Mastering IELTS Speaking: Expert Tips on Describing Advice You Gave

The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about personal experiences, including advice you’ve given to others. This topic allows examiners to assess your ability to articulate complex ideas and reflect on past interactions. Let’s explore how to excel in answering questions related to describing advice you gave to someone.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about advice and your experiences with it. Here’s a sample question with a suggested answer:

Q: Do you often give advice to others?

A: Well, I wouldn’t say I’m constantly dishing out advice, but I do try to help when friends or family members come to me with problems. I believe in offering support when it’s needed, but I’m also mindful of not being too pushy with my opinions.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:

Describe A Piece Of Advice You Gave To Someone
You should say:

• Who you gave the advice to
• What the advice was
• Why you gave the advice
• And explain whether the person followed your advice

Sample Answer (Band 6-7):

I’d like to talk about some advice I gave to my younger cousin who was struggling with choosing a university major. He was torn between studying engineering, which his parents wanted, and pursuing his passion for art.

The advice I gave him was to follow his heart and choose art as his major. I suggested this because I could see how passionate he was about his artwork and how his eyes lit up whenever he talked about it. I felt that forcing himself into engineering just to please his parents might lead to unhappiness in the long run.

I gave him this advice because I believe it’s crucial to pursue a career that aligns with one’s interests and strengths. I shared my own experience of initially choosing a major to please others and how I later switched to something I truly enjoyed, which made a significant difference in my academic performance and overall satisfaction.

As for whether he followed my advice, I’m happy to say that he did. He had a long talk with his parents, showing them his portfolio and explaining his dreams. Eventually, they came around and supported his decision. Now, he’s studying fine arts at university and is thriving in his program.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

I’d like to recount a piece of advice I offered to my younger cousin, who was grappling with the weighty decision of selecting a university major. He found himself caught between two worlds – the pragmatic path of engineering, strongly advocated by his parents, and his burning passion for the arts.

The crux of my counsel was to prioritize his innate talents and aspirations by pursuing art as his major. This suggestion stemmed from observing his unbridled enthusiasm when discussing his artistic endeavors and the palpable joy that radiated from him while creating. I posited that shoehorning himself into an engineering career solely to appease his parents could potentially lead to long-term dissatisfaction and unfulfilled potential.

My rationale for offering this advice was rooted in the firm belief that aligning one’s career path with their intrinsic interests and strengths is paramount for personal and professional fulfillment. I drew upon my own experiences to illustrate this point, recounting how I had initially chosen a major to meet others’ expectations, only to later pivot to a field that resonated with my passions. This shift resulted in a marked improvement in my academic performance and overall life satisfaction.

Regarding the outcome, I’m delighted to report that he took my words to heart. He engaged in a candid dialogue with his parents, presenting his portfolio and articulating his aspirations with conviction. To their credit, his parents eventually came around to his perspective and rallied behind his decision. Currently, he’s immersed in a fine arts program at university, where he’s not just succeeding but truly flourishing.

IELTS Speaking: Describing advice given to someone

Follow-up Questions:

1. How did you feel after giving this advice?
2. Do you think it’s always good to follow your passion when choosing a career?

Sample Answers:

Band 6-7:

1. I felt quite relieved after giving the advice. It was a bit nerve-wracking because I knew it was an important decision for my cousin, but I was glad I could help him think through his options.

2. While following your passion is important, I think it’s also necessary to consider practical aspects like job prospects and financial stability. It’s about finding a balance between what you love and what can support you.

Band 8-9:

1. After offering my counsel, I experienced a mixture of emotions. On one hand, I felt a sense of responsibility weighing on me, given the gravity of the decision at hand. However, this was counterbalanced by a feeling of satisfaction in having provided a perspective that could potentially shape my cousin’s future in a positive way. It was gratifying to know that I had contributed to his decision-making process in a meaningful manner.

2. While I’m a staunch advocate for pursuing one’s passions, I believe it’s crucial to approach career decisions with a nuanced perspective. Aligning one’s work with their intrinsic motivations can lead to greater job satisfaction and potentially superior performance. However, it’s equally important to consider the practicalities of the chosen field, such as market demand, earning potential, and long-term career prospects. The ideal approach, in my opinion, is to strike a balance between passion and pragmatism, perhaps finding ways to incorporate one’s interests into a viable career path or pursuing them alongside a stable profession.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Q: Do you think people generally prefer to get advice from friends or professionals?

Band 6-7:
I think it depends on the situation. For personal matters, people often turn to friends because they feel more comfortable and trust their friends’ opinions. But for more serious issues like health or legal problems, most people prefer to consult professionals who have expert knowledge.

Band 8-9:
The preference for advice sources often hinges on the nature and complexity of the issue at hand. For matters of a personal or emotional nature, individuals tend to gravitate towards friends and family, valuing the emotional support and shared history that underpin these relationships. The familiarity and trust inherent in these connections often facilitate more open and candid discussions.

