How many parts does the detailed IELTS Speaking test structure consist of?

Many candidates often have difficulty when taking the Speaking test for the first time because they do not understand the structure of the IELTS Speaking test, the requirements or the grading method of this test. Therefore, today's article will introduce an overview of everything from A - Z, what candidates need to know about the nature and structure of the IELTS Speaking test , as well as a summary of the most common topics in this exam.

1. Overview of the IELTS Speaking test

Time for IELTS Speaking test: About 10-14 minutes

Exam format: The examiner will test the candidate's ability to use English through the ability to:

• Answer the questions fluently

• Can give ideas on any topic

• Flexibility in the use of language

The structure of the IELTS Speaking test consists of a total of 3 parts: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. In which:

• Part 1: Ask about familiar issues in life, related to you personally such as family, friends, hobbies, ...

• Part 2: The candidate's monologue, usually about an event or describing an object or person.

• Part 3 : A discussion, often related to a social issue

All three parts of the test are conducted directly with the examiner. Then based on the following 4 factors ( Speaking Band Descriptors ) to score:

• Fluency And Coherence: Fluency and Coherence

• Lexical Resource: The ability to use vocabulary accurately and with variety

• Grammatical Range And Accuracy: Grammatical Richness and Accuracy

• Pronunciation : Is the pronunciation correct?

Readers can see more general information about IELTS Speaking in particular and the IELTS exam in general through the following video:

2. IELTS Speaking scoring criteria

The detailed Overall score in the structure of the IELTS Speaking test depends on all 3 parts Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. In which, candidates are evaluated based on 4 major criteria. Overall score will be the average of these 4 criteria:

2.1 Fluency And Coherence Criterion

This is the criterion for assessing the candidate's ability to speak fluently and coherently in their answers. Inside:

Speaking Coherently:

• Content related to the topic

• Ideas are related to each other

• Using linking words to lead and link ideas

Speak At Length (The length of the answer):

• Task 1: Can speak 3-4 short sentences about personal experience

• Task 2: Speak for 2 minutes

• Task 3: Can speak 3 - 4 (Longer than Task 1 & concise) about General

2.2 Lexical Resource Criteria

This criterion assesses the candidate's ability to accurately and diverse vocabulary. Inside:

Wording:

• Choose the correct and appropriate vocabulary for the situation

• Know how to paraphrase the questions and ideas mentioned in a variety of ways

• Do not use sentences, phrases to buy time (fillers) bluff

• Don't memorize prepared answers

Vocabulary:

• A broad and specific vocabulary related to the topic

• Use less common words

• Idiomatic Languages

2.3 Pronunciation Criteria

This criterion assesses the candidate's pronunciation ability. Inside:

• Pay attention to stress and intonation

• Reasonable break

• Make sure the examiner can hear you clearly

2.4 Grammatical Range And Accuracy Criteria

Criteria for assessing the accuracy and diversity of grammatical structures used in the lesson. Inside:

• Use flexibly between simple and complex sentences, avoiding only simple sentences in the lesson

• Use a variety of grammatical structures

• Be careful not to make a basic mistake, if you say something wrong, you must correct it

In the speaking part of the IELTS Speaking test, the candidate is the one being assessed. Therefore, they will have to talk more than the examiner - who is mainly there to listen. To score well in the Speaking test, candidates need to acquire active communication skills. In addition, candidates will be awarded points for their accent and pronunciation.

More information on the structure of the IELTS speaking test and its assessment criteria can be found in the following documents:

3. IELTS Speaking test sections

Recently, DOL has shared with you the general structure of the IELTS speaking test . Here, DOL will talk more about the specific structure of each part of the IELTS Speaking test!

The IELTS Speaking test takes about 11-14 minutes, including 3 parts:

• Part 1: Introduction And Interview (Introduction and interview)

• Part 2: Individual Long - Turn

• Part 3: Discussion

3.1 Part 1: Introduction And Interview

Part 1 usually lasts about 4-5 minutes, with about 6 - 10 questions. The format of the exam will be a question and answer session between the candidate and the examiner. In this section, the standard answer is usually 2-3 sentences long. Candidates do not need to answer too much for Part 1.

This is considered the simplest part in Speaking because the topic asked is often very familiar to the candidate. First, the examiner will verify the candidate's identity through questions about personal information such as name, hometown... and compare it with identification documents: identity card, passport, driver's license.

