“Is There a Psychologist in the Building?” – Understanding Unexpected IELTS Speaking Topics

As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I’ve encountered my fair share of surprised faces when students come across unusual Speaking test prompts. One question that often throws people off is, “Is there a psychologist in the building?”. While it seems out of left field, this question, like all IELTS speaking prompts, is designed to assess your language skills, not your knowledge of the building you’re in. Let’s break down why this question appears and how you can tackle it effectively.

The “Why” Behind Unexpected IELTS Questions

The IELTS Speaking test aims to evaluate your ability to:

• Communicate clearly and fluently: Examiners listen for your ability to express yourself coherently and at a natural pace.
• Use a wide range of vocabulary: Demonstrating your grasp of diverse vocabulary is key to achieving a higher score.
• Utilize accurate grammar: Correct grammar usage is fundamental to demonstrating your English proficiency.
• Speak spontaneously: The test favors candidates who can think on their feet and respond naturally, even to unexpected questions.

So, while “Is there a psychologist in the building?” might seem random, it’s actually testing your ability to adapt, think critically, and keep your composure.

Navigating the Unexpected: Strategies and Tips

Here’s how to approach these curveball questions:

1. Don’t Panic: Take a deep breath! Remember, it’s not about knowing the “right” answer.
2. Acknowledge the Question: Start by acknowledging the question, even if you’re unsure of the answer. You could say:
   • “That’s an interesting question. I’m not entirely sure, but…”
   • “I’ve never thought about that before, let me see…”
3. Think Out Loud: Use your reasoning skills to provide a plausible answer. You could:
   • Speculate: “This seems like a modern building, so it’s possible they have a psychologist on staff for employee well-being.”
   • Relate to Personal Experience: “I know some larger companies have in-house counselors, so maybe it’s becoming more common.”
4. Transition to Related Topics: Use the opportunity to steer the conversation towards familiar territory. You could smoothly transition to talking about:
   • The importance of mental health.
   • Different types of healthcare professionals.
   • Your own experiences with psychologists or counselors (if any).

IELTS Speaking Test Example Response

Example Response:

Examiner: Is there a psychologist in the building?

Candidate: That’s an interesting question! I’m not actually sure. This testing center seems quite large, though. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had a psychologist available, maybe to help students who are feeling stressed about the exam. Speaking of psychologists, I actually read an article recently about how beneficial talk therapy can be…

Key Takeaways

Remember, the IELTS Speaking test is about demonstrating your language skills, not your knowledge of random facts. By staying calm, thinking creatively, and using the question as a springboard for further discussion, you can ace even the most unexpected prompts.