IELTS Online Course Tips: Acing Speaking Sub-test: Part 1

Understanding the structure of the IELTS test ensures that you can prepare adequately for each component of the exam. For instance, the speaking section is featured in both IELTS General Training and Academic tests, which evaluates the test taker’s ability to communicate various information and ideas on numerous topics by answering a wide range of question items.

For exam takers, understanding the components of the speaking sub-test is essential as it helps enhance their IELTS online course preparation and achieve their band score goal. One of the sections of the speaking sub-test is Part 1 – Introduction and Interview.

IELTS Speaking Sub-test: Part 1 – Introduction and Interview

In this first speaking section, the examiner asks the exam taker some simple personal questions on familiar topics such as work, study, food, holidays, friends, sports, schools and public transport. Moreover, the examiner reads these questions from a script, and you have 4–5 minutes to finish the test. Here are some question items that the examiner might ask you during this speaking test:

•        What did you study?
•        What do you do for work?
•        What’s your hometown like?
•       What is your favorite food?
•        Do you enjoy watching TV shows?

Although these questions are pretty easy to answer, you must not give answers that are too short, and you have to speak naturally.

IELTS Speaking Tips: Part 1 – Introduction and Interview

To guide you more on how to ace this component, check out these four speaking tips that you can apply in your IELTS online course program:

1. Speak as much as possible – As you answer each question, make sure that you discuss every detail and information about your answers. For instance, if the examiner asks you what kind of food you like, try to elaborate. Rather than just saying: “I like all kinds of food.” You can say something like: “I have an extensive taste in food. I enjoy eating foods from various countries and experiencing different flavors. Recently, I enjoy eating Thai food.”

2. Make sure that your intonation is not flat –If the way you talk sounds flat, you will seem boring, and the examiner might think that you are not paying attention to the interview or you don’t care about the examination.

3. Avoid Yes/No answers – If you give short answers like; “Yes, I do” or “No, I don’t,” you are not demonstrating to the examiner your mastery of the language. Always include details to fill out your answers.

4. Don’t repeat your answers – “Cliché interview answers aren’t the only problem but a candidate will trot out a standard response or repeat something they’ve memorized,” says Anna Budner, [INSERT AFFILIATION]. In other words, repeating your answers makes you sound dull and predictable. So, rather than sticking to a rehearsed script, just answer each question with the right amount of information.

For more information about the components and tips about the IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic tests, subscribe to our blog now!

REFERENCES:

Kaia. "IELTS Speaking Preparation Overview | Tips & Topics for IELTS Success!" PTE, OET, IELTS, & TOEFL Study Material and Tips—E2Language Blog. Feb. 09, 2018. Accessed April 24, 2018. https://blog.e2language.com/ielts-speaking-preparation/.

Kaye P. "Evaluating Speaking—the IELTS Speaking Test." TeachingEnglish | British Council | BBC. Accessed April 24, 2018. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/evaluating-speaking-ielts-speaking-test.

"Understand the Speaking Test." Take IELTS with British Council. Accessed April 24, 2018. https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/understand-test-format/speaking-test.