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IELTS Speaking Part 3
IELTS Speaking Part 3
IELTS Speaking Part 3
In part 3 of the speaking test, you need to give longer, detailed answers. A good way to do this is
by organising your answers according to the following steps:
5. Another idea: sometimes you think of another idea while you are speaking. Just add it on
the end of your answer.
You can give a really good answer without including all five steps, but you might find it useful to
practise including all five, as I've done here:f
Why do you think some people prefer to buy products from their own countries rather than
imported items?
(idea) I suppose its because those people want to support the economy of the country they live
in. (explain) If they buy something that was made in their own country, they know that they are
contributing to the salaries of workers within the same country, (alternative) whereas if they buy
imported items, a foreign company and its employees will benefit. (example) For example, if I
buy some meat that originates from a local farm rather than a farm in another country, Im
helping one of my fellow citizens to carry on in business. (another idea) Also, I think that trust is
an issue; people might feel that they can trust domestically produced items more than imported
ones.
I think this is a matter of national pride. In my case, whenever I see a product made
in my own country, I feel proud and would choose to buy it even I know there are
better products in the market from other countries. Besides, although it is very little
amount of money that I spend, I can somehow feel that I am contributing to my
whole country's economy. For example, when choosing smartphones, I would
naturally pick the brand HTC simply because HTC is made in Taiwan and I am
Taiwanese!
IELTS Speaking: Two-Way Discussion sample answers
In part 3 of the IELTS speaking test you need to talk about a topic with the examiner for 4-5
minutes. During this time you will be asked various questions to help develop the conversation.
(You can find more tips, advice and sample answers about the Two Way Discussion here).
Q1: Lets consider first of all why people write books. What do you think makes people want to
write a book?
A1: In my opinion, there are many reasons why people decide to write a book. Some people have
an important story to tell and thats why they write their own autobiography. For instance, I
recently read Richard Bransons and it was fascinating. Writers of fiction, on the other hand, may
just enjoy writing. Look at Stephen King, he has written countless books and shows no sign of
stopping. People like him seem to have a real passion for writing.
A2: Well, being a professional writer is a tough job and the whole creative process of planning,
writing and redrafting a book can take years. So, I guess that dedication and self-discipline are
prerequisites for any aspiring or established writing. I also believe that being able to connect with
readers is essential.
A3: Not really. People say that everyone has a book in them but I doubt if we could all write
one. Take my father for instance, he has had an extremely interesting life which would make a
fascinating story but I really doubt that he could write a book about it. Writing is a skill and not
everyone has it. Also, people who are good at telling stories to friends etc might not have the
patience you need to write a book, as I said before.
There are many famous authors like Stephen King who has written books for
decades and J K Rowling who created Harry Potter. They have had amazing careers
and have also made a lot of money in the process. Nevertheless, for every Stephen
King there are probably a 10,000 failed writers and even some of his books have not
been well received. Its a tough industry because so many people want to become
writers and so its extremely difficult to write something original and even then its
not guaranteed to sell.
Here are some useful phrases from the sample which you can use to answer the same
questions.
In my opinion, there are many reasons why people decide to write a book
Look athe/she has written countless books and shows no sign of stopping.
The whole creative process of planning, writing and redrafting a book can take years.
I guess that dedication and self-discipline are prerequisites for any aspiring or established
writing.
People say that everyone has a book in them but I doubt if we could all write one.
Now, make some of your own sentences about writing books and write them in the
comments box below. Here are some more practice questions. Leave your answers in the
comments box and a teacher will mark them for you!
TOPIC: Shopping
1. How much time do you spend shopping every week? I think about 5 hours. I and my wife shop every
Sunday as this is the only day that we have for ourselves.
2. Do you enjoy going shopping? Why (not)? Provided that I have money, sure Id love to shop
3. What is your favorite shop and why do you like it? A lot actually! But I prefer SM department store because
they have various outfit for men and very trendy underwear.
4. What problems are there with shopping in your area? Oftentimes, having to wait long on lines when paying,
impolite attendants and having too many choices are some problems that I encounter. For car owners,
getting a parking space could also be a problem.
TOPIC: Reading
1. Do you enjoy reading? Why? Yes sometimes because I know that reading is an important skill. You can
learn many things from reading.
2. What sort of things do you read? I dont read books that much. I prefer newspapers and magazines.
3. Tell me something about your favorite book. Id rather tell you about my favorite newspaper. Its called the
Manila Bulletin. Its a daily broadsheet but I prefer to read the Sunday issue of this paper. Basically, it
contains up to date and comprehensive news coverage of issues affecting the people and issues
concerning the country. However, I read most of the time the classified ads section as I normally search for
hot jobs in and out of the country.
