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FLUENCY
for
IELTS
SPEAKING
BY: Keith O’Hare
www.keithspeakingacademy.com
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INTRODUCTION
This course is an intense workout to improve your fluency in the IELTS Speaking test.
It will help you,
• Speak more fluently
• Improve your intonation
• Build your confidence
The course is divided into three parts, like the IELTS Speaking Test.
The focus is on
• Learning to use ‘chunks’ flexibly
• Building coherence
• Using grammar effectively and effortlessly
It follows a grammar-based curriculum.
The course also uses a ‘question - answer’ format, so you can see how to use different
tenses effectively in different parts of the test.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fluency in Part 1 Questions
Talking about yourself and your experience, past and present.
• Present Simple
• Present Perfect Continuous (past to present activity)
• Present Perfect Continuous (recent activity)
• Past habits (simple past, used to, would)
• Present Perfect (experiences)
• Comparatives
• Superlatives
• 2nd Conditional
Fluency for Part 2 Questions
Giving a talk about people, places, things, activities and events that may have
happened in the past, present or future.
• Simple Past
• Past Continuous
• Past Perfect
• Relative Clauses
• 3rd Conditional
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Fluency for Part 3 Questions
Giving your opinions, evaluations and speculations of more abstract topics, as
well as exemplifying and justifying your ideas.
• Future - will / might / may
• 1st Conditional
• Present Perfect (result in present)
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HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Read the introductory grammar point.
Watch the video.
When you hear an answer,
• Listen and repeat
• Listen to the intonation, and then repeat
• Finally, repeat the whole answer
• Where possible substitutes are given, repeat the answer again, and change the
underlined phrase
• Finally, say an answer that is actually true for you.
For example, in unit 1, for the question “Do you run?”. If you run everyday, you could say,
‘As a matter of fact I do. I’m really into running. I run everyday’
When practicing speaking, I strongly recommend you work with either the audio (or
video) without looking at the PDF.
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PART 1
Fluency for Part 1 Questions
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UNIT 1
Present Simple
If you are talking about things that are true now, or your habits or things that happen
regularly, you can use the present simple tense.
I / you / we / they + verb
• I live in Spain
• I work as a teacher
• I do like this music (use ‘do’ for emphasis)
NEGATIVE - I / you / we / they + DON’T + verb
• I don’t live in Spain anymore
• I don’t like this music
He / she / it + verb + S
• He lives in England
• My sister works in a hospital
• She does like her job (use ‘does’ for emphasis)
NEGATIVE - He / she / it + DOESN’T + verb
• He doesn’t live in England now
• My sister doesn’t like her job
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Part 1 Questions
Q: Do you like reading?
A:
Yes I am big fan of reading.
I’m really into crime novels actually,
I do like Agatha Christie
Possible substitutes for crime novels:
Thrillers / biographies / romance novels
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Q: Do you like reading?
A:
Not much
It’s not really my cup of tea
I tend to listen to music
whenever I have any free time
Possible substitutes for any free time:
Time on my hands / a spare moment / time to kill
Q: Do you often run?
A:
As a matter of fact I do
I’m really into running
I run twice a week
Possible substitutes for twice a week:
most days / regularly / on a regular basis = a lot
once in a while / now and then / now and again = sometimes
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Q: Do you cook?
A:
Yes I do,
I’m rather fond of cooking,
to tell you the truth.
I find it really relaxing.
Possible substitutes for relaxing:
Calming / exciting / therapeutic (=relaxing)
Q: Do you play water sports?
A:
Not really to be honest,
I don’t play any water sports.
I don’t have much chance
where I live
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UNIT 2
Present Perfect Continuous
(activity from past to present)
If you are describing events or states that began in the past, and continue now, you can
use the present perfect continuous
Subject + have/has been + verb+ING
• I have been living here for 2 years
• I have been studying English for 10 years
We use for to indicate a period of time
For example: 2 years, one day, 3 weeks.
We use since to indicate a point in time
For example: last year, yesterday, last Tuesday
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Part 1 Questions
Q: Do you run?
A:
I do as a matter of fact,
I’ve been jogging
for about 3 years now.
I love it.......
Possible substitutes for 3 years:
3 months / a good while / as long as I can remember
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Q: Do you practice any water sports?