Example :

• I’m your examiner for the speaking test today. My name is…, and what’s your name?

• Can you please let me see your identification?

• Could you please tell me you full name?

After that, the examiner will delve deeper into information such as hobbies, accommodation, etc. In this section, the standard answer usually lasts about 2-3 sentences. Candidates do not need to answer too much for Part 1.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 has 8 common question types:

1. Description Question: The question describes the person/thing

Eg:

• Tell me about your hobbies?

• Tell me about your family?

2. Frequency Questions: Question how often works

Eg:

• How often do you go fishing?

• How often do you go out?

3. Preference Questions: Questions to compare preferences

Eg:

• Do you prefer eating pork or chicken?

• Do you prefer texting message or calling?

4. Like And Dislike: Question about the level of love

Eg:

• Do you like playing badminton?

• Do you like swimming?

5. Popularity Questions: Questions about community information

Eg:

• Is basketball popular in your city?

• Do people like using public transport?

6. Questions Regarding Past Experience: Questions about past events

Eg:

• Have you ever come to Ha Noi?

• What did you like becoming when you were 6?

7. Questions Regarding Future Experience: Questions about future plans

Eg:

• What would you want to do in the future?

• Would you like to live in an apartment in the future?

8. “Type of' Questions: Questions about personal information

Eg:

• What type of film do you like?

• What type of food do you like to eat?

Common IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics include:

• Hometown (Hometown)

• Family and friends (Family and friends)

• Hobbies (Hobbies)

• Daily routine

• Accommodation

• Sports (Sports)

• Hometown (Hometown)

• Work

Example :

Question 1: Do you often visit your hometown?

Answer: Actually, I'm still living and working in Ho Chi Minh City. This is because this place provides so many job opportunities for me and the facilities of the city far surpass those of nearby areas. I don’t see myself leaving this place anytime soon.

Question 2: Do you have a hobby?

Answer: Well yeah, but my hobby is not exactly the most common one. I enjoy collecting coins and notes from different countries in different eras. The reason why I am so interested in this is because I believe coins can provide a lot of information about a country's culture and history, which is extremely exciting to know about.

3.2 Part 2: Individual Long - Turn

With a duration of 3-4 minutes, Part 2 will be the part where candidates present their own speech. The examiner will give the candidate a Cue card . In the Cue card there will be questions and suggestions for answers.

Candidates have 1 minute to prepare their answer, then about 2 minutes for a monologue. The examiner can ask 1-2 more questions after the candidate's answer. The questions are about storytelling, description, ... to facilitate candidates can answer fluently in 2 minutes continuously.

• Make sure to speak continuously for 1-2 minutes.

• Do not skip any sub-questions as most of the questions are related to the main content just to keep you from rambling.

• If there is still time, expand the talk.

Common topics covered in Part 2 include:

• Describe a person

• Describe an object

• Describe an event

• Describe a place

• Describe an activity

Example :

Question: Describe a famous person/ favourite singer or actor you are interested.

Intro: A famous person that I am really really fond of is Mr. Duong Van Ngo, the oldest Public Letter Writer in the Saigon Post Office

Body Paragraph 1: Who this person is?

• He is not “famous” in the traditional sense but very well known by people who often visit the Saigon Post Office

• He has been working there for nearly 70 years already. Rides his bike to work everyday, and is always very punctual

• With all the things he witnessed and he still stuck with the job until now, I think it takes a level of passion that not many people can even claim to have.

Body Paragraph 2: Why you are interested in this person?

His kindness and also his love for language.

I talked to him for the first time when I was really small. I went there with my mom when she had to send some letters, and I wandered over to his table

I sat with him, he showed me his notebook of French and English expressions. He not only did, but also explained to me about the kind of emotions that those phrases convey. That encounter really sparked my love for English

Conclusion: He retired in early 2021 due to declining health. I feel so sad that I could not come to say my goodbyes due to the pandemic. I still feel very lucky that I had the chance to meet such an amazing person

3.3 Part 3: Discussion

In this part, the test format will be to answer the questions posed by the examiner directly. With a length of about 4-5 minutes, Part 3 usually has content related to the content of the question in Part 2, but the question will have a larger scope. The question extends to society, not just to the individual candidate.