Conversely, when faced with specialized or high-stakes situations, such as health concerns, legal matters, or financial decisions, there’s typically a pronounced shift towards seeking professional counsel. This preference stems from the recognition of the extensive training, up-to-date knowledge, and ethical obligations that professionals bring to the table. Their objectivity and expertise can be crucial in navigating complex scenarios where the consequences of decisions may be far-reaching.

That being said, it’s worth noting that these categories aren’t mutually exclusive. Many people adopt a hybrid approach, perhaps discussing a problem initially with friends to gain emotional support and different perspectives, before consulting a professional for definitive guidance. This multi-faceted strategy allows individuals to benefit from both the empathy of personal connections and the specialized knowledge of experts.

IELTS Speaking: Comparing sources of advice

Q: In what situations might it be better to seek advice from strangers rather than from people you know?

Band 6-7:
Sometimes it’s better to get advice from strangers, especially for sensitive or embarrassing issues. Strangers can be more objective because they don’t know you personally. Also, if you’re looking for a fresh perspective on something, talking to someone who doesn’t know your background might give you new ideas.

Band 8-9:
Seeking advice from strangers can be advantageous in several scenarios, particularly when objectivity and fresh perspectives are paramount. One such situation is when dealing with highly personal or sensitive issues that one might feel uncomfortable discussing with acquaintances. The anonymity afforded by interactions with strangers can foster a sense of freedom in expressing oneself without fear of judgment or long-term social consequences.

Additionally, strangers can offer a valuable outsider’s perspective, unencumbered by preconceived notions about your personality or past behaviors. This can be particularly beneficial when one is grappling with a longstanding problem or seeking to break out of established patterns. The lack of shared history allows for advice based purely on the situation at hand, potentially leading to novel insights or approaches that might not occur to those familiar with your circumstances.

Moreover, in situations where specialized knowledge is required, but one wishes to maintain privacy or avoid potential conflicts of interest, consulting strangers (particularly through professional services or online forums dedicated to specific topics) can be a prudent course of action. This approach allows individuals to tap into a diverse pool of experiences and expertise while maintaining a degree of separation from their immediate social circle.

It’s important to note, however, that while advice from strangers can be valuable, it should be weighed carefully, especially when it pertains to significant life decisions. The lack of personal context that makes such advice appealing can also be a limitation, as the advisor may not fully grasp the nuances of one’s situation.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. To give/offer advice (phrase) – /tə ɡɪv/ˈɒfər ədˈvaɪs/
   Example: I hesitated to give advice on such a personal matter.

2. To take advice (phrase) – /tə teɪk ədˈvaɪs/
   Example: She decided to take my advice and apply for the scholarship.

3. To weigh options (phrase) – /tə weɪ ˈɒpʃənz/
   Example: Before making a decision, it’s important to carefully weigh all your options.

4. To consider the implications (phrase) – /tə kənˈsɪdər ðə ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃənz/
   Example: When giving advice, one should always consider the long-term implications.

5. Perspective (noun) – /pəˈspektɪv/
   Example: Seeking advice from others can offer a fresh perspective on your problems.

6. Counsel (noun/verb) – /ˈkaʊnsəl/
   Example: His wise counsel helped me navigate a difficult situation at work.

7. To deliberate (verb) – /dɪˈlɪbəreɪt/
   Example: I deliberated for days before offering my friend advice about her relationship.

8. Impartial (adjective) – /ɪmˈpɑːʃəl/
   Example: As an impartial observer, I tried to give balanced advice to both parties.

9. To reflect on (phrasal verb) – /tə rɪˈflekt ɒn/
   Example: After giving the advice, I spent some time reflecting on whether it was the right thing to say.

10. To weigh in (phrasal verb) – /tə weɪ ɪn/
    Example: I was hesitant to weigh in on the discussion, but I felt my perspective could be valuable.

IELTS Speaking: Key vocabulary for describing advice

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when describing advice you gave:

1. Use a variety of vocabulary related to giving advice and decision-making. Incorporate some of the key terms mentioned above naturally in your responses.

2. Provide detailed examples to support your points. Don’t just state what advice you gave, but explain the context, your reasoning, and the outcome in depth.

3. Show reflection and critical thinking by discussing why you gave that particular advice and how you felt about it afterwards.

4. Demonstrate awareness of different perspectives by acknowledging potential counterarguments or alternative viewpoints.

5. Use a range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional forms when appropriate.

6. Maintain fluency by practicing your responses beforehand, but avoid sounding rehearsed. Aim for natural, conversational delivery.

7. Engage with the examiner by making eye contact and showing enthusiasm for the topic.

8. Expand on your answers in Part 3 by considering broader implications and societal trends related to advice-giving.

Remember, the key to success is not just in what you say, but how you say it. Confidence, clarity, and the ability to express complex ideas fluently are all crucial factors in achieving a high score in the IELTS Speaking test.

For more practice on IELTS Speaking topics, you might find it helpful to describe something you did in your studies or work that made you feel confident. This can provide additional context for discussing personal experiences and achievements, which is valuable for the IELTS Speaking test.