IELTS Master Class

Speaking Skills:
Introducing Yourself
& Your Studies

Outline:
- Greeting the examiner - Part 1: work & study
- Introducing yourself - Q&A
1
Aims By the end of this lesson,
you will be able to:

● Greet the examiner & begin the test

● Introduce yourself
● Develop answers to common Part 1 questions about
work, study, and your hometown
● Use appropriate tenses to give well-formed answers
● Use a range of fluency markers to help you tackle
unexpected questions and topics

2
Overview A 5 minute face to face interview:

What happens at
the start of the Introduction Part 1: Set 1 Part 1: Set 2 + 3
Speaking Test?

● Greet examiner 3 - 5 questions on one 3 - 5 questions on 2

of these topics: further everyday topics:
● Confirm name
& ID
● Hobbies
● Work
● Begin Part 1 ● Clothes
● Study
Some ‘unusual’ topics:
- 3 sets of 5
questions ● Home
● Robots
● Hometown
● Flowers
3
Greeting the 1. What’s your full name?

examiner
My full name’s Yang Hui Lin.
Don’t:
2. And what can I call you?
- Ask questions
- Give extra
You can call me Hui Lin.
information

3. Where are you from?

Do:

- Use contractions I’m from Shenzhen.

- Speak clearly
- Smile & relax! 4. Can I see your ID?

Of course. Here you are. 4

 In Part 1, you may be asked to talk about your work
Common topics: or study.
Work & study
What questions might you be asked?
3 sets of questions

Questions about
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes

5
Common topics: I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
Work & study talk about what you do.
Do you work, or are you a student?
3 sets of questions

Questions about I’m a student.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes

6
Common topics: I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
Work & study talk about what you do.
Do you work, or are you a student?
3 sets of questions

Questions about I’m a student.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Actually, I’m a student. I’m..

7
Common topics: I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
Work & study talk about what you do.
Do you work, or are you a student?
3 sets of questions

Questions about I’m a student.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering
_______ at college.

8
Common topics: I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
Work & study talk about what you do.
Do you work, or are you a student?
3 sets of questions

Questions about I’m a student.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering
diploma at college.

9
Common topics: I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
Work & study talk about what you do.
Do you work, or are you a student?
3 sets of questions

Questions about I’m a student.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering
diploma at college. Once I _______,

10
Common topics: I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
Work & study talk about what you do.
Do you work, or are you a student?
3 sets of questions

Questions about I’m a student.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering
diploma at college. Once I graduate,

11
Common topics: I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
Work & study talk about what you do.
Do you work, or are you a student?
3 sets of questions

Questions about I’m a student.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering
diploma at college. Once I graduate, I hope to ________ my
studies by completing a Masters degree.

12
Common topics: I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
Work & study talk about what you do.
Do you work, or are you a student?
3 sets of questions

Questions about I’m a student.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering
diploma at college. Once I graduate, I hope to continue my
studies by completing a Masters degree.

13
Common topics:
Work & study Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

3 sets of questions

Questions about Yes, I do.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes

14
Common topics:
Work & study Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

3 sets of questions

Questions about Yes, I do.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes..

15
Common topics:
Work & study Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

3 sets of questions

Questions about Yes, I do.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study
too hard.

16
Common topics:
Work & study Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

3 sets of questions

Questions about Yes, I do.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study
too hard. We have a lot of ___________

17
Common topics:
Work & study Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

3 sets of questions

Questions about Yes, I do.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study
too hard. We have a lot of assignments

18
Common topics:
Work & study Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

3 sets of questions

Questions about Yes, I do.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study
too hard. We have a lot of assignments, and it can be difficult
to complete them before the _______.

19
Common topics:
Work & study Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

3 sets of questions

Questions about Yes, I do.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study
too hard. We have a lot of assignments, and it can be difficult
to complete them before the deadline.

20
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes

21
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Well, after I _____ studying in the evening

22
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Well, after I finish studying in the evening

23
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by
watching some of my favourite _____ on TV.

24
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by
watching some of my favourite series on TV.

