IELTS Vocabulary: Adverbial phrases in speaking

December 4, 2023November 20, 2020 by Ray IELTS Focus

Comment adverbials and set phrases for a higher speaking score.

Updated: December 2023.

In the IELTS speaking exam you will be judged on the range and accuracy of your vocabulary, so having a wide range of expressions helps your score. Native speakers use comment adverbials a lot and it is common when speaking in a casual informal way (sometimes they can be formal).

Comment adverbials are a good way to show emphasis that something is surprising, true, disappointing, coincidental, unbelievable, fortunate, or unfortunate.

Key point: These are mainly used in speaking, but in IELTS writing they would look too informal.

9 tricky IELTS speaking part 2 topics

October 9, 2023August 22, 2019 by Ray IELTS Focus

Tips and ideas for difficult IELTS speaking part 2 topics.

Updated: September 2023

Sometimes in IELTS speaking, you will get a tricky topic to answer in part 2. It can cause anxiety if you go into the exam and get presented with one of these. The important thing here is to use your imagination if you cannot think of a story.

Be prepared with a few ideas beforehand as that will go a long way to easing your nerves. I haven’t given any model answers here because there are so many variations on how you could answer these. Click the blue buttons to see the tips and ideas.

Are you stuck at Band 6 in speaking?

October 9, 2023October 9, 2018 by Ray IELTS Focus

‘Why can’t I get Band 7 in speaking?’

Updated: September 2023

There are a lot of IELTS students out there stuck on a Band 5 or Band 6 in the speaking section and are frustrated. Many of you are near to giving up on hitting a Band 7.

Some people get the wrong advice, poor feedback, or are promised a high score by their teacher just to keep them happy. It is important to be realistic about this.