IELTS - SPEAKING

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a place

For example, here are some ideas for a description of an interesting city: lively, bustling, hectic, thriving cosmopolitan, multicultural fascinating, unique a special atmosphere sightseeing, entertainment an unforgettable experience enjoyed every minute the time flew by endless things to see and do it was over too quickly

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an activity

Today I'm working on a video lesson about the "describe an activity" topic. You might be asked to describe a hobby, sport or game, so it's a good idea to be ready for this topic. My approach is to prepare ideas for one sport (e.g. swimming) and one game (e.g. chess). I start with a simple idea, such as "swimming is healthy". Then I search for good words and phrases related to this theme. For example: "Swimming is healthy" theme: keep fit get in better shape a good cardiovascular workout feel refreshed, rejuvenated, invigorated gives me an energy boost Can you think of any more words and phrases for this theme?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'theme' vocabulary One of the suggestions that I make in my video lessons is that you prepare "theme" vocabulary for IELTS speaking part 2. Let's look at a theme that could help us with the task below. Describe a time when you received good service in a restaurant or cafe. You should say - when this was - what kind of restaurant or cafe you were in - why you were there - and why you thought the service was good

We could use the "friendly" theme from speaking lesson 4 in my video course. Here's the vocabulary that I suggested for that theme: "Friendly" theme (e.g. staff in a restaurant) welcoming, inviting warm, approachable polite, thoughtful, attentive great atmosphere make you feel at home the service was excellent nothing was too much to ask an unforgettable evening

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an event

In the lesson, I look at 4 types of event: -party -festival -sports event -concert or musical event Which type of event would you find the most difficult to describe? Can you think of any vocabulary 'themes' that could be used to describe any event?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a person

-Describe a teacher -Describe a famous person -Describe a friend -Describe a family member -Describe a child -Describe someone who helps people -Describe someone who does something well I then suggest that we choose an easy 'theme' e.g. a hard-working and friendly person. We can prepare lots of good vocabulary for this theme, and hopefully use it to describe any of the people in the list above.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: strange topics, easy answers Don't worry if the questions in part 1 of the speaking test seem strange. Just give a direct answer and a reason as usual. For example:

'Robots' topic: 1. What do you think of robots? I think robots are a clever idea. I'd love to have a robot that could speak to me and do things for me! 2. Did you watch any cartoons related to robots in your childhood? I can't remember watching cartoons with robots, but I remember that I liked the robots in films like Star Wars. 3. Do you like the idea of robots helping you at home or driving your car? Yes, definitely. It would be great to have a robot helper at home, and I like the idea of driverless cars - I think driving would be safer if cars were controlled by robots. .......... 'Shoes' topic: 1. Do you like to buy expensive shoes? No. I tend to buy average-priced shoes because I'm more interested in comfort than expensive brands. 2. When you buy shoes, do you prefer convenience or style? I mainly look for comfort and convenience. But obviously I consider the style too, because I do choose shoes that match the clothes I wear. 3. Why do you think some people buy many pairs of shoes? I suppose they either like following the latest fashions, or they want a pair of shoes to match all of the different clothes or outfits that they have. 4. Have you ever bought shoes online? No, I haven't. I always like to try shoes on before I buy them, to make sure that they fit properly and feel comfortable.

Describe a plant, flower or tree that is famous or important in your country. You should say - what type of plant, flower or tree it is - where it grows or is usually seen - how it is used in your country - and why it is famous or important

- I'm going to talk about oak trees, and I'll also describe a specific example of a famous oak tree called the Major Oak. This is a huge tree in Sherwood Forest; it's thought to be around 1000 years old, and I'd probably say that it's the most impressive tree that I've ever seen. - Oaks are very common in England; they can be seen in fields and areas of woodland in the countryside, but they are also commonly found in parks and gardens in towns and cities. The Major Oak is in Sherwood Forest, which is near Nottingham. It stands out from the other oak trees because its trunk and branches are so wide and thick. - The wood from oak trees is used to make furniture; for example, I have an oak table, wardrobe and various other pieces of oak furniture at home. Oak is a strong and reliable wood that has traditionally been used in construction, for beams and other parts of the framework of houses and other buildings. The Major Oak obviously hasn't been used in this way; it's a tourist attraction that people visit and marvel at. For example, I went to see it on a school trip as a child. - The oak tree is important in England because it symbolises history, strength and reliability - probably because of its traditional role in construction. The Major Oak is famous for a completely different reason: it was supposedly Robin Hood's hideout, so it has a kind of legendary or mythical status because of the stories that are associated with it. For this reason, and because of its age and unusual size, the Major Oak has become known as Britain's favourite tree.

Describe a place of entertainment (e.g. theatre, cinema, sports centre) that you would like to have where you live. You should say - what this place would be - where it should be - whom it would be for, or who would use it - and why you think this place of entertainment is needed

- The place of entertainment that I wish we had close to where I live is a sports centre. My ideal sports centre would have a gym, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor football pitches, courts for tennis, badminton and squash, and an all-purpose area for things like gymnastics and circuit training. - I can think of the perfect place for this facility: There's a disused piece of land just down the road from where I live, where an old warehouse was knocked down. It's near to the main road and the train station, so it would be easy for people to get to. There are plans to build houses on this plot of land, but I think a sports centre would be much better for local residents. - The good thing about a sports centre is that everyone can use it. There could be sports lessons and clubs for children and teenagers - things like swimming lessons and football team practice sessions. I'm sure many adults in my local area would join the gym, use the pool, and book the courts for games of tennis or badminton. The centre could even hold sports events, such as competitions, that would attract spectators as well as participants. - I think we need a good sports centre where I live because people currently have to travel to the next town if they want to find some of the facilities, activities, lessons and clubs that I've mentioned. I think a sports complex would give young people, in particular, something fun and productive to do in the evening and at weekends. Playing sport keeps people healthy and makes them feel happy, so I think a sports centre would brighten up my local area and improve our quality of life.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'chocolate' answers Here are my sample answers for the 'chocolate' topic. Remember that your priority in speaking part 1 is to demonstrate fluency by giving answers that are short, direct and natural, without hesitating too much.

1) Do you like chocolate? Why / why not? Yes, I love chocolate. I like the taste, the texture and the feeling that you get when you eat it. And it goes really well with my favourite drink, coffee. 2) What type of chocolate do you prefer? Why? I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate, because it has a stronger taste. I also like chocolate when it's in a cake, and I love drinking hot chocolate too. 3) When do you usually eat chocolate? I try not to eat too much, but I probably eat or drink something that contains chocolate every couple of days. 4) Do people give chocolate as a present in your country? When? Yes, it's very common to give boxes of individual chocolates as a gift. You can give chocolates on any special occasion really: birthdays, Valentine's day, Easter, Christmas, and so on.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'holidays' answers Here are my sample answers for the questions that I asked you to look at last week. As usual, my part 1 answers are short and simple. Remember that the priority in part 1 is to answer "fluently", not to show off your best language (you can do that in parts 2 and 3).

