Some people think that more money should be spent to promote the use of

bicycles in cities. Others, however, believe that cities should focus on investing
in public transport systems.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People have contradicting views on which mode of transport should the government
focus on. While some people believe that there should be more budget allocated in
encouraging the usage of bicycles, i believe that it is more important to improve the
public transport systems.
One the one hand, there might be some reasons why people think it is more necessary
for people to travel by bicycles in cities. One of the reasons is because it helps to
minimize air pollution in urban areas. With the usage of bicycles, there will be a fall in
the number of vehicles like cars and motorcycles and hence, the emission of toxic air
pollutants like carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide will be reduced. Other than that,
travelling from one place to another by bicycle can promote a healthy lifestyle among
the citizen. There would be lesser cardiovascular diseases such as obesity or health
failure. An increase in the usage of bicycle also helps to bring down traffic congestion in
the town.
One the other hand, I believe that there should be more investment made to the public
transport system. Modes of travelling such as buses and trains are more efficient than
bicycles. We can reach our destination in shorter amount of time and on top of that, it is
more comfortable than riding a bicycles. Besides that, the improvement of public
transport services can provide more job opportunities for citizen. There would be an
increase in demand of bus drivers and train conductors, thus crime rates in cities can be
controlled. The improvement of urban transportation services also symbolizes a modern
developed city.
In conclusion, although it would be sensible to improve the usage of bicycles in cities, I
personally believe it would be much better for governments to direct their attention to
public transportation.
I am taking the three modules (writing,listening and reading) tomorrow. Wish me luck
guys! thank you Simon for this wonderful website. I owe you much !
I took the speaking test yesterday and I hope to get reasonable marks for it :)

IELTS Writing Task 1: paraphrasing

The easiest way to start your Task 1 essay is by paraphrasing the question.
Paraphrasing means writing something in a different way (using your own words).
Here are some simple changes you can make:

graph = line graph

chart = bar chart

diagram = figure

shows = illustrates (or 'compares' if the graph is comparing)

proportion = percentage

information = data

the number of = the figure for

the proportion of = the figure for

people in the USA = Americans

from 1999 to 2009 = between 1999 and 2009

from 1999 to 2009 = over a period of 10 years

how to produce = the process of producing

in three countries = in the UK, France and Spain (i.e. name the countries)

Tip:
"The figure for / figures for" is a great phrase that not many people use (e.g. the graph
shows figures for unemployment in three countries).
IELTS Writing Task 2: words from the question

People often worry about using words from the question in their essays.
While it's important to show that you can paraphrase the question and explain your
ideas in a variety of ways, I believe that you should use words from the question
somewhere in your essays. But why? Here are 3 reasons:
1. The first reason is easy: some words/phrases are difficult to paraphrase. For example,
in my essay about 'living alone' I found it difficult to avoid using the phrase 'live alone'.
Almost every sentence refers to this topic, and nobody expects you to find ten or more
different synonyms.
2. The second reason is more interesting: repeating certain key words or phrases helps to
hold your essay together. The reader cannot miss the connection between ideas
(whereas he/she might miss the connection if you use too many synonyms). Politicians
often use this technique in their speeches e.g. Barack Obama's famous "Yes we can"
speech.

3. The third reason is equally important: repeating words from the question helps to keep
you "on topic". Refer to the question to show the examiner that you are answering it.
This can help your 'task response' score.

Idea:
Take one of my sample essays, or a sample essay from an IELTS book. Underline key
words in the question, then highlight those words in the essay. If the writer used words
from the question, it was probably for one of the 3 reasons above. A good essay is likely
to have a nice balance between words that are taken from the question and the use of
synonyms or paraphrasing.

More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life
can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How
can governments make urban life better for everyone?
Cities are often seen as places of opportunity, but there are also some major drawbacks
of living in a large metropolis. In my opinion, governments could do much more to
improve city life for the average inhabitant.
The main problem for anyone who hopes to migrate to a large city is that the cost of
living is likely to be much higher than it is in a small town or village. Inhabitants of cities
have to pay higher prices for housing, transport, and even food. Another issue is that
urban areas tend to suffer from social problems such as high crime and poverty rates in
comparison with rural areas. Furthermore, the air quality in cities is often poor, due to
pollution from traffic, and the streets and public transport systems are usually
overcrowded. As a result, city life can be unhealthy and stressful.
However, there are various steps that governments could take to tackle these problems.
Firstly, they could invest money in the building of affordable or social housing to reduce
the cost of living. Secondly, politicians have the power to ban vehicles from city centres
and promote the use of cleaner public transport, which would help to reduce both air
pollution and traffic congestion. In London, for example, the introduction of a congestion
charge for drivers has helped to curb the traffic problem. A third option would be to
develop provincial towns and rural areas, by moving industry and jobs to those regions,
in order to reduce the pressure on major cities.
In conclusion, governments could certainly implement a range of measures to enhance
the quality of life for all city residents.
(273 words, band 9)

IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced introduction

If we want to write a balanced answer for the question below, it's important to make our
balanced view very clear in the introduction.
Here's the question again:
In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the
past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Here's my 'balanced opinion' introduction:
In recent years it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in
large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend is having both positive and
negative consequences in equal measure.
Note:
Notice that I wrote two sentences as usual. The first sentence introduces the topic by
paraphrasing the question statement, and the second sentence makes my opinion very
clear.
IELTS Writing Task 2: positive or negative development?

Questions that ask "Is this a positive or negative development?" seem to be quite
common in the IELTS test these days. For example, here's a recent question that
several people told me about:
In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than
in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Here's my advice:

This type of question is asking for your opinion, so don't write about the views of other
people.

Three different answers are possible: (1) You think it is a positive development. (2) You
think it is a negative development. (3) You believe that there are some positives and
some negatives.

As usual, make your opinion clear in the introduction, support it with good ideas in the
main body, and repeat / summarise it in the conclusion.

IELTS Writing Task 2: different perspectives

A good way to organise your ideas is by thinking about the topic from different
perspectives or points of view. Click here to see another lesson about this.
I used the 'perspectives' technique to write a paragraph about the positives of more
people living alone (see last week's lesson).
Here's my paragraph with the perspectives highlighted:
The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and
broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone may
become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family members. A
young adult who lives alone, for example, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and
manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills. From an economic
perspective, the trend towards living alone will result in greater demand for housing.
This is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other
companies that rely on homeowners to buy their products or services.
Task:
Try writing about the negatives of the same trend, from two or three different
perspectives.

IELTS Writing Task 2: tourism

Do the benefits of tourism outweigh the drawbacks?
Here are some ideas. I've organised the vocabulary according to different perspectives
(different ways of looking at this issue).
Positives of tourism:
1. Personal perspective: Tourism is a popular leisure activity. Tourists can relax,
have fun, 'recharge their batteries', experience different customs and cultures
(sight-seeing, sunbathing, visiting monuments, tasting new cuisine). Travel
opens our minds. It can broaden our horizons.
2. Economic perspective: The tourism industry is vital for some countries.
People rely on tourism for their income. Tourism attracts investment from
governments and companies. It creates employment due to demand for goods
and services (hotels, entertainment etc.). It helps to improve the standard of
living.
Negatives of tourism:
1. Environmental perspective: Tourism can have a negative impact on the
environment. Excessive building (roads, hotels etc.) destroys natural habitats
and spoils the landscape. Tourism creates pollution and waste. It puts pressure
on local resources such as food, water and energy.

2. Economic perspective: Tourism may cause a rise in the cost of living. Prices
of goods and services go up. Tourists buy second homes. All of this affects local
people.
3. Cultural perspective: Local traditions may be lost. Traditional jobs and skills
die out (e.g. farming, fishing). Local people are forced to work in the tourist
industry.
Thinking about topics from different perspectives can help you to generate better ideas.
This technique isn't perfect for every topic, but it can be really useful.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'positive or negative' essay

Here's my full essay for the 'positive or negative development' question that we've been
looking at over the last few weeks.
In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than
in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
In recent years it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in
large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend could have both positive
and negative consequences in equal measure.
The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and
broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone may
become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family members. A
young adult who lives alone, for example, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and
manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills; an increase in the number
of such individuals can certainly be seen as a positive development. From an economic
perspective, the trend towards living alone will result in greater demand for housing.
This is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other
companies that rely on homeowners to buy their products or services.
However, the personal and economic arguments given above can be considered from
the opposite angle. Firstly, rather than the positive feeling of increased independence,
people who live alone may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and worry. They
miss out on the emotional support and daily conversation that family or flatmates can
provide, and they must bear the weight of all household bills and responsibilities; in this
sense, perhaps the trend towards living alone is a negative one. Secondly, from the
financial point of view, a rise in demand for housing is likely to push up property prices
and rents. While this may benefit some businesses, the general population, including
those who live alone, will be faced with rising living costs.

In conclusion, the increase in one-person households will have both beneficial and
detrimental effects on individuals and on the economy.
(band 9)
IELTS Writing Task 2: essay analysis

Did you analyse last week's essay carefully? Here's an example of how an examiner
would analyse it:
Task repsonse

The essay fully addresses the task; it is "on topic" at all times, and it definitely answers
the question.

