is some!ody who drives very !ig cars.
;recise= <y cousin is a truck driver.
.
(OC4B7L4R> ?OR B4N /+0
In order to achieve a very high !and in the IELTS speaking test, you need to demonstrate
that you can use 1less common voca!ulary, including idioms and less common collocations.
Lets look at how you can say common sentences in a 1less common way=
Common= Dorean people think that they are good singers, so they en#oy karaoke.
Less common= Dorean people regard themselves as being talented singers, so they
en#oy karaoke.
Common= I was very happy when I got my promotion.
Less common= I was over the moon when I got my promotion.
Common= :e should try to produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Less common= :e should try to reduce our carbon footprint.
Common= <any people in my country are e"tremely poor.
Less common= <any 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= ;eople in my country are spending less money !ecause of the crisis.
Less common= ;eople in my country are tightening their belts !ecause 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 e"aggerated.
Less common= I think his reaction was a little over the top.
Common= >lthough 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 !ad things and not get punished.
Less common= In my country, if you are wealthy you can get away with murder.
NOTE ON 7SING IIOBS
0o not try to 1show off to the e"aminer !y using an idiom in every single sentence.
Idioms should !e used appropriately. Think of them like spices in a cooking recipe.
0
CON(ERS4TION ?ILLERS
In the IELTS speaking test, you often need to think a!out what to say ne"t. But this does not
mean that you cannot demonstrate your command of English while you are thinking. :hen
English native speakers do not know what to say, they are not completely silent. They use
conversation fillers E words and phrases to fill the space. *ere are some e"amples.
Well, .
So, .
et me think .
et!s see
"mm, that!s a difficult #uestion.
"mm, that!s a tricky #uestion.
Umm, you know
$!ve never really thought about that.
$ guess
$ suppose
$ would say
%asically
E"aminer= :ho is your favourite family mem!er?
Candidate= "mm, that!s a difficult #uestion. Umm, $ would say my older !rother.
E"aminer= Is there any other work you would like to do in the future?
Candidate= "mm well, $ suppose consulting would !e interesting.
E"aminer= >re you ever late for appointments?
Candidate= Umm, you know, let me think about that. "mm, Im usually uite punctual,
so Id say pretty rarely.
E"aminer= Is water pollution a pro!lem in your country?
Candidate= Well, I think its !ecoming a pro!lem.
E"aminer= *ow long have you !een learning English?
Candidate= "mm.let!s seeummm$ would saybasicallya!out 3A years.
23
I? >O7 ?ORGET
@ORS
0uring the IELTS speaking test you might forget some words !ecause you are nervous. Try
not to worryF +ou can use other words to descri!e what you want to say.
The e"pressions !elow will help you e"plain what you mean and at the same time
demonstrate your speaking skills to the e"aminer.
-$ don!t know what you call it, but you use it to cut grass..
,a lawnmower/
-$ can!t remember the word for it, but it!s used for changing the TG channel..
,a remote control/
-$ can!t remember the word for them, but they help you to see under water..
,goggles/
-$!ve forgotten the name for it, but it!s a type of fish with large head and is normally
uite e"pensive..
,Ding prawn/
-$ don!t recall the word for this profession, but it!s a person who helps passengers on a
plane..
,a flight attendant/
-$!ve forgotten the verb, but it!s when you change the colour of something, for e"ample
your hair or your car..
,dye/
4(4NCE E<&RESSIONS
Consider using these e"pressions if you aiming for !and &)7=
-&he name of this crime is on the tip of my tongue but $ can!t #uite recall it. Its a form
of crime where someone dishonestly takes money that is entrusted to him or her..
,em!e$$lement/
-The name of this condition has completely slipped my mind. Its when you have pro!lems
!reathing.. ,asthma/
-$!ve never come across the name of this animal in English. Its a nocturnal !ird with
large eyes, a flat face and a fle"i!le neck.. ,an owl/
22
4S=ING ?OR CL4RI?IC4TION
If the e"aminer asks you a uestion that you do not understand, do not panic. Instead, see
this as an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills !y asking for clarification.
Study the e"pressions !elow.
>O7 IN!T 7NERST4N SOBETHING
If the e"aminer uses a word or phrase that you didnt understand or that you have forgotten,
for e"ample the ver! exaggerate, you can say something like=
Sorry, but could you e'plain what you mean by exaggerate(
$ haven!t heard that word before. )ould you e'plain what you mean(
Sorry, $!m not sure what that word means. )ould you e'plain it another way(
Sorry, $ don!t know what exaggerate means. )ould you e'plain it another
way(
Sorry, $!ve forgotten what exaggerate means. )ould you e'plain it another
way(
>O7 IN!T HE4R SOBETHING
If you simply didnt hear what the e"aminer said or asked, you can say something like=
E'cuse me, $ didn*t #uite catch that. )ould you say it again(
Sorry, $ didn!t hear what you said. )ould you repeat it(
$*m sorry, but would you mind repeating that( (more polite)
25
CHEC=ING 7NERST4NING
If you want to check that you understood something correctly, you can say something like=
Do you mean ........(
+re you asking .(
When you say ........, do you mean ........(
%y , do you mean (
When you say ........, are you including ........(
E#a6ples o* use
E"aminer= :ho is your favourite family mem!er?
Candidate= When you say 1family mem!er, do you mean my close family, or can I talk
a!out my relatives?
E"aminer= :hat is your hometown like?
Candidate= When you say 1hometown, do you mean the town where I grew up?
E"aminer= 0o you find your work satisfying?
Candidate= +re you asking if I like my #o!?
E"aminer= :hat is your favourite gadget?
Candidate= %y 1gadget, do you mean things like i;hones and cameras?
E"aminer= :hat typical pro!lems do you have in your hometown?
Candidate= When you say 1typical pro!lems, are you including pollution, traffic, and
things like that?
NOTE ON 4S=ING ?OR CL4RI?IC4TION
9nly ask for clarification if you really need the e"aminer to repeat or rephrase
something. 0o not ask for clarification after every uestion #ust to show off or use up
time. This may negatively affect your score.
2"
BEING S&ONT4NEO7S
:hile you are speaking, many new ideas may come into your head. This is another good
opportunity to show your communication skills. *ere are some e"amples of e"pressions
you can use to introduce new ideas in a natural, spontaneous way.
What else( ,h, yes,
+nother e'ample -ust came to me.
,ne more thing $!d -ust like to add.
+nother point $ wanted to make is that ...
$ -ust remembered what $ wanted to say.
,ne more thing comes to mind. ,Band &H/
,ne more thing springs to mind. ,Band &H/
*ere are some e"amples of how these e"pressions can !e used. In the e"amples !elow, the
candidate is talking a!out why she likes a particular child ,for part 4 of the test/.
