USEFUL ADVICE FOR THE SPEAKING TEST
I gave the following advice to a student based on written versions of his answers to questions for part two of the IELTS speaking test. I will include a couple of examples to illustrate the points I made to the student.
1. USE COMPLEX SENTENCES to boost grammar
Avoid short simple sentences and try to create more complex ones by using relative pronouns. A complex sentence has a dependent and independent clause in it. The easiest ways to form these are as follows:
- use conditional sentences “if my mother is not home I order their chicken”
- use relative pronouns “if my mother, who is a nurse, is not home I order their chicken”
x Tables were covered with pink tablecloth. It is Ann’s favourite color
The tables were covered with pink tablecloths, which is Ann’s favourite color.
x I want to tell you about a fast food restaurant. It’s called KFC. It has lots of branches in Hanoi. I often go to the one near my office. It only takes me 5 minutes to get there.
I want to tell you about a fast food restaurant which is called KFC. It has lots of branches in Hanoi, and I often go to the one near my office because it only takes me 5 minutes to get there.
2. Use IDIOMATIC LANGUAGE to boost vocabulary
I like listening to music because it’s a great way to chill out and unwind.
Swimming in the morning wakes me up and helps me feel ready to face the day
I’m an early bird and I read the news last week when having a cup of joe in the morning as usual.
My mom is tickled pink with the new washing machine.
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