1) Do you like holidays? Why / why not? Yes, I love holidays because I get the chance to take a break from work, to relax and unwind, and to spend time with my family. 2) Do you prefer to travel or stay at home during holiday periods? Why? If I can I prefer to travel. It's nice to get away from everything and to have a change of scenery. Also, I like visiting new places and doing some sightseeing. 3) What do most people do during their holidays in your country? Why? During the summer especially, I think most British people go somewhere hot and sunny, to escape from the British weather! 4) When do you prefer to take your holidays? Why? I like taking my holidays just outside the main summer season, which is July and August. If you go on holiday in May, June or September, everything is cheaper and places aren't so crowded with tourists.

1. Do you use public transport? Why / why not? 2. Which type of public transport do you prefer? Why? 3. How good is the public transport where you live? 4. Do you think people should use public transport more? 5. Why / why not?

1) Do you use public transport? Why / why not? These days I mostly drive, and the main reason is that my usual journeys are much faster by car. For example, the half-hour drive that I do twice a week would take me three times as long by train and bus. 2) Which type of public transport do you prefer? Why? I definitely prefer the train. I like being able to stroll up and down, and on some trains I can book a seat with a table and a socket, so that I can do some work. 3) How good is the public transport where you live? It's quite good. There's a train station not far from my house, and it's a direct line straight into the city centre. There are lots of bus routes too, and there's even a tram network in the centre of Manchester. 4) Do you think people should use public transport more? Why / why not? Yes, as long as it's convenient for them. Public transport is obviously more environmentally friendly than private cars, so we could reduce air pollution by using it more.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'name' answers Here are some sample answers for the 'name' questions that I shared last week. Notice that most of these answers are negative ones; it's completely acceptable to answer in this way.

1) How did your parents choose your name? To be honest, I'm not sure how they chose it; I've never asked them. I suppose it was just a name that they both liked, and maybe they thought it suited me. 2) Does your name have any special meaning? It might do, but I don't know what that meaning is; I've never looked it up. Maybe I'll google it later today; you've made me curious to find out! 3) Is your name common or unusual in your country? Yes, it's quite a common name. I remember that there were two other people with the same name as me in my class at school. 4) If you could change your name, would you? No, I definitely wouldn't. My name is part of my identity now, and it would feel strange to suddenly change it. I don't think my friends and family would like that either.

1. In your country, what possessions are considered "status symbols"? 2. Do you think we place too much importance on possessions? 3. Do you think things were different 50 years ago?

1) In your country, what possessions are considered "status symbols"? 2) Do you think we place too much importance on possessions? 3) Do you think things were different 50 years ago? 1) Answer, examples, explain: The typical status symbols in my country are things like big houses, expensive luxury cars or sports cars, and anything made by certain brands. For example, a new Ferrari or a Rolls Royce or a Rolex watch would definitely be considered status symbols. I suppose the reason why these possessions are seen in this way is because you have to be very wealthy to buy them, so they show other people that their owner is rich and successful. 2) Answer, explain, example: Probably, yes. Many people are obsessed with showing off their new mobile phone or wearing the latest fashions. I think it's a problem for teenagers because there's a lot of peer pressure to follow fashion or buy the latest gadget that their friends have got. 3) Answer, example, further explanation: Yes, maybe people were less materialistic, and I think they bought things that lasted longer. For example, my grandparents always talked about how they repaired things rather than throwing them away. Maybe brands and advertising weren't as powerful as they are now.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: negative answers

1) What type of photos do you like taking? Well, I don't usually take photos to be honest. I prefer to enjoy whatever I'm doing, rather than stop to take a photograph. 2) What do you do with photos you take? I rarely take photos, but if I occasionally use my mobile phone to take a picture of something, I just leave the photo there; I don't do anything special with it. 3) When you visit other places, do you take photos or buy postcards? I don't really do either. I leave it to my friends or other family members to take photographs; I'm usually with someone who likes taking photos and can share them with me later. 4) Do you like people taking photos of you? No, I prefer not to be in photos. I always feel awkward when someone asks me to smile for the camera, and I don't think I'm very photogenic. Note: It's usually easier to give positive answers, but it's worth practising some negative responses just in case you get a topic that doesn't interest you. Whatever the question is, the easiest way to answer is to tell the truth!

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'neighbours' topic Here are some part 1 questions from Cambridge IELTS book 8, with my sample answers. How would you answer these questions?

1. How well do you know the people who live next door to you? I know my neighbours quite well. They're really nice people, and I always stop to talk whenever I see them. 2. How often do you see them? I see my neighbours at least a few times a week. We usually see each other when we're leaving for work in the morning or coming home in the evening. 3. What kinds of problem do people sometimes have with their neighbours? I think the most common problem is probably noise. It's difficult to live next to people who have a dog that barks at night, or who play loud music. 4. How do you think neighbours can help each other? Neighbours can do little things like watching your house if you go on holiday or taking a delivery if something arrives by post when you're not at home. I think these little favours are a good way for neighbours to help each other.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'health' topic Let's have a look at some questions from Cambridge IELTS book 12. I've answered the first two questions; can you answer the others in the same simple, direct way? 1. Is it important to you to eat healthy food? 2. If you catch a cold, what do you do to help you feel better? 3. Do you pay attention to public information about health? 4. What could you do to have a healthier lifestyle?

1. Is it important to you to eat healthy food? Yes, I prefer to eat healthy home-cooked food, rather than fast food or pre-prepared meals, because I want to stay fit and healthy as I get older. 2. If you catch a cold, what do you do to help you feel better? I usually take paracetamol tablets, and I sometimes buy a nasal spray or cough medicine. It also helps to stay at home and relax.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a hobby

1. Think about question words: What, when, where, why, who with: What: One of my hobbies is photography. When and where: I take photos on my phone almost every day, and I have a proper camera that I use on special occasions. If I see something interesting or I want to record a particular memory, I take photos wherever I am. Why: I take photos so that I have a record of the things I've seen or done. Who with: Most of my photos are of friends and family, but I also take pictures of interesting things that I see. 2. Describe opinions and feelings: I like photography because it's a creative hobby and it makes you notice the world around you. I love capturing special moments or unusual or beautiful images, and it's a great feeling to be able to look back through my pictures and relive different experiences. These memories usually cheer me up. 3. Tell a story related to the topic: The last time I took photos on a special occasion was at my friend's wedding a few weeks ago. I got some great pictures of the bride and groom and their guests celebrating. After the wedding I made an album of all the best pictures and sent it to my friend as a present. Task: Try describing your own hobby using the 3 tips above.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'home' answers and structure Here are my answers to questions 2 and 3 from last week's lesson:

2) Do you think it's better to rent or to buy a place to live in? I think it's better to buy your own home if you can afford to do that. Buying your own home is a better investment in the long term, because you can sell the home and perhaps even make a profit on it. The alternative is to pay rent to a landlord who can ask you to leave at any moment. 3) Do you agree that there is a right age for young adults to stop living with their parents? I'm not sure what the 'right' age would be, but I do agree with the principle that young adults should try to live alone if they can. For some people, the right age is when they get their first full-time jobs and can afford to pay rent, and for others it's when they start university and move into a hall of residence with other students. This was what happened in my case; I moved out of the family home at age 18 when I started university. Let's look at how I structured the above answers. Answer 2 Three sentences: 1) answer 2) explain 3) alternative Answer 3 Three sentences: 1) answer 2) explain 3) personal example

