IELTS Speaking Part 1: Dictionaries

A new topic in IELTS speaking part 1 this year. Learn some useful vocabulary and ideas for the topic of Dictionaries by watching this lesson.

Comments

  1. Shoua Iqbal Qureshi says

    very useful . Thanks

  2. Passy Asupasa says

    Thanks so much Liz was fearing but am now confident enough to do my test your website is so help full may God bless you

  3. Amirali says

    My Dear Liz,
    I hope you are doing well, I should tell you, ” You are one of the best influencers I have ever seen “.
    By the way, you have uploaded all teaching videos and documents kindly with us for free. It is pleasant and precious. Likewise, we can utilise them without any payment or claim.
    So, I must appreciate you for everything and I hope that you are in health and joy.

  4. You are the best teacher i have ever seen couz you are doing a great job with providing all a free lessons of ielts πŸ‘πŸ˜ god bless you.

  5. God bless you always,I always enjoy your lecture videos, wishing they never end!
    πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

  6. pranathi says

    Is there any chance that examiner would change the questions after if we say no to what he asked
    For instance examiner: Do you often use dictionary
    speaker : NO

    • No, the examiner won’t change the topic. Just because you don’t use dictionaries often doesn’t mean your English language will fail and stop. You can still talk about what you do know, how you learn new words, when you use a dictionary, what you used them for in schools (or why you didn’t use them) etc etc. This is not testing your knowledge. Part 1 topics are about everyday life which you can talk about whether you like the topic or not.

    • Dear Liz you probably didn’t understand the question asked for pranathi, because I also need that information. The question asked, says: is there any chance the examiner will change the QUESTION if you say ‘No to what was asked? and not change the TOPIC as you wrote.

      • I understand. Let me explain a couple of things:
        1. The examiner isn’t interested in the information you give. The examiner only wants to hear your English. So, if the examiner asks “Do you often use a dictionary” and you say “No”, you are showing the examiner only single word in English which doesn’t show anything of your English level. Every question is a chance to showcase your English. So, you ought to answer “No, I don’t because I rarely need to look up words” or “No, I don’t but I do use the thesaurus option when I type using a Word document” or “No, I’ve never really got into the habit of using one.” Now you have answered the question and given an example of your English language by using a clause or a relevant phrasal verb or a present perfect verb form.
        2. If your answer is makes no sense to the question, such as “Do you like swimming?” and you say “There is no pool in my neighbourhood”, the examiner will probably repeat the question because you probably didn’t hear it correctly. Just because there’s no pool near your house, doesn’t affect whether you like or dislike swimming. The answer doesn’t actually answer the question at all. So, repeating the question in this case serves a purpose – it allows you to hear the question again and try to answer it again because the previous answer made no sense. That is the only reason a question would be repeated – it is for your benefit to give you a second chance if it is a completely irrelevant and nonsensical answer.
        3. There is no right or wrong answer. Every person will have a different answer to the same question. Some people like swimming, some people don’t. It makes no difference what you like or don’t like as long as you answer the question and showcase your English to get a high score. IELTS is not a trick test whereby you are being forced to like something you don’t like. IELTS is a test of your ability to use your English language in a flexible way to present your opinion, your feelings, your thoughts etc. Only your English language is marked, not your actually feelings or ideas.
        4. Your aim with every question is to be open, natural, direct and chatty. Your aim is to use every question as a chance to show your English. Saying you don’t like something or don’t use something is a great way to show you can use English to express yourself and explain yourself.

        So, ultimately, the examiner has no reason to repeat a question if you have answered it in a relevant manner, regardless of whether you do or don’t do something. The examiner will only pay attention to the English language in your answer and then move to the next question, such as “Why do you think other people often use dictionaries”, “How do you learn vocabulary?” etc. And again, each question is a chance to showcase your English in a natural way. Be yourself, be confident, be honest about your feelings and be chatty.