The position (opinion / overall answer) is clear throughout the essay. It is presented in
the introduction, and then supported in the rest of the essay (with no surprises in the
conclusion!).

Lots of detail is given. Ideas are "fully extended" (explained in depth) and well
supported.

Coherence and cohesion

Ideas are presented in a logical and organised way.

There is definitely a good "flow" to the essay, so that the argument builds and
develops. Paragraphing is well managed, and each paragraph is well constructed.

Cohesive devices (linking) are used in an effective but subtle way - they help with the
development of ideas, but do not overshadow those ideas.

Lexical resource (vocabulary)

A wide range of vocabulary is used.

Vocabulary is used appropriately, skillfully and naturally in the development of ideas.

There are several examples of "less common" items of vocabulary, all of which are
used appropriately.

Grammatical range and accuracy

A wide range of structures is used.

There are no mistakes!

Task:
Can you add to this analysis by listing the linking words and the good vocabulary from
the essay?
IELTS Writing Task 2: words from the question

People often worry about using words from the question in their essays.
While it's important to show that you can paraphrase the question and explain your
ideas in a variety of ways, I believe that you should use words from the question
somewhere in your essays. But why? Here are 3 reasons:
1. The first reason is easy: some words/phrases are difficult to paraphrase. For example,
in my essay about 'living alone' I found it difficult to avoid using the phrase 'live alone'.
Almost every sentence refers to this topic, and nobody expects you to find ten or more
different synonyms.
2. The second reason is more interesting: repeating certain key words or phrases helps to
hold your essay together. The reader cannot miss the connection between ideas
(whereas he/she might miss the connection if you use too many synonyms). Politicians
often use this technique in their speeches e.g. Barack Obama's famous "Yes we can"
speech.
3. The third reason is equally important: repeating words from the question helps to keep
you "on topic". Refer to the question to show the examiner that you are answering it.
This can help your 'task response' score.

Idea:
Take one of my sample essays, or a sample essay from an IELTS book. Underline key
words in the question, then highlight those words in the essay. If the writer used words
from the question, it was probably for one of the 3 reasons above. A good essay is likely
to have a nice balance between words that are taken from the question and the use of
synonyms or paraphrasing.

IELTS Writing Task 2: advice for different scores

Depending on what scores my students are aiming for, I give different advice.
If you are aiming for band 5, 5.5 or 6:
You can reach band 6 with fairly 'easy' language if your essay structure is good, your
ideas are relevant to the question topic, and you write at least 250 words. Look through
the writing task 2 lessons on this website to learn how to write introductions, main

paragraphs and conclusions, and work on writing short, simple sentences to express
your ideas.
When people get band 5 or below, it is often because they don't finish their essays, they
go off-topic, they have no idea about good essay structure, or they try to use 'difficult'
language and therefore make lots of mistakes. For bands 5 to 6, keep your essays
simple and clear.
If you are aiming for band 7 or higher:
First, you need to do everything that I mentioned above: you need relevant ideas, a
good essay structure, and you must write at least 250 words.
But to reach the higher scores, your essays need more 'depth'. You need to explain your
ideas in more detail, using a wider range of vocabulary. At this level,good essay
structure is not enough, and memorised linking phrases won't help either. Your focus
should be on real content.

IELTS Advice: how essays are marked

Here's a simplified version of the marking system for IELTS writing:

Note:
I tell my students that the fastest way to improve their scores is by focusing on 'task
response' and 'lexical resource'. You do this by explaining your ideas / views in more
detail.
IELTS Writing Task 2: what makes a good paragraph?

I asked my students to plan some ideas for the 'happiness' question that you can see
in this lesson (the students hadn't seen my full essay). We then wrote a band 9
paragraph together (see below).
Paragraph answering the question 'why is happiness difficult to define?':
Happiness is almost impossible to explain because it is an abstract concept with no
definite meaning. It can mean or represent something completely different depending on
a person's age, culture or background. For some people, happiness is a feeling of
pleasure in a particular moment, whereas for others, it is a state of mind. Children, for
example, are happiest when playing, laughing and having fun, while adults usually
equate happiness with health, security, financial stability or success. In other words, we
all have different views or requirements, and so we seek contentment in our own
individual ways.
But what makes this a 'band 9' paragraph?
Can you analyse it in terms of the 4 criteria?