IELTS Speaking: pauses and hesitations

A student asked me for advice about avoiding pauses and hesitations in the speaking test. So here are some tips: - First, don't worry too much about this. It's normal, even for native speakers, to pause or hesitate to some extent. The more you worry, the more likely you are to hesitate. - Don't "overthink". If you're thinking about grammar, linking or using "difficult" words, you're more likely to hesitate. Just focus on answering the question with the first idea that comes into your head. - Slow down. Many candidates speak too quickly; hesitation or repetition occurs because their brains can't work fast enough to keep up. But here's the main piece of advice: practise! Make yourself a collection of IELTS speaking questions (from this site or from the Cambridge books), and practise answering them without hesitating. And don't just practise this once. Go through your list of questions many times (every day if necessary), and you'll find that you gradually improve, both in terms of the quality of your answers and in terms of fluency and lack of hesitation. Maybe you could even record yourself, perhaps once a week, so that you can analyse your own performance.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'prize' answer Here's a question that I mentioned in a lesson a few weeks ago: Describe a prize that you would like to win. You should explain - what the prize is for - how you know about it - what you would have to do to win it - and why you would like to win this prize.

And here's my sample answer: I'm going to talk about a prize that I would like to win, which is the 'employee of the year' award at the company where I work. At the end of December each year, the company directors give this award to a member of staff who has made an outstanding contribution to the business over the previous twelve months. I first heard about this prize during my training and orientation period just after I got the job three years ago. It was early December and some of my colleagues were discussing who might be awarded 'employee of the year' later that month. I was intrigued, and asked them to tell me more about the award. As I said, the prize is given for 'outstanding contribution to the business'. We don't have an exact definition of what this means, but we assume that you have to achieve certain standards, such as 100% attendance, good punctuality, meeting targets and deadlines, good teamwork, and so on. I think the winner also needs to have done something especially creative. For example, last year's winner created a completely new service for our clients. I'd like to win 'employee of the year' because it would mean that my work had been recognised by the company directors, and this would definitely help me to progress in my career. It would also give me a great sense of personal achievement.

IELTS Speaking: opinion phrases

Here are 3 good phrases that I used when giving my opinion in yesterday's speaking lesson. Try using them in your own sentences. - too... for my liking (e.g. the weather is too hot for my liking) - Personally, I'm not a fan of... - I'd much rather do A (than B)

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'reading' topic

Are the any occasions when reading at speed is a useful skill? Personally, if I'm reading something interesting, I don't like reading too quickly because I feel that I don't properly absorb the information. However, it can be useful to skim through things when you don't really want to read them, or when you just need to find one particular piece of information. For example, I read at speed when I'm checking a household bill or a letter from the bank. Are there any jobs where people need to read a lot? What are they? Well, researchers obviously need to read a lot, and I suppose that politicians, journalists and other professionals who need to know about current affairs read a lot too. Having said that, I think most workers read hundreds of emails every week. In my previous job, for example, I had to check internal staff emails at least twice a day. Do you think that reading novels is more interesting than reading factual books? Why is that? Both types of book can be equally interesting in my opinion. A good novel can transport you to another world where the characters in the book become almost real. On the other hand, factual books can give you fascinating insights into anything from psychology to ancient history.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: prepare a 'theme'

Describe a piece of clothing that you like wearing. You should say - what the item of clothing is - where and when you bought it - when you wear it - and explain why you like wearing it. The first idea that came into my head was to describe my coat. And the first idea that I had about this coat was to say that it is useful or practical. So my 'theme' is useful / practical, and I've brainstormed other words and phrases related to this theme. Ideas related to the theme of a useful / practical coat: functional multipurpose hard-wearing material lightweight material various pockets a detachable hood waterproof it keeps me warm it comes in handy when... it's perfect for carrying my... it folds up small enough to fit into my bag Some topics can appear in all 3 parts of the IELTS speaking test. Below you can see an example using the topic of clothing. Have a look at my main tip for each part before you practise answering. Part 1 1) Are clothes and clothing fashions important to you? 2) What different clothes do you wear for different situations? 3) Do you wear different styles of clothes now compared to 10 years ago? 4) Do you think the clothes we wear say something about who we are? Part 2 Describe a piece of clothing that you like wearing. You should say - what the item of clothing is - where and when you bought it - when you wear it - and explain why you like wearing it. Part 3 1) For which jobs are people required to wear a uniform in your country? 2) Do you think people are treated differently when they are in uniform? 3) What are the advantages of making children wear uniforms for school?

part 1 speaking technique

Did you notice how I answered each question in yesterday's lesson? Here's the first part of each of the four answers: - No, not at all. - Yes, definitely. - Yes, unfortunately it does. - Yes, many times. After answering with these short phrases, I then explained my answers in more detail, using full sentences. I think this is a nice technique that you could try. Start with a short "yes or no" answer (e.g. yes I do, no we don't, yes it certainly is...), and then explain your answer fully. Perhaps this technique will give you a few extra seconds to think before you give your full answer.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: longer answers Do you remember my advice about how to give longer answers in part 3? Answer the question directly Explain your answer (ask your self why) Give an example Mention an alternative or opposite answer

Example question Do you think the seasons still influence people's behaviour? Example answer (direct answer) Yes, I do think the seasons still affect how we behave. (explain how) We still wear different clothes depending on the weather, and clothes shops change what they sell according to the season. We also adapt our habits and daily routines according to the time of year. (example) For example, people in my country like to eat outside in their gardens in the summer, but we can't do that during the other seasons. (opposite) On the other hand, I don't think we notice the change in seasons when it comes to food; the big supermarkets import food from around the world, so most people don't buy seasonal fruit and vegetables any more.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: "it depends" Many students answer questions in IELTS speaking part 3 by saying "it depends". "It depends" is not a full answer. You need to say what it depends on, and why.

Example question: Do you think it's important to find a job that you love, or is it more important to earn a good salary? Don't say: "It depends. Some people prefer to find a job they love, but other people want to earn a good salary." (This answer just repeats the question) Do say: "Personally, I'd prefer to do a job that I really enjoy; as long as I earn enough to live comfortably, the salary is less important. However, I can see the benefits of doing a job that you don't like if it pays well. With a good salary, you can probably do more enjoyable things in your free time."

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe your favourite

Have you prepared a description of your favourite film, book and website? I'm making a video lesson about these topics at the moment, and I'm trying to think of some vocabulary themes. For the favourite website topic, I think we can say a lot about the features and the website's usefulness. For the film or book, we can describe the plot, but can you think of any other vocabulary themes for these topics? By the way, my video lesson about the "describe an activity" topic will be ready later today. Because of the delay I'll make it free.

