Speaking part 1
In part 1 of the Speaking test the examiner will introduce him or herself and ask general questions on familiar topics.
The examiner will ask you to confirm your identity.
He or she will then ask general questions on familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests. Part 1 of the test will last 4-5 minutes.
How to practise
You will need a study partner to practise the Speaking test.
Ask your study partner to interview you using the questions below. Record yourself if you can.
Speaking test part 1: questions
Let’s talk about your home town or village:
· what kind of place is it?
· what’s the most interesting part of your town/village?
· what kind of jobs do the people in your town/village do?
· would you say it’s a good place to live? (why?)
Let’s move on to talk about accommodation:
· tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in?
· how long have you lived there?
· what do you like about living there?
· what sort of accommodation would you most like to live in?
Listen to the audio:
Left click on the link to listen now (the audio player will open in a new tab) or right click and select 'Save Link As' to download the file to your computer and listen later.
· Speaking test audio part 1
· Advice
· Transcript
When you have completed all three parts of the practice Speaking test, listen to your recording of your own practice test to see how well you did.
You can also listen to the recordings and read the audio transcripts for each part of the test. These are designed to give you an understanding of the format of the test. They do not represent model answers so do not memorise them.
The audio and transcript for part 1 covers the first half of this part of the test.
Now move on to Speaking part 2.
Speaking part 2
In the IELTS speaking part 2 test you will be given a task card on a particular topic, and this will include key points that you should talk about.
This section of the Speaking test gives you the opportunity to speak for longer on a topic.
You will be given one minute to prepare to talk about the topic on the task card. A pencil and paper will be provided for you to make notes.
You will have to talk for 1-2 minutes, and then the examiner will ask you one or two questions on the same topic. Part 2 takes 3-4 minutes in total.
How to practise
Ask your study partner to listen while you speak about the task card topic. You should talk for 1-2 minutes.
Your study partner should then ask you one or two questions on the same topic using the rounding off questions.
Record yourself if you can.
Speaking test part 2: candidate task card
Describe something you own which is very important to you.
You should say:
· where you got it from
· how long you have had it
· what you use it for; and
· explain why it is important to you.
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.
Rounding off questions
Tell me
· is it valuable in terms of money?
· would it be easy to replace?
Listen to the audio:
Left click on the link to listen now (the audio player will open in a new tab) or right click and select 'Save Link As' to download the file to your computer and listen later.
· Speaking test audio part 2
· Advice
· Transcript
When you have completed all three parts of the practice Speaking test, listen to your recording of your own practice test to see how well you did.
You can also listen to the recordings and read the audio transcripts for each part of the test. These are designed to give you an understanding of the format of the test. They do not represent model answers.
Now move on to Speaking part 3.
Speaking part 3
In part 3 of the Speaking test the examiner will ask further questions which are connected to the topics discussed in part 2.
This part of the test is designed to give you the opportunity to talk about more abstract issues and ideas. It is a two-way discussion with the examiner, and will last 4-5 minutes.
How to practise
Ask your study partner to prompt your practice test discussion using the questions below. Try to speak as naturally and fluently as possible.
Record your discussion if you can.
Let’s consider first of all how people’s values have changed.
· What kind of things give status to people in your country?
· Have things changed since your parents’ time?
Finally, let’s talk about the role of advertising.
· Do you think advertising influences what people buy?
Listen to the audio:
Left click on the link to listen now (the audio player will open in a new tab) or right click and select 'Save Link As' to download the file to your computer and listen later.
· Speaking test audio part 3
· Advice
· Transcript
You have now completed all three parts of the practice Speaking test.
How did you do?
Listen to your recording of your own practice test.
Which part of the test do you think you did best in? Are there any areas where you think that you need to do better?
Think about how you can improve your own Speaking test performance.
Review the examples
Go back through the test and listen to the recordings and read the audio transcripts for each part.
These are designed to give you an understanding of the format of the test. They do not represent a candidate at a particular level of competency.
Do you think that this candidate performed well?
About IELTS
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration
IELTS was one of the pioneers of four skills English language testing over 21 years ago, and continues to set the standard for English language testing today.
Over 10,000 organisations around the world trust and recognise IELTS as a secure, valid and reliable indicator of true-to-life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration and professional accreditation.
Over 3 million IELTS tests were taken in the last year and IELTS examination services are provided through more than 1,100 test centres and locations in over 140 countries.
IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. For more information visit the IELTS Partner website www.ielts.org.