25
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by
watching some of my favourite series on TV. It helps me
_______

26
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by
watching some of my favourite series on TV. It helps me
unwind

27
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by
watching some of my favourite series on TV. It helps me
unwind and ________ my batteries.

28
Common topics: What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
Work & study studying?

3 sets of questions

Questions about I like watching TV.

you + familiar
topics
This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

5 minutes
Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by
watching some of my favourite series on TV. It helps me
unwind and recharge my batteries.

29
Practice! 1. What’s your full name?

We will now practice

the start of the 2. And what can I call you?
speaking test

- Introduction
- Part 1 Questions
3. Where are you from?
(Work / Study)

4. Can I see your ID?

30
Practice!
I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s
talk about what you do.
We will now practice Do you work, or are you a student?
the start of the
speaking test

- Introduction
Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?
- Part 1 Questions
(Work / Study)

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished
studying?

31
Practice!

Do you enjoy your studies? (Why / why not?)

We will now practice
the start of the
speaking test

- Introduction
Do you get on well with your classmates?
- Part 1 Questions
(Work / Study)

What would you like to study in the future?

32
 In Part 1, you may be asked to talk about your
Common topics: hometown or the place you live.
Home & hometown
What questions might you be asked?
3 sets of questions

Questions about
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes

33
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions

Questions about
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes traffic shopping high rise good public

congestion centres apartments transport

tourist easy to get chain stores local

attractions around businesses

in the suburbs traditional residential historic sites

festivals areas 34
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions traffic

congestion

Questions about
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes shopping high rise good public

centres apartments transport

tourist easy to get chain stores local

attractions around businesses

in the suburbs traditional residential historic sites

festivals areas 35
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions traffic tourist

congestion attractions

Questions about
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes shopping high rise good public

centres apartments transport

easy to get chain stores local

around businesses

in the suburbs traditional residential historic sites

festivals areas 36
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs traffic tourist

congestion attractions

Questions about
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes shopping high rise good public

centres apartments transport

easy to get chain stores local

around businesses

traditional residential historic sites

festivals areas 37
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

Questions about
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes high rise good public

apartments transport

easy to get chain stores local

around businesses

traditional residential historic sites

festivals areas 38
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

easy to get
Questions about
around
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes high rise good public

apartments transport

chain stores local

businesses

traditional residential historic sites

festivals areas 39
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

easy to get traditional

Questions about
around festivals
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes high rise good public

apartments transport

chain stores local

businesses

residential historic sites

areas 40
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

high rise easy to get traditional

Questions about
apartments around festivals
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes good public

transport

chain stores local

businesses

residential historic sites

areas 41
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

high rise chain stores easy to get traditional

Questions about
apartments around festivals
you + familiar
topics

5 minutes good public

transport

local
businesses

residential historic sites

areas 42
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

high rise chain stores easy to get traditional

Questions about
apartments around festivals
you + familiar
residential
topics areas

5 minutes good public

transport

local
businesses

historic sites
43
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

high rise chain stores easy to get traditional

Questions about
apartments around festivals
you + familiar
residential good public
topics areas transport

5 minutes

local
businesses

historic sites
44
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

high rise chain stores easy to get traditional

Questions about
apartments around festivals
you + familiar
residential local good public
topics areas businesses transport

5 minutes

historic sites
45
Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

3 sets of questions in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

high rise chain stores easy to get traditional

Questions about
apartments around festivals
you + familiar
residential local good public historic sites
topics areas businesses transport

5 minutes

What questions could you be asked

each category?

46
Common topics: Housing Shopping Transport Culture

Home & hometown in the suburbs shopping traffic tourist

centres congestion attractions

Use these high rise chain stores easy to get traditional

apartments around festivals
collocations to
residential local good public historic sites
answer the
areas businesses transport
questions

Let’s talk about your hometown.

1. Which town or city do you come from?

2. What’s the best thing about living there?
3. Is there anything you don’t like?
4. Which places would you recommend a tourist to
visit?

