The IELTS Speaking Test is designed to assess your English speaking capabilities under a variety of situations. The test is divided into three parts: Introduction and Interview, Long Turn, and Two-way Discussion. Today, we’ll focus on answering a question you may encounter: “Describe a time when you were in an airplane”. This question is noteworthy as it allows candidates to showcase their storytelling skills while employing descriptive language effectively.
Introduction to the IELTS Speaking Test
The IELTS Speaking Test is a face-to-face interview consisting of three parts:
- Part 1: Introduction and Interview – General questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics.
- Part 2: Long Turn – You will be given a cue card with a topic. You’ll have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 2 minutes.
- Part 3: Two-way Discussion – A discussion related to the topic in Part 2, where you explore more abstract and complex ideas.
Examiner Expectations
Examiners look for fluency, coherence, vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, and pronunciation. Scoring well involves providing detailed, well-structured answers with a variety of grammatical structures and rich vocabulary.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, you’ll be asked general questions about yourself. Here are some potential questions and a sample answer:
Sample Question for Part 1:
Q: Do you often travel by plane?
A:
“I don’t travel by plane very often, but I do enjoy it when I get the chance. I usually fly for vacations or to visit family living abroad. For instance, last year I flew to Thailand for a holiday and it was an amazing experience. The convenience and speed of air travel make it an appealing option for long-distance journeys.”
Part 2: Long Turn
In Part 2, you will be given a cue card with a specific topic to discuss. Here’s a sample cue card and a model answer.
Describe a time when you were in an airplane
- When it happened
- Where you were going
- Who you were with
- How you felt about the flight
Sample Answer:
“One memorable airplane journey I had was about two years ago when I flew from New York to Los Angeles. It was during the summer, and I was heading to LA for a conference. I traveled with my close colleague and friend, Mark.
The flight lasted approximately six hours and was quite comfortable. I must admit, I’m usually not a fan of flying because of the confined spaces and turbulence, but this experience was different. The aircraft was quite spacious as we were fortunate enough to be upgraded to business class.
What made the flight particularly memorable was the breathtaking view when we flew over the Grand Canyon. The landscape was awe-inspiring, with its deep, vivid reds and oranges. It looked nothing short of a masterpiece painted by nature.
Another highlight was the in-flight entertainment system, which offered a wide variety of movies and music. This made the long flight feel shorter, as I immersed myself in a couple of interesting films.
Overall, it was one of the best flights I’ve ever had, combining beautiful scenery with excellent service.”
Follow-up Questions for Part 2:
-
Q: Have you ever had any bad experiences while flying?
A: “Yes, there was one time when my flight was severely delayed due to a technical issue. It was quite frustrating as we had to wait at the airport for several hours.” -
Q: How do you usually pass the time during a flight?
A: “I usually read books, listen to music, or watch movies. Sometimes, I also use the time to catch up on sleep.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, you’ll discuss topics related to the one you described in Part 2 but in a more abstract manner.
Example Questions and Answers:
Q: Why do people choose to travel by plane rather than other forms of transportation?
A:
“People often choose to travel by plane because it is the fastest mode of transportation for long distances, allowing them to save a significant amount of time. Moreover, flying can be more comfortable and convenient, especially if they are traveling internationally. Additionally, airlines offer various amenities and services that can make the journey more pleasant.”
Q: What are some environmental concerns associated with air travel?
A:
“Air travel contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major concern for the environment. The carbon footprint of airplanes is significant, and this impacts global warming and climate change. Efforts are being made to develop more fuel-efficient aircraft and alternative forms of energy, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Q: How do you think air travel will change in the future?
A:
“I believe air travel will become more efficient and environmentally friendly in the future. We may see the development of electric or hybrid planes, reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. Moreover, advancements in technology could make flying faster and more accessible to a broader range of people.”
Tips for High Scores
- Fluency and Coherence: Practice speaking smoothly without hesitations. Organize your thoughts logically.
- Lexical Resource: Use a range of vocabulary to express ideas clearly. Avoid repetition.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Use a mixture of simple and complex sentences. Ensure grammatical accuracy.
- Pronunciation: Work on enunciating words clearly. Use intonation to express meaning.
For further improvement in different components of the IELTS Speaking Test, you may refer to the in-depth analysis on different types of IELTS tasks here.
Practicing with these strategies and examples can certainly help you achieve better scores in your IELTS Speaking Test. Keep practicing and stay confident!
By following these guidelines, not only will you be better prepared, but you will also be more confident during your IELTS Speaking Test. Happy practicing!