IELTS Speaking: Parts 1-3

Level: B2. The Speaking test is a real conversation with an examiner, not a computer. It is short — 11 to 14 minutes — and follows the same three parts every time, so you can rehearse the shape and walk in knowing exactly what happens. This page explains each part, the marking, and gives sample answers, then links the course pages that build fluency.

By the end of this page you can…

…describe all three parts of the test, know how long each lasts, understand the four things the examiner scores, and practise with sample answers for each part.

IELTS Speaking at a glance

The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and an examiner, and it is recorded (IELTS). It has three parts and lasts 11 to 14 minutes in total:

Part 1 — Introduction and interview

The examiner introduces themselves and checks your identity, then asks general questions on familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies or interests (IELTS). Answers should be a sentence or two — enough to show range, not a monologue.

Part 2 — The long turn

The examiner gives you a task card asking you to talk about a particular topic. You have one minute to prepare and may make notes, then you talk for one to two minutes, after which the examiner asks one or two rounding-off questions (IELTS).

The card gives a topic and bullet points to cover. Use your preparation minute to jot a few words against each bullet, then keep talking until the examiner stops you.

Part 3 — The discussion

In Part 3, you and the examiner discuss issues related to the Part 2 topic in a more general and abstract way, and in greater depth (IELTS). Expect opinion, comparison and prediction questions about society rather than about you personally.

How the four marking criteria work

A certificated examiner scores your speaking across the whole test on four criteria, each weighting equally; the average gives your Speaking band (IELTS):

Sample answers

Example sentences

Press play and copy the rhythm. These are flexible lines you can reuse across the whole test.

1. I'm a student — I'm in my final year of engineering.
   A full Part 1 answer with one extra detail.
2. I'd say my hometown is fairly quiet but very green.
   Describing a familiar topic in Part 1.
3. That's an interesting question — let me think for a second.
   Buying a moment without awkward silence.
4. The thing I'd most like to talk about is a trip I took last year.
   Opening a Part 2 long turn.
5. I'd learn it by taking lessons and practising every day.
   Covering a 'how' bullet on the task card.
6. It matters to me because it helps me relax after work.
   Covering a 'why it is important' bullet.
7. To sum up, it was one of the best decisions I've made.
   Rounding off a long turn.
8. In my opinion, the main reason is a lack of free time.
   Giving an opinion in Part 3.
9. For example, many people work long hours these days.
   Supporting an opinion with an example.
10. On the whole, I think things have improved over the years.
    Making a comparison across time in Part 3.
11. That said, some people would strongly disagree.
    Acknowledging another view.
12. It's likely that this trend will continue in the future.
    Making a prediction with cautious language.
13. Sorry, I mean affordable rather than cheap.
    Correcting yourself naturally, which is fine.
14. It's a kind of tool you use to measure things.
    Paraphrasing when you can't recall a word.

Quick recap before you practise.

How to say it

A few test words trip up learners — copy the stress.

• interview is IN-ter-vyoo, stress on the first beat.
• pronunciation is pruh-nun-see-AY-shun — note it is not pro-NOUN-ciation.
• vocabulary is vuh-KAB-yuh-lree, stress on the second beat.
• comfortable is often said in three beats: KUMF-tuh-bul.

Usage notes

• It is a conversation, not a speech. In Parts 1 and 3 you reply to the examiner; only Part 2 is a solo turn.
• Self-correction is fine. Fixing a slip naturally shows control; freezing in silence does not.
• Range beats memorised scripts. Examiners recognise rehearsed speeches, which sound unnatural and can lower your fluency score.
• Accent is not marked. Pronunciation is about being understood with little effort, not about sounding British or American.

Practice

Practice

Speaking practice

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 How long is the whole Speaking test?

5–8 minutes 11–14 minutes 20–25 minutes About an hour

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11–14 minutes — The Speaking test lasts 11 to 14 minutes across three parts.

2 In Part 2, how long do you have to prepare?

No preparation time One minute Five minutes Ten minutes

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One minute — You get one minute to prepare and may make notes before speaking.

3 In Part 2 you talk for one to ____ minutes. (number)

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Hint: the maximum length of the long turn

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2 — The long turn lasts one to two minutes.

