【IELTS-Speaking-A-05】IELTS Speaking: How to Introduce Yourself PERFECTLY – Tips and Tricks (雅思口語：如何完美地介紹自己－技巧與竅門)

IELTS Speaking Part 1 is stressful – it’s the beginning of the IELTS Speaking test, you are nervous, and the examiner asks you up to about 12 questions about yourself, your work or school, your hometown, and your hobbies. 10 tips to improve your score by giving high-scoring answers. 1. Prepare for the topics, know what to expect The examiner will ask you questions about yourself, so think about different ways you might answer before taking your test. Example : You will be asked for your name. You can say,
“ My name is Tomohiro Matsunaga, but you can call me Hiro.” Just talk naturally as if you are meeting someone new. Then, you might get a general question such as:
“Tell me about yourself.” or “Tell me about your work.” For many test-takers, these are hard questions because they don’t know what to say. This happens if you don’t prepare in advance. If you can predict such types of questions , you can think about how to answer them. Think of two or three sentences for your answers . If you are talking about yourself, you can say where you live, your job or school, hobbies or the people you live with. It’s great if you end with a goal for your English studies, such as this example: I live in a small town in China with my parents and a big cat named Fluffy. I love playing with Fluffy in my spare time. Now I am a high school student. When I graduate, I want to go to a university in the United States and study veterinary medicine. The topics you will typically hear about are your friends and family, hometown, school or work, hobbies, leisure activities, food, parks , and other common topics . If you like doing lots of things, think about the ones you want to focus on the most. Do you need special/ specific vocabulary to talk about them? For example, a sport you like? Look up the words you need so you are ready. 2. Use full sentences If you don’t do this, your score will go down. Many of the questions are really easy to answer in one word. For example, “What do you like to do in your leisure time?” That can be answered, “ Soccer ” or “Play soccer” However, that answer does not show off your language skills. If you answer like this, the examiner has no idea whether you know how to make a full sentence and whether you have a large vocabulary or not. So, even when you have simple answers, make a sentence, like, “ I love playing soccer. ” Or “In my spare time, I often play soccer .” This way, you show the examiner that you know how to make a full sentence. If you can, try to paraphrase, too. Have a look at this answer. Do you see I changed “leisure time” in the question to “spare time”? That’s an easy way to show you have an awesome vocabulary. One time that people often forget the whole sentence is when giving their name. Don’t just say, “Nellie West.” Say, “My name is Nellie West.” It’s a little detail, but it will really affect your final band score. 3. Answer the question that the examiner asks Many test-takers get nervous and talk about things that are related to the question, but do not answer the question. Example: Examiner: “Where do you work?” Answer: “I’m studying a science major at Clark College.” This is not the answer to the question because you didn’t say where you work. The examiner will think that you didn’t understand the question, and so your score will go down. A better answer is: “I don’t have a job right now because I’m studying a science major at Clark College.” Now you have answered the question by saying “I don’t have a job right now”, then you go on to explain why, because you’re a science major. So, answer what you are asked before changing the topic. 4. Expand on the answers - give two or three sentences Example: Examiner: “What do you like to do in your leisure time?” Answer: “ Soccer ” or “ Play soccer ” The answer needs expanding. It doesn’t really matter what they are; just make sure they are grammatically correct and relate to the question. Example: Answer: “In my spare time, I often play soccer. When I was in high school, I belonged to the soccer team and we won the state competition. Now, I mostly play on weekends in the park with friends. ” You could also give a totally different response using the same topic. For instance: “I love playing soccer. I only learned to play last year, but I hope that someday I can join a real team and compete in a tournament.” Note: the examiner is not judging your response based on the content. There is no right or wrong answer. Instead, you are scored on how well you use English to give an answer to a common question. So don’t think too long about what to say. 5. Give topics you want to talk about Many test-takers don’t know this because it’s such an easy way to score high. The examiner usually asks two or three questions about the same topic . And those questions are based on your answer . The examiner will use your answer to ask related questions . This means that you can bring up topics that you can talk about well in English. It allows you to choose topics where you have a broad vocabulary and this will make your score go up. Example: If you are going to school and have a part-time job, and if you don’t have a lot of vocabulary about the tasks at your job, talk about school instead. Don't choose your weak topic; choose your strong topic. 