IELTS Speaking: review of tips

Here's a quick review of my main tips for each part of the speaking test: Part 1 Keep it simple; there's no need to show off in this part. Give a short, direct answer and a reason for your answer. Then stop. If necessary, smile at the examiner to show that you are ready for the next question; if you keep speaking, the examiner will interrupt you. Answer using full sentences, and try not to hesitate; just say the first thing that comes into your head. Part 2 Before the exam, prepare ideas for the six main topics. Focus on vocabulary, not grammar or linking. In the exam, try to note down as many ideas as you can during the 1-minute preparation time - hopefully you'll be able to use ideas that you have already prepared. You don't have to cover all of the points on the task card, but it helps you to structure your answer if you do. Say as much as you can for each point, and use a real example or story at the end of your description if you need to fill time. Keep going until the examiner stops you. Part 3 Practise "3-step" answers: 1) answer the question 2) explain your answer 3) give an example. There's also a 4th step that you can sometimes use. By following these steps, you ensure that your answer "moves forward" instead of becoming repetitive - most people repeat the same ideas when they try to give a long answer, and the steps will help you to avoid this. PS. I'll publish my next speaking video in the next few days.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: educational TV programme Describe an educational television programme that you liked. You should say - what the programme was about - when and where you saw it - how you found out about this programme - and why you liked it.

Here's my band 9 answer. Can you see any 'less common' vocabulary? - I'm going to talk about one of my favourite educational TV programmes, which is a nature documentary called 'Planet Earth'. There were eleven episodes of this programme, and each one featured a different habitat on Earth, such as mountains, caves, deserts and jungles. The aim of the 'Planet Earth' series was to take the viewer into those habitats, using spectacular footage of interesting animals, plants and landscapes. -I first saw 'Planet Earth' on television when it was broadcast by the BBC several years ago. I think it was shown every Sunday evening, which was the perfect time to watch a fascinating nature programme. Then, a few years a ago, somebody bought me the DVD box set of the whole series as a Christmas present, and I watched the episodes again. -I found out about this TV programme because it was advertised repeatedly in the weeks before it was first aired. The TV trailers were really eye-catching because they showed incredibly beautiful images of nature. I also recognised the voice of the narrator of the programme, the well-known naturalist David Attenborough. It was these trailers that persuaded me to watch the first episode. -What I liked most about the 'Planet Earth' series was its stunning photography and its global scope. For example, in the "Fresh Water" episode, they showed us the giant salamander in Japan, crocodiles in the river Nile, and river dolphins in the Amazon. I was amazed at how they had managed to film such interesting creatures in so many locations. I enjoyed learning about strange animal species, and the programme opened my eyes to the hidden wonders of our planet.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'local area' Describe a change that you would like to see in your local area. You should say - what the change would be - who would be involved in making the change - how it would be done - and why you would like to see the change happen.

Here's my band 9 sample answer: - The change that I'd like to see in my local neighbourhood is the pedestrianisation of the main shopping street in the town centre. I'd like to see traffic diverted around this area in order to make it safer and more attractive for visitors and shoppers. Most of the traffic that clogs up the main street is just passing through the town, but it's the local people who have to put up with the congestion, noise and pollution. - It's the job of the local council to make changes like the one I'm suggesting. But before the council does anything, there usually needs to be some pressure from local people to bring a problem to light. So, perhaps we need a campaign by local residents who want to see this change. Then the council might contract a town planner or an architect to come up with some possible designs for a new road system. - I'm not sure how exactly the process of creating a pedestrian street would work, but I imagine that it would require detailed planning. Perhaps a bypass would need to be built around the town centre first. This would give drivers a faster alternative to driving through the town, and it would allow the main shopping street to be blocked off and pedestrianised. - I'd like to see this change because it would really improve the quality of life of residents in the town where I live. I can imagine the new pedestrian street having cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating. It would be a safer and more pleasant place for families to go shopping, and I'm sure this would have a positive knock-on effect on local shops and businesses.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'busy' answer Describe a time when you were really busy. You should say - when this was - why you were so busy - how you managed the situation - and explain how you felt at the time.

Here's my full band 9 answer to this question: I'm going to talk about the time I left a university assignment until the last minute and had to work flat out to get it finished. This was about ten years ago when I was doing my Master's degree. I had to do several 3000-word assignments for the modules on my Master's course, but I remember that there was one in particular that I really struggled with. I had been procrastinating and putting it off for weeks, and in the end I left myself just two days to get the whole assignment done. This included finding and reading relevant books and articles, deciding on my thesis and assignment title, and producing a final draft which had to be handed in to the department office before the deadline. The pressure of such a close deadline actually forced me to manage the task in a really efficient way. My first step was to decide on the general area that I wanted to write about, and then I limited myself to just ten research sources. I printed the most relevant pages, highlighted the key paragraphs and made some notes to summarise and synthesise the ideas that I found interesting. Finally, I just started writing the main body of the assignment, and I wrote the title and the introduction last. I had mixed feelings at the time. I was annoyed with myself for leaving it so late to get started on the assignment, but I was relieved and quite impressed with myself when I managed to complete the final draft so quickly. It was also quite stressful and tiring to have to find articles, do photocopying and then write everything so quickly. I wouldn't want to go through that again!

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'good service' answer Last week I gave you a list of "theme" vocabulary for the question below. Describe a time when you received good service in a restaurant or cafe. You should say - when this was - what kind of restaurant or cafe you were in - why you were there - and why you thought the service was good

Here's my sample answer with the theme vocabulary underlined: I'm going to talk about the service we received in a restaurant where a friend of mine celebrated his birthday last Saturday evening. My friend had decided to book a table in a local Italian restaurant for the party. It was a small, family-run place, but this made it feel all the more welcoming and inviting. The atmosphere was great and the service was excellent. As I mentioned, I went to the restaurant because a friend had invited me to celebrate his birthday there. There were about ten of us there - mostly people I've known since university - and it was really nice to catch up with them and chat about what we had all been up to since we last got together. The service was good because the restaurant staff and owners really made us feel at home. From the moment we walked in, the waiters were polite, approachable and attentive; nothing was too much to ask. They brought out a cake with candles and sang 'Happy Birthday' to my friend, although we hadn't asked them to do this, and the restaurant owners kept checking whether we were happy with everything, which was thoughtful of them. All in all, the delicious food, good company and friendly service made it an unforgettable evening.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: clothing answer Describe a piece of clothing that you like wearing. You should say - what the item of clothing is - where and when you bought it - when you wear it - and explain why you like wearing it.

Here's my sample answer, using the vocabulary from last week's lesson: I'm going to describe a coat that I often wear at the moment. The coat is dark blue in colour, and it's made out of a lightweight, waterproof material, which makes it perfect for wearing at this time of year here in the UK. It also has a detachable hood, which I used yesterday when it was raining, and various pockets on the outside and on the inside. I bought the coat last year at the beginning of autumn when the weather started to get colder. It was easy to buy because I had had the exact same coat before; my old coat was starting to look a bit worn out, so I decided to buy a new version. As I knew which size I needed, I simply went online and found the best offer; I bought it through a shopping website, and it was delivered to my house a few days later. As I said, I'm wearing this coat a lot at the moment. It's my everyday coat for going to work or for when I go out shopping or for any other reason. The reason why I like this coat is that it's so practical and functional. It's waterproof and it keeps me warm, but it also comes in handy for carrying things like my phone, wallet, loose change, a pen, and even a notebook; I tend to fill my pockets with whatever I can. It even folds up small enough to fit in my bag when I don't need it.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'hurry' Describe a time when you had to do something in a hurry. You should say - what you were doing - when this was - why you had to hurry - and explain how you felt at that time

