Category: Part 1

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Practice Tests

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 6: Food

IELTS Speaking Test: Food

How important is food to you? Try this IELTS speaking practice test with a partner. You can also download a PDF of this IELTS speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about your personal habits and preferences.

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

Is that your typical breakfast?

Do you watch your diet carefully?

How important is food to you?

Who cooks usually in your family?

Are you a good cook?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual long-turn (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe a dish you like to cook.

You should say:

The name of the dish

How you make it

If you use any special ingredients

And explain if this is a popular dish in your country.

Follow-up question: How many times a year do you cook it?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Give your opinion on these food-related issues. Support your opinion with relevant examples and make comparisons where possible.

Food wastage

Do we waste too much food?

What can be done to reduce the amount of food we waste?

Would you eat food that was past its expiry date?

Obesity

Is obesity a major problem in your society?

Who is to blame for childhood obesity?

Some people say that seriously obese people should pay more to travel on planes. What’s your opinion?

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 5: Money

IELTS Speaking Sample Questions: Money

How much money is enough? Try these IELTS speaking sample questions with a partner. You can also download a PDF of this IELTS speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about your personal habits and preferences.

Is this your first IELTS test?

How are you feeling right now?

Do you like shopping?

Have you bought anything interesting recently?

How important is money to you?

Do you think you will have lots of money in future?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual long-turn (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe something you want to buy but can’t afford.

You should say:

What you would like to buy

How much it costs

Why you can’t afford it

And explain if there is any other way you could acquire it.

Follow-up question: Could you live without it?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Give your opinion on various issues connected to money  Support your opinion with relevant examples and make comparisons where possible.

Money

How much money is enough?

What things can money not buy?

Do people care too much about money?

Money problems

What problems does money cause in your society?

Do children need better financial education?

Could human beings live without money?

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Practice Tests

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 4: Marriage

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 4: Marriage

Describe your wedding! Try these IELTS speaking sample questions with a partner. You can also download a PDF of this IELTS speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about your personal habits and preferences.

Why are you taking the IELTS test?

How do you feel about today’s test?

Where do you live?

How many people live in your house?

Would you like to spend your whole life with one person?

How important is marriage to you?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual long-turn (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe your wedding or a wedding you would like to have.

You should say:

Where the wedding takes place

Which guests are invited

What happens during the ceremony

And say if there is anything unusual about your wedding.

Follow-up question: Who planned or would plan your wedding?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about weddings and marriage. Support your opinion with relevant examples and make comparisons where possible.

Weddings

What presents are suitable for a wedding in your country?

Do you think money spent on a wedding is wasted?

Why do non-religious people choose to get married in churches?

Marriage

How long should a couple wait before getting married?

What is the secret of a successful marriage?

Should unhappy couples get divorced?

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Practice Tests

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 3: Family

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 3: Family

How large or small is your family? Try this IELTS Speaking practice test with a partner or practice IELTS speaking online with an instructor. You can also download a PDF of this IELTS Speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about your personal habits and preferences.

How large or small is your family?

What do you do together as a family?

Who are you closest to in your family?

Is yours a typical family?

Are there many different types of family in your country?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual long-turn (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe a famous family in your country

You should say:

Who the family members are

How you know about them

Whether they get on well together

And say if you would like to be a member of this family

Follow-up question: Does your family resemble this one in any way?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Give your opinion on some family issues. Support your opinion with relevant examples and make comparisons where possible.

Family members

What characteristics do elder siblings often have?

Is it better to grow up in a small family or a large extended family?

What role do grandparents play in a family?

Family values

Which are more important: family or friends?

What do you think about single parent families?

Should people be more accepting of alternative family types?

Next: Practice IELTS Speaking with a Teacher

IELTS TeacherWould you like to practice IELTS Speaking online with an experienced teacher? Discover your current IELTS score based on the four criteria of fluency, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Improve your technique while building confidence before the real test! To view available times and prices, go to IELTS Speaking Practice Test with Feedback».

 

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Classroom Resources Free Downloads IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Practice Questions by Topic

IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking test this weekend? Try these 50 practice questions from Part 1 first. The questions cover ten common IELTS Speaking topics and hints are also provided. 

You can also download these IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions as a set of cards for classroom use.

Hints for IELTS Speaking Part 1

Hint #1: Remember that topics in IELTS Speaking Part 1 are always about you and your culture. It is not necessary to use complex academic vocabulary or provide very long answers. It is more important to demonstrate a natural use of English and give a clear, concise answer of 2-3 sentences.

