IELTS SpeakingBy Chris Tang

You dont have to be!!!PredictableEasy preparationLots of tips to use

On Entering the Test RoomWaiting out at the doorDo you have a mobile on you?Psychological suggestion

So how do you say it?Ive taken the test for times. For my previous tests, I always got X for my reading, X for my listening, and X for my writing. But I havent got enough for my speaking. So I have to take the test over and over again until one day I can get at least 6.5 for my speaking.

Why you can say it?The four official marking criteria:PronunciationVocabularyGrammarFluency

What you say doesnt really matter, but how and how well you say it!!!

General mistakes to avoidVocabularyOverusing words like good, nice, beautiful, interesting, deliciousLearn to paraphraseCan you list ten positive words (adj.) to describe a person?What about ten negative ones?Good and well, Clever and smart, Bored and boringSay no to Chinglish

GrammarPlurality, third person pronoun, past tense, perfect tense, misusing gender-related nounsPronunciationMispronunciationBe intelligible, so enunciateFluencySpeed is not fluencyJoin and expand ideas; Avoid pauses; Avoid repetition; Expand rather than listing things

First things firstStandard: What is your full Chinese name?Variants: What is your full name?/ How should I call you?/ How should I address you?Answer: Long??? Or short???My name is ____. (even Name is___.)My full name is ____, and I also have an English name, ____. You are welcome to call me ____.Remember what matters?

First runner-upAre you working or studying?Principle: Dont make it too difficult.Eg. Im studying. And I study ____ in _____, one of the top universities in China and I will be graduating in 2 years time.Im working for ____ as an administrative staff/sales/secretarial staff. Ive been doing this job for many years and I still like doing it.

Like it and not like it.Eg. Why did you choose this major? Do you like it and why? Do you like your job?Be prepared. You may stumble at the easiest questions.Dont talk big, talk small.Tell a story rather than giving empty, lifeless reasons.

A dose of panaceaIt is all because of my girlfriend. She is the one and only woman I love the most on the earth. In order to make her happy, I would like to do anything for her, including. Because I just want to be with her, to be where she is.It is because when I was young, I had a teacher and he always told me about , which has deeply influenced me. So I

East or west, home is the best.Where is your hometown and could you please tell me something about your hometown?Answers that may let people laugh their head off:My hometown is Xin Jiang.My hometown is .... But Ive never been there before.My hometown is . It is a very beautiful place. I love my hometown.It is your homeTOWN in contrast to homePROVINCE, homeCOUNTRY, homePLANET.It is where you were born and grew up in contrast to where your parents or grandparents came from.

Elaborate in four aspectsLocation, population, climate, and something special.

Let me show you how!My hometown Taizhou, is located in the middle part of Jiangsu province along the Yangze river,it has a population of 5 million people, and the mostly temperate climate here offers an excellent environment for various agricultural activities and for tourism; It has produced many well-known scholars and intellectuals, one of them is our Chairman Hujingtao, who has spent his early years studying here.

A bit about climate or seasonsClimate:Wet/warm/tropical, dry/arid/semiarid, temperate/continental, etc.Four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn/fall, winterBeijing's climate is defined as "continental monsoon." The four seasons are distinctly recognizable. Spring and autumn is the best time to be in Beijing, particularly in the months of April, May, September and October.

And if you choose to describe the seasonsSpring:Warm, windy, dusty, sand-storm, flowers start to bloomMake it poetic. Eg. When spring comes, everything wakes up from their long and cold sleeps. Trees turn green, and flowers also start to bloom: it seems like the world is, all of a sudden, rejuvenated.Season of new life/rebirth

Summer:Hot, rainy, wet (lots of rain), stormy, humid, sunny, stuffy, sweltering, sauna-likeLearn to use a variety of descriptives to say very.Quite, rather, pretty, fairly, really, so, extremely, totallyOne can even use analogy. Eg. It is like an oven in summer time.Activities: holidayHoliday season

Autumn/Fall:Cool, crisp, mild, cozy, clear sky, golden season, azure skyGolden season, season of harvestWinter:Cold, freezing, snowy, icy, short days, long nightsSilver season, Christmas season

Id like to own my own house!Do you currently live in a house or an apartment/flat? Where do you live? Can you describe what is in your home?Lets see a few pictures.

