IELTS General Training Preparation Course: Speaking in three parts

1. Domanda 1 di 15

   What kind of test is the IELTS Speaking test?

   • AA group discussion with other test takers
   • BRecorded answers to questions on a computer
   • CA telephone call with a call centre
   • DA face-to-face interview with an examiner
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   Risposta: D. A face-to-face interview with an examiner

   The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and an examiner. (In IELTS Online it is a video call, but that is for Academic only.)

2. Domanda 2 di 15

   Is the Speaking test recorded?

   • AYes, it is recorded
   • BNo, it is never recorded
   • COnly Part 2 is recorded
   • DOnly if you ask for it
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   Risposta: A. Yes, it is recorded

   The official Speaking page says the Speaking test is recorded.

3. Domanda 3 di 15

   What kind of questions does the examiner ask in Part 1?

   • AQuestions on familiar topics such as home, family, work and interests
   • BAbstract questions about serious problems in the world today
   • CQuestions about a graph or chart shown on a computer screen
   • DQuestions about a short text that you read aloud first
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   Risposta: A. Questions on familiar topics such as home, family, work and interests

   Part 1 (4–5 minutes) is an introduction and interview about familiar, everyday topics.

4. Domanda 4 di 15

   How long is Part 1 of the Speaking test?

   • A1–2 minutes
   • B4–5 minutes
   • C11–14 minutes
   • D8–10 minutes
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   Risposta: B. 4–5 minutes

   Part 1 lasts 4–5 minutes. The whole Speaking test takes 11–14 minutes.

5. Domanda 5 di 15

   How much time do you get to prepare in Part 2?

   • AOne minute
   • BTwo minutes
   • CFive minutes
   • DNo preparation time
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   Risposta: A. One minute

   In Part 2 you get a task card and one minute to prepare. The examiner gives you a pencil and paper for notes.

6. Domanda 6 di 15

   How long should you speak for in Part 2?

   • AAbout five minutes
   • BAbout two minutes
   • CAbout ten minutes
   • DAbout 30 seconds
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   Risposta: B. About two minutes

   You should speak for about two minutes. The examiner will stop you when the time is up.

7. Domanda 7 di 15

   What may happen when your time in Part 2 ends?

   • AYou must ask the examiner a question about the topic
   • BThe Speaking test ends and you leave the room
   • CThe examiner stops you and may ask one or two follow-up questions
   • DYou are given one more minute so that you can finish your talk properly
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   Risposta: C. The examiner stops you and may ask one or two follow-up questions

   The examiner stops you after the time is up and may ask one or two follow-up questions. Part 3 then follows.

8. Domanda 8 di 15

   What happens in Part 3 of the Speaking test?

   • AReading a short text aloud while the examiner listens carefully
   • BA role play with another test taker about an everyday situation
   • CA discussion of wider, more abstract issues linked to the Part 2 topic
   • DMore questions about your name, your home and where you grew up
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   Risposta: C. A discussion of wider, more abstract issues linked to the Part 2 topic

   Part 3 (4–5 minutes) is a discussion with the examiner about wider issues connected to the Part 2 topic.

9. Domanda 9 di 15

   Which of these is one of the four Speaking assessment criteria?

   • AHandwriting
   • BSpelling
   • CTask achievement
   • DPronunciation
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   Risposta: D. Pronunciation

   The four Speaking criteria are Fluency and coherence, Lexical resource, Grammatical range and accuracy, and Pronunciation. Task achievement is a Writing criterion.

10. Domanda 10 di 15

    What does "Fluency and coherence" mean in the Speaking test?

    • ASpeaking at a normal speed and linking ideas logically
    • BUsing as many rare and difficult words as you possibly can
    • CSpeaking with a perfect British or American accent
    • DGiving very short answers as quickly as possible
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    Risposta: A. Speaking at a normal speed and linking ideas logically

    Fluency and coherence is about speaking at a normal speed with limited hesitation, putting ideas in a logical order and using linking words.