4. What are the advantages of reading instead of watching television or going to the cinema? First of all,
reading is not expensive as compared with going to the cinema. Reading provides detailed information
about a subject or topic whereas watching television gives you abbreviated information about a subject or
topic.
Topic: You
1. Do you work or study?
Definitely, your response to this question would be I am working, Ive worked before in, or I worked as a
welder before in
Work
1. Can you describe your job to me?- Well, m y job is welding.
2. How long have you been doing it?- I worked in Saudi for 7 years and in the country, about 5 years.
3. Why did you choose to do that job?- I think this job is something that I really love to do. I want to believe that
I was born with this skill and have perfected it through years of experience.
4. What things do you enjoy about your work? Why?-For the most part, I think the various projects that are
delegated to us. Periodically, we change projects but of course, the same kind of job.
5. And what things dont you like? Why not?-To be honest, its the salary. We dont get paid as much as our
quality of work is measured.
6. What are your plans for the future?- Well, right now I have pending application as a welder in Australia. If
everything goes well, then I will work there and hopefully, provide my family with good life.
Model Answers
NOTE: There are many possible ways of starting your answer, including:
Id like to talk about a TV program called
Im going to talk about a TV program called
A TV program that I found really interesting was
Sample 1:
Talk about a happy event in your childhood that you remember well.
You should say:
-where the event took place
-when the event took place
-what happened exactly
And explain why you remember this event clearly.
Did you ever do this again? Yes, I went to the same place when I graduated from college. The place was totally different.
What did your parents think about it? My parents found this very helpful to me. Thats why they allowed me to join.
A happy event that I can still remember about my childhood was our educational trip to Manila Zoo when I was in
elementary. I believe it took place in 1986 as part of our science subject requirement. Anyway, I studied in Cavite and
Manila Zoo was I guess a 2 hour drive from our school. As a child, going for a trip is always a pleasure especially
riding a bus and taking a long road trip. Well, I was with my classmates40 plus all in all. As it was a field trip and a
common practice, we had to bring with us food and drinks- a typical picnic of some sort. Then, we went in the zoo
and had a tour guide who explained every details about the various animals. Of course, I didnt understand
everything what the guide told us. But anyway, the trip was very memorable because it was my first time to have a
close encounter with the animals of various sizes, shapes and behavior. It is apparently very clear to me up to now
because as I said it was my first time to meet and greet with the animals, and it was a form of socialization where we
students talk about things outside the class room. Thats it!
Describe a TV program that you have seen and that interested you.
You should say:
-When and where you saw the program
-What the program was about
-What you felt about the program
And explain why you found the program particularly interesting.
I am going to talk about a TV program called Bubble Gang. If I am not mistaken, this is the longest comedy TV show
on Philippine television. The program is shown every Fridays on GMA 7. Although the program is shown late at night,
it particularly makes viewers roll over with laughter. The program emphasizes on pop culture parody. Skits and
sketches are performed on a variety of style that captivates the audiences hearts. In addition, it spoofs shows and
commercials, and it takes on other celebrities and other political figures. The show also features top-notch actors and
actresses armed with unparalleled talents. Personally, I find this show an excellent comic relief from a hard days
work. Despite its comic attributes, it also provides awareness to viewers about issues confronting personalities of
national prominence as well as typical situations in the Philippine community. These things make the program
interesting to me. I think this is all that I can say about the show.
Topic A:
How does tourism affect a country? Does it have some advantages? Can cultures learn from each other?
Topic B:
Is friendship important in your culture? How many close friends can you have? Are friends more important than
family?
Topic C:
What is the role of parents in raising children? Has the role changed in recent years? Who is responsible for
discipline?
Topic D:
Do possessions make people happy? Why do people buy things? Are people in your country wise consumers?
Topic E:
Are images important in your culture? What is the role of advertising? Do films and television influence our
decisions?
Topic F:
Who are the most influential people in your society? Are there many heroes or role models today? What are the
qualities of a good leader?
Topic G:
How do different cultures celebrate events? What is the importance of festivals? How have special occasions such as
weddings changed in your culture?
Model Answers
NOTE: There are many possible ways of starting your answer, including:
I guess I believe Most probably
I think Well Actually
Sample 1:
How has the countryside changed in recent years in your country?
I believe the rural areas changed so much now as compared to 10 years ago. For instance, telephone and power
lines have been reinforced providing people in the area the access to news and information. Similarly, the roads have
been improved for comfortable travel and business transaction. These changes are absolutely helpful to the town
and all the more to the residents.
Sample 2:
How do you think the countryside may change in the future?
