IELTS speaking test By Mark

The test. The stages Part one: personal questions 4-5 minutes Part two: two minute presentation on a set topic 3-4 minutes Part three: open questions testing your fluency 4-5 minutes

Part one You will have 3 to 4 minutes on this part. In many ways it’s the easiest part of the IELTS test because it’s all about you! Where are you from? Tell me about your family? Where did you go to school? Do you have any pets? Etc. The only thing to do is practice answering these questions, because you know they’re coming.

Part two This is without doubt one of the most difficult aspects of any IELTS test. To be given a piece of paper and told you have one minute to prepare a short talk. This section lasts about 4 minutes. An example question: ‘ Describe the differences between architecture here and in your home city.’ You have one minute to prepare, you should then talk for one to two minutes.

Part two (cont.) The thing to remember is they can ask anything to do with your normal life, from school to politics. Good examples are: books, films, traffic, education, elderly, technology, art, sport, religion, and travel. The only thing to do is practice these topics for one minute, think one minute! anything else is a bonus, however, make it a good minute Think of your linkage words, any humour is good, but not too much!

Part three Discussion topics, this part is 4-5 minutes These questions are open topics that ask for your opinion, you must give an opinion I know that is very difficult for many of you, but you have too! I understand that politics and things to do with authority and religion can be difficult to talk about, but you must practice. Put on your student hat and forget your shyness for 3 minutes

Conclusion We have talked about: The IELTS spoken test. Part one 4-5 minutes Part two 3-4 minutes Part thee 4-5 minutes