Test Information
- The total duration of the test is 11-14 minutes.
- The test has three types of questions for marking:
- Greeting and ID check: This is not marked; preparing for this is crucial because it ensures a confident beginning to the test and reduces nervousness throughout the test.
- Part 1: A series of 11-15 questions from 3 everyday common topics such as hobbies, interests, etc. Refer to this post’s “Detailed breakdown of each section” section for more details.
- Part 2: A cue card discussion, where a question will be given to you, provided 1 minute of preparation and 2 minutes of speaking time.
- Part 3: A series of 4-5 questions for discussing world issues, generally related to Part 2. However, it doesn’t have to be limited to that and can be a completely different topic.
- Each of the four evaluation criteria has an equal weightage of 25%. These criteria are fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
- The speaking test is the same for general training and the academic IELTS test.
- It is an informal face-to-face test, so informal language is permitted.
- The complete speaking test is recorded so that students can also ask for remarks if they are unsatisfied with the band score.
- Generally, the speaking test is scheduled on a different day from the other modules. It usually takes place before the written exam, although occasionally, it may be scheduled afterward.
Detailed Breakdown of each section:
Part 1: Introductory questions
Band weightage: 2
Duration: 4-5 minutes
Format:
- The examiner will introduce themselves and ask you to do the same.
- You will be asked 11-15 questions about three everyday topics: your home, family, work, studies, and interests.
How do we tackle these questions effectively?
- Listen and understand the questions carefully.
- Only answer what is asked. Do not try to exaggerate your answer.
Provide your answer in 2-3 lines.
The sample questions and answers are as follows:
- What do you do for work or study?
Currently, I work as a teacher at Delhi Technical University.
- What are your hobbies?
I like to do gardening and painting in my leisure time. This gives me a sense of pleasure and positivity.
- What do you like most about your hometown?
I admire the peaceful environment and sense of harmony in my hometown.
Part 2: Cue Card Question
Duration: 3-4 minutes (1 minute preparation time, 2 minutes speaking time)
Band weightage: 4
Format:
- You will be given a cue card with a topic and points to cover.
- You have 1 minute to prepare your response and will be given a paper and pencil to make notes during this time.
- You must speak for 2 minutes on the topic.
How do you answer the cue card effectively?
- Generally, most cue card topics could be categorized based on people, places, objects, and events.
- So, choose a person, place, object, and event based on your experience or wish. By including the questions asked and opening and closing statements based on the questions provided. To do that, read the cue card heading and cues carefully. After understanding the cues given, write the main pointers on the paper.
For example, you chose your brother for the people category. Let’s see how we can fit your chosen person into different cue cards:
Cue 1: Describe someone you know who is good at their job.
You should say:
- Who the person is
- What job they do
- How do you know they are good at their job
- And explain what makes this person good at their job.
Sample Answer: My brother, Patrick, is one of the people I know who excel at their jobs. He is a software engineer at a leading tech firm. I know he is good at his job because he consistently earns positive performance reviews and was recently promoted to team leader. He told me various things about his innovative solutions. I am always excited to learn new technologies from him. He excels at his job because of his passion and extensive knowledge of technology, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to lifelong learning. He is constantly learning about new industry trends and honing his talents.
Cue 2: Describe a friend you have known for a long time.
You should say:
- Who this friend is
- How you met
- What you like to do together
- And explain why you have stayed friends for so long
Sample Answer: My brother, Patrick, is a friend I have known for a long time. Since we are close in age, we grew up together and have been friends for as long as I can remember.
We enjoy doing many activities together, most of which we have done since childhood, especially playing video games and discussing politics. We also help each other with personal and professional challenges. We have stayed friends for so long because of our strong bond and mutual respect. We understand each other very well and always support each other through thick and thin.
Cue 3: Describe a person you admire.
You should say:
- Who the person is
- What they do
- Why you admire them
- And Explain how this person has influenced you
A person I deeply admire is my brother, Patrick. He is a successful software engineer at a renowned tech company. I admire him for his dedication, intelligence, and work ethic. He is successful in his career, humble, and always willing to help others. He often mentors younger colleagues and shares his knowledge with them. I am very keen on technology. He helped me with my college projects and even with my challenges. He has significantly influenced me by being a role model. His dedication to continuous learning has inspired me to pursue my goals diligently, and his willingness to help others has taught me the importance of giving back to the community.
Cue 4: Describe a family member you are close to.
