Academic & General Training

IELTS Speaking — Complete Guide

Master all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test with band 5–9 sample answers, 50+ cue card topics, Part 3 discussion questions, and examiner-focused tips.

11–14 minutes total
3 parts
Face-to-face with a certified examiner

Test Structure

Part 1

Introduction and interview

· 4–5 minutes

The examiner asks you questions about yourself and familiar topics such as your home, family, work, studies, and interests. Questions are straightforward and designed to help you feel comfortable.

Part 2

Individual long turn

· 3–4 minutes

You are given a task card with a topic and 4 bullet points. You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes without interruption. The examiner may ask 1–2 follow-up questions.

Part 3

Two-way discussion

· 4–5 minutes

The examiner asks more abstract questions linked to the Part 2 topic. These questions require you to express and justify opinions, speculate, and discuss broader issues. This is where higher bands are earned.

4 Assessment Criteria

Fluency & Coherence

25%

Ability to speak at length without unnatural pauses, with logical organisation of ideas.

Lexical Resource

25%

Range and accuracy of vocabulary, including less common words and idiomatic expressions.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

25%

Variety of sentence structures and accuracy of grammar, including complex forms.

Pronunciation

25%

Clarity, intonation, stress, and rhythm. Accent is not penalised — intelligibility is what matters.

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