IELTS speaking

SESSION 2
 01

SPEAKING PART 1
 y/n questions

For example:

Q: Do you like listening to music?

These are questions that can be
answered with a 'yes' or 'no'. However,
Q: Do you read books when you have a free
to fully demonstrate your language skills,
time?
you should elaborate on your answer.
Q: Do you often hang out with your friends on
the weekend?

Q: Do you often stay up late?

 ANSWER STYLES
Which style is the most appropriate answer to the following question? Why?

Q: Do you like listening to music?

Answer style 1: Answer style 2: Answer style 3:

No, I don’t like music at all.
No, I don’t like listening to
music at all. I prefer the
sound of nature as it allows
me to concentrate better.
To be honest, music doesn't
play a huge part in my life. I
prefer the sounds of nature or
the silence, as it allows me to
concentrate better.
 GENERAL STRUCTURE
Q: Do you like listening to music?
DIRECT ANSWER
Answer style 3:
To be honest, music doesn't play a huge part
in my life. I prefer the sounds of nature or the
silence, as it allows me to concentrate better.

DETAILED EXPANSION
 04

SPEAKING PART 2
 Describe a place

Describe a place away from your home

and you want to visit in the future
You should say:
Where you would like to go
When you would like to go
Who you want to go with
And explain why you want to visit the place
 INTRODUCTION
Start by clearly introducing the place. Here are some ways to introduce:

- "I would like to talk about a place that I've always found fascinating, which is..."
- "The place I've chosen to speak about is a city/country that holds a special place in
my heart..."
- "Today, I'm going to describe a beautiful place where I had an unforgettable
experience, namely..."
 Main point
For the main part of your response, you could consider the following points:

● Location: Describe where this place is located geographically. You

could talk about the country, the city, or the specific neighbourhood.
● Physical Features: Give a vivid description of what the place looks like.
This could include natural features like mountains, beaches, rivers, or
man-made features like buildings, parks, monuments.
● Atmosphere: Talk about the overall atmosphere or feeling of the place.
This could include the pace of life, the friendliness of the people, the EXPERIENCES
climate, or the culture. &
● Experiences: Share specific experiences you had while you were there. SIGNIFICANCE
This could include activities you did, people you met, or memorable
moments.
● Significance: Discuss why this place is important to you or why you like
it. This could include personal connections, memorable experiences, or
unique features of the place.
 CONCLUSION
(OPTIONAL)

Finally, wrap up your response by summarizing the main points or sharing a personal
reflection. Here are a few ways to conclude:

