IELTS Speaking Test: Complete Guide

The IELTS Speaking test lasts 11-14 minutes and has three parts. Here's how to ace each one.

Part 1: Introduction & Interview (4-5 minutes)

The examiner asks general questions about familiar topics.

Common Topics

• Hometown
• Work or studies
• Hobbies and interests
• Daily routine
• Food and cooking
• Weather
• Technology

Sample Questions

• "Where are you from?"
• "What do you do for work/study?"
• "What do you like to do in your free time?"

Tips

• Give complete answers (2-3 sentences minimum)
• Add details and examples
• Show enthusiasm
• Don't just say "yes" or "no"

Example: Q: "Do you like reading?" Bad: "Yes, I do." Good: "Yes, I love reading! I usually read before bed. My favorite genre is mystery novels because they keep me engaged and help me relax after a long day."

Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes)

You receive a task card with a topic and have 1 minute to prepare. Then you speak for 1-2 minutes.

Sample Topic

"Describe a person who has influenced you. You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know them
• What they have done
• And explain how they influenced you"

Strategy

1. Use all your preparation time to make notes
2. Cover all bullet points
3. Speak for the full 2 minutes
4. Use varied vocabulary and grammar

Sample Structure

Introduction: "I'd like to talk about my high school teacher, Mrs. Kumar..." Main Points: Cover each bullet point with details Conclusion: "So that's why she's been such an important influence in my life."

Tips

• Use past, present, and future tenses
• Include descriptive language
• Tell a story, don't just list facts
• If you finish early, expand on your points

Part 3: Two-way Discussion (4-5 minutes)

The examiner asks abstract questions related to Part 2 topic.

Example Questions (if Part 2 was about a person)

• "How have family structures changed in your country?"
• "Do you think young people today respect their elders?"
• "What qualities make a good role model?"

Tips

• Give longer, more complex answers
• Express and justify opinions
• Compare past and present
• Use advanced vocabulary and grammar
• It's okay to disagree politely

Example: "That's an interesting question. I think family structures have changed significantly. In the past, extended families often lived together, but nowadays nuclear families are more common. This is mainly because of urbanization and career opportunities..."

Scoring Criteria

You're assessed on four areas:

1. Fluency & Coherence (25%)

• Speak at a natural pace
• Don't pause too long
• Use linking words (however, moreover, for instance)

2. Lexical Resource (25%)

• Use a wide range of vocabulary
• Use less common words naturally
• Paraphrase instead of repeating words

3. Grammatical Range & Accuracy (25%)

• Use complex sentences
• Mix tenses appropriately
• Make few errors

4. Pronunciation (25%)

• Speak clearly
• Use proper word stress
• Use intonation for emphasis

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Memorizing answers (examiners can tell!)
• Speaking too fast
• Using very informal language
• Going completely off-topic
• Giving one-word answers in Part 1
• Not addressing all bullet points in Part 2

Practice Recommendations

• Record yourself answering sample questions
• Practice speaking for exactly 2 minutes (Part 2)
• Listen to Band 8-9 sample answers
• Work with a speaking partner or AI coach
• Get comfortable with different topics

Final Tips

• Arrive early and stay calm
• Treat it like a conversation, not an interrogation
• If you don't understand, ask: "Could you repeat that, please?"
• Don't worry about accents - clarity matters more
• Practice daily, even for 10 minutes