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

Did you note down these good phrases from Wednesday's lesson?

it is an abstract concept with no definite meaning

it can mean or represent

depending on a person's age, culture or background

a feeling of pleasure in a particular moment

a state of mind

adults equate happiness with...

health, security, financial stability or success

we seek contentment

in our own individual ways

If you want to write at a band 7-9 level, vocabulary is the key!

IELTS Writing Task 2: choose the easy opinion

Look at the following exam question that a student sent me:

As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what

extent do you agree or disagree?
When deciding whether to agree, disagree or partly agree, I suggest that you think
about your two main body paragraphs. What would you like to include in your two main
paragraphs, and which opinion allows you to do this?

IELTS Speaking: main tip for 3 parts

In case you missed the advice at the end of the video lesson that I shared last week,
here's my main tip for each of the 3 parts in the speaking test:
Part 1
Focus on fluency. You don't need to show off with great vocabulary or grammar in this
part. Just try to answer quickly, without hesitating. A short, simple answer is fine.
Part 2
Focus on ideas / vocabulary. This is your best chance to impress the examiner with
some nice language, especially if you've prepared for common topics in the way I
suggest in my video lessons.
Part 3
Focus on your answer structure. Use the 3 or 4 steps that I explained in last week's
video. This will force you to give longer answers without repeating yourself. You don't
really have time to think about good vocabulary or grammar; just worry about answering
the question by following the steps.
Note:
Notice that I don't recommend worrying about grammar or linking at any point in the
speaking test. Finally, if you forget every other exam tip, just remember one
thing: answer the question!

IELTS Speaking: review of tips

Here's a quick review of my main tips for each part of the speaking test:
Part 1
Keep it simple; there's no need to show off in this part. Give a short, direct answer and a

reason for your answer. Then stop. If necessary, smile at the examiner to show that you
are ready for the next question; if you keep speaking, the examiner will interrupt you.
Answer using full sentences, and try not to hesitate; just say the first thing that comes
into your head.
Part 2
Before the exam, prepare ideas for the six main topics. Focus on vocabulary, not
grammar or linking. In the exam, try to note down as many ideas as you can during the
1-minute preparation time - hopefully you'll be able to use ideas that you have already
prepared. You don't have to cover all of the points on the task card, but it helps you to
structure your answer if you do. Say as much as you can for each point, and use a real
example or story at the end of your description if you need to fill time. Keep going until
the examiner stops you.
Part 3
Practise "3-step" answers: 1) answer the question 2) explain your answer 3) give an
example. There's also a 4th step that you can sometimes use. By following these steps,
you ensure that your answer "moves forward" instead of becoming repetitive - most
people repeat the same ideas when they try to give a long answer, and the steps will
help you to avoid this.

IELTS Speaking: what's most important?

Here are some factors that might affect your speaking score:

fluency, not hesitating too much

linking

answer structure / organisation

ideas

vocabulary

grammar

pronunciation

But which of these factors are most important? I'll give you my answer in a free video
lesson that I'll publish this weekend.
Tip: I'm going to suggest that you focus on a different factor (from the list above) in
each of the 3 parts of the speaking test.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: one last effort!

By the time they reach part 3 of the speaking test, many IELTS candidates just want to
finish and go home. They've used up all of their energy doing the other parts of the test,
and they're happy to have finished the 2-minute talk in part 2. As a result, not many
people do really well in part 3.
Here's my tip: Save one last effort for part 3. It's your best chance to leave a good
impression on the examiner and perhaps push him / her to give you that extra half band
that you need.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: for example...

In part 3 of the speaking test, you should try to give longer, more detailed answers. A
great way to do this is by giving an example.
However, I've noticed that students often forget to give an example, even when I've just
told them to answer using the three steps: 1) direct answer 2) explain 3) give an
example.
Here's the solution to this problem: when answering in part 3, force yourself to say the
words "for example". When I force my students to say these words, they always
manage to find an example, and the result is that they always give better answers. Try
it: just force yourself to say the words "for example", and see what happens.

IELTS Speaking: the importance of part 2

Students often ask me what will happen if they do badly in part 2 of the speaking test. Is
it still possible to get a high score?
Yes, in theory, it is still possible to get a reasonably high score (maybe band 7) if you do
badly in part 2, but you would need to give excellent answers in part 3. In practice,
candidates rarely recover from a bad part 2; I don't remember anyone who made a
mess of part 2 but suddenly did a fantastic part 3.
My advice: You should consider part 2 as the core of your speaking test. It's your best
chance to show how good your English is, and it's the examiner's best chance to listen
carefully to your use of language. In fact, it's probably the point at which most examiners
get a clear idea of what score to give you.
The good news is that you can prepare for part 2. Click here to get started!