Here's my sample answer: -I'm going to talk about a time when I had to hurry to get ready for a trip with some colleagues while I was working in a previous job. -It was a Monday morning about five years ago. A group of us had to catch an early flight, and a senior member of our department had volunteered to drive us to the airport. I was supposed to be ready and waiting to be picked up from my home at 5.30am, and my colleague had asked me to look out for his car so that he didn't have to ring my doorbell. -The problem was that I overslept. I had set my alarm, but somehow I must have turned it off and carried on sleeping. Suddenly, at 5.30am, my doorbell rang and I looked over at my alarm clock. I immediately realised what had happened, and I sprang out of bed and got dressed in record time. I splashed some water on my face, quickly brushed my teeth, and put my shoes on without properly tying the laces. Then I picked up my suitcase and coat, and left the house. -I can still remember the moment when the doorbell woke me up and I saw the time: I was filled with a sense of panic and fear as I realised that my colleagues were waiting outside. Then, when I left my house and walked towards the awaiting car, I felt so embarrassed because it was obvious that I hadn't been ready on time.

Describe a film that you would like to see in the future you should say -what the film is called -what the film is about -How you heard of this film - and why would you like to see this

Here's my sample answer: I'm going to talk about a film that I'd like to see when it comes out later this year. It's the new James Bond film, and I saw in the news that it's going to be called 'Spectre'. I think 'Spectre' refers to the name of the imaginary criminal organisation that James Bond has to defeat in the film. As 'Spectre' hasn't been released yet, I don't know exactly what it will be about. But I can guess that the hero, Bond, is going to be on a mission to save the world from an arch-criminal as usual. I'm sure it will be similar to most of the previous Bond films, with a plot line involving lots of twists and turns, and with Bond using his skills to defeat his nemesis in the end. I first heard about this film when I was watching the news a couple of months ago, and since then I've seen the official trailer on TV. There have also been various articles in newspapers discussing the actors who have been cast to play supporting roles in the film. The James Bond films are always big news here in the UK, probably because Bond himself is an English character. I'd like to see 'Spectre' at the cinema because I'm sure it will be full of action scenes and special effects, and I like the fact that Bond's missions always take place in spectacular locations in different parts of the world. Of course Bond films are totally unrealistic, you could even say ridiculous. But they're always fast, entertaining and fun, a bit like a roller-coaster ride!

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'presentations' topic Here are some questions that have recently appeared in part 3 of the IELTS speaking test. How would you answer each one? Remember that the examiner is expecting longer, more detailed answers in part 3. Do you like giving presentations? Why do some people feel nervous about giving presentations? What do you think people should do before giving a presentation? How can visual aids help in a presentation?

IELTS Speaking / Grammar: improved sentences Here are my suggestions for improved versions of the sentences in yesterday's lesson. Compare both versions carefully to learn from the changes that I made. In my opinion, people are afraid to give presentations when they think that members of the audience might know more than they do. My mind often goes blank when starting a new slide. I believe that using visual aids can help to engage the audience. Of course, giving a presentation can make people feel anxious, regardless of how confident they normally are. I think that adequate preparation is the key to giving a good presentation.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'cafe' answer Describe a café that you have been to. You should say - where it is - why you went there - what you ate or drank - and explain why you liked or disliked the café.

Here's my sample band 9 answer: I'm going to describe a café that I go to maybe once a week. It's just down the road from where I live, near Manchester, so it's really convenient for me to walk down there for a coffee or a bite to eat, and to use the wifi. The last time I went to this local café was on Friday afternoon. I was trying to do some work at home, but I found myself getting distracted by little jobs around the house. So I decided to have a change of scenery; I put my laptop in its bag and made the short walk to the café, where I spent the next few hours getting all of my work done. With a nice cup of coffee and just the right level of background noise, I found it much easier to concentrate. Over the course of the afternoon, I drank two cups of coffee and a glass or two of water. The café owner takes a lot of pride in making the best 'flat white' coffee in the area, so that's what I tend to drink. If I remember correctly, the second coffee that I ordered was a decaf, because I try to avoid drinking too much caffeine in the afternoon. I didn't have anything to eat on that occasion, but I do sometimes have one of the home-made cakes that they sell. There are a few reasons why I like going to my local café. I suppose the main reasons are the coffee, the free wifi and the friendly staff. However, on Friday I also managed to sit at my favourite table near one of the windows, and the café wasn't very busy. So the atmosphere and noise level were just right, and I was able to focus on my work without distractions for most of the afternoon.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: expanded answers Describe a long walk that you enjoyed. - when you went on this walk - where it took place IELTS Speaking Part 2: expand each point - what you saw while you were walking - and explain why you enjoyed the walk. Tip: Maybe you can use a topic that you have already prepared e.g. description of a holiday, or a city that you have visited.

I explained that it would be easy to give a very short answer to these two points: "Last summer I walked along a beach during my holiday in..." But we need to expand this answer to include more information about "when" and "where". For example: When I'm going to describe a walk that I enjoyed last summer while I was on holiday on the south coast of England. It was the first week of August, and we set off on the walk on the first morning of the holiday just after breakfast, at around 9 o'clock. The walk took us the whole morning and finished at lunchtime. Where As I mentioned, the walk took place on the south coast of England. I was on holiday with my family in a place called Dorset, and we were staying in a rented house. Our aim was to walk from the house to a place called Durdle Door beach. First we had to find the coast path, and then we followed this path for several miles until we reached Durdle Door and finally descended the steep steps that led to the beach.

Recently I've made video lessons about the 6 main topic areas for IELTS speaking part 2: 1. Describe a person 2. Describe a place 3. Describe an object 4. Describe an event 5. Describe an activity 6. Describe your favourites

