【IELTS-Speaking-A-17】Ex-examiner reveals most common IELTS Speaking mistakes (前考官揭露雅思口說考試中最常見的錯誤)

【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).

Do you think it's possible to determine how sincere a person is the first time you meet him? Example Answer No, it is not possible to do so. Appearances can be very deceptive. So, we should think twice before trusting a complete stranger. Do you think toys really help in children's development? Example Answer Yes, toys play a big role in children's development. It helps to develop their motor and sensory skills and also their cognitive abilities. At the same time, it also leads to their social development, especially when they play with other children. Children also learn responsibility when parents ask them to properly store their toys. Do you think playing with electronic toys has a good influence on kids? Example Answer Yes, electronic toys introduce children to technology. They increase the strategy forming skills. They are good, but when children spend too much time on electronic games, they forget everything else, and then, these become negative. Do you think there are some toys that are only suitable for girls and some that are only suitable for boys? Example Answer Not any more. Gender differences are disappearing fast and boys and girls play with the same type of toys nowadays. Which do you think is better, for children to play with toy alone or with other kids? Example Answer It is definitely better for children to play with other kids. They learn caring and sharing and many other social skills when they play with others. Do you think parents should encourage their children to share their toys with other kids? Example Answer Yes, definitely. They should encourage their children to share their toys with other children. In this way they will not need to have many toys. IELTS Speaking Course Overview Introduction Speaking Overview, Part 1 Unsuccessful Example, Common Mistakes, Reasons for Low Scores Part 1: Preparation Methods: ARE, PEEL, 7 Extensions, ORE Part 1: Types of Questions, Misunderstandings, Common Topics, Practice: Pre-test, Hometown, Accommodation, Family Part 1: Study, Work, Leisure time, Daily Routine, Hobbies, Food, Music Part 1: How to perform well, Useful Phrases, Practice: Books, Parks, Transportation, Health/ Fitness, Technology, Environment, Weather, Buildings Part 2: Speaking Overview, Part 2 Unsuccessful Example, Common Mistakes, Reasons for Low Scores, Examples Part 2: Preparation Methods (Prompt, Mind Map, Brainstorming, Senses: Template) Part 2: Tricky Questions Part 2: Common Topics, Example Breakdown Part 2: Hypothetical, Conditional, Most Difficult Topics Part 3: Breakdown, How to Prepare, Practice Part 3: Practice: Questions and Topics Full Speaking Simulation Test Paraphrasing It's an important skill that you'll need to use in the test. It’s done by putting something into your own words; it can be done by re-arranging the sentence structure, using synonyms or changing the form of a word. Why is this relevant in the IELTS exam? It’s an essential skill to master for both the speaking and writing sections. You are given words, phrases or sentences in the form of prompts or questions, and you place these into your own words. Band Score Paraphrasing in IELTS Speaking is a valuable skill that helps you demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary (Lexical Resource), improve Fluency and Coherence, and avoid sounding repetitive. While exact repetition is more acceptable in Speaking than in Writing, effective paraphrasing can boost your band score, especially for Bands 7+.For a high score, paraphrasing is required to demonstrate understanding and an advanced vocabulary. Essentially, it’s what stands between you and Band 8. When looking at the official speaking assessment criteria, you’ll notice the following requirements for different scores within lexical resources: Band 5: Attempts paraphrase but not always with success. Band 6: Generally able to paraphrase successfully. Band 7: Effective use of paraphrase as required. Band 8: Effective use of paraphrase as required. Not paraphrasing in the IELTS test successfully can negatively impact your score. Not only will paraphrasing allow you to show off your vocabulary to the examiner, but it can also help buy you some extra time to think of what you want to say and even help you understand the question a bit better by rephrasing it out loud. Main situations where you can paraphrase You can paraphrase: At the start of your answer (to rephrase the examiner’s question and buy thinking time). Within your response (to avoid repeating the same words or ideas). To clarify if you didn’t fully understand the question. To summarise or round off your long turn (Part 2) or discussion (Part 3). Ways to Paraphrase 1. Using Synonyms (or Near-Synonyms) Replace key words with words or phrases that have a similar meaning. This is the most straightforward and commonly used technique. Examples: Question: “Do you like travelling?” Paraphrased: “Well, I really enjoy going on trips or exploring new places.” “Is technology important in daily life?” “In my opinion, modern gadgets and digital tools play a crucial role in our everyday routines.” “What do you do in your free time?” “In my spare time / leisure hours / down time, I like to…” Tip: Build topic-specific synonym lists(e.g., important → crucial / significant / essential; like → enjoy / fond of / keen on). 2. Changing the Word Form (Part of Speech) Convert nouns to verbs, adjectives to adverbs, or vice versa. This shows grammatical flexibility. Examples: Original idea: “Education is important.” Paraphrased: “Being educated plays a crucial role…” or “It is very important to educate people…” “There has been a sharp increase in prices.” “Prices have increased sharply…” “I have a strong belief that…” “I strongly believe that…” 3. Changing Sentence Structure or Word Order Rearrange the order of ideas, combine/split clauses, or shift the focus of the sentence. Examples: Question: “Has your hometown changed much since you were a child?” Paraphrased: “Since my childhood, my hometown has undergone significant changes.” “Many people think that footballers earn huge salaries.” “It is often said that huge salaries are earned by footballers nowadays.” (also uses passive voice) You can also move time/condition clauses to the front or back. 4. Changing from Active to Passive Voice (or Vice