IELTS Speaking Part 2: outside the main topics

Recently I've made video lessons about the 6 main topic areas for IELTS speaking part
2:
1. Describe a person
2. Describe a place
3. Describe an object
4. Describe an event
5. Describe an activity
6. Describe your favourites
But what do you do if the task in your speaking test isn't related to one of these main
topic areas?
This will be the subject of my next video lesson. Before I publish the lesson, can you
remember seeing any questions that didn't seem to fit into one of the 6 main areas?
Please share your examples in the 'comments' below this lesson.
Note: Please only share questions from a real test that you had, or from one of the
official IELTS books. Don't use questions that you've found on the Internet, or that a
teacher or another student has invented. Let's stick to real, reliable questions only.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: adapting your prepared ideas

If you've prepared the six main topics well, you should be able to adapt and use your
prepared ideas for most questions. Take the following question, for example:
Describe a beautiful sky that you watched
I would adapt my description of London (main topic: describe a place). I already have
some good ideas: the spectacular views, the skyline, the iconic buildings, the landmarks
etc. I could simply add that I watched the sunset from a 'vantage point' overlooking the
city centre. This question now seems a lot easier!
Have another look through the topics that people shared in the comments below last
week's lesson, and think about whether you could adapt your ideas from one of the six
main topics.
Note:
Not every question can be answered by adapting the main topics. I'll cover some
possible solutions to this problem in my next video lesson.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: preparing vocabulary

My main tip for speaking part 2 is to prepare good vocabulary for common topics. This
is what I've done in each of my video lessons for this part of the test.
On the task card, the last bullet point always asks you to explain why. This is the best
part of the question in terms of vocabulary preparation. Let's take the "describe a family"
question as an example:
Describe a family (not your own family) that you like. You should say
- how you know this family
- who the people in the family are
- what the members of the family are like
- and explain WHY you like this family.
Here are some ideas for the "why" part of this task:

friendly, kind, caring, big-hearted

supportive, always there when you need them

good role models, they set a good example

welcoming, great hosts, their door is always open

Can you think of any more words or phrases to add to this list?

IELTS Speaking: use what you know

In parts 2 and 3 of the IELTS speaking test, you need to make quick decisions about
what to talk about. Always try to talk about a topic you have prepared or something you
know about. Here are some examples:
Part 2: Describe a law in your country.
Advice: Choose a typical IELTS topic like "guns". Explain why people in your country
can/can't own a gun, and talk about the pros and cons of this law. There is a chapter on
this topic in my ebook.
Part 3: What new law would you introduce to improve life in your country?
Advice: Choose an easy topic like "environment". Explain that the government could
introduce new laws to reduce pollution from factories, cars etc. Explain how this would
improve people's lives.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an activity

Today I'm working on a video lesson about the "describe an activity" topic. You might be
asked to describe a hobby, sport or game, so it's a good idea to be ready for this topic.
My approach is to prepare ideas for one sport (e.g. swimming) and one game (e.g.
chess). I start with a simple idea, such as "swimming is healthy". Then I search for good
words and phrases related to this theme. For example:
"Swimming is healthy" theme:

keep fit

get in better shape

a good cardiovascular workout

feel refreshed, rejuvenated, invigorated

gives me an energy boost

Can you think of any more words and phrases for this theme?

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!
Task:
Can you answer the following question in the same way?
Do you think that it's important to be polite?

IELTS Speaking: 3 simple tips

Here are three simple tips that could make a difference to your score:
1. Be confident
Although you might be nervous, try to speak clearly and confidently. Smile and be
friendly* with the examiner. As you go into the exam, tell yourself that you have
prepared well and that you're going to enjoy the challenge.
2. Know that you are prepared
You will feel much more confident if you know that you have prepared and practised for
the test. You should know exactly what to expect. For example, have you prepared
some common topics (e.g. describe a place, a person, a hobby) for the short
presentation? Are you ready for a past and a future question in part 3?
3. Speak naturally
Try to enjoy a normal conversation with the examiner. Instead of worrying about your
grammar, listen carefully to the questions and try to give natural answers. Most of the
questions are about you, your life and your opinions, so it's best to be open. I used to be
an examiner, and I always found the job more interesting when students spoke openly
about their opinions and experiences.
*Note: You are not marked on body language, but I'd still recommend that you try to act in a friendly, confident manner.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a walk

Try preparing an answer for the following task:

Describe a long walk that you enjoyed.
You should say
- when you went on this walk
- where it took place
- what you saw while you were walking
- and explain why you enjoyed the walk.
Tip: Maybe you can use a topic that you have already prepared e.g. description of a
holiday, or a city that you have visited.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: expand each point

