Part 3 Speaking Topic 1

IELTS Personality

Part 3-style questions

Examiner:  Which personal qualities do you think we most want to pass on to our children?

Martin: I certainly would want my children to be self-confident and self-assured … I really believe that people who feel good about themselves are in a good position to face what life has to offer them … and I’d hope they wouldn’t be self-centred … but remembered to think about others …

Examiner: Which characteristics do you think are the least appealing in a person?

Marianne: Well … people who are very narrow-minded are difficult to get on with … it’s nice when someone is open to other people’s opinion and willing to think about their own views … and people who are two-faced can be a little irritating … relationships are built on trust and without honesty there’s not much left …

Examiner: Which personality types do you think are less likely to suffer from stress or anxiety?

Sol: Probably people who are thick-skinned … who don’t let people or problems affect them too much … and if you are fair-minded you’ ll be less likely to overreact to situations or be quick-tempered …

Definitions

• to be the life and soul of the party: a fun person, someone who is the centre of activity
• to bend over backwards: to try very hard to help someone
• broad-minded: prepared to accept other views or behaviours
• easy-going: relaxed and not easily worried about anything
• extrovert: an energetic person who likes the company of others
• fair-minded: to treat people equally
• fun-loving: to enjoy having fun
• to hide one’s light under a bushel: to hide one’s talents and skills
• good company: enjoyable to socialise with
• good sense of humour: the ability to understand what is funny
• introvert: someone who is shy
• laid-back: see ‘easy-going’
• to lose one’s temper: to suddenly become angry
• narrow minded: opposite of ‘broad-minded’ (see above)
• painfully shy: very shy
• to put others first: to think of others before yourself
• quick-tempered: to become angry quickly
• reserved: shy
• self-assured: confident
• self-centred: thinks only of oneself
• self-confident: believes in one’s own ability or knowledge
• self-effacing: to not try to get the attention of others (especially in terms of hiding one’s skills or abilities)
• to take after: to be like (often another member of the family)
• thick-skinned:  not easily affected by criticism
• trustworthy: can be trusted
• two-faced: not honest or sincere. Will say one thing to someone to their face and another when they are not present.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

In Part 3 of the IELTS interview, which lasts between 4-5 minutes, you will participate in a discussion with the examiner based on the topic in Part 2. The examiner is likely to ask you questions based on your experience or opinion of the subject.
Example Questions:
Topic = Sport you watch or participate in

Q: How important is it for young people to be involved in sport?
Q: Which sports are particulalry popular in your country?
Q: What would you recommend to someone thinking about taking up a new sporting interest?

Topic = Somebody who has been an important friend to you

Q: Why are friends so important to us?
Q: Which qualities do you most value in a friend?
Q: Is it common to have a ‘best friend’ as we get older?

Part 3: Top Tips!

a) Again, avoid short, ‘yes’, ‘no’ answers.
b) Use personal anecdotes to help yourself make a point or express an opinion.
c) Use expressions to allow yourself time to think. For example:

“That’s a good question …”
“‘Well, let me think …”

d) Refer to stories in the news to help make a point .

Part 3: Troubleshooting

Many non-native speakers about to attend an IELTS interview are understandably worried about making mistakes in their use of English. So how important is it to be accurate and should you try to self-correct any mistakes you make?
The fact that you have a good level of English will certainly be an asset and the interviewer will be reassured if you can speak clearly and reasonably accurately. Self-correction is a good way of showing the interviewer that you’re aware of having made a mistake. However, don’t go mad trying to correct each and every error! Remember, you should also be demonstrating your fluency skills as well. Monitoring your speech TOO closely and self-correcting every mistake will slow you down and make you sound rather hesitant.
Remember this: the interviewer will be interested in WHAT you have to say as well as how you say it so try to concentrate on this fact and worry less about speaking ‘perfect’ English!

Part 2 Speaking Topic 1

You’re likely to be asked questions about your studies during Part 1, you might have to talk about a class, a teacher or a school memory in Part 2.Therefore, being able to call on a wide range of vocabulary to talk about education is very important.

Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.