Versa) This is useful for varying your grammar and sounding more sophisticated. Example: Active: “People consume a lot of fast food.” Passive: “A lot of fast food is consumed by people these days.” 5. Combining Multiple Techniques The strongest paraphrases often mix 2–3 methods together for natural variety. Full Example (Part 3 question): Examiner: “Do you believe that people have more free time now than in the past?” Candidate: “Well, in my opinion, compared to previous generations, individuals today enjoy greater amounts of leisure time, although the constant use of smartphones and social media sometimes makes us feel like we’re always switched on.” 6. Other Practical Paraphrasing Strategies in Speaking Circumlocution (describing when you don’t know the exact word): Instead of stopping, describe the idea: “You know, the path next to the road where people walk…” (for pavement/sidewalk). Reflecting/Clarifying the Question: “So, if I understand correctly, you’re asking whether…” “Are you referring to…?” Buying Thinking Time + Paraphrasing: “That’s an interesting question. Many people seem to think that…, but personally I feel…” Summarising Your Own Ideas: At the end of Part 2: “So, overall, that experience taught me a lot about…” Quick Tips for Effective Paraphrasing in IELTS Speaking Don’t over-paraphrase — changing every single word can lead to errors or unnatural English. Keep some common words the same if they fit naturally. Focus on accuracy first. A simple, correct paraphrase scores better than a complex but wrong one. Practise with real Part 1/3 questions: Take the question → paraphrase it in 2–3 different ways out loud. Record yourself and check for repetition of the same vocabulary. Build vocabulary through topic practice (environment, technology, education, etc.), so you have natural alternatives ready. Mastering these techniques will make your responses sound more fluent, varied, and sophisticated, helping you push towards higher bands in Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Examples Why Paraphrase in Speaking? In Part 1: Rephrase the examiner’s simple question at the start of your answer to demonstrate understanding and expand your response naturally. In Part 3: Paraphrase more complex discussion questions to show you can handle abstract ideas, then develop your opinion with reasons and examples. Paraphrasing Techniques (Quick Reminder) Use synonyms (e.g., "enjoy" → "like" / "find pleasure in") Change word form (e.g., "pollution" → "polluting") Change sentence structure (e.g., question → statement) Combine methods for better effect Examples in IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 1 questions are personal and straightforward. You can start your answer by gently rephrasing the question. Original Question (Examiner) Paraphrased Version (Your Answer Start) Full Sample Response Example Do you work or are you a student? Well, right now I'm studying rather than working... "Well, right now I'm studying rather than working. I'm doing a degree in business administration." What do you do in your free time? In my leisure time, I usually... "In my leisure time, I usually enjoy playing football or watching documentaries." Do you like living in your hometown? As for my hometown, I find it quite... "As for my hometown, I find it quite convenient but a bit crowded these days." How often do you use social media? I tend to spend time on online platforms quite regularly... "I tend to spend time on online platforms quite regularly, especially Instagram and WhatsApp." What’s your favourite subject at school? When I was at school, the subject I enjoyed most was... "When I was at school, the subject I enjoyed most was history because it helped me understand the past." Do you prefer reading books or watching films? Personally, I’m more into books than movies because... "Personally, I’m more into books than movies because they allow me to use my imagination." Tip for Part 1: Keep paraphrasing short (1 sentence). Then give a direct personal answer + 1–2 extra details. Examples in IELTS Speaking Part 3 Part 3 questions are more abstract and opinion-based. Paraphrasing here helps you structure longer, more developed answers (aim for 3–5 sentences). Original Question (Examiner) Paraphrased Version (Your Answer Start) Sample Developed Response Do you think governments should do more to protect the environment? In my view, authorities definitely have a major role to play in preserving the natural world... "...because they can introduce stricter laws on factories and invest in renewable energy." How has technology changed the way people work? Technology has dramatically transformed working practices in recent years... "...for example, many employees now work remotely, which improves work-life balance but can also blur boundaries." Is it better for children to learn practical skills or academic subjects? I believe there should be a better balance between hands-on abilities and theoretical knowledge... "...because practical skills help young people find jobs more easily after graduation." Do you think job satisfaction is more important than salary? When choosing a career, I feel that enjoyment and fulfilment matter more than financial rewards... "...although a decent income is still necessary for a good quality of life." How important is it for people to stay healthy? Maintaining good physical and mental well-being is extremely crucial in modern life... "...especially with rising levels of stress and unhealthy eating habits." Will online learning replace traditional schools in the future? I don’t think virtual education will completely take the place of conventional classrooms... "...because face-to-face interaction helps develop social skills and discipline." More Part 3 Paraphrasing Practice (Common Topics) Environment Topic Original: What can individuals do to help the environment? Paraphrase: "There are several actions that ordinary people can take to contribute to environmental protection..." Education Topic Original: Should education be free for everyone? Paraphrase: "In my opinion, making schooling accessible without tuition fees would bring many benefits to society..." Work Topic Original: Is it better to work for a big company or start your own business? Paraphrase: "There are advantages and disadvantages to both being employed by a large organisation and becoming an entrepreneur..." Technology Topic Original: Has the internet made our lives better or worse? Paraphrase: "Overall, I would say that the internet has brought significant improvements to daily life, although it also has some drawbacks..." Quick Practice Tips Record yourself: Say the original question → paraphrase it → give a full answer. Aim for natural flow: Don’t sound robotic. Use phrases like: "Well, as far as ... is concerned..." "When it comes to ..." "From my perspective..." "I would say that..." Model Answers 3 most common topics (Environment, Education, and Work) and provided model answers for both Part 1 and Part 3. 