I've written before about the six main topic areas that I think you should prepare: Describe a person (family member, famous person...) Describe a place (city, holiday...) Describe an object (something you use, a gift...) Describe an event (festival, celebration...) Describe an activity (hobby, game, sport...) Describe your favourite (book, film, website...) You should also be prepared to talk about your job and/or your studies. After preparing one main description for these seven or eight topics, you should then practise adapting your descriptions to as many questions as you can. Example: Let's take the "disagreement" question in this lesson as an example. Can we use one of the main topics above as our answer? Perhaps we could say that we had a family disagreement about where to go on holiday, which gift to buy someone, or which film to see at the cinema. Which topic would you use and adapt for the "disagreement" question?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'free time at home' topic Try giving short, direct answers to the following part 1 questions. Remember to answer with a full sentence, and give a reason where relevant. 1) How much time do you spend at home? 2) Do you prefer to spend your free time at home or outside the house? 3) What do you do when you have some free time and you're at home? 4) Would you like to have more spare time to spend at home in the future?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'free time at home' answers Here are some example answers for the questions that I shared last week. Remember to focus on fluency in part 1. Try not to hesitate; just say the first thing that comes into your head. 1) How much time do you spend at home? Obviously I sleep at home, but I don't spend very much time at home during the day, because I'm usually busy with work. 2) Do you prefer to spend your free time at home or outside the house? During the day I prefer to be out of the house, so I like visiting family or meeting up with friends. But I do like relaxing at home in the evenings. 3) What do you do when you have some free time and you're at home? I usually sit and watch some TV or a film, or I listen to some music. I also like sitting outside if the weather is nice. 4) Would you like to have more spare time to spend at home in the future? No, not really. I get bored if I'm at home for too long. In the future, I imagine I'll still prefer to go out and do things rather than stay indoors.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'house' topic Examiners often begin the speaking test by asking about your home. Here are some typical questions and sample answers. 1) Do you live in a house or an apartment? 2) Which room do you like most in your house? Why? 3) Is there anything about your house that you would like to change? 4) Tell me something else about your house.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'house' topic Examiners often begin the speaking test by asking about your home. Here are some typical questions and sample answers. 1) Do you live in a house or an apartment? I live in a semi-detached house with three bedrooms and a small garden. 2) Which room do you like most in your house? Why? My favourite room is the kitchen because it looks out onto the back garden, and it's on the side of the house that catches the afternoon sun. 3) Is there anything about your house that you would like to change? Well, it would be nice if it were a detached house so that we could have windows on the wall that we currently share with our neighbours. 4) Tell me something else about your house. The previous owners converted the loft into an extra bedroom; that's the quietest room in the house, and the best place to go to do some work.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'mathematics' topic 1) At what age did you start studying mathematics? 2) Do you like mathematics? Why / why not? 3) Is it necessary for everyone to learn mathematics? 4) Do you prefer to use a calculator when doing mathematics?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'mathematics' topic Here are some recent exam questions that somebody shared here on the blog. As usual, my part 1 sample answers are short, direct and simple. 1) At what age did you start studying mathematics? I can't exactly remember, but it was probably in my first year at primary school when I was 5 years old. I probably learnt simple addition at that age. 2) Do you like mathematics? Why / why not? I don't dislike maths, but I wouldn't say that I've ever really liked the subject either. I'm happy to do simple calculations, but my brain can't cope with the complex stuff! 3) Is it necessary for everyone to learn mathematics? Yes, I think it is. We all need a basic grounding in maths so that we can do daily tasks, like managing our money, working out bills, and so on. 4) Do you prefer to use a calculator when doing mathematics? It depends. I quite like exercising my brain with anything that's easy enough, but I use the calculator on my phone for anything tricky.

1) Do you like rain? Why / why not? 2) Do you think that rain affects people's mood? 3) Does it often rain where you live? 4) Have you ever been caught in the rain without a coat or umbrella?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'rain' answers Here are my answers to the 'rain' questions from last Friday's lesson. Remember: there's no need to show off in this part of the speaking test, so short, simple answers are best. 1) Do you like rain? Why / why not? No, not at all. It rains far too often in Manchester, where I live, and I'm fed up of it; I wish we had more sun! 2) Do you think that rain affects people's mood? Yes, definitely. I think rainy days and grey skies can be a bit sad and depressing. Where I live, people are much more cheerful when the sun comes out. 3) Does it often rain where you live? Yes, unfortunately it does. As I said, Manchester is known for being a rainy place; you can't trust the weather here, because it can cloud over and start raining at any moment. 4) Have you ever been caught in the rain without a coat or umbrella? Yes, many times. Just last week I went out without an umbrella and got soaked; I did have a coat on, but it didn't really help.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'study' topic Try answering these recent exam questions. Just give a short, direct answer and a reason. Let's talk about studying... 1. Do you like studying? Why / why not? 2. Do you prefer to study alone or with others? Why? 3. Where do you prefer to go when you need to study? Why? 4. How do you feel if someone disturbs you when you are studying?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'study' answers Here are my sample answers to the questions in last week's lesson. 1. Do you like studying? Why / why not? Yes, I like studying because it's the best way to gain a deeper insight into any subject. I like reading, learning from others, and trying to understand difficult concepts. 2. Do you prefer to study alone or with others? Why? I prefer to study alone because I need to be able to concentrate fully. Other people are a distraction. 3. Where do you prefer to go when you need to study? Why? I like to find a quiet corner in my local library; being in an old building and surrounded by books seems to help me to focus on my work. 4. How do you feel if someone disturbs you when you are studying? It frustrates me because it breaks my concentration. I prefer to avoid distractions by going somewhere where nobody will interrupt me.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'walking' topic Remember to keep your part 1 answers short and 'to the point'. 1. Do you like walking? 2. Do you think walking is important? 3. Do you think walking in the countryside is better than walking in the city? 4. What could be done to improve the experience of walking in cities?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'walking' topic Remember to keep your part 1 answers short and 'to the point'. Here are my example answers for some questions about walking: 1. Do you like walking? I'm not one for going on really long walks in the countryside, but I don't mind walking when I'm in a town or city, for example when I'm sightseeing in a new place. 2. Do you think walking is important? Yes, I think it's important to be active, and walking is the most basic physical activity that we can do. 3. Do you think walking in the countryside is better than walking in the city? Personally, no. As I said before, I like walking in the city, especially if it's somewhere with a lot of history like London or Paris. 4. What could be done to improve the experience of walking in cities? I suppose the main issues are space and safety. Pavements need to be wide enough to accommodate lots of pedestrians, and we need safe places to cross the street.

A useful way to practise IELTS speaking is to work on one main topic that might appear in all three parts of the test. For example, take the topic of "television": Part 1 questions: 1. Do you like watching television? 2. How much time do you spend watching TV programmes? 3. What types of programmes do you prefer? Why? 4. Do you think it's bad for children to watch television? Part 2 task: Describe a television programme that you enjoyed watching. You should say - what type of TV programme it was - where you watched this programme - what the programme was about - and why you enjoyed watching it. Part 3 questions: 1. Why do you think television is so popular among people of all ages? 2. Do you think people will watch less television in the future? 3. Do you see television as being educational or just a form of entertainment? Do you think people will watch less television in the future?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: finish my sentences How would you finish my answers to the questions below? 1) Do you like watching television? Yes, I like watching television, especially in the evenings, because..... 2) How much time do you spend watching TV programmes? On an average day, I watch..... and..... , so I probably watch about..... 3) What types of programmes do you prefer? Why? My favourite types of programmes are..... and..... because..... 4) Do you think it's bad for children to watch television? Maybe too much television would be a bad thing, but I think that..... Do you think people will watch less television in the future? Yes, I do think people will watch less television in the future, although that doesn't mean that they will watch fewer programmes or spend less time looking at screens. What I think will happen, and it's already happening, is that people will watch things on the Internet, through websites like YouTube. To use a personal example, I used to watch TV in the evenings, but now I often choose to stream videos, films and TV series through my computer instead.

