Tips and Strategies to answer IELTS Speaking exam

Talking to the examiner directly and answering different questions immediately may seem to be quite challenging.

However, with proper preparation and training, you will be able to deal with the Speaking part of the IELTS test easily.

Let’s have a look at some practical tips and strategies for completing this part.

General Strategies

1. Don’t memorize long answers.

The examiner will notice you memorized the text and will not assess such answers.

2. Use imagination when answering the questions.

Keep in mind that the Speaking module tests your ability to speak English, but not your general knowledge or views.

That is why, you can make up the answer if you don’t know what to say. For example, you are asked to describe a sporting event, but you have never been to a sporting event.

In this case, you can remember a story, told by your friend, about a football match he went to last month and make this story yours. There’s nothing bad in this.

3. Use varied and advanced vocabulary.

Do you remember that one of the assessment criteria is Lexical Resource?

So, make sure you can use various words and phrases in your speech while discussing non-personal and abstract topics.

4. Don’t keep silent for a long time.

There might be questions that you will not be able to answer right away. In this case, avoid waiting too long before you speak because long silence may influence your mark for fluency.

Instead, try to ‘fill’ the pause with phrases like That’s a good question; I have never thought of this before…; or Let me think. 

By using this phrases, you will let the examiner know that you are thinking about the answer.

And at the same time, you will show your ability to use English in different situations. However, try not to use each expression more than once.

5. Be confident and speak clearly and loudly.

You should speak in a loud voice so that the examiner could hear you well, and the tape-recorder could capture what you are saying.

Part 1 Tips

This part of the Speaking test includes questions about yourself.

So, you shouldn’t face any difficulties while answering questions in this part. No one knows you better than you do.

1. Ask the examiner to repeat the question if you don’t understand it.

It is OK to address the examiner if you want to clarify the question you are asked. This will not affect your score if you don’t do it with every question. You can use the following phrases: Could you repeat the question, please? / I’m sorry, I didn’t understand the question.

2. Give direct answers to the examiner’s questions.

Don’t go off the topic and answer the questions you are asked.

3. Develop your answer.

Avoid Yes/No answers and try to give more details, examples or your opinions where it is possible.

For example, you are asked the following question ‘Do you like shopping?’ The answer ‘Yes, I do.’ will not bring you a high score.

It’s better to answer like this: ‘I do, but only for certain things, like clothes or books. I hate shopping for food or other things I need at home.’ 

However, avoid giving too long answers: two or three sentences will be enough.

Part 2 Tips

1. Read the card with the task carefully.

Don’t be in a hurry and don’t skip this important step. If you misunderstand the task, your whole answer will not be correct.

So, take your time and read the questions and bullet points attentively.

2. Take advantage of one minute that you have for preparation.

Some people advise to make notes on a sheet of paper during this minute.

Others say that making notes is a waste of time, and it’s better to make a plan of the answer in your head.

You must choose the way that is the easiest for you. Try both techniques of preparation before the exam and find out which one you like more.

If you decide to make notes, don’t write full sentences as there is not enough time for this. You need to write only key words for the bullet points.

3. Keep to the time limit.

In this part, you will have to talk without stops for up to two minutes. When you prepare for the test, practice a lot in speaking for two minutes.

Firstly, you will get the idea of how much you can say in two minutes.

Secondly, you will get rid of the fear to talk for two minutes without stops.

It’s not advisable to stop speaking before the examiner tells you to do this. So, make sure you have enough ideas to talk about for this period of time.

Part 3 Tips

1. Speak at length, but keep to the topic.

In this part, you are expected to give more extended answers than in Part 1. So, always try to make your response as detailed as possible. However, pay attention to the information you provide: it must be relevant to the question and don’t go off the topic.

Look at the sample question from Part 3 of the Speaking test and three answers. Which one is the best?

• The first answer (A) is on the topic, but it is too short.
• The second response (B) has a good beginning, but the author switches the topic of discussion. It is not appropriate.
• The best answer to the given question is C as it is quite long and full and stay on the topic.

2. Use linking devices to connect your ideas.

Your speech must be easy to understand and follow. Otherwise, your score for Fluency and Coherence will be lowered.

You need to use special expressions to introduce and connect your ideas.

For example, you can use the expressions Personally; It seems to be; I am convinced that; As far as I know to present your point of view.

To explain something or give reasons, use “That’s why; One of the reasons for this could be. When you want to move to the next point of your discussion, you can use Anyway; So, to move on.

3. Support your ideas.

In this part of the Speaking test, you must give long and extended answers if you aim to get a high score.

If you present your point of view on the topic and justify it with some arguments or examples, it will be just enough for a well-developed answer.

Look at two examples.

In the first example, the candidate presents his idea and supports it with two good arguments. He is likely to get a high mark for his answer.

In the second example, the candidate answers the question in a very simple way without giving any examples or arguments.

He will not get more than band 6 for this part of the test.

Summary

Being able to speak English freely and fluently is highly important not only for the IELTS test, but for you future studies or life in the English-speaking environment.

So, I highly recommend you to prepare well for this module and practice answering questions on different topics.

Also, it would be useful to find out how this part of IELTS is actually taken. You can find the examples of the Speaking test on YouTube.

When you watch the video, pay attention to vocabulary and grammar that a candidate use and the mistakes he makes. Good luck!

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