Well, most probably there will be internet access to these areas and stronger signals for mobile networks so that the
residents can benefit from good communication. In addition, I am also looking at positive changes in the education
sector. As observed, nowadays, people coming from these areas have poor communication skills.
Sample 3:
Where do most people live in your country- in the city or in the countryside?
I guess more people are coming to cities lately in the Philippines. Noticeably, teenagers and young adults are
searching for jobs in Makati or Ortigas City and eventually live there for work purposes. While this could be positive
to the citys labor force, it would also pose some problems such as overcrowding and traffic.
Here are more topics for you to practice. You may or may not record these and your answers. However, it is still
highly recommended that you record them if you dont have a partner to practice with. NOTE: Practice makes perfect!
Transitional devices are like bridges between parts of your essay or letter. They are cues that help the reader to interpret ideas in
the way that you, as a writer, want them to understand. Transitional devices help you carry over a thought from one sentence to
another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph to another with words or phrases. And finally, transitional devices link
your sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.
There are several types of transitional devices, and each category leads your reader to make certain connections or assumptions
about the areas you are connecting. Some lead your reader forward and imply the "building" of an idea or thought, while others
make your reader compare ideas or draw conclusions from the preceding thoughts.
Here is a list of some common transitional devices that can be used to cue your reader in a given way.
To Add:
and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first
(second, etc.),
To Compare:
whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up
against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true
To Prove:
because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case,
that is
To Show Exception:
yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes
To Show Time:
immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then
To Repeat:
in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted,
To Emphasize:
definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially,
eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation
To Show Sequence:
first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, C, and so forth. next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward,
subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon
To Give an Example:
for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate,
as an illustration, to illustrate
To Summarize or Conclude:
in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a
result, consequently, on the whole
Speaking Activity
Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, write two sentences for each question. Remember to write interesting
sentences as these will catch the examiners attention and would count towards getting a higher score in the IELTS
Speaking Test.
Warm-up
1. Could you show me your identification card please? Sure. Here is my passport/SSS
2. Could you tell me your full name please? My name is John Santos. You can call me Joe as my friends call
me this way.
3. What shall I call you? I prefer to be called Joe. Ever since I was young I was called like this.
4. Does your name have any special meaning? I actually dont know but Ill to research on that.
5. Why do so many people change their names? Maybe because its unpleasant or conflict of interest.
6. Is your name important to you? Definitely. It is for security purpose and personal identification.
4. Can you tell me some famous landscapes or scenic spots in your hometown?
Hobby or inclination
Future plan
4. What is the first thing you will do when you arrive at the new place?
Traveling
Friends
1. Do you have many friends? Are they casual acquaintances or close friends?
7. Is the time you spend with your friends as much as that you spend with your family?
Music
Transportation
3. Do traffic jams often occur in your hometown or in the city where you live?
5. What changes in transportation have taken place in the past several years in your country?
Building
IELTS Speaking
Brushing Up
Useful Language
Im planning to
After that Ill probably
Describe an occasion when you have been successful. You should say:
Where and when you were successful
How you were successful
What you had to do to make sure you were successful
And describe how you felt about your success.
ANSWER: I would like to talk about the moment that I worked in the Middle East as a welder. I
think it was 3 years ago. It was a very challenging experience since I have to leave my family
behind and work there alone in a country where I dont know anyone. The culture was totally
new and I had to deal with it squarely. So, I consider this a great success because I was able to
survive and to send money to my family in the country. Aside from constant missing of my family,
I also had to bear with the inconveniences of day to day work where I met foreign people and
talk to them. Nevertheless, it was fulfilling and rewarding experience because I saw my children
grow up properly in terms of education, food and shelter.
REMEMBER:
It is important to keep talking, but dont talk about things which are not related to the topic.
I particularly rememberbecause
Follow- up Questions
After you have spoken for 1-2 minutes, the examiner may ask you one or two follow-up
questions about what you have said.
Sample Question:
Topic in Part 2: A place you visited that you liked.
Do you enjoy playing sports? Yes, definitely. I particularly enjoy outdoor ones.
Would you like to go there again? Possibly. It would depend on who I went with.
Do you think it will be easy to get a job in IT? I expect so. Its a growing industry.
Have you ever been to any other countries in Yes, a few. France, Spain and Germany.
Europe?
Would you consider doing the same sort of I dont think so. It wasnt really for me.
job again?
Would you recommend the holiday to other No, not really. It wasnt very good value for money.
people?
