IELTS SPEAKING: KEY TIPS

This document details the seven most important tips for the Speaking section of the IELTS exam. The
tips are based on the criteria or rubric that the examiner uses to determine your band score.

For the purpose of this exercise, we will use the following Section 2 question as an example:

Describe an artist or entertainer you admire.

You should say:
Who they are and what they do
How they became successful
How you found out about them
And explain why you admire them

Some, but not all, of the examples below refer to the above question and use Lady Gaga as an example.

1. Vocabulary: casual and sophisticated vocabulary

Obviously the most important thing is to make sure the vocabulary you use is relevant to the topic.
However the examiner will also be listening for the following examples of casual and sophisticated
vocabulary.
Type What is it? Examples
Phrasal verbs A verb and preposition or Get means to obtain. But get
particle that creates a different up means to leave bed, get
meaning to the verb when it over means to recover from an
operates on its own illness, get across means to
communicate effectively.
Hyperbole Deliberate exaggeration for Its so hot today, it feels like
dramatic effect 1000 degrees!
Idiomatic expressions A creative cultural expression - An apple a day keeps the
that contains hidden wisdom doctor away
- All roads lead to Rome
Similes Where two unlike things are He is as hungry as a horse.
compared using the word "like"
or "as" followed by a figurative
example
Collocations A pair or group of words that - Strong coffee
are habitually juxtaposed - Heavy drinker
- free time
- draw a conclusion
- spare time
- come under attack

Figures of speech All languages have expressions Lets see, Well now,
that people use when they are Anyway, I guess
thinking or preparing their
thoughts

2. Rephrasing
Where possible, the examiner doesnt want to hear you repeating the same vocabulary that appears in
the question.
There are two things you can do to rephrase:
1) Try to find synonyms eg: found out about her can be rephrased as heard of her
2) present words from the question in a different grammatical structure (eg: successful is an
adjective. You could use the same word as a noun: success. For example: Her success)

Example:
Question: How they became successful
Response: Her fame stems from her early career in New York

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3. Linking & Structural expressions (For part 2)
Using linking & structural expressions helps to give the listener a sense of progress and structure in
your response. Here are some examples:

Linking expression Examples

Regarding Regarding how she became popular, she released
her first album
With regards to With regards to how she became popular, she
released her first album
Moving on (note: use this one around the middle) Moving on, she released her first album and that
made her a star
Moving on to (note: use this one around the Moving on to how she became popular, she
middle) released her first album

As for As for how she became popular, she released her

first album.
Rhetorical questions (this is where you ask How did she become popular? Well, she released
yourself a question and then answer it) her first record
Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, So So in summary, thats why I admire her

4. Grammar: complex sentences

There are many, many types of complex sentences. To simplify the challenge of using a complex
sentence, focus on using one type at-least once - conditional sentences (for example: if/ would or if/
were)

Example:
Question: explain why you admire them
Response: If someone were going to try to become a famous singer, then I would definitely
recommend that they work as hard as Lady Gaga because her work ethic is very impressive and thats
what I love about her.

5. Grammar: general rules

Most common problems:
- Using the right verb tense
- Use of the definite article (the)
- Use of pronouns (I, you, me, they, ours)
- Use of relative pronouns (who, that, which)
- Uncountable nouns

6. Pronunciation and intonation

Note in your notebook any observations that your teacher gives you during the course about any
specific pronunciation or intonation problems that you have.
Intonation refers to the rhythm and pitch of your voice as you speak.

7. Flow
Avoid long pauses but also dont rush. Remember, your opinion is not the important thing for the
examiner- how you express it is the important thing. Be confident, use body language and eye
contact.

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