        I hope this explanation helps. Do you think it might help me to make a video lesson about this? I have a feeling it is a common concern. All the best, Liz

  7. Hello Liz. Thanks so much for all the time. I am writing my speaking test on 7th this month. Please, can I get some recommendations and things to practice prior the time?

  8. Israel says

    Please madam , my speaking test is coming up in two days time, can you aid me on how to expand my communication time with the test officer. I feel my answers are too short . please ma how can i make it longer without speaking outside the topic of discussion . Thanks .

    • See the main speaking page for model answers and tips for speaking – click on the RED BAR at the top of the website.

  9. Nicolas Raggi says

    Hello Liz!
    About this subject, there are also technical dictionaries. Those dictionaries explain technical words related to an activity or profession which sometimes can`t be found in the regular ones, or the meaning for the specific subject often differs from the general use.
    Your webpage is awesome! It helps me a lot.
    Cheers!

    • Thank you! Absolutely! My Grandfather actually wrote dictionaries and one of them as a dictionary of medical language for foreigners. I’m shamed that I forgot it!!

      • Could I know the name of your Grandfather’s dictionary? Thanks in advance!

        • My Grandfather wrote a number of books for English Language Learners. One was the Oxford University Press Dictionary of Idioms and the Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. However, these were older editions – not the new editions. My Grandfather has been dead for a few decades now. He also wrote a medical dictionary for Spanish speakers and some other books that I don’t remember.

  10. Somtoo Dominic Okolie says

    You are unique madam..
    I will love to meet you in future

  11. Kajuju says

    Wonderful Liz. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing, indeed sharing is caring . God bless you.

  12. fatima says

    Thank you so much Liz.

  13. SOUMIA says

    I AM FROM ALGERIA
    AND I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE WONDERFUL
    THANK YOU VERY MUCH

  14. Shankar says

    Hi Liz,
    Is it expected to hamper my band scope if I use a word or a phrase that is strictly not english. E.g., Ad nauseum or QED?

    • You have to explain it if you use it. Some expressions are actually used in English, for example “dejavu” which is a French word now used in the English language. But it is a foreign word, not used in English, make sure you explain it.

  15. Thanks Liz for the free resources on this website. My speaking test is scheduled for January 17th, 2018. How I wish I had come across your website much earlier but I have learned a lot from your website.

    Thanks.

  16. harpinder maan says

    Hlo Liz
    Today my speaking test
    So give me information about recent cue cards

  17. kamal kamboj says

    hello mam my speaking is not well so give any tips for me which for me more helpful

      • Hello Liz.
        I’m supposed to sit for my speaking exams on the 15th of January but I’m still finding the second section to be quite tricky any ideas on how I can hundle this section.

        • Do you think the examiner will mark your ideas? Do you think the examiner will mark if you go off topic? If you think those things, you are wrong. Your aim is to plan what extra information you will give:
          1) past memories of your own
          2) comparisons
          3) descriptions of people and places
          4) future hopes and desires
          It is your task to add more of your own feels, experiences, descriptions etc. Follow the prompts but also add your own prompts.

        • Thanks for the advice.
          I’m working to get a band score 7 and above which I’m sure I’m going to manage.

          • Sanju says

            Is there any chance that examiner would change the topic if i would say no. For instance- if examiner will ask me in you oinion insects are important or not
            Than i would say i have no any information about insects and science also
            So examiner would not ask me questions about science??

            • The examiner won’t change the topic because you don’t have detailed information about something. Even in your own language, if you don’t know much about insects, you can still talk about your feelings, your opinions, your experience in relation to them. Just because you don’t know the name of a single insect, doesn’t mean you can’t talk about it. IELTS speaking is testing your range of English and also your ability to handle conversations such as this. Language should not fail you because you don’t know the topic. Looking at the topic if science, even if you don’t know about science in detail, I’m sure you studied it at school and can remember how you felt, your experiences etc etc. And so it goes with all topics. The examiner isn’t interested in your knowledge, just your ability to speak English.

  18. Lupe Proscia says

    I dont suppose Ive learn anything like this before.

