3 ways to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 and tackle any test!

Tackling any test becomes easier if you master these effective ways to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2. Check out the article below on how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 shared by PREP for effective test preparation and achieving high band scores.

I. Steps for examiners and candidates in Speaking Part 2

IELTS Speaking Part 2 is the topic card description section where candidates are asked to speak about a specific topic for about 2 minutes. Here are the steps for examiners and candidates in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 test:

• Step 1: The examiner will provide the candidate with a cue card containing a specific topic, along with a sheet of paper and a pencil for easy note-taking.
• Step 2: The examiner will instruct the candidate to speak about the given topic, including points that can be addressed in the speaking task.
• Step 3: The examiner will give the candidate 1 minute to prepare for the speaking task, allowing the use of the provided paper and pencil for note-taking.
• Step 4: After 1 minute, the examiner will ask the candidate to start speaking. You are required to speak for 2 minutes, so refer to the notes you wrote during the preparation time.
• Step 5: After 2 minutes, the examiner will ask the candidate to stop speaking and proceed to the next question related to the candidate's speech.

II. Effective ways to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 and achieve high band scores

1. Use impressive phrases

The first effective way to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 and achieve high band scores is to use impressive phrases. Regardless of the topic assigned by the examiner, if you know how to structure your speech effectively and convey your ideas to the examiner, you can achieve high band scores. Here are some of the most effective phrases and sentence structures you can use in IELTS Speaking Part 2:

2. Connect sentences in your speech

In the 2-minute response for IELTS Speaking Part 2, the examiner will not ask questions. Therefore, in the first part of your speech, you must clearly demonstrate the structure of your speech so that the examiner can understand your organization. It is advisable to avoid using simple sentences and use as many conjunctions and linking words as possible to create compound and complex sentences. 

3. Effective Note-taking

Note-taking is one of the effective ways to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2. What you take note of in the 1-minute preparation time before speaking will determine the fluency of your speech in the following 2 minutes. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately capture what needs to be written in that 1 minute, and it will help you achieve high band scores.

Some people say that you need to write as much as possible in that 1 minute, but this is not effective and can lead to stress for the candidate. The truth is, you don't need to write that much; quality matters, not quantity. Here are some points to consider for effective note-taking in 1 minute:

• Practice brainstorming and note-taking every day before you start practicing speaking. Note that you should take notes in English, not in Vietnamese, as you will be speaking in English.
• Filter what you will take note of: You only have 1 minute to write, so write down nouns, verbs, or adverbs instead of writing long sentences.
• Organize your thoughts: Take note of a logical sequence so that you can cover all the ideas within the given time.
• Write down unfamiliar vocabulary or words you don't know: Jot down these valuable words to use in your speech; this will help improve your band score.
• Use a pencil, draw charts, diagrams, or concepts: This helps you organize your ideas when speaking. This is an effective way to answer IELTS Speaking and make your speech logical and coherent.

III. Conclusion

These are some effective ways to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2, helping candidates easily achieve high band scores in the actual test. If you have any other ways to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2, feel free to comment below. If you have any specific questions or need assistance with a different topic, please let me know, and PREP will be happy to help.