The answers in Part 3 should last about 1 minute (about 5-6 questions) because this is the part where candidates should show their ability to develop their ideas.

There are 6 types of questions in Part 3:

1. Asking for opinions: Candidates will be asked about their opinions on a particular issue, thing or event.

Example :

• In your opinion, which is more important, eating healthy food or doing regular exercise?

• Do you think that the government should increase tax on private vehicles?

2. Assessment requirements: Candidates will be asked to give their own assessment of the importance of a particular issue, thing or event.

Example :

• Is it crucial for youngsters to leave their hometown to work and study in other places?

• Why do some individuals prefer to be a homebody?

3. Asking about the future: Candidates will be asked to give their own views or comments about a specific issue, thing or event in the future.

Example :

• In the future, will cars and others vehicles be replaced by electric means of transport?

• Will people in the future enjoy living in space?

4. Asking about cause and effect/consequence: Candidates will be asked to give their own views or comments about the causes and consequences of a particular problem, thing or event. .

Example :

• What are the causes and effects of global warming?

• Are there any detrimental effects of mass media on people living in the modern era?

5. Similarity comparison: Candidates will be asked to give their own views or comments on the similarities or differences of a particular issue, thing or event.

Example :

• What’s the difference between the fashion of the past and now?

• What’s the difference between architectural style in Vietnam and other countries?

6. Asking about the past: Candidates will be asked to give their own views or comments about a particular issue, thing or event in the past.

Example :

• What has changed in your village throughout the past ten years?

• Do people now enjoy the same recreational activities as they did in the past?

Some common topics in the IELTS Speaking Part 3 exam structure include:

• Society (Social)

• Advertising (Advertising)

• Media (Media)

• Work

• Education (Education)

• Law (Law)

• Health (Health)

• Travel (Travel)

4. Some notes when answering IELTS Speaking with high scores

At this point, believe that you have fully grasped the structure of the IELTS Speaking test . And to understand more about this test, as well as have the right study plan, let's take a look at some notes when answering IELTS Speaking with DOL!

• Please answer with what you know, you understand. Don't pretend you're smart, want to prove it, and give answers that are too sublime. So you are making it difficult for yourself!

• If you find out that you have incorrect grammar or pronunciation, don't worry. Pay more attention in the next sentences and words. Or you can repeat it to correct the wrong word to ensure the fluency of the speech!

• Look directly at the examiner while speaking. This shows you are respecting them. Sometimes a smile also helps to make the atmosphere in the exam room less stressful!

• Candidates can develop their answers by separating 2 separate parts of their presentation: Answering the question and developing ideas for additional information.

• In addition, you can also expand your answer by giving answers based on questions like Who, What, Where, When, How.

• Besides, you can ensure the fluency of your speech by applying the rule of elision .

5. Misunderstandings about IELTS Speaking test

5.1 It takes a lot of talking to get a high score

Most of you think that the more you talk, the higher the score. However, the truth is not like that. Especially in Part 1, you should only say enough because the amount of knowledge concentrated in this part is not too high.

And you also don't have too much time to present all your prepared ideas. So remember the mantra is "knowing right, knowing enough".

For example, in Part 1, your answer should only stop at 2-4 sentences. In Part 2, you can only speak for 2 minutes. Therefore, it is important to find ideas, but not every wordy statement will get you a high score.

Eg:

Question 1: Can you sing? / Do you like singing?

Answer: Well, I'm not that good of a singer to be honest. I mean, I can sing a few simple tunes but most of the time I struggle to reach high notes or to do more complex techniques such as belting. I guess this is why I don't usually sing in public but mostly sing for myself.

Question 2: Do you prefer shopping alone or with others?

Answer: Shopping is kind of boring to me so I'd much prefer to have other people's company. I also have a terrible taste in fashion as many people have commented so going with other people, especially young girls, does help me make a more informed decision in terms of clothing.

5.2 Candidates must have knowledge of the topic being asked

Remember that the IELTS test is an assessment of the candidate's language ability. Not a knowledge test!

Therefore, if you honestly tell the examiner that you have no knowledge of this topic, your score will not be affected. As long as the words and ideas you use show your ability to use English fluently and reasonably, it's fine.

Example :

Question: What is your favourite kind of book to read?