IELTS Speaking: if you don't like the topic People often ask me what they should do if the examiner asks about a topic that they don't like or don't know anything about. Take the topic of 'music' for example. This is an easy topic for some people, but others find it difficult because they don't usually listen to music. Let's imagine that you don't like music and you don't know anything about it. How would you answer the following questions in part 1 of the test? Try to give negative answers, but make sure that they are still good answers! Do you like music? What kind of music did you listen to when you were young? When was the last time you went to a concert? Would you like to participate in a live music show? Remember: You might not like a topic, but this doesn't mean you can't answer the questions. IELTS speaking questions never require 'knowledge', only simple ideas and opinions.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: negative answers Here are my negative answers to the questions in last week's speaking lesson. Remember: I'm imagining that I don't like (or know about) the topic. 1) Do you like music? No, I don't really like music, and I don't listen to it. It's not something that I've ever been interested in. 2) What kind of music did you listen to when you were young? I can't remember listening to much music as a child either. I suppose I must have heard some traditional music at festivals or parties, but I didn't take much notice of it. 3) When was the last time you went to a concert? I've never been to a music concert. Maybe I should try going to one; perhaps it would be interesting to see an orchestra playing classical music. 4) Would you like to participate in a live music show? No, definitely not. I don't play a musical instrument and I don't sing, so I can't imagine that I'd ever find myself performing to an audience. Note: My aim here is to show you that you can answer questions about any topic - you don't need to like it or know anything about it. (I do like music by the way!)

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'music' topic Practise giving short, simple answers to the following questions. Remember that negative answers are fine too. 1. Do you like music? Why / why not? 2. What kind of music do you listen to? Why? 3. Has the music that you listen to changed since you were young? 4. Do you think older and younger generations prefer different types of music?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: simplify Your priority in part 1 of the speaking test should be to demonstrate fluency, not difficult grammar or vocabulary. You'll speak more fluently if you keep your part 1 answers simple. Here are some examples of how I would simplify students' answers. Note: the students' answers contain some mistakes. Student's answer: Logically people from different generation will have taste variation. Depending upon the maturity, music stars of their own age, impact of globalisation as well as technological development in music industry will divide younger and older generation. My simplified answer: Of course, people from different generations have different tastes in music. Popular music changes all the time, and most of us are influenced by whatever style of music is popular when we are growing up. Student's answer: Yes, I am fond of music. It is simply the medicine for my mind. When I am stressed, music remove stress. When I am happy, music inspires me to be more. It always in the centre of all my parties with friends. When I am sad, music takes me out glue and move forward. My simplified answer: Yes, I love music, mainly because it helps to put me in a better mood. When I'm stressed or sad, music picks me up and puts me in a positive frame of mind.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: COUNTRYSIDE Describe an enjoyable day out in the countryside that you had. You should say - where you went on this day out - who you were with - what you did - and explain why you enjoyed the day

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'countryside' answer Describe an enjoyable day out in the countryside that you had. You should say - where you went on this day out - who you were with - what you did - and explain why you enjoyed the day Here's my sample answer for the task above. I've tried to use most of the phrases from this lesson. I'm going to describe a recent trip to a lovely place called the Tissington Trail. The Tissington Trail is a path or track that follows the route of a former railway line through beautiful countryside in the county of Derbyshire, here in the UK. The old railway line was taken up many years ago, and it was transformed into a recreational trail that is ideal for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. I went to the Tissington Trail because we had some family members, my brother and sister-in-law and their daughter, staying with us over the weekend. They had come up to Manchester from London, and they wanted my wife and I to take them somewhere where they could breathe in some fresh countryside air and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. To reach the trail we had to park in Tissington itself, which is a charming, picturesque village. We hired some bicycles there and set off along the trail. It was an easy ride because the trail is mostly flat, with just a few gentle dips and inclines, and we were able to enjoy the stunning scenery as we passed through areas of woodland, a dramatic limestone ravine, and grassy meadows that were covered with colourful wild flowers. The part of the day that I enjoyed the most was when we cycled through a historic railway tunnel on our bicycles. The tunnel has been fitted with a sound installation that plays eerie steam train noises as you pass through it; we all loved the idea that the sounds transport you back in time, and that you feel like you're on an old steam train with its whistles and clunking machinery. It was a really nice day out, and we all enjoyed relaxing in the village tearoom at the end of our bike ride.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'TV programme' topic - Do you think most people watch TV for education or for entertainment? - Should TV play a role in educating children? How? - How do you think TV viewing habits change as people get older? TIP: The secret to giving good answers in part 3 is to follow three simple steps: 1) give a direct answer 2) explain in more detail 3) give an example. There's also a 4th step if you want to say even more. Look at this lesson to see an example.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'TV programme' answers Here are my sample answers to the questions that I shared with you last week. Notice that I use the 3 or 4 steps that I recommended, and remember to note down any good words or phrases that you find. 1. Do you think most people watch TV for education or for entertainment? I think people watch TV primarily for entertainment. There are far more entertainment programmes than educational ones, and in my experience most people treat television as a form of relaxation in the evening. If I think about the most popular TV programmes in the UK, such as talent shows like 'X Factor' or soap operas like 'Eastenders', the focus is definitely on entertainment rather than education. 2. Should TV play a role in educating children? How? Yes, it definitely should play a role in my opinion. Good children's TV programmes should tell stories that contain some kind of lesson about how to behave or what is morally right and wrong. Many of the traditional fairy tales, such as 'Cinderella', have been made into TV programmes, and there is always a postive message in those stories. 3. How do you think TV viewing habits change as people get older? TV viewing habits obviously change a lot as we get older. While toddlers might watch programmes about talking animals, teenagers prefer action and adventure or sports, and as adults we start taking an interest in news and politics. My own preferences, for example, have changed over the years - I would never have watched news programmes when I was younger. I think it would be very strange if our viewing habits didn't mature!

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'customer service' topic - How important is customer service for you? - What can companies do to improve their customer service? - Why do you think employees sometimes don't provide good customer service?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: answer, explain, example My sample answers below all follow a 3-step structure: answer, explain, example. I sometimes add a 4th step that you can see here, but the first 3 steps are the most important. Practise answering all part 3 questions in this way. 1) How important is customer service for you? (Answer) Customer service is really important for me because I like to feel welcome and valued as a customer. (Explain) If companies want us to use their products or services, I believe they should treat us well and therefore encourage us to return. (Example) For example, I have a favourite cafe where I like to go, and the friendly staff are the main reason that I've become a loyal customer. 2) What can companies do to improve their customer service? (Answer) I think managers need to train their employees to deliver great customer service. (Explain) There are lots of things that staff members can do, such as ensuring that customers are greeted in the right way, their problems are handled quickly, and they are asked for feedback. (Example) For example, the staff in my favourite cafe greet customers as soon as they come through the door, and they always check that we are happy before we leave. 3) Why do you think employees sometimes don't provide good customer service? (Answer) When employees' treatment of customers isn't good, I think it's usually because they are unhappy doing their jobs. (Explain) This might be because they are treated badly by their managers, or because they haven't been encouraged to take pride in their work. (Example) I remember in my first ever job, for example, I didn't like the work that I was given, and so I probably wasn't as thoughtful or attentive as I should have been when I had to speak to customers.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: long answer practice - Do you think there are too many game shows on TV nowadays? Why? - Do you think that people pay attention to adverts on TV? Why?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: sample answers Here are my sample answers to the questions in last week's lesson. I've used the 'long answer' steps that I always recommend for part 3. 1) Do you think there are too many game shows on TV nowadays? Why? (answer) Yes, there are far too many game shows on TV for my liking. (explain) I suppose the channels show these programmes because they are popular, and they must be very profitable. (example) A good example is 'Who wants to be a millionaire?', which has been sold to TV channels across the world. (alternative) Personally, I'm not a fan of game shows, and I'd much rather watch a film or an original drama series. 2) Do you think that people pay attention to adverts on TV? Why? (answer) Yes, I think we are all influenced to some extent by TV adverts, otherwise companies wouldn't pay so much to have them shown. (explain) Advertisers are very good at making us believe that their products or services will improve our lives in some way. (example) For example, if you see an advert for a new phone, it plants a seed in your mind, and you start to wonder about upgrading your old phone.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'film' topic -Why do you think people like watching films? -Do you think films have changed since you were a child? How? -As the technology for home viewing improves, do you think people will stop going to the cinema in future?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: tenses When answering the two questions below, you should be aware that the examiner is expecting to hear some different verb tenses. 1. Do you think films have changed since you were a child? No, I don't think films have changed much since I was a child. When I was younger I enjoyed watching action films, and the Hollywood formula for this type of film seems to be the same today. For example, I liked the original 'Superman' films, and superheroes are still a popular subject for film-makers. 2. As the technology for home viewing improves, do you think people will stop going to the cinema in future? No, I don't think that people will stop going to the cinema. People can already buy fantastic home viewing equipment, but it still feels more special to share the experience of watching a new film with a theatre full of people. I don't think that technology will be able to replicate that cinema atmosphere.

