IELTS Speaking Guide: Giving Answers with a Reason (Topic: Home)

In the first section of the IELTS speaking test, the examiner will ask 3-4 questions about 1 topic.  You will normally be asked about 3 different topics.

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Tip:  Never give one-word answers.  Always give a reason for your answer; do not make the examiner ask you, “Why?”

Example:  Do you spend a lot of time outdoors?

Answer:  Yes, I do go outside a lot because I enjoy taking walks and breathing fresh air.

Vocabulary Building-Warm-Up

Look at the following categories.  Choose a letter and try to think of as many words as possible that are related to each category.

Example:  Letter:  T

Category:  Items in a kitchen

Possible Answers: teapot, tea, table, tap, towels, Tupperware.

Use the following categories for each letter that you choose.

Items in a kitchen

Furniture

Things you hang on a wall

Items in a bathroom

Rooms in a house

Things in a living room

Colors you paint a house

Dishes you cook

Activities in a living room

In order to prepare properly for the exam, you need to think about how you would answer a question and give the reason for your answer.

1.  How would you describe your home?

Answer:  ______________________________________

Reason: ______________________________________

Complete Sentence: __________________________________________ because __________________________________________

2.  Do you see yourself living in your home for a long time?

Answer:  ______________________________________

Reason: ______________________________________

Complete Sentence: __________________________________________ because __________________________________________

3.  What is your ideal home?

Answer:  ______________________________________

Reason: ______________________________________

Complete Sentence: __________________________________________ because __________________________________________

4.  Do you like your home?

Answer:  ______________________________________

Reason: ______________________________________

Complete Sentence: __________________________________________ because __________________________________________

5.  What is your favorite room in your home?

Answer:  ______________________________________

Reason: ______________________________________

Complete Sentence: __________________________________________ because __________________________________________

6.  If you could redecorate your home, what would you do?

Answer:  ______________________________________

Reason: ______________________________________

Complete Sentence: __________________________________________ because __________________________________________

7.  What don’t you like about your home?

Answer:  ______________________________________

Reason: ______________________________________

Complete Sentence: __________________________________________ because __________________________________________

Speaking Activity:  Practice asking and answering the above questions with a partner.  Try not to use your notes.

Listening Activity:  Practice asking the questions again but this time, write down your partner’s answers and think of a follow-up question to ask.

Partner’s Answers and Follow-up questions.

1.  Answer:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Follow-up Question:  ____________________________________________________________________

2.  Answer:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Follow-up Question:  ____________________________________________________________________

3.  Answer:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Follow-up Question:  ____________________________________________________________________

4.  Answer:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Follow-up Question:  ____________________________________________________________________

5.  Answer:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Follow-up Question:  ____________________________________________________________________

6.  Answer:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Follow-up Question:  ____________________________________________________________________

7.  Answer:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Follow-up Question:  ____________________________________________________________________