You can take the IELTS General Training test at a test centre. Choose this if you wish to migrate to an English-speaking country, (e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) or if you wish to train or study at below degree level. In IELTS, there are four papers: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both the Academic and the General Training tests, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.
The IELTS Speaking Test is designed to assess your spoken English skills through a structured conversation with an examiner. It evaluates your ability to communicate opinions, discuss ideas, narrate experiences, and express yourself fluently and accurately.
It follows the same format for both Academic and General Training candidates.
The test is divided into three parts, each with a different purpose and style:
The examiner introduces themselves and asks you to introduce yourself. Topics include familiar subjects like your hometown, studies, family, hobbies, work, daily routine, favorite foods, and holidays. The goal is to make you feel relaxed while evaluating your fluency and basic conversational skills.
Example Questions:
You receive a cue card with a topic and some bullet points. You have 1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to speak. You must cover all the points mentioned. After speaking, the examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions.
Example Cue Card:
Describe a book you recently read. You should say:
The examiner asks more complex, abstract questions related to Part 2. You need to discuss ideas, compare, evaluate, and speculate.
Example Questions:
Important: There is no difference in difficulty, scoring, or format between the two methods.
There are four main areas you are scored on:
Key Tips:
Key Tips:
Key Tips:
Key Tips:
Key Tips:
| Part | Preparation Tip |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Practice answering personal questions clearly and naturally. |
| Part 2 | Practice speaking for 2 minutes about random topics using a timer. |
| Part 3 | Practice discussing complex issues and supporting your opinions. |
By understanding the format, focusing on fluency, coherence, pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary, and grammar—and following smart practice strategies—you can dramatically improve your IELTS Speaking score and speak like a champion!
Speak freely about your day, plans, or feelings. Important: Don’t stop or translate — think only in English.
Example:
“Today I woke up at 7 a.m. and had breakfast. I am planning to study IELTS Speaking for 45 minutes.”
Pick 5 random Part 1 questions. Answer each question in 3–5 sentences.
Sample Part 1 Questions:
Goal:
Speak naturally, without long pauses. Focus on fluency and coherence.
Choose one cue card. Prepare for 1 minute using a stopwatch. Speak for 2 full minutes without stopping.
Sample Cue Card:
Describe a place you would like to visit. You should say:
Goal:
Focus on organization, grammar, vocabulary, and speaking confidently for a longer time.
After your cue card, answer 3–5 related discussion questions.
Sample Part 3 Questions (based on the above cue card):
Goal:
Give full, developed answers (minimum 5–6 sentences) — explain reasons, give examples, compare ideas.
| Day | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Monday | Focus on Fluency (speaking non-stop even if slow) |
| Tuesday | Focus on Lexical Resource (use new vocabulary) |
| Wednesday | Focus on Pronunciation and Intonation |
| Thursday | Focus on Grammar (practice complex sentences) |
| Friday | Full Mock Test Simulation (all Parts 1, 2, and 3) |
| Saturday | Analyze Mistakes + Shadowing Practice |
| Sunday | Rest or Watch English Movies/Talk Shows |
Speaking well is not about being perfect. It’s about communicating clearly, organizing ideas, sounding natural, and staying confident. If you practice smartly every day, you WILL sound amazing in 30 days!
You should say:
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
You should say:
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
You should say:
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
You should say:
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
You should say:
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
If you have only 7 days left before your test, follow this:
| Day | Focus | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fluency + Part 1 | Answer 20 random Part 1 questions in 3–5 sentences each |
| Day 2 | Vocabulary + Part 2 | Practice 3 cue cards, focus on using advanced vocabulary |
| Day 3 | Pronunciation + Intonation | Record yourself reading sample answers, focus on tone and rhythm |
| Day 4 | Grammar + Part 3 | Answer 10 Part 3 questions using complex sentences |
| Day 5 | Full Speaking Test Simulation | Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 – record full 15 minutes |
| Day 6 | Error Analysis | Listen to your recordings, note common mistakes, correct them |
| Day 7 | Relaxed Final Practice | Practice light speaking: casual English conversations, storytelling |
Bonus Tip: Spend 10 minutes shadowing native speakers (YouTube interviews, podcasts) to train your brain to copy natural patterns.
Describe your hometown. You should say:
Describe your daily routine. You should say:
Describe a piece of technology you find useful. You should say:
Describe a memorable lesson you had at school. You should say:
Describe a sport you enjoy watching or playing. You should say:
Describe a memorable trip you took. You should say:
Describe a traditional meal in your country. You should say:
Describe a friend you admire. You should say:
Describe an environmental problem in your area. You should say:
Describe a piece of music that has a special meaning to you. You should say:
Describe a book you recently read. You should say:
Describe a job you would like to do in the future. You should say:
Describe a time when you used social media for a positive reason. You should say:
Describe a festival you celebrated. You should say:
Describe a time when you managed your time effectively. You should say:
Describe a memorable shopping experience. You should say:
Describe a memorable experience from your childhood. You should say:
Describe a news story you found interesting. You should say:
Describe a time when you made a healthy lifestyle change. You should say:
Describe a language you would like to learn. You should say:
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