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05-30-Speaking Guide-IELTS_Unit 01 New Mich Prof coursebook-NEW.qxd 24/8/2018 1:32 μμ Page 8

IELTS Speaking Exam Guide

EXAM TIP
DO NOT try to influence the examiner. It won’t work!
[See 3 b) on page 7] Each question needs a DIRECT answer.
DO NOT ignore what the examiner asks. Your job, your
university major, your age, your position and your marital status
is NOT relevant unless directly asked for.
Example: 3 c) on page 7, does not answer the given question.
It is an answer to the following question:
Question: What is your job and do you need to make plans as
part of your work?

2 L2 Listen to three candidates answering Part 1 questions below. Which responses logically answer
the questions (A) and which ones go off-topic (O)? Write an A or O next to each speaker.

Speaker 1
Was it difficult to get accepted on this course? Q1: O – He misunderstood the question and spoke about the difficulty of
Will you have to study more before you start working? the course itself and not why it was difficult to be accepted on the course.
Q2: A – He answers the question logically, but does not explain enough,
possibly because he does not have the vocabulary. He is trying to explain
that he doesn’t need to study more, but instead needs to get work experi-
ence in a factory and that work experience is therefore part of his learning
O
Speaker 1: Question 1______ Question 2 ________ before he starts work.
A
Speaker 2
A
A
Speaker 2: Question 1 ______ Question 2 ________ Q1: A – Good answer with a reason why it was difficult.
Q2: A – Answers the questions and gives reasons. Makes a comparison
between university learning and work experience.
O
A
Speaker 3: Question 1 ______ Question 2 ________ Speaker 3
Q1: O – Answer is too short and vague to really judge if the speaker has
understood or if he is just guessing. It is not clear from his answer if he is
talking about the course or being accepted on it.
Q2: A – Answers the question, but there is no support for the answer.
He would get a low mark if he continued to give such short, unsupported
answers throughout the test.
EXAM TIP
In Part 1 the examiner cannot explain the questions; they can only repeat them.
Check you have understood by asking yes/no questions like:
Question: Will you have to study more before you start working?
• ‘Do you mean will I need work experience?’
• ‘Are you asking me if I will need to do another course?’
• ‘Can I just check, do you mean; will I need to do another course?’
These questions can be answered using non-verbal communication. i.e. a nod of the head

Talking about different topics
EXAM INFORMATION: In Part 1 you have to speak about 3 topics. You may be asked a number of questions
about each one. You need to practise thinking quickly. You also need to have a wide range of ideas so that you can
change from one topic to the next.

1 Look at the following Part 1 topics and related questions. Write your own question for each one.

Topic 1: Jobs
1 What kind of work do you do?
Topic 1: Jobs
2 Did you have to study before you started this job? Suggested answers:
3 Is this a popular career choice in your country? - Why did you choose this kind of work?
- Did you need to study for a long time to do this job?
4 (Your idea) ……………………………….
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