Many people find it difficult to keep talking for 2 minutes because they give very quick
answers to one or two of the bullet points on the task card.
Take last week's question for example:
Describe a long walk that you enjoyed.
You should say
- when you went on this walk
- where it took place
- what you saw while you were walking
- and explain why you enjoyed the walk.
It would be easy to answer the first two bullet points very quickly:
"Last summer I walked along a beach during my holiday in..."
The problem now is that we need to spend almost the full 2 minutes on the last two
bullet points. It would be better if we could expand on all four points, like I did in this
lesson.
Task:
Can you invent some more information to expand on the short answer that I gave above
(about walking along a beach last summer)? Try to invent as much as you can about the
"when" and the "where".

IELTS Speaking Part 2: expanded answers

Last week we looked at the first half of a question:

Describe a long walk that you enjoyed.
You should say
- when you went on this walk
- where it took place
I explained that it would be easy to give a very short answer to these two points:
"Last summer I walked along a beach during my holiday in..."

But we need to expand this answer to include more information about "when" and
"where". For example:
When
Im going to describe a walk that I enjoyed last summer while I was on holiday on the
south coast of England. It was the first week of August, and we set off on the walk on
the first morning of the holiday just after breakfast, at around 9 oclock. The walk took us
the whole morning and finished at lunchtime.
Where
As I mentioned, the walk took place on the south coast of England. I was on holiday
with my family in a place called Dorset, and we were staying in a rented house. Our aim
was to walk from the house to a place called Durdle Door beach. First we had to find the
coast path, and then we followed this path for several miles until we reached Durdle
Door and finally descended the steep steps that led to the beach.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a 'success'

Here's a recent part 2 question that someone sent me. How would you answer?
Describe something you did in your life that was a success.
You should say
- what you did
- when you did it
- what difficulties you faced
- and how you felt when you were successful
My advice: Try to adapt a topic that you have already prepared (e.g. description of a
hobby), or talk about your work or studies.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a hobby

"Describe a hobby" seems like an easy topic. However, students often have difficulty
speaking for 2 minutes when the topic is easy.
Here are 3 pieces of advice to help you to speak for 2 minutes. I'll use photography as
the hobby in my example answers.
1. Think about question words: What, when, where, why, who with:

What: One of my hobbies is photography.

When and where: I take photos on my phone almost every day, and I have a
proper camera that I use on special occasions. If I see something interesting or
I want to record a particular memory, I take photos wherever I am.

Why: I take photos so that I have a record of the things Ive seen or done.

Who with: Most of my photos are of friends and family, but I also take pictures
of interesting things that I see.

2. Describe opinions and feelings:

I like photography because its a creative hobby and it makes you notice the world
around you. I love capturing special moments or unusual or beautiful images, and its a
great feeling to be able to look back through my pictures and relive different
experiences. These memories usually cheer me up.
3. Tell a story related to the topic:
The last time I took photos on a special occasion was at my friends wedding a few
weeks ago. I got some great pictures of the bride and groom and their guests
celebrating. After the wedding I made an album of all the best pictures and sent it to my
friend as a present.
Task:
Try describing your own hobby using the 3 tips above.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: negative answers

Here are my negative answers to the questions in last week's speaking lesson.
Remember: I'm imagining that I don't like (or know about) the topic.
1) Do you like music?
No, I don't really like music, and I don't listen to it. It's not something that I've ever been
interested in.
2) What kind of music did you listen to when you were young?
I can't remember listening to much music as a child either. I suppose I must have heard
some traditional music at festivals or parties, but I didn't take much notice of it.
3) When was the last time you went to a concert?
I've never been to a music concert. Maybe I should try going to one; perhaps it would be
interesting to see an orchestra playing classical music.

4) Would you like to participate in a live music show?

No, definitely not. I don't play a musical instrument and I don't sing, so I can't imagine
that I'd ever find myself performing to an audience.
Note:
My aim here is to show you that you can answer questions about any topic - you don't
need to like it or know anything about it. (I do like music by the way!)

IELTS Speaking Part 1: giving negative answers

It's completely acceptable to give negative answers in part 1 of the speaking test. To
test whether you can do this, try giving negative answers to the questions below. Keep
your answers short and simple as usual. The first one is done as an example.
1) What type of photos do you like taking?
Well, I don't usually take photos to be honest. I prefer to enjoy whatever I'm doing,
rather than stop to take a photograph.
2) What do you do with photos you take?
3) When you visit other places, do you take photos or buy postcards?
4) Do you like people taking photos of you?

