


What if I don’t know the Topic?
Many students worry about not knowing what to say in part 1 of the speaking test. We regularly get asked the following questions by students. What should I say if I don’t know anything about the topic? What should I say if I don’t have any relevant experiences? We...
Giving Examples Audio and Interactive activities
Last lesson we learned about part 1 of the speaking test. Today we are taking a close look at how to give great answers in part 1 of the IELTS speaking test by learning how to provide examples to add depth to our responses. First we will listen to a dialogue,...
Band 9 Example and Collocations with Life and Living
​In this lesson we are going to practice talking about lifestyle and free time. The types of questions we’re going to practice are typical of part 1 of the IELTS speaking test. Remember that in part 1 of the speaking test we are typically asked familiar questions...
Linking Ideas when Speaking
​In part 1 of the IELTS speaking test you must answer questions about yourself. We will first look at some questions and example answers, then identify the useful linking words that join the ideas in each answer. Read the following questions. How would you answer...
Talking about Abilities
In this free lesson, we look at a common type of question that examiners ask in Part 1 of the speaking test: Your abilities. ​In order to effectively answer this type of question, it is important that you can accurately speak about what you can and can’t do. ​Let’s...
Past Habits and Routines
​Questions about your habits and routines are extremely common in the first part of the speaking test. In this free class we are going to look at how to talk about your past habits and routines. Exercise 1 | Know the Question Read the following set of questions about...
Talking about Experiences
​In both part 1 and part 2 of the speaking test the examiner is likely to ask you questions about your personal experiences. These types of questions invite you to talk about something which happened to you in the past. Exercise 1 Which of the following questions are...
What is Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test?
This is a short introduction to part 2 of the IELTS speaking test. ​ Exercise 1 Read the following information about part 2 of the speaking test. Are the statements which follow the text true or false? ​Part 2 of the Speaking Test  The IELTS speaking test has three...
Speaking Part 2 Topics
In part 2 of the 3 part speaking test you are expected to talk for 2 minutes on a topic after 1 minute of preparation. Here you will find a list of IELTS Speaking Test part 2 topic cards. ​  For each one: Take 1 minute to make notes (not full sentences – there...
How to Prepare
In part 2 of the test you have 1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to talk about a topic. We have already looked at What Part 2 is and Part 2 Topic Example Cards. In this lesson we will study how to use that 1 minute to prepare a great talk. Exercise 1 Read the cue card...