11. Domanda 11 di 15

    You forget the word "ladder" while speaking. What is the best thing to do?

    • ASay "I don't know" and end your answer there
    • BDescribe it, e.g. "the thing you climb to reach high places"
    • CStop speaking and wait for the examiner to give you the word
    • DSay the word in your own language and carry on
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    Risposta: B. Describe it, e.g. "the thing you climb to reach high places"

    Lexical resource includes the ability to paraphrase when you do not know a word. Keep talking and describe the thing.

12. Domanda 12 di 15

    The examiner asks: "Do you work or are you a student?" Which answer is best?

    • AI work. I'm a nurse in Leeds, and I mostly do night shifts, which I quite enjoy.
    • BWhy do you want to know that?
    • CLet me tell you about the history of my country, which is very long and goes back thousands of years.
    • DYes.
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    Risposta: A. I work. I'm a nurse in Leeds, and I mostly do night shifts, which I quite enjoy.

    A good Part 1 answer answers the question directly and adds a detail or reason. One word is too short, and a memorised speech is off the topic.

13. Domanda 13 di 15

    Listen. What is the main weakness in the candidate's answer?

    AscoltaAscolta, poi rispondi. La trascrizione compare dopo la risposta.

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    Examiner: What do you like to do at the weekend?
    Candidate: Weekend? Football. Yes.

    • AIt is much too long and goes off the topic
    • BIt does not answer the examiner's question
    • CIt is far too formal for a Part 1 question
    • DIt is too short and gives no details
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    Risposta: D. It is too short and gives no details

    The candidate answers the question but says only three words. Add a detail or reason, for example who you play with and why you enjoy it.

    Trascrizione

    Examiner: What do you like to do at the weekend?
    Candidate: Weekend? Football. Yes.

14. Domanda 14 di 15

    Listen. What does the candidate do well in this Part 3 answer?

    AscoltaAscolta, poi rispondi. La trascrizione compare dopo la risposta.

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    Examiner: Do you think people will read fewer printed books in the future?
    Candidate: I suppose that's quite likely, because more and more people read on their phones. Having said that, I think printed books for children will probably stay popular, since parents like reading with their kids.

    • AIt reads the whole answer from prepared notes
    • BIt gives a very short one-word answer
    • CIt gives an opinion, a reason and a contrast
    • DIt changes the subject to a topic the candidate prefers
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    Risposta: C. It gives an opinion, a reason and a contrast

    The candidate says what is likely, gives a reason ("because…"), and adds a contrast ("Having said that…"). This is the kind of extended answer Part 3 needs.

    Trascrizione

    Examiner: Do you think people will read fewer printed books in the future?
    Candidate: I suppose that's quite likely, because more and more people read on their phones. Having said that, I think printed books for children will probably stay popular, since parents like reading with their kids.

15. Domanda 15 di 15

    The task card says: "Describe a time you helped someone. You should say: who you helped, when it was, what you did, and explain how you felt." Listen. Which points does the candidate cover first?

    AscoltaAscolta, poi rispondi. La trascrizione compare dopo la risposta.

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    Candidate: I'd like to talk about a time I helped a neighbour. It was last winter, when we had very heavy snow, and my neighbour, Mrs Barker, couldn't get to the shops.

    • AWhat they did and how they felt
    • BWhy the task is difficult
    • CWho they helped and when it was
    • DOnly how they felt
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    Risposta: C. Who they helped and when it was

    The candidate names the person (a neighbour, Mrs Barker) and the time (last winter). Following the card points in order helps you organise a two-minute talk.

    Trascrizione

    Candidate: I'd like to talk about a time I helped a neighbour. It was last winter, when we had very heavy snow, and my neighbour, Mrs Barker, couldn't get to the shops.

Tastiera: 1–4 per rispondere, Invio per la domanda successiva.