These exercises have two uses:
The IELTS speaking paper has three parts - all are covered in the exercises below:
Do not make a speech.
You can make your answer to a simple question more interesting:
What are you doing in England?
“Studying.” “I’m studying” “I’m studying Finance”
OK – but, better:
“I’m studying for an MA in Finance at Manchester University – I finish in 2 month’s time.”
“I’m studying for an MA in Finance at Manchester University – I want to work in international banking when I finish.”
Note:
(1) Adding a second short piece of information in (a) personal (b) natural (c) shows confidence in the language.
(2) In Part One of IELTS speaking you want to establish that you are comfortable chatting in English.
(3) Even with simple answers it is easy to make mistakes: eg prepositions / collocations / use of natural patterns.
You can practise your answer to this type of question and make sure there are NO mistakes!
(1) What are you doing in England? (if you are in England)
(2) Would you like to go to England? (if you are not in England)
In part 3 of the IELTS speaking test you may not be able to think of a quick, clear answer to the question.
This is OK: nobody has an immediate opinion about everything!
You can use this as a positive opportunity to show how you can talk comfortably and naturally in English.
It is very important to listen carefully to the question.
Look at this question and my answer below:
Who tends to enjoy national celebrations more young people or old people? Why?
Well, actually I have never really thought about it. I think it is probably impossible to say – at least I don’t know. It depends on which celebration and which person.
Probably children like Christmas – because they get presents – but older people like Christmas too – because they see their family and it is a happy time. (And I still like getting presents even though I’m older).
So I think it’s impossible to generalise.
Notice that I do not begin by giving a clear answer – I think that would be strange – no-one has prepared an answer to this question. My way of answering is to challenge the structure of the question. This is a useful technique.
I have marked in bold some useful phrases.
Try the same with this question:
Some people think that new technology has brought more stress than benefits to employed people nowadays. Would you agree or disagree? Why?
Think about how you would answer it.
Listen to my answer below:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Of course, there are many different ways to answer it.
Do not simply repeat phrases you have learnt – but occasional phrases to give yourself time and examine the question are useful -”It depends on which…” “I think it’s impossible to generalise..”
When I was at Oxford University this was the required way to answer any question – the question must be absolutely clear before an answer can be clear: it is a useful way to think about IELTS questions, too.
Study the phrases below:
Pick a few – you don’t need them all.
Use them whenever you need to describe a place.
Tip: you can use exactly the same phrases for different places e.g.
You might have to do this in part 2 or 3 of the speaking test.
So: prepare some descriptions of POSITIVE and NEGATIVE qualities – 2 of each is enough.
Example:
Positive: “ambitious people”
- don’t settle for second best
- refuse to give up
- not quitters
- have plenty of get up and go
- set themselves ambitious goals
Negative: “negative people”
- always complaining
- never have a good word to say about anyone
- something is always wrong
- always see the problem not the solution
In the IELTS test you can usually follow this pattern:
This is a chance to use impressive and natural patterns – that you have prepared!
Example:
You are asked to talk about a family member you feel close to and explain why. You can listen to me talk for 2 minutes.
Note that I do not rush – and that I use some of the phrases I have prepared – you can record yourself and try! Mine is only an example.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Look at the question from part 2 of the speaking test:
Describe an important choice you had to make in your life.
You should say:
and explain how you felt when you were making this choice.
Remember: you have to talk for about 2 minutes and you have 1 minute to prepare.
Technique: choose a topic where you can tell a story – this makes it easy to talk – (eg job / going to study abroad)
Note: basic points to answer the questions
My thoughts:
I am going to talk about
My general story is true – it makes it easier for me to use details.
Listen to my example:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
You might find these phrases useful:
Practise talking for 2 minutes – do it a few times – you will get better each time!
(1) Make more than one point – not a one word answer!
(2) Do not make a speech.
(3) Talk to the person – look at them.
(4) Use speaking style – do not look as though you are trying to remember something prepared earlier.
I don’t know..
I don’t think I have one “best” friend..
I have a small group of really close friends..
and then a much wider group.
(1) Try the same question.
(2) What do you like doing most with your friends?
(1) Give yourself a bit of thinking time.
(2) Clarify exactly what you are going to answer / what the question means.
(3) Give a reasonable answer. (Maybe add a summary comment)
(1) Well, of course there are big differences between people and between countries (Thinking time)
(2) But if I am going to make a big generalisation about people in Britain who have been to university… (Clarifying the question you are going to answer)
(3) I think that people in their early twenties have to think about the type of career they want…
in their early thirties they are probably going to get married – or at least live with a regular partner
and in their mid to late thirties they might have children
mid forties is a good time for divorce! (at least that’s my personal experience) (Reasonable answer)
The truth is it’s difficult to generalise – the average is not necessarily any individual’s experience. (Summary comment)
(1) You answer the same question.
(2) Should important choices be made by parents rather than young adults?
“It varies a lot – and it depends on how far “in the past” you mean. Lots of young people use Facebook – but my parents don’t. Everyone has a mobile – and they have for at least the last 10 years. Of course, 30 years ago – they didn’t.”
“The mobile phone had a enormous impact on XXX society – everyone has and we can keep in touch -and text each other – at any time. That’s the single biggest change over the last 20 years.”
In your country did people in the past keep in contact in the same ways as they do today?
(1) Do not make a speech.
(2) Do make more than one point.
(3) Do not sound as though you are reading a prepared answer.
(4) Look at the person you are speaking to!
It depends on which friends – with my friends here I usually use my mobile or text – but with friends in other countries – and some of my best friends are abroad at the moment – maybe Facebook, or email – but I NEVER make international calls!
Always reflect on the question – this is more important in part 2 and 3 – but even in part 1 the questions are often so vague that you need to clarify them before giving an answer. You could even say:
Actually, I don’t really have a “usual way” – these days I use so many different ways – mobile, landline, text, Facebook, BBS (I have a Blackberry) MSN – I just use whichever is most convenient at the time.
To do this you need to listen carefully and think about the question – it is a technique you can practise.
(1) How do you usually contact your friends?
(2) Do you find it easy to keep in contact with friends and family?
This is a very typical and strange part 3 question – does anyone really think about these things? Nevertheless, it’s quite easy to answer. Follow the 3 stage approach.
(1) Well..I suppose.. (give yourself thinking time)
(2) ..especially these days there is much more variety so it is more difficult to say what is “typical” (reflect on the question – which is always very vaguely worded)
(3) but an average person is probably thinking about education in their teens, getting a job in their 20s and getting married in their 30s … (answer the question – you could go on to give much more here and an example – but I prefer to challenge the premise of the question)
… but so many peple are different that it is difficult to call this “typical” – I know many people who are getting married and remarried in their 40s – changing their careers and even going back to university in their 50s – when this is happening I think it is just untrue to create an “average” and then call it “typical”.
For example….