You should say:
- Who the family member is
- What your relationship is like
- What you do together
- And explain why you are close to this family member
A family member I am very close to is my brother, Patrick. Our relationship is more like that of best friends rather than just cousins. We have shared many experiences and memories, which strengthen our bond. We spend a lot of time together, enjoying hiking, watching movies, and exploring new technologies. We also support each other during difficult times. The reason we are so close is our mutual trust and understanding. John has always been there for me, offering guidance and support whenever needed, and I strive to do the same for him.
This is one of the most effective strategies for preparing your speech. Similarly, you can select a place, event, or object and incorporate them into cue cards within the same category. Customize your opening and closing statements and the answers on your cue cards to score higher bands in speaking tests.
- For at least 2 minutes or more, when the examiner asks you to begin speaking, refer to the notes when you need to during speaking.
- Stop when the examiner stops you. It depends upon the exam whether he or she stops you before 2 minutes or after.
- During practice, answer this question for over 2 minutes every time. So that you always have enough content to speak in the final speaking test.
Part 3: Follow Up Questions
Duration: 4-5 minutes
Band Weightage: 3
Format:
- Generally, the questions are asked based on your topic of Part 2. But they can be a different topic.
- A total of 4-5 questions are asked to assess your language abilities in expressing your views, opinions, comparison skills, and analysis of various topics.
The common types of questions asked are as follows:
- 2. Opinion-based Questions: These questions aim to knowyour opinion or personal experiences related to the topic. The best way to answer these questions is to clearly state your viewpoint, provide supporting facts, examples, or evidence, and then summarize it.
Example: “What do you think about the rise of mobile phones in schools?”
Sample Answer: Mobile phones should be allowed only for a limited time or specific educational purposes. I see mobile phones as a significant source of distraction as students might tempted to play games or chat with friends during class time. This hinders their learning experience. Hence, I firmly believe that schools should regulate mobile usage.
- Evaluation-based questions: These are comments on someone else’s opinion.
You can elaborate on this answer by providing your opinion and drawing a clear conclusion.
Example: “Some people think children should be allowed to use mobile phones in school?”
Sample Answer: Some people believe that mobile phones should be allowed in schools, considering the benefits, such as the digital learning experience. However, I see mobile phones as a significant distraction for children. Students might use mobile phones primarily for gaming or chatting with friends during class as they might not be mature enough to use them responsibly. Hence, schools should restrict mobile usage for specific times or certain educational purposes.
- Future-based questions are more about predictions or statements about future events. The trick here is to answer in future tense and use future helping verbs such as might, may, going to, would, will, etc.
Example: “Do you think education will be fully digital in upcoming years? “
Sample Answer: Education will become predominately digital but might not be entirely digital. Technology will be used significantly, as we can already see online courses and virtual classes in different parts of the world. This trend will grow, with more universities and colleges adopting technologies to enhance learning experiences. However, I don’t think face-to-face learning will completely disappear as hands-on experiences and social interactions play irreplaceable roles in the educational process.
- Cause and effect questions: These questions have two parts: first, the cause, “what caused this situation?” and second, “what is the effect of it?” You must explain both and conclude by giving your opinion on the topic.
Example: How has the changing work environment changed people’s family lives?
Sample Answer: The work environment is more flexible due to the shift towards working from home. The involvement of working professionals in daily activities has enhanced family bonds and work-life balance. On the other hand, it also has drawbacks in that people must adjust to their time zones if they work for international companies. These adjustments can lead to increased stress levels among employees. Hence, I feel there is still a challenge of balance between personal and work life for working professionals amidst the shift towards remote work.
- Comparison or Contrast Questions: The questions compare two or more viewpoints, objects, or situations. Structure your answers by introducing the compared viewpoints, identifying similarities and differences, and concluding by providing your opinion if asked. And use comparative language such as likewise, similarly, in the same way for similarities and use keywords, however, on the other side, in contrast for highlighting differences.
Example: “What are the differences between living in a nuclear family and a joint family?”
Sample Answer: I have lived in both joint and nuclear families, and I believe they offer different experiences and challenges. Firstly, the nuclear family consists of parents and their children; it often provides privacy and personal space. On the other hand, a joint family is multiple generations living together, including grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. This fosters a greater sense of community and shared responsibility. If we talk about the challenges, people live in the nuclear struggle to balance their household chores with their work lives. In contrast, joint families have shared responsibilities for household work but conflict due to different options and lifestyles of people.
