How to Improve Your IELTS Speaking Part 1 Answers
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Today I’m going to show you 6 things you can do to improve your IELTS Speaking.
Hi, I’m Keith from the Keith Speaking Academy.
In this quick guide, you’ll discover 6 simple and effective tips that can dramatically improve your answers for IELTS Speaking Part 1. I’ve based these techniques on natural spoken English, easy-to-remember structures, and proven practise strategies.
Let’s get started!
Shadow My Shorts
I don’t mean a shadow… I mean to shadow. This is a simple but effective technique where you repeat closely what I say, almost exactly at the same time as I say it.
And by shorts, I mean my YouTube Shorts!
Here is a playlist of IELTS Speaking Part 1 answers that you can shadow. They are about 30 seconds long which is ideal for shadowing.
Shadowing will help you:
- Remember vocabulary and grammar
- Improve your intonation and pronunciation
- Speak more naturally and confidently
Just watch my short videos and repeat out loud, mimicking my tone and rhythm.
Memorise Chunks
A chunk of language is a group of 2 or 3 words that often go together.
I don’t recommend you memorise complete IELTS Speaking answers, but you can memorise short chunks. This can really help your fluency and confidence. Here are some simple examples of chunks based on this short
- I tend to drink _______
- We’re a family of _______
- I’ll typically have _______
And here is the complete dialogue
Question: Do you drink tea or coffee?
I tend to drink tea at home.
We’re a family of tea drinkers for sure.
However, if I go out,
if I’m meeting friends in a coffee bar,
I’ll typically have a coffee.
Next you can make more examples, such as these:
Next you can make more examples, such as these:
- I tend to drink tea in the morning
- I tend to drink coffee outside
- I tend to drink orange juice in the morning
Try these chunk templates too:
- We’re a family of dog walkers
- We’re a family of football fans
- We’re a family of coffee drinkers
Structure Your Answers With Templates
If you have a lower level of English, or lack confidence, you can use simple structures or templates to help you structure your answer and sound more natural and fluent:
Here are three simple template for IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions.
- Yes… but…
- Yes… because…
- Yes… for example…
Example Question: Do you drink coffee?
- Yes, I usually have a cup in the morning, but not after 3pm because it keeps me awake.
- Yes, I drink coffee because it helps me feel alert and energised.
- Yes, I do drink coffee. For example, yesterday I had one as soon as I woke up and another before lunch.
You can find 10 templates for Part 1 questions here in my IELTS Exam Strategy and Tips course.
Get to the Point
In IELTS Part 1, keep your answers short and focused:
- Don’t waffle!
- Don’t ramble!
- Don’t beat about the bush!
- Don’t prevaricate!
Tip: 2 to 3 sentences is often enough for a great Part 1 answer.
Tell the Truth
Of course, you can lie in IELTS Speaking, if you want. However, Part 1 is about you and usually the questions are simple questions about your everyday life. So, if you tell the truth and speak from real experience, your answers:
- Flow better
- Sound more emotional and engaging
- Feel like real communication
So be honest—even if the truth is simple. It will just help you make a better connection with the examiner which can only help you.
Give 5 Answers to the Same Question
Question: Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Try answering the same question 5 different ways. This is going to help you build flexibility and fluency. Here is an example of five answers for that same question.
Question: Do you prefer coffee or tea?
- If I’m at home, I tend to drink tea. It helps me wake up and it energises me.
- When I’m out with friends, I usually go for a coffee. I typically have a latte if we go to Starbucks.
- It depends where I am, at home, I usually drink tea, whereas if I am out with friends I will probably have a coffee.
- At home I always drink tea, but at work, I normally have coffee to stay focused.
- On weekends, I treat myself to a big latte. I love to read my book and sip my coffee in peace.
You don’t need to do this for every question, but doing it sometimes helps you build flexibility and fluency. It is a great habit that you should build.
Summary: The 6-Step Formula
- Shadow My Shorts
- Memorise Chunks
- Structure Your Answers With Templates
- Get to the Point
- Tell the Truth
- Give 5 Answers to the Same Question
Now it’s your turn!
Try answering this IELTS question:
Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Come up with 2 to 3 natural, honest, and well-structured answers.
And remember, if you keep practising these 6 steps, your fluency and confidence will skyrocket!
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