Hint #2: There are ten IELTS Speaking topics here, but in Part 1 of the actual test you will only be asked four to eight questions, usually on two different topics. These 50 practice questions are designed to get you comfortable talking about a wide range of subjects you could face in the test.

Hint #3: Try asking these questions to a native speaker to see how they respond. It doesn’t matter if they have no knowledge of IELTS. Being natural is the most important thing in IELTS Speaking Part 1.  If you need more phrases to make your speech sound natural, our Useful Language for IELTS Speaking Part 1 is a great resource.

IELTS Speaking Topic #1: You and IELTS

  • Why are you taking IELTS?
  • How many times have you taken IELTS?
  • What do you enjoy about learning English?
  • Is there anything you dislike about learning English?
  • How will you use English in future?

IELTS Speaking Topic #2: Lifestyle

  • What do you do in your free time?
  • Do you have a busy social life?
  • Do you lead an active life?
  • Has your life changed much in the last year?
  • What would you like to change about your lifestyle?

IELTS Speaking Topic #3: Family

  • How many people are there in your immediate family?
  • Who do you get on best with in your family?
  • Do you have a large extended family?
  • What do you do together with your family?
  • Why is family important to you?

IELTS Speaking Topic #4: Friends

  • Do you have a lot of friends?
  • Who is your best friend and why?
  • Who would you most like to be friends with and why?
  • What kind of person is it easy to make friends with?
  • Who are more important to you, friends or family?

IELTS Speaking Topic #5: Work

  • Do you have a job right now?
  • What did you want to be when you were a child?
  • Are there good job opportunities in your home country?
  • What job do you think you will be doing in five years?
  • What skills and qualifications are required for this job?

IELTS Speaking Topic #6: Hometown

  • Where were you born?
  • Do you consider this place your home?
  • How important is your hometown to you?
  • How many people live in your hometown?
  • What is your hometown famous for?

IELTS Speaking Topic #7: Books

  • How many books do you have at home?
  • Do you prefer to buy books or borrow them?
  • What book would you take on a long journey?
  • How easy is it to read books in English?
  • Have you given up reading a book recently?

IELTS Speaking Topic #8: Films

  • How often do you go to the cinema?
  • Are cinema tickets expensive in your country?
  • What are the advantages of seeing a film at the cinema?
  • Do you usually watch films alone or with others?
  • Which actor would you like to play you in a film?

IELTS Speaking Topic #9: Music

  • How do you listen to music?
  • Are your music tastes varied?
  • Do you like to sing along to your favourite songs?
  • Are you learning a musical instrument at the moment?
  • Is live music popular in your country?

IELTS Speaking Topic #10: Travel

  • Where was the last place you visited on holiday?
  • Would you like to go back there again?
  • What kind of tourist destination do you usually prefer?
  • Has a foreign visitor ever stayed at your home?
  • What’s the best way to save money while travelling?

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Techniques

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Useful Language

IELTS Speaking Course

In the interview part of the IELTS Speaking test (Part 1), you’re simply asked questions about yourself and other familiar topics. The examiner will be listening for how well you express yourself in a few words or sentences.

Of course, you should try to do more than simply answer the question if you want to achieve a high score. The following useful language will give you ideas for expanding an answer by talking about the past, present and future. It will also help you speak more fluently and with an awareness of collocation and idiomatic speech. Some idiomatic expressions are explained in parentheses.

Asking for repetition

  • Could you say that again?
  • I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.
  • Did you say (          )?

Stalling for time

  • Well, let me see.
  • In my case, …
  • Hmm, I’d have to say …

Saying something negative

  • I’m sorry but …
  • I’m afraid (to say that) …
  • To be (perfectly) honest, …

Giving an example

  • For example, …
  • A good example is …
  • Maybe you’ve heard of …

Describing frequency

  • Every other day, … (= Frequently)
  • Once in a while, … (= Occasionally)
  • Once in a blue moon, … (= Rarely)

Continue reading “IELTS Speaking Part 1: Useful Language”

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Techniques Techniques

IELTS Speaking: Emergency Language

IELTS speaking

Can you get help from the examiner in the Speaking section of IELTS? Yes, you can! The kind of help you can receive depends on the part of the test:

  • In Part 1, the examiner can only repeat the question.
  • In Part 2, the examiner can answer your questions during the one minute preparation time.
  • In Part 3, the examiner can give an example or paraphrase the question.