Let's review some questions in part 1, before taking a look at Part 2 task:

Part 1-style questions

Examiner: Are you studying English at a school?
 

Michel: Yes … I’m taking an intensive course at a local private language school … I attend classes three times a week …

Examiner: Would you say you are a good student?

Susan: I’m OK I think … I’m pretty good at meeting deadlines and I’m keeping up with my studies … plus I find it quite easy to learn things by heart which is useful when learning a language...

Examiner: When you were younger did you enjoy your time at school?

Theo: Yes … I liked school … it was an ordinary state school … nothing special … a single-sex school … which I’m not sure I liked … but the teachers were great … I had lots of friends and I never played truant like some pupils there …

Part 2-style task

Describe a time during your education that you really enjoyed. You should say:

• when this period was
• where you were
• what you were studying at the time

and say why you were so happy.

Caroline:  I’d like to tell you about my time at university … I was a mature student … I didn’t go to university until I was 25 … and it was my first time away from my parents so it was very exciting … I was doing a Bachelors Degree and it was a bit of a challenge … some people take a year out but I’d been away from education for 8 years … plus I had to work my way through uni so I was very busy … and sitting exams at the end of each year was a new experience for me as well but I really enjoyed higher education  learning about a subject I loved … history … and the social life was great as well … I don’t think I’ve ever had so many friends … I had my graduation ceremony last year in the local cathedral and I know my parents were really proud … so yes … that was a really happy time … I’m thinking of doing a Masters Degree soon … though that might be through distance learning as I have a full-time job now …

Vocabulary Definitions:

 

• to attend classes: to go to classes
• bachelors degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
• boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time
• distance learning: a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the Internet or by post
• face-to-face classes: as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of studying in a classroom with colleagues and a teacher
• to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others
• to give feedback: to offer guidance on a student’s work
• a graduation ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or her academic degree
• higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high school or secondary school
• an intensive course: a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as short a time as possible
• to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind
• to learn something by heart: to memorize it
• a mature student: a student who is older than average and who has usually returned to education after a period at work
• masters degree: a period of study which often follows the completion of a bachelors degree or is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-level academic course
• to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
• to play truant: to stay away from classes without permission
• private language school: an independent school run as a business concern
• public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK
• a single-sex school: a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a mixed-sex school)
• to sit an exam: to take an exam
• state school: a school paid for by public funds and available to the general public
• subject specialist: a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the subject they teach.
• to take a year out: to spend a year working or travelling before starting university
• tuition fees: the money paid for a course of study
• to work your way through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to support yourself financially

IELTS Speaking Part 2

In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking exam you have to speak for between 1 and 2 minutes on a set topic based on information on a card the examiner will give you. You’ll be a given a minute to prepare what you want to say – just enough time to jot down some ideas to help give your talk structure and interest.

Example Topics:

Example 1: Describe a teacher you have fond memories of.
You should say:

• when this was
• where you were studying when you met
• which subject they taught you

and what it was about the person that makes them so memorable.


Example 2: Describe an item of technology you use that you couldn’t do without.
You should say:

• what this technology is
• when you first started using it
• how you use it

and why it’s so essential for you.

Part 2: Top Tips!

a) Make the most of your preparation time and make notes.
b) Structure your talk with an introduction, main body and conclusion. Signpost your talk at the end with words or expressions like:

“So …”
“As you can see …”
”To sum up …”

c) Add personal details such as short anecdotes to help make your talk interesting.
d) Don’t speak too fast. Pause between sentences and try to relax.

Part 2: Troubleshooting 
Many people preparing for the IELTS long turn worry how they can finish what they want to say in the time available. The best way to get the timing right is to practise making short talks on various topics on your own. (Or in front of a friend if you’re feeling brave!) Try building in a short introduction and conclusion to give your talk structure. You’ll almost certainly overrun or finish too quickly at first but the more you practise the sooner you’ll get a feel for the time available.
And remember, we often feel nervous when presenting and this can often lead to us speaking too quickly. Try not to rush. Regular pauses between sentences will help you control the pace of your talk and the examiner will find it easier to follow what you’re saying.