1. Environment Topic Part 1 Questions & Model Answers Question 1: Do you think the environment is important? Answer: Well, I believe preserving the natural environment is extremely crucial for our survival. Without clean air, water, and healthy ecosystems, human life would be severely affected. That’s why I think individuals and governments should take environmental protection seriously. Question 2: What environmental problems are common in your country? Answer: In my country, one of the biggest issues is air pollution, especially in large cities. Traffic emissions and industrial waste have led to poor air quality. Another serious concern is the increasing amount of plastic waste, which is damaging both land and marine life. Part 3 Questions & Model Answers Question 1: What should governments do to protect the environment? Answer: From my perspective, authorities have a major responsibility to tackle environmental issues. They should introduce stricter regulations on factories and invest more in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. In addition, governments could offer incentives to companies that adopt eco-friendly practices. Question 2: Do you think individuals can really make a difference in protecting the environment? Answer: Although it may seem small, I believe personal actions can contribute significantly to environmental preservation. Simple steps like reducing plastic use, recycling regularly, and choosing public transport instead of driving can collectively have a positive impact if many people adopt these habits. 2. Education Topic Part 1 Questions & Model Answers Question 1: Do you work or are you a student? Answer: Currently, I’m a full-time student rather than working. I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science at a local university. Question 2: What is your favourite subject? Answer: My favourite subject has always been mathematics. I enjoy it because it helps develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills, which I find very useful in everyday life. Part 3 Questions & Model Answers Question 1: What makes a good teacher? Answer: In my opinion, an effective educator should not only have strong subject knowledge but also the ability to explain complex ideas in a simple and engaging way. A good teacher should also be patient and motivate students to reach their full potential. Question 2: Should university education be free for all students? Answer: I think making higher education accessible without tuition fees has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, free university education would give equal opportunities to students from all backgrounds. However, it might put a heavy financial burden on the government, which could affect the quality of education if funding becomes limited. 3. Work Topic Part 1 Questions & Model Answers Question 1: What do you do for a living? Answer: I’m currently working as a marketing executive in a small company. My main responsibilities include creating advertising campaigns and managing social media accounts. Question 2: Do you enjoy your current job? Answer: Yes, I quite enjoy my job because it allows me to be creative and interact with different clients. However, it can be quite stressful during busy periods when we have tight deadlines. Part 3 Questions & Model Answers Question 1: Is it better to work for a company or to be self-employed? Answer: Both options have their own merits. Working for a company usually provides more job security and a steady income, while being self-employed offers greater flexibility and the chance to earn higher rewards. Personally, I think it depends on a person’s personality – some people prefer stability, whereas others thrive on independence. Question 2: Do you think job satisfaction is more important than a high salary? Answer: In my view, job satisfaction plays a more vital role than financial rewards in the long term. If someone feels fulfilled and enjoys what they do, they are likely to be more motivated and less stressed. Of course, a decent salary is still necessary to maintain a good quality of life, but happiness at work often leads to better overall well-being. Bonus: Extra Model Answer (Technology) Part 3 Question: How has technology changed the way people communicate? Answer: Technology has dramatically transformed communication patterns in modern society. People can now instantly connect with others across the globe through messaging apps and video calls. While this has made life more convenient, it has also reduced face-to-face interaction, which some people believe has negatively affected personal relationships. Practice Task for You: Choose any 3 answers above and rewrite them in your own words. Try to keep the same meaning but use different vocabulary and structures. Most common paraphrased words Most common words and phrases that IELTS Speaking candidates tend to overuse, along with effective paraphrases (synonyms and alternative expressions). Using these helps you demonstrate lexical resource (vocabulary range), avoid repetition, and aim for Band 7+. 1. Very Common Overused Words & Their Paraphrases Common Word Good Paraphrases (Natural & Band 7+) Example in Context Good excellent, great, superb, outstanding, beneficial, positive "Reading is beneficial because it improves focus." Bad terrible, awful, negative, detrimental, poor "Social media can have a detrimental effect on mental health." Big / Large huge, massive, enormous, significant, substantial "There has been a significant increase in tourism." Small tiny, minor, limited, petite "I live in a tiny apartment in the city centre." Important crucial, vital, essential, key, significant "Education is crucial for personal development." Interesting fascinating, engaging, compelling, intriguing "The museum was really fascinating." Like enjoy, love, be fond of, appreciate, take pleasure in "I really enjoy spending time with my family." Think believe, feel, suppose, consider, in my view/opinion "In my view, technology has changed our lives." Help assist, support, aid, facilitate "My parents assisted me a lot during my studies." Improve enhance, boost, strengthen, develop "Exercise can enhance both physical and mental health." Change alter, transform, modify, shift "Travel has transformed the way I see the world." Problem issue, challenge, difficulty, obstacle "Traffic congestion is a major issue in big cities." Happy delighted, pleased, content, overjoyed "I'm delighted when I spend time in nature." Often frequently, regularly, commonly "I frequently go for walks in the evening." 