To compare two or more thingsAlways think in terms of Cost/priceFeatures (what makes it really what it is)Effects (popular?)

What are the differences between a house and an apartment/flat?

Im a traveholic.Do you love traveling? Do you often travel?To answer Yes and NoSure. You bet. Absolutely. Definitely.Not if I can help it. Not a chance.Is ice cold? Does bird fly?

Shop till you drop, and sports stuffDo you play sports? What sports do you play?Do you often go shopping? What do you buy?Common answers: I play soccer, basketball, tennis, table-tennis (listing things)Better answer: I often buy lots of different things from food to drinks, from clothes to shoes. Anyway, I enjoy shopping, cause it brings me great joy.

Food, forever I like. Cooking, um, yet to be answered.Avoiding overusing the word deliciousFlavor: spicy, hot, sweet, sour, bitter, salty, savory, lightVegetables and fruitsCooking methods: boil, fry, steam, roast, bake, grill, stir-fry, stew, braise, barbecueTexture: chewy, tender, crispy, flakey

Other questions, but they are easy!What is your favorite kind of music/ book/movie/food? What kind of do you like?What is your favorite time in a day/ month/season in a year?What is your favorite kind of music?Genres: pop, jazz, blues, rock, classical, instrumental, rap (urban), gospelWhen it comes to music, I have to sayIm very much into/ fond of/ fascinated by/about; is the greatest passion in my lifeWhen I am listening to, I feel likeFor example, for instance, onceThink outside of the box

Lets give it a try!Well, I am not really into music. But sometimes I do like listening to religious music, I mean, Christian music. Christian music is always about singing praises to God and reminding people of their responsibility to live a pure and holy life. It is music that purifies life. It helps me a lot. Whenever Im listening, I feel like being lifted up to heaven and drawn close to God. It gives peace to my mind and joy to my soul.

Lets get serious: Topic/Cue CardsFour categoriesPeoplePlaceObjectEventAnd I dont care what category it is. I always have my way.

Well, today I am going to talk about none other than my uncle. My uncle is quite famous in his place. People often call him Mr. Traveholic. And just as this name suggests, he loves traveling very much. And actually traveling is one of the most important things in his life. And he has been to many places throughout China, from Harbin in the north to Guangzhou in the South, from Shanghai in the east to Urumuqi in the west. And he always says his favorite place of all is Qingdao, because of its natural beauty, its food and its unique local culture, which all drive him to return to Qingdao to visit over and over again.First, Qingdao is famous for many of its interesting places, its beautiful beaches, and its clean streets. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are attracted here from all over the world by its enchanting natural beauty.Second, the local food and snacks are also something one can never miss when visiting Qingdao. They come in various colors, shapes and tastes, to suit different palates and wallets. They are not only exotic and delicate to the tongue, but also to the eye.Last but not the least, Qingdao is also famous for its unique cultural heritage represented in local festivals and Qingdao beer. Especially, Qingdao beer. It is quite a big name in China. It is loved by millions of people, including me.Anyway, that is my uncle, a traveholic, and Qingdao, a great place to visit.

People CardsWho the person isWhat the person looks likeWhat the person is like (character and personality)What the person does/has doneWhen and where you met this personWhy you like/dislike/admire/choose to talk about this person

Who questionWell, I am going to talk aboutWhen it comes to , I would like to talk about(Snow White) was a very good friend of mine.

