4 IELTS Speaking Secrets to EXPANDING Your Answers and IMPROVING Your Score

Summary

The video offers practical strategies for improving answers in the IELTS speaking test by extending responses effectively. It focuses on four key techniques: condition and restriction, attitude and opinion, reason and result, and contrast and doubt. By utilizing these methods, candidates can enhance fluency and coherence, using complex sentence structures naturally. Examples from all parts of the speaking test demonstrate how to apply these techniques to boost IELTS scores. Additionally, the video emphasizes the importance of natural grammar and provides useful tips for managing difficult topics during the exam.

Takeaways

• 💡 Expanding answers in IELTS speaking is crucial for better fluency and coherence scores.
• 📈 To score band 7 or above in fluency and coherence, candidates must extend their answers using various techniques.
• 🔄 Four methods to expand answers: condition and restriction, attitude and opinion, reason and result, and contrast and doubt.
• 📝 Using conditional sentences with 'if' and 'unless' allows you to express complex ideas and hypothetical situations.
• 🗣️ Modal verbs like 'would' and 'should' are useful for expressing opinions, desires, and probabilities.
• 📖 Including reasons and consequences in your answers with phrases like 'because' and 'so' helps you explain and elaborate more effectively.
• ⚖️ Contrast and comparison using phrases like 'though', 'on the other hand', and 'however' can extend answers and show nuanced thinking.
• 🎯 Fluency involves natural, unscripted speech, with grammar accuracy and the ability to use advanced structures in a spoken format.
• 📚 Conditional sentences and modal verbs are especially useful in part two and part three of the IELTS speaking test.
• 🧠 Even when faced with unfamiliar topics, using these techniques can help you organize your thoughts and improve your score.

Q & A

Question 1: Why is extending answers important in the IELTS speaking test?

Extending answers is crucial in the IELTS speaking test because it demonstrates your ability to express ideas fluently and coherently. The examiner looks for candidates who can speak at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence, which helps improve fluency scores.

Question 2: What are the four techniques mentioned to expand answers in IELTS speaking?

The four techniques to expand answers are: using condition and restriction, expressing attitude and opinion, explaining reason and result, and comparing with contrast and doubt.

Question 3: How does using conditional sentences help in the IELTS speaking test?

Using conditional sentences helps you demonstrate more complex grammar structures. For instance, sentences starting with 'if' or 'unless' allow you to discuss hypothetical or unreal situations, showcasing your ability to handle different tenses and verb forms.

Question 4: Can you give an example of using 'if' to expand an answer?

Yes, an example could be: 'I don't think I would like to become a teacher. If I had more patience, then perhaps I would, but there's also the salary issue. If they paid teachers more, who knows?' This structure uses 'if' to introduce hypothetical scenarios.

Question 5: What is the difference between spoken and written English in the context of the IELTS speaking test?

Spoken English is generally less formal and often includes unfinished sentences or implied meanings. In the IELTS speaking test, it's important that your grammar is accurate but also that your speech sounds natural, reflecting how people communicate in everyday situations.

Question 6: How can modal verbs like 'would' and 'should' be used to express attitude and opinion?

Modal verbs like 'would' and 'should' express attitude by indicating what is probable or ideal. For example, 'Teachers should earn a good salary' expresses what is desirable, while 'Their academic performance should improve' indicates probability.

Question 7: How does using 'because' and 'so' help explain reason and result in IELTS speaking?

'Because' explains the reason behind something, and 'so' shows the result or consequence. For example, 'I use my smartphone for the time because I don't wear a watch anymore' or 'I'm very health conscious, so I might get a smartwatch to monitor my health.'

Question 8: What role does contrasting play in extending answers in the IELTS speaking test?

Contrasting helps you compare two ideas, which allows you to expand on your thoughts. Phrases like 'though' and 'on the other hand' help present opposing viewpoints, enriching your response and demonstrating your ability to think critically.

Question 9: How can 'though' and 'on the other hand' be used naturally in spoken English?

'Though' is commonly used in informal speech to introduce a contrast at the end of a sentence, such as 'I enjoyed science classes, though I found physics difficult.' 'On the other hand' introduces a contrasting idea, like 'I don’t see the need for expensive watches, but on the other hand, some people enjoy them as a status symbol.'

Question 10: How can expanding answers improve your overall IELTS band score?

Expanding your answers allows you to provide more complex and coherent responses, which improves both fluency and coherence scores. Using varied structures like conditionals, modals, and contrasts also demonstrates better grammatical range and accuracy, which contributes to a higher band score.