This lesson gives IELTS speaking tips: How long should my answer be? This lesson has advice on the best length of your answer for each part of the IELTS speaking test. Learn how many sentences to use for IELTS speaking part 1 or how to expand your talk for IELTS speaking part 2. Learn how long your answer should be for IELTS speaking part 3.
Speaking Part 1 Advice
I heard that answers for speaking part 1 should be short. Are the answers below ok for part 1?
Q. What was your favorite book or story when you were a child?
A. The first book that I remember really enjoying was ‘……….’. It only took me a few days to read because I liked it so much that I couldn’t put it down.
Q. Do you like reading?
A. Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including novels, newspapers, magazines, and online articles.
Advice and Tips
- Don’t limit your answer to only two sentences.
- Be more natural with your answer.
- If you have more information to give, then give it. For the second question above, I would probably give more “Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including novels, newspapers, magazines, and online articles. However, most of my time is spent reading novels in order to relax and forget my problems.”.
- Speaking part 1 is 4 to 5 minutes in length for 12 questions. If your fluency is strong, you will be able to give longer answers. If you often hesitate when you answer, then you will waste time and your answers will need to be shorter.
- If you have strong fluency then don’t limit your answers to only two sentences. To get a high score in fluency, you must show you are able to speak at length without much effort.
- If your answer is too long, the examiner will stop you move on to the next question. That is not a bad thing, it’s just a natural part of the test.
Speaking Part 2 Advice
I heard that we must answer each question on the topic card. Is that true?
Describe a family celebration that you remember. You should say
– what you were celebrating
– who was present
– what happened
– and why you like that celebration
Answer to first two prompts:
• I’m going to describe my sister’s wedding day, which took place a few years ago in the town where I grew up. For my sister it was the biggest and most important day of her life.
• I think there were around 100 people at the marriage ceremony, which was held in a church. Even more people came to the party, or the wedding reception as we call it, after the ceremony. Of course, most members of my family were there, as well as the groom’s family and a collection of the bride and groom’s friends and colleagues. The person I remember most was …… because we hadn’t seen each other in over two years so that was a really pleasant surprise.
Advice and Tips
- There are no questions on the topic card.
- There are prompts on the card.
- Prompts are there to guide you – nothing more.
- To give a full talk, you must add much more information to your talk rather than only follow the prompts.
- This is your main chance in the test to show your fluency. Use this opportunity and give lots of description and information.
- If the prompt asks “who was present”, you can add why they were there, how close you were to those people, how they traveled to the wedding, if there were any people you wished hadn’t gone, describe a person you clearly remember … You choose what extra information to add.
Speaking Part 3 Advice
Is the answer below the right length?
Q. Is it better to get advice from a friend or from a family member?
A. I think it depends on the kind of advice that you need. Parents and grandparents probably have more life experience than a friend, and so you might get a wiser or more sensible answer from them. On the other hand, friends are less likely to become too worried if you go to them with a problem. For example, I probably wouldn’t want to burden my parents with a financial problem.
Answer
- The answer above is reasonable but not very detailed.
- If you have a very good level of English then this answer does not demonstrate your fluency or a good range of English.
- It’s always good in speaking part 3 to give examples.
- Give more examples of when you would seek advice from grandparents – what kinds of problems would prompt you to ask for their help?
- It is always better in speaking to give more than you need to give, than to give less.
How long should my answers be in IELTS speaking?
If you have a lower level of English with many hesitations, your answers will be shorter. If you are a fluent talker, your answer should be longer – in fact it would be a shame to have fluent English and only give short answers.
Here is a link to an IELTS speaking practice test video. There is also a link in that lesson to a model speaking test. You will be able to see clearly how long my answers are: Practice Speaking Test Video
As an experienced language professional deeply familiar with the IELTS examination, I'd like to share my expertise on the crucial aspect of answer length in the IELTS speaking test. My proficiency in language learning and teaching, coupled with a keen understanding of the IELTS assessment criteria, positions me well to provide valuable insights.
The provided article emphasizes the importance of tailoring the length of your responses to different parts of the IELTS speaking test. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
Speaking Part 1 Advice:
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Answer Length: In part 1, responses should not be limited to just two sentences. The advice encourages candidates to be more natural and provide additional information if available.
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Fluency Matters: If you possess strong fluency, you should aim for longer answers. Fluency is a key factor in scoring, and longer, well-articulated responses demonstrate your ability to speak at length without hesitation.
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Time Management: The section is 4 to 5 minutes long with 12 questions. Strong fluency allows for longer answers, but hesitation can lead to shorter responses.
Speaking Part 2 Advice:
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Addressing Prompts: Part 2 involves describing a specific topic. The advice here emphasizes that while there are prompts on the card, they are meant to guide rather than limit responses.
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Fluency Showcase: This is a crucial opportunity to showcase fluency. Candidates are encouraged to provide ample description and information beyond the prompts.
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Adding Information: For prompts like "who was present," candidates should go beyond and provide additional information such as relationships, how people traveled, or memorable individuals. The goal is to offer a comprehensive, detailed response.
Speaking Part 3 Advice:
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Answer Length and Detail: The article stresses that while the given answer is reasonable, more detailed responses are preferred. For candidates with a high level of English proficiency, additional examples are recommended.
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Use Examples: Providing examples in part 3 is essential. More examples, especially when seeking advice from different sources, demonstrate a good range of English and enhance the overall response.
General Advice:
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Adaptation to English Level: Answer length is influenced by English proficiency levels. While lower proficiency might result in shorter answers, fluent speakers are encouraged to take advantage of their language skills and provide longer, more detailed responses.
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Practice: The article includes links to an IELTS speaking practice test video and a model speaking test. These resources offer practical examples, allowing candidates to observe the optimal length of answers.
In summary, understanding the nuances of answer length across different parts of the IELTS speaking test, adapting to your proficiency level, and utilizing opportunities to showcase fluency are key strategies for success. Aspiring candidates should heed this advice and integrate it into their preparation strategies to enhance their performance on the IELTS speaking test.