6. Be clear and natural Use simple sentences that get the idea across. Don’t try to use really complex sentence structures and vocabulary you don’t know. Example: Examiner: “What do you like to do in your leisure time?” Answer: “According to my current preferences, though ultimately my interests are varied, I pursue the activity that most preoccupied my time in my youth, which is to say that I indulge in the pastime of soccer.” This sounds confusing, weird, false and a bit pretentious. It’s not clear and natural. Part 1 is like a conversation, so you should use appropriate language. 7. Don’t memorize answers for any Speaking test questions Except when introducing your name and ID at the start, it is important to sound natural when answering questions by not memorizing them. Memorizing your introduction will help you get a good start and reduce your stress. Don't use memorized answers because the questions are often slightly different from what you might expect. If you give a memorized answer, you might not address what is being asked. And the examiner will know that! They will realize that you have memorized answers. The result is that the examiner will think that you didn’t understand the question and don’t have the vocabulary to answer the question. Example: What do you like to do in your leisure time? You can answer that you are interested in soccer, but you don’t know the next question. It could be “Who do you play with?” or “How long have you played?” or it could be a completely different structure of question, like “Tell me about your most recent soccer game.” You can’t know what the examiner is going to ask you. Therefore, it doesn’t make any sense to memorize answers. What you can and should do is practice talking about the topics so that the vocabulary is comfortable. That’s totally fine, and you should absolutely do that because practice helps you give better answers and will make you confident. 8. Ask for clarification Part 1 is the first part of the Speaking test, so you may be nervous, and you might not always understand what the examiner asks you. That’s not a problem if you know how to deal with this situation. The worst thing you can do is try to answer a question that you don’t understand. This can go terribly wrong because you may give an answer that is not related to the question. If you don’t understand the question, ask the examiner for clarification . Example: "Sorry, could you repeat the question again, please?" "Apologies/ Sorry, I didn't quite catch the question, could you repeat it again please?" “Excuse me/ Sorry, I didn’t quite hear the question, could you repeat it again please?" "Would you mind repeating the question again please?” “Excuse me, what does XX mean?” Note: You will not lose points for asking what the examiner means. It is better to ask than to answer the wrong question because you didn’t understand. 9. Have your ID ready to show your ID In the introduction, you will be asked for your ID, so have your ID ready to show to look well-organised. Also use full sentences like, “Yes, I have it right here. "One moment… here it is.” "Yes, sure, here it is." Having your ID ready eliminates embarrassing pauses, which makes you more confident for the whole section. 10. Smile Smile and make eye contact with the examiner. Imagine you are having a conversation. Show confidence and interest in the person you are talking to, even if you are nervous. But if you smile, you will appear more comfortable, create a good atmosphere, with a better impression of yourself. 【 口說 Speaking 】 結構 : 3部分，11-14分鐘。 Part 1：個人問題（4-5分鐘）。 Part 2：獨白（3-4分鐘，含1分鐘準備）。 Part 3：深入討論（4-5分鐘）。 高分技巧 : 流利優先，適度停頓無妨。 擴展答案，加入例子/理由。 使用多樣詞彙與句型，避免重複。 保持自信，眼神接觸。 練習常見話題（教育、工作、環境）。
Structure: 3 parts, 11-14 minutes. Part 1: Personal questions (4-5 minutes). Part 2: Monologue (2 minutes, including 1-minute prep). Part 3: In-depth discussion (4-5 minutes).
High-Score Tips: Prioritize fluency; occasional pauses are fine. Expand answers with examples/reasons. Use diverse vocabulary and sentence types, and avoid repetition. Stay confident, maintain eye contact. Practice common topics (education, work, environment).

