IELTS Speaking Part 1 Guide and Tips

Here are the steps of the IELTS Speaking Test Task 1:

1. The examiner will introduce themselves and inform you that the test will be recorded. 

1. You will be requested to confirm your identity. You have to present your ID, the same one you used when registering for the test. 

1. You will be asked a series of basic questions about your background, home, work, studies, family, interests, and hobbies. 

1. You will have to speak continuously for roughly 4 to 5 minutes on a particular topic.

1. You will be asked a few personal questions that you have to answer honestly and casually. 

In Task 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, you will be asked basic questions about your:

• Work
• Studies
• Hometown
• Hobbies
• Interests

Just like the other two tasks of the IELTS Speaking test, Task 1 or Part 1 will also have the following criteria:

• Pronunciation:
  • Weightage: 25 %
  • What is being evaluated? They are evaluating how natural you sound when you speak.

• Lexical Resource:
  • Weightage: 25%
  • What is being evalated? They want to find out how excellent and appropriate your vocabulary is.

• Fluency and Coherence:
  • Weightage: 25%
  • What is being evalutaed? They want to find out how organized and clear your speech is.

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy:
  • Weightage: 25%
  • What is being evaluated? They are trying to determine how good and accurate your grammar is. 

Here are a few tools that you can use to provide an exceptional response to the IELTS Speaking test Task 1 Question:

• Opening phrases
• Adaptable phrases
• Transition words

1. Opening Phrases 

How you begin your statements is your first chance to impress the examiner. Making a good first impression will boost your chance of getting a high band score. 

2. Adaptable Phrases 

Although it is not advised to have a prepared and memorized speech before your IELTS Speaking Task 1, creating and practicing a few adaptable phrases can help you start your statements about a wide variety of topics. 

3. Transition Words 

Cohesive features or transition words should be used if you want your speech to sound coherent, ordered, and connected. These will help you organize your response and demonstrate clear connections between your thoughts.

These tips and tricks will surely help you succeed in the IELTS Speaking Task 1 with flying colors. 

• Employ a variety of tones in your voice: Avoid using only a flat, monotone sound with little variety when speaking. This will make it difficult for you to be understood by the examiner. This will also hinder you from pointing out which part of your speech is essential. Make your discussion with the IELTS examiner more appealing by emphasizing specific words and pausing at key points in your speech. To emphasize an idea, change your stress and intonation. Make hand gestures to assist the dialogue flow.

• Pause and think from time to time: It is okay to pause for a while to consider what to say. It is something we all do when we are trying to figure out how to answer a question. During the IELTS Speaking Task 1, allow yourself time to ponder and reflect before answering the examiner. Your marks will not be deducted for doing so. 

• Ask and clarify questions if you do not understand them: Just like pausing and thinking during some parts of the IELTS Speaking Task 1, there is no harm in asking the examiner to repeat and rephrase the questions if you do not understand them. This is better than giving wrong answers and responses to the questions. 

4. Answer all the questions: The IELTS Speaking Task 1 includes all personal and connected questions you already have prior knowledge of. You should strive to answer each and every question honestly and confidently. Keep in mind; they are looking at your language abilities, not your knowledge on the topics.

Pro Tips for Answering Task 1 questions:

• Answer the questions directly in your first sentence.
• Stick to the point and do not include unrelated topics. 
• Use transition words and adaptable phrases. 
• Answer in compound and complex sentences. 
• Cite examples and personal experiences. 

We have scoured some of the possible topics that have appeared in the IELTS Speaking Task 1 recently. 

The Dos

• Be confident: Being confident when you do not know the questions that will be asked is not easy. Moreover, you will be talking to someone who will be analyzing every word you say. Nevertheless, you are strongly advised not to be nervous and anxious. This will significantly affect your state of mind, and you will not be able to give your best performance. 

• Get to the point: Examiners do not like it when you go off-topic. This will make them think that you are unsure of your answers and that you cannot form coherent and cohesive responses. Respond to the questions directly and stick to the point. 

• Expand your answers: You will only be asked about personal matters, so avoid delivering one-liners or short replies. Try to expand on each question asked of you by commenting on the issue. Long and detailed responses demonstrate that you are confident and at ease in English conversations.

• Speak clearly and loudly:  No matter how good in English you are, if the examiner cannot hear you or does not understand what you are saying, you will not be able to receive a high mark on the test. Remember that the interview will be recorded, so your voice should be loud enough for the recording device to pick up your voice. 

The DON’Ts

• Don’t overthink your answers: The IELTS Speaking Task 1 is not intended to measure how smart or intelligent you are. The examiner needs to hear you speak, s,o speak and answer the questions with tyourknowledge. 

• Don’t panic if you get strange questions: Some candidates got thrown off when being asked questions that were out of nowhere. Questions like ‘What do you think of robots?’ will most likely be asked, but then again, you are not being asked such questions to determine your IQ. Answer the questions and express what you feel and think fluently and cohesively. 

• Don’t give very short or too long answers: Giving concise answers will not let the examiner assess your English-speaking skills and give you any marks. On the other hand, rambling on and on about a specific topic might be why you will not be able to answer the other questions in the IELTS Speaking Task 1.

