The learner can describe the three Speaking parts, plan a Part 2 cue-card long turn, and self-assess a spoken answer against the four criteria.
How the Speaking test works
The three parts of IELTS Speaking
The IELTS Speaking test lasts 11–14 minutes and is conducted face-to-face with a trained examiner. It is recorded. The test has three parts, each with a different purpose.
Part 1 (4–5 minutes): The examiner asks short, familiar questions about your life — home, work or study, hobbies, daily routines. Answers should be 2–4 sentences, never one word. Extend every answer with 'because', 'for example', or 'whereas'.
Part 2 (the cue-card long turn): You receive a card with a topic and 3–4 bullet-point prompts. You have approximately one minute to prepare and make notes. Then you speak for about two minutes. The examiner may ask 1–2 brief follow-up questions at the end. This is your chance to show sustained, organised speech.
Part 3 (4–5 minutes): The examiner asks deeper, more abstract discussion questions linked to the Part 2 topic. Opinions, comparisons, and reasons are expected. Longer, more developed answers are rewarded.
Your performance is scored on four equally weighted criteria: Fluency and Coherence (speaking smoothly and logically), Lexical Resource (vocabulary range and accuracy), Grammatical Range and Accuracy (variety of structures used correctly), and Pronunciation (clarity, not accent). Fluency matters more than perfection — a natural hesitation is fine, but do not stop and restart every sentence.
Lesson notes
The three parts of IELTS Speaking
The IELTS Speaking test lasts 11–14 minutes and is conducted face-to-face with a trained examiner. It is recorded. The test has three parts, each with a different purpose.
Part 1 (4–5 minutes): The examiner asks short, familiar questions about your life — home, work or study, hobbies, daily routines. Answers should be 2–4 sentences, never one word. Extend every answer with 'because', 'for example', or 'whereas'.
Part 2 (the cue-card long turn): You receive a card with a topic and 3–4 bullet-point prompts. You have approximately one minute to prepare and make notes. Then you speak for about two minutes. The examiner may ask 1–2 brief follow-up questions at the end. This is your chance to show sustained, organised speech.
Part 3 (4–5 minutes): The examiner asks deeper, more abstract discussion questions linked to the Part 2 topic. Opinions, comparisons, and reasons are expected. Longer, more developed answers are rewarded.
Your performance is scored on four equally weighted criteria: Fluency and Coherence (speaking smoothly and logically), Lexical Resource (vocabulary range and accuracy), Grammatical Range and Accuracy (variety of structures used correctly), and Pronunciation (clarity, not accent). Fluency matters more than perfection — a natural hesitation is fine, but do not stop and restart every sentence.