      What indoor games did you play when you were a child? Example Answer I played carom board, ludo and snakes and ladders as a child. Do you play video games? Example Answer Yes, I play Mario and tetris sometimes on my phone. What kinds of video games do you like to play? Example Answer I play Mario and tetris only. Sometimes I feel I have wasted a lot of time on these two games. What do you think about people spending too much time on computer games? Example Answer I think these people do not realise that such games are addicting and can ruin them if they do not limit their time they spend on computer games. What do people do in your town in their free time? Example Answer The city I live in is a megapolis - it is called Saint-Petersburg and it is famous for beautiful palaces where the royal family lived in the times of the Russian empire. This is where people like to go there and admire the sceneries. Where can they go out for entertainment, or to enjoy themselves? Example Answer Of course, if one does not love spending time in museums, there are options to go out for drinks or networking while doing sports. It is possible to find an appropriate occupation for everyone! Part 1: Introduction and Interview [This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.] Pre-test introduction - reminder Before the test starts, you’ll have a brief conversation with the examiner as they introduce themselves, confirm who you are and check your identity . The questions they’ll ask you in this pre-test introduction aren’t marked, but they are  your first chance to make a good impression . Don’t forget to smile and don’t be put off if the examiner doesn’t seem very friendly - it's not you, they just might be a bit tired. Examiner : opening statement: ... Good morning/ afternoon, would you please tell me your full name? Student : Yes, my full name is ( Chinese full name ); however, please call me by my English name ( English name ). Yes, my Chinese name is ( Chinese full name ); however, you can call me ( English name ). Examiner : Thanks, can I see your identification, please? Student : Yes/ Sure, here is my ID/ identification. Examiner : Thanks. We can now get started with the first part of the exam. In the first part, I will ask you some personal questions. First, I'd like to ask about... Types of Part 1 Speaking Questions The questions can be broadly categorised into the following: 1. Yes/No  Questions:  These require short responses, but adding details is important. Example: Qu: Do you enjoy reading?— Yes, I love reading novels, especially thrillers, because they keep me engaged. 2. Preference-Based  Questions:  Ask for your opinions or preferences. Example:   Qu: What’s your favourite season?—  I prefer winter because I enjoy cold weather and wearing cosy clothes. 3. Habitual Questions:  Explore your daily routines or habits. Example: Qu:  Do you exercise regularly? — Yes, I go jogging every morning to stay fit. Commonly Asked IELTS Speaking Topics Part 1 In IELTS Speaking Part 1, the questions typically revolve around familiar topics related to your personal life, hobbies, and interests . Below are some of the commonly asked IELTS speaking topics of part 1: 1. Work and Study 2. Hobbies and Interests Your job or studies Your typical day Your future plans Skills and qualifications Sports and activities you enjoy Books, movies, or TV shows you like Music preferences Travel experiences 3. Home and Family 4. Daily Life and Routines Your family members Your living situation Household chores and responsibilities Childhood memories Your morning routine Eating habits and food preferences Weekend activities Transportation and commuting Note: These IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics serve as a general guide, and the actual questions may vary depending on your specific context and the examiner's approach. Structure Breakdown in IELTS Speaking Part 1 As you answer the IELTS Speaking Part 1, you must follow certain strategies to make sure that your ideas are coherent . In order to sound fluent, remember to practice  the following regularly with different topics. This will help you understand the structure breakdown of the answer for the IELTS Speaking Part 1, where you must answer in 3-4 sentences. The table below suggests the structure which you can follow to answer Part 1 questions. Answer - Reason - Example (ARE) Step Description Example 1. Provide a direct answer Answer the question directly by paraphrasing the question first, and then mentioning the answer "Do you like music?" Yes, I like to listen to music. 2. Give a simple explanation Provide a brief reason  for the answer provided "It helps me to relax and soothes my mind." 3. Personal Detail Give an example  from your personal experience "I always listen to Jazz while working." 4. Elaboration (Optional) You can expand, but this is optional, and do not elaborate too much. "Also, I love going to music concerts at the weekends." Make answers to these questions. 1) Do you like reading? Example 1: Yes, I like reading storybooks/ novels, such as Harry Potter, because they inspire my imagination. Example 2: Yes, I like reading. It helps my concentration. I often read when I am home, relaxing on the sofa. 2) Do you like watching movies? Example: Yes, I like watching movies. It helps me relax. I particularly like horror movies and enjoy going to the movie theatre with friends at weekends. 3) Do you exercise regularly? Example: Yes, I exercise by playing baseball twice a week.  It helps me relax, and I get the chance to socialise with my friends. 4) What's your favourite season? Example: My favourite season is Summer because I can spend time outdoors, especially in swimming pools. 5) Do you like singing?
Example: Yes, I like to sing. It helps me relax. I particularly like going to a KTV with my friends at weekends.
6) Do you like sports? Example: Yes, I like sports. I particularly like watching NBA basketball. I find it exciting to follow, and it helps me relax. 7) Do you like swimming?
Example: Yes, I like swimming, it helps me relax, and I find it good for my health. Part 1 Speaking Practice Questions: Examiner: Hello, I'm ......., and I'll be your examiner today. Can we start with your full name, please? Student: Examiner: May I see your identification? Student: Examiner: Thank you. Let’s talk about where you live. Where are you from?
Tell me about yourself? I live with my family in Tainan City, which is located in the south of Taiwan. I am currently studying Fine Arts and Interior Design at Tainan University. In my spare time, I like to listen to music, watch movies, and spend time in the local cafes. Where are you from? I am from Taiwan. My hometown is Tainan, which is located in southern Taiwan. It is the oldest city in Taiwan, and it used to be the capital in the 17th century. Where is your hometown? My hometown is Tainan, which is located in southern Taiwan. It is the oldest city in Taiwan, and it used to be the capital in the 17th century. What do you most like about your hometown? I most like the old and modern architecture and its food, especially the street markets. It's a picturesque city with plenty of historical sites. Tainan is known for its agriculture, especially the production of sugar cane, which has influenced its local cuisine with sweet flavours. Do you live in a home or an apartment? I'm currently living in a student dormitory (accommodation) in Bristol, in the UK. However, in Taiwan, I live in a house with my family in Tainan City. What do you like to do in your leisure time? In my spare time, I often read books and novels because they inspire me and can help with my artistic creativity. I also like to listen to music and play the piano for relaxation. Sometimes, I go to cafes with my friends.
Can you describe your hometown? Student: Yes, my hometown is Tainan, which is located in southern Taiwan. It is the oldest city in Taiwan, and it used to be the capital in the 17th century. I most like the old and modern architecture and its food, especially the street markets. It's a picturesque city with plenty of historical sites. Tainan is known for its agriculture, especially the production of sugar cane, which has influenced its local cuisine with sweet flavours. What’s the most interesting part of your city? I feel my hometown is quite an interesting city because it has both modern and old buildings. There is the old Fortress built by the Dutch about 400years ago, along with old market streets. In contrast, there are modern museums, shopping malls, and parks to explore. What do you like and dislike about your city? Student: I like the old market streets. It's an interesting place to try different types of food and spend time in cafes. However, I dislike the local transportation system, which needs further development to travel around the city more easily. I also feel there are too many cars on the roads and too few places to park them. Let’s talk about your hobbies and interests. How do you usually spend your weekends? Student: In my spare time, I often read books and novels because they inspire me and can help with my artistic creativity. I also like to listen to music and play the piano for relaxation. Sometimes, I go to cafes, street markets or watch a movie with my friends at weekends. Examiner: What was the last film you watched? Student: Examiner: Thank you. That’s the end of your IELTS Speaking practice test. Tips: 1. Be aware of possible follow-up questions, so try to select points that you could back up.  2. Keep answers general, no need to go into detail. 3. Make it natural, not scripted 4. Be aware of why they ask certain questions  - Tense-based questions (past, present, future)  - how important ... / would you... Do you like reading?
Yes, I like reading books about the environment and nature. I gain a lot of inspiration from these books for my creative artwork. How important is it to relax at weekends? I think it is very important to relax over the weekend after studying during the weekdays. I think it is necessary to refresh ourselves and balance our lives, and prepare ourselves for the following week. What music do you like to listen to? I like to listen to jazz and classical music. It helps me relax, especially while I'm studying. I also like to listen to dance music because it gives me energy and improves my mood. When do you like listening to music?
I prefer not to listen to music when I'm studying. I feel it can be distracting. However, I like to listen to music in my free/spare time depending on my mood. Has your taste in music changed for you over the years? Yes, I used to like quiet, soft music in my childhood; however, I now like to listen to loud electronic music.
Has your taste in food changed over the years? I believe your taste in food can sometimes change when you travel abroad. For example, after returning to Taiwan from Japan, I found that Taiwanese food lacks flavour compared to Japanese food. However, after visiting the UK, I feel British food lacks flavour compared to Taiwan. Describe a park near your home? There are no parks near my home; however, I like to take walks in nearby fields and observe nature. If I were to choose a favourite park in Tainan, it would be .... because.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself and checking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview. Exercise: Linking Answers to Questions Answers Mistakes to Avoid Ensure you don't make these common mistakes: Don’t give very short answers. Don’t give very long answers (5+ sentences) Don’t memorise answers. Don’t overthink answers. Don’t freeze if you get ‘unusual’ questions.
The examiner wants to hear you talk, so giving single-word or very short answers to questions isn’t going to get you many marks. On the other hand, don’t ramble on and on. They have around 9-12 questions to ask you in 4-5 minutes.   If you spend 2 of those minutes answering a simple question, for example, where you live, there won’t be time for all the questions, and you’ll miss out on some of the marks . How long should answers be? 2 sentences for simple questions (answer + reason) 3-4 sentences for more complex questions where more details are required. 7 Ways To Develop An Extended Answer In IELTS Speaking Part 1, the examiner will be looking for a good range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Developing your answers in different ways will ensure that you impress them with your language skills.