- "In conclusion, [name of the place] is a truly amazing place and I feel fortunate to
have visited it."
- "All in all, [name of the place] is a place that I will always remember and would love
to revisit one day."
- "So, that's why [name of the place] holds such a special place in my heart. Its beauty
and charm are truly unforgettable."
 Sample answer (1)
Describe a place away from
your home and you want to visit
in the future
You should say:
Where you would like to go
When you would like to go
Who you want to go with
And explain why you want to visit
the place
Background:
Well, as an avid traveller, there’s one particular city that have
always been on my bucket list. It’s Budapest, the enchanting
capital of Hungary. I have known about this city for quite a long
time but it was not until I watched the film “the Grand Budapest
Hotel” that I started to feel interested in visiting this place.
Main point:
So according to my research, springtime is the best visiting
period for tourists since the city at that moment would be at its
best with pleasant weather and blooming flower gardens. I could
already imagine how delightful it would be to stroll around the city
to enjoy myself to the fullest.
 Sample answer (1)
Describe a place away from
your home and you want to visit
in the future
You should say:
Where you would like to go
When you would like to go
Who you want to go with
And explain why you want to visit
the place
Main point (2)
And I would love to spend my trip with my best friend who shares an interest
in architecture and history. We would try our best / cease every chance to dig
into the rich history that has shaped Budapest while appreciating all the
architectural marvels of it.
Apart from the historical part of the city, I would also want to immerse myself
in the rich cultural scene of it. I mean, the idea of sitting in a century-old
café and sip a traditional Hungarian coffee feels almost magical to me
already. This would be the wonderful opportunity for me to explore the unique
Eastern European charm of this place and see the differences when
comparing it to other European countries that I’ve been to.
Ending:
In the future, when given the chance, I will undoubtedly be ready to embark
on this adventure. Until then, I'll continue to set some money aside and
hope that one day I'll be able to afford my trip.
 Sample answer (2)
Background:
Well, my city is home to so many historical buildings and choosing
one to describe is a bit difficult. But, I think I will talk about Hoa Lo
Describe a historical building Prison, which is situated right in the heart of Hanoi. Even though I
you know consider it a historical museum now, it actually covers a massive
You should say: area with many different smaller buildings and structures of the old
Where it is prison.
How it looks like
What it is used for Main point:
And explain how you felt about this Basically, as I know, the prison was originally built by the French
building colonists to house Vietnamese political prisoners but then it
ironically turned into a prison for American prisoners during the
Vietnam War. Today, it has already been transformed into a
museum that showcases the many phases of Vietnamese
history.
 Sample answer (2)
Main point (2)
The first time I visited Hoa Lo was about two years ago with my friends. We
embarked on a night tour of this museum as we were seeking a whole new
experience. But I could still remember vividly the moment when I walked
Describe a historical building through its corridors. I was totally taken aback by the exhibits there that
you know meticulously set up tell tales of resilience, hope, and despair. It's truly
You should say: fascinating how a place that once held so much pain and sorrow has been
Where it is turned around to serve as a beacon of learning and understanding during one
How it looks like of the darkest times in our history.
What it is used for
And explain how you felt about this Feeling / Reflection:
building After the visit, I was showered over by a whirlwind of emotions, as this place
was a true / stark reminder of the sacrifices made during those turbulent
times of Vietnam. I was totally overwhelmed with a mix of admiration for the
resilience of the Vietnamese prisoners and a profound respect for the
journey that they have been through. For me personally, it's more than just a
building; it's a testament to all the sacrifices that our forefathers have made
to our nation’s independence.
 05

SPEAKING PART 3
 Answer technique
Do you think introducing free public transport would reduce
congestion in city centres?

While I know that introducing free public transport could

incentivize some individuals to opt for buses or trains over their
personal vehicles and reduce the number of cars on the road, I do
believe that the efficacy of this strategy hinges on various factors.
CONCESSION For instance, if the public transport system lacks adequate
capacity or fails to offer convenient routes and schedules,
many might still choose their cars. On top of that, without
substantial investments in infrastructure and proper planning,
public transportation might become overcrowded, which could
make it a less attractive option.
 Answer technique
Concession + Clarification
Do you think introducing free public transport would
reduce congestion in city centres?

While I know that introducing free public transport could

incentivize some individuals to opt for buses or trains over their Reason 1
personal vehicles and reduce the number of cars on the road, I
do believe that the efficacy of this strategy hinges on various
factors. For instance, if the public transport system lacks
adequate capacity or fails to offer convenient routes and
schedules, many might still choose their cars. On top of that, Reason 2 (Optional)
without substantial investments in infrastructure and proper
planning, public transportation might become overcrowded,
which could make it a less attractive option.
 Answer technique
Is public transportation always a more
environmentally friendly option than personal
cars?

While I do acknowledge that public transportation,

especially modes like electric trains or buses, can
have a smaller carbon footprint compared to many
“ALWAYS" / “ONLY"
personal vehicles, that's not always the case. As
you know, in cities where public buses run on older,
less efficient engines, for example, the environmental
benefits might not always be clear-cut. And also,
electric cars, which could be charged with renewable
energy, can sometimes present a cleaner option than
certain modes of public transport.
 Answer technique
Do you think investing in public transport is the
only way to combat air pollution?

While investing in public transport is undeniably a

significant step towards combating air pollution, I
don't think it's the only avenue to address this
concern. There are other strategies such as
“ALWAYS" / “ONLY"
encouraging the adoption of electric or hybrid personal
vehicles, promoting cycling and walking, implementing
stricter emission standards, or just raising awareness
about carpooling. These can also make a difference
and have been adopted in many cities in the world.
 04

PRACTICE