IELTS Speaking is a one-to-one interaction between the candidate and an examiner. The three parts give the candidate the opportunity to use a range of different speaking skills. IELTS Speaking is recorded.
Duration: 11-15 min
General = Academic
Introduction
Short answers to questions What’s your name? Where are you from? What do you do?
Part 1
Introduction and interview
4-5 min
3-6 questions (it varies)
Short answers (about 20-30 sec each) to questions about your life experience on the following topics:
- About you
- Study
- Work
- Your town
- Free time
- Holidays
- Places to go in your free time
- Transport
- Shopping
- Weather
- Your neighborhood
- Reading
- Sports and games
- Food
Examples:
1) Do you work or study?
2) What is your favorite subject?
3) What are your ambitions for the future?
4) What do people do in your town in their free time?
5) What is public transport like in your town?
6) How much time do you spend shopping every week?
7) What kind of books do you read?
8) What is the climate like in your country?
9) Is it important for children to play sports?
10) Do you have a healthy diet?
Part 2
Monologue
3-4 min
Preparation: 1 min
Speaking: 1-2 min
Examples:
Take 1 minute to prepare a talk on the following subject.
Take notes if you like and remember to include reasons and examples.
You should then speak for between one and two minutes.
Describe a beautiful place to visit in your country.
You should say:
where it is
how to get there
what there is to do when you are there
and explain why you recommend this place.
The most common topics:
- Beautiful places
- Family
- Shopping
- Travelling
- School
- Adventure
- Newspapers
- Sport
Part 3
Two-way discussion
4-5 min
4-5 abstract questions broadly linked to the topic in Part 2.
The examiner might say, ‘I’d like to discuss with you some more questions related to this topic. First, let’s consider… ‘
Examples:
Attitudes to tourism
Why do you think people like to travel to different places in their free time?
How do you see tourism changing in your country in the future?
Conserving the countryside
Why is it important to protect the countryside?
In what ways is the countryside in danger in your country?
Historic buildings and monuments
Why are historic buildings and monuments important to a city?
Is it better to keep old buildings, or build new modern ones?