Here are 7 different ways you can extend your answers: 1) Explanation 2) Combined Details 3) Examples 4) Frequency 5) Contrast 6) Past Comparisons 7) Future
Topic: Home Where is your home? Do you live in a house or a flat? Who do you live with? Are there many rooms in your home? What is your favourite room? How are the walls decorated? What would you change about your home? Do you plan to live there in the future? What facilities are there near your home? What is your neighbourhood like? What type of building do most people live in in your country? Topic: Hometown Where is your hometown? Do you like your hometown? Do you often visit your hometown? What is your hometown like? What is the oldest place in your hometown? What is there for a foreigner to do or see in your hometown? How could your hometown be improved? Has your hometown changed much since you were a child? Is there good public transportation in your hometown? Do you think your hometown is a good place to bring up children? How important is it to live in a convenient location? Topic: Studies What do you study? Where do you study that? Why did you choose that subject? Is it a popular subject in your country? Do you like that subject? Do you get on with your colleagues? What was your first day like? What are the main aspects of your subject? If you had the chance, would you change the subject? Do you plan to get a job in the same field as your subject? How important is education to you? Q: What are you studying at the moment? I'm studying history at university. It's a four-year course, and I started it three years ago, so I have just one year left. I'm enjoying it a lot, so it will be sad to finish. Qu: What do you do? I am currently an exchange student, studying Fine Arts at Bristol UWE, in the UK, for 6 months. I also study Interior Design in Taiwan, along with Fine Arts. Q: What do you like most about your studies? We learn about many things from the past, such as politics and wars, but I like learning about how people lived in the past the most. It's amazing to see how our lives have changed so much from the past up until now. In some ways, our lives have gotten much easier now, but in other ways, the simplicity of life in the past made people much happier. Learning about all that is fascinating. Q: What do you hope to do in the future when you have finished? I'm not sure at the moment, but I may go into teaching. This is why I'm doing the IELTS, as I intend to carry on and do a Master's in a specific area of history. I'll probably decide for sure what to do when I have completed that. Qu: What do you hope to do in the future? I hope to be an Interior Designer because I believe interior design, along with my Fine Art background, will enable me to create aesthetic/ comfortable interior living spaces which can help mental well-being. Topic: Education It’s very common for candidates to be asked about their school, college or university experience, so a good range of education vocabulary is something you definitely need to develop. Here are some of the associated categories. Educational institutions Course types & levels Qualifications People in education Subjects & facilities Academic work Opinion on wider issues: quality of teaching or the education system in your country, equal opportunities, technology in schools after school activities and many more. 1) At what age do children begin school in your country? Formal education  starts at five years of age, but most children go to preschool  when they are around three. This isn’t compulsory,  but really helps them to develop socially.   2) What kind of school did you go to as a child? My family moved around a lot when I was growing up, so I went to many different schools, including three   primary schools , a   grammar school   and a   co-educational   comprehensive school . I even attended a private school   for a year.   3) Did you enjoy your time at school? I can’t say that I particularly enjoyed my early education . With changing schools so often, I was always the new kid, which I found hard.   4) Would you say you were a good student? Yes, I was definitely a good pupil . I was a quiet, shy child who never caused my teachers  any trouble or played truant . I worked hard on my coursework   and got on well with my peers .   5) Did you do any extra-curricular activities? Back in my day, there weren’t many opportunities to do extra-curricular activities . However, I was in the school choir at my secondary school . We used to put on concerts, and one year we did a tour of Germany. Topic: Leisure time What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy listening to music and also relaxing in the park. Sometimes, I like to watch movies and do some light exercise.
How much time do you have each week for doing these things?
I usually have about a day per week for my leisure time. Most of my free time is typically at weekends.
Why do you like doing these activities?
I think it is important to do other activities to add variation to your life from your studies/work. I believe it is necessary for your overall well-being and to refresh your mind.
How did you start doing this activity at first?
I have always tried to spend time outdoors to enjoy nature and do some exercise since I was a child.
Is there some other hobby or sport you would like to try? Why?
If I had more spare time, I would like to try
- camping because I like nature, and it would be interesting to understand how to forge and learn survival skills.
- surfing because I like spending time on a beach and in the water. It is very exciting and fun, and I could meet new friends too.
How has the way people spend their free time changed over the years?
I think the Internet has had a major influence on people's free time. I think the time spent on social media and gaming has been a major change in how we spend our free time.
What do you like to do in your free time? I do quite a lot of sport, actually. I play football, mostly on Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons, with a local team. I also play tennis and squash when I can, but I don't really get the time to do them every week. I work quite hard at the moment, so I don't get a lot of free time, unfortunately.
Have your leisure activities changed since you were a child? Not a great deal, actually. I used to love playing football when I was young. Though of course, I did all the other things kids loved to do, such as going out on bike rides after school and playing in the park.
Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people? It depends on my mood, really. I think most people need some time on their own. Sometimes my work is quite stressful, and I spend a lot of time there with others, so it's good to just get home and relax and read a book or something. But I get bored if I am alone for too long, so I like to go out and meet friends in the evening or play football.
Leisure Time (cont. ) 1. Do you have a lot of free time? Ans: I don’t get a lot of free time, especially as it's my final year at senior high school. Most of my free time tends to be over weekends. 2. Do you spend your free time outside? Ans: Yes, I prefer to go outside because I often study at home. I often like to go to Taichung because it's well-known for its variety of food and restaurants, especially its night markets. I find going outside helps me relax and takes my mind off studying. It also helps me balance my life a bit. 3. What sort of things do you like doing outside? Yes, when I do get some free time, I try to meet my friends for coffee or go for short walks in the park and listen to some music. I like to see nature as it helps me relax. 4. Is there a free-time activity you would like to try in the future? Ans: An activity I would like to do in the future is to go cycling around Taiwan. I think it is important to develop an outside activity interest, and as I like nature, I think it would be fun to try.   What do you enjoy doing in your free time? How  much time do you have each week for doing these things? Why do you like doing these activities? How  did you start doing this activity at first? Is  there some other hobby or sport you would like to try? Why? How  has the way people spend their free time changed over the years? Topic: Health & Fitness Questions on health and fitness come up regularly in the IELTS exam, so it’s a good idea to learn some common health vocabulary. You may be asked to talk about health issues or write about them, and health and fitness could also be the topic of your reading or listening tests.
1)  What do you do to stay healthy? I eat a  balanced diet  with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and take some form of exercise every day. I also make sure that I get enough sleep.   2)  Do you get ill very often? Fortunately, I’m very healthy and rarely get ill, although I occasionally  catch a cold  in the winter.   3)  Is there anything you’d like to improve about your fitness? I really want to take up yoga because I often feel stiff after exercise, and I think it would help. It would also make me more flexible and less likely to get injured when I  work out .   4)  Are you careful about what you eat? I try very hard to have a  healthy diet , even when I eat out at a restaurant. I rarely buy takeaways, and when I go out with friends for fish and chips, I only have the fish with some peas.   5)  How important is a healthy lifestyle for you? It’s one of the most important things for me because I want to feel good and to enjoy life. If you don’t have  good health  then everything else in life is a struggle.
Topic: Technology It is definitely worth learning technology vocabulary. Technology is such a big part of our daily lives that there’s a good chance it will feature in your IELTS exam. It’s a broad subject. Here are some common areas that appear regularly: How and when you use a computer Your favourite websites What you use the internet for How technology has impacted on education Technology in the workplace Modern devices and gadgets Technology related topics: Computers Internet Phone 1)  How often do you use a computer and for what purpose? I use a computer every day, mostly for my work. I’m a copywriter so my job involves a lot of word processing . In my leisure time, I love to connect with my friends and family back home on social media .   2)  Have you ever taken a course to improve your computer skills? I’ve never taken a proper course like at a college but did once pay someone to teach me how to use some specific software I needed for my business. Mostly, I’ve learnt by trial and error and watching YouTube videos. I’m no computer buff but I can do everything I need to.   3)  Which device do you prefer to use for browsing the internet? I’d sooner use my laptop to surf the internet as you can see so much more on the large screen than on a smaller device . If my laptop is switch off I tend to browse on my iPad to saving booting up the computer.   4)  Do you enjoy using the internet? I find it exciting using the internet because I love to learn new things. These days you can find out almost anything online so computers have been a real game changer for people like me who enjoy discovering new information.   5)  What sorts of things do you buy online? The items I buy most often online are books, sometimes e-books that I read on my Kindle. I also browse the internet when I need a new gadget to help me develop my website , such as the microphone I bought the other day.
