This week we're looking once again at the IELTS speaking test.

Some key points to remember are:

the test lasts about 14 minutes, and is in 3 parts in part 1, you answer questions about yourself and where you come from in part 2, you speak on your own for one to two minutes. You have one minute to prepare in part three, the examiner will ask you more general questions related to the part two topic you are graded on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation

Don't forget, most candidates in Taiwan score about 5.5, but most candidates need to score 6.5, so it's important to be well prepared for this section. Now we're going to look at part 2: The long turn You will be given a card outlining a particular topic. You might have to describe a person, a place, a possession or an event. This is a typical part two prompt: Describe a good movie you have seen recently. You should say:

when and where you saw the film what type of film it is and what its about what happens in the story

and you should explain why you enjoyed it. You have one minute to think and make notes, and then you have to talk for up to two minutes on your own. Notice that you have to describe the film, and then explain your feelings about it. IELTS TIPS: Before you speak

Pick a movie to talk about straight away Make notes of keywords to help you remember what to talk

about Remember to answer all parts of the prompt Think about what tense to use when you speak

NOTES Film: Apocalypto Where/when: At home; DVD; 2 weeks ago Type: Historical fiction; action Setting: Pre-European Central America, Mayan empire, jungle Story: Villagers are captured, taken to the city to be executed, one villager escapes Reasons for enjoying it: Amazing sets and costumes, exciting story, original, believable acting IELTS TIPS: While you speak Start by introducing your topic: 'I'd like to talk about ' Exude confidence: speak clearly and look the examiner in the eye. Don't rush! If you make a mistake, say the sentence again correctly e.g.: 'I see the movie last week, sorry, I mean I SAW the movie last week.' Check the question card and your notes so you don't forget what you want to say Stick to the point! If you are not 100% sure of your information, that's OK, just say 'I'm not sure, but I think it was directed by ' Look at these two answers. Which one is better? Why? Example answer 1 I have chosen to talk about a very interesting film I saw recently

called Apocalypto. I just saw it a couple of weeks ago on DVD at home, but I think it was made in 2006. It's basically an action movie with a historical setting. It's set in Central America, just before Europeans discovered the new world. It's about a tribe who live in the jungle. The beginning of the story takes place in a small village in the jungle where they live by hunting and fishing. Later, the tribe is attacked, and the villagers are taken away by terrifying soldiers to the Mayan city, where they will be killed as a sacrifice to the rulers' gods. The main character, Jaguar Paw, escapes from the city and tries to make it back to the village to save his family, and is chased through the jungle by the violent soldiers. One of the best things about the movie is the amazing costumes and the scenery, so you really believe you are there. I also like the fact that it is all in the Mayan language, with English subtitles because this makes it even more realistic. I think the actor who plays the main character is Rudy Youngblood, and he is excellent. Although the other actors are very not very well-known, the acting generally is really good. It was directed by Mel Gibson, and the story is based on an idea he had for the final scene, and so it has a very interesting twist at the end. Example answer 2 My movie is Apocalypto. It's an action movie. The story was in Mexico a long time ago. There were some people living in the jungle. They ate animals from the jungle, the jungle was their home. Then the bad men came. The bad men killed a lot of people, they had a battle, they take the people away, except one woman in a hole, with a baby, and some animals. Then they went to the city, a lot of people died. They had a big building to kill the people. Then he ran away, and the bad men went to. But everyone killed, until the end, when other people came on a boat from somewhere. It's exciting. The movie is very good. The building and clothes are good. I like it because it's exciting. But sometimes I like happy

movies. Romantic movies are good too. I watched Music and Lyrics. It's very funny because everybody liked the man who can sing a song. But it's an old song, so nobody knows what to do. Space movies are also very good. But my mother says I should study, so I only watch them sometimes. Example 1 is a strong answer because:

The speaker introduces the topic clearly They answer the whole question They use the correct tense They show a good range of vocabulary They use a range of structures They give clear reasons why they like the film

Example 2 is weak because:

They don't introduce the topic well They miss out the where/when part of the prompt The tense is wrong and changes It's hard to understand the story The language is very repetitive They go off the point, talking about other movies

