IELTS Speaking Tips: Asking the Examiner Questions

Can you ask the examiner questions? This page explains clearly about asking the examiner questions in each part of the IELTS speaking test. Learn what questions can you ask and which you can’t ask.

Asking the IELTS Speaking Examiner Questions

Whether it is ok to ask the examiner questions depends on the part of the test. Each part of the test has different limitations and rules. For example, in part 1, the examiner can’t explain, but can repeat the question. In part 3, the examiner can explain the question. Check the limitations below to learn more and be fully prepared for your IELTS Speaking Test.

Asking Questions in IELTS Speaking Part 1

You can ask the examiner to repeat the question in IELTS speaking part 1 (Could you repeat that, please?) but that’s all. You can’t ask other questions. The examiner is limited to asking questions only in speaking part 1 and can’t help you or explain. The examiner can’t explain questions and can’t explain words.

Asking Questions in IELTS Speaking Part 2

You can’t ask any questions in part 2. You can’t ask to change the topic. You must use the topic given to you and try your best to talk about something related to your cue card.

If you don’t understand a word on your cue card, the examiner can’t help you. You need to follow the topic on your card and follow the prompts you understand. You can add any other information you want to your talk to make it longer which relates to the topic.

The examiner will tell you when to start talking and when to stop. You don’t need to ask.

Asking Questions in Speaking Part 3

You can ask the examiner to explain words and to explain the question in IELTS speaking part 3.  This is useful because the examiner will rephrase the question using different words and make it easier to understand. You can also ask the examiner to repeat the question, the same as part 1. Here is the list of questions you can ask in speaking part 3:

  • Could you explain that, please? (the examiner will rephrase the question)
  • What do you mean exactly? (the examiner will rephrase the question)
  • Could you explain what X means, please? (for a specific word)
  • What does X mean? (for a specific word)

Questions You Shouldn’t Ask

  • Have you been there?
  • What do you think?
  • Where do you come from?
  • Do you agree with me?
  • What are your opinions?

The above questions are asking the examiner to participate in your test by answering your questions. This isn’t how the IELTS test works and the examiner isn’t allowed to take your test time to express their own opinions or talk about themselves.

Also don’t ask:

  • Can you change the question?
  • Can you give me a different topic?

The examiner can’t change the topic or the question because you want it changed.

Thinking Time

Sometimes you need to time to think about the question and think of your answer. One way to do that is to ask the examiner to repeat the question. It is a useful way to gain time to think. Just say “Could you repeat that, please?”. Then use the time when the examiner is repeating to formulate your answer in your mind.

Another way to gain some extra thinking time is to use fillers. Fillers are words that fill time while you think, such as “It’s an interesting question. I’ve never really thought about it before. I suppose…” You could use that method for difficult questions in part 3. See this page to learn more about fillers: Are Umm and Ahh a filler for IELTS Speaking?

Will I lose marks if I ask the examiner to repeat the question?

No, it won’t affect your score. Your score is calculated on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. There is no score for understanding or comprehension. So, it is fine to ask the examiner to repeat one to two questions in part 1 or to explain a question in part 3.

Asking the IELTS Examiner to Speak Louder or More Slowly

It’s also fine to ask for the examiner to speak louder if you can’t hear them. You can say “Could you speak a bit louder please because I’m having trouble hearing you? Thanks” It’s really important that you do this if you can’t hear clearly. It definitely doesn’t impact your score to ask this and will actually help you because you’ll be able t hear properly. This is particularly important when doing the speaking test online where the sound might not be so clear. And if the examiner slips back into a quiet voice later in the test, repeat the question to remind the examiner.

It’s also fine to ask the examiner to speak more slowly. Most examiners will speak at a steady pace that is suitable for all candidates. But occasionally, you might get an examiner who speaks a little bit too fast. In this case, just say “Could you speak a little bit slower, please?”. And like the above situation, you can repeat this question later if the examiner forgets and starts speaking too fast.

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IELTS Listening for Plurals: Tips & Practice

In the IELTS listening test, you often need to listen for plurals. If the answer is “projects” and you write only “project”, your answer will be marked wrong.

