SPEAKING PART 1:

1. DESCRIPTION QUESTIONS: (Strategy: divide into 2 or 3 parts)

Sample answer
Tell me something about your hometown?
Well as you can probably guess I come from Taipei and I have lived here all my life,
although at the moment I’m studying in another city – Taizhong. I suppose if I had to
describe Taipei, the first thing I would say is that it’s very crowded, maybe even one
of the biggest cities in Asia I guess. It’s so congested that even the locals have
problems finding their way around! Another significant characteristic is that it offers
splendid examples of contemporary architecture. Actually some of the renowned
landmarks are in the middle of Taipei, such as the Taipei 101, the second tallest
building in the world.

Well, the main thing you need to know is that…(1) + (details)…

On top of that I can also add that (2)…+ (details)…
Something else that I need to say is that (3)…so actually…(detail)

Starting-off
Ok, then; actually; alright; well, you know;
Point 1
The first thing I’d like to mention is …
The main thing you need to know is …
I’d like to begin by highlighting the fact …
Point 2
In addition I suppose I should say …
Another interesting point …
Not only that, but _______is also exceedingly …..
Point 3
And I shouldn’t forget to mention that…
I guess I could also say that (it’s) sort-of ……..
Finally I’d also like to mention ……..

Practice:
Tell me something about your hometown?
What does your neighborhood look like?
What does your house look like?

2. LIKING (Strategy: General to specific)

Rephrasing “liking”
I’m pretty fond of…
I’m really keen on…
I’m a big fan of…
I’m passionate about…

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Structure
1. Well in general I would say …
2. To be more precise/specific…
3. And I guess this is probably because…

Sample answer
What kind of animals do you like?

Well in general I would say small animals, to be more precise cats and dogs; and, I
guess this is because we often kept them when I was growing up, and they were good
companions for me.

Practice:
What do you like about your hometown?
Do you like your job/studies?
What sort of music do you like?
Do you like reading?
Do you like shopping?

Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking: Part 2

PART 2

Individuals : Appearance / Personality / Hobbies / Relationship / My feeling

Buildings : Location / Exterior / Interior / Atmosphere / Service / My feeling
Cities : Location / People / Food / Cityscape / Entertainment / My feeling
Experience : What / Why / When / Where / Who / My feeling
Leisure activities : What / Who / When / Why / My feeling
Natural Beauty : Location / History / Visitors / Activities / My feeling
Animals : Appearance / Habits / Food / Relationship / My feeling
Objects : How I got it / Exterior / Function / Price / another related object / My feeling
Organizations : History / Members / Location / Duty / Influence / My feeling

Opening:
．Well I’d like to talk about ………
．Ok then, to start with I will talk about ………

The first point:

The first thing I’d like to mention is …
The main thing you need to know is …
I’d like to begin by highlighting the fact …
The most important point about _____ is

The second point:

Going on to my next point which is ______, and the thing that needs to be highlighted here is that
(S+V).
Now concerning the matter of ______, and what I have to mention here is that ~.

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The third point:
Progressing to the subject of ______. I would like to explain that (S+V).
Moving onto the business of ______, What I would like to make clear is that ~.

The last point:

Finally, I’d like to discuss __________
Finally then, if there is time, I could deal with the last question of (N).

Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking: Part 3

It’s difficult to predict exactly what questions we will get asked in the third part of the exam, but
usually they will have a close connection to the topic we discussed in part 2 of the exam. In addition
the following functions may be tested.

1. Comparing (time/objects/concepts)
2. Predicting
3. Advantages
4. Disadvantages
5. Problems
6. Solutions
7. Opinion (why)

1. Comparing 4. Disadvantages
Do you think people were smarter in the past? What are the main disadvantages of studying
What is the difference between learning skills online?
and knowledge? What are the main disadvantages of studying
abroad?
2. Predicting
Do you think people will be more intelligent in 5. Problems
the future? What are some of the main problems that
Do you think technology can replace teachers in students often encounter with learning English?
the future? What problems do students often have with their
classmates?
3. Advantages
What are the main advantages of studying 6. Solutions
online? [for above “how could we solve these
What are the main advantages of studying problems”]
abroad?
7. Opinion
Why do you think some people enjoy learning
new things?
What are some useful ways to remember things?

1. Comparing
Try to use language of comparison (cheaper, more expensive, more/less than)

Opening:
Well, obviously, there are a variety of possible differences here.
Well, undoubtedly, they are like chalk and cheese.

