How to expand answers in IELTS Speaking: The Most Detailed Methods

Have you ever encountered difficulties in answering questions in the IELTS Speaking test? Have you wondered how to perfect your IELTS Speaking performance? In this article, PREP will show you how to expand answers in IELTS Speaking. Refer to the following article to achieve a high band score in the IELTS exam!

I. How to expand answers in IELTS Speaking by simple sentences

When answering questions in Task 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, you don't need to speak continuously for 1-2 minutes like in Task 2, but you still need to ensure that you don't lose points due to the insufficient length of your response. The first thing you should do is use simple sentences to expand your IELTS Speaking answers and make them complete instead of just using one or a few single words.

For example: Do you have a lot of friends?  Instead of just responding with a single word like "Yes" or "No," we will use a complete sentence. For instance:

• No, I don’t have a lot of friends.
• Yes, I have a lot of friends.

And immediately, your answer sounds much better and more substantial, doesn't it?

II. How to expand answers in IELTS Speaking by FANBOYS

However, is there any method to further expand your IELTS Speaking answers effectively? In this method, we will continue to extend simple sentences using a tool with a catchy name: FANBOYS. So, what is FANBOYS?

In fact, FANBOYS is an acronym for the most common conjunctions in English:

• F - For. It is used to express a reason. We use it like this: What do you like eating? I like eating bananas, for they are healthy.
• A - And. It is used to add additional related information. For example: What do you do in your free time? I usually read books, watch films, and surf the Internet in my free time.
• N - Nor. In the case of a negative response with two negative ideas, we connect them using Nor. Note that Nor is only used in negative sentences. For example: Do you play any sports? No, I'm afraid not. I don't play nor watch sports. I always do badly in PE at school!
• B - But. Use this word to combine contrasting information. For example: What do you usually do in your free time? I like hanging out with my friends, but sometimes I also want to do things I enjoy by myself as well.
• O - Or. It is used to add additional related information. For example: What do you do in your free time? I love eating out with my friends or going to the cinema to watch my favorite movies.
• Y - Yet. Use this word to combine contrasting information.
• S - So. It is used to express the result of an action. For example: What do you like eating? My mom told me that eating bananas is good for my health, so I like them.

III. Tips for Answering 10 IELTS Speaking Questions

1. Link the questions to familiar topics

As you can see, most of the questions above are quite easy and familiar. However, if you happen to be asked a challenging question that you don't know how to answer, like "Do you like watching the sky?" I have a trick that I will reveal shortly, which will make it as easy as pie for you to answer this question. My secret is to link the question to familiar topics and specific topic-related structures so that by studying one topic, you can answer 10 different question types. For example, with the question "Do you like stargazing?" I will link this topic to the category of relaxation and entertainment. And I will prepare some phrases such as "relax" and "recharge my battery." Then, I can form a sentence like this: "I like watching the sky at night because it helps me relax and recharge my battery."

2. Specific topic-related structures

In addition, to expand your IELTS Speaking answers in the most detailed way, you should learn specific topic-related structures while self-studying IELTS Speaking at home. This will be extremely beneficial in the actual IELTS test. If you are asked a difficult question by the examiner, you can apply specific topic-related structures to expand your IELTS Speaking answers. Refer to the following article for more information:

• 6 steps to practice the Shadowing technique to Improve Speaking Skills in 2 months

Hopefully, the above article will be helpful to you in your exam preparation as well as in the actual IELTS Speaking test by showing how to expand answers in IELTS Speaking. Apply these methods to expand your IELTS Speaking answers and impress even the toughest examiners in the IELTS test. If you have any further questions about these methods, please leave a comment below or contact PREP directly for guidance!