Prepared by Le Thu Ha - IEC - Hong Duc University IELTS SPEAKING TEST - PART ONE Question Type 1.

Description Questions 1. Form 1st pointing phrases The first thing I should mention is that I could start off by saying that The point Id like to begin with is that My initial point would be that I suppose I should begin by highlighting the fact that 2nd pointing phrases Another point which I could add is that On top of that I can also add that A second feature which I should mention is that As well as that, I could say that Also, I suppose I should say that Example: Tell me about your hometown. Well, as you can probably guess I come from Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam and I have lived here all my life, although at the moment Im spending most of my time studying in another city that is Hanoi. I suppose if I had to describe Thanh Hoa, the first thing I would mention is that its absolutely magnificent, even maybe one of the most wanted tourist destination in Vietnam I guess. Visitors may have unforgettable memories while coming to the natural and historical sites there. On top of that I can also add that, my hometown offers a wide range of delicious and unique specialties which partly reflect the local culture. Finally, I shouldnt forget to say that it is the locals hospitality and friendliness that has left good impression and sense of comfort on most visitors from other places. 2. Practice Tell me about the house/flat you live in. Tell me about your job/studying. Tell me about your family. Describe your main ambition. Question Type 2. Liking Questions 1. Form Starting phrases Well in general I would say that Actually, I suppose that for the most part Id probably say that Well, to be honest I should really say that Certainly, I would definitely say that Well, I guess that generally speaking I would have to say that 1st point particularly especially specifically to be more precise to be more specific to be more exact to be more accurate Reason 1 This is probably because This could be because This is due to the fact that I suppose the reason has something to do with the fact that This is mainly because 2nd point As well as this In addition to this To add to this Additionally Besides Reason 2 (= Reason 1) 3rd pointing phrases Finally, I shouldnt forget to say that In addition to what Ive just said, I can add that Something else that I want to mention is that I guess I could also remark on the fact that

Point 1 + Detail 1

Point 2 + Detail 2

Point 3 + Detail 3

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Prepared by Le Thu Ha - IEC - Hong Duc University Example: What food do you like? Well to be honest, in general I would say that Im quite passionate about fast food, to be more specific I would probably say that Im really into pizza and sandwich. This is mainly because I can save a lot of time cooking at home. As well as this, Im quite partial to vegetables and fruits due to their freshness and high nutritional value. In addition to this, I think Im also pretty passionate about dishes made of fish as they are not only delicious but also provide great benefits for my health. 2. Practice What do you like about your city? Do you like reading? Do you like listening to music? What do you like about your studies/job? Question Type 3. Disliking Questions 1. Form - The same as Question Type 2. Liking Questions. - Disliking expressions: o Im not so keen on o Im not much of a fan of o Im not really that fond of o I really cant stand o I absolutely loathe o I totally detest Example: Is there anything you dont like about your hometown? Well to be honest, I think I have to say that Im not so keen on the weather in my hometown. To be more specific, I really cant stand the summer days due to the fact that the temperatures can get as high as 40 degrees. Obviously, it can be quite uncomfortable if you dont have air conditioning in your house. In addition to this, Im not really that fond of the transport system. And I guess this is probably because the roads are always full of vehicles traveling back and forth which can result in daily traffic jam, or more seriously traffic accidents and air pollution. 2. Practice Is there anything you dont like about your studies/job? Is there any food you dont like? What are the worst things about shopping? Are there any clothes that you dont like?

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Prepared by Le Thu Ha - IEC - Hong Duc University Question Type 4. Types of Questions 1. Form Step 1. Opening line: Opening phrases Well actually Sure, obviously Ok, certainly Of course, you know Of course, it goes without saying Step 2. Introduce the first type: Introduce the first type (T1) But I guess the most (adj) would probably be However, I suppose the most (adj) could possibly be Though I think the most (adj) would potentially be Yet I imagine the most (adj) may well be Still, I suspect that the most (adj) could perhaps be Note: Some (adj) suggestions: o common = commonplace = influential o popular = frequent = prevalent o fashionable = trendy = notorious o famous = well-known = celebrated o widely-used = widely-known = prominent o important = significant = widespread o hip = with-it = commonly-used o usual = customary = commonly-known o best-selling = up-to-date = renowned Step 3. Introduce the second type: Introduce the second type (T2) Another kind ofworth mentioning would be A second variety ofwould be something like A subsequent category would be somehting like In addition to/As well as Add a detail of T2 And the main characteristic of T2 is that And the unique aspect of T2 is that And one prominent feature of T2 is that Add a detail of T1 The thing with T1 is that I assume T1 is so (adj) because The point I want to add about T1 is that And what you have to realise with T1 is that And the explanation for this could be that Introduce topics Theres quite a mixed variety of Theres wide range of Theres fairly broad range of Theres quite an expensive diversity of Theres quite a diverse mixture of