• Don’t come with a prepared and memorized speech: Memorizing answers to questions you do not know is a complete waste of time. Also, having a ‘scripted’ speech is something the examiners have been trained in, and when they notice that your answers are memorized, they will change the questions and the topics right away. 

• Practice, practice, practice: Like any other test, there is no better way to ace it than for you to practice. The IELTS Speaking Task 1 is no exception. Practice and prepare yourself as early as you can, as often as you can. 

• Know what to expect: You might undoubtedly be nervous, and you do not want any unexpected events to add to your anxiety. Hence, you need to know exactly what will happen when you step into the testing room. Know and study the test format and the kinds of questions asked in this part of the test. 

• Learn to use collocations: Collocations are 2 to 3 words that go together and sit just right to a native speaker. To get a high band score in the IELTS Speaking test, you must not only utilize some less common terms like collocations, but you must also show that you understand what other words these less common words are generally used with. 

• Know that ‘spoken English’ is different than ‘written English’: The IELTS Speaking test aims to assess how well you speak English and form an informal interview. Do not be too formal. Do not use vocabulary that makes you sound like an expert or an academic. Learn words that are suitable and appropriate for spoken English and practice how to use them. However, avoid using slang words. 

Topic: Work

Sample Answer: 

"I am a registered nurse. I passed the licensure exam three years ago, and I have been working at a government hospital since then. I am assigned to the emergency section, and I am in charge of assisting patients or their relatives in filling-up hospital forms."

Sample Answer:

"As a matter of fact, yes, I do. This has been something I have wanted since I was around 8 years old. Both my parents are registered nurses, too, and I am proud to follow in their footsteps. I learned a lot from them, and whenever I have questions about something work-related, they are always there to help me. I also enjoy being able to help people who are sick." 

Sample Answer: 

"Actually, yes, if given a chance, I would like to be a doctor. I have worked with many doctors by now, and seeing how dedicated they are to their work has inspired me to fulfill that dream. I am fortunate that my profession is a pre-med course, and when I finally decide to take that path, it won’t be that difficult. I love kids, and if I ever would become a doctor, I would probably be a pediatrician."

Topic: Home

Sample Answer:

"My family and I live in a house owned by my grandparents. It is not a big house, but it is also not small. For a family of five, I think it is just enough. We have three bedrooms, and I share a room with my younger sister. It is in the country, so we are surrounded by many trees and plants, which my mom cultivates." 

Sample Answer:

"I would have to say, the kitchen. I love to cook, and my family and friends tell me I am good at it. It is something I think I got from my mom. She used to run a small restaurant back when we still lived in the city. As a child, I remember watching her every time she prepares a meal, especially on special occasions, in our kitchen."

Sample Answer:

"I would love to stay in the house that I am currently living in and be with my family. Chances are, I would be moving out and living on my own after I finish my studies and find a job. I am in my fourth year at the university, and it won’t be long before I finally find a place of my own. One thing is for sure, though. Even if I am already working, I will still find time to visit my family and our house now and then."

Topic: Shopping

Sample Answer:

"I don’t go shopping too often, and as much as possible, I shop only when I really have to. Sometimes I go shopping once every two weeks, but there are also times when I don’t need to shop for two months. It actually depends on whatever it is that I need to buy." 

Sample Answer:

"Just like most of the people I know, I like shopping for clothes and house accessories. I like everything that will make my room look nice, so from time to time, I go with friends, and we scout for house decorations at Home Depot. Similarly, I also enjoy shopping for different kinds of clothes." 

Sample Answer:

"To be honest, I have a love-hate relationship with online shopping. Because of the current situation, I buy almost everything I need online – from wardrobe to groceries and even stationery items. And I have been lucky to have received items that meet my expectations. However, sometimes I’m not that lucky and have to return the items that I bought to the seller, which is a hassle for me. I do like online shopping, but I find it disappointing at times." 

Topic: Travelling

Sample Answer:

"I love to travel, and I make it a point to travel at least twice a year. It is something I look forward to every year. I have been to several places locally and internationally, and the best one that stands out to me is Bali, Indonesia. I went there last year, and I can’t wait to go back." 

Sample Answer:

"Absolutely! I was alone on my most recent travels. I think traveling alone is an excellent opportunity for everyone to know what they’re capable of because it makes us go beyond our comfort zone. One time, I got lost, and I was terrified. However, I was able to find my way back to the hotel, all thanks to my smartphone. Given the chance, I would definitely travel solo again."

Sample Answer:

"Oh yes! There are still a lot of places I would like to visit if given the opportunity. On top of my list would be Bhutan. I think it’s a very interesting country with a very rich history. I am a bit of a history geek, so I would like to visit Egypt and India as well and learn more about their tradition and culture. On top of that, I also would like to try the different and savory food they offer." 

Pro Tips for Answering Task 1 questions:

• Answer the questions directly in your first sentence.
• Stick to the point and do not include unrelated topics. 
• Use transition words and adaptable phrases. 
• Answer in compound and complex sentences. 
• Cite examples and personal experiences.