What else( What else( ,h yes, he is very respectful.
$ -ust remembered what $ wanted to say )) he is also very respectful.
+nother point $ wanted to make is that he is very respectful.
+nother e'ample -ust came to me )) he is very respectful.
,ne more thing $!d -ust like to add )) he is very respectful.
,ne more thing comes to mind )) he is very respectful.
,ne more thing springs to mind )) he is very respectful.
2%
&RON7NCI4TION TI&S
In order to get a high !and in the IELTS speaking test, you dont need to speak with a British
or >merican accent, !ut you must !e easily understood. This tip presents a few general tips
on how to make your English 1easier on the e"aminers ears.
+ou can listen to the correct pronunciation of any word !y going to www.ivona.com ,
entering the word in the te"t)to)speech !o" and pressing ;L>+.
THE SCH@4 CC
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 !e spelled in many different ways,
for e"ample=
IaI in a!out JK !a tL
IeI in taken J te kKnL
IiI in pencil J p nsKlL
IuI in supply JsK pla L
IoI in provide JprK va dL
unwritten as in rhythm J r MKmL
<ake the schwa with your #aws slightly open, your lips rela"ed, and do not move
your tongueF
The schwa is represented !y unstressed suffi'es, for e"ample )er, )ar, )or, )um, )an, )al,
)ous, )ough, )our, )and, )ent and )ion. Enter the words !elow at www.ivona.com and
repeat them.
.er /KB .ar /KB .or /KB .um /KmB .an /KnB .al /KlB
!igger familiar sailor medium !arman hospital
trainer popular instructor ma"imum doorman normal
cater vinegar doctor uantum organ cathedral
meter sugar elevator premium hooligan artificial
!etter singular conductor <useum human actual
.ous /KsB .ough /KB .our /KB .and /KndB .ent /KntB .ion /KnB
dangerous thorough armour England ancient operation
tedious !orough !ehaviour thousand current television
spacious flour hus!and !asement nation
nervous har!our island competent action
precious humour highland silent region
2-
The schwa is represented !y unstressed prefi'es, for e"ample su), pro), to), a), sur) and
con).
su. /sKB pro. /prKB to. /tKB a. /KB sur. /sKB con. /kKnB
suppose protect together ago surprise control
suffice provide tomorrow around survive connect
success proliferate today appropriate survivor convert
suspect ,v!./ professional tonight allow surround conclude
su!tract pronounce torrential affect surreal condition
4(4NCE TI&
:hen native speakers speak at a natural speed, the pronunciation of many words changes
schwa !ecomes even more common. In the e"amples !elow, the schwa sound is highlighted
in yellow=
S,W S0EE)"= I went to a town where there were a lot of tourists.
1+&U2+ S0EE)"= I went to a town where there were a lot of tourists.
The pronunciation of unstressed grammatical words such as prepositions, pronouns and
au"iliary ver!s often changes in natural fast speech. These words include 1to, 1where,
1there, 1I, 1you, 1were, 1from, 1for, 1are, 1of, etc.
6ead the sentences !elow first slowly and then uickly. Compare yourself to a native
speaker if possi!le.
3. *ow are you?
4. *ow are they arriving?
5. :here are you going?
2. Ive #ust got a present from my !rother.
%. *ave you ever !een to Italy?
(. 0o you know where the children are hiding?
&. Im going to town for an hour or two.
8. Ive #ust got !ack from >merica.
7. There are lots of interesting cafes in my town.
3A. Shes meeting an old friend for lunch.
33. Im off to the !each. See you laterF
2'
E4LING @ITH NER(ES
<ost people feel nervous !efore an oral e"am. This is normal. >lthough stress is a personal
thing and can affect different people to different degrees, here are some tips on how to
reduce nerves !efore and during your IELTS speaking test.
THIN= &OSITI(E
Stress is caused !y the way you think. If you imagine a negative e"perience during your
e"am, for e"ample not !eing a!le to understand the uestions, you will start to panic a little.
It is important to reali$e that you have no idea how the e"am will go until you take it. It could
!e much easier than you e"pect. Before you go into the e"am, try to remem!er a test that
you took in the past which was much easier than you had e"pected.
E<ERCISE
Try to get a good nights sleep !efore the e"am and start the day with a healthy !reakfast.
0oing some e"ercise is also a good idea E go for a run, walk or swim. This will take your
mind off the e"am and help you to rela".
BEIT4TE
9n the day of your e"am, you will have a lot of thoughts a!out the test E *ow will it go? :ill I
understand the uestions? :hat will I do if I fail? :hat will I say if the e"aminer asks me N.?
'ind a uiet place to sit for 3%)5A minutes. :hen a thought or image comes into your head,
try to o!serve it and feel the tension in your !ody. The thought and tension will disappear and
you will start to !ecome a little more rela"ed. 0o not try to stop thinking. Oust o!serve your
thoughts like you are watching a film.
THIN= 4BO7T THE E<4BINER
Try to !e aware of the e"aminers perspective. > professional e"aminer has !een in this
situation hundreds of times and does not want you to fail. +ou are certainly not the first
nervous candidate. If you step !ack and think a!out the 1!ig picture, you will rela" more.
?OC7S ON THE A7ESTIONS
0uring the e"am, try to focus on the uestions and you wont have time to get stressed. If
you dont understand or didnt hear something, ask the e"aminer to e"plain or repeat it ,see
page 34/.
IB4GINE 4 CON(ERS4TION
Try to think of the e"am as a conversation with an acuaintance of yours, especially for parts
3 and 5. If you go into the e"am thinking that you are going to take a test, you will put more
pressure on yourself.
2/
E(ELO& >O7R 4NS@ERS
0uring part 3 of the IELTS speaking test, try to give full, relevant answers to the e"aminers
uestions. Take a look at the sample answers !elow. 0o not memori$e any of these
answers, unless you can repeat them without sounding unnaturalF
E"aminer= :here are you from?
Candidate= Im from 0haka. ,0ont stopF/ Its the capital city in
Bangladesh and very popular with tourists !ecause of its historical sites.
E"aminer= *ave you ever !een to an English speaking country?
Candidate= @o, I havent. ,0ont stopF/ But Id really like visit London. Ive heard so much
a!out the place.
E"aminer= 0o you do any sports?
Candidate= +es, I play foot!all. ,0ont stopF/ I play with my friends every Sunday. Im not a
fantastic player, !ut I really en#oy it, and thats the main thing.
E"aminer= *ow many people are there in your family?
Candidate= There are four of us. ,0ont stopF/ <yself, my sister and my parents. 9h, and
we have a cat, if that countsF
E"aminer= 0o you en#oy cooking?
Candidate= +es, I do. ,0ont stopF/ I especially like cooking noodles !ecause its uick and
there are so many different recipes to e"periment with. :hen I was living in
India I also learnt how to cook Indian dishes.
E"aminer= 0o you prefer reading maga$ines or newspapers?
Candidate= 0efinitely newspapers. ,0ont stopF/ I like to keep up)to)date with the latest
news and so daily newspapers are more informative for me.
E"aminer= :hy are you taking the IELTS e"am?
