IELTS Speaking Part 1, 2, and 3: A Complete Guide to Success
IELTS or International English Language Testing System is a globally accredited English language proficiency examination used for study, migration or work purposes. It has four parts and Speaking is one of the most challenging modules in the whole exam. So, what is IELTS Speaking?
IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face, casual conversation with an official IELTS examiner that lasts for around 11-14 minutes. The speaking test is further divided into three parts – Part 1, 2 and 3. This test is common for both Academic & General Training candidates and is intended to evaluate your fluency and cohesiveness, grammatical accuracy, vocabulary and pronunciation.
IELTS Speaking Test Format
The Speaking examination is formatted into 3 sections:
- Part-1
- Part-2
- Part-3
1. IELTS Speaking Part-1: Introduction Questions
In IELTS Speaking Part 1 ↗, you’ll be asked to show your passport to establish your identity by the examiner. He or she will then ask some general questions revolving around topics like home, family, friends, job, studies, and hobbies. This part of the test usually lasts for about 4-5 minutes.
2. IELTS Speaking Part-2: Long run
In IELTS Speaking Part 2 ↗, you will be given a task card or cue card on a particular topic. The examiner will give you one minute to think about the topic and note down any key points that you would like to present to the examiner. After that, you are expected to speak about that topic for 1-2 minutes.
This will be followed by a series of questions related to the task card, which makes the whole duration of this part to be 3-5 minutes.
3. IELTS Speaking Part-3: Follow-up Discussion
IELTS Speaking Part 3 ↗ is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to utilise English in ways to engage in a two-way discussion. Further questions related to the cue card topics will be asked by the examiner. This section of the test will last 3-5 minutes.
IELTS Speaking Sample Topics & Practice Questions
Here are a few IELTS Speaking Practice Questions which you can try at home with your friend or family:
HOME
- Do you live in an apartment or a house?
- Is it a large apartment/house?
- Who do you live there with?
- What is your favourite room in your apartment/house?
- Is it a quiet or noisy place to live?
WORK/STUDIES
- What work do you do?
- What do you enjoy most about your work?
- What are your main duties?
- What are you studying?
- Why did you choose that particular course?
- What is your favourite subject?
- Are you friends with many other students on your course?
FRIENDS/FAMILY
- How many people are there in your family?
- Do you all live in the same house?
- What things do you like doing together?
- How many friends do you have?
- Do you know the people who live next door to you?
- How often do you see each other?
- What kind of relationship do you have?
FOOD
- Do you enjoy cooking?
- What type of things can you cook?
- What kinds of food are popular in your country?
PHOTOGRAPHS
- Do you enjoy taking photographs?
- Do you prefer to take photos with a phone or with a camera?
- Do you take many photographs when you travel?
- Do you like looking at photographs of yourself?
PETS
- Do you have a pet?
- What types of animals do you think make the best pets?
- Why do people have pets?
INTERNET
- Do you use The Internet?
- Are children allowed to use The Internet at school in your country?
- Do you think that The Internet is useful for study?
- Have you ever used The Internet to buy something?
ANIMALS
- What is your favourite animal?
- What types of animals do you have in your country?
- What types of animals are kept as pets in your country?
TELEVISION
- How many hours a day do you spend watching television?
- What type of television programs do you like to watch?
- Do you think children in your country watch too much television?
IELTS Speaking Score Calculation
Do you wonder how IELTS Speaking is scored??
Well, here’s the article that explains everything about IELTS Speaking Score Calculation and various band descriptors ↗ in detail.
Have a look!
IELTS Speaking Vocabulary
There’s no doubt that a good vocabulary is the key to getting high band scores in the Speaking test. So, we’ve compiled an extensive list of words, phrases, and idioms that you can use to impress the examiner.
IELTS Speaking Tips
Here are our exclusive IELTS Speaking Part-1, 2, 3 Tips ↗ which will make you confident and ease your pressure on the day of the exam.
FAQ
The secret to getting a 9 band score in the Speaking test is consistent practice and being as natural as humanly possible. The power of expressions can’t be underrated and should be practised alongside grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation to get a high band score.
A band score of 6.5 and above is generally considered to be a good band score for the study visa application. However, it also depends on other factors like the college or university you’re applying to and which course you’d like to enrol in.
If you are not shy and like to chat with people, the IELTS Speaking test is going to be a cakewalk. Otherwise, be ready to put in some hard work. Since it’s not an academic examination, the questions are very simple in nature.
Only your language skills are scored in IELTS Speaking i.e. Fluency and Coherence, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Pronunciation. Eye contact will not be factored into your grade. However, a correct body posture will help you make a positive first impression and enhance your own self-confidence.
Students who “did not attend the test” or “did not answer any correct questions” receive a 0 band score in IELTS Speaking.