A:
Yes, I do.
I surf actually.
I’ve been surfing
since I was a kid
Possible substitutes for surf:
swim / water-ski / snorkel
Q: Do you drive?
A:
Yes, I do.
I’ve been driving
since I was 18
I usually drive to work everyday
Possible substitutes for was 18:
turned 18 / was a teenager / passed my driving test
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UNIT 3
Present Perfect Continuous (recent activity)
We can also use the present perfect continuous to describe repeated activities that began
in the past and still continue
Subject + have/ has been + verb+ING
Recently I have been watching a good TV series
Lately, I have been going to the gym a lot
She has been working out down the gym a lot lately
When speaking, we often contract the “have” and “has”
Recently I’ve been watching a good TV series
Lately, I’ve been going to the gym a lot
She’s been working out down the gym a lot lately
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Part 1 Questions
Q: Do you cook?
A:
Yeah, I love cooking.
Recently,
I’ve been learning
some new Japanese recipes.
Possible substitutes for new Japanese recipes:
New dishes / new recipes / original ideas for new dishes
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Q: Do you cook?
A:
No, not really
That said, I’ve been trying to learn
following some videos on Youtube
Possible substitutes for some videos on Youtube:
A new book I have / a programme on TV / some online classes
Q: Are you interested in science?
A:
Yes, I am a big fan of science.
Recently,
I’ve been listening
to a new podcast about science
Possible substitutes for science:
Biology / the planet earth / scientific issues
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Q: How do you spend time by yourself?
A:
Well, actually, recently,
I’ve been learning how to meditate.
It’s great fun, I must say
Possible substitutes for meditate:
Keep fit / paint / code /
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UNIT 4
Past Habits
We can use,
• SIMPLE PAST TENSE
• USED TO
• WOULD
to describe habits we had, or activities we repeatedly did in the past
SIMPLE PAST TENSE
Subj + verb+ED (regular)
• I walked a lot when I was young
• I didn’t walk a lot when I was young
Subj + verb in past (irregular)
• I swam a lot when I was young
• I didn’t swim a lot when I was young
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USED TO
Subj + used to + verb
• I used to swim a lot in my childhood
• I didn’t used to swim a lot in my childhood
WOULD
Subj + would + verb
• I would swim a lot as a child
• I wouldn’t swim a lot as a child
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Part 1 Questions
Q: Did you eat a lot of sweet things when you were younger?
A:
Yes, I did, to be honest
In my family
we would have a dessert
after dinner most days.
Possible substitutes for a dessert:
some kind of cake / something sweet / some kind of dessert
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Q: Did you do water sports as a child?
A:
Yes, I did.
I used to swim a lot.
Most weekends actually.
Possible substitutes for Most weekends actually.
at least twice a week / most days, as a matter of fact / whenever
I could
Q: Did you take art classes when you were a child?
A:
Yes, I had to do art classes at school,
it was mandatory, you know
Possible substitutes for do
Take / go to / take part in
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Q: Did you enjoy learning English when you were a child?
A:
Not really, I didn’t like it much.
I often used to skip English classes,
to tell you the truth.
Possible substitutes for to tell you the truth:
To be honest / if the truth be told / to be honest with you
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UNIT 5
Present Perfect (experiences)
We can use the present perfect to describe experiences we have had in life
Subj + have/has + past participle
• I have been to Paris
When speaking, we usually make the contraction - I have becomes I’ve
• I’ve been to Paris
• I’ve run a marathon
• I’ve never seen a lion
If we continue to talk about this experience, the following sentences usually use the simple
past tense.
I’ve run a marathon once. It was 2 years ago and took place in Australia.
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Part 1 Questions
Q: Have you ever grown a plant?
A:
Actually, no I haven’t.
I’ve never learnt how to do it
but I’d love to try
Q: Have you ever been to an art gallery?
A:
Oh yes. I have been to a few actually.
I went to a great one in Italy last year,
it had some famous masterpieces,
that were really impressive.
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Q: Have you ever seen wild animals before?
A:
Yes, I have seen loads,
well, if animals in a zoo count.
I have been to the zoo in my city several times
and it’s full of wild animals;
like gorillas and giraffes.
Possible substitutes for several:
A number of / a couple of / a handful of
Q: Do you play any water sports?
