IELTS Speaking Guide

Content

IELTS Speaking Test Overview ···································································· 1

IELTS Speaking Test in detail ······································································ 2

Criteria For Speaking Test ··········································································· 3

IELTS Speaking Topics ·············································································· 4

IELTS Speaking Score Calculation································································· 5

Appendix I – IETLS Speaking Band descriptors ·········································· 6

IELTS Speaking Test Overview

The IELTS Speaking Test assesses your use of spoken English, it consists of a face to face
oral interview between the test takers' and an examiner. All Speaking tests are recorded.
The test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes. Timing is strictly controlled by the examiner.
There are three parts to the test and each part fulfils a specific function in terms of
interaction pattern, task input and test takers output. The linguistic challenge of the test
increases with each part.
The format of the Speaking test is common across both the Academic and General Training
modules. It is structured in such a way that does not allow test takers to rehearse set
responses beforehand.

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IELTS Speaking Test in detail
Part 1 – Introduction and interview
In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks the test
takers' identity. They then ask the test takers general questions on
Task type and
some familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests.
format
To ensure consistency, questions are taken from a script.
Part 1 lasts for 4–5 minutes.
This part of the test focuses on the ability to communicate opinions
Task focus and information on everyday topics and common experiences or
situations by answering a range of questions.
No. of questions Variable

Part 2 – Long turn

Part 2 is the individual long turn. The examiner gives the test takers a
task card which asks the test takers to talk about a particular topic,
includes points to cover in their talk and instructs the test takers to
explain one aspect of the topic. Test takers are given one minute to
prepare their talk and are given a pencil and paper to make notes. The
Task type and examiner asks the test takers to talk for 1 to 2 minutes, stops the test
format takers after 2 minutes, and asks one or two questions on the same
topic.
Using the points on the task card effectively, and making notes during
the preparation time, will help the test takers think of appropriate things
to say, structure their talk, and keep talking for 2 minutes.
Part 2 lasts 3–4 minutes, including the preparation time.
This part of the test focuses on the ability to speak at length on a given
topic (without further prompts from the examiner), using appropriate
Task focus
language and organising ideas coherently. It is likely that the test takers
will need to draw on their own experience to complete the long turn.

Part 3 – Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner and the test takers discuss issues related to
Task type and the topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way and, where
format appropriate, in greater depth.
Part 3 lasts 4–5 minutes.
This part of the test focuses on the ability to express and justify
Task focus
opinions and to analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.
No. of questions Variable

*Check the Speaking Sample tasks in the following files

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Features of test

Criteria for Speaking Test

Marking and assessment

Speaking performances are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners
hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and
approved by the British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance descriptors have been
developed which describe spoken performance at the nine IELTS bands. These are
available on the How IELTS is scored page.

Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:

Criterion Weighting
Fluency and coherence 25%
Lexical resource 25%

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Grammatical range and accuracy 25%
Pronunciation 25%

The criteria are weighted equally and the Speaking band score is the average.

Fluency and coherence

This refers to the ability to talk with normal levels of continuity, rate and effort and to link
ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech. The key indicators of
fluency are speech rate and speech continuity. The key indicators of coherence are logical
sequencing of sentences, clear marking of stages in a discussion, narration or argument,
and the use of cohesive devices (e.g. connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) within and
between sentences.

Lexical resource
This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary used and the precision with which meanings
and attitudes can be expressed. The key indicators are the variety of words used, the
adequacy and appropriacy of the words used and the ability to circumlocute (get round a
vocabulary gap by using other words) with or without noticeable hesitation.

Grammatical range and accuracy

This refers to the range and the accurate and appropriate use of the test takers' grammatical
resource. The key indicators of grammatical range are the length and complexity of the
spoken sentences, the appropriate use of subordinate clauses, and the range of sentence
structures, especially to move elements around for information focus. The key indicators of
grammatical accuracy are the number of grammatical errors in a given amount of speech
and the communicative effect of error.

Pronunciation
This criterion refers to the ability to produce comprehensible speech to fulfil the Speaking
test requirements. The key indicators will be the amount of strain caused to the listener, the
amount of the speech which is unintelligible and the notice ability of L1 influence.

*Please refer to Appendix I - Speaking Test Band Descriptor for more details of the scoring criteria.

IELTS Speaking Topics

IELTS Speaking test includes general everyday topics. The list of possible topics IELTS
might cover is potentially endless, and new question topics are added every now and then.
So, do not worry about covering everything and specialist knowledge is not expected in
the test.

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Sample Part 1 topic

Sample Part 2 & 3 topic

** note: Part 3 questions are related to Part 2 topic, so each Part 3 topic is followed by its
related Part 2

The topics are relevant to all of the 135 countries in which IELTS is used, they can be
roughly divided into six main areas. It is encouraged to prepare ideas for the six main topic
areas before taking the test:

1. Describe a person (family member, famous person...)

2. Describe a place (city, holiday, hometown...)
3. Describe an object (something you use, a gift...)
4. Describe an event (festival, celebration...)
5. Describe an activity (hobby, game, sport...)
6. Describe your favourite (book, film, website...)

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Test takers should also be prepared to talk about their job and/or their studies.
After preparing one main description for these seven or eight topics, they should then
practise adapting their descriptions to as many questions as they can.

According to unofficial statistics, the topic bank for IETLS Speaking test includes 30 – 40
topics for Part 1 while around 50 topics for Part 2. And the topics are changeable, 33% of old
topics will be replaced in every January, May and September.

*Please refer to Appendix I - IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors for more details of the marking criteria.

IELTS Speaking Score Calculation

The scores on the individual components of test are rounded down. However, the algorithm
of the overall score is rounded up. While we assessing the speaking score in each criteria, it
cant appear 0 .5. It could only be full score for each criteria. For instance: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.

Example 1: (6+6+6+7)/4=6.25, the final speaking scores is 6

Fluency and Lexical resource Grammatical range Pronunciation Overall score

coherence and accuracy
6 6 6 7 6

Example 2:(7+7+7+6)/4=6.75, the final speaking score is 6.5

Fluency and Lexical resource Grammatical range Pronunciation Overall score

coherence and accuracy
7 7 6 7 6.5

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 Appendix I