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Prepared by Le Thu Ha - IEC - Hong Duc University Step 4. Add a vague end line: And of course theres the usual things like And obviously you can also find things like Likewise, as might be expected, there are things like And naturally, there are also types oflike Example: Tell me about the types of public transport in your city. Of course, it goes without saying that theres quite a mixed variety of public transport in my city. Still, I suppose the most commonly-used would potentially be busses. And the explanation for this could be that they are so cheap and convenient. In fact, the bus fare in my city is about 5 thousand dong for a single journey and we do not have any difficulties in looking for a parking lot like traveling by private cars. Another form of public transport worth mentioning would be something like taxis. And one main characteristic of taxis is that they are certainly the fastest way to get around the city, especially when you are in a hurry. Likewise, as might be expected, there are things like ferries, motorcycle taxis, subways and trains although they are not as widelyused as the first two that I mentioned above. 2. Practice Tell me about the types of sports that are popular in your country. What kinds of restaurants are popular in your country? What types of of shops can be found in your local area? What kinds of things do people collect in your country? What hobbies are common in your country? What types of TV programmes are popular in your country?

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Prepared by Le Thu Ha - IEC - Hong Duc University Question Type 5. Wh-/How Questions 1. Form Opening phrases Well to be honest Actually to be fair Well in all fairness In fact, in all honesty Depends phrases I think I would have to say that it really depends. I suppose I would have to maintain that it kind of depends really. I imagine that it would depend on the situation. I guess my answer would be determined by different conditions. Linking phrases Like for instance Like more specifically More precisely like Like to be more direct

Your answer is going to compare two different situations or conditions. Here are some possible situations to use: Situation A Weekdays Summer Good weather Term time If Im alone Ive got a lot of time If (situation A) then I will most likely then its quite possible that I will then as consequence I will probably then I guess its quite likely that I will Situation B Weekends Winter Bad weather School holidays If Im with friends If Im fairly busy Compare linking phrases Whereas in contrast Whereas on the other hand Though at the same time While, oppositely.. Example: How often do you go to the cinema? Well in all fairness, I imagine that it would depend on the situation. Like for instance if it is on weekdays then I guess its quite likely that I will spend my free time going to the cinema to enjoy my favorite movies with my friends. In fact, it would be considered as my most relaxing time of the entire week. Whereas on the other hand if it is on weekdays then I will almost always face with a large pile of studies and work. Therefore, regardless my interest in movies, its really impossible for me to have such exciting moment with my friends at the cinema. 2. Practice Where do you usually go shopping? When do you often read? At what time of day do you usually listen to music? Who do you spend your evenings with? How often do you play sports? How often do you eat out in restaurants? If (situation B) then its more likely that Ill then its almost certain that I will then I will almost always then I will most certainly

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Prepared by Le Thu Ha - IEC - Hong Duc University Question Type 6. Yes/No Questions 1. Form A good answer is to response BOTH Yes and No. Opening phrases Well in actual fact, if I think about it, I guess that in many ways OK, well in reality, I suppose that to some extent Alright, I guess that on one hand Well certainly in some ways Yes answers especially when you consider that particularly if you think about the point that especially with regard to the point that and this is definitely the case with No answers But you also have to understand that Even so, you could also say that At the same time you could say that

You can round-off the answer with one of the following phrases: So all in all I guess my answer would have to be yes and no. So on the whole I suppose the answer has to be yes and no. So all things considered I guess the answer is both yes and no. So in the main, I suppose the answer is probably yes and no. Example: Is healthy eating important? Well, in factual fact, if I think about it, I guess that in many ways its fairly important, especially when you consider that a healthy diet can help to prevent a variety of diseases and health problems such as diabetes and obesity. But at the same time you could say that eating unhealthy food in moderation is not overly harmful. In fact, unhealthy food is often tastier than healthy food so I guess its fine to eat a little junk food now and then. So all in all, I guess my answer would have to be yes and no. 2. Practice Do many people work on farms in your country? Is food expensive in your country? Is public transport cheap in your country? Do you think it is important to spend time with many friends? Is fast food popular in your country?

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Prepared by Le Thu Ha - IEC - Hong Duc University Question Type 7. Would Questions 1. Form Begin your answer by the following structures: Well, quite honestly I dont think Ive ever thought about that, but I guess Actually, this isnt something that Ive ever considered, but in short Im not really sure how to put this, but I suppose generally speaking Note: - Use the form of second conditional sentence when you add a reason or detail. - Try to use one of the following structures for your beginning: o I imagine I would possibly think about (V-ing) o I guess I would maybe contemplate (V-ing) o I would perhaps reflect on (V-ing) Example: Would you like to move to another city? Actually, this isnt something that Ive ever considered, but in short I suppose I would possibly think about moving to another cities, especially if I had the chance to move to a coastal city. If I lived in a seaside city I would be able to hang out on the beach everyday and I would also have the opportunities to get into exciting water sports like scuba-diving and surfing. 2. Practice Would you like to change your job? Would you like to live near the sea? Would you like to learn another foreign language? Would you like to change your name? Would you like to be in a film? What would you like to change about your city? What would you like to change about your school (in the past)?

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