Candidate= I need it for my studies. ,0ont stopF/ Ive !een offered a place at <anchester
Pniversity !ut only on the condition that I achieve a !and & or higher in the
IELTS e"am.
E"aminer= Is there any #o! you would like to do in the future?
Candidate= @o. ,0ont stopF/ Im uite happy with my current #o!. Ive always !een a
creative person so a #o! in marketing was the kind of #o! I always wanted.
E"aminer= *ow long have you !een learning English?
Candidate= >!out 3A years. ,0ont stopF/ But Ive made more progress over the last five
years since I started taking private lessons with a native speaker. *e has
helped me a lot.
2.
GR4BB4R ?OR &4RT 2
In part one of the IELTS speaking test, you are asked a!out 34 general uestions. These
uestions will !e a!out yourself, for e"ample your hometown, your favourite holiday
destination, what !ooks or films you like, your family, your neigh!ours, etc.
It is important to use correct grammar in your answers, so listen carefully to the uestions
and pay special attention to the verb tenses that the e"aminer uses. +ou may !e a!le to
answer using the same tense or you might prefer to use a different tense.
7SING THE S4BE TENSE
Study this e"ample=
E"aminer= :hat type of activities do you do in your spare time?
The e"aminer uses the present simple ,do you do/. :e use the present simple when we
talk a!out regular, repeated activities in the present.
+ou can !egin your answer with the same tense, for e"ample=
:ell, I regularly play tennis in the summer. N
I don!t really have much spare time, !ut when I do, I like to N
*eres another uestion you might hear=
E"aminer= :hat are you studying?
*ere, the present continuous is used. :e use the present continuous when we talk
a!out an activity that is taking place around the present time ,!ut not necessarily right at
this present moment/.
In this case, you can !egin your answer with=
6ight now, $!m studying <olecular Biology. N
20
7SING 4 I??ERENT TENSE
+ou can also !egin your answers with a different tense if appropriate.
If you are confident enough, you can try to use a more comple" tense or structure than in the
uestion, especially if you are aiming for a high !and. Study this e"ample=
E"aminer= Do you know the people who ne"t door to you?
Candidate= @o, I!ve never met them personally, !ut my wife has chatted to them on
several occasions.
In the a!ove e"ample, the e"aminer uses the present simple !ut the candidate !egins the
answer with the present perfect simple. :e often use the present perfect simple to talk
a!out our general e'periences E things that we have done in the past without saying when
we did them.
*eres another e"ample=
E"aminer= Do you cook?
Candidate= :ell, I would if $ had the time. Pnfortunately, Im #ust too !usy.
In the a!ove e"ample, the e"aminer uses the present simple !ut the candidate !egins
the answer with a second conditional structure. :e often use the second conditional to
talk a!out a hypothetical or imagined situation in the present or future.
53
I? >O7 O NOT H4(E 4N O&INION
+ou do not need to have great ideas or opinions. The e"aminer is only evaluating your a!ility
to communicate in English. *owever, you have to give a relevant response to every
uestion. This shows that you have understood the uestion correctly. So, what do you say if
you dont have any ideas or opinions on a particular topic?
+ou can try inventing an opinion )) the e"aminer is not interested in the truth. *owever, if you
really have nothing to say, then its okay to tell the e"aminer that you do not have an opinion.
*owever, try to give your reasons and show good communication skills. +ou can say=
$!m sorry, $!ve never heard of that.
$!m afraid $!ve never been interested in Jsport, etc.L
$!m afraid $!m not very keen on Jmusic, etc.L
$!m afraid $ don!t know much about Jart, etc.L
$!m sorry, $!m not sure what that is.
$!m sorry, $!m not familiar with that topic.
4(4NCE E<&RESSIONS
Consider using these e"pressions if you are aiming for !and &)7=
$!m sorry, $!ve never given that much thought.
$!m afraid $!m not really a Jsports, painting, etc.L enthusiast.
$!m afraid $!m not really into Jart, music, sports, etc.L
$!m afraid that topic has never really aroused my interest.
$!m sorry $!m completely unfamiliar with that topic.
52
S4B&LE 4NS@ERS ?OR &4RT 2
6ead and listen to different answers for part 3 of the IELTS speaking test.
Study the analysis of each answer. ;lease do not learn these answers word for word. The
e"aminer is trained to notice pre)prepared answers.
'inally, remem!er that in the speaking test, you might hesitate and correct yourself, which is
natural. The possi!le !and scores for each answer take that into account.
E<4BINERD O >O7 @OR= OR ST7>E
)andidate 34irl56 :ell, at the moment I study accounting. I want to later !ecome an
accountant.
0ossible band level6 %.%)(.%
*er 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.
)andidate6 :ell, at the moment Im a student E Im studying accounting. :hen I graduate
ne"t year, I hope to get a #o! in a large international company.
0ossible band level6 &)&.%
This time she develops her answer well. She doesnt make any grammatical mistakes.
*owever, if she wants to !e sure of getting a very high !and, she could try using some 1less
common, more comple" voca!ulary.
)andidate6 :ell, right now Im still a student E Im doing a degree in accounting. :hen I
graduate ne"t year, fingers crossed, I hope to find a #o! in a reputa!le international company.
0ossible band level6 8)7
In this answer, She doesnt 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 voca!ulary ,fingers crossed/.
55
E<4BINERD @H4T O >O7 O TO ST4> HE4LTH>E
)andidate6 :ell, in general I try to eat healthy food E lots of fruits and vegeta!les. >nd I
dont smoke. But I dont e"ercise and I like coffee very much.
0ossible band level6 ()(.%
She doesnt make any grammatical mistakes and uses appropriate voca!ulary. *owever, she
only uses very common words in her answer.
)andidate6 :ell, I do try to keep a !alanced diet, you know, eat lots of fruits and vegeta!les.
Besides that, I dont smoke. *owever, I dont do much e"ercise and Im rather fond of coffee.
0ossible band level= &.%
In this answer, She speaks more naturally. She connects her sentences well and uses less
common voca!ulary )) Im rather fond of coffee.
If she wants to !e sure of getting an even higher !and, she could use more 1less common
voca!ulary, for e"ample I try to refrain from smoking instead of I dont smoke.
E<4BINERD @H4T O >O7 ?IN BOST I??IC7LT 4BO7T LE4RNING
ENGLISHE
)andidate6 I think tenses are very difficult. +ou have too many tensesF In my language there
are only three. It is difficult to use them in speaking !ecause I dont have time to think which
tense am I supposed to use.
0ossible band level6 (.%
She makes only one grammatical mistake E she should say I dont have time to think which
tense I am supposed to use. *er voca!ulary is generally appropriate, !ut she uses very
common words in her answer. If she wants to !e sure of getting a higher !and, she could try