2. Topic-Specific Paraphrases (Very Useful in IELTS Speaking) Free time / Hobbies Free time → spare time, leisure time, down time Watch movies → enjoy films / watch cinema Play sports → engage in physical activities Hometown / Living place Hometown → city where I grew up, place I come from Beautiful → stunning, picturesque, attractive Crowded → bustling, densely populated, busy Work / Study Job → occupation, profession, career Student → learner (I am currently studying to become...) Difficult → challenging, demanding, complex Travel Travel → journey, trip, explore Interesting place → fascinating destination, memorable location Relax → unwind, recharge, de-stress Technology / Society Important nowadays → plays a vital role in modern life Young people → the younger generation, youth Use a lot → heavily rely on, widespread use of Opinions I think → In my opinion / From my perspective / As far as I'm concerned I agree → I share this view / I'm in favour of For example → For instance / Such as / A good illustration of this is... 3. Useful Paraphrasing Techniques for Speaking Use synonyms (as in the table above). Change word form: "I like reading" → "Reading gives me immense pleasure" or "I'm an avid reader." Rephrase the question naturally (especially in Part 1): Examiner: "Do you work or are you a student?" You: "At the moment, I'm not in employment — I'm actually studying to become an engineer." Use longer phrases for fluency: Instead of repeating "very good" → "It brings a lot of benefits" or "It has a positive impact." Paraphrase when you don't understand (instead of saying "Can you repeat?"): "Sorry, do you mean...?" or "If I understand correctly, you're asking about...?" 4. Quick Tips to Sound More Natural (Band 7–9) Don't force rare words — use them accurately and naturally. Mix short and longer paraphrases to maintain fluency. Record yourself answering common topics and check for repetition. In Part 2 (long turn), aim to use 4–6 different paraphrases for key ideas. In Part 3 (discussion), show range by alternating between "I believe..." and "From my perspective...". Different Ways to Paraphrase With synonyms Q: “Is there anything you dislike about your hometown?” A: “There are a number of things I’m not fond of in the city I grew up in. For instance, I don't like...” dislike: dissatisfied, unhappy, despise, cannot bear, cannot stand, take a dim view of, not into...changes: alter, modify, transform, shift, adjust, make a difference... By Rearranging Word Order Q: “Has your hometown changed much since you were a child?” A: “Since I was a child, my hometown has definitely changed in many ways. It's become...” Changing Word Formations Q: ”Are there any changes you would like to make to your hometown?” A: “There are definitely some things I’d like to change about my hometown.” Practice Try answering these questions by using paraphrasing at the start. The questions are from parts 1-3 Part 1 What is your favourite part of the week? How often do you spend each day on social media? Part 2 Describe someone who has had an important influence on your life. Describe a happy childhood event. Part 3 Do you think social media is a bad influence on children? Are countries doing enough to combat global warming? More Practice Questions For each question, try to: Paraphrase the examiner’s question naturally at the beginning of your answer. Then give a full, extended response (especially for Part 3). 1. Environment Topic Part 1 Questions: Do you think the environment is important? What environmental problems are common in your country? Do you recycle things? Why or why not? How often do you use plastic bags? Have you ever taken part in any environmental activities? Part 3 Questions: What should governments do to protect the environment? Do you think individuals can really make a difference in protecting the environment? How has climate change affected people’s lives? Should companies be forced to use more environmentally friendly methods? Is it better to solve environmental problems at a national or international level? 2. Education Topic Part 1 Questions: Do you work or are you a student? What is your favourite subject? Do you enjoy studying? How important is education in your country? Did you like your school days? Part 3 Questions: What makes a good teacher? Is it better to study in a group or alone? Should university education be free for all students? How has technology changed the way students learn? Do you think practical skills are more important than academic knowledge nowadays? 3. Work & Employment Topic Part 1 Questions: What do you do for a living? Do you enjoy your current job? What was your first job? Would you like to change your job in the future? How do you usually travel to work? Part 3 Questions: What are the most important qualities of a good boss? Is it better to work for a company or to be self-employed? How has technology changed people’s working lives? Do you think job satisfaction is more important than a high salary? Should governments support people who are unemployed? 