47
Question types Let’s talk about leisure activities.
1. What’s your favourite leisure activity?

Which question(s)
ask about:
2. How long have you been doing this activity?
- the past?
- the present?
- the future?
- a length of time?
3. What did you enjoy doing in your free time
when you were a child?
Which tense(s) will
you use in your
answer?

4. Do you think you’ll start a new hobby one day?

48
Question types Let’s talk about leisure activities.
What’s your favourite leisure activity?

Recognize the
type of question

Choose the A: My most favourite leisure activity is basketball.

appropriate tense

Which answer is
correct? B: My favourite leisure activity is basketball.

49
Question types Let’s talk about leisure activities.
What’s your favourite leisure activity?

Recognize the
type of question

Choose the A: My most favourite leisure activity is basketball.

appropriate tense

Which answer is
correct? B: My favourite leisure activity is basketball.

50
Question types
How long have you been doing this activity?

Recognize the
type of question

Choose the A: I’ve been playing basketball for six years.

appropriate tense

Which answer is
correct? B: I’ve been playing basketball since six years.

51
Question types
How long have you been doing this activity?

Recognize the
type of question

Choose the A: I’ve been playing basketball for six years.

appropriate tense

Which answer is
correct? B: I’ve been playing basketball since six years.

52
Question types
What did you enjoy doing in your free time
when you were a child?
Recognize the
type of question

A: When I were a child, I loved riding my bike

Choose the
and playing video games.
appropriate tense

Which answer is
B: When I was a child, I loved riding my bike
correct?
and playing video games.

53
Question types
What did you enjoy doing in your free time
when you were a child?
Recognize the
type of question

A: When I were a child, I loved riding my bike

Choose the
and playing video games.
appropriate tense

Which answer is
B: When I was a child, I loved riding my bike
correct?
and playing video games.

54
Question types
Do you think you’ll start a new hobby one day?

Recognize the
type of question

Choose the A: Yes, I’d like to learn a musical instrument.

appropriate tense

Which answer is
correct? B: Yes, I like learning a musical instrument.

55
Question types
Do you think you’ll start a new hobby one day?

Recognize the
type of question

Choose the A: Yes, I’d like to learn a musical instrument.

appropriate tense

Which answer is
correct? B: Yes, I like learning a musical instrument.

56
 I’ve never really thought
Unexpected topics Hmm, that’s a good
about that before, but I’d
question.. say that..
You might be
asked about a Well, I’d have to say
In my view..
that..
topic you’ve
never thought
about before Well, in my opinion, To tell you the truth,

Don’t panic! Let’s talk about flowers.

1. What’s your favourite type of flower?

Use fluency
2. Have you ever given anyone flowers?
markers to ‘buy 3. Do flowers have any special meaning in your
time’ country?

57
 I’ve never really thought
Unexpected topics Hmm, that’s a good
about that before, but I’d
question.. say that..
You might be
asked about a Well, I’d have to say
In my view..
that..
topic you’ve
never thought
about before Well, in my opinion, To tell you the truth,

Don’t panic! Let’s talk about mirrors.

1. Do you often look at yourself in the mirror?

Use fluency
Why / why not?
markers to ‘buy 1. Do you think mirrors are a good way to decorate a
time’ house? Why / why not?

58
 I’ve never really thought
Unexpected topics Hmm, that’s a good
about that before, but I’d
question.. say that..
You might be
asked about a Well, I’d have to say
In my view..
that..
topic you’ve
never thought
about before Well, in my opinion, To tell you the truth,

Don’t panic! Let’s talk about music.

1. Do you like music? Why / why not?

Use fluency
2. What’s your favourite type of music?
markers to ‘buy 3. Do you think older and younger generations prefer different
time’ types of music?
4. Can you sing?

59
Review

Greet the examiner

Develop your answers

for common topics

Recognise common
question types

Use fluency markers

to ‘buy time’

60
Homework
Introduce yourself and what you do.
Record a two minute
You should say:
talk on this topic
- who you are and where you live
Use the structure & - what you are studying or doing at the moment
example language to - what you plan to study or work as in the future
help you
and explain why you would like to do this work or
study.

61
 IELTS Master Class

Thank you!

Are there any

questions?

62