IELTS Speaking

Overview of IELTS Exam

There are two IELTS tests available, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
Both tests are graded in exactly the same way.

You’ll take the first three parts of the test on the same day, in the following order:
Listening, Reading and Writing (there are no breaks between these tests). Your
Speaking test will be held either on the same day or seven days before or after
that, depending on local arrangements.
 Fundamentals

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 What to expect on test day

WHEN you enter the examination chamber you are advised to greet the examiner
as a part of social etiquette, like “Good morning or good afternoon sir/madam!”

You will be offered a seat and the examiner will switch on the recorder and the
mike for you, to enable you to speak in clear and audible manner.

Remember—that the recording of the whole speaking test is for administrative

reasons to ensure that the test is conducted in accordance with the IELTS norms
and for any future reference. So you don’t have to worry about it.
The first question that the examiner will ask you is: “Can I see your Passport?’ and
he/she will check it and read out your name and Passport Id number which will be
recorded. He/she will also read out his name.

The speaking test begins with PERSONAL DETAILS.

Initial Questions

● May I know your full name please?

○ Answer with full name as written in the passport
○ For example: My name is Mary Ann Evans

● How may I address you?

○ Tell the examiner what you prefer to be called.
○ For example: You can call me Mary.

● Where do you come from?/ What do you do?

○ From here on, try to answer in 2-3 sentences
○ Do not stop with one word answers
 Part 1 – Introduction and interview
Task type In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks the test takers' identity. They then ask the test
and
format takers general questions on some familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests. To
ensure consistency, questions are taken from a script.

Part 1 lasts for 4–5 minutes.

Task This part of the test focuses on the ability to communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and
focus common experiences or situations by answering a range of questions.

No. of Variable
questions
 Possible Topics
● Work
● Education
● Family
● Hobbies
● Festivals/ Holidays
● Food
● Travel
● Hometown
● Accommodation etc.
Hometown
● Where do you come from?
○ I come from Trivandrum, which is located in the southern part of the state of
Kerala. It is the capital of the state and is known for its natural beauty and lush
greenery.

● How long have you been living there?

○ I’ve been residing here since 2010. Although I had spent the initial years of my
childhood in Trivandrum, I later relocated to a different city for my education and
only returned ten years ago.

● What kind of transport is commonly used in your hometown?

● Is it a city or a village?

● Have there been any recent developments in your hometown?

Work

● What do you do?

● Do you work or study?
● How long have you been working?
● What is the most interesting aspect of your work?
● What is the most challenging part of your work?
 Part 2 – Long turn
Task type Part 2 is the individual long turn. The examiner gives the test takers a task card which
and asks the test takers to talk about a particular topic, includes points to cover in their talk
format and instructs the test takers to explain one aspect of the topic. Test takers are given one
minute to prepare their talk, and are given a pencil and paper to make notes. The
examiner asks the test takers to talk for 1 to 2 minutes, stops the test takers after 2
minutes, and asks one or two questions on the same topic.
Using the points on the task card effectively, and making notes during the preparation
time, will help the test takers think of appropriate things to say, structure their talk, and
keep talking for 2 minutes.
Part 2 lasts 3–4 minutes, including the preparation time.

Task This part of the test focuses on the ability to speak at length on a given topic (without
focus further prompts from the examiner), using appropriate language and organising ideas
coherently. It is likely that the test takers will need to draw on their own experience to
complete the long turn.

No. of Variable
questions
You are also provided with a scribbling pad to jot down the points/ make notes.

Remember --You can look at the notes you have made and speak.

Read the given topic quickly and the questions that follow it. Also – Remember that these
are not the questions to be answered one by one. These questions must be regarded as
hints for you, on which you should build up your speech. However, make sure that you have
answered all the parts of these questions.

Most importantly—the topics given for speaking are to be regarded as imaginary situations
and bear no relation to your life. Like “DESCRIBE A FOREIGN COUNTRY YOU HAVE
VISITED. “You have to imagine that you have visited a foreign country and you have to
describe it.

The topic once assigned will not be changed. But if you have not understood the topic, you
can request the examiner to explain it and it will be explained to you.
Part 2 cue cards typically ask you to describe one of the
following:
How to prepare?

