IELTS Speaking Guide: Parts 1, 2 and 3 Explained with Strategies

Part 1 — Introduction and interview (4–5 minutes)

Short questions about you: home, work, study, hobbies, daily routine. Answer directly, then add a reason and one detail — 3 to 5 sentences per answer, never one word.

Part 1 example answer

Question: 'Do you like cooking?'

Band 7 answer: 'Yes, I really enjoy it, especially at weekends when I have more time. I usually cook Asian dishes because I love bold flavours, and lately I've been experimenting with Thai recipes I found online. It's also a good way to relax after work.'

Part 2 — The long turn (3–4 minutes)

You get a cue card with a topic and bullet points, 1 minute to prepare, then speak alone for up to 2 minutes. Cover every bullet and spend the most time on the final 'explain why' point. Use your preparation minute to note past-tense verbs and time markers, not full sentences.

Part 3 — Discussion (4–5 minutes)

Abstract questions linked to the Part 2 topic: comparing, predicting, weighing advantages. Use the A.R.E.A. shape — Answer, Reason, Example, Alternative view — and generalise about society, not just yourself.

Band 7 speaking habits

• Keep talking — silence costs Fluency marks; paraphrase when you forget a word.
• Use fillers naturally ('Well, to be honest…') instead of long pauses.
• Show range: conditionals, past perfect, passive voice where they fit.
• Self-correct once and move on; do not restart sentences repeatedly.

What does not matter

• Your accent — only clarity, stress and intonation are marked.
• Your opinions — there are no wrong answers, only unsupported ones.
• Memorised speeches — examiners spot them and score them down.