In part 3 of the speaking test, you should try to give longer, detailed answers. A good way to do this is to imagine that you are making a paragraph.
Remember the 'paragraph building' techniques that we use in writing task 2:
Idea, explain, example
Start with a direct answer to the question, like the 'topic sentence' in a written paragraph. Then explain your answer in more detail, and support your explanation with an example.
Try answering this question: Do you think that it's important for people to go on holiday?
Firstly, secondly, finally
Start with the direct answer, then explain it by giving two or three reasons, and maybe an example too.
Try answering this question: Why do you think some people prefer not to go abroad on holiday?
IELTS Speaking Part 3: idea, explain, personal example
Let's look at a sample answer using the "idea, explain, example" structure. This time I'm using a personal example in the last sentence.
What disagreements do teenagers often have with their parents? Why?
(Idea / basic answer) Teenagers disagree with their parents about all sorts of things, like the clothes they want to wear, whether they can go out with their friends, doing homework, and how much help they give their parents around the house. (Explain why) I think the teenage years are when we develop a sense of identity, and we want to make our own decisions rather than follow other people's instructions. (Personal example) I remember having disagreements with my own parents, usually about simple things like getting up early in the morning, tidying my room, or doing the washing up!
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'TV programme' answers
Here are my sample answers to the questions that I shared with you last week. Notice that I use the 3 or 4 steps that I recommended, and remember to note down any good words or phrases that you find.
1. Do you think most people watch TV for education or for entertainment?
I think people watch TV primarily for entertainment. There are far more entertainment programmes than educational ones, and in my experience most people treat television as a form of relaxation in the evening. If I think about the most popular TV programmes in the UK, such as talent shows like 'X Factor' or soap operas like 'Eastenders', the focus is definitely on entertainment rather than education.
2. Should TV play a role in educating children? How?
Yes, it definitely should play a role in my opinion. Good children's TV programmes should tell stories that contain some kind of lesson about how to behave or what is morally right and wrong. Many of the traditional fairy tales, such as 'Cinderella', have been made into TV programmes, and there is always a postive message in those stories.
3. How do you think TV viewing habits change as people get older?
TV viewing habits obviously change a lot as we get older. While toddlers might watch programmes about talking animals, teenagers prefer action and adventure or sports, and as adults we start taking an interest in news and politics. My own preferences, for example, have changed over the years - I would never have watched news programmes when I was younger. I think it would be very strange if our viewing habits didn't mature!
IELTS Speaking Part 3: tenses
When answering the two questions below, you should be aware that the examiner is expecting to hear some different verb tenses.
1. Do you think films have changed since you were a child?
No, I don’t think films have changed much since I was a child. When I wasyounger I enjoyed watching action films, and the Hollywood formula for this type of film seems to be the same today. For example, I liked the original ‘Superman’ films, and superheroes are still a popular subject for film-makers.
2. As the technology for home viewing improves, do you think people willstop going to the cinema in future?
No, I don’t think that people will stop going to the cinema. People can already buy fantastic home viewing equipment, but it still feels more special to share the experience of watching a new film with a theatre full of people. I don't think that technology will be able to replicate that cinema atmosphere.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: long answer technique
Here's the technique that I recommend for giving long answers in part 3:
1.Answer the question directly
2.Explain why
3.Give an example
4.Explain the alternative / opposite
Here's an example using a question from last week's lesson:
Do you think that it's better to have clear aims for the future, or is it best to take each day as it comes?
(Answer) I think it’s best to have a good idea of what you want to do with your life, especially in terms of studies and career. (Why) Having aims allows you to plan what you need to do today and tomorrow in order to achieve longer-term objectives. (Example) For example, if you want to become a doctor, you need to choose the right subjects at school, get the right exam results, and work hard at university. (Opposite) Without a clear aim, it would be impossible to take the necessary steps towards a career in medicine, or any other profession.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'community' answers
Here are my sample answers for the part 3 'community' topic:
1) What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? Which is the most important?
I think there are many ways to help others in our local communities. For example, where I live, some people volunteer to run activity clubs for children, or they help out in residential homes for elderly people. Others give money, food or clothes to organisations that support people living below the poverty line. In my opinion, there isn’t a scale of importance when it comes to helping others; all forms of help are positive.
2) Why do you think some people like to help other people?
Most people get a good feeling when they help others, and they understand that we can all experience difficult times in our lives when we might need support. For example, we all grow old, and we all run the risk of losing our jobs or having a health problem that affects our ability to look after ourselves. So, I think people help others because they empathise with them.
3) Some people say that people help others in the community more now than they did in the past. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
I disagree with that kind of opinion. It’s impossible to generalise about how much people help in their communities from one generation to the next, so I don’t think we should try to judge or compare how altruistic people are now or were in the past. There have always been those who help others and those who don’t.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: answer structure
Did you notice how I structured my answers in last week's lesson?
Answer 1
1. Answer the question - "it depends"
2. Explain one side
3. Explain the other side
4. Give an example
Answer 2
1. Firstly - first characteristic of a good listener
2. Secondly - second characteristic
3. Finally - third characteristic
Answer 3
1. Answer the question - "it's a mixture of both things"
2. Explain one side
3. Explain the other side
Basically, I'm using Idea, Explain, (Example) or Firstly, Secondly, Finally, just as I do when I'm writing main paragraphs for writing task 2. The more you practise using these two patterns, the easier it becomes to give longer, more coherent answers.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'advice' answers
Here are my sample answers for the 'advice' questions from this lesson:
1. Is it better to get advice from a friend or from a family member?
I think it depends on the kind of advice that you need. Parents and grandparents probably have more life experience than a friend, and so you might get a wiser or more sensible answer from them. On the other hand, friends are less likely to become too worried if you go to them with a problem. For example, I probably wouldn’t want to burden my parents with a financial problem.
2. What would you say are the characteristics of a good adviser?
Well, firstly, a good adviser should be a good listener, someone who takes the time to understand the situation before offering advice. Secondly, an adviser should try to be objective, and avoid judging the person who is seeking help. Finally, I think the best advisers have the ability to ask the right questions and encourage others to find their own answers.
3. Should people make their own work and career decisions, or is it a good idea to ask for advice about this?
I’d say that it’s a mixture of both things. Most of us talk to family, friends, teachers or colleagues before we make career choices. However, I believe that the final decision should rest with the individual; we all need to take ultimate responsibility for the big life choices that we make.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'paragraph' answers
Here are my answers to the questions in last week's lesson.
1) Do you think that it's important for people to go on holiday?
Answer using 'idea, explain, example'
Yes, I think we all need to go on holiday at least once or twice a year. It isn’t healthy to work all year round without some time off to relax; we all need to take a break and recharge our batteries from time to time. Last summer, for example, I went on holiday to France for a couple of weeks, and it was great to leave all of my usual responsibilities behind me. I came home feeling really refreshed and reinvigorated.
2) Why do you think some people prefer not to go abroad on holiday?
Answer using 'firstly, secondly, finally'
I suppose there are different reasons why some people choose not to go abroad on holidays. Firstly, it’s usually more expensive to travel abroad than it is to stay at home. A second reason could be that some people find it stressful to spend time in a foreign country where they don’t speak the language, or where they feel that they can’t easily integrate with the locals. Finally, many people just love where they live, and don’t feel the need to travel abroad.
IELTS Speaking: if you don't know what to say
In Sunday's lesson I suggested answering in the following way if you don't know what to say:
"Well, I don't really know much about... because..., but I suppose..."
In other words, you admit that you don't really know what to say, you explain why, then you invent an answer anyway. Let's try using the formula above with an example.
Question:
What kinds of jobs might stop when the season changes?
Answer:
Well, I don't really know much about seasonal jobs because everyone works all year round where I live, but I suppose that some jobs related to tourism must stop at the end of the summer holiday period.
IELTS Speaking: if you don't understand
What should you do if you don't understand a question in the speaking test? Here are my tips:
Part 1
In part 1, the examiner is not allowed to help you, but he/she can repeat the question. Just say: "Sorry, can you repeat the question please?" If you still don't understand the second time, try to say something related to the topic or any of the words that you heard. Try your best, then focus on the next question.
Part 2
You are given a task card with the question written on it, so you shouldn't have any problems in this part. If there is a word that you don't understand on the task card, don't ask the examiner - he/she is not allowed to help.
Part 3
In this part of the test, the examiner is allowed to rephrase the question. If you don't understand, just say something like: "Sorry, can you explain that question in a different way please?"
Part 1: stop and smile
For part 1 of the speaking test, you need to get used to giving short answers. Many students find it difficult to stop speaking, and the examiner is forced to interrupt. My tip is to give your answer then stop and smile, showing the examiner that you are ready for the next question.
Part 2: tell a story
In the context of speaking part 2, a story is simply a long example to illustrate a point that you have made. If you’re describing a person, for example, you could tell a story to illustrate why you like him/her. People find it easy to keep speaking for longer when they have a story to tell.
Part 3: include an ‘if...’ sentence
Look at technique number 2 in this lesson. The 'alternatives' technique helps you to say more, and it also encourages you to add a conditional 'if...' sentence, which might help your grammar score.
IELTS Speaking: if you don't know the answer
How do you answer a question when you don't know anything about the topic?
There are 2 things you can do:
1.Be honest and explain why you don't know
2.Guess, and tell the examiner that you are guessing
Example question:
How has technology affected the kinds of music that young people listen to?
My answer, using both tips above:
(1) To be honest I don't really know the answer to that because I'm completely out of touch with what young people are listening to, and I'm not a fan of pop music.
(2) However, I suppose that technology must have affected music. Maybe young people are listening to music that has been made using computer software instead of real musical instruments like the piano or guitar.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: add more detail
In this lesson I mentioned 3 techniques to help you give longer answers: ask yourself why, explain the alternatives, give an example.
Most students have no problem with the first step (explaining why), but they aren't so good at giving alternatives or examples. Take the following question from last week's lesson for example.
Question:
In your opinion, are newspapers important?
Example student answer:
Yes, in my opinion newspapers are very important (why?) because they give us information about what is happening around the world. (why?) They are a vital source of knowledge about education, technology, medicine and many other fields.
This is a good start, but let's try to raise the answer to band 9 level.
Example answer with 'alternative' and 'example':
Yes, in my opinion newspapers are very important (why?) because they give us information about what is happening around the world. (why?) They are a vital source of knowledge about education, technology, medicine and many other fields. (alternative?) If newspapers didn’t exist, I think the quality of news coverage would suffer because there would be fewer professional journalists.(example?) We would have to rely, for example, on unpaid bloggers who do not have the budgets to carry out detailed research before they write an article.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: longer answers
Do you remember my advice about how to give longer answers in part 3?
∙Answer the question directly
∙Ask yourself why or how (and explain in detail)
∙Give an example
∙Mention an alternative or opposite answer
Example question
Do you think the seasons still influence people's behaviour?
Example answer
Yes, I do think the seasons affect how we behave. (how?) We still wear different clothes depending on the weather, and clothes shops change what they sell according to the season. We also adapt our habits and daily routines according to the time of year. (example) For example, people in my country like to eat outside in their gardens in the summer, but we can't do that during the other seasons. (opposite) On the other hand, I don't think we notice the change in seasons when it comes to food; the big supermarkets import food from around the world, so most people don't buy seasonal fruit and vegetables any more.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: verb tenses
In part 3 of the speaking test, it's common to get questions about the past and future, as well as questions about 'now'. The examiner will be listening to your use of verb tenses:
What types of transport are there in your town?
In Manchester I think you can find every form of transport apart from an underground system. You can drive around the city by car or get on a bus; thereare even free buses that take people between the train stations. Manchester alsohas a tram system, and of course there are taxis too.
How has transport changed since your grandparents were young?
Well, they had cars, trains and planes back then, and London already had the underground system, but I suppose the difference is that technology has movedon. Having said that, the transport system is not necessarily better nowadays; people travel a lot more, and I'm sure we spend more time stuck in traffic.