A childhood friendI would really like to talk about Slobbery, a childhood friend of mine. Slobbery is his nickname, because he used to let saliva dribble from his mouth while sleeping in class. His real name is XXX. But anyway, he is a nice buddy

Ones LooksGeneral descriptors: good/bad-looking, handsome, beautiful, pretty, plain, homely, ugly, awfulSignificant parts on the face: eyes (eye color:black, green, blue, hazel), eyebrow, nose(aquiline nose), mouth, teeth, cheek, chinOther parts of the body: torso, limbs

Quotation from Gone with the WindScarlet OHara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were. In her face were too sharply blended the delicate features of her mother, a Coast aristocrat of French descent, and the heavy ones of her florid Irish father. But it was an arresting face, pointed of chin, square of jaw. Her eyes were pale green without a touch of hazel, starred with bristly black lashes and slightly tilted at the ends. Above them, her thick and black brows slanted upward, cutting a startling oblique line in her magnolia-white skinthat skin so prized by Southern women and so carefully guarded with bonnets, veils and mittens against hot Georgia suns.

Character and PersonalityKind, warm-hearted, easy-going, faithful, honest, responsible, accountable, trustworthy, reliable, compassionate, humbleA giving person, a man of his word, a me, me, me person, an angel of mercy, double-crosser, double talker

What One DoesOccupationTime, Location and StorySignificance or meaningEg. A friend looking after you when you are sick. It shows that he has heart of gold.

Why?Good character/personality impresses or touches youYou have learned a life lesson from themStory

A Childhood FriendRelating topics: child, friendTell me about a child that you knowYou should say:How you know themWhat they look likecute, short, chubby, messy hair, dirty hands, innocent and pure Something about their personalityAnd say whether or not they are similar to how you were as a child

I would really like to talk about Slobbery, a childhood friend of mine. Slobbery is his nickname, because he used to let saliva dribble from his mouth while sleeping in class. His real name is XXX. But anyway, he is a nice buddy. Round-faced with chubby cheeks, and usually dressed in his baggy pants, he can hardly conceal his over-weighted body. But you know kids. They never worry about their body weight. Dont be fooled by his looks. He isnt as tough as his may look. He is the tenderest thing Ive ever seen. Whenever other kids laugh at him or bully him, he would run to a corner and cry like a girl. Well, if you ask me whether Slobbery is similar to how I was as a child, I would say no. But he surely resembles that kind of people who are one person on the outside, different on the other.

When it comes to a childhood friend, I cant help thinking about Princess Fiona, my best playmate. Her real name is Annie. Even now, I can still recall her black curly but long hair, and her favorite red dress with black strings tied around the waist. She looked so beautiful and elegant, just like a princess. So we all called her Princess Fiona. Not like me, Princess Fiona was a strong little girl. She never cried, even when she stumbled over rock and hurt her knees. Now shes become a big girl and even stronger, while I am still who I am, never able to become like her. And that is Princess Fiona, my best playmate.

Common People CardsA person youd like to spend time withFamous personA person who is good at cookingA person who has influenced youA person who helped youOld peopleBest friendEtc.

Famous personWho he/she isHow you got to know this personWhat this person is famous forWhy you choose to talk about this person

Who: my uncleHow: live in the same neighborhoodFamous for: travelingWhy: I also love traveling

Place CardsWhat the place isWhen and with whom you visited that placeWhat did you feel when you visited that placeWhy do you visit that place

What QuestionsName of that placeLocation be located/situated sits/lies FeaturesTen adj. to describe a place

When and with whomLong time ago?Several years ago? Many years back?Just last year?A few months ago?A couple of days ago?

Feeling High or Down?Feeling:Sad, excited, thrilled, down, frustrated, depressed, etc.Feeling like

Why?Reasons:Tourist spot, beautifulUnderstand the local culture and customsStory

Common Place CardsHotelShopping mallA place where there is waterTourist siteLibraryHistorical siteA place you want to visitEtc.