Grammar 1. Highlight the verbs in Answer 1 that describe the story. 2. What tense are they in? Why? Answers 1. Verbs: set in; takes place; lives; is attacked; are taken away; escapes; tries; is chased 2. They are in present simple tense. We often use present simple to describe stories. Vocabulary expansion You have to try and use a range of less common vocabulary. Find words in answer 1 that mean the following:

1. The time and/or place a story happens 2. A group of people who live together 3. Very frightening 4. Something given to the gods 5. The leaders 6. A person in a story 7. Special clothes worn in a movie or play 8. The writing at the bottom of the TV or movie screen 9. Famous 10. A surprise at the end Answers 1. the setting; 2. a tribe; 3. terrifying; 4. a sacrifice; 5. the rulers; 6. a character; 7. costumes; 8. subtitles; 9. well-known; 10. a twist Key phrases It's set in Central America in the 17th century. It's about a tribe who live in a jungle. The main character is Jaguar Paw, a hunter. It stars Rudy Youngblood. It was directed by Mel Gibson It is based on an idea for one scene. The best things about it are the costumes and the sets. Think about some movies you know well (Harry Potter, Bridgette Jones, Spiderman). Make sentences like the ones above. To practise more, try recording yourself.

Can you keep going for two minutes? Do you repeat yourself a lot? Is your voice clear? Do you pause a lot?

FAQS Q: Do I need to keep talking for the full two minutes? A: If you have said everything you want to say, you can tell the

examiner you have finished. However, it is a speaking test, and you should try and use the time to display as much of your language as you can, so try and keep going until the examiner stops you. Q: What should I do if I can't remember the English name of a movie or the actors? A: You could say the Chinese name, and then explain what the name means. You are trying to show that you can talk about movies, books and so on, not that you can remember one key word. Also, some movies or books may not have an English name. Q: Do I have to make notes in English? A: No. Many people find notes helpful, but it is entirely up to you whether you want to make any, or what language they are in. If you are not good at making notes, just focus on the key parts of the question.

IELTS TIPS - SPEAKING TIPS ISSUE 6: PART 2

This week we're looking once again at the IELTS speaking test. Some key points to remember are:

the test lasts about 14 minutes, and is in 3 parts in part 1, you answer questions about yourself and where you come from in part 2, you speak on your own for one to two minutes. You have one minute to prepare in part three, the examiner will ask you more general questions related to the part two topic you are graded on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation

Don't forget, most candidates in Taiwan score about 5.5, but most candidates need to score 6.5, so it's important to be well prepared for this section. Now we're going to look at part 2: The long turn You will be given a card outlining a particular topic. You might have to describe a person, a place, a possession or an event. This is a typical part two prompt: Describe a good movie you have seen recently. You should say:

when and where you saw the film what type of film it is and what its about what happens in the story

and you should explain why you enjoyed it. You have one minute to think and make notes, and then you have to talk for up to two minutes on your own. Notice that you have to describe the film, and then explain your feelings about it. IELTS TIPS: Before you speak

Pick a movie to talk about straight away Make notes of keywords to help you remember what to talk about Remember to answer all parts of the prompt Think about what tense to use when you speak

NOTES Film: Apocalypto Where/when: At home; DVD; 2 weeks ago Type: Historical fiction; action Setting: Pre-European Central America, Mayan empire, jungle Story: Villagers are captured, taken to the city to be executed, one villager escapes Reasons for enjoying it: Amazing sets and costumes, exciting story, original, believable acting IELTS TIPS: While you speak Start by introducing your topic: 'I'd like to talk about ' Exude confidence: speak clearly and look the examiner in the eye. Don't rush! If you make a mistake, say the sentence again correctly e.g.: 'I see the movie last week, sorry, I mean I SAW the movie last week.' Check the question card and your notes so you don't forget what you want to say Stick to the point! If you are not 100% sure of your information, that's OK, just say 'I'm not sure, but I think it was directed by ' Look at these two answers. Which one is better? Why? Example answer 1 I have chosen to talk about a very interesting film I saw recently called Apocalypto. I just saw it a couple of weeks ago on DVD at home, but I think it