to !e more precise, e.g. Its more challenging to use them in speaking than in writing
because you have to think on the spot.
5"
)andidate6 I would say learning the phrasal ver!s is pretty tricky. Its easy to memori$e a
long list of them !ut its not that easy to put them into practice.
;ossi!le !and level= &.%
In this answer, She doesnt make any grammatical mistakes and she shows that she can
use less common voca!ulary, for e"ample tricky instead of difficult. If she wants to !e sure of
achieving an even higher !and, she could try using more 1less common voca!ulary. 'or
e"ample, instead of repeating the word easy, she could say so something like putting them
into practice can be a daunting task.
HO@ O >O7 S&EN >O7R ?REE TIBEE
)andidate= :ell, I like to spend my free time outside the home. I walk in the mountains a lot
E I en#oy the fresh air and the nice views.
;ossi!le !and level= (.%
@iki doesnt make any grammatical mistakes. *owever, she uses very common voca!ulary.
Instead of saying walk in the mountains, she could use the more precise e"pression go hiking
in the mountains.
)andidate= :ell, I spend much of my free time outdoors. I especially en#oy hiking in the
mountains and I live near the mountains which is really convenient. I love the fresh air
and the spectacular views.
0ossible band level= &.%
She doesnt make any grammatical mistakes and uses less common voca!ulary, for
e"ample hiking instead of walking, spectacular instead of nice.
If she wants to !e sure of getting an even higher !and, she could try using an idiomatic
e"pression in her answer, for e"ample I live just a stones throw away from instead of I
live near ...
5%
@H4T IS THE IB&ORT4NCE O? COB&7TERS NO@44>SE
)andidate= Computers are very important in our lives. :ithout computers we cannot do
many things. 'or e"ample, we cannot find many #o!s, we cannot communicate with
email, we cannot find information very easy.
0ossible band level= (
In this answer, She generally communicates her ideas well, !ut the phrase we cannot find
many jobs is a little unclear. ;erhaps she wanted to say we cannot find work so easily. She
also makes a small mistake )) she uses the ad#ective Qeasy instead of the adver! easily.
)andidate= Computers are a!solutely essential nowadays. :e simply cannot do
anything without them. :ithout 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 pro!lems. In the past, this was impossi!le.
0ossible band level= &.%
In this answer, She develops her ideas clearly and doesnt make any grammatical mistakes.
She uses less common voca!ulary, for e"ample absolutely essential instead of very
important and the phrasal ver! do without. She also does well to correct her pronunciation
of the work multi!task.
If She wants to !e sure of achieving an even higher !and, she could try using even more
precise and less common voca!ulary 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 !e impossi!le without
computers.
5-
7SING &RE&4R4TION TIBE 8&4RT 59
In part 4 of the IELTS speaking test, you may !e asked to descri!e a cultural event, a place
you have !een to, a person you know, a TG show you have watched, etc.
+ou have one minute to prepare, and you have to talk for 3)4 minutes. The e"aminer will
give you a pencil and some paper to make notes while you prepare. +ou should make notes
that you find useful in English or in your native language.
<ost tasks contain two main parts= descri!ing the topic, and e"plaining your feelings a!out it.
To do well, you have to include !oth in your answer.
*ere are some tips for making notes=
B4=ING NOTES ?OR &4RT 5
6ead the task card carefully E if you dont understand any
part of it, ask the e"aminer.
Think of something to descri!e as uickly as you can.
:rite down all the voca!ulary related to the topic that you
can think of.
<ake notes for each part of the task.
Think of 4)5 things to say for each prompt and write down
words that will remind you of what to say.
Oust write down the keywords which you can talk a!out
,you dont have time to write full sentences/.
5'
BEGINNING >O7R 4NS@ER 8&4RT 59
:hen your preparation time has ended, you are ready to !egin talking. It helps to have an
idea how to !egin. If you are not sure how to !egin, you can use one of the e"pressions
!elow.
$!m going to talk about
$!m going to describe
$!ve decided to talk about
&he person/place/ob-ect $!m going to describe is
Look at the cue card !elow.
0escri!e someone who has had an
important influence on your life.
+ou should say=
:ho the person is
*ow long you have known himBher
:hat ualities this person has
E"plain why they have had such an influence on you.
+ou can !egin your answer with=
$!m going to talk about my university professor.
$!m going to describe my university professor.
$!ve decided to talk about my university professor.
&he person $!m going to describe is my university professor.
>lternatively, you can !egin your answer without using a fi"ed e"pression. ;ay attention to
the grammatical structure used in the in first sentence of the cue card, for e"ample=
<y university professor has had a very important influence on my life.
6ecall that if you are aiming for a high !and, you need to show that you can paraphrase and
use synonyms effectively. If you are confident, try to paraphrase the cue card instruction=
<y university professor has influenced me in a ma-or way.
<y university professor has really shaped my outlook on life.
+ key influence on my life has been my university professor.
5/
TIBE B4N4GEBENT 8&4RT 59
'or part 4 of the IELTS speaking test, there are four points that you need to talk a!out. There
are three short points ,who, where, why, how long, what, etc./ and one longer part which
asks you to e"plain something. >fter you have completed the task, the e"aminer will ask you
a short follow)up uestion.
:hen you practise this task, try to set yourself a time limit for each part, for e"ample=
4A seconds
4A seconds
4A seconds
3 minute
*ere are some more tips for managing your time=
TIBE B4N4GEBENT TI&S ?OR &4RT 5
*ave the first sentence ready when the e"aminer asks you to speak.
'ollow the order on the prompt card.
Try to say one or two sentences for each of the first three parts.
Rive uick e"amples where relevant.
0ont 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 3A/.
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, #ust stop
talking and give the cue card !ack to the e"aminer.
:hen the e"aminer asks you the follow)up uestion, answer with one
or two sentences.
5.
ESCRIBING &EO&LE
In the IELTS Speaking Test part 4, it is very common that the uestions on the card will !e
a!out a person, for e"ample a role model, a neigh!our, a child that you know, a cele!rity or a
friend. +ou may need to descri!e the persons appearance, personality, what the person
does, why you like or respect the person, etc.
4FECTI(ES ?OR ESCRIBING 4&&E4R4NCE
In the ta!le !elow you will find useful ad#ectives that you can use for descri!ing a persons
appearance. If you dont know any of the words, look them up in a dictionary andBor do a
Roogle image search. Pse Roogle to search for e"amples of how the words are used.
