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In IELTS Speaking Advice is a common topic. It can appear in Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.Â
In this lesson, there is lots vocabulary, including collocations, and idioms, that you need to talk fluently about the topic of giving, getting and following advice in the IELTS Speaking test.Â
What you will learn
IELTS Vocabulary: Advice
Here is some essential language to talk about the IELTS Speaking topic of giving and getting advice
To advise (v.)
Advice (n.) Uncountable noun
- He gave me some adviceÂ
- She gave me a good piece of adviceÂ
- He gave me a bit of adviceÂ
Other commonly mistaken words that are uncountable but can take ‘a piece of’ to make them countable are…
News / information / adviceÂ
Advisable (adj.)
It’s not very advisable to watch too much TVÂ
Giving adviceÂ
We can say:
- He advised me to goÂ
- He recommended me to goÂ
- He recommended/suggested going
- He recommended/suggested that I go
- I recommended/suggested that she goÂ
Notice in this last case we use Subject + subjunctive. This is why we say “she go” instead of the usual “she goes”.
Collocations
- A bit of adviceÂ
- A friendly piece of advice
- Constructive advice = positive / helpful
- Unsolicited advice = don’t ask forÂ
- Sensible advice = logical / usefulÂ
- To heed advice = to follow advice or take advice
- To ignore advice
IELTS Speaking Conversation about Advice
Here is some useful language from the conversation I had with  my guest Martin from Rock n Roll English  about ADVICE
I try to pass on (= share / give) useful advice to studentsÂ
Advice I pass on for the exam is to not speak too quickly
I’ve been getting advice about parentingÂ
I have got some very welcome advice from other parents
My plan went out of the window = it was no longer useful, I had to forget it.Â
You get completely different adviceÂ
Follow your instinct = follow your feelings
I am a bit queasy = get dizzy easilyÂ
To have a meltdown = go crazyÂ
If your baby has a meltdown, don’t have a meltdown too, stay calm.Â
The following 4 phrases mean to improvise, or do without planning,
- To play it by ear
- To go with the flowÂ
- To wing it
- To do it off the cuffÂ
I didn’t plan my presentation for yesterday’s meeting, I just winged it. I like to play it by ear!
In hindsight = looking back and seeing the danger or opportunity of an event in the past.
In hindsight, it was a mistake to give up my job, because now I have no salary.Â
To burn your bridges = To action so there is no way backÂ
When you leave a company, you should stay in touch with your bosses. Don’t burn your bridges because you never know when you may need them.
IELTS Listening Practice: Topic ADVICE
Watch the video of Stan where he is giving his girlfriend 6 pieces of advice.
1. What is the advice about?
- ________
- ________
- ________
- ________
- ________
- ________
Answers at bottom of the page
Also try to fill in the gaps below with the correct word.
- I ____ you add a bit more salt, it’s a bit bland (not salty) for my liking.Â
- ____ don’t you watch The Crown? I’ve heard it’s really good.
- If I were you, I ___ buy him a nice T-shirt or something like that, your Dad’s into fashionable clothes. Â
- I reckon you ____ ask for a raise, it’s about time you had one. Â
- I think it’d be _____ if you let me do it, you look really tired.
- I wouldn’t do that if I were in your _____, that’s asking for trouble, my ________ would be to ignore it all together, or just delete it.Â
Answers at bottom of the page
Idioms to talk about Advice
Here are a number of idioms that can be used when talking about advice.
I am at a loss, can you give me some advice? = I don’t know what to do!
A word in your ear, don’t that! = A friendly piece of advice
Don’t bite off more than you can chew = don’t do too much!
Give it your best shot = Do your best!
Learn to walk before you run! = don’t do too much!
Think before you jump/leap = think before actingÂ
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch = Don’t assume something you want will happen, until you know for sure it will happen.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you = don’t shoot yourself in the foot, don’t attack the things /people you really needÂ
To give you two cents = to give your opinion / advice
Make hay while the sun shines = make the most of the good times you have now (before they finish)
Students' Questions about Advice
Keith do you often follow other people’s advice?
Well, it’s an interesting question. I would say it depends on who is giving me advice. If it’s a person I trust strongly and somebody who,Â
maybe, has been through a similar experience, then I would probably heed what they have got to say. However, you know if it’s
unsolicited advice from somebody maybe I don’t know or don’t respect or don’t trust then it’s unlikely, I am gonna follow what they say. So,
I can be a little bit picky (=fussy) about whose people I….. , whose advice I follow.
IELTS Listening Practice: ANSWER KEY
Â
Watch the video of Stan where he is giving his girlfriend 6 pieces of advice.
What is the advice about?
- Cooking
- Which TV series to watchÂ
- Buying a present for her Dad.
- Asking her boss for a raiseÂ
- Doing the housekeeping / cleaning the houseÂ
- A scam email Â
Â
- I suggest you add a bit more salt, it’s a bit bland for my liking.Â
- Why don’t you watch The Crown? I’ve heard it’s really good.
- If I were you, I’d buy him a nice T-shirt or something like that, your Dad’s into fashionable clothes. Â
- I reckon you should ask for a raise, it’s about time you had one. Â
- I think it’d be best if you let me do it, you look really tired.
- I wouldn’t do that if I were in your shoes, that’s asking for trouble, my advice would be to ignore it all together, or just delete it.
More live lessons for you
If you liked this lesson, leave a comment below!
There are more lessons you can follow in the links below too.
AMBITION in IELTS Speaking. Vocabulary and ideas to talk about ambitions, as well as some model answers.
FEELINGS in IELTS Speaking Vocabulary you need to describe a range of different feelings, as well as talking about topical issues such as mental health
COMEDY in IELTS Speaking Learn different types of comedy and idiomatic expressions related to comedy and jokes.
Hi there,
First, I would like to thank you for all the valuable material you share with us. I noticed the use of “He recommended me to go” in this lesson. Is this structure commonly accepted in English, or are there more standard alternatives?
Thank you Keith sir , your website is extremely useful for us . We cannot only enhance our English language but also cultivate our confidence level in front of the community. Apart from this, you are down to earth teacher.
Thank you and glad you like the website
Dear Keith, your lesson is soooooo useful. I am extremely grateful to you. And i want to ask whether you can add wonderful podcasts as well about each lesson’s knowledge after class and in this case, i think it is more convient to review and listen repeadly to remember the knowledge and the correct prouniciation.
It’s a great suggestion Caroline. I might be looking at doing that in the near future.
Did i can get certivigate at the end of the course
Awesome!
Thank you so much!