WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE IELTS SPEAKING TEST?

• How long is the test?
• How many parts does the test have?
• What’s the difference between the parts?
• How many examiners and test candidates are there in the test?
• You will get more marks if you speak with a British or American accent. TRUE OR FALSE?
• You can take notes during the test. TRUE OR FALSE?
• You will lose marks if you ask the examiner to repeat a question. TRUE OR FALSE? Why? Why not?
• What should you do if you cannot think of a word?
• What should you NOT do if you cannot think of a word?

You are marked according to four criteria:

1. FLUENCY
2. VOCABULARY: RANGE AND ACCURACY
3. GRAMMAR: RANGE AND ACCURACY
4. PRONUNCIATION

Match the criteria with their descriptions below. Write a), b), c) or d).

This refers to how many structures the candidate has and how well they use them. As well as the rules of language, this criterion evaluates how well the candidate uses structures to convey what he wants to say.

This refers to how well the candidate pronounces the language. As well as considering the communicative effect of the candidate's pronunciation, there is evaluation of how much strain it causes on a listener, and how noticeable their accent is.

This refers to how much vocabulary the candidate has and how well they use it. As well as the rules of language at a word level, this criterion considers how the candidate applies this knowledge to the communicative and social functions of speaking.

This refers to how good the candidate is at keeping talking at the right speed and how good they are at connecting their ideas together. It also includes evaluating the relevance of the candidate's answers.

PART I

The examiner asks the candidate some simple personal questions on everyday familiar topics. The examiner reads these questions from a script. Example topics are work, study, where you live, food, holidays, friends, going out, festivals, sports, schools and public transport.

PART II

The examiner gives the candidate a topic on a card and the candidate needs to speak about it for about 2 minutes. Before speaking, the candidate has one minute to make notes. The task is to talk about a personal experience such as a memorable day or a significant person. 

A Part II question might ask you to give a description of your home town or house, an event like a wedding; or a country you’d like to visit. It may be an everyday occurrence like applying for a job, shopping or taking your driving test or your preferred films or books.

PART III

The candidate and examiner will have a discussion relating to the subject area in Part 2. The candidate will be asked to do more complicated things, such as evaluate, justify positions and opinions, make predictions, and express preferences. 

A part III topic is more ABSTRACT and SPOKEN ABOUT IN GENERAL TERMS, for instance:

• THE REASONS WHY SOMETHING HAPPENS, e.g. Why do people find internet games so addictive? Why do people take drugs? 
• CAUSES & EFFECTS: What causes the divorce rate to go up or down? What are the causes of global warming, animals becoming endangered etc.?
• COMPARISON: Life today with 100 years ago - Men’s and women’s roles in society – Studying in your country or abroad.

The questions below are all taken from the IELTS speaking test, which are from Part I? Which are from Part II and which are from Part III? Write your answers on the lines.

1. What is your job? Why did you choose that kind of work? 
2. What are the most popular jobs for graduates in your country? Why? 
3. Describe an electronic item you own, e.g. phone, iPad, mp3 player. 
4. What’s the most interesting part of your home town? 
5. Talk about a useful skill (maharat) you have.  
6. Discuss the changes in your home town over the past forty years. 
7. Describe a restaurant you know.
8. Do you think movie directors should be free to make any movies they want? _
9. Why are some types of national cuisine or cooking so popular worldwide?
10. Is the growth of cities a good thing?
11. Talk about your future plans. 
12. What subjects are you studying? 
13. Tell me about a movie you watched recently.
14. What skills do you think should be taught in school?  
15. Have you ever been in a foreign country?  
16. Would you say that electronic items like mobile devices like phones or tablets are having a positive effect on our lives? Why? Why not?

Look again at the 16 questions above, which Part II Part III questions go together? 

For example, 11) and 2).