Speaking IELTS Test : Summary of IELTS Speaking test topics & questions

To raise the band of IELTS speaking score is not easy. Many candidates still lose points in the speaking section despite practicing a lot. Knowing this, DOL has synthesized the exam experience Speaking Test IELTS latest version as well as providing full IELTS Speaking test.

DOL IELTS Dinh Luc

Oct 18, 2022

2 mins read

1. An overview of the IELTS Speaking test

The purpose ofIELTS Speaking test is to assess your ability to use English. The test will last from 11 to 14 minutes and you will have the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with the IELTS examiner. In terms of structure, your speaking test will have 3 parts.

1.1 Part 1 (Introduction & Interview)

Content

The examiner will ask general questions about yourself and a range of topics related to everyday life, such as home, family, work, studies and hobbies. This section lasts 4 to 5 minutes.

Purpose

Part 1 ofIELTS Speaking test focus on testing your ability to communicate ideas and information.

Suggestions for answers

In the opening examIELTS Speaking, the examiner will ask candidates on average from 2 to 3 topics. This is the opening part of the test, so candidates can give answers from 2-3 questions. This is the right length, which means that you can both answer the question in its entirety and also expand the information needed.

Remember one thing that in part 1IELTS Speaking , in Yes / No questions, you should only answer Yes or No, but instead add content explaining the reason for your answer!

Eg: Bài mẫu IELTS Speaking topic Accommodation

• Who do you live with?

I'm currently living with my girlfriend. She moved in with me a few months ago. I have to say that she's a really good housemate - she keeps things clean and always follows the rules in the house. 

• Do you live in a house or a flat?

I'm currently living in a house. It's not a really spacious one but enough for me to live comfortably in. I don't think I'll be moving out of this place anytime soon.

• Do you plan to live there for a long time?

Definitely. It's a great house and I can't see myself moving into a better one anytime soon. This is because house prices in Vietnam are going up too quickly for me to even dream of buying anything better!

1.2 Part 2 (Long turn)

Content

You will be given a cue card (questionnaire) and the examiner will ask you to talk about a topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare before speaking for 2 minutes about the topic. The examiner will then ask a question or two to conclude this part of the test.

Purpose

Part 2 ofIELTS Speaking test assess your fluency on a particular topic. You can use personal life experiences to complete the speaking test on this topic.

Hints on how to answer

With a duration of 3-4 minutes, Part 2 will be the part where candidates present their own speech. The examiner will give the candidate a cue card. In the cue card there will be questions and suggested answers. The examiner can ask 1-2 more questions after the candidate's answer.

The questions are more about storytelling, description, ... to create conditions for candidates to be able to answer fluently in 2 minutes continuously.

Ví dụ: Describe a time when you first ate a kind of food

I have tried plenty of different cuisines over the years, but I think the one time that stuck with me the most was the time I tried Mexican food.

It’s funny thinking back, because the first time I had Mexican food was in a Scandinavian country, Denmark to be exact, so you might think that it is far from authentic. It was the time when I had brunch with my friends in downtown Copenhagen and I guess my first contact with Mexican food was very memorable because it was overall a good day for me as well. To give you a little bit more context, it was when I had lived in Denmark for nearly a year. I was growing a bit bored of Scandinavian cuisine, so I immediately picked the only thing that was not Danish food on the menu, the Nacho Supreme, and in proper brunch fashion, a glass of sangria too. That meal really exceeded all of my expectations. If I have to describe it in one word it would be “sublime”. The dish tasted amazing. The chips were the right level of crispy, and each scoop was like an explosive punch of flavors: the salsa tasted so zesty and juicy, combining with the creaminess of the guacamole, with the jalapenos to give it an extra kick, then I washed it all down with a sip of the refreshing sangria. I remember thinking that if I had to die at that moment it would still be worth it.

Throughout the meal, we sat and talked about almost everything in life, and we all had enough alcohol in our system to be at the right level of tipsy. That brunch really felt like it could last forever. Oh what I would not give to experience that meal again!

1.3 Part 3 (Discussion)

Content

You will be asked additional questions related to the topic asked in Part 2. These questions will delve deeper into abstract questions. The duration of this test lasts from 4 to 5 minutes.

Purpose 

Part 3 ofIELTS Speaking test assessment of your ability to present, analyze and reason on academic topics that are not too close to everyday life.

Hints on how to answer

In this part, the candidate will answer the question posed by the examiner directly. With a length of about 4-5 minutes, Part 3 usually has content related to the content of the question in part 2.

The answers in part 3 should last about 1 minute (about 5-6 questions) because this is the part where candidates should show their ability to develop their ideas.

Eg:

• What do family members usually have arguments about?