Topic: Environment
Learning a good range of environment vocabulary is a must as the environment is one of the most common topics to feature in the IELTS exam . It could be the main topic of your speaking test, you may be asked to write about it (part 2), or the environment could come up in either the reading or listening parts of your exam.
You might also need environment vocabulary when answering questions about other subjects such as where you live, transportation or travel . 1)  Do you think pollution is a big problem nowadays? I think it’s a massive issue. It really worries me how much damage we are doing to the natural environment , especially how we pollute the oceans with plastic waste and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere .   2)  What do you do to prevent the environment from pollution? I recycle as much rubbish as I can and I walk when possible rather than driving or taking public transport in order to reduce my carbon footprint .   3)  Are you worried about climate change?  Most definitely. In my country, the weather is changing because of global warming and we get more bad storms than before. Governments and individuals need to do more to combat climate change .   4)  Do you use renewable energy? Not at the moment. I wanted to change my house to solar power but the panels are too expensive for me to buy so, unfortunately, I still use fossil fuels .   5)  Do you take an interest in nature? I love all wildlife . My garden is the perfect habitat for hedgehogs. They are nocturnal but if I go out after dark with a torch I sometimes see one. Topic: Weather You are almost guaranteed to need weather vocabulary at some point in your IELTS exam . Weather plays such an important part in our lives and is something every single one of us is affected by.
You will very likely use weather vocabulary when talking about yourself in Part 1 of the Speaking test and it may even be the topic of your Part 2 talk and follow-up questions in Part 3. Weather is a common subject for both Writing tasks and could also come up in either your Reading or your Listening tests.
You’ll also need weather vocabulary for answering questions about other common topics, especially the environment. It’s a broad subject. Here are some common areas you could be asked about: What the weather is like in your country Your favourite weather or season How the weather affects how you or other people feel How the weather affects what you or other people do The effect of the weather on jobs or local transportation Bad, problematic or extreme weather Climate change Weather forecasting 1)   What is the weather like in your country? Our  weather  is very  unpredictable . One minute it can be lovely  sunshine , the next we’re experiencing a  downpour . The UK is well-known for this.   2) Do you like the weather in your country? Yes and no. I get frustrated that we have so many  rainy days  but we do have some  glorious / fabulous weather  as well. When the  sun comes out  and there’s  not a cloud in the sky , I couldn't be happier.   3) Is the weather the same in all parts of your country? There are some quite marked regional differences. I live in the south-west where it's  mild  but we get high  precipitation . It’s drier in the east and they actually had a  drought  this  summer . Further north, it’s very cold in  winter  and they get  heavy snow .   4) Are there any problems with the climate in your country? We certainly seem to have experienced more violent  storms  and  torrential rain  in recent years. This has caused serious  flooding  in some places. A village near where I live had a  flash flood  this  summer  which washed away cars and a few buildings. People say  global warming  is to blame.   5)   Does the weather ever affect the way you feel? Most definitely. I feel so much more cheerful and full of energy when it’s  sunny , whatever  season  it is. Even a  break in the weather  on an  overcast  day lifts my spirits. Learning IELTS Vocabulary Learn words in context This means learning them within sentences so that you fully understand the meaning and how they are used.
Vocabulary To Focus On
Common words
Versatile words
Topic-related vocabulary
Do’s & Don’ts Don’t: Learn lists of words. Do: Choose words that can be used in lots of different situations. Source words through active reading and listening. Try and work out what they mean from the context. Practice using them over and over again until you can use them naturally. Learn topic-related words. Record new words and phrases in a way that’s easy for revision.
4. Guess the meaning of words See if you can guess what the word means from the context. Read or listen 4 or 5 times if you need to until you think you’ve got it. Then look it up to check. 5. Learning Versatile Words Meaning Pronunciation Synonyms Collocations Grammar – the tense or grammatical structure of the word or phrase

If you do have this level of understanding about a word, it will become a powerful and versatile tool that you’ll potentially be able to use in answers to a range of different questions in both the Speaking and Writing tests.
Make sure that you write down a few sentences that include the word or phrase to show its meaning and in what situation you’d use it.
If you learn just five new words every day for five days a week , you will add nearly 100 new words to your vocabulary each month. That’s at least 500 new words every 6 months. If that’s too much for you to manage, cut it down to a couple of words a day. It’s better to know fewer words really well than to have a vast vocabulary that you can’t use correctly as this approach will cost you valuable marks in your IELTS exam.