However, you also need some useful phrases for asking for help. The following IELTS speaking emergency language will help you escape from any sticky situation in the test!

When you don’t hear the question

  • I’m sorry, could you repeat that please?
  • I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.
  • Would you mind saying that again?

When you don’t understand a particular word

  • What does (          ) mean?
  • Does (          ) mean (          )?
  • Sorry, I’m not sure what (          ) means.

When you don’t understand the question

  • I’m sorry, what do you mean exactly?
  • Could you say that in other words?
  • I’m afraid I’m not quite sure what you mean.

When you think you understand the question but aren’t sure

  • Do you mean (          )?
  • Are you asking (          )?
  • Am I right in thinking you mean (          )?

When you need more time to think

  • Just a moment, please.
  • Just give me a few seconds to think about that.
  • I’ve never really thought about that before.

When you get a bit lost while explaining something

  • What I mean is…
  • What I’m trying to say is…
  • Anyway, to get back to my original point…

When you need to finish an answer

  • Anyway, that’s my opinion.
  • Anyway, that’s all I have to say.
  • So, that’s why I think (restate opinion).

When you’re not sure if your answer was appropriate

  • Does that answer your question?
  • Is that what you were asking?
  • I hope that answers your question.
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Classroom Resources Free Downloads IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Practice Tests

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 2: Work

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 2: Work

Do you have a job right now? Try this IELTS Speaking practice test with a partner. You can also download a PDF of this IELTS speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about your personal habits and preferences.

Do you have a job right now?

What kind of work would you like to do in the future?

What qualifications are required for this job?

How many hours would you like to work each week?

Do you consider it important to have a career?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual long-turn (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe a job that you consider highly important

You should say:

what the job is

what the job involves

why it is important

and explain if people who do this job are appreciated enough by society

Follow-up question: Would you consider doing this job yourself?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Let’s talk about some issues related to work. Support your opinion with relevant examples and make comparisons where possible.

Jobs in your country

What jobs are most popular among young people these days?

Are there enough jobs for people who want to do this kind of work?

Is it easier to change jobs now than in the past?

Careers

Do people usually choose the right career?

Is it a good idea to leave a secure job in order to pursue a dream?

What career advice should be given to young people?

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Classroom Resources Free Downloads IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Practice Tests

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 1: Childhood

IELTS Speaking Practice Test: 1: Childhood

What kind of child were you? Try this IELTS speaking practice test with a partner. You can also download a PDF of this IELTS speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about your personal habits and preferences.

Where did you grow up?

Was that a good place to grow up?

What do you remember most about growing up?

What kind of child were you?

Did you ever get into trouble at home or school?

Do you miss anything about your childhood?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual long-turn (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe your best friend during childhood.

You should say:

who the person was

why you became friends

what you used to do together

and explain if you keep in touch with your friend now.

Follow-up question: Would you like to go back to your childhood?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Answer these questions about childhood. Support your opinion with relevant examples and make comparisons where possible.

Childhood friends

Do children find it easy to make friends?

Why do some people grow apart from their childhood friends?

Is it better for children to have a few close friends, or many?

Childhood changes

Has the image of childhood changed in your country?

At what age do children become adults?

Do you think children should be treated the same as adults?

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IELTS Speaking Techniques Techniques

IELTS Speaking: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Silence

Different cultures have different attitudes to silence, but for English speakers the attitude is one of near-zero tolerance. It’s fine to hesitate for a few seconds before speaking or between ideas, but silences of longer than five seconds will go down badly. Happily, there’s a solution to this problem and that’s to learn some filler expressions such as That’s a tough question and Let me see.

2. Memorised answers

The examiner is very likely to notice if you try to recite an answer from memory, and there is a penalty for this. The telltale signs of a memorised answer include speaking in a ‘written’ style of English, unnatural intonation, and the candidate attempting to ‘rephrase’ the question to the one they want to answer. Any questions you try to memorise answers to are very unlikely to be asked, so it is much more effective to practice speaking about a wide range of topics before you take the test.

3. Overuse of transition signals

It’s helpful to use a few signposting words like first, for example or on the other hand. But if you overload your speech with these you could actually damage your score. Sounding natural, not like a signposting robot, should be your goal in IELTS Speaking. There are also many words characteristic of formal writing such as furthermore, moreover and in addition that are hardly ever used in speech and could actually make you sound less natural if you say them.

Continue reading “IELTS Speaking: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid”