Have you ever been influenced by an individual owing to his excellent speaking skills and power of communication? Has it made you wonder about the significance of being a good speaker? The IELTS Speaking Test exists to evaluate candidates for these traits. The current article will introduce you to the Speaking section in IELTS and also help you prepare for the same.
Let’s get started on the insights!
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What is the IELTS Speaking Test?
The Speaking test evaluates an individual on her/his communication skills. It is one of the 4 sections of the IELTS exam that a candidate’s English skills are evaluated. The speaking section’s every test is recorded and later evaluated by qualified evaluators. The test includes 3 parts.
- Part 1: Introduction
- Part 2: Long Turn
- Part 3: Discussion
The IELTS Speaking test is conducted with an examiner a week before or after the IELTS test. You can schedule this test according to your—convenience and the availability of the examiner.
Further, check the IELTS Speaking test pattern with this infographic.
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Duration |
11-14 minutes |
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Number of parts |
3 |
|
Marks per question |
Performance-based assessment |
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Nature of test |
Interactive |
|
Scoring |
The IELTS speaking score ranges from 0 to 9. Each band score corresponds to a varying English language competence level. |
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The IELTS speaking pattern comprises three parts. Let’s discuss the IELTS Speaking test format in detail.
IELTS Speaking Test Pattern
Speaking test IELTS includes 3 parts. Let’s evaluate each in detail:
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IELTS Speaking Part 1
The first part of the IELTS speaking test format is based on an introduction. This is a generic round. The examiner allows you to introduce yourself and interrogates you based on your regular routine.
This includes conversational in nature. The examiner and you exchange a conversation on daily topics, such as family, friends, work, recent experiences, etc.
- Task type: Introduction and an Interview
- Time: 4-5 minutes
- Questions: variable
- Inference drawn from Part 1: The examiner gauges your regular use of vocabulary and the style of your conversation. Your ease of conversation and discussion is checked.
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IELTS Speaking Part 2
Test takers are given a card that asks them to talk about a particular topic or an incident in this part. After the test-takers speech, the examiner might extend a few questions on the same to discuss further.
You will have one minute to prepare yourself to speak. You’re expected to speak up for two minutes for this segment. You might also have to speak of a personal incident or discuss another topic. In this task, you might also be presented with notes, pointers, or factors to elaborate on or cover. Watch out for these intricate details.
- Task type: Speech, Storytelling, or a Narrative
- Time: 3-4 minutes
- Questions: variable
- Inference drawn from Part 2: Your finesse in speaking at length is tested. This task also shows how you organise your thoughts coherently and, later, express them effectively.
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IELTS Speaking Part 3
In part three of your Speaking segment, the examiner digs deeper into the topic the test taker spoke about in part 2. Here, the issues are discussed in detail and opinions are gathered.
- Task type: Two-way discussion
- Time: 4-5 minutes
- Questions: variable
- Inference drawn from Part 3: This segment allows the examiner to test your ability to reason and assess any given topic. This allows them to analyze your opinions, speculations and understanding.
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Now that you’re familiar with 3 different parts of the IELTS speaking test, the next thing to know is the ‘Speaking test IELTS topics’ asked in the section.
Common IELTS Speaking Test Topics
Along with conversing in English regularly, a candidate can practice for the common IELTS speaking topics listed below to thoroughly prepare themselves for the IELTS Speaking test questions.
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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics
A few important topics for part 1 of your IELTS Speaking test questions are:
- Start with an intro for IELTS speaking part 1: Give a well-rounded introduction about yourself, your interests and likes.
- Talk about your personal life: Speak about your family, friends, passions, and more.
- Work: Define your occupation, your role, and your work-life.
- Goals and aspirations: Express your life goals, ambitions, and aspirations.
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Speaking Test IELTS Topics for Part 2
A few important IELTS speaking test topics for part 2 of the section are:
- Describe a piece of art/book/movie etc.
- What did you like about it?
- Did you learn anything from it?
- What is your usual day like?
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 Topics
A few important IELTS speaking test topics for part 3 of the section are:
- What’s your opinion about clothing?
- Should employees be encouraged to wear uniforms? Or identity tags?
- Talk about your favourite ad/marketing campaign that grabbed your attention
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Next, let’s explore a few study material sources to begin your Speaking test IELTS preparation.
Test Material to Prepare for IELTS Speaking
A candidate can explore the following sources to find numerous IELTS Speaking test samples.
- Comprehension IELTS English Band 8 Preparation Course—IELTSMaterial.com
- IELTS Speaking Actual Tests & Suggested Answers—IELTSMaterial.com
- Get IELTS Band 9 Speaking—Cambridge
- Speaking for IELTS by Karen Kovacs—Karen Kovacs
- Improve Your IELTS Listening & Speaking Skills—Barry Cusack. Sam McCarter
- IELTS Advantage: Listening Strategies & Speaking Skills—Jon Marks
- 31 High-Scoring Formulas to Answer the IELTS Speaking Questions—Jonathan PaHey. Adrian Li. Oliver Davies
- Websites
- IELTS Liz
- IELTS Buddy
- IELTS Mentor
- IELTS Test Preparation Course (Magoosh)
- British Council
- IELTS Band 7+ Complete Prep Course (Udemy)
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With this, you know numerous sources for IELTS Speaking test samples and IELTS Speaking practice tests. Since IELTS speaking skills aren’t something you can develop in a day, it is important that you make it a part of your daily routine. Thus, we’d like to help you with some preparation tips for the IELTS Speaking section.
IELTS Speaking Test Tips
Preparing yourself for the English Speaking test is more of a practice rather than a study. You must inculcate communication in English as a part of your daily conversations. This will improve your speaking skills. You will grow confident in conversing in English. And with time, you will also get comfortable speaking the language.
Did you know? The IELTS Speaking test evaluates you on 4 core aspects of verbal communication:
- Fluency & ability to comprehend
- Vocabulary
- Usage of correct grammar
- Pronunciation
So prioritise all these 4 aspects from day one of your IELTS preparation. To prepare for the IELTS English Speaking section, follow these IELTS Speaking test tips:
- Prepare well for the introduction of the IELTS speaking test
- Develop a good vocabulary
- Work on your fluency
- Talk about your experiences in English
- Read fast to comprehend things better
- Describe your travel experiences, your favourite food and current affairs (in English, Obviously!)
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An aspirant will certainly score well in the IELTS Speaking exam when they consistently practice attentive conversations. Despite basic exam awareness, aspirants can still have many crucial questions. If you, too, are one, connect with our expert counsellors for taking guidance on IELTS or any other step in your study abroad journey like profile building, university application, visa application, scholarships/loans, etc. How? Subscribe to Yocket Premium now!
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