What types of transport do you think we will use in the future?
I'm not sure, but hopefully we'll have cars that drive themselves and never crash. I think we'll probably fly more, and it might become normal to have your own plane. On the other hand, many cities are building more bicycle lanes, so maybe we will use cars less for getting around towns and cities.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: make it personal
In part 3 of IELTS speaking, it really helps if you give personal examples:
1. Do you think it's important for people to have hobbies? Why?
Yes, I think people need to have hobbies because we all need to do things we enjoy in our spare time. In my case, I find that playing football once a week with some friends helps me to relax, keep fit and forget about work. I think it's the same for everyone.
2. Can hobbies have any negative effects?
Yes, if you spend too much time on your hobby, it can affect other parts of your life. I remember that one of my friends spent most of his time at university playing computer games instead of studying. In the end, he failed most of his exams.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: more long answers
Here are 3 techniques to help you give longer, more detailed answers:
1.Keep asking yourself "why?"
2.Explain the alternatives
3.Give an example
Question:
Do you think that school children should be encouraged to have their own ideas, or is it more important for them to learn what their teachers give them?
Answer:
I think that we should definitely allow children to be creative and have their own ideas. (why?) Children need to develop the ability to think for themselves and solve problems (why?) because as adults they will not always have somebody to guide them or tell them what to do. (alternatives?) If we don't allow children to have their own ideas, they will be less successful in the adult world; they will be too reliant on others. (example?) A doctor, for example, might encounter a situation that he or she hasn't been trained for, but will still be expected to make a decision that could save someone's life.
What do you think are the most important qualities for friends to have?
Maybe the most important things are that friends need to share common interests and be honest with each other. (why?) Friends are people we spend a lot of time with, so it definitely helps if they enjoy doing the same activities or talking about the same topics as we do, and of course we need to be able to trust our friends, so honesty is vital for a good friendship. (alternatives / example?) I think I would struggle to become friends with someone who didn’t have anything in common with me, or who wasn’t reliable or trustworthy.
How important do you think it is for a person to spend some time alone?
I’d say that it’s essential to spend a bit of time alone, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. (why?) When you have a few minutes to yourself, it’s a chance to take stock and reflect on things. (why?) Most of us live such busy lives that our brains need time to catch up every now and then. (example / alternatives?)Personally, I try to have a bit of “me time” every day; I’ll go for a coffee or find a quiet place to sit and read the newspaper. If I never had any time alone, I think I’d go mad!
IELTS Speaking Part 3: questions about the future
When the examiner asks a question like the one below, you know that you are being tested on your ability to express ideas in the future tense.
How do you think the design of homes will change in the future?
Example answer:
I don't think there will be much change in terms of what houses look like from the outside. In this country, people still like traditional brick or stone houses. Having said that, the design of apartment blocks will probably continue to develop, with more and more experimental or futuristic buildings made of glass and metal. Iimagine that it will be the insides of homes that change the most; houses will no doubt be full of technological devices to make our lives easier. Maybe we'll havethings like voice-controlled doors, lights and appliances.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'history' topic
Questions in part 3 of the speaking test follow on from the topic you were given in part 2. So, after last week's historic event question, you might be asked some further questions about history and events. For example:
1. What do you think we can learn by studying events of the past?
I think we can learn a lot by studying history. Just as individual people learn from their mistakes, societies can learn from the mistakes made by previous governments or leaders. For example, from what I've read in the newspapers, many economists are looking back to the time of the Great Depression, around 80 years ago, in order to understand the financial crisis that is currently affecting many countries around the world. Even if we don't always learn from mistakes, I think it's fascinating to study history because it gives us an insight into who we are and where we come from.
2. What important events do you think might take place in the future?
It's really difficult to predict what will happen in the future; most of the big, historic events of the past would have been impossible to foresee. For example, I don't think that anyone living 100 years ago could have imagined that people would one day walk on the moon! If I had to guess what might happen in the future, I'd like to think that scientists will invent cures for diseases like cancer, and we'll all live longer.