This IELTS listening video lesson looks at tips and practice to help you listen for plurals.

IELTS Listening for Plurals: Video Tutorial

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IELTS Invitation Letter for GT Writing Task 1

Below is a model answer for an IELTS invitation letter. This particular invitation letter was reported in the IELTS exam last week. The aim of the invitation is a public event. Other invitations can sometimes include holiday invites, private celebration invites or even formal invites from a business perspective.

Instructions:

Writing Task 1: Write a letter to your friend who lives in another country and in your letter:

  • a. Invite him/her to a public event in your country.
    b. Describe the public event.
    c. Explain about other plans you have for your friend when he/she will visit.

IELTS Invitation Letter Model Answer

Hi Dave,

How have you been since we last met?

I thought I’d drop you a line and see if you fancy coming over for Bonfire night which is on November 5th.

Bonfire night is a great event in England, particularly in my hometown. It starts as soon as the sun has set because the event is held around a huge bonfire. As the weather is cold, the bonfire adds wonderful warmth. On the fire, there’s a guy which represents Guy Fawkes, a man who once tried to blow up Parliament. On top of that there’s also fireworks and a chance to cook your own food on the fire, which I’m sure you’ll love.

While you’re over, we’ll be able to do a trip to London as I know you’ve always wanted to visit. The Christmas lights will have been switched on by then and they are amazing. You’ll also be able to visit the Christmas markets and do all your Christmas shopping.

I really hope you’ll be able to come over. It won’t be the same without you.

Write back soon,

Sandra

Words = 183

More IELTS Letters:

Model Complaint Letter

Essential Tips for IELTS Letter Writing

All Writing Task 1 Lessons

 

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IELTS Water Supply Diagram Process

The IELTS diagram below shows two diagram processes in two different time periods – present and future. The diagram was reported in the test twice and will likely appear again as IELTS do recycle writing tasks. This is also known as an IELTS Process.

For diagrams, you must pay attention to key stages of the process. All IELTS writing task1 reports will have an overview and this includes diagrams. The overview is the key paragraph and must summarise the key stages but without writing a list. See the model answer below to learn about this.

IELTS Diagram Process: Water Supply Systems

Below you will find a band score 9 model answer for an IELTS Diagram/Process.

IELTS Diagram Process Water Supply Writing Task 1

IELTS Diagram Model Answer

Note: When you read the model answer below, pay attention to the different tenses used. See if you can spot the future passive voice.

The diagram illustrates the way the water supply system currently works in Australia and how the system will be changed in the future.

Overall, although both systems use the dam as a water supply, the present system returns both storm and waste water directly or indirectly to the river, whereas the future system plans to recycle both forms of water.

The current water supply system shows that water is stored in a dam before being transferred to a city to be used by households, shops and factories. From the city, storm water is directed straight into the river, by contrast waste water is sent to a water treatment plant to be processed. After the waste water is treated, it is safe to be released into the river.

Regarding the future water supply system, water will be brought from the dam for the same uses as in the present. However, both the storm water and waste water from the city are to be directed to the water treatment plant for processing after which they will both be recycled for use in the city. It is planned that no water will be released back into the river.

195 words

Three Key Points:

  1. The introduction provides a paraphrase of the rubric given. It is a short, functional paragraph.
  2. The overview summarises the diagram without getting lost in detail and without forming a list of stages. The overview is sufficiently developed for a high score.
  3. The body paragraphs are well organised with flexible linking which allows for accurate, complex sentence structures as well as a logical order of information. Tenses are used flexibly to show present and future information. As with most diagrams, the passive voice is used alongside the active voice. Vocabulary and collocations are used with accuracy and flexibility.

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Insect Blog: Develop your vocabulary and reading

Hi guys,

I’d like to introduce you to a new blog about insects. It’s written by a guy called Chris who is an entomologist, which is a person who studies insects.