4. Technology Topic Part 1 Questions: How often do you use the internet? Do you own a smartphone? What do you usually use your phone for? Do you prefer sending messages or making phone calls? Has technology made your life easier? Part 3 Questions: How has technology changed the way people communicate? Do you think children should be allowed to use smartphones at a young age? Will robots replace humans in many jobs in the future? Are there any disadvantages of relying too much on technology? Do you think people spend too much time on social media these days? 5. Health & Lifestyle Topic Part 1 Questions: Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle? What do you usually do to stay healthy? How often do you exercise? Do you prefer eating at home or eating out? Have you ever tried any unusual food? Part 3 Questions: How important is it for people to have a healthy diet? Do you think modern lifestyles are making people less healthy? Should governments do more to encourage people to exercise? Is mental health as important as physical health? Why do some people choose to follow a vegetarian diet? Part 1: Introduction and 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, please call me by my English name (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... Example Transcript: Questions about yourself Examiner: Now, in this first part, I’d like to ask you some more questions about yourself, OK? Let’s talk about your home town, city or village. Where do you live? Candidate: I currently live in Jubei, in Hsinchu county. It’s in the north-western part of Taiwan. It is located about 80km south of the capital Taipei. Because Hsinchu is known as ‘the windy city’, Jubei is quite windy as well. I have lived there for about 6 years. Examiner: What kind of place is it? Candidate: Jubei is one of the fast growing cities in Taiwan. Jubei offers many things to do such as restaurants, shopping, events, activities and nice parks. I particularly like the location because it is convenient to travel from. It has easy access to the high-speed rail, freeway, and Hsinchu City. This makes it a great place to commute and travel from. Examiner: What’s the most interesting part of Jubei? Candidate: Jubei is made up of old and new townships. You can go to traditional markets and see traditional farms. In contrast, you can go to modern restaurants, cafes and shopping malls. I feel Jubei offers something for everyone. Examiner: What kind of jobs do people do in Jubei? Candidate: Jubei has many types of jobs. However, many people commute to work particularly to Taipei and the Science Park in Hsinchu. Examiner: Would you say it’s a good place to live? Candidate: Yes. I think Jubei is a good place to live because it is not too busy and it has many parks, shops, restaurants and services. I feel is has a good community spirit and people are generally friendly and supportive.I particularly like the location because it is convenient to travel from. It has easy access to the high-speed rail, freeway, and Hsinchu City. This makes it a great place to commute or travel from. Example Transcript: Where You Live Examiner: Now, in this first part, I’d like to ask you some more questions about yourself, OK? Let’s talk about your hometown or village. What kind of place is it? Candidate: It’s quite a small village, about 20km from Zurich. And it’s very quiet. And we have only a few... two little shops because most of the people work in Zurich or are oriented to the city. Examiner: What’s the most interesting part of this place ... village? Candidate: On top of a hill, we have a little castle which is very old and quite well known in Switzerland. Examiner: What kind of jobs do people in the village do? Candidate: We have some farmers in the village as well as people who work in Zurich as bankers or journalists, or there are also teachers, some doctors, and some nurses. Examiner: Would you say it’s a good place to live? Why? Candidate: Yes. Although it is very quiet, it is … people are friendly, and I would say it is a good place to live, yes. Topic: Your Hometown Q: Where is your hometown? My hometown is in Hanoi, which is the capital city of Vietnam. It's located in the north of the country, not really that far from the southern Chinese border. Q: Is there much to do in your hometown? Oh yes, there's certainly lots to do there as it's a fairly big city. If you like going out in the evening, there are a lot of good restaurants and bars. If you prefer cultural activities, there are museums and art galleries. But if you like nature, there are lots of other things outside of the city that are easy to reach. Q: What are the people like in your hometown? They are mostly quite friendly, but as with most big cities, everyone is often busy, so it may seem as if they are not interested in speaking or having a chat. But if you live there, you know that most people are quite happy to chat with you if they have time and will help you if needed. Example Transcript: Accommodation Examiner: Let’s move on to talk about accommodation. Tell me about the kind of accommodation do you live in? Candidate: I live in an apartment in a tower block. I live on the 3rd floor with my family. The apartment is quite large with 3 bedrooms, a living room with an open kitchen, a bathroom and a study room. Examiner: How long have you lived there? Candidate: I have only lived in this apartment for 3 months. (I moved into this apartment in February this year.) Examiner: What do you like about living there? Candidate: I like the space it provides compared to my previous home, and also it is very clean, modern and conveniently located near shops. Examiner: What sort of accommodation would you most like to live in? Candidate: I would most like to live in an apartment in a good community with lots of rooms and amenities/ facilities in it. Follow up questions – keep in mind Qu: Where did you live before Jubei? Ans: Before Jubei, I used to live in Taipei. I spent my childhood there and went to elementary school. Qu: Why did your family move there? Ans: We moved to Jubei because my father works in the Science park in Hsinchu and that Jubei is a convenient location to live especially for commuting. Qu: What the challenges of living in a fast-growing city? Ans: One of the main challenges of a fast growing city is education. There are a lot of competition for available places. Many children have to travel further away. Qu: Is there much to do in Jubei? Ans: Oh yes, there's certainly lots to do there as it's a fairly big city. If you like going out in the evening there are a lot of good restaurants, bars, a movie theatre and night markets. If you prefer cultural activities there are museums and art galleries. But if you like nature there are lots of other things outside of the city which are easy to reach. Qu: What are the people like in your hometown? Ans: They are mostly quite friendly, but as with most big cities everyone is often busy so it may seem as if they are not interested in speaking or having a chat. But if you live there you know that most people are quite happy to have a chat if they have time and will help you if needed. Additional