If you are aiming for a high !and, consider using ad#ectives from the ta!le on the ne"t page.
*air ,colour/ !lack, dark !rown, light !rown, red, !lond, dyed !lond, fair, grey, ginger
*air ,typeBstate/ short, long, medium)length, shoulder)length, straight, wavy, curly, !ald,
untidy, spiky, thick, thin
Body thin, slim, fat, tall, !ig, short, straight, curvy, muscular, well)!uilt
overweight, hairy
Skin dark, pale, tanned, spotty, clear
'ace pretty, !eautiful, good)looking, handsome, oval, round, plain
TI&
<ake your descriptions more interesting !y using "ualifying adverbs such as a
bit, a little, slightly, #uite, fairly, very, really, e'tremely. 'or e"ample=
6ahim is e'tremely overweight.
*e has a very handsome face.
*er skin is #uite spotty.
*is hair is a bit thin.
Darims skin is a little pale.
*er face is slightly oval.
&ra$ti$e ideas
3. Look at photos of your friends and family. ;ractise descri!ing them using the
voca!ulary a!ove.
4. @e"t time you are walking down the street, descri!e the people you see in your head.
50
4FECTI(ES ?OR ESCRIBING 4&&E4R4NCE 8B4N /+09
Consider using any of the ad#ectives in the ta!le !elow if you are aiming for a very high !and.
*owever, !e careful when using unfamiliar words in the e"am. Pse a good dictionary to
check their meaning and do a Roogle search to see e"amples of how these words are used
in practice.
*air ,colour/ au!urn, ash)!lond, golden !rown, #et !lack
*air ,typeBstate/ !low)dried, !raided, close)cropped, lank, shaggy, thinning, unkempt
wiry, wind)!lown
Body slight, heavy set, !urly, gangly, lanky, leggy, stocky, thickset
Skin !ron$ed, freckled, glowing, olive, pimply
'ace chiseled, craggy, made)up, weather)!eaten, wrinkled
"3
ESCRIBING &ERSON4LIT>
In the ta!le !elow you will find useful ad#ectives that you can use for descri!ing a persons
personality. If you dont know any of the words, look them up in a dictionary. Pse Roogle to
search for e"amples of how the words are used.
If you are aiming for a high !and, consider using ad#ectives from the ta!le on the ne"t page.
Sualities clever, funny, generous, loyal, outgoing, punctual, tolerant, rela"ed,
open)minded, friendly, patient, honest, socia!le, polite, sensitive, kind,
intelligent, calm, cheerful, smart, optimistic, strong, !rave, confident,
thoughtful, charming, gentle, modest, nice, relia!le
'laws arrogant, !oring, moody, unfriendly, impatient, dishonest, intolerant,
narrow)minded, insensitive, unkind, mean, pessimistic, rude, stupid,
#ealous, misera!le, weak, selfish, la$y, childish
9ther traits uiet, reserved, shy, talkative, tough, soft, proud
TI&
;eoples moods and personality can change depending on the situation. Try to
make your descriptions more precise !y using adverbs of fre"uency such as
usually, normally, sometimes, never, hardly ever, occasionally.
'or e"ample=
Salman is usually very outgoing, !ut he is sometimes a !it moody.
>dnan is hardly ever pessimistic.
She is normally uite reserved.
*e can sometimes !e very arrogant.
She is very sociable, !ut occasionally a little too talkative.
*e s usually e"tremely cheerful, !ut hes a !it rude at times.
&ra$ti$e ideas
3. Think of your friends and family. ;ractise descri!ing their personalities using the
voca!ulary a!ove.
4. @e"t time you meet someone new, descri!e hisBher personality in your head.
"2
4FECTI(ES ?OR ESCRIBING &ERSON4LIT> 8B4N /+09
Consider using any of the ad#ectives in the ta!le !elow if you are aiming for a very high !and.
*owever, !e careful when using unfamiliar words in the e"am. Pse Roogle search to see
e"amples of how these words are used in practice or check with your teacher that you are
using them correctly.
7ualities 8laws
amia!le clingy
courageous needy
courteous cowardly
compassionate devious
fearless dull
frank grumpy
larger)than)life hostile
industrious impulsive
resourceful indifferent
sensi!le nasty
charismatic timid
!alanced vain
sincere self)conscious
#ovial insecure
wise stuck)up
witty a!sent)minded
easy)going !ig)headed
level)headed hot)tempered
self)disciplined two)faced
thick)skinned self)centred
warm)hearted tight)fisted
TI&
If you are aiming for a very high !and, consider using more comple" ualifying
words and e"pressions, for e"ample=
She tends to be rather hostile.
>dnan is a bit on the timid side.
*e can be a bit self)centred at times.
She is hardly ever grumpy.
*e is usually #uite an amia!le guy. But there!s also a hostile side to him.
She seems a bit stuck)up. But once you get to know her, shes really
easy)going.
"5
ESCRIBING OBFECTS
In the IELTS Speaking Test part 4, it is possi!le that the uestions on the card will !e a!out
an o!#ect, for e"ample a present, a gadget, a photo, something you !ought recently, an
important possession, etc. +ou may need to descri!e the appearance of the o!#ect as well as
its use and importance.
ESCRIBING THE 4&&E4R4NCE O? 4N OBFECT
Study the e"pressions !elow. They will help you descri!e what an o!#ect looks like.
Si$e $t!s smallB!igBthickBthin
$t!s the si9e of a N
:eight $t!s heavyBlight
$t weighs about N kilogrammes
Shape $t!s suareBroundBrectangularBoval
Colour $t!s redB!lueBgreenBwhiteBshiny
<aterial $t!s made of plasticBleatherBsteelBwood
E#a6ples o* use
<y i;hone is small, thin and shiny black. $t weighs about 3AA grammes.
<y first mo!ile phone was the si9e of a brick. It was very thick and heavy.
<y wallet is small and brown. Its rectangular and its made of leather.
ESCRIBING THE 7SE O? 4N OBFECT
Study the e"pressions !elow. They will help you descri!e the use of an o!#ect.
$ use it to N
$t can be used to N
$t!s used for Eing N
$t has lots of features like N
E#a6ples o* use 8an i&hone9
$ use it to chat with my friends. $t!s used for making phone calls.
$t can be used to send emails. $t has lots of features like video and an <;5 player.
""
ESCRIBING THE IB&ORT4NCE O? 4N OBFECT
Study the e"pressions !elow. They will help you descri!e the importance of an o!#ect.
$t!s very important to me because
$t helps me a lot because .
$t reminds me of
$t makes my life easier.
E#a6ples o* use
Its very important to me !ecause it makes my life easier. ,an i;hone/
$t helps me a lot because I study mathematics and I need to do lots of
calculations. ,a calculator/
Its very important to me !ecause it reminds me of my childhood. ,a photo or toy/
ESCRIBING THE IB&ORT4NCE O? 4N OBFECT 8B4N /+09
Consider using the e"pressions !elow if you are aiming for a very high !and.
$t!s an essential part of my life.
$t!s indispensible.
$ couldn!t live without it.
$t brings back memories of
E#a6ples o* use
$t!s an essential part of my life. I keep my contacts there, my photos, I can make calls with
it. $ simply couldn!t live without it. ,an i;hone/
I study mathematics so it!s indispensible. ,a calculator/
Its very important to me !ecause it brings back memories of my childhood. ,a photo or toy/
&ra$ti$e ideas
3. Think of some o!#ects you own. ;ractise descri!ing their appearance, use and
importance.
4. Look at some important photos. ;ractise descri!ing why they are important to you.
"%
ESCRIBING 4N E(ENT
