IELTS General Training Preparation Course: Speaking in three parts

1. Pergunta 1 de 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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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 2 de 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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   Resposta: A. Yes, it is recorded

   The official Speaking page says the Speaking test is recorded.

3. Pergunta 3 de 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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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 4 de 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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   Resposta: B. 4–5 minutes

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

5. Pergunta 5 de 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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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 6 de 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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   Resposta: B. About two minutes

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

7. Pergunta 7 de 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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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 8 de 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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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 9 de 15

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

   • AHandwriting
   • BSpelling
   • CTask achievement
   • DPronunciation
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 10 de 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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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 11 de 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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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 12 de 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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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 13 de 15

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

    Ouvir áudioOuça e depois responda. A transcrição aparece depois de responder.

    Sem som? Leia o texto

    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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    Resposta: 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.

    Transcrição

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

14. Pergunta 14 de 15

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

    Ouvir áudioOuça e depois responda. A transcrição aparece depois de responder.

    Sem som? Leia o texto

    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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    Resposta: 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.

    Transcrição

    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. Pergunta 15 de 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?

    Ouvir áudioOuça e depois responda. A transcrição aparece depois de responder.

    Sem som? Leia o texto

    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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    Resposta: 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.

    Transcrição

    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.

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