3 effective ways to answer IELTS Speaking Part 1 and improve your band score quickly!

Steps when starting Part 1 of the test

Detailed and effective ways to answer IELTS Speaking Part 1

The examiner calls or reads the candidate's number.

Smile and respond with "Yes, that's me" or a similar phrase, and confidently approach the examiner. Then, you can greet them with a simple phrase like "Hello" or "Hi, how are you?" to begin answering IELTS Speaking Part 1.

The examiner and the candidate sit at the test table.

Take a deep breath to prepare yourself, remember to smile and appear comfortable. The examiner will turn on the recording device and prepare the necessary documents for your test. In this part, the examiner will ask you about your passport, so place it on the table in front of you.

The examiner reads the details and asks some basic questions about the candidate, such as "who you are?" and "where are you from?"

The way to answer IELTS Speaking Part 1 here is to be concise, for example: "I am from Hanoi." Remember not to provide too much detailed information about the location or the reasons why the city is famous. Just answer what the examiner asks, remember!

The examiner checks the ID.

You should open your passport to the page containing your photo in advance. When the examiner asks, you can easily present your passport for verification. Say "Yes, here you go" when handing over the passport.

The examiner asks what the candidate is currently doing or where they live.

Be mentally prepared to answer simple and familiar questions. If you are both working and studying, choose one of these options and do not tell the examiner that you are doing both.

The examiner will select questions they want to ask based on your answers, so control the topic selection by saying that you are either studying or working.

If you are neither studying nor working, you can answer IELTS Speaking Part 1 like this: "Actually, I don't study or work, I'm a stay-at-home parent."

The candidate listens to the question and ensures the answer is used correctly.

• What do you study? - Present - I'm studying Marketing at university.
• What did you study? - Past - I studied Marketing when I was at university.
• What will you study? - Future - I'm planning to study Marketing in the future.

Expand your answer by adding some additional information before the examiner asks "Why?"

• What do you study? - Now - I'm studying Marketing at university because I have always wanted to be a Marketer.
• What did you study? - Past - I studied Marketing when I was at university and now, I am preparing to do my doctorate.
• What will you study? - Future - I'm planning to study Marketing in the future, as I believe that Marketing will help all companies deal with future advertising issues.

Prepare for common questions.

Make sure you can fluently answer questions about your work, studies, what you have done, and what you plan to do.

Also, make sure you can answer questions about your place of residence and your country. The way to answer IELTS Speaking Part 1 here is to use linking words or phrasal verbs to connect your ideas together.

Answer clearly, fluently, and at a moderate pace.

The way to answer IELTS Speaking Part 1 here is to pronounce each word and sentence clearly, so don't speak too fast or too slowly.

If you occasionally smile while speaking, this action will effectively convey your words and create a positive impression with the examiner. Remember, this is an effective way to answer IELTS Speaking Part 1.

Also, ensure that you use intonation and rhythm. Emphasize important words or words that indicate contrast. For example: "Well, when I was younger I loved candies, but now that I'm older, I hate them!"

If you don't understand the question, ask for clarification.

• “Could you repeat that, please?”
• “What does _____ mean?”