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 The First difference:
However, I (guess/ suppose) that the most striking difference is ~; whereas in contrast…
But I would say the most fundamental would be that (S+V). On the contrary,

The second difference:

In addition, a subsequent contrast could be that (S+V). Conversely,
Moreover, a further distinction might be that (S+V). While on the other hand,

Practice Questions for Part 3 of the IELTS EXAM

In what ways magazines are different to newspapers?

How could we deal with the problems of Internet?
Are people travelling more now than in the past?
Who make better teachers —men or women?
How have family values changed over the years?

2. Predicting
Try to use future tense (will, going to + verb)

Opening:
I am sure that in years to come we will see a number of changes related to this.
I imagine that in the near future, we will witness some major changes with regard to (N).

The first prediction:

To begin with, I would predict that we will most likely have (N).
Primarily, it looks quite possible that we are going to have (N).

The second prediction:

As well as this, some people claim that we will probably start to see (N).
Likewise, I would imagine that we may even be able to see (N).

The third prediction:

And who knows, there is even a chance that we will have (N).
And I know it is a bit of a crazy thought, but one day we may even have (N).

Practice Questions for Part 3 of the IELTS EXAM

What will schools be like in the future?
What will cars be like in the future?
Do you think people will have to conserve water in the future?
Do you think we will get the news in different ways in the future?
What will your country be like in 50 years?

3. Advantages (merits, benefits, rewards)

Opening:
Clearly there are a number of obvious merits.
Obviously there are a number of positive features.

The main advantage:

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 But I would probably say that for the most part, the one thing that really stands out is that~.
This is obviously favourable because (S+V).
However, I guess that the most evident would be that (S+V). This is surely a positive feature as
(S+V).

The second advantages:

Besides this, a second plus point could be that (S+V). This is undoubtedly favourable because
(S+V).
At the same time, a second bonus might be that (S+V). This is surely a positive feature as~

Practice Questions for Part 3 of the IELTS EXAM

What are the advantages of living in an old building?
What are the advantages of living in big cities?
What are the advantages of owning an up-to-date mobile phone?
What are the advantages of advertising?
What are the advantages of studying abroad?

4. Disadvantages (drawbacks, shortcomings, downside)

Opening:
I am sure most people would agree that there are some drawbacks.
Of course there are a couple of shortcomings.

The main disadvantages:

I suppose the most unfavourable quality might be that (S+V). This is an obviously weakness
because (S+V).
I guess the most impractical characteristic would be that (S+V). This is a clear limitation
because (S+V).

The second disadvantages:

At the same time, another stumbling block might be that ~. And the trouble with this is that
Correspondingly, an additional weak point may be that (S+V). And this can be a hassle as~

Practice Questions for Part 3 of the IELTS EXAM

What are the disadvantages of living in an old building?
What are the disadvantages of living in big cities?
What are the disadvantages of owning an up-to-date mobile phone?
What are the disadvantages of advertising?
What are the disadvantages of studying abroad?

5. Problems
Opening:
Obviously we can say there are quite a lot of dangers with regard to this issue.
It is universally accepted that there are a few hazards involved with (N).
The main problem:
Essentially, one fundamental concern is probably that ~. This is clearly alarming because~.

The second problem:

Equally worrying is the suggestion that~. And the underlying repercussions of this are that.

Practice Questions for Part 3 of the IELTS EXAM

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 What problems are associated with eating fast food?
1. What problems are caused by a lack of physical exercise?
2. How is our busy lifestyle contributing to health problems?
3. What problems are associated with global warming?
4. What problems are associated with violence being shown on TV?

6. Solutions:
Opening:
In my view there are a few ways to tackle this problem.

The first solution:

When dealing with _________, the easiest way to solve it out would be ~.

The second solution:

I also think that we could ________________

Practice Questions for Part 3 of the IELTS EXAM

1. How could we deal with eating fast food?

2. What would you do to get more physical exercise?
3. How can stress from our busy lifestyle be relieved?
4. What steps could be taken to tackle global warming?
5. How could kids be prevented from seeing violence on TV?

7. Opinion (why) questions

Opening:
Well in my opinion, there are undoubtedly a variety of justifications for this.
I suppose I would say that (S+V). There are probably a number of factors involved.
Well generally it is my belief that (S+V). There are obviously a number of motives
surrounding this idea.

The first reason:

The chief cause might be that (S+V).
The key explanation is possibly because (S+V).

The second reason:

As well as this, a subsequent factor could be because (S+V).
At the same time, a secondary motive could be that (S+V).

Practice Questions for Part 3 of the IELTS EXAM

Why do people like travelling to foreign countries?
Why do so many people move from the countryside to cities?
Why is it important for children to play sports?
Why do young people spend so much time on the Internet?
Why is watching TV so popular all over the world?