Object CardsEg. A useful equipment, a gift, a toyElements:What it isWhat it looks like; what functions it hasWhere/when you got it; who gave it to youHow/why

Common Object CardsA piece of newsA bookA TV programAn artistic statueA giftA piece of clothingA courseA childhood gameAn advertisementEtc.

A Useful EquipmentWhat it is: cell phone, mp3 player, computerWhat it looksin color/incolor, in shape/inshapeTrendy, classy, hi-tech, in, fashionableFunctionWhy it is special

Sample AnswerWell, I would love to talk about my little girlfriendiPod, a trendy mp3 player, which I would always take along with me wherever I go. Though it is a mp3 player, I seldom use it to listen to music, but something called Podcast, which basically is a kind of radio program broadcasted on the web. There are so many different programs, about culture, news, politics and even language learning. I am particularly fascinated by the free educational resources it provides. Now I have French, German and Japanese learning programs on my iPod. Given me some time, I am pretty sure I can speak some French, or German, or Japanese, at least some daily phrases. In a word, iPod is special to me not only because it can accompany me wherever I go just like my girlfriend, but also because it is a new technology that I have greatly benefited in language learning.

Event CardsTopic questions:What it isWhen and where it takes/took placeWho (participants) and how (effects)Why

Common Event CardsA journeyA change in lifeHelp/advice receivedA sport/traditional/public eventAn important/difficult decisionA traffic jamA successful experienceEtc.

A Change in LifeWhat it isGoing to college, graduation, going to work, getting married, divorced, becoming a gay/lesbian???When and where it happenedHow it changes/has changed your lifeHow you feelWhy

Sample AnswerHonestly I havent thought about this much. The one and only great change I can think of now is leaving school. Look, after going to school for more than 16 years, all of my life has been so used to school, my daily schedule, my mindset, my social life, etc. The world outside the school seems so familiar and yet so strange. My feelings are mixed with ambition, hope, expectation, as well as uneasiness, insecurity and worries. It is such a difficult time. I am like a person lost in the no-mans land, not knowing where to turn. Anyway, most people have to face this change once they leave school. It is a total challenge. But just as one great mind has once said, life is always full of changes and uncertainties; we just do all that we can and hope for the best.

Help/Advice ReceivedWhat it wasWhen and where you received itWho gave it to youFeelingWhy

Sample AnswerWhen it comes to this topic, I cant help thinking about last year when I was overwhelmed by lots of works that I have to do. It was my college graduation year. Besides all of the lectures I had to attend, the graduation paper alone was a heavy task: there were tons of reference books to read, a series of surveys to be conducted and also the revision and editing works. It was just too much for me. But thank God, my professor XXX offered to give me a hand. Basically he gave me some very good ideas and challenged me to consider a slight modification of my project structure. Then he introduced me to someone who happened to have done the similar kind of project. Woow, I was feeling just like Oh, thank you dear God. I choose to talk about this, because it means so much to me. Without his help, I just cant imagine myself successfully completing such a great project and finishing my graduation paper.

Stage IIITwo principles:Take evasive actionRelate it to yourself (dont talk big, talk small)

Evasive ActionVersion 1: That is a good question. I never thought about this question before. But if you look at this question from different perspectives, you may just have different answers. Well, I am not really sure. Thank you.

Version 2: That is a very good question. I remember reading about this before somewhere. I have read about it on the Internet. But I dont wear their colored glasses and remember exactly what it said about this. There seem to be many different views. Because people all have different education backgrounds and experiences. They tend to look at things through thus have different ideas. Well, this is not my field. I am not sure. Thank you.

Relate to yourselfExample:What do you think the government should do to end the economic crisis?That is a good question (evasive action). But I dont think it is very bad for everyone, both poor and rich. So I sincerely hope the government can do something about it.

Example:Do you think primary school students should have homework?That is a very good question (evasive action). But I do remember when I was young, I had too much homework to do. I dont think I had very happy childhood. So I think when I have children, I would like them to have no homework or little homework. I they can really have a good memory of their childhood.