The document provides guidance on the different parts of the IELTS speaking exam. It outlines the types of questions candidates will be asked in Part 1 about their personal information and background. Part 2 involves describing pictures and commenting on each other's pictures. Part 3 has candidates discuss tasks in pairs using opinion expressions. Useful expressions are provided for agreeing, disagreeing, clarifying and more. Part 4 continues the discussion of Part 3 topics between pairs of candidates.

1. 1
PAPER 5 : SPEAKING
PART 1: Finding out about people
In the first part of the speaking test there are short exchanges where the examiner asks each
candidate to give personal information. he / she may ask you about your :
- background
- interests
- career / studies
- reasons for studying English
- plans for the future
Some of the questions the examiner might ask you are :
- Where do you come from?
- What are your interests/hobbies?
- What do you enjoy doing in your spare time ?
- Why are you studying English ?
- Do you have any special reason for studying English?
- What do you study/do for a living?
- What do you hope to do in the future?
Or he / she might ask you if you know each other :
- Have you met each other?
- Do you know each other?
- Have you two been introduced?
- Did you know each other before you ( came to the class ) ?
- How long have you known each other?
Possible answers to the above questions are :
- We met each other for the first time today.
- We’ve known each other for... years, since...
- We first met when we...
- We haven’t been introduced.
PART 2
In the second part of the speaking test each candidate talks to the examiner about the pictures
shown to them. The candidates are also asked to comment briefly on each other’s pictures.
What you should keep in mind is that you are not being examined on your ideas but your
ability to express them in English.

2. 2
SPECULATING
... might/could/could well ( be ) / must ( be )
They/he/she look( s ) like...
They look as if ( they are )...
DESCRIBING LOCATION
at the very top / bottom of the picture
in the top / bottom right-/left-hand corner
on the left-/right-hand side
in the foreground / backround
right next to
directly opposite
DESCRIBING SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
compared to/with
in contrast to
similar / almost identical to
slightly / completely different from
not as ( spacious...,etc.) as
less ( modern, luxurious...) than
in a similar position to /different position from
PART 3
In the third part candidates in pairs discuss a certain task such as problem solving, decision
making , planning, prioritising, speculation on given picture prompts etc.
EXCHANGING OPINIONS
In my opinion / view...
Generally speaking , I thing ...
To my mind...
I’d just like to say...
As far as I’m concerned...
I’m quite convinced that...
To be quite honest / frank...
If you ask me...
ASKING FOR THE OPINION OF THE OTHERS

3. 3
What / How about you?
Would you agree with that?
What are your views on...?
What’s your opinion?
What do you think...?
EXAM HINT : You must, of course, state your own point of view but you will also
be given credit for inviting your fellow candidate to express his/her views and encouranging
him/her to make a contribution when they remain silent.
EXPRESSING PREFERENCE
I’d much rather ( do ) ... than...
I could never do / be ... but I’d really enjoy...
There’s no comparison between... and...
I’d prefer... to...
LINKING CONTRASTING IDEAS
whereas / while / but / on the other hand
GIVING YOURSELF TIME TO THINK
Er...I would say that ...
Well now, let me see...
It’s difficult to say exactly but...
I can’t be sure but...
... there might have been...
... there can’t have been...
... there must have been...
... there could have been...
POLITELY ASKING SOMEONE TO REPEAT SOMETHING
I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that...
Sorry, could you say that again, please ?
Could you repeat that, please?
EXPLAINING HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT SOMETHING
Well, the thing is...
The reason is that...
Let me explain... you see...
That’s because...
The fact is...
To be honest...

4. 4
MAKING A CHOICE
I definitely wouldn’t select this one because...
Although this one seems ..., it wouldn’t...
This certainly wouldn’t be my choice because...
DISAGREEING POLITELY
EXAM HINT: You do not have to agree with your fellow candidate all the time. In
fact you will be able to make a fuller contribution to the speaking test if you have some
different ideas of your own to express. But try to be polite and friendly at all times !
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
There may be some truth in what you say but don’t you think it’s more a question of...
I take your point but that’s not the way I see it .
Yes, but don’t you think that ...?
I see what you mean but I’m not at all convinced that...
True, but I’m afraid Idisagree (with you)...
Perhaps, but I can’t help thinking that...
ADMITTING THAT YOU MIGHT BE MISTAKEN
I hadn’t thought of... in that way.
Come to think of it you might be right.
I must admit it’s true that...
I suppose you’re right.
ADVISING SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING
If I were you , I’d (wouldn’t)...
You’d better (not)...
I’d certainly recommend...
It’s high time you ...(past)
PUTTING FORWARD ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW
Yes, but on the other hand don’t you think that...
But to look at it from another point of view ...
But wouldn’t you agree that...?

5. 5
ARGUING FOR
I can’t see anything against ...
I’m all in favour of/ for...
I’d certainly give ... my support.
There’s a lot to be said for...
ARGUING AGAINST
That’s all very well ... but...
You can’t possibly say that...
SAYING YOU ‘D RATHER NOT
Well, I’d rather not, if you don’t mind.
I don’t really feel it’s my kind of thing.
It seems a strange sort of thing to do if you ask me.
Actually, I don’t really think I could find the time.
SAYING YOU AREN’T SURE
Hmm...I’d have to think about it .
Well, I’m in two minds about it really.
I can’t make up my mind.
I’m not altogether sure I’d enjoy it.
SAYING YOU’D LIKE TO
That sounds a great idea!
I can’t think of anything else I’d like better.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d.
PART 4
Candidates, in this part, in pairs discuss topics related to the theme of part 3 .
Speaking test / paper 5 : The test takes 15 minutes for a pair of candidates.
Throughout the Test you are being assessed on your fluency , accuracy , and range of
vocabulary and gram-mar , pronunciation , and task achievement.
NOTE : You are expected to speak clearly so that what you say is easily understood.