Questions: How long have you lived there? What do you like about living there? What sort of accommodation would you most like to live in? Qu 1: Describe your hometown? Example A: My hometown is Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan. It's a commercial city, located in the north of Taiwan and is known for its iconic building, the Taipei 101 tower. Its Mass Transit Railway network makes it convenient to travel around and enables you to see a diverse range of places such as night markets, temples, stadiums, parks, shopping malls and much more. Example B: My hometown is Lukang township. It's an old fishing town, located on the mid-west coast of Taiwan. Lukang is a historic town well known for its old streets and for its oyster omelette dish, which attracts many visitors. Qu 2: Describe your home? I live in a mid-sized apartment in a tower block, on the outskirts of Taipei. It has five rooms, two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a living room. Qu 3: What do you do in your free time? In my (spare/ leisure) time, I like to do different things depending on my mood. For example, to keep healthy, I like to go jogging in the park. I sometimes go out with friends to a night market or watch a movie. To relax, I like listening to music or reading books. 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. Important: Don't correct yourself if you make an error; just keep moving forward. Use your hands and body language to help you express your answers. Phrases to get more time to think 1. Comment on the previous person’s input Examples: Wow, that’s a (great/ a very interesting/ a challenging) question! Oh, you know, no one has ever asked me that, let me see, I guess… Qu: Who would you like to have act you in a movie? 2. Rephrase what has just been asked Examples: Oh, (right/ interesting), what do I think about the XYZ problem? Well… Hmm, that's an interesting question. What do I think about XYZ? Well… Ah, so I guess you are asking what I personally think about ABC? Well… Hmm, so basically... what I would do if that happened to me? Well, I guess... Qu: What do you think about climate change? 3. Introduce Your Thinking Examples: Oh wow, I think about this a lot actually, because I have always… Well, I guess I should say first of all that I am actually… Right, so, I think you should know that I... OK, I think one of the things we should (be aware of / remember here) is… Qu: How can people reduce their carbon footprint? 4. Ask them to clarify or repeat what they mean Situations & examples: Confirmation of what the question might be (being specific) Hmm, are you asking what I would say or what I would do in that situation? Sorry, you want me to tell you what I think of …? Ask directly to repeat the question Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Could you say that again, please? Sorry, what was the question again? I got a little distracted for a second. Ask them to clarify what they were asking Sorry, could you explain what you mean by.? In what way (do you mean…..? / is it….?) 5. Introduce your structure Examples: I guess there are (at least) a couple of ways to think about that, for example... I think it really depends on a couple of things, like for example… I would do that in a few steps, I think, maybe first I would... 6. Talk about what a great topic it is Examples: Oh wow, that is such an interesting area to talk about! Oh yeah, that is such a good book/TV show/film… Yeah, I love everything about that topic/area/subject, I really do! Well, first off, I think it’s a great... [city, subject, problem…] because… Oh, it’s an incredible subject because there is so much that you can say about it. Hmm, let me think... 7. Answer immediately with your gut reaction, and then use some other techniques Examples: Sorry, I have to disagree. I think (you know,) there are so many factors to take into consideration… It’s totally worth it. Firstly, I really want to say how much I like the XYZ in general, it’s a great… Just do it! Uhmm, and (you know,) I guess the reason why I might say that is… Don’t do it! I mean, if I understand your question correctly, then you need to know if… I wouldn’t bother. It is a great question, and there are a lot of things you can say about it, like… 8. Add body language Examples: Raise an open hand gesture - indicating that you have heard the question, and then breathe in. Exaggerate a ‘thinking’ body language expression (e.g., hand on chin, focused eyes, thinking expression), saying “well….” while you nod and lick your lips, start to say a single word as a long sound (‘weeeeeeelllllllll...’) Qu: What can be done about car pollution? Ans: Hmmm, well-l-l-l, I personally think that we need to... 9. Slow down as you approach your actual content Example: “Oh yes, that is a great question, I love this topic, and if I think about it, there are a fewwwww thinnnnngs weeeee coooould thiiiink abooout. First, for example, if we look at….” Topic: Family & Friends Do you spend much time with your family? Who are you closest to in your family? Do you prefer spending time with your family or friends? Who is your best friend? Are you still friends with people from your childhood? Is family important in your country? 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 subject? Do you plan to get a job in the same field as your subject? Example Answers: 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: Work What is your job? Where do you work? Why did you choose that job? Is it a popular job in your country? Do you like your job? Do you get on well with your colleagues? What was your first day like? What responsibilities do you have at work? If you had the chance, would you change your job? Do you plan to continue with your job in the future? Example Answers: Q: What is your job? I currently work as an office manager at a large marketing company. I've been in the job for about five years now. I'm usually assigned to work with a specific business in order to improve its sales through various marketing strategies. Q: Do you have to work with other people? Oh yes, all the time. It's a big office, and we all have to work as a team if we want to achieve results. I have colleagues I need to liaise with, such as the graphic designers, and I also have administration staff who work under me. And of course, I also have to work alongside the companies that we provide marketing for. So yes, I definitely have to work with