● Jot down the main points

● Do not write full sentences and read them out

● Follow the order in which prompt questions are given for better
coherence
● First three questions tend to be factual. The last question is where
more can be said.
Most importantly you must not use any Indian expressions while answering
because IELTS is an examination meant for testing your language skills speaking
English language.

When the examiner asks you a question like “What is your favorite food? He is not
asking this question to know which food you like. But he is giving you an
opportunity to show your talent of speaking good English. Hence, one word
answers should not be given. The answers should be in a full sentence showing
your effective ideas and words. Like, “My favorite food is the south Indian
balanced, wholesome and high protein meal which has all the nutrients.
 Part 3 – Discussion

Task type In Part 3, the examiner and the test takers discuss issues related to the
and
topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way and, where appropriate,
format
in greater depth.

Part 3 lasts 4–5 minutes.

Task This part of the test focuses on the ability to express and justify opinions
focus and to analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.

No. of Variable
questions
Describe a thing that has become a fashion or a matter of status nowadays.
You should say:

what it is
why people want or use it
whether you have it
and explain what influences it has on people nowadays.

You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about
what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
What kinds of possessions give status to people in your country?

That’s a good question. Let me think…I’d say it depends on where you are and who you are with. If you are out in public,
it’s things like the car you are driving. If you have the latest Mercedes Benz model, then in my country that is a sign of
status, as most people can’t even afford a car at all, whatever they make. Property, or the house you own, and the
possessions you have in it are also a sign of status. If you have a nice house in a posh area, then this shows you have
money and are someone important.

Has it always been the same, or were different possessions thought of as valuable in the past?

I’m too young to remember exactly what it was like a long time ago, but yes, I think it was different. For example, cars as I
mentioned before only really came to our country in the last ten years or so. That kind of consumerism is a fairly recent
thing so this couldn’t have been used as a representation of something valuable. I think it was things like gold and jewelry
that were seen as valuable. Of course these are still seen as valuable today, but previously it was these things over
anything else as a lot of the modern day possessions were not available.

Why do you think people need to show their status in society?

I believe that this is because it's important in society to show you have money or are successful – it is nature, or the way
we are brought up, that makes us feel like this, but also the pressure that society puts on everyone to be successful. And
showing status is basically showing that you have money and you have success, so this is what people want to do.
 Test Format
The speaking section assesses your use of Spoken English. Every test is
recorded.

● Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a
range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests.
This part lasts between four and five minutes.
● Part 2 - you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular
topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two
minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
● Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These
will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This
part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

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 Marking and assessment

Speaking performances are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All

IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as
examiners by the test centres and approved by the IDP: IELTS Australia.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance

descriptors have been developed which describe spoken performance at the
nine IELTS bands.
Marking Criteria
 Fluency and coherence
• Speak as naturally as possible in a fluent manner without too many pauses searching
for words.
• Avoid giving extremely short answers for questions.
• There should be a clear progression of ideas in the answer.
• Use linking words and discourse markers adequately in speech
• Avoid repetition of sentences and ideas

Lexical resource
• Correct choice of words
• Avoid repetition of the same words from the question. Instead, paraphrase the question
or use short answers.
• Appropriate use of collocation
● Some words are used together at all times. Such word combinations are collocations.
● For example, heavy rain, find time, depend on etc.
 Grammatical range and accuracy
• Use of simple, compound and complex sentences are expected in the answer

• A range of tenses should also be appropriately used

• Avoid grammatical errors as much as possible.

Pronunciation
• Appropriate stress and intonation

• Neutral accent can be maintained

• Answer should be loud and clear. It should be easy to understand.

• Avoid mispronouncing words

What is paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing is changing the words in the question, without changing the
meaning.

In other words, synonyms are used to replace the meaning-carrying words in a

sentence and the sentence structure changes accordingly.

For example, if the question is:

Have there been any changes in your hometown recently?

It could be changed to:

Yes, certainly. Of late, there has been rapid progress happening throughout my
country and this is undoubtedly being reflected in my city as well.