The IELTS Speaking part of the International English Language Testing is the one of the four components of the exam. The others being listening, reading and writing. The length of the IELTS Speaking exam is between 11-14 minutes. This component consists of three different types of questions: personal/general questions (4-5 mins), a presentation based on one topic (3-4 minutes), and a discussion (4-5 minutes). Show
IELTS Speaking Part 1 The personal/general questions is the first part. This involves asking questions based on 2-3 general topics. For each topic an IELTS examiner will normally ask 3-4 questions. Common topics that are asked can be related to work, home, school, food, music, etc. The examiner has a choice of up to 15 possible topics to ask a candidate on any exam day. Some examples of typical questions for the topic of home, for instance, are: What is the favorite room in your home? Tell me about your home. Do you live in a house or an apartment? IELTS Speaking Part 2 The next part is a short presentation. The candidate is given a topic on a task card and then has 1 minute to prepare at 1-2 minute presentation based on this topic. The examiner will then normally end this part with one simple follow-up question based on this topic. While the candidate has 1 minute to prepare, they can take notes on a piece of paper that is provided by the examiner. Examples of past topics asked in this exam are: describe your favorite book, describe a famous person from your country, and tell me about your ideal home. Just like part 1, the examiner has a choice of 15 or more topics to choose from, so it is difficult for candidates to predict topics and memorize responses. IELTS Speaking Part 3 The last part of the IELTS Speaking exam is a 4-5 minute discussion between the examiner and the candidate. The questions in this section are related to the topic in the presentation, but are more challenging. If asked to describe their favorite book (in part 2), in part 3, the examiner may ask questions, including Are e-books better than paper books? 'or' How have libraries changed in the past 30 years? 'or' How can parents encourage their children to read more? Part 3 questions often ask candidates to compare, explain, predict, and examine various things. Answering IELTS Speaking Questions Examiners use a strict grading criteria to determine a IELTS speaking band score. They listen for four different criteria that are graded equally. This includes fluency (25%), grammar (25%), vocabulary (25%) and pronunciation (25%). To receive a IELTS Speaking band score of 7 or higher in any one category, for instance, a candidate should: Fluency: use a variety of transitions signals, not hesitate much, speak a good speed (not too fast or slow), and produce long responses. Grammar: Use a variety of complex sentences structures, and not make too many grammar mistakes, especially with simple structures. Vocabulary: Use specific vocabulary during responses and use some less common word choices commonly used by native English speakers. Make not many wrong word choice or wrong word form errors. Use paraphrasing to describe words if having difficulty recalling in English. Pronunciation: Can be generally understood without strain. Uses intonation, tone, and appropriate pace.
Online English Success provides a list of practice IELTS Speaking topics for parts 1, 2 and 3 The whole IELTS speaking test is around 13 to 14 minutes long. In part 1 there are 3 different topics and around 9 to 11 questions in total. Part 1 lasts for 5 minutes. Generally, these are topics such as hometown, work, studies, family, hobbies, daily routine and so on (see the picture below). It nearly always starts with questions about your studies
or your job. The main point here is to speak freely without hesitation. It is not a formal test, just speak naturally without memorising answers to specific topics. It is not necessary to give long detailed answers, just keep it simple with around 1 or 2 sentence replies. Click here for a lesson on Speaking part 1 and a model
test.  Sometimes you may get a slightly unusual topic here though, such as jeans, hair, perfume, shoes, smiling, boats, pens and pencils and so on. Take a look at the link below for ideas in case you get unusual topics in IELTS speaking part 1. Click here for unusual or strange topics in IELTS speaking part 1 IELTS Speaking Part 2This part of the test involves a specific topic on a card or prompt that is given by the examiner. In this case, there are no questions but you will ‘Describe’ and ‘Explain’ something and talk about the points on the card in a little more detail. You will be assessed on your fluency as well as grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. You have 1 minute to take notes and prepare then you must speak for 2 minutes. The examiner will tell you when to stop speaking. Here is an example task. Click here for 9 difficult topics and ideas for IELTS Speaking part 2 Click here for IELTS Speaking Part 2: Useful technique for difficult topics Click here for a useful structure in IELTS speaking Part 2 IELTS Speaking Part 3Here you are asked around 4 or 5 questions by the examiner with various types of questions such as giving an opinion, comparing, predicting the future, talking about the past and talking about people in general. You will need to state an opinion, explain your opinion and give an example. The answers will be more detailed than in part 1 of the test. This part of the speaking test tends to be the most difficult for students, also the topics in part 3 are connected to the topics in Part 2 of the speaking test. Video lesson: different question types in Speaking part 3 with example responses. Techniques for part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test. Video with tips for part 2 and 3 of the speaking test IELTS Speaking part 3: 6 Common question types The key to getting a good score in part 3 is to give longer more detailed answers, the main focus of this is to expand your answer with detail and an example, make sure you stay on the topic also. This part of the test needs a lot of practice to reach a good band level. Part 3 of the speaking test lasts about 5 minutes. Do you need further practice with speaking? Click here for the IELTS speaking serviceExample topics for IELTS Speaking part 3Marking CriteriaHere is a 5 step system to practice for free.
What is Part 2 called in IELTS Speaking?Part 2 of the Speaking test is known as the "Individual long turn". Here, you'll be given a card with a topic and asked to talk about it for 2 minutes. The examiner will use a timer to time your long turn and before you start you will have one minute to prepare for your topic.
How many parts does the Speaking test have in IELTS?There are 3 parts to the Speaking test. The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes. You will be given a task card and the examiner will ask you to talk about a topic.
What is Part 1 of IELTS Speaking?In part 1 of the Speaking test the examiner will introduce him or herself and ask general questions on familiar topics. The examiner will ask you to confirm your identity. He or she will then ask general questions on familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests.
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