IELTS – Test 1 – Speaking
Updated on February 11, 2026
Explanation
What is the IELTS Speaking Test?
The format of the IELTS Speaking test is the same for both Academic and General Training. There are three parts to it, and it lasts 11 to 14 minutes.
Exercises & Summary
- Part 1: A few short questions about you and everyday things (4–5 minutes).
- Part 2: One topic for a cue card. You have one minute to get ready and two minutes to talk.
- Part 3: A more in-depth talk that builds on Part 2 (about 4–5 minutes).
Some test centers also offer Speaking by video call, but the format and scoring stay the same.
What goes on in Part 1?
- The person who is testing you looks at your ID and asks for your name.
- Then they bring up topics by saying things like “Let’s talk about…”
- You usually get three topics, and each one has a few questions.
How to give a good answer (Part 1):
- Write more than one sentence, like two to four.
- Give a reason (“because…”) and a short example.
- Don’t memorize; speak naturally.
What goes on in Part 2?
You get a cue card that says:
- the main point
- bullet points to add
- a last question: “explain why/how”
You have one minute to plan and then one to two minutes to talk. The point is to show that you can talk for a long time and make your ideas clear.
Tips for planning (1 minute):
- Don’t write full sentences; just write keywords.
- Keep it simple: Past → Details → Result → Thinking about it
- Think of one or two quick examples to back up what you’re saying.
What goes on in Part 3?
Part 3 is related to Part 2, but it gets less specific and more general (society, trends, pros and cons, causes and effects).
How to give a good answer (Part 3):
- Use a clear structure: opinion, reason, example, and short conclusion.
- Look at: “In the past…, but now…”
- Balance: “On one hand… on the other hand…”
How do you get points for IELTS Speaking?
There are four criteria for grading speaking, and each one is worth 25%:
- Fluency and Coherence (flow and logic)
- Lexical Resource (the range and accuracy of words)
- Correctness and variety in grammar
- Pronunciation (stress, clarity, rhythm, and intonation)
Quick habits that help your band (practical)
- Sometimes use different words for simple ones: good → useful, valuable, or fun
- For example, “actually,” “as a result,” and “in my view” are all linking words.
- If you need to, correct yourself once: “I mean…”
- Keep going; it’s okay to take short breaks, but don’t stop talking.