Example word: problem noun       /ˈprɒb.ləm/ – a situation, person or things considered to be unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with, overcome or solved. I’m having a problem with my car The problem of how to dispose of waste plastic has become a major global concern. Synonyms: issue dilemma difficulty predicament   Collocations: pose a problem – His unhealthy lifestyle will almost certainly pose a problem in the future. fraught with problems – We had to abandon the project as it was fraught with problems . raise a problem – The mood in the meeting was positive until Ned raised the problem of the shortfall in the pension fund. address a problem – Cilla was fed up with being overweight. It was time to address the problem and find a diet and fitness regime that would work for her. scale of the problem – Juan knew that a few of his staff were unhappy with the new rotas but hadn’t realised the scale of the problem . Now ten were threatening to leave.
Antonyms: solution benefit advantage blessing Idioms: root of the problem – the underlying cause or basis of a problem. - We can’t start working on a solution until we get to the root of the problem .   teething problems  –   short-term problems that occur in the early stages of a new project or situation. - Although the new design is now in full production, there were some teething problems with the manufacturing process.
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50 Recent IELTS Speaking Topics for Parts 2 and 3 for IELTS 2025
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-part-1-topics/ IELTS Speaking Sample Questions with Answers for IELTS Speaking Part 3 https://www.ieltsjacky.com/ielts-speaking.html https://ieltsmaterial.com/50-ielts-speaking-part-2-3-topics-2020-with-model-answers/ https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/ https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-ielts-english-practice-tests/speaking https://ielts-up.com/speaking/ielts-speaking-test.html https://leapscholar.com/exams/ielts/practice-test/speaking/part-1 https://ielts.org/take-a-test/preparation-resources
IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors  - Speaking Assessment Criteria What is the IELTS Speaking test?   Four Skills   33 interview questions for students (with sample answers)   Interviewers usually ask these questions for students to learn about their basic knowledge and abilities. They also ask these questions to get a better understanding of your interests, attitude, and personality. Some common general questions include: Can you tell us about yourself? How did you learn about our organization/ university? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses, and how do you overcome them? Why did you choose your school? What motivates you? How do you believe you can contribute to our growth? Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Can you tell us why you think you're the best fit for this role? Do you have any questions for us?
Experience and Background The interviewer may ask questions about your background and experience to understand your responsibilities in previous roles and how you handled them. They also ask these questions to envision you in the role and determine whether you fit their company culture. Below are examples of these questions: Tell us something about your field of study. Which academic accomplishment are you most proud of? Do you have prior experience in this role? Do you have any academic goals you hope to achieve before you graduate? What are they? What skills and experience do you hope to gain in this job? Do you have plans to further your education? Do you participate in any extracurricular activities? What are they? What do you wish you knew before choosing this career path? What steps have you taken for your professional growth and development? Do you think your education helped to prepare you for this role? In what way?
In-depth Questions Interviewers ask in-depth questions to get detailed information about your behaviour or abilities. These questions usually relate directly to the role and give the interviewer an idea of how well you'd perform. Examples of in-depth questions include: Can you give an example of a time you applied your leadership skills at work? How do you work under pressure? How do you handle stress? Do you prefer working alone or with a team? Why? Tell us about a time you exceeded your expectations. Have you ever missed a deadline? Why and what was the result? Describe how you organise your schedule and prioritise your tasks. Have you ever managed multiple tasks simultaneously? How did you handle them? How do you manage two projects that are due at the same time? How do you intend to make an impact in this role?
Discussion Questions (Tests) (1) What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘test’? (2) Do you get nervous when you take tests? (3) Are there any kinds of tests that you love? (4) Do you follow any special routines before you take a test? (5) What test has made you most nervous? (6) What do you think about while you wait for the result of a test? (7) Have you ever cheated on a test? (8) Have you ever taken an IQ test? (9) Do you think testing is useful or a waste of time? (10) Do you think your test scores reflect your true ability and intelligence? (11) Do you like taking tests? (12) Are you good at taking tests? (13) What was the last English test that you took like? (14) Have you ever had a blood test? (15) Would you be more nervous before your driving test, a blood test or an English test? (16) What’s the best way to prepare for a test? (17) What medical tests have you had? (18) What was the worst test you ever took? (19) Are there too many tests in school? (20) How do you feel when you fail a test?