IELTS Speaking Task 2

The second part of the IELTS speaking test is the long turn; it is referred to as the long turn because the examiner will give you a task card containing the topic and instructions, you will then have about one to two minutes to discuss everything contained in the task card. You are basically doing a monologue for about 2 minutes with no help from the examiner.

The most common concern I encountered was “What if I know nothing about the topic?” The topic that will be given are general information topic

Identifying Writer’s View – IELTS Reading Task

Candidates will be asked whether the following statements agree with the views or claims of the writer.  Candidates are then required to answer with a “Yes”, “No” or “Not Given” in their answer sheets.

It’s important to remember that answering this portion with “True” or “False” will garner no points, whether the answers are correct relative to true being the equivalent of yes and no equivalent to false.

Identifying Information – IELTS Reading Task

This is one of the task candidates will be encountering in the IELTS reading test, this is also one of the task that candidates find confusing.  When do we use Not Given is the question we get so often.

This task is used to assess the candidate’s ability to find particular information found in the passage, this does not mean you have to memorize the passage to be able to discern whether an answer is True, False or Not Given; there is always a technique candidates can implore to help them pass any exam.

Sentence Completion – IELTS Reading Test

One of the easier task in the IELTS reading test, this is also where your scanning skills will be tested.  This task requires candidates to complete sentences in a given number of words. The instructions will be clear on how many words candidates should use in their answers.

Here are some things to remember when answering a sentence completion task:

IELTS Speaking Task 1 Questions

You may have heard that the IELTS speaking interviewer uses a set of pre-determined questions on a topic to ask you for the first task.  Basically the interviewer will ask a series of questions about your background, but he or she is only able to ask you questions within that “frame”.

Yes, the frame or the examiner frame is true. Does this mean you can find out from other candidates who have previously taken the exams what the questions you will get in your exam? No, the use of frame does not mean that the interviewer will be asking the same set of questions to all candidates on the same day. 

IELTS Speaking Task 1 – Introduction and Interview

It is a certainty that you will be asked at least a few general questions about your background.  This does not mean you should memorize all possible answers regarding your background.  Sounding like the answers had been memorized will get a mark down.

Remember that all the questions you will be getting in this part of the speaking test are general questions about your background; the only hindrance in this part of the exam will be your willingness to talk about yourself, people and things related to you. Show some enthusiasm when answering questions and give even a little bit of detail when answering questions.

Keep Talking and Be Positive– IELTS Speaking Test

First impressions are very important, the speaking test will last a maximum of 15 minutes; you don’t have enough time to change a bad impression.  The first part of the speaking test is where the examiner will be asking personal questions about the candidate; when answering, be as informative, descriptive and positive as you can be.

Do not answer with a simple yes or no to a question and wait for the next one.  Try to be as helpful as you can by providing additional information; if your interviewer asks about your house, don’t just give the address and wait for the next question to come; describe the house, the color, the levels, rooms and bathrooms. Keep talking until the interviewer either stops you or ask a follow up question.

When describing anything or anyone, try to be as positive as you can be. Focus on the positive aspect of whatever it is you are trying to describe, tell your story in a more

IELTS Speaking Fears

Most people don’t see the IELTS speaking test as the hardest, but most would agree that it is the most terrifying of all the sub-test.  This fear may stem from the fear of the unknown; the most common concern I hear is that the interviewer could be extremely intimidating, even purposefully intimidating. 

Intimidate, a verb meaning to frighten into submission, compliance or acquiescence. It also means to fill with fear.  I see no reason for any examiner to deliberately intimidate any candidate; they get no added benefits whether the candidates pass or fail and thus give them no reason to intimidate.  If the candidate does feel fear towards the examiner, it means that the candidate is afraid of what has been imagined about the examiner. 

Since we established that there is no need to fear the examiner, we can proceed to relax and think about the actual IELTS Speaking test.  You should be prepared for the interview; here are some tips to consider when preparing for the IELTS Speaking test: