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This is the fun part of the test, for many reasons. You get to rest before it, you are a little tired from the 3 previous parts and it makes you more relaxed. The examiners are trained to smile no matter what, so you feel as if you were speaking to your best friend.

The first sub-part of Speaking test is an interview, which means that the examiner asks you questions about yourself, your work, studies, parents, brothers/sisters, pets, etc. This is an easy task to prepare for.

In the second sub-part of Speaking test you receive a card with 3-4 questions. After one minute, that you have to think about something to say, you should give a short speech for one to two minutes, which answers those questions. In the end the examiner might ask you a couple of additional follow-up questions.

In the third sub-part of the test you have a discussion with examiner. The topic is somehow related to the one from section two, but it is about more abstract ideas. You have to express and justify an opinion.
The examiner will record your session on tape. Don’t worry about it; the recording is to test the examiner and not you.

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8 thoughts on “Speaking at a glance”

  1. Yes, if you let him know that the reason you are asking is that you didn’t hear well. Otherwise the examiner could think that you didn’t understand the question.

  2. I wanted to know that is it ok for the candidates to change the topic in the speaking test if the candidate has less knowledge about that current topic?

  3. That’s not black and white – they might let you change the subject because of your lack of knowledge, but they could think you don’t have the right vocabulary to speak about it – which is not good.

  4. Pingback: IELTS Speaking - what to expect (Interview) | IELTS-Blog

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Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and author of several popular IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005 her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target IELTS scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.