Understanding IELTS

Techniques for English Language Tests

WEEK 2: Speaking

STEP 2.2 – The Speaking Test

ROB: Hello again. You’ll remember that the speaking test takes place on a different day
from the other three parts of the test, it’s eleven to fourteen minutes long and that there
are three parts. Let’s take a look at those three parts now.

The first part of the test takes four or five minutes and gives you a chance to introduce
yourself. The examiner introduces him or herself, asks you to introduce yourself and
checks your identity. Then the examiner will ask you some general questions about you,
your family, your job – things like that.


After that, you’ll move on to the next part. In this part you have to talk for a couple of
minutes. The examiner gives you a task card which asks you to talk about a particular
topic. The card also includes points you can cover in your talk. You get a minute to
prepare what you’re going to say and a pencil and paper to make notes. When the
minute is up, you’ll be asked to speak for up to two minutes. After that, the examiner
might ask you one or two questions about the topic you’ve been talking about. The whole
of Part Two lasts between three and four minutes.


Then we move on to the third part. This lasts between four and five minutes. The
examiner asks you more questions that are related to the topic you talked about in Part
two. This time though, the questions give you an opportunity to discuss things that are
more abstract than part two. It’s a chance to discuss your ideas and opinions.

Over the rest of this week, we’ll look in detail at each part of the speaking test and give
you some tips to help you.