IELTS exam is making the world more connected and allowing more students to achieve their dreams of studying in an institute abroad. A standard English proficiency test can make a path for numerous opportunities that greatly benefit an individual. Attaining a good band on IELTS is the main goal of a large number of aspiring individuals. This information below will not be promising a miraculous 9 band but will definitely provide a good chance of attaining that high band. The blog discusses IELTS and its different sections and most important different IELTS speaking topics that can provide an edge to the candidate.
What Is IELTS?
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System and is used to assess an individual’s proficiency in English. The test is recognised globally and is generally required when migrating or moving to study or work in an English-speaking country. These countries include USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and some places in Europe. The test is available in two formats: Academic and General Training. The Academic module is designed for students seeking admission to universities or other higher education institutions, while the General Training module is suitable for those seeking to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country.
The IELTS test is divided into four parts; Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking. Each section is evaluated and scored separately and an overall score is generated from the average. The test is scored on a band range of 0 to 9, with 9 being exceptionally proficient. Each section has its own questions and patterns.
Writing: This section is for 60 mins and has two questions or tasks. The first task would be to describe visual information like a graph, chart, etc and elaborate on it in 150 words. The second question would be a debate or an argument and the candidate must pick a side and express their point of view in 250 words.
Reading: Here the candidate will have to answer 40 questions after reading three separate passages. The total duration for this section is 60 mins. The questions will be mostly multiple choice and each answer carries one mark.
Listening: The listening section will last for approximately 30 mins. There will be different recordings of conversations, lectures, etc. The candidate will have to answer 40 questions pertaining to the recordings. The recordings will be played only once and the questions will have to answer simultaneously.
Speaking: This section lasts for 11 to 14 mins and is generally set up on a different day than the other sections. The speaking section is elaborated much more in the paragraph below along with the different IELTS speaking topics.
Speaking Section Of IELTS
The speaking section of IELTS will be a face-to-face interview with the examiner and they will assess the candidate’s speaking skills. The whole speaking section is divided into three parts and generally lasts for 11-14 minutes.
Part 1 Introduction and Interview
In this part, the interviewer will ask general questions about the candidate’s background. It could pertain to their personal details, family, hobbies, education, work, etc. This entire part can last anywhere between 4 to 5 mins.
Part 2 Individual Long Turn
Here the candidate will be given a topic amongst many IELTS speaking topics in the form of a card. The candidate will have 1 min and can use a writing kit to make points, after which they will have to speak for 2 mins. The examiner may have a question or two pertaining to the topic. The key to this part is practising, either in front of a mirror or with another person.
Part 3 Two-Way Discussion
The purpose of this part is to evaluate your ability to discuss and express your opinions on complex issues. So it is important to provide clear and concise answers. In this final part, the examiner will further ask more questions about the IELTS speaking topics previously presented. Here the questions can be abstract and in-depth.
How To Best Prepare For IELTS Speaking
Every section of IELTS is important however with IELTS speaking being a face to face to interview it could be anxious and stressful for some. Therefore certain tips and strategies can always help in making the speaking section more relaxing and easy.
- Understanding the format of the section is essential since it gives an idea of what and when to expect things. Keeping in mind the time limits and instructions can provide an edge.
- ‘Practice makes perfect’ is a valuable tool for this section. In front of a mirror, with another individual, or self-recording are all great ways to assess oneself.
- Reading books, watching English content, or listening to podcasts can be a great way to learn English on the go.
- There will be many IELTS speaking topics that the examiner presents to the candidate, therefore preparing some own questions and going through them can be helpful.
- Along with paid services there is plenty of free resources online that can help better one’s speaking skills.
- Finally staying calm and collected is the best way to not fumble up what is already practised. Remember to stay hydrated and reduce stress to a minimum.
Some IELTS Speaking Topics
The IELTS examination is crucial when trying to migrate, study or work in an English-speaking country and having a good band score is vital. The speaking section can be the most challenging for many due to many aspects, therefore knowing what are some of the topics can provide a crucial edge. The topics will mostly pertain to basic things like personal history, family, academics, work, etc and rarely be technical. It is important to note that the topics mentioned below will just provide insight and are not the exact topics given.
- Family-related topics are the most popular ones including questions about family members, relationships, and family traditions.
- The next popular topic is about hobbies and interests with things like some passions and free time activities the candidate has.
- Other IELTS speaking topics can include food and cooking, questions about favourite foods, cooking habits, and food traditions.
- Questions related to the candidate’s education, educational background, favourite subjects, and future plans for study.
- Travel and things surrounding travel, worst or best travel experiences, favourite destinations, and travel plans.
- Talking about personal work can be an easy topic for many candidates with descriptions of the job, job responsibilities, and work experience.
- Media and technology questions about personal use of technology, favourite apps, and social media habits.
- There could be topics related to the environment as well, about environmental issues, sustainability, and climate change.
- IELTS speaking topics can also include culture and traditions and questions about the candidate’s country’s culture, traditions, and customs.
Conclusion
The number of candidates taking the IELTS exam is growing yearly and even though the test is not of a competitive nature, a single band change can decide an individual’s future. Therefore, it is paramount that the candidate uses every strategy to gain the best score in IELTS and stand at a better position in studying, working, or migrating abroad.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further