As you know insects is a topic that has appeared in IELTS reading quite a few times and is very difficult because of the academic vocabulary involved. So, this blog can help you become more familiar with this topic. Some of the posts  on Chris’s blog are very high level with a lot of technical language for other entomologists. However, other posts are written for people without knowledge of insects and are very interesting to read, particularly for band score 7, 8 and 9 level students.

The aim of his blog is to share information and teach people about insects that pollinate and insects that are pests. Here’s a link: pests and pollinators by Chris

Liz

IELTS Diagram Recently Reported in the Exam

The IELTS diagram below was reported by a student called Fay in her IELTS test, Oct 10th in the USA. The diagram has been drawn by Fay. This is for the IELTS academic test, not the GT test.

Please note:

This diagram has been altered and is now available to see on this page: IELTS Rainwater Diagram

A model answer is currently available on this page: IELTS Rainwater Diagram

The diagram shows how rain water is collected and prepared for use as drinking water for an Australian town.

IELTS Diagram Reported 2015

I will post a model for this diagram soon. Meanwhile, feel free to post your own writing.

 

Tips:

  • You must introduce the diagram by paraphrasing the information given in the rubric.
  • Your overview must contain the key stages of the process.
  • You must divide the detail into two body paragraphs if you are aiming for a high score.
  • You should use linking devices to show the order of stages.
  • There is no need to compare information. IELTS ask you to compare where relevant and diagrams do not contain information that needs comparing. Your task is to report what is presented in the diagram.
  • You should not express your opinions.
  • You should use the vocabulary given to you. Collocations are important to get right.

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IELTS Writing Scoring: Are task 1 and task 2 equal value?

Learn about how your IELTS writing test is scored. Many students ask me if writing task 1 and task 2 are worth the same points and how the examiner gives a final total score. This page will explain how your score is calculated for IELTS writing.

Are IELTS writing task 1 and task 2 marked individually?

Yes. The marking criteria for task 1 are slightly different to task 2. The same examiner will mark both your task 1 report and your task 2 essay. After that, your final IELTS writing band score is calculated.

Are IELTS writing task 1 and writing task 2 worth the same points?

No, they are not. Writing task 2 is worth more than writing task 1. You get twice the points for writing task 2 than you get for writing task 1. In other words, writing task 2 is about 66% of your marks and writing task 1 is about 33%. For this reason, you are advised to spend about 20 mins in task 1 and about 40 mins on task 2. However, even though task 1 is worth a lot less, it is often the marks for task 1 that can cause you to fail to get the score you want. So, task 1 is still crucial to prepare for.

Example of IELTS Writing Scoring:

For example:

  • Writing task 1 = band score 8
  • Writing Task 2 = band score 6
  • Total Writing Score = 6.5

Please note that these scores are only estimated calculations. Your estimated score will be accurate within 0.5 band score.

Will IELTS tell you your score for task 1 and task 2?

Almost all test centers do not offer a break down of your scores. However, I have heard of one or two centers that do in some countries. So, it is worth checking with your test center.

Are writing task 1 and writing task 2 marked using the same criteria?

No. Each writing task 1 is scored using 4 assessment criteria. Each of the criteria is worth 25% of your marks for that task. 3 of those marking criteria are the same for task 1 and task 2. But one of the marking criteria is different See below:

  • Task Achievement (Writing Task 1 Only): Information, Overview, Key Features
  • Task Response (Writing Task 2 Only): Ideas, Addressing the Task, Conclusion, Developing Ideas
  • Coherence & Cohesion: Paragraphing, Linking and Referencing
  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Sentence Structures, Tenses, Punctuation, Number of Errors
  • Lexical Resource: Vocabulary, Collocations, Spelling, Number of Errors

Differences between Band Scores 5 to 8 & How to Improve your Scores:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Scoring & Tips

IELTS Writing Task 1 Scoring & Tips

All IELTS Band Scores Explained

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Reported 19 Sept 2015

Below is an IELTS writing task 1 table and 3 pie charts reported last week on 19th Sept. I will post a model answer later this week. Follow the link to see a model of the task 1 below: table with 3 pie charts.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Table 3 Pie Charts 2015

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