other people. Q: Do you think you will change jobs in the future? Well, that's not something I'm thinking about at the moment, as I really enjoy what I do and it's a really good company to work for. The pay is good, and they have other good benefits such as flexi-time and end-of-year bonuses. But that said, change is always a good thing, so I can't see myself being there forever. I'm sure I will change one day. Topic: Food What’s your favourite food? Have you always liked the same food? Is there any food you dislike? What is a common meal in your country? Do you have a healthy diet? What do you think of fast food? Topic: Drinks What is your favourite drink? Is it common for people to drink tea and coffee in your country? Did you prefer different drinks as a child? Do you think it is important to drink lots of water? What is a traditional drink in your country for celebrating? Topic: Evenings What do you often do in the evenings? Do you do the same thing every evening? Do you prefer to spend your evenings with family or friends? Do you ever work or study in the evenings? What is a popular activity for young people in your country in the evenings? Do you do the same thing in the evenings as you did when you were a child? Topic: Leisure Time 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. 5: 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. 6: 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 as well - I played a lot at school. Though of course I did all the other things kids loved to do, such as going out on bike rides after school and things. 7: 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 too much, so I like to go out and meet friends in the evening or play football. 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. 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: Topic: Reading & Music 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. 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: Food 1. How important is having breakfast to you? Not very important, really. I often miss it as I never feel that hungry when I first wake up. Lunch is often the first meal of the day for me. 2. Would you rather eat out or eat at home? I prefer to eat in as I like home-cooked food. You know for sure what is in the ingredients, whereas at a restaurant, you can never be sure of what is in the food and whether it is healthy or not. 3. How often do you eat out? About once or twice a week. Mostly I eat in because I get back from work late and don't have time to get to a restaurant. 4. What kind of restaurants do you like to go to if you do eat out? Usually, it is small, family-run places. They have a better atmosphere than those big chains and often the price is more reasonable too. You can also get to know the owner, which is nice. 5. When did you last go to a restaurant? Oh, it was probably about a week ago, last weekend. I went to a place called Chino's, down the road from me. It does great Italian food. 6. Where is the best place to shop for groceries? I think the supermarkets are good to get cheap things, such as the everyday items like tinned food and toiletries, but local stores are better for meat and vegetables because they are always fresh. 7. How do you get to the shops when you go for food? I usually go by car, but occasionally by bike if the weather is ok and I don't need to buy too much. The car can obviously be better if it's for the weekly shopping and you need to purchase a lot. 8. Why do you think there is a problem with obesity in many countries? I think it is principally to do with diet and time. People don't have a lot of time, so they eat fast food. The lack of time also means that people don't do enough exercise. 9. Who should be dealing with obesity? The government should do something, such as making producers label food packaging clearly, but individuals also have to take responsibility for their own weight and lifestyle. 10. How important do you think it is to have clear nutritional information on food packaging? I think ... 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. Weather Vocabulary 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. Why Collocation is important for a high band score How to Articulate Yourself References Topic: Leisure Time 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: Work Q: What is your job? I currently work as an office manager at a large marketing company. I've been in the job for about five years now. I'm usually assigned to work with a specific business in order to improve its sales through various marketing strategies. Q: Do you have to work with other people? Oh yes, all the time. It's a big office, and we all have to work as a team if we want to achieve results. I have colleagues I need to liaise with, such as the graphic designers, and I also have administration staff who work under me. And of course, I also have to work alongside the companies that we provide marketing for. So yes, I definitely have to work with other people. Q: Do you think you will change jobs in the future? Well, that's not something I'm thinking about at the moment, as I really enjoy what I do and it's a really good company to work for. The pay is good, and they have other good benefits such as flexi-time and end of year bonuses. But that said, change is always a good thing, so I can't see myself being there forever. I'm sure I will change one day. Topic: Studies 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. 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. Video Reference Questions & Answers from the video Question 1: Are you from a city, town or village? Answer A: I was born in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of about 2 million people. Almaty served as the capital of Kazakhstan in the past, and it's still its main commercial and cultural centre, benefiting from its location along the ancient Silk Road. Answer B: I was born in Almaty. It's the former capital of Kazakhstan. Answer B: I'm from a small village called Teke in South Kazakhstan. Answer C: I grew up in a city called Hsinchu. I then moved to another city, called Taichung, where I live now. Question 2: What is your hometown like? Answer: It's quite a large and modern city of over 2 million people. It's growing fast because many people move there to work or study. I like the hustle and bustle of the city. It is located in the foothills of the Alatau mountains, which means that the views are