The IELTS speaking test is an important part of the exam and requires a lot of preparation to achieve a high score. To score an 8 or higher, candidates must demonstrate a range of skills and strategies. Below is a list of some of the key things to keep in mind when taking the test.
Introduce the topic clearly: When beginning your talk, it's important to clearly state the topic you will be discussing. For example, if the topic is "describe a favorite hobby", you could start by saying "I'd like to talk about a hobby that I really enjoy".
Paraphrase when you can't remember a word or phrase: If you can't remember a specific word or phrase, try to rephrase what you want to say using different words. For instance, instead of saying "I can't remember the name of the movie", you could say "I'm having trouble recalling the title of the film".
Rephrase to avoid hesitation: If you're unsure of what to say next or need a moment to gather your thoughts, rephrase what you just said in a different way. For example, instead of saying "ummm, let me think...", you could say "let me rephrase that".
Use a strategy to include something you forgot: If you forget to mention something important, try to work it into your response later on. For example, if the topic is "describe a memorable vacation", and you forget to mention a particular activity, you could say "oh, and I almost forgot to mention that we also went scuba diving".
End your talk naturally within two minutes: It's important to pace yourself during the speaking test and try to end your talk within the allotted time. You can use phrases such as "in conclusion" or "to sum up" to signal that you're wrapping up your response.
Say what it is not: Sometimes it's helpful to clarify what something is not in order to define it more clearly. For example, if the topic is "describe a healthy diet", you could say "a healthy diet is not just about cutting out all fats and carbs".
Make comparisons: Comparing two things can help to illustrate a point or highlight differences. For example, if the topic is "describe a city you've visited", you could say "compared to my hometown, the streets were much more crowded".
Include a saying or quote: Using a well-known saying or quote can add depth to your response and show that you're familiar with the topic. For example, if the topic is "describe a difficult decision you've made", you could say "as the saying goes, 'the road to success is paved with hard choices'".
Pick the point you can say most about first: If there are multiple parts to the question, start by discussing the one you feel most confident about. This can help you build momentum and feel more comfortable as you continue speaking.
Refer back to something you said earlier: If you mentioned something earlier in your response that's relevant to a later part of the question, refer back to it to show that you're connecting your ideas. For example, if the topic is "describe a time you helped someone", and you mentioned earlier that you volunteer at a homeless shelter, you could say "as I mentioned earlier, I often volunteer at a local shelter, so I was happy to be able to help".
Speaking hypothetically: Speaking hypothetically means discussing a situation that is not real or may not happen in the future. It is often used to speculate about possible outcomes or to explore different options. For example, "If I won the lottery, I would buy a house by the beach and travel the world."
Giving a definition: Giving a definition means explaining the meaning of a word or phrase. It is important to use clear and concise language to ensure that the listener understands the meaning. For example, "Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Fluency markers: Fluency markers are words or phrases that help to indicate that a speaker is speaking fluently and with confidence. They can also help to connect ideas and make the speech flow more smoothly. Examples of fluency markers include "um," "uh," "you know," and "well."
Conditional Sentences: Conditional sentences are used to express a hypothetical situation and its possible outcome. There are four types of conditional sentences: zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional, and third conditional. For example, "If it rains, I will stay at home" is an example of a first conditional sentence.
Use modifying phrases: Modifying phrases are phrases that modify or clarify a noun or verb in a sentence. They can be adjectives or adverbs, and they help to add detail and specificity to a sentence. For example, "The tall, dark-haired man walked quickly down the street."
Comparative structures: Comparative structures are used to compare two or more things or people. There are three forms of comparative structures: comparative adjectives, comparative adverbs, and comparative conjunctions. For example, "She is taller than her sister" is an example of a comparative adjective.
Talking about past and present when talking about habits: When talking about habits, it is common to use the present tense to talk about current habits and the past tense to talk about past habits. For example, "I always brush my teeth before bed" (present habit) and "When I was younger, I used to bite my nails" (past habit).
To give personal and objective opinions: When giving an opinion, it is important to distinguish between personal opinions (based on personal feelings and beliefs) and objective opinions (based on facts and evidence). For example, "In my personal opinion, I prefer living in the city" versus "Objectively speaking, cities offer more job opportunities than rural areas."
To give reasons: When giving an opinion, it is important to provide reasons to support the opinion. This helps to make the opinion more convincing and persuasive. For example, "I prefer living in the city because there are more cultural activities available."
To show preference: Showing preference means indicating a preference for one thing over another. This can be done by using comparative structures or by expressing personal opinion. For example, "I prefer coffee to tea" or "In my opinion, living in the city is better than living in the countryside."