Part III
I hope that
I expect that
Im afraid that
It is/ isnt very likely to
As far as Im concerned
It seems to me that
I tend to think that
EXTRA
Part 2:
Describe a happy event in your childhood that you remember well. You should say:
When the event took place
Where the event took place
What happened exactly
And explain why you remember this event clearly.
FF:
Did you ever do this again?
What did your parents think about it?
Part 3:
Do you think childrens lives are very different nowadays?
Yes, of course! With modern life style, children are similarly affected as with adults. Before,
children were confined in their house. They were just limited to some activities such as playing
indoor games of simple nature. At present, they are faced with enormous challenges such as
meeting deadlines for a school project, waking up early to beat the traffic and do homework
using computers. These things are a few examples of the notable changes in the lives of the
children.
Are children too protected now?
For some, yes. This applies to parents who are aware that children are well exposed to
temptations coming from peers and technologies. Parents who value their family would keep a
close contact with them. However, for working parents, they have less time to oversee their
children, thus, providing less care to them. As a result, there are delinquent minors.
Do you think children can have too many toys?
It depends. There are toys that have good effects to children. Due to commercialization lately,
there are also many hazardous toys. So, having few or many toys would be the prerogative of the
parents. They should always guide their children in choosing toys to play.
Is it important to celebrate birthdays and other festivals?
Absolutely, yes! Birthdays come once a year. In the Philippines, celebrations are highly regarded
by Filipinos. Celebrations are blessings that need to be commemorated, the same with festivals
which are mostly religious in nature.
Speaking Practice:
Directions: Provide a 2-minute response to the following questions. Record your answer on a
blank tape.
1. Discuss an interesting place you have been to recently (What is it, where is it, whether
you like or dislike the place)
2. Discuss an interesting person you have met (who he is, where he lives, what qualities
make him interesting)
3. Discuss what you would like to do when you get older (what is it, how you will do it,
why you will do it)
4. Discuss what you would like to learn in the future (what is it, how you can learn it,
why youd like to learn it)
5. Discuss a frightening experience you had when you were young (what is it, where it
took place, what makes it frightening)
6. Discuss a person you like to spend time always (who he is, what you enjoy to do, why
you like to be together always)
7. Discuss an exciting experience you had (what it is, where it happened, why it became
exciting)
8. Discuss a favorite pet (what kind, where you got it from, why it is a favorite)
9. Discuss something you like to do when you have free time (what it is, how you do it,
why you like to do it)
10. Discuss a place you would like to visit in the future (what is it, where it is, why you
like to go there soon)
11. Discuss a person you would like to meet some day (who he is, where youd like to
meet, why youd like to meet him)
12. Discuss a person who has influenced your life (who he is, what you like about him and
why he was influential to you)
13. Discuss something you have never done but would like to do (what is it, how you can
do it, why youd like to do it)
14. Discuss something you have done but never want to do again (what was it, how you did
it, why you dont like to do it again)
15. Discuss an experience which made you laugh (what it is, where it took place, why it
made you laugh)
16. Discuss an experience which made you cry (what it is, where it took place, why it
made you cry)
17. Discuss what you would do if you had a million dollars (what it is, where will you spend
it, why will you spend it there)
18. Discuss what you would do if you were President of your country (what youll do, why
youll do it)
19. Discuss a gift you could give others (what it is, to whom youll give it and why you
have chosen it)
20. Discuss a gift you would like someone to give you (what it is, what occasion , why
youll like it given to you)
21. Discuss a special talent you have (what it is, where you got it, what makes it special)
It doesnt require a lot of practice to do well in the IELTS speaking test. All that you need to do is
to familiarize yourself with the kind of questions that could be asked. While answering, avoid
monosyllabic answers like yes or no. Here are some questions that could be asked. Sample
answers are also given.
Answer: I live in Delhi. It is the capital of India. Delhi is an old city with a rich cultural heritage.
It is known for its monuments.
Question: Tell me something about the apartment you live in. What do you like about it?
Answer: I live in a rented apartment. It is a nice little place to live in. The one thing that I like
most about my apartment is its balcony where I spend my evenings listening to music. I can also
host small parties in my balcony.
Answer: I like my apartment, but sometimes I feel that I should move into a bigger home. In my
apartment, there is hardly enough room for my things and me.
Answer: Yes. Collecting stamps is my favourite hobby. I think stamps are windows to the world.
They tell us a lot of things about the history and civilization of the countries they come from.
Answer: Oh yes. I like English films because they are the most technologically advanced. I
watch them mostly for the special effects, but sometimes I enjoy the storyline too.
Answer: I like several things about my city. For instance, in my city the people are very warm
and friendly. They make you feel at home.
Answer: Yes. In my city the traffic system is very congested. It is well connected by roads and
rail, but during peak hours you can hardly reach your home or office in time.
