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How can I start talking about a topic?

How can I start talking about a topic?

February 23, 2014 By Nestor Leave a Comment

I received an email from Anish in India. Anish wants to know how to start talking about a topic (in IELTS Speaking Test Part 2). In this post, I’m going to give you a few tips.

In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner will give you a card with a topic and ask you to talk about the topic for 1-2 minutes. Here’s an example:


Describe an indoor game you have enjoyed playing in your free time.
You should say
– what the game is
– how you learned to play it
– where you have played it
and explain why you have enjoyed playing this game.

Now there are different ways you can start talking.

Use a fixed expression

You can use going to + verb (we use going to + infinitive to talk about something that you have decided to do). For example:

  • I’m going to describe (a game I often play with my friends).
  • I’m going to talk about …
  • I’m going to tell you about …

Just start talking naturally

You don’t need to remember a fixed expression. You can just start talking in a natural way, as if a friend has asked you the same question. For example:

  • Actually, I haven’t played indoor games for ages. (see this sample answer)
  • Well, I really enjoy playing …
  • Well, I don’t play games very often, but one game I play from time to time is ….
  • I used to play indoor games in my childhood. One that I really really enjoyed was …
close

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Filed Under: General tips, IELTS Speaking Tips Tagged With: Questions from candidates, Speaking test Part 2

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