The IELTS Speaking test consists of three parts: Introduction and Interview, Long Turn, and Two-way Discussion. Each part assesses different aspects of your English-speaking abilities. As a seasoned IELTS Speaking Examiner, I can affirm that achieving high marks involves showcasing fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, and pronunciation. In this article, we focus on the common and significant topic: “Describe a piece of advice you received”. This topic frequently appears in IELTS Speaking tests and offers a great opportunity to demonstrate your language skills. Let’s dive into specific questions and examples to guide you toward a top-notch answer.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Potential Questions
- Do you often follow advice given by others?
- What kind of advice do you usually need?
- Who do you look to for advice?
Sample Question and Answer
Question: Who do you look to for advice?
Answer: I often seek advice from my parents because they have a wealth of life experience and offer practical solutions. For example, when I was deciding on my university major, their insights were invaluable. They encouraged me to pursue a field that aligned with my interests and job prospects, which ultimately led me to choose Business Administration.
Part 2: Long Turn
In Part 2, you will be given a cue card with a topic and asked to speak about it for 1-2 minutes. You have 1 minute to prepare.
Cue Card: Describe a Piece of Advice You Received
You should say:
- Who gave you the advice
- What the advice was
- Why they gave you this advice
- And explain how this advice helped you
Example Answer
A memorable piece of advice I received was from my high school English teacher. She advised me to “read widely and write regularly” to improve my language skills. She gave me this advice during a consultation about my academic performance, noticing my interest in literature but also recognizing my need to enhance my writing and vocabulary. Following her advice, I started reading various genres of books and maintaining a daily journal. This practice not only improved my English but also nurtured a habit of critical thinking and creativity. As a result, my grades improved significantly, and I gained sufficient confidence to participate in writing competitions.
Additional Questions and Suggested Answers
- Why do you think this advice was useful?
Answer: I believe this advice was incredibly useful because it provided a structured approach to developing language skills and disciplining myself to maintain consistent effort. - Have you received any other valuable advice?
Answer: Yes, another important advice I received was from my mentor at university. He emphasized the importance of networking and building professional relationships, which has been crucial in my career development.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner Questions
- Do you think advice from the internet is reliable?
- How can individuals evaluate the quality of advice?
- Do you think professional advice is always better than advice from family or friends?
Sample Answer
Question: Do you think advice from the internet is reliable?
Answer: It depends on the source of the advice. While there are many credible websites and forums where experts share their knowledge, there’s also a lot of misinformation. To evaluate the quality of advice, one should consider the credentials of the author, verify the information against multiple sources, and cross-reference with reputable publications or professional opinions. For instance, when I was looking for career advice, I relied on articles from established career coaches and verified my findings with industry professionals.
Question: Do you think professional advice is always better than advice from family or friends?
Answer: Not necessarily. While professional advice tends to be more informed and specialized, advice from family and friends is often tailored to your personal circumstances. For example, a career counselor might provide strategic job-search techniques, but a friend who understands my personality and preferences may suggest options that align better with my personal aspirations.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
- Invaluable (adj.) /ˌɪnˈvæljuəbl/: Extremely useful
- Structured approach (noun): A systematic method
- Credentials (noun): Qualifications, experience, or background of someone
- Verify (verb) /ˈverɪfaɪ/: To confirm the truth or accuracy of something
- Cross-reference (noun): Checking one piece of information against another source
- Critical thinking (noun): The ability to analyze facts to form a judgment
Examples
- “The advice was invaluable during my decision-making process.”
- “A structured approach to studying can yield remarkable results.”
- “Before following online advice, ensure you verify the author’s credentials.”
Examiner’s Advice for Practice
To excel in IELTS Speaking, practice with real-life scenarios, record and review your answers, and seek feedback from proficient English speakers or instructors. Engaging in regular conversations in English and expanding your vocabulary can significantly elevate your speaking capabilities.
Receiving and Giving Advice
By thoroughly preparing your responses and incorporating advanced vocabulary, you can confidently navigate the IELTS Speaking test and aim for a higher band score.