Who this is for: students preparing for the IELTS Speaking test who want clear, practical techniques they can practise today.
What you’ll get: easy-to-follow strategies for Part 1, the Cue Card (Part 2) and Part 3, plus short model answers you can copy and adapt.

Key points (quick skim)

• Don’t memorise full answers — they sound fake and slow you down.

• Keep answers the right length: not one word, not a long monologue.

• For every answer: state your main idea, explain it, then give an example or short story.

• For the Cue Card: focus on the topic and add personal details — not just the bullet points.

• For Part 3: use a 4-step structure: answer → explain → example → develop.

Part 1 — First impressions matter

What examiners look for: whether you can communicate naturally, use basic discourse markers, and give relevant detail.

Common mistakes

• Using memorised, rehearsed answers (they sound robotic).

• Answering with one word or a very long irrelevant story.

Best approach (simple formula)

1. Answer directly.

2. Give a short reason.

3. Add a quick example or tiny personal detail.

Example question: “Do you like studying in the library?”
Bad (robotic / short): “Yes, I like it. Library is good.”
Good (natural, 3-step): “Yes, I prefer studying in the library because it’s quiet and I can concentrate. For example, last week I finished an essay there without interruptions.”

Why this works: the examiner immediately hears a clear opinion, a reason, and a short evidence — all in two or three natural sentences.

Practical tips for Part 1

• Prepare 20–30 common Part 1 topics (home, study, hobbies). Memorise ideas, not full sentences.

• Practice answering in 2–4 sentences. Time yourself: most Part 1 answers should be 10–20 seconds.

• If you don’t understand, ask: “Sorry, could you repeat that?” — it’s better than pretending.

Part 2 — Cue Card (the 2-minute turn)

Goal: speak for about 2 minutes smoothly, focused on the main topic and your own perspective.

Why students fail

• Sticking too strictly to the bullet points and running out of things to say.

• Treating the cards like a checklist instead of a topic to expand on.

Better strategy

• Use the bullet points as launchpads, not the script.

• Add personal angles: feelings, consequences, comparisons, a short story, or future hopes.

Structure to practise (planning: ~40 seconds)

1. One-sentence intro that answers the prompt.

2. Cover each bullet point quickly (1–2 sentences each).

3. Add one extra thing: a short story, future thought, or contrast.

4. Conclude briefly (“That’s why…”).

Cue card example: Describe a book you recently enjoyed.
Practice plan (40s): decide three small ideas — what it’s about, one scene you liked, why it mattered.

Sample 2-minute speech (condensed version you can adapt):
“I recently read The Alchemist, which is about following your personal dream. The book follows a shepherd who travels across countries and learns lessons about taking risks. One scene I liked involved the shepherd meeting a stranger who taught him to listen to omens — it made me think about how small daily choices add up. I personally found that idea helpful because I have been deciding whether to change my major; the book reminded me that small steps can lead to big changes. If I had to recommend it, I’d tell someone who’s unsure about their future to read it because it offers practical metaphors rather than abstract advice. Overall, the book combined simple storytelling with useful life lessons.”

Practical tips for Part 2

• Use a 40-second planning window: write one-line notes (keywords, not full sentences).

• Include one mini-story — personal details make your talk believable.

• If you run out of things to say: compare with something else, imagine the future, or explain why one point matters.

• Practise with a timer regularly so 2 minutes feels natural.

Part 3 — Discussion (abstract and extended)

What this tests: ability to discuss ideas, justify opinions, and develop arguments.

Mindset

A harder question is a good sign: the examiner expects you to show reasoning. Never answer with “I don’t know.” Instead, hedge if necessary: “I’m not sure, but I think…” then give a short opinion.

Use the 4-step answer method

1. Answer directly (one clear sentence).

2. Explain why (reasons).

3. Give an example or short story (real or hypothetical).

4. Develop further (add another point, consider the opposite view, or predict consequences).

Question: “Do you think technology helps or harms social skills?”
Model answer using 4 steps:

1. Answer: “Overall, I think technology helps and harms social skills in different ways.”

2. Explain: “It helps because people can keep in touch easily across distances, but it harms in-person communication because many prefer texting over face-to-face chats.”

3. Example: “For example, during university exams last year, study groups often used group chats to coordinate, which made collaboration quicker.”

4. Develop: “However, that convenience can reduce practice in reading body language. In the future, I imagine schools will need to teach in-person communication deliberately to balance this.”

Practical language and techniques

• Use linking phrases: moreover, on the other hand, however, consequently.

• Use hedges and qualifiers when unsure: “It depends,” “In many cases,” “To some extent.”

• Bring in short, relevant real-world examples (news, school, workplace — no need to invent facts).

Common traps and how to avoid them

• Trap: answering with one short sentence. Fix: always expand with a reason or example.

• Trap: getting stuck on vocabulary. Fix: paraphrase instead (“I lack the exact word, but I mean…”).

Practice plan you can follow this week

• Daily (10–20 minutes): choose 3 Part 1 topics and answer aloud (record if possible).

• Three times a week: do one Cue Card; plan for 40 seconds, speak for 2 minutes. Play back and note fillers and pauses.

• Weekly: do two Part 3 questions with the 4-step structure. Aim for 1–2 minutes per answer.

• Peer / tutor: get feedback on pronunciation and coherence twice a week.

• Vocabulary goal: learn 10 topic-appropriate words per week and use them in answers.

Useful phrases to buy time and sound natural

• “That’s an interesting question.”

• “I’ve never thought about it, but I suppose…”

• “If I had to choose, I would say…”

• “One example of that is…”
  Use them sparingly — they’re tools, not crutches.

Quick checklist before your test

• Keep answers natural: aim for conversation, not performance.

• Don’t memorise full responses. Memorise structures and a few powerful phrases.

• Always add a reason and an example.

• Practise using 40s planning + 2m speaking habit for Cue Cards.

• Never say “I don’t know.” Try a short opinion instead.

• Record and review your speaking once a week.