IELTS Speaking - How to improve your bandscore: How to Improve your IELTS Test bandscores

By Steve Price and Adonis Enricuso

How This Book Helps You

This book gives you, the IELTS Test candidate, detailed guidance on how you can improve your IELTS Speaking Test band score.

The IELTS Speaking Test is no different from any other exam or test type. There are techniques, which can be practised and which will place candidates in a better position to answer each given question type.

The main chapters in this book teach you those techniques for the IELTS Speaking Test. 

Before we get to the techniques which can help you improve your band score, we set the scene by explaining more about IELTS band scores, by reference to the IELTS General Descriptors. We also provide some general advice for the IELTS Speaking Test and explain the structure of the IELTS Speaking Test.

• Language: English
• Publisher: www.passieltshigher.com (a STMP Associates Ltd. property)
• Release date: Nov 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781386761716

Book preview

How This Book Helps You

This book gives you, the IELTS Test candidate, detailed guidance on how you can improve your IELTS Speaking Test band score.

The IELTS Speaking Test is no different from any other exam or test type. There are techniques, which can be practised and which will place candidates in a better position to answer each given question type.

The main chapters in this book teach you those techniques for the IELTS Speaking Test.

Before we get to the techniques which can help you improve your band score, we set the scene by explaining more about IELTS band scores, by reference to the IELTS General Descriptors. We also provide some general advice for the IELTS Speaking Test and explain the structure of the IELTS Speaking Test.

Understanding Band Scores

Each of the three tasks is rated against four criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.

Scores range from 0–9; a 0.5 band is also possible, which makes a big difference (contrary to how it looks).

In improving band scores, constant testing, which Cambridge tests provide, will not be sufficient. After establishing your IELTS level, you then need to progress to building up the skills necessary and addressing identified weaknesses.

Realistically, this can only be achieved through continuous immersion in English.

The following table provides a high level description of the English language competences associated with each band score level. These are called the General Descriptors for IELTS Speaking.

General descriptors for IELTS band scores 0-9

The IELTS Speaking Test - General Advice

This section of the book provides a description of the IELTS Speaking Test. You should take time to learn what the speaking test entails as it will help you to structure your preparation.

The speaking test is divided into three sections and lasts from eleven to fourteen minutes. Candidates are being tested on; fluency and ability to express themselves in English, how complex grammar is used, and pronunciation. But fluency is especially important.

You need to be aware you are being assessed from the minute you walk into the exam room, so should always try to use your most complex expressions in English and complex grammar to impress the examiner. As mentioned above, fluency is very important, so try not to hesitate when speaking or try not to think too much about the accuracy of your answers. This will make you sound less fluent and lose you valuable marks.

For the fluency point, students often ask if is it advisable to learn an opening by rote so that they can come in fully prepared, being able to talk about where they come from or what university they go to, or whatever. The answer to this question is a resounding NO. If the examiner realises that you’ve prepared something you’re speaking about, you actually get zero, so it doesn’t really help you.

A better approach would be to learn expressions and drop them naturally into your speaking.

The IELTS Speaking Test - Structure

This section of the book provides a description of the structure of the IELTS Speaking Test. You should take time to learn what the speaking test entails as it will help you to structure your preparation.

IELTS Speaking Test Part 1 is an introductory interview on the candidate’s personal background or other aspects which will be familiar to the candidate. Topics could include: family, hometown, and hobbies, among others. This part lasts for four or five minutes.

IELTS Speaking Test Part 2 is a two-minute monologue by the candidate; the task is to describe any familiar person, object, place, event, or idea - sometimes, for a period of two minutes.

IELTS Speaking Test Part 3 is a follow-up to the monologue. The candidate is asked to answer more abstract and complex questions that are related to the topic given in the previous task. Like part 1, part 3 lasts for four or five minutes.

Some of the topics include; traditional versus modern family, technology and its pros and cons, advertising and its attributes, animal rights, education, modernisation, climate change, aging societies, consumerism, morality, work, and success and failure.

11 Techniques for Better IELTS Speaking Band Score

The techniques we promote and teach are listed below, and each refers directly to a chapter in this book which describes and teaches IELTS Test candidates the skills mentioned.

