Speaking: Creating a story or answering a slightly different question in Task 2
If you’re preparing for IELTS, and feel you cannot answer some of the speaking questions properly, simply because they really do not apply to your current life experience, then don’t worry as you’re not alone.
For example:
Q. Talk about an object you own that is especially valuable or important to you.
Problem: I have a quite spartan lifestyle and I don’t have any emotional attachment to any objects I own.
Q. Talk about a object that has had great influence in your life, and explain how it influenced your life.
Problem: While I could talk for hours about books that I love, I don’t really feel that there is a book that has truly influenced my life.
So, what would be the best strategy here?
Strategy One
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Make something up. You can create a story about a watch you inherited from a grandfather and that’s very important to you, or I can make up a story about how a book made you the person you are today.
Issue and Risk
1 You might think that answering the question will impress the examiner as you’re attempting to answer the question.
2 Trying to answer the question directly might be difficult and result in pauses and correction while trying to access ideas and words. This can affect you fluency and your Band Score.
3 If you try to remember unfamiliar words, you’re likely to make more grammar errors and possible pronunciation errors. These can affect you Band Score.
Strategy Two
- Be honest. For example, say that you don’t feel that there is a book that has truly influenced your life, but you can talk about a book that I really enjoyed reading.
- Or say that while you’re not really attached to any object, your computer or smartphone would probably be the items you would be most upset from being stolen.
Issue and Risk
1 You might consider you will upset the examiner by not answering the question directly.😳🤔
2 There might be less risk as the topic will be familiar to you, and so vocabulary will be more accessible. 💥👍
3 If you’re discussing a more familiar topic, you’re probably going to be more fluent too!👍💥
Remember, it’s a test of your language ability, not intelligence or knowledge.
You may think the IELTS test is an interrogation but you don’t really need to answer with the truth.
However, I would feel more comfortable with the be honest approach, even if it does not directly answer the question.
You would probably be able to answer more naturally, and therefore be more fluent.
Which one do you think is a better strategy?
You can use tips and information on this website to help make it easier to obtain a higher score, but remember you still need to work at learning the language to be successful.
Please share to someone you know and in the meantime take a look at my Facebook Page and Website for IELTS answers and you can also join my Facebook Group here too.
Good Luck
Jonathan
I’m Jonathan I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world. I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams. Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be. If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.
