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.

IELTS speaking part 2 structure

October 9, 2023February 8, 2019 by Ray IELTS Focus

Use a structure to help you talk for the full 2 minutes.

Updated: September 2023

In IELTS speaking part 2, you have to talk for 2 minutes on a particular topic. The examiner gives you a cue card with 1 minute preparation time to make notes. It is important to have a strategy in this part of the speaking as 2 minutes is a long time to talk non-stop, even I would find that a challenge!

The way to make this easier is to structure your talk. Remember that you need to develop your speech like you are telling a story. This is very important for a higher band score.

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.

IELTS speaking part 3 – Six common question types

June 25, 2025August 22, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

How to develop your answers in IELTS speaking part 3.

Updated June 2025

In IELTS Speaking part 3, you need to develop your answer and give a specific example to back up your opinion. Part 1 topics are about you and your life and you don’t need to give a very long answer. However, part 3 topics are broader and you need to give a much longer answer. In fact, the IELTS speaking test is not formal and you can talk in a casual way (but I don’t advise using idioms).

In the speaking test, the examiners will be checking your grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and fluency.

IELTS Speaking part 1 topics and example responses.

October 9, 2023July 21, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

Common topics and model responses for IELTS speaking part 1.

In part one of the speaking test, you will be asked questions on 3 different topics. There could be up to 12 questions. It lasts about 4 to 5 minutes.

The topics are pretty general and are mainly about you. The aim of this part of the test is to get you to speak in a natural way without hesitation. If you are memorising answers or scripts, the examiner will notice that and you could lose points. Make sure you speak naturally.

Structure and tips for IELTS speaking part 3

October 9, 2023January 30, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

IELTS speaking

In IELTS Speaking part 3 you need to give longer answers.

The main focus of this part of the test is to talk at length and give examples. The questions are much broader than in part 1 of the speaking test. You are marked on grammar, vocabulary, fluency and pronunciation.

You will not be marked on your ideas. There are about 6 or 7 question types that could come up. They might be about giving an opinion, comparing, predicting something in the future, talking about people, contrasting and so on. Click here for a lesson on the types of questions in speaking part 3.