The simplest of things, and the silliest of things, like whose turn on the TV is it, or who forgot to put the toilet seat down. I think it is unavoidable when you see each other every single day, but those family arguments really don’t contain any malice, and even though a bit toxic, sometimes it is our way of showing we care for each other.

For instance, I would complain about my little brother misplacing my stuff basically everyday, but it’s because I want him to be more organized and respect people’s personal space, and when he’s on a trip, I’d miss having him around.

• Is it easier for you to have arguments with your family or with your friends?

Personally, I find it easier to argue with friends, simply because normally I already feel more comfortable sharing my problems with them, so whenever there is any disagreement between us, we always sort it out faster.

But with my parents, I already have a hard time sharing things with them, so when we argue about something, no matter how simple, it tends to escalate very quickly, and then the atmosphere at home becomes very tense for a few days before things get back to normal, so I really avoid arguing with them at all costs. 

3 main parts of the IELTS Speaking test

see more: IELTS Reading exercises with answers

Please see below for more information on how to speak English:

2. How to study for IELTS Speaking test

• Practice speaking with others

To increase reflexes when reviewingIELTS Speaking Tests, you should practice with another person. This person could be a teacher or a friend of yours. This will help you mentally prepare yourself before you talk to the examiner.

Note: During practice, try to speak fluently and clearly. It is important that you practice speaking as much as possible with as much confidence as possible.

• Listen to your Speaking test again

You should record your talks and listen to them later. Pay attention to your pronunciation as well as your ability to express your thoughts. Recording and listening to recordings is a way for you to better understand yourself.

Note: It is important that your answers are random, not memorized.

• Practice speaking English everyday

It is clear that daily speaking practice is a way to improve skillsIELTS Speaking the most effective. You can practice speaking to others, as discussed above, or talk to yourself in front of a mirror. Practicing speaking alone will help you observe your face carefully, thereby having better self-control when using English to communicate.

Note: Keep up the habit of practicing speaking English every day, spending free time from 15 to 30 minutes to practice will help you be more confident in communication and better control yourself.

• Don't give a too short answer

Answering the question too simply is the reason why many candidates get low marks in the examIELTS Speaking. To lengthen the answer, you need to use the following formula:Answer – Explain – Give an example.

Note: Based on this structure, the examiner can understand your sentences better, and at the same time help you show your ability to use vocabulary and grammar.

In addition, candidates can apply some tips to make the test more fluent

see more: Synthetic ielts writing exam questions 2019

Candidates can prepare some examples or stories to make the description in the talk more interesting. The ability to tell a story in English is a sign that you are becoming a fluent user of the language.

IELTS Speaking exercises

3. Sample questions Full IELTS Speaking Test

You can practice on your own IELTS speaking test Speaking Full at home according to the sample below:

IELTS practice Speaking test Phần 1

Now, in this first part of the test, I'm going to ask you some questions about yourself. 

1. Can you remember a celebration you enjoyed as a child? 

2. Do people often celebrate special events in your country? 

3. Which is your favourite celebration?

Topics often present in Speaking Part 1

IELTS practice Speaking test - Part 2

Now, I'm going to give you a topic and I'd like you to talk about it for 1 - 2 minutes.

Before you talk you'll have one minute to think about what you are going to say and you can make notes if you want.

Ok, here's some papers and a pencil to make notes, and here is your topic. I'd like you to describe a special occasion in your country that you like the most..

Describe an important event in your life.

• You should say
• When it usually take place
• Where it is held
• What people usually do
• And explain why is it your favorite

Topics that are often present in Speaking Part 2

IELTS practice Speaking test - Part 3

We've been talking about a special occasion, and I'd now like to ask you some questions related to this.

1. What occasions are important in your country?
2. Why is it important to have national celebrations?
3. How is national celebrations today are celebrated compared to in the past?
4. Do you think any new national celebrations will come into being in the future?
5. Are there any celebrations from other countries that you celebrate or don’t celebrate in your country?
6. What are the benefits of having events that many people around the world are celebrating on the same day?

Refer to the video of the IELTS Speaking test:

4. Frequently asked questions

1. Is IELTS Speaking Part 3 difficult? How to score high?

2. Where can I find formulas to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 question types?

3. What are the common question types in IELTS Speaking Part 1?

4. Suggest some common topics in IELTS Speaking for practice

Here is a guide toIELTS structure Speaking as well as the sample title that DOL prepares for you. Please keep your mind calm and confident before taking the exam and you will achieve the results you want.

However, if you are wondering where to start learning IELTS, where your English skills are in the IELTS scale, do not miss the IELTS review program atDOL English. The IELTS preparation program here will help you evaluate your English ability corresponding to the IELTS score scale and the points that need to be improved, thereby having a suitable study plan.

For more detailed advice on the program and applicable incentives, please leave your information in the section “Chat with IELTS Dinh Luc”. TeamDOL English Will contact support as soon as possible.