Answer: Well, not really but there is nothing I can do about it.
Question: Who is the one that usually names a child in your country?
Requirement Strategy
The examiner will hand you a card 3. Write down some key points
with a question and three sub
questions on it. You have one minute 4. Write down some key vocabulary
to read the question and prepare your
answer.
Speaking
Describe a place that you have visited that you particularly liked.
vegetarian guy
c. What was memorable? There were many tourist attractions such as Fishermans
wharf and Alcatraz Island
good weather
great restaurants
relaxed lifestyle
3. Introduce your answer, paraphrasing the question, to
show you clearly understand the question.
Id like to talk about San Francisco, because its a place I will never forget.
a. I went there in ..
Id like to talk about San Francisco, because its a place I will never forget. I went there in 1994 for
about six months. I went there with a friend of mine who is from Viet Nam. He is a vegetarian,
so we couldnt use any meat when we cooked. I also remember his brother who was a very
talented artist. The thing I remember most about San Francisco is that there were many tourist
attractions such as Fishermans wharf, which had lots of delicious seafood and sour dough bread;
and Alcatraz Island, which used to be a prison for murders and other serious criminals. Some of
the things I enjoyed most about San Francisco were the different types people, the good weather,
the many different places and neighborhoods to visit. There were also many great restaurants and
overall it is a very relaxed lifestyle there.
4. Read the question below and the then underline the
key words.
Describe a historic place that you have visited that you particularly liked.
a. I went there in ..
b. I went there with
b. Where it is located
6. Adjectives:
Adjectives make things more interesting. There is a difference between eating a nice dessert, and
eating a bowl of the freshest, sweetest fruit, topped with a delicious chocolate sauce!
7. Modifiers
To modify is to change. Modifiers can be weak or strong.
First of all
Secondly,
Additionally,
Another thing
Furthermore
At that time
It happened
It took place
It's near
Impression phrases - when you want to say something that made an
impression on
you:
affected me
disturbed me
had an effect on me
impressed me
motivated me
moved me
touched me deeply
Things you like phrases - when you want to describe or talk about
things you like:
I enjoy
I love doing...
3. If you are really stuck for an answer just say Yes, I think so, No, I dont think so
You may be required to give a couple of short answers about your topic. Usually the best way to
do this is to repeat the auxiliary verb. YOU MUST USE THE SAME TENSE!
No, I havent.
Yes, I do.
PLACES
where it is
what it looks like
what activities people do there
Objects
Objects : How I got it / Exterior / Function / Price / another related object / My own feeling
who wrote it
what the letter or email was about
how you felt about it
what it is
when you bought it
why you bought it
and say why you like it so much.
Activities
and explain why you like to spend your free time this way.
Experiences/The past
Describe an educational trip that you went on when you were in school.
Describe an important decision that you might have to make in the future
Now, we will look at how Part 2: The Long Turn develops into the final part of the IELTS
Speaking test.
Remember that you shouldnt just read this information I am giving, you MUST practise with it.
That means getting a friend to read out the sample questions to you and then you must answer
them. Even better is to record yourself giving the answers and then think how you can improve
your answers refer to my earlier blog on how to do this.
Example 1
If your Long Turn card looks like this
what it is
where it is
why it is interesting
then your Two Way Discussion may develop with questions like these:
So, you just told me about ______ and now Id like to talk about that further.
5. You mentioned education. Do you think that school children learn about these
places?
Talk about a place that you would like to travel to. You should say:
where it is
you may have questions like these in your Two Way Discussion:
So, now Id like to talk more about travelling to far away places.
4. Do you think its better to visit important sites or meet local people?
5. Moving on slightly now, what are the benefits of taking a gap year before
going to university?
Example 3
If you were asked to talk about your favourite film in Part 2, then your Two Way Discussion may
follow along these lines:
So, thank you for telling me about about your favourite film and now I want to talk more about
film in general.
5. And you talked about downloading. Do you think that downloading films is a
crime?
6. OK and why are people so interested in the private lives of famous film
actors?
Example 4
Now listen to a Hungarian student (who scored a 9 on the IELTS test) answer these part 3
questions on the topic of food.
You spoke about a typical Hungarian dish and now Im going to ask you a few questions about
food in general.
Do men and women cook in your country?
And what do you think they would cook?
And do you think that situation will change in the future?
You said that there isnt a culture of dinner parties, but are restaurants popular?
Is there a particular type of cuisine which is more popular?
And like many other countries is there a problem with obesity in Hungary?
This Two Way Discussion would achieve a very high IELTS Band Score because the student
uses:
Specualtion