was made in 2006. It's basically an action movie with a historical setting. It's set in Central America, just before Europeans discovered the new world. It's about a tribe who live in the jungle. The beginning of the story takes place in a small village in the jungle where they live by hunting and fishing. Later, the tribe is attacked, and the villagers are taken away by terrifying soldiers to the Mayan city, where they will be killed as a sacrifice to the rulers' gods. The main character, Jaguar Paw, escapes from the city and tries to make it back to the village to save his family, and is chased through the jungle by the violent soldiers. One of the best things about the movie is the amazing costumes and the scenery, so you really believe you are there. I also like the fact that it is all in the Mayan language, with English subtitles because this makes it even more realistic. I think the actor who plays the main character is Rudy Youngblood, and he is excellent. Although the other actors are very not very well-known, the acting generally is really good. It was directed by Mel Gibson, and the story is based on an idea he had for the final scene, and so it has a very interesting twist at the end. Example answer 2 My movie is Apocalypto. It's an action movie. The story was in Mexico a long time ago. There were some people living in the jungle. They ate animals from the jungle, the jungle was their home. Then the bad men came. The bad men killed a lot of people, they had a battle, they take the people away, except one woman in a hole, with a baby, and some animals. Then they went to the city, a lot of people died. They had a big building to kill the people. Then he ran away, and the bad men went to. But everyone killed, until the end, when other people came on a boat from somewhere. It's exciting. The movie is very good. The building and clothes are good. I like it because it's exciting. But sometimes I like happy movies. Romantic movies are good too. I watched Music and Lyrics. It's very funny because everybody liked the man who can sing a song. But it's an old song, so nobody knows what to do. Space movies are also very good. But my mother says I should study, so I only watch them sometimes.

Example 1 is a strong answer because:

The speaker introduces the topic clearly They answer the whole question They use the correct tense They show a good range of vocabulary They use a range of structures They give clear reasons why they like the film

Example 2 is weak because:

They don't introduce the topic well They miss out the where/when part of the prompt The tense is wrong and changes It's hard to understand the story The language is very repetitive They go off the point, talking about other movies

Grammar 1. Highlight the verbs in Answer 1 that describe the story. 2. What tense are they in? Why? Answers 1. Verbs: set in; takes place; lives; is attacked; are taken away; escapes; tries; is chased 2. They are in present simple tense. We often use present simple to describe stories. Vocabulary expansion You have to try and use a range of less common vocabulary. Find words in answer 1 that mean the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The time and/or place a story happens A group of people who live together Very frightening Something given to the gods The leaders

6. A person in a story 7. Special clothes worn in a movie or play 8. The writing at the bottom of the TV or movie screen 9. Famous 10. A surprise at the end Answers 1. the setting; 2. a tribe; 3. terrifying; 4. a sacrifice; 5. the rulers; 6. a character; 7. costumes; 8. subtitles; 9. well-known; 10. a twist Key phrases It's set in Central America in the 17th century. It's about a tribe who live in a jungle. The main character is Jaguar Paw, a hunter. It stars Rudy Youngblood. It was directed by Mel Gibson It is based on an idea for one scene. The best things about it are the costumes and the sets. Think about some movies you know well (Harry Potter, Bridgette Jones, Spiderman). Make sentences like the ones above. To practise more, try recording yourself.

Can you keep going for two minutes? Do you repeat yourself a lot? Is your voice clear? Do you pause a lot?

FAQS Q: Do I need to keep talking for the full two minutes? A: If you have said everything you want to say, you can tell the examiner you have finished. However, it is a speaking test, and you should try and use the time to display as much of your language as you can, so try and keep going until the examiner stops you. Q: What should I do if I can't remember the English name of a movie or the

actors? A: You could say the Chinese name, and then explain what the name means. You are trying to show that you can talk about movies, books and so on, not that you can remember one key word. Also, some movies or books may not have an English name. Q: Do I have to make notes in English? A: No. Many people find notes helpful, but it is entirely up to you whether you want to make any, or what language they are in. If you are not good at making notes, just focus on the key parts of the question.