4 Match each part to what it involves.

• Part 1 Match for Part 1 — choose — a recorded interviewa talk from a task cardan abstract two-way discussionquestions on familiar topics
• Part 2 Match for Part 2 — choose — a recorded interviewa talk from a task cardan abstract two-way discussionquestions on familiar topics
• Part 3 Match for Part 3 — choose — a recorded interviewa talk from a task cardan abstract two-way discussionquestions on familiar topics
• Whole test Match for Whole test — choose — a recorded interviewa talk from a task cardan abstract two-way discussionquestions on familiar topics

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• Part 1 → questions on familiar topics
• Part 2 → a talk from a task card
• Part 3 → an abstract two-way discussion
• Whole test → a recorded interview

Part 1 is an interview, Part 2 a long turn, Part 3 a discussion.

5 Put the three parts in the order they happen.

DiscussionIntroduction and interviewLong turn

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Introduction and interview Long turn Discussion — Part 1 interview, Part 2 long turn, Part 3 discussion.

6 Fill the self-correction: 'Sorry, I ____ affordable rather than cheap.' (one word)

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Hint: a verb for correcting yourself

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mean — 'Sorry, I mean…' is a natural way to self-correct.

Quiz

Check yourself

Speaking quiz

12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.

0/12 0 answered

1. 1How is the IELTS Speaking test delivered?

   A On a computer with a recording B As a face-to-face interview with an examiner C By phone with an automated system D As a written test
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   As a face-to-face interview with an examiner — It is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and an examiner, and it is recorded.

2. 2How many parts does the Speaking test have?

   A Two B Three C Four D Five
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   Three — There are three parts to the Speaking test.

3. 3What happens in Part 1?

   A A two-minute solo talk B General questions on familiar topics C An abstract debate D A written summary
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   General questions on familiar topics — Part 1 asks general questions on familiar topics such as home, family, work and studies.

4. 4What do you get in Part 2?

   A A reading passage B A task card with a topic to talk about C A grammar test D A listening recording
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   A task card with a topic to talk about — In Part 2 the examiner gives you a task card and you speak about the topic.

5. 5How long does Part 2's talk last?

   A 30 seconds B One to two minutes C Four to five minutes D Ten minutes
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   One to two minutes — After one minute of preparation you talk for one to two minutes.

6. 6What is Part 3 like?

   A Questions only about your family B A more general, abstract discussion of the Part 2 topic C A silent writing task D A pronunciation drill
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   A more general, abstract discussion of the Part 2 topic — Part 3 is a two-way discussion exploring the topic more generally and in greater depth.

7. 7Which is NOT a Speaking marking criterion?

   A Fluency and coherence B Lexical resource C Spelling accuracy D Pronunciation
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   Spelling accuracy — The four criteria are fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.

8. 8How are the four Speaking criteria weighted?

   A Pronunciation counts most B Equally, and averaged C Fluency counts double D Grammar is ignored
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   Equally, and averaged — The criteria carry equal weighting and the average gives your Speaking band.

9. 9Is the IELTS Speaking test different in Academic and General Training?

   A Yes, totally different B No, it is the same C Only Part 2 differs D Only the timing differs
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   No, it is the same — The Speaking test is the same in both IELTS Academic and General Training.

10. 10What is the best way to answer a Part 1 question?

    A One word only B A short answer plus one reason or detail C A two-minute monologue D Stay silent to think
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    A short answer plus one reason or detail — Add a reason or detail to show range without over-talking.

11. 11What does 'pronunciation' mean in the marking?

    A Sounding British B Being understood without too much effort C Speaking as fast as possible D Having no accent
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    Being understood without too much effort — Pronunciation is about being understood easily, not about a particular accent.

12. 12What should you do if you forget a word?

    A Stop and give up B Paraphrase, e.g. 'a kind of tool you use to…' C Switch to your own language D Repeat the question
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    Paraphrase, e.g. 'a kind of tool you use to…' — Paraphrasing shows lexical resource and keeps you fluent.

Recap cheat-sheet

How to prepare with this course

• Build opinion and discussion language in Expressing opinions and extend Part 2 with Storytelling and narration.
• Warm up Part 1 small talk with Small talk and networking.
• Improve flow and sound with the Pronunciation overview, Sentence stress and rhythm and the Shadowing technique.
• Talk about your life accurately with Past simple (regular verbs) and Present perfect for experience.

Next

• Start here: English Exams: Which One & How to Prepare
• Speak more smoothly: Shadowing technique
• Build ideas to say: Expressing opinions
• New here? Start with Start Learning English Here