Improve your IELTS Speaking score
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WELCOMEWelcome to IELTS Online Speaking
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Meet Your Course Trainers
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Course Overview
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Using the Platform
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IELTS SPEAKING TESTIELTS Speaking Test3 Topics
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PART 1 - THE INTERVIEWLearning Outcomes
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Check Your Knowledge
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Answering Part 13 Topics
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General Strategies for Part 13 Topics
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Improving Your Speaking4 Topics
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Useful Tips
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Practice
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Lesson Summary
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PART 2 - THE LONG TURNLearning Outcomes
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Check Your Knowledge
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Answering Part 23 Topics
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General Strategies for Part 22 Topics
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Improving Your Speaking4 Topics
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Useful Tips
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Practice
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Lesson Summary
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PART 3 - THE TWO-WAY DISCUSSIONLearning Outcomes
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Check Your Knowledge
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Answering Part 33 Topics
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General Strategies for Part 33 Topics
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Improving Your Speaking4 Topics
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Useful Tips
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Practice
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Lesson Summary
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IELTS PRACTICE TESTSIELTS Speaking Mock Tests2 Topics
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COURSE CONCLUSIONOverall Tips for a Greater Score
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Congratulations on Course Completion
Developing Answers
Developing Your Answers
One of the main aspects that the examiner will assess is your ability to speak at length when answering questions; therefore, it is important that you develop your answers with as much information as possible. You should avoid giving yes/no answers or answers that are too short. In Part 1 of the speaking test, answers of about 15-20 seconds in length are appropriate.
Listen to a candidate giving two answers to the same question. Which answer has he developed more appropriately?
Question
What kind of music do you like best?
Answer A
Answer B
Check your answer
The answer that has been developed more appropriately is Answer B.
Answer A | Answer B |
The kind of music I like best is rock…uhm, yes, rock is my favourite type of music. | I guess I prefer rock. Classic rock, actually, from the 70s, 80s and 90s mainly. It’s probably because when I was younger, my parents listened to that kind of music all the time, so I grew up listening to it. I often listen to this kind of music, usually when I am on the train on my way to work. |
Answer A is too short and only provides specific information about the kind of music the candidate likes best (i.e. rock). In Answer B, on the other hand, the candidate includes additional information, such as:
- Which type of rock he likes: ‘…classic rock from the 70s, 80s and 90s.’
- Why he likes it: ‘It’s probably because when I was younger, my parents listened to that kind of music all the time.’
- When he listens to it: ‘…usually when I am the train on my way to work.‘
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Whether you are asked a closed-ended or an open-ended question, you need to expand your answers with additional information. You can do this by adding 2-3 questions with Wh- words to the question asked by the examiner. For example:
Question asked by the examiner | Direct answer |
What kind of music do you like best? | I guess I prefer rock. |
Wh- word | Type of information | Sample additional idea |
Why? | reason | I like it because my parents listened to it all the time when I was a kid. |
When? | time | I listen to it in the mornings when I’m on my way to work. |
Where? | place | I have a playlist on my phone so I usually listen to it on the train. |
Which? | type | I particularly like rock from the 70s and 80s. That’s my favourite. |
Who? | people | I listen to rock with my brother. He also likes it. |
How often? | frequency | I try to listen to it as much as I can, every morning and also on the weekends. |
How long? | duration | I’ve liked rock ever since I was a kid, maybe since I was 5 years old. |
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Activity
Now try this strategy yourself.
- Answer the following example questions and develop your responses by adding 2-3 Wh- word questions.
- Record yourself so that later you can check how you did.
- Compare your responses to the sample answers provided.
Questions
1. Who do you live with at the moment?
Compare your answer
With my brother. He’s just moved out of my parent’s house and is looking for a part-time job and his own place, so I wanted to help him save some money. He’s OK to live with but he’s a bit messy sometimes. We help each other a lot though… with the cleaning, the cooking … and he’s a lot of fun to be around.
2. Do you enjoy your job?
Compare your answer
Yes. I’m a primary school teacher. I’ve been doing this for three years now and I really enjoy it, mainly because I really love being with small children. It can be challenging sometimes, but I love creating fun learning activities for my students. It’s a very rewarding job.
3. What do you often do in the evenings?
Compare your answer
I’m often quite tired in the evenings, after work, you know, so I just get back home, prepare a quick meal and then relax while I watch some TV. Sometimes I watch the news or a movie with my flatmate. On the weekends though, I do enjoy going out so I catch up with my friends for a drink and a chat.