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IELTS Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test consists of 3 parts. To achieve Band 9, you must demonstrate fluency, rich lexical resources, accurate pronunciation, and complete command of the language with natural, accurate, and appropriate usage.

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IELTS Band 9 Revision Guide
IELTS Speaking Test Part 1 Introduction & General Questions (4-5 minutes) • Familiar topics • Short answers • Personal experiences Part 2 Individual Long Turn (3-4 minutes) 1 min preparation • Cue card topic • 1-2 min speech • Follow-up question Part 3 Two-way Discussion (4-5 minutes) Abstract questions • Related to Part 2 • More analytical • Social issues focus 4-5 minutes 3-4 minutes 4-5 minutes

Part 1: Introduction & General Questions

In this 4-5 minute section, the examiner asks questions about familiar topics like home, family, work, studies, and interests.

  • Provide detailed but concise responses (30-45 seconds per answer)
  • Use natural conversation fillers and hesitation devices
  • Incorporate a range of advanced vocabulary
  • Showcase complex grammatical structures naturally
  • Maintain a conversational tone with excellent fluency

Part 2: Individual Long Turn

You'll receive a task card with a topic and points to include. After 1 minute of preparation, speak for 1-2 minutes, followed by 1-2 brief questions.

  • Use the full 2 minutes with excellent time management
  • Structure your talk with clear introduction, body, conclusion
  • Incorporate descriptive language and advanced vocabulary
  • Include personal anecdotes that showcase complex language
  • Use a variety of tenses and grammatical constructions
  • Employ effective emphasis and intonation patterns

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

This 4-5 minute discussion explores abstract ideas related to the Part 2 topic, requiring analysis of social issues and hypothetical situations.

  • Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills
  • Present well-developed arguments with examples
  • Use advanced linking expressions and discourse markers
  • Employ idiomatic language naturally and appropriately
  • Show flexibility in discussing complex ideas
  • Maintain fluent speech with minimal hesitation

Band 9 Speaking Framework

Part 1: Response Framework

Direct Answer: [Give a clear, direct answer to the question first]

Explanation/Reason: [Elaborate with a reason or explanation] Actually, I because .

Example/Detail: [Provide a specific example] For instance, .

Extension/Reflection: [Add a brief insight or reflection] I think this is why or That's probably why .

Example Question:

"Do you enjoy cooking?"

Band 9 Response:

Direct: Yes, I absolutely love cooking.

Reason: Actually, I find it incredibly therapeutic because it allows me to be creative while also producing something tangible that I can share with others.

Example: For instance, last weekend I spent hours perfecting a traditional pasta dish from scratch, including hand-rolling the dough and preparing a slow-cooked sauce.

Extension: I think this is why cooking has become such a significant part of my daily routine, as it provides both a creative outlet and a practical skill.

Part 2: Cue Card Framework

Introduction: I'd like to talk about that .

Main Point 1: First, regarding , I should mention that . What makes this particularly is . For example, .

Main Point 2: Additionally, another aspect worth noting is . This is significant because . To illustrate, .

Main Point 3: Furthermore, is also noteworthy. The reason for this is . A clear example of this would be .

Conclusion: To conclude, has been for me because , and that's why it immediately came to mind for this topic.

Example Cue Card:

Describe a skill you would like to learn. You should say:

  • What the skill is
  • How you would learn it
  • Why you want to learn it
  • And explain how this skill would be useful to you in the future

Part 3: Discussion Framework

Initial Position: That's an interesting question about . From my perspective, .

Expansion with Reasoning: The main reason I think this is . If we consider , we can see that .

Example/Evidence: To illustrate this point, . This example demonstrates .

Alternative Perspective: That said, I recognize that . Some might argue that .

Conclusion/Nuanced View: Ultimately, I believe , although the ideal approach probably depends on .

Example Question:

"How important do you think it is for people to learn new skills throughout their lives?"

Essential Speaking Techniques for Band 9

Advanced Vocabulary

Incorporate sophisticated vocabulary naturally, without sounding forced.

  • Use precise adjectives and adverbs (e.g., "utterly fascinated" instead of "very interested")
  • Employ sophisticated connectors (e.g., "Nevertheless," "Consequently," "Admittedly")
  • Use idiomatic expressions naturally (e.g., "hit the nail on the head," "on the fence about")
  • Incorporate field-specific terminology when relevant
  • Use nuanced synonyms to avoid repetition

Complex Structures

Demonstrate grammatical range and accuracy with sophisticated structures.

  • Conditionals (all types, including mixed)
  • Passive constructions
  • Inversion for emphasis
  • Cleft sentences ("What I find particularly interesting is...")
  • Perfect and continuous tenses
  • Complex relative clauses
  • Modals for speculation, deduction, criticism

Natural Fluency

Speak fluidly and naturally with appropriate hesitation and fillers.

  • Natural fillers ("you know," "I mean," "actually")
  • Appropriate pausing for emphasis
  • Self-correction when appropriate (shows monitoring)
  • Vary speech rate for emphasis
  • Use contractions in casual contexts
  • Transition smoothly between ideas
  • Maintain rhythm without sounding rehearsed

Practice Now:

IELTS Speaking Mock Test

You’ve completed the course! Now it’s time to take a full mock test under real-time conditions to reinforce your knowledge and apply the key concepts you’ve learned. Our mock test features AI for in-depth analysis, calculates your band score, and provides guidance to enhance your speaking skills.

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