- Past-Based Questions: These questions often ask for discussing and comparing past events with the current situation. Identify the past and present situations or events you must explain or compare. Then, use past tense to describe past events and present tense to describe the present situation. You must be able to use both past and present tense effectively.
Example: “How has technology changed in education since you were a child?”
Sample Answer: That’s an interesting question to answer. As a child, I remember we primarily relied on textbooks, notebooks, and whiteboards for studies. Computers were rare then; we had some basic classes in computers and educational games.
In contrast, today, technology has heavily influenced and is involved in day-to-day learning experiences. Students can access e-textbooks, virtual labs, classrooms, and interactive whiteboards. Students and teachers both use laptops and computers to assess online learning resources. Nowadays, information is available anytime, unlike in my childhood, when I had to search the library for books to get help with my assignments. Hence, technology has drastically changed in the education field.
- Situation-based or Hypothetical Questions: the examiner will give you a hypothetical situation; you must imagine yourself, speculate the possible outcomes or scenarios, and answer accordingly. The examiner wants to see the conditional sentences in your response.
Example: “If you could live in any country in the world for a year, where would you live?”
Sample answer: “If I could live in any country for a year, I would choose Japan. I am passionate about technological advancements and want to explore the rich culture and delicious cuisine. I watch Japanese cartoons and shows; I want to see the firsthand scenic views of the beautiful landscapes. Living in Japan would allow me to immerse in a different lifestyle and provide a unique opportunity to experience a new culture altogether.”
How do you answer follow-up questions?
- Pay close attention to the question being asked by the examiner.
- Explain your answer comprehensively, using around 6-8 lines.
- You can support your answers with examples to clarify them. If applicable, share your personal experiences or opinions on the topic.
- If you encounter an unfamiliar topic, acknowledge it. For example, you can say, “I have never come across this topic before, but based on my understanding, I think…” Then, proceed to provide your best possible answer or opinion.
- Occasionally, you might need 3-5 seconds to gather and organize your thoughts about the question. Just the fillers such as “Well, this is a difficult question to answer.” The tip is to answer the questions and tackle every difficult situation with your English-speaking skills.
- Remember, you are being assessed primarily on your ability to communicate effectively in English, not on your familiarity with specific topics.
Mastering IELTS Speaking: A Comprehensive Practice Guide to Achieve Band 9
- Focus only on four components of the evaluation: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
- Remember that you are only assessed on your English-speaking abilities, so speak naturally and treat it as a normal conversation.
- During practice, learn new words, understand their correct usage, start using them in the conversations, and seek feedback from your professor on how effectively you are using them.
- Always take feedback from qualified teachers and remember that body language, appearance, eye contact, and over-plotlines are not the marking criteria.
- Practice pronunciation of words to ensure clarity in your conversations.
- Keep track of time, especially in the cue card section, 1 minute of preparation and 2 minutes of speaking time.
Exam Day Tips:
- Arrive at the exam center early to have enough time to relax and settle calmly in the test center environment.
- Ensure your identification documents (passport or ID card) and other necessary documents are ready.
- Make sure you keep a water bottle to keep you hydrated, especially if you feel dehydrated and nervous.
- Visit the restroom before your speaking test begins to avoid distractions during the test.
- Follow the examiner’s instructions regarding when to speak, stop, or move on to the next section during the test.
- Remind yourself about your learning and capabilities to build a positive mindset on exam day.
- Speak confidently and clearly. Remember, speaking confidently doesn’t require speaking loudly; you can maintain your regular pace and pitch while still being confident and clear in your communication.
- Only use words that you fully understand in context and know how to use properly.
- If you didn’t hear or understand the question correctly, asking the examiner to repeat the question is perfectly fine. You could say, “Could you please repeat the question?”.
- If you are unfamiliar with a topic, you can respond: “I have never come across this topic, but from what I know, this is… and what I think about it is…”. This is one way to approach such questions. It is essential to provide an answer; it does not matter if it is perfect. As I already mentioned, the test is designed to mimic everyday conversations where we may encounter topics, we are not familiar with. In real life, we handle these situations by giving our best possible response, and we should approach the test similarly.
- The final tip is to remember that the test is designed to reflect conversations you will encounter daily when you move to an English-speaking country. Try to answer each question as you would in real life, and assume the examiner is a friend or someone you know. This mindset will help you feel more confident during the test.