IELTS Vocabulary: less formal for speaking

In the speaking test, you can use conversational (less formal) phrases that you wouldn't use in the writing test. Here are some examples from yesterday's lesson: leave something until the last minute work flat out (meaning: work hard without stopping) get something finished get something done one in particular that I really struggled with put something off (meaning: avoid doing it) in the end have mixed feelings about get started on something to go through it again (meaning: to do or experience something again) I also used some good words and phrases that would be suitable for both speaking and writing (i.e. this vocabulary is not informal): procrastinating producing a final draft complete the final draft the pressure of such a close deadline manage the task in an efficient way I limited myself to just ten research sources summarise and synthesise I was relieved and quite impressed with myself The vocabulary in the two lists above might not seem 'difficult', but it's the kind of natural "native-speaker" language that will impress the examiner. That's why I gave the answer a band 9.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: idea, explain, personal example

Let's look at a sample answer using the "idea, explain, example" structure. This time I'm using a personal example in the last sentence. What disagreements do teenagers often have with their parents? Why? (Idea / basic answer) Teenagers disagree with their parents about all sorts of things, like the clothes they want to wear, whether they can go out with their friends, doing homework, and how much help they give their parents around the house. (Explain why) I think the teenage years are when we develop a sense of identity, and we want to make our own decisions rather than follow other people's instructions. (Personal example) I remember having disagreements with my own parents, usually about simple things like getting up early in the morning, tidying my room, or doing the washing up! Task: Can you answer the following question in the same way? Do you think that it's important to be polite?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: preparing vocabulary

My main tip for speaking part 2 is to prepare good vocabulary for common topics. This is what I've done in each of my video lessons for this part of the test. On the task card, the last bullet point always asks you to explain why. This is the best part of the question in terms of vocabulary preparation. Let's take the "describe a family" question as an example: Describe a family (not your own family) that you like. You should say - how you know this family - who the people in the family are - what the members of the family are like - and explain WHY you like this family. Here are some ideas for the "why" part of this task: friendly, kind, caring, big-hearted supportive, always there when you need them good role models, they set a good example welcoming, great hosts, their door is always open Can you think of any more words or phrases to add to this list?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: five simple rules

Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test is supposed to be easy. You don't need to give 'difficult' answers, and you should try to avoid making mistakes. Here are five simple rules for Speaking Part 1: Keep your answers short, then stop with confidence. Answer the questions using full sentences. Use words from the examiner's question in your answer. If possible, give a reason for your answer. Don't forget to say "yes" or "no" when necessary. Here's an example to illustrate these points: Do you like parks? Yes, I like parks because they are great places to relax. If you live in a city, a park is often the only place where you can escape from the noise and the traffic.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: answer, explain, example

My sample answers below all follow a 3-step structure: answer, explain, example. I sometimes add a 4th step that you can see here, but the first 3 steps are the most important. Practise answering all part 3 questions in this way. 1) How important is customer service for you? (Answer) Customer service is really important for me because I like to feel welcome and valued as a customer. (Explain) If companies want us to use their products or services, I believe they should treat us well and therefore encourage us to return. (Example) For example, I have a favourite cafe where I like to go, and the friendly staff are the main reason that I've become a loyal customer. 2) What can companies do to improve their customer service? (Answer) I think managers need to train their employees to deliver great customer service. (Explain) There are lots of things that staff members can do, such as ensuring that customers are greeted in the right way, their problems are handled quickly, and they are asked for feedback. (Example) For example, the staff in my favourite cafe greet customers as soon as they come through the door, and they always check that we are happy before we leave. 3) Why do you think employees sometimes don't provide good customer service? (Answer) When employees' treatment of customers isn't good, I think it's usually because they are unhappy doing their jobs. (Explain) This might be because they are treated badly by their managers, or because they haven't been encouraged to take pride in their work. (Example) I remember in my first ever job, for example, I didn't like the work that I was given, and so I probably wasn't as thoughtful or attentive as I should have been when I had to speak to customers.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'proud' answer Read my full answer to the 'proud' task below. If you have time, note down the good words and phrases that you find. Describe something you did that made you feel proud of yourself. You should say - what you did - when you did it - why you felt proud of what you had done - and explain how you felt when this happened.

One of my proudest achievements was completing my undergraduate degree at the university of ..... (name). The key moment that I remember was when I received my final exam results; I was delighted to have passed with better scores than I expected. I graduated from university in ...... (year). As far as I recall, we received our final exam results in May and the graduation ceremony was in July. Our exam scores for individual course modules were posted on the noticeboard in the corridor of the university department, and I remember getting into the lift in the department one morning, knowing that I would soon see my results. The particular moment when I really felt overjoyed and proud of what I had achieved was when I saw my exam results on the department noticeboard. This was the precise point in time when I realised that I had passed and that my hard work had paid off. I was proud because I had overcome some setbacks earlier in the course, and I had proved to myself that I could achieve my goals. As I approached the department noticeboard I felt really nervous but also excited; I knew that the moment of truth was just seconds away. And when I saw my final exam results I was surprised, thrilled and relieved all at the same time. I didn't shout out with joy, but I think I probably clenched my fist and said "yes" to myself. I certainly remember walking back down the corridor with a spring in my step, feeling elated and knowing that four years of study were finally over.

IELTS Speaking: if you don't understand What should you do if you don't understand a question in the speaking test? Here are my tips:

Part 1 In part 1, the examiner is not allowed to help you, but he/she can repeat the question. Just say: "Sorry, can you repeat the question please?" If you still don't understand the second time, try to say something related to the topic or any of the words that you heard. Try your best, then focus on the next question. Part 2 You are given a task card with the question written on it, so you shouldn't have any problems in this part. If there is a word that you don't understand on the task card, don't ask the examiner - he/she is not allowed to help. Part 3 In this part of the test, the examiner is allowed to rephrase the question. If you don't understand, just say something like: "Sorry, can you explain that question in a different way please?"