In the IELTS Speaking Test part 4, it is possi!le that the uestions on the card will !e a!out
an event. +ou may need to descri!e the type of event, the people involved and the activities
that took place. There may also !e a uestion a!out how you felt at the event or why it was
important to you.
T>&E O?
E(ENT a !irthday
party
a wedding
a concert
a sports event
a festival
a class reunion
a stag party ,PD/ B !achelor party ,PS/
a hen night ,PD/ B !achelorette party ,PS/
@HEN @4S
ITE last summer
two winters ago
% years ago
during my summer !reak
after I graduated from
university on my 5A
th
!irthday
@H4T I I
OE danced
ate a delicious meal
gave some!ody a present
sang songs
watched a match
played some games
met new people
listened to music
@HO @4S
THEREE close
friends relatives
family and friends
people I know
work colleagues
old classmates
people Ive known since childhood
HO@ I I ?EELE
It was very e"citing.
It was a lot of fun.
I had a great time.
Every!ody en#oyed themselves.
It was a good occasion to N
It was a very sad day.
I was a !it !ored.
I remem!er feeling a !it !oredBsad.
"-
Look at the cue card and the sample answers !elow.
0escri!e a recent event.
+ou should say=
when and where it
was who was involved
what happened
and descri!e how you felt.
S4B&LE 4NS@ER
Im going to describe my friend#s birthday party$ last month. %e went for a meal in an
Indian restaurant and then to different places.
&here were about '( of us$ some close friends$ old friends and work colleagues.
%e started the evening at the restaurant. %e ate a delicious meal and then we went to fancy
shop in my town. %e were dressed like kids. It is a party tradition in my country to wear a
costume.
)ow did I feel* %ell$ it was a lot of fun. +verybody enjoyed themselves very much. ,nd it
was great to meet old friends who I hadnt seen since my childhood. It was really
interesting to find out about what they were doing in their lives. %hat else* I cant talk
about everything we did$ but lets just say that everybody had a great time.
S4B&LE 4NS@ER @ITH LESS COBBON (OC4B7L4R>
*ere is the same answer with some less common words and structures ,in !old/, which can
help you get a very high !and in the test.
Im going to describe my friend#s birthday party$ last month. %e went for a meal in an
Italian restaurant and then to different shops.
&here were about '( of us !! some close friends$ old friends and work colleagues$ most
of them were people I've known since university.
%e started the evening at the restaurant. %e ate a delicious meal and then we went out to
some shops in my town. %e were all dressed up like superheroes. It is a party tradition in
my country to wear a costume.
)ow did I feel* )mmmwell$ it was a lot of fun. ,nd it was great to catch up with old
friends and make some new ones. I cant reveal everything we did because it got a
little cra-y$ but lets just say that everybody enjoyed themselves very much.
"'
ESCRIBING &L4CES
In the IELTS Speaking Test part 4, it is possi!le that the uestions on the card will !e a!out a
place. +ou may need to talk a!out the type of place it is, its location, its history, its purpose
and the type of activities that happen there. There may also !e a uestion a!out how you
feel a!out the place. Learn the ad#ectives and e"pressions on this page.
ESCRIBING 4
B7ILING ESCRIBING 4N 4RE4
tall !eautiful
modern
ESCRIBING 4 HOBE
interesting
old ama$ing
e"pensive
new dangerous
cheap
commercial safe
well)located
unusual crowded
comforta!le
conveniently)located noisy
dark
uiet
---------------band 7+
------------band 7+--------
strange
wild
rundown
damp
dilapidated
peaceful
well)lit
multi)story
romantic
poorly)lit
neglected
lu"urious
a!andoned
---------------band 7+----------------
spacious
classical tranuil
cramped
neoclassical deserted
co$y
gothic touristy
lively
IT IS LOC4TE ; S7RRO7NING 4RE4
in the northBsouthBeast of N
rural
in the centre of N
ur!an
on the coast
mountainous
on a uiet street
dry
!y the sea
flat
near the town centre
hilly
in the su!ur!s
in the mountains HISTOR>
in the countryside It was constructed in N
in the city It was esta!lished in N
3Akm from N
---------------band 6.5+----------------
---------------band
7+----------------
It has e"isted since J0>TE I@ T*E ;>STL
in the outskirts of J@><E 9' CIT+L It has e"isted for J@P<BE6 9' +E>6SL
at the mouth of J@><E 9' 6IGE6L
at the foot of J@><E 9' <9P@T>I@L
"/
Look at the cue card and the sample answer !elow.
Talk a!out your ideal home.
+ou should say=
how !ig it would !e
what it would look like
where it would !e located
and e"plain why you would like to live there.
S4B&LE 4NS@ER
./$ so what would be my ideal home* %ell I think it would have to be a big flat$ about '((
s"uare metres. It would have five rooms 0 a bedroom$ a kitchen$ a bathroom$ a living room
and two spare rooms. +verything should be modern 0 modern furniture$ a flat!screen &1
and a gaming 23. &here should be plenty of natural light.
It should be located in the centre of my city$ near the market square in the old town.
4ut on a quiet street.
I would like to live there for several reasons. 5irstly$ its big and I like lots of space. 6econdly$
I enjoy entertaining guests and the flat has everything I need 0 modern appliances$ space and
nice furniture. ,lso$ I really like cooking$ so a big kitchen is very important to me. I would also
like to live there because its 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.
(OC4B7L4R> ?OR B4N /+0
If you are aiming for a very high !and, consider using the more advanced words from
the previous page, for e"ample=
%ell I think it would have to be a big$ spacious flat.
It should be very well-lit.
Id prefer it to be located in the centre of the city than in the outskirts.
It should be a luxurious penthouse suite.
".
B7>ING TIBE
In part 5 of the IELTS speaking test, you will !e asked a uestion related to the topic of part
4, and you might need more time to think than you did in part 3. Simple conversation fillers
,see page 3A/ might not !e enough to !uy yourself the time that you need !efore answering
the uestion. *ere are some more effective techniues.
RE&E4T THE A7ESTION
:hen the e"aminer asks the uestion, try to repeat it in your own words. Some e"amples=
E"aminer= :hat different types of food do people eat in your country?
Candidate= *mmN.so you would like to know the different types of food that people eat in
my country.
E"aminer= *ow popular is watching television in your country?
Candidate= *mmN.how popular is TG in my country?
E"aminer= :hat are the advantages of playing sport?
Candidate= *mm..so #ust to !e clear, youre asking me a!out the !enefits of playing sport.
E"aminer= *ow do people in your country travel long distances?
Candidate= So, #ust to check that Ive understood, you are asking me which forms of
transport people use to travel long distances in my country?
E"aminer= :hat leisure activities are popular in your country?
Candidate= 9kay, so !asically you are asking me how people like to spend their free time
in my country.
IRECT (S, INIRECT A7ESTIONS
If you ask yourself a direct #uestion, you need to use standard