  19. betty says

    Hi liz, your page has helped me a lot but my problem is that how will I improve my vocabulary , fluency , grammar and also how to elaborate my answers. Some of the questions got me thinking, how will I answer any question without thinking that long. Please Liz, I need you help urgently. Betty from Nigeria.

  20. jasmeen says

    I am sooo happy so choose this website .Shes alwys help me . Nd m sooooo glad god bless u liz . U help alwys the people 😌😌😌😊😊

  21. prince says

    Hi liz . in the topic of study I want to know what is the different between “My Subject” and “My Major” .. like i’m study architecture .. is it subject or major ?
    and thank you so much ^^

    • The word “major” is mainly used in degrees whilst the word subject can be used for degrees, school etc.

  22. Santiago says

    Hello Everyone,

    I have found all this material very useful, however, I just presented the IELTS few weeks ago and I had this question about an historic event in my country. I have seen and there is no examples given for this answer, so I recommend you to keep it in mind.

    • Thanks for sharing πŸ™‚ An historic event could be anything – a war, a declaration, a new law, the day something opened or closed etc. Almost anything you can think of.

  23. Hi,
    My name is Aamir. I have appeared in IELTS twice before and always get 7.5 band as an average score. Since my IELTS has expired I shall appear again on the 4th of coming march but I do not find any time to prepare for it.
    Do you think I could maintain my score with a daily practice of 1 hour?
    Aamir Saeed

  24. thanks Liz madam… i appreciate your effort

  25. Hi Liz,

    This is such a useful clip.Your teaching style is really easy and quick to understand,very impressive.Well done,keep the blaze of teaching alive.Stay blessed,keep smiling!

    Regards,
    Sarvat

  26. Thank you so much for your absolutely useful website and your perfect pronunciation of words.
    This video helped me alot.
    Thanks again.

  27. This video is very useful i prefer to all the ielts students to watch this lesson and improve your abilities.

  28. Really nice i like it πŸ‘

  29. Thank you so much. I was so confused with this topic, however this video has helped me a lot on the topic.

  30. omid najari says

    Thanks Liz

  31. Rodela says

    Hello Liz,
    Thank you so much for your motivated video lectures. I will sit for IELTS exam on 18th June this year. Please give me suggessions what I have to practice. I have problem in reading section 3 and it is helping me to ge poor marks πŸ™

  32. jesse j says

    Hi liz, I’m very happy to have known this site may God continue to bless u everyday as u help people like me. I have a question though, can one access a speaking ielts band 9 example either written or spoken without youtube? Cos my phone can hardly access that site. Lots of love from Nigeria

    • All model answers on this website are band 9 and do not require youtube. See each of the main pages on the red nav bar.

  33. Yusuf says

    Hey dear

    I wish I was a student in your class.

  34. Liz , you are the best! You have helped many people around the world! πŸ™‚

    Cheers from Brazil!

  35. SUNY gill says

    Hello mam could you please send me some question and answer for speaking so I can get good words and I will reach my goal thanks lot

  36. mariwan says

    hello dear Liz
    I appreciate your effort

  37. safeera says

    hi liz , your website is really helpful , I have recomanded it to my other fellows , i wanted to ask you one Question , there is a word ” hitherto ” tell me can i use this word in my speaking test ? like can i say something like this ” hitherto i am not doing studies nor job but yes i have so splendid plans for my studies??? please answer

    • IELTS speaking is an informal test so it would be unnatural to use such a word in speaking.
      All the best
      Liz

      • safeera says

        thank u so much I got it ma’am and sorry for posting that question again πŸ˜›
        anyways i gave my test and waiting for my result πŸ™‚ hope so i will get my 6 , thank u soooo much for you website, students like me will always pray for u πŸ™‚ keep it up mam

  38. hey …thank you for your lessons but i have one question …. how i can improve my speaking at home ?

  39. It is very useful website because this site has lucid clear speaking writing task 1 writing task 2 and vocabulary has been improved my idea and topic thanks

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