IELTS Speaking Part 1: negative answers

Here are my negative answers to the questions in last week's lesson:

1) What type of photos do you like taking?
Well, I don't usually take photos to be honest. I prefer to enjoy whatever I'm doing,
rather than stop to take a photograph.
2) What do you do with photos you take?
I rarely take photos, but if I occasionally use my mobile phone to take a picture of
something, I just leave the photo there; I don't do anything special with it.
3) When you visit other places, do you take photos or buy postcards?

I don't really do either. I leave it to my friends or other family members to take

photographs; I'm usually with someone who likes taking photos and can share them
with me later.
4) Do you like people taking photos of you?
No, I prefer not to be in photos. I always feel awkward when someone asks me to smile
for the camera, and I don't think I'm very photogenic.
Note:
It's usually easier to give positive answers, but it's worth practising some negative
responses just in case you get a topic that doesn't interest you. Whatever the question
is, the easiest way to answer is to tell the truth!

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'film' answer

Here's my sample answer:

Im going to talk about a film that Id like to see when it comes out later this year.
Its the new James Bond film, and I saw in the news that its going to be called
Spectre. I think Spectre refers to the name of the imaginary criminal
organisation that James Bond has to defeat in the film.

As Spectre hasnt been released yet, I dont know exactly what it will be about.
But I can guess that the hero, Bond, is going to be on a mission to save the
world from an arch-criminal as usual. Im sure it will be similar to most of the
previous Bond films, with a plot line involving lots of twists and turns, and with
Bond using his skills to defeat his nemesis in the end.

I first heard about this film when I was watching the news a couple of months
ago, and since then Ive seen the official trailer on TV. There have also been
various articles in newspapers discussing the actors who have been cast to
play supporting roles in the film. The James Bond films are always big news
here in the UK, probably because Bond himself is an English character.

Id like to see Spectre at the cinema because Im sure it will be full of action
scenes and special effects, and I like the fact that Bonds missions always take
place in spectacular locations in different parts of the world. Of course Bond

films are totally unrealistic, you could even say ridiculous. But they're always
fast, entertaining and fun, a bit like a roller-coaster ride!

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'prize' answer

Here's a question that I mentioned in a lesson a few weeks ago:
Describe a prize that you would like to win. You should explain
- what the prize is for
- how you know about it
- what you would have to do to win it
- and why you would like to win this prize.
And here's my sample answer:

Im going to talk about a prize that I would like to win, which is the employee of
the year award at the company where I work. At the end of December each
year, the company directors give this award to a member of staff who has made
an outstanding contribution to the business over the previous twelve months.

I first heard about this prize during my training and orientation period just after I
got the job three years ago. It was early December and some of my colleagues
were discussing who might be awarded employee of the year later that month.
I was intrigued, and asked them to tell me more about the award.

As I said, the prize is given for outstanding contribution to the business. We

dont have an exact definition of what this means, but we assume that you have
to achieve certain standards, such as 100% attendance, good punctuality,
meeting targets and deadlines, good teamwork, and so on. I think the winner
also needs to have done something especially creative. For example, last
years winner created a completely new service for our clients.

Id like to win employee of the year because it would mean that my work had
been recognised by the company directors, and this would definitely help me to
progress in my career. It would also give me a great sense of personal
achievement.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'cooking' topic

Here are some recent part 1 questions, with my example answers.

1. Do you like cooking? Why / why not?
Sometimes. I like preparing a special meal for family or friends who visit, but everyday
cooking is a bit boring; it's something that has to be done, but it's not really fun.
2. Who did the cooking in your family when you were a child?

My mother almost always did the cooking when I was young. I don't think she trusted
my father to make a nice meal.
3. Do you think that it's important to know how to cook well?
I'm not sure whether it's important to cook well, but I do think that everyone should know
the basics. It definitely isn't healthy to rely on pre-prepared meals or fast food.
4. Do you think that children should be taught cookery at school?
Yes, that's probably a good idea. If all children knew how to cook a few basic, healthy
meals, that would surely be a good thing.

IELTS Speaking: 'future aim' answer

Last month I forgot to write a sample answer for the question below.
Describe an aim or goal that you hope to achieve in the future.
You should say
- what the aim is
- when you hope to achieve it
- what you need to do to reach your goal
- and why this goal is important to you.
Here's my answer. Can you find any 'less common vocabulary' in it?

Im going to describe a future aim of mine, which is to write a book. Id like to

write a novel, so the story or plot would be fictional, but it would probably be
influenced by some of my own experiences, ideas and views.