uestion word order=
*ow popular is &: in my country?
*ow do $ like to spend my free time?
:ith indirect #uestions, we use the same word order as statements
,subject !efore verb/=
+ou are asking me which forms of transport people use.
(7.&8 do people use.)
+ou are asking me how people like to spend their free time.
(7.&8 how do people like )
+ou would like to know where $ live.
(7.&8 where do I live.)
"0
4S= ?OR TIBE
>nother way to give yourself e"tra time to think a!out your response is simply to ask for time.
This is a techniue that every!ody uses in normal conversation. Study these e"amples=
$nteresting #uestion. )an $ think about it for a minute(
,kay, that!s a difficult #uestion. )an you give me a moment to think about it(
"mmgood #uestion. )an $ have a little time to think about it(
If you are aiming for a very high band, you can consider using the following e"pressions.
&hat!s an interesting #uestion. )an $ dwell on it for a moment(
,kay, that!s a tricky #uestion. $ -ust need a moment to think it over.
,kay, that!s a tricky #uestion. $ -ust need a moment to ponder over it.
7SE CON(ERS4TION ?ILLERS
If you still need a few e"tra seconds after using the a!ove e"pressions, you can !egin your
response with a suita!le conversation filler from page 3A. 'or e"ample=
Well, $ guess $ would say that television is e"tremely popular.
"mm.$ 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.
COBBINE TECHNIA7ES
In order to !uy yourself the ma"imum time that you need, consider all three approaches=
E"aminer= :hat different types of food do people eat in your country?
Candidate= *mmN.so you would like to know the different types of food that people eat in
my country. *mmNinteresting uestion. Can I think a!out it for a moment?
:ell, I guess traditional Bangladeshi cuisine is still very popular.
%3
S&E4=ING TO&ICS
+ou 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. *owever, it will help you to practise talking at length a!out a
variety of topics. *ere are some possi!le part 5 uestions that you can practise.
?OO 4N RIN=
:hat types of food are popular in your
country?
*ave eating ha!its changed in your country in
recent years?
*ow healthy is your countrys food?
S&ORT
S
*ow popular is fast food in your country?
*ave other cultures influenced your countrys
food?
0o you think eating ha!its will change in the
future? *ow?
:hat types of sports are popular in your
country?
:hat are the advantages of doing sports?
Can sports !e dangerous? *ow?
:hat types of sports do you think are !etter,
team sports or individual sports?
SHO&&ING
0o you en#oy shopping?
Is shopping a popular activity in
your country
*ow have shopping ha!its changed
in recent years?
In what ways you think advertising
affects the way people shop?
:hat are the advantages and
disadvantages of shopping online?
LEIS7RE 4CTI(ITIES
:hat types of leisure activities are popular in your
country?
:hat types of leisure activities are not popular in
your country? :hy?
*ow have leisure activities in your country
changed in recent years?
*ow important is it to have leisure time?
0o people in your country have too much or too
little leisure time?
%2
TELE(ISION TR4(EL
*ow popular is watching television in :hat are the !enefits of travelling?
your country?
0o people travel much in your country?
:hat types of television programme :hich destinations are popular?
are popular in your country?
*as the travel industry changed in your
:hy do you think people like country in recent years?
watching television?
:hich countries would you like to visit in
:hat are the dangers of watching the future? :hy?
television?
:hat are the !enefits of watching
television? TR4NS&ORT
*ow do most people travel long
distances in your country?
E7C4TION
*as transport changed much in your
*ow the uality of education changed in your
country over the last few decades?
country in recent years?
*ow easy is it to get around your city
0o you think languages are taught well in schools?
!y pu!lic transport?
*ow can the type of school you go to affect your
*ow safe is your countrys transport
system?
career success?
:hat do you think of the education system in your
country?
TO@N 4N CO7NTR>
*ow is life different in cities
compared to rural areas?
0o you prefer to live in the city
or the countryside? :hy?
:hat are the pro!lems living
in !ig cities?
:hat do you think cities will !e
like in %A years time?
EN(IRONBENT
Is pollution a pro!lem in your country?
:hat are some of the causes of pollution?
:hat can people or governments do to
minimi$e pollution?
0o you think pro!lems with pollution will
improve in the future?
%5
GR4BB4R ?OR &4RT "
In part 5 of the IELTS speaking test, you need to think a!out the grammar that you are going to
use in your answer. ;ay attention to the type of uestion that the e"aminer asks you.
A7ESTIONS 4BO7T CH4NGES
The e"aminer may ask you a uestion a!out how something has changed, for e"ample=
*as transport changed much in your country over the last few decades?
*ow have shopping ha!its changed in recent years?
If you get such a uestion, you need to think carefully a!out the tenses that you are going to
use in your answer.
If you want to talk a!out a current trend, use the present continuous ,ver! 1!e H )ing/=
2eople 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 ,haveBhas H past participle/=
2eoples shopping habits have changed dramatically in recent years.
If you want to talk a!out something that people did regularly in the past, !ut not today, use
used to/didn!t use to ; infinitive=
2eople didnt use to shop very much in the past.
A7ESTIONS 4BO7T H>&OTHETIC4L SIT74TIONS
The e"aminer may ask you a uestion a!out a hypothetical situation, for e"ample=
:hich countries would you like to visit in the future? :hy?
*ow would you spend your time if you didnt have to work?
If you get such a uestion, you need to think a!out the structure you are going to use.
If you talk a!out an imaginary situation in the present or future, use would ; infinitive=
I think that 6cotland would be a very interesting country to visit.
%"
If you want to talk a!out an imaginary situation with if., use a second conditional
structure. :e form the second conditional in the following way=
$f ; past simple, would ; infinitive
$f $ didn!t have to work, I would spend more time with my family.
A7ESTIONS 4BO7T COB&4RING 4N CONTR4STING
The e"aminer may ask you to compare and contrast something, for e"ample=
0o you prefer to live in the city or the countryside? :hy?
:hat are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?
*ow does London compare to your hometown?
+ou 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=
6hopping online is very convenient. 9ou 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. 'or e"ample=
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 isnt much to do.
If you want to e"press a comparison using ad#ectives, use appropriate comparative
and superlative structures.
?ORBING COB&4R4TI(E 4N S7&ERL4TI(E 4FECTI(ES
Comparative form Superlative form
:ords with one >dd .er >dd .est
sylla!le cheap