Answer: Honestly, I’m not a bookworm so I dont't know much about genre. However, if I had to choose one, I would say that I love science fiction the most. I mean, this genre manages to push all boundaries when it comes to imagination. It creates worlds that you never imagine can exist and that's the beauty of science fiction to me.

In the example above, the examiner asks about favorite book genre. What if you yourself have never read the book? Tell the truth! Of course, you can't leave open the answer as "I don't know much about this".

In this case, you can tell the examiner in advance that this is not an area I have in-depth knowledge of. Then, choose any kind of book that you know and give 2-3 reasons to explain it.

5.3 If you have a British accent, you will get a high score

Many candidates when learning Speaking skills are confused about whether to learn English - British accents or British - American accents. However, keep in mind that the Speaking skill requires candidates to pronounce correctly according to the IPA phonetic transcription of English. But do not rate the voice (accent) .

Even if you speak English (British) or American (American) but the idea is not presented, the vocabulary is incorrect, the grammar is wrong, etc., it is difficult to get a high score.

5.4 If you hesitate or stumble, you will be severely deducted

Many of you have this misconception, so when you speak, you put pressure on yourself. However, keep in mind that hesitation is inevitable in communication.

The reason there is a Fluency criterion is for the examiner to assess how well you express your ideas. Pausing for a few seconds to think while speaking is perfectly acceptable. The Band Descriptor also clearly states that:

Band 7: may demonstrate language - related hesitation at times, or some repetition and/ or self - correction.

Can sometimes show hesitation regarding the language, or some repetition and/or self-correction.

From that, it can be concluded that, in Band 7, candidates who hesitate while speaking are still accepted. However, this hesitation will involve the problem of finding the right vocabulary to express the idea or using the appropriate structure for the sentence. Besides, hesitation is only accepted a couple of times in the speaking part.

Band 8: Speaks fluently with only occasional repetition or selfcorrection; hesitation is usually content - related and only rarely to search for language.

=> Speak fluently with only occasional repetition or self-correction; Hesitation is often content-related and rarely language-related.

As a result, when in Band 8, the candidate's breaks are accepted if you try to find ideas related to the content side of the talk you are giving. Not that you hesitate to find the right word or sentence structure. However, sometimes you don't have a good idea, so you hesitate to express it.

Example :

Question: How could your neighbourhood be improved?

Answer: Well, let me think… The first thing I can think of is to widen the streets. Currently the streets are quite narrow so traffic jams happen regularly during rush hours. In fact, I have been late to work 2 times this week just because of the congestion!

With this example, you can see that the speaker inserted the phrase “Well, let me think…” at the beginning of the sentence to help prolong the thinking time while answering the question. This case is often seen in difficult questions, requiring candidates to think deeply. So sometimes you lack ideas and vocabulary to present your answers fluently and coherently.

6. Some references for exam preparation

In addition to participating in IELTS preparation courses, you should also refer to reputable sources to be able to supplement your knowledge. DOL English sends you the “Complete IELTS Speaking Handbook”.

Along with that is a comprehensive list of IELTS Speaking Samples compiled by a team of experienced teachers, along with the latest IELTS Speaking exam 2022 . Surely achieving the desired IELTS Speaking score will not be far away!

7. Frequently asked questions about the IELTS Speaking test

How to know how long you have spoken in the Speaking test?

The judge is the only person who can see the timer. Therefore, candidates need to pay attention to practice regularly and estimate the time to get used to the length of each section.

When does the Speaking test take place?

If taking the IELTS test on a computer, the Speaking test will be taken on the same day, before or after the remaining 3 test sections, depending on the candidate's choice.

If taking the paper-based test, the Speaking test will be taken on the same day, before or after the remaining 3 test sections depending on the test center.

What does it mean that the examiner suddenly stops the Speaking test?

The time of each test in the Speaking section is fixed. The time may have run out and the next candidate's portion of the test needs to be started. In other cases, the examiner may want to explore more about the idea that the candidate has presented.

Is Speaking the most important part of the test?

No! Each part of the test is equally important and makes up 25% of the score in the IELTS test.

Hopefully, the above article has helped you have a clearer overview of the structure of the IELTS Speaking test as well as the requirements of each section in this test. Don't forget to read other DOL articles to get more information about IELTS Speaking and have an effective IELTS preparation strategy!