As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I often encounter students who feel overwhelmed by the unpredictable nature of the Speaking test. While it’s impossible to predict the exact questions, there are recurring themes and topics. One such topic is “walking,” which might seem mundane but presents a great opportunity to demonstrate your English fluency. Let’s explore how you can confidently tackle questions like “Do you walk a lot?” and impress the examiner.
Understanding the Question’s Intent
The examiner isn’t simply interested in your walking habits. They are assessing your ability to:
- Provide extended answers: Avoid one-word or very short responses. Aim to elaborate and provide reasons for your answers.
- Use a range of vocabulary: Showcase your knowledge of synonyms, idioms, and descriptive language related to walking, exercise, and leisure activities.
- Demonstrate grammatical accuracy: Use correct tenses, sentence structures, and grammatical structures.
Crafting Your Response
1. Address the question directly: Begin by directly answering the question.
- “Yes, I do enjoy walking quite a bit.”
- “Actually, I wouldn’t say I walk a lot on a daily basis.”
2. Elaborate with reasons: Provide context and reasons for your answer.
- “I find it a relaxing way to get some exercise and clear my head after a long day of work.”
- “My commute involves a lot of public transportation, so I don’t get as many opportunities to walk as I’d like.”
3. Offer specific examples: Make your answer more engaging by sharing personal anecdotes or specific examples.
- “On weekends, I love going for long walks in the park near my house. It’s so peaceful and scenic.”
- “I recently started taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work as a way to incorporate more walking into my routine.”
4. Connect to broader themes: Consider linking your answer to related topics like health, the environment, or your city’s infrastructure.
- “I believe walking is not only beneficial for our health but also a great way to reduce our carbon footprint.”
- “Unfortunately, my city isn’t very pedestrian-friendly, so I tend to walk less than I would in a place with better sidewalks and walking paths.”
Walking in the park
Sample IELTS Speaking Response
Examiner: Do you walk a lot?
Candidate: I do enjoy walking, although I wouldn’t say I do it extensively every day. I find it a great way to unwind after work. I often take a stroll around my neighborhood for about thirty minutes or so. It helps me to clear my head and get some fresh air. Plus, it’s a good form of exercise without being too strenuous.
Tips for Success
- Practice speaking about everyday topics: Don’t just focus on complex or academic subjects. Become comfortable discussing familiar topics like hobbies, daily routines, and personal preferences.
- Expand your vocabulary: Use a thesaurus or vocabulary-building apps to learn synonyms related to movement, exercise, and outdoor activities.
- Record yourself speaking: This is invaluable for identifying areas where you might hesitate or make grammatical errors.
Remember, confidence is key! The more you practice, the more fluent and comfortable you will become when discussing topics like walking in the IELTS Speaking test.