beautiful, and we can easily go hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Question 3: What kinds of public transport are there in your hometown? Answer: There are buses, electrical trolleybuses, trams, and a metro line, which took about 20 years to build. That's definitely not enough for such a large city, and as a result, most people use cars, and traffic congestion is a major problem. Question 4: What are people like in your hometown? Answer: I find that people are generally friendly and quite open. They share personal information with you freely, so it's easy to make friends, but i must admit that not everyone respects or follows the traffic rules. Question 5: What is your town known for? OR What is the most interesting part of your town? OR What would you recommend a visitor to see or do in this town? Answer: On the outskirts of Almaty, there is an outdoor skating rink called Medellin. It's famous because of its high altitude, and it's even hosted some international competitions. I think it's definitely worth seeing even for people who don't skate, because the views from there are simply breathtaking. Question 6: What kind of jobs do the people in your town/village do? Answer: I suppose that most people work in manufacturing. I know that there are some big factories in Almaty, and others work in small businesses such as shops and restaurants. Also, Almaty is known as the financial centre of Kazakhstan, which means that some of the country's largest banks and the stock exchange are based in the city. Question 7: Has your hometown changed much since you were a child? Answer: A lot, when I see old photographs of Almaty, I can hardly recognise it. It used to be a quiet, medium-sized town, but in recent years, big developments have sprung up like mushrooms. The city center is now dominated by glass and concrete offices and big shopping malls. I think the city has almost doubled in size in the last 20 years, and has completely changed its appearance. Question 8: Would you say it's a good place to live? Why? Answer: There are a lot of great things about living in Almaty. I like its climate, the hot sunny summers and snowy winters. I also think that Almaty's universities are the best in the country, and the city offers good work opportunities. However, traffic congestion and the related air pollution are big problems for those living there. On the whole, I believe it is a reasonable place to live. Topic: Home Where is your home? My home is in Tainan in southern Taiwan. Where do you live? I live in Tainan City in southern Taiwan. Describe your home. My home is an apartment. There are 6 rooms, 3 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. Do you live in a house or a flat? I live in an apartment. Who do you live with? I live with my family, my mother, sister and grandmother. Are there many rooms in your home? There are 6 rooms in my home, 3 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. What would you change about your home? I wish we had more storage space in the house, since there are 4 of us living there, my grandmother, mother, sister and myself. What facilities are there near your home? My home is located quite near a local supermarket and a convenience store. I can also catch a bus nearby. The nearest park is about 10 minutes walk away. What is your neighbourhood like? My neighbourhood is quite busy. My relatives live close by, so it is quite fun to see them most days. What type of building do most people live in in your country? Most people live in apartments in Taiwan, since there is little land space to build on, so you can often see tower blocks in each city.á Topic: Leisure Time 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. 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. 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. 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: Study 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 subject? Do you plan to get a job in the same field as your subject? Topic: Work What is your job? Where do you work? Why did you choose that job? Is it a popular job in your country? Do you like your job? Do you get on well with your colleagues? What was your first day like? What responsibilities do you have at work? If you had the chance, would you change your job? Do you plan to continue with your job in the future? Topic: Family It’s important to learn a good range of family vocabulary as there’s a high chance you’ll get questions about your family in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test. The topic could also come up in Parts 2 and 3 as well as being the subject of the Writing, Listening or Reading tests. Things you could be asked about: Facts about your family Details of family relationships Family activities & celebrations A family member you admire Changes in family roles The generation gap Parental responsibility The future of the family Topic: Childhood Did you enjoy your childhood? What is your first memory of your childhood? Did you have a lot of friends when you were a child? What did you enjoy doing as a child? Do you think it is better for children to grow up in the city or in the countryside? 1) How many people are there in your immediate family? Four people make up my immediate family – my dad, my sister and my two bothers. They all live close to me except for my youngest brother who moved away because of his work. 2) Do you get along well with your family? Most definitely. I used to argue with my brothers and sister a lot when we were. It was sibling rivalry I guess but we get on really well now. 3) Which member of your family are you closest to? I’d have to say my sister but we’re a close-knit family and we all get along just great. 4) How much time do you spend with your family? We used to go to my parent’s house for Sunday tea every few weeks but since my mother died, my oldest brother, my sister and I take turns to spend time supporting our father. This means that we don’t all get together so often. However, we still have family gatherings on special occasions. 5) When did you last have a family party? Just a few weeks ago. It was for my father’s birthday. We had a get-together at his house, and we all took along cakes and snacks to share. https://ieltstutorials.online/sample-questions/cue-card https://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-speaking-samples.html
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?