cheaper cheap

the cheapest
hard

harder hard

the hardest
Two)sylla!le words .y

.ier .y

.iest
ending in .y early

earlier early

the earliest
lucky

luckier lucky

the luckiest
Two or more Pse moreBless Pse the most / the least
sylla!les e"pensive

more e"pensive e"pensive

the most e"pensive

!oring

more !oring !oring

the most !oring

%%
&hings to remember
3/ :hen comparing two things with a comparative ad#ective, use than=
&he bus is cheaper than the train.
4/ Before comparative forms, you can use ualifying e"pressions, for e"ample
much B a lot B far 3< a lot5 B a bit B a little B slightly=
&he plane is far more expensive than the train.
5/ :ith some two)sylla!le ad#ectives, you can use .erB.est or moreBmost, for e"ample=
simple clever gentle friendly #uiet narrow
:oanna is friendlier ; more friendly than usual.
2/ :e usually use the !efore superlative forms=
&he plane is the fastest option. )e is one of the most interesting people I know.
%/ These ad#ectives have irregular forms=
good ! better ! best bad ! worse ! worst far ! further;farther ! furthest
<) To say that one thing is 1less than another thing, you can also say not as as=
=y hometown is not as big as >ondon.
?) If you want to say that two things are the same, you can say as as=
6panish is as easy as Italian.
@) If you want to say that two things are same$ you can also say the same
as8 2rices in =oscow are nearly the same as in >ondon.
A) If you want to say that two things are similar, you can say similar to=
&he weather in Italy is similar to the weather in Breece.
'() If you want to say that two things are different, you can say different thanBtoBfrom=
&he weather in 6ingapore is different than the weather in Cussia.
%-
GI(ING O&INIONS
In the IELTS speaking test, the e"aminer will ask you for your opinions on particular topics.
+ou may need to e"press opinions in part 3, part 4 or part 5 of the test. Therefore, it is a
good idea to learn some special phrases that you can use in your responses.
Study these e"amples.
$n my opinion, good e"ercise and a healthy diet are important for a long life.
$ believe that many #o!s are more suited to men.
0ersonally, $ think that many #o!s are still more suited to men.
$ feel that the gap !etween rich and poor is growing.
$ find Indian food a !it 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 dont feel$ I dont believe$ etc. 5or
example8
$ don!t believe that there is enough euality !etween men and women.
$ don!t feel that the gap !etween rich and poor is getting smaller.
4(4NCE E<&RESSIONS 8B4N /+09
The e"pressions !elow are slightly more advanced. Consider using them if you are aiming
for a very high !and.
$ reckon an increasing num!er of people will !e working from home in the
future. ,informal, British English/
$!m utterly convinced that the government should do more to help the
unemployed. ,e"presses a very strong opinion/
$!m of the opinion that the government should do more to
encourage environmentally)friendly transport.
8rom my point of view as a student, the cost of living in my city is very
high. &he way $ see it, my country has too many pu!lic holidays.
+s far as $!m concerned, 'rench cuisine is among the !est in the world.
%'
CONNECTING IE4S
In parts 4 and 5 of the IELTS speaking test, you will need to speak at length a!out a
particular issue. In order to get a high !and, it is important to develop your ideas using
appropriate connecting words and phrases. Study how the connecting wordsBphrases in !old
are used in the answer !elow.
:ould you prefer to live in a !ig or small city? :hyBwhy not?
%ell$ I think on the whole Id prefer to live in a big city. Firstly there are more job
opportunities. !n top of that the standard of living is higher and the infrastructure is
more developed. "lso there are more places to go shopping. In short there are lots of
advantages.
!n 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. #econdly there is more noise. $egarding
transport$ big cities can be very stressful. For example my home city Dhaka has a very
crowded transport system. In fact its one of the most stressful transport systems in the
world.
However despite those disadvantages$ Id still prefer to live in a big city.
Talking in general ,n the whole
Introducing a topic 2egarding ,transport/
Listing different points 8irstly,
8irst of all,
Secondly,
,n top of that,
+lso,
Riving an e"ample 8or e'ample,
Introducing a contrast ,n the other hand,
"owever,
Despite ,those disadvantages/,
<odifying a previous statement $n fact,
Summari$ing $n short,
The ne"t page presents some more words and e"pressions that you can use to develop an
argument.
%/
@ELL
Pse well to introduce a remark or give yourself time to think.
%ho is my favourite family member* %ell$ I need to think about that one.
SO C THERE?ORE
Pse so or therefore to introduce a logical result. So is more informal than therefore.
>iving in a big city has lots of advantages. &herefore Id prefer to live
there. >iving in a big city has lots of advantages. #o Id prefer to live there.
B4SIC4LL>
Pse basically to introduce the most important aspect of something. It is very common in
spoken English ,dont use it in formal writing/ and often used as a conversation filler ,see
page 3A/.
'asically$ there are three reasons why Id like to live in a big city.
HO@E(ER C >ET
Pse however or yet to make a contrast.
I agree with that opinion. However I dont know if it will be true in the future.
I agree with that opinion. (et I dont know if it will be true in the future.
THO7GH
&hough is used to make a contrast. It normally goes at the end of the sentence.
>iving in a big city has lots of advantages. Id still prefer to live in a small town though.
IN OTHER @ORS
Pse in other words to simplify or summari$e what you #ust said !efore.
In big cities$ there are more offices and shops. In other words there is more work.
I? @E!RE T4L=ING ;
Pse $f we!re talking to introduce a new topic.
If were talking shopping and entertainment$ Id prefer to live in a big city.
%.
4S ?4R 4S ; IS CONCERNE
:e use as far as something is concerned when we introduce a new topic. It is a little more
formal that $f we!re talking
"s far as shopping is concerned$ it is much better to live in a big city than a small town.
E(ENT74LL>
Pse eventually to say what happens after a long time andBor many pro!lems. The meaning
is similar to in the end.
%e drove for two hours trying to find the hotel. )ventually$ we gave up and decided to
stay at a hostel.
ON TO& O? TH4T C @H4T!S BORE
Pse on top of that or what!s more to introduce an additional point.
&he hotel was awful. !n top of that$ the weather was cold and wet.
&he hotel was awful. %hats more$ the weather was cold and wet.
These connectors are more informal than in addition, furthermore and moreover, so
dont use them in formal writing.
4N>@4> C 4N>HO@
Pse anyway or anyhow to confirm or support a point or idea #ust mentioned in
a conversation.
%hen I was in Italy$ I didnt have time to go for a pi--a. "nyway$ I dont really like pi--a.
+ou can also use anyway or anyhow to return to something you were talking a!out !efore
the su!#ect was changed.
"nyhow$ we finally found a mechanic to fix our car.
4CT74LL>
Pse actually to give an une"pected or surprising response.
E8 %hat is your profession* ,8 "ctually$ Im still a student.
%0
IN
?4CT
Pse in fact to modify a previous statement, for e"ample if you said something that is slightly
inaccurate and you want to !e more precise.
I used to get up at ?am. In fact$ it was around <.F(.
+ou can also use actually= I used to get up at ?am. "ctually$ it was around <.F(.
TO C7T 4 LONG STOR> SHORT
Pse the idiom to cut a long story short ,>merican English= to make a long story short/
when you want to stop telling someone all the details a!out something that happened and
#ust get to the main facts.
&o cut a long story short$ I arrived home after midnight.
ON THE @HOLE C IN GENER4L
Pse on the whole or in general to make a general statement=
!n the whole$ I think the food in my country is healthy.
In general$ I think the food in my country is healthy.
O(ER4LL
Pse overall to make a final concluding statement.
!verall$ it was a fantastic holiday.
+ou can also use= all in all, on the whole, all things considered.
?OR E<4B&LE C ?OR INST4NCE
Pse for e'ample or for instance to give an e"ample.
4ig cities have more developed public transport. For instance in my city there are
trams$ metro systems$ buses and trains.
4LTERN4TI(EL>
+ou can use alternatively to provide an alternative idea.
In my town$ you can get to the city centre by tram. "lternatively$ you can take the bus.
-3
GI(ING E<4B&LES
In parts 4 and 5 of the IELTS speaking test, and for some uestions in part 3, you can e"tend
your answers and make them more interesting !y giving personal e"amples to support your
points. Try to use real e"amples and stories a!out yourself where possi!le. Look the
e"amples !elow and study how the e"pressions in !old are used to introduce the e"amples.
@H4T 4RE THE BENE?ITS O? @4TCHING TELE(ISIONE
%ell I think that watching the right kind of &1 programmes$ for example documentaries$
can open your mind and increase your general knowledge. *et me give you an example.
>ast week$ I watched an interesting documentary on Coman history. I learnt a lot about the
Coman way of life.
HO@ H4(E SHO&&ING H4BITS CH4NGE IN RECENT >E4RSE
I think shopping habits have changed considerably in recent years. &ake my hometown as
an example. I remember ten years ago before the financial crisis$ the shops were always
full of people. 7owadays$ people are tightening their belts and shopping less.
7ote8 tighten your belt is an idiom which means Gspend less money.
@H4T 4RE THE BENE?ITS O? TR4(ELLINGE
I think there are a lot of benefits. %hen you travel$ you meet new people$ you learn about
new cultures and you can develop yourself. For example last summer I went travelling in
,frica. I saw how cheerful and happy the people were$ despite their difficult situation. It
made me a more open!minded person.
O >O7 THIN= L4NG74GES 4RE T47GHT @ELL IN SCHOOLSE
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 +nglish teacher$ but unfortunately we had
very little speaking practice.
HO@ E4S> IS IT TO GET 4RO7N >O7R CIT> B> &7BLIC TR4NS&ORTE
Is it easy to get around my city* )mm.well$ we have a fairly efficient metro system in
>ondon$ but sometimes there are problems. For instance last week I was trying to get
home from work. 7ormally the journey takes about H( minutes$ but there were some delays
and I got back home F( minutes later than usual.
-2