Unfortunately I have no idea where to start or what my novel would be about, so

I cant imagine achieving this aim until later in my life. Maybe it will be
something that I do as a hobby when I retire, or I might suddenly be inspired to
start writing much sooner. Its just a vague objective at the moment.

I think it must be extremely difficult to find the motivation to write a novel, so

more than anything I would need time, commitment and the passion to keep
working until I finished. I would probably need to set a goal of writing for a
certain amount of time each day, and of course Id need a good idea for a story
in the first place.

This goal interests me because Ive always wondered how people manage to
create a work of fiction from nothing; Ive always wondered whether I could do
the same, and whether Id be capable of bringing a story to life. Ive always
enjoyed reading, and Id like to follow in the footsteps of my favourite authors.

IELTS Vocabulary: future plans

Here are the band 7-9 phrases from yesterday's lesson. Remember that I'm not trying to
use strange or difficult words; I'm trying to speak in a natural way, using 'native speaker'
collocations and phrases.

a future aim of mine

the plot would be fictional

influenced by some of my own experiences, ideas and views

I might suddenly be inspired

a vague objective

time, commitment and passion

to set a goal

Ive always wondered how

create a work of fiction

bringing a story to life

follow in the footsteps of my favourite authors

IELTS Speaking: it's ok to lie!

Students often ask me whether it's ok to lie or invent an answer in the speaking test. My
advice is that it's usually easier to tell the truth; however, sometimes your only option is
to make something up (to lie). Take this part 2 question for example:
"Describe a team project that you worked on"
If your job involves working in a team, this might be an easy question. But if you're still a
student, or you work alone, you might be stuck for ideas. You might need to invent
something!
Here's how you could adapt to the question above:

Talk about a project or piece of work that you did alone, and pretend that other
people were involved.

Go back to your school days and talk about something you studied, pretending
that it was a group project.

Talk about an English lesson - most English teachers put their students in
groups from time to time.

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 isnt
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. Its impossible to generalise about how much people
help in their communities from one generation to the next, so I dont 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 dont.

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

Let's review the vocabulary that I used in yesterday's speaking lesson. Here are the
phrases that I think would impress an examiner:

volunteer to run activity clubs

help out (phrasal verb)

residential homes for elderly people

support people living below the poverty line

there isnt a scale of importance when it comes to helping others

all forms of help are positive

experience difficult times

run the risk of losing our jobs

people help others because they empathise with them

Its impossible to generalise about...

from one generation to the next

judge or compare how altruistic people are

IELTS Speaking Part 2: filling the 2 minutes

Many candidates struggle to speak for 2 minutes because they answer the first two or
three points on the task card too quickly. They only give a detailed answer for the final
point.
Look again at my sample answer in last week's lesson. Notice how I answer each point
on the topic card in detail. Instead of answering the first point with just one sentence
(e.g. "I'm going to talk about chess"), I added three more sentences describing the
game. I did the same for the questions about 'where' and 'who'.
The last point on the task card usually asks for your opinion (why?), and it's easy to say
more about this. However, if you want to fill the 2 minutes, I suggest that you practise
giving longer, more detailed answers to the first three points on the task card.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 'community' topic

The following questions come from Cambridge IELTS 9, page 103. Some of my
students found the topic quite difficult, so I thought we could look at it here. How would
you answer?
1. What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? Which is
the most important?
2. Why do you think some people like to help other people?
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?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 'indoor game' answer

Describe an indoor game that you enjoyed as a child. You should say
- what the game was
- where you played it
- who played this game with you
- and why you liked it

As a child I enjoyed playing chess. I think chess is probably the best known
board game in the world. Its a game for two players, and the aim is to defeat

the other player by taking his or her pieces and eventually trapping his King.
This final move is called checkmate.

I remember that it was a classmate of mine at primary school who first taught
me to play chess. He had a small, portable chess set, and once I knew how
each piece moved, we started playing at break and lunch times; we played in
our classroom or outside on the school playground. Later my parents bought
me my own chess set as a birthday present so that I could play at home.

I taught my younger brother to play, and at some point I joined the school chess
club. There I had the chance to hone my skills against some of the older pupils,
and in my final year of primary school I made it onto the school team. There
were five of us on the team, and we competed against children from other
primary schools in the same town.

I liked playing chess because I enjoyed the challenge of thinking ahead and
trying to outwit my opponent. I was probably seven or eight years old when I
started playing, and it seemed like a very mysterious and intellectual game at
that time. Also, although I loved winning, chess taught me to learn from my
losses and to congratulate the person who had beaten me.