A:
Not really to be honest,
I’ve never really liked water sports.
I was brought up in the city,
so I didn’t have much chance to practice them
Possible substitutes for was brought up:
Was raised / was born and bred / grew up
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UNIT 6
Comparatives
We can use comparative adjectives to compare 2 things (or two people, two places etc…)
With one or two syllable words (e.g. nice, long)
Adjective + er
• A is nicer / longer than B
With a one-syllable word with consonant + vowel + consonant, then we double the
last letter: For example, big becomes bigger
• A is bigger than B
________________
With three or more syllable words (e.g. expensive, comfortable)
MORE +Adjective
• A is more expensive than B
To emphasise the comparison we can use much/far or way
• A is much/far/way bigger than B
• A is much/far/way more expensive than B
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Part 1 Questions
Q: Do you prefer to read a paper book or a digital book?
A:
To be honest, I prefer paper books
because they’re nicer to hold than digital books
And just much easier to use too
That said, digital ones are actually cheaper
Q: Do you prefer to travel by train or plane?
A:
I usually travel by train
Because it’s far more comfortable than a plane
It’s also way cheaper
I know planes are faster,
but going to the airport is a bit of a hassle
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Possible substitutes for hassle:
nuisance / pain / bother
Q: Do you prefer a long break or short breaks at work?
A:
Generally speaking,
I’d rather take short breaks
They’re far better for my concentration and productivity
Possible substitutes for Generally speaking:
By and large / most of the time / on the whole
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UNIT 7
Superlatives.
We can use superlatives adjectives to compare 3 or more things (or three or more people,
places etc…)
With one or two syllable words (e.g. nice, big)
THE + adjective + est
• A is the nicest / longest
• A is the biggest city in my country
• A is one of the biggest cities in my country
With a one-syllable word with consonant + vowel + consonant, then we double the last letter
For example, big becomes the biggest
With 3 or more syllable words,
THE MOST + Adjective
• A is the most expensive
• A is the most expensive city in my country
• A is one of the most expensive cities in my country
To emphasise we can use by far
• A is by far the most expensive
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Part 1 Questions
Q: Tell me about your hometown
A:
I come from Manchester which is up in the north of England.
It’s one of the most beautiful cities in England,
Q: What do tourists like to visit in your hometown?
A:
Many tourists
will go to Manchester United’s football ground
because it’s one of the most famous grounds in the world
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Q: What do people in your country like to do in parks or gardens?
A:
Well, one of the most popular pastimes is sunbathing,
if the weather is sunny.
Otherwise, many people will just go for a stroll to get some fresh air.
Possible substitutes for sunbathing:
jogging / community dancing / having a picnic
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UNIT 8
2nd Conditionals.
We can use this tense to describe the consequences of things that could happen in future,
but are unlikely.
If + past simple, would + verb
The two phrase can occur in any order;
• If I won the lottery, I would buy a new house
• I would buy a new house, if I won the lottery
Also you can use a contraction in spoken English - would becomes ‘d.
• I’d be happy, if I succeeded in the IELTS test
• If I succeeded in the IELTS test, I’d be happy
Negatives can also be used in either clause.
• If I didn’t win the lottery, I wouldn’t buy a new house
• If I didn’t succeeded in the IELTS test, I’d be unhappy
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Part 1 Questions
Q: How would you feel if someone gave you a pen as a gift?
A:
I would be delighted, if someone gave me a pen as a gift,
So long as it was a good quality one!
Possible substitutes for delighted:
Over the moon / well pleased / thrilled to bits
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Q: How would you feel if someone gave you a pen as a gift?
A:
To be honest,
I’d probably be a bit annoyed, if someone gave me a pen as a gift
Possible substitutes for annoyed:
Put out / cross / disgruntled
Q: What kind of sports would you like to try?
A:
If I had a chance, I would love to try surfing
I think it’d be great fun
We use the full form would, if we want to add emphasis.
Q: Would you like to be famous?
A:
Yes, I would like to be famous, if I didn’t have to speak in public
We also use the full form would, when we use the negative
Q: Would you like to be famous?
A:
No, I wouldn’t like to be famous, if I had to give up my privacy
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FLUENCY for IELTS SPEAKING
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