Technique 1: Paraphrasing the question to introduce the answer (part 1)

Technique 2: Giving reasons and examples to support the answer (part 1)

Technique 3: Brainstorming and relating ideas

Technique 4: Planning and making notes (part 2)

Technique 5: Linking devices and expressions

Technique 6: Useful expressions

Technique 7: Determining and analyzing keywords

Technique 8: Concluding expressions

Technique 9: Synonyms and related expressions

Technique 10: Structuring and developing ideas

Technique 11: Pronunciation

Chapter One: Paraphrasing the question to introduce the answer (part 1)

What is a typical part 1 question like? What important things should be considered in this type of question?

Part 1 questions are all about you: your hobbies, family, hometown, pets, favourites, etc. It is very helpful if you take note of the verb tense used in the questions because it’s what you need to use in your first sentence (as the main answer) and throughout the whole answer. You should use synonyms or similar expressions as you paraphrase the question as well.

Why is it important to paraphrase the question?

For one thing, paraphrasing is a good way to answer the question directly. It demonstrates your understanding of the question. Another thing is that it gives you time to come up with ideas quickly. Hence, as you deliver your first sentence, you can also be thinking of what to say next or how to finish your answer.

How is the question paraphrased?

When you have fully understood the question, you use the gist and present it in a sentence without repeating many (if not all) of the words from the question.

Here are some explanatory examples:

Do you think pets make people happy? I believe pets can be a source of happiness.

Minimise the repeating of a content word (noun, verb, adjective, and adverb) in your response.

You may vary the sentence style or you may invert the sequence of sentence parts.

Do you like birds?

Oh, birds are so adorable! (This is more natural than merely saying ‘Yes, I like birds!’).

Activity

Practise paraphrasing with the questions in each set of questions below (covering a variety of themes).

Make the first sentence of your whole response to each of these sample part 1 questions very straightforward. Note that you could also paraphrase a question into two simple sentences.

Hobbies

Do you have a favourite hobby?

How much time do you usually spend on your hobby?

Why do people have different hobbies?

Is your hobby different from those of your friends?

What makes your hobby interesting?

Do you think your hobby will remain the same 10 years from now?

Family

What is your family like?

What can you say about your family?

How important is family to you?

Do you prefer a big or a small family?

Is family very important in your culture?

How does your family usually spend a long holiday?

Hometown

Can you tell me something about your hometown?

Are there tourist attractions in your hometown?

What are the things you like about your hometown?

Is there anything you don’t like about your hometown?

Is your hometown big or small?

Have you ever invited some friends to visit your hometown?

Pet

Do you have a pet?

What are the most common pets in your country?

Why do you think so many people love pets?

What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of having pets?

Is it expensive to have a pet?

Do you think more people will have pets in the future?

Food

Do you have a favourite food?

What are some delicacies in your town?

Do you believe that food is generally expensive in big cities?

Do you cook or buy your food ready cooked?

Are there certain kinds of food you don’t like?

What was your favourite food when you were still a child?

Answers

Hobbies

Do you have a favourite hobby?

Yes, I do. Actually, it’s reading.

How much time do you usually spend on your hobby?

Well, I don’t really have enough time for my hobby,

but I always make sure I get to enjoy if for a couple

of hours.

Why do people have different hobbies?

I think everyone is unique, and so are our individual

interests.

Is your hobby different from those of your friends?

Well yes, it is. In fact, it is something you do by

yourself.

What makes your hobby interesting?

I believe the main reason why I’m into it so much is

the sense of fulfilment.

Do you think your hobby will remain the same 10 years from now?

Absolutely! I will never ever get tired of reading.

Answers

Family

What is your family like?

I have a big happy family.

What can you say about your family?

Right at this moment, the only thing I can say about them is they are the best.

How important is family to you?

Family is next to God.

Would you prefer a big or a small family?

I don’t really mind whether my family is big or small.

Is family very important in your culture?

Definitely! We are known to be family oriented.

How does your family usually spend a long holiday?

We often go to the beach during a long holiday.

Answers

Hometown

Can you tell me something about your hometown?

My hometown is a very rural one.

Are there tourist attractions